An exact abridgment of all the trials (not omitting any material passage therein) which have been published since the year 1678: relating to the popish, and pretended Protestant-plots in the reigns of King Charles the 2d, and King James the 2d.

The Trials of Andrew Brommich and Wil∣liam Atkins, Priests, at the Summer-Assi∣zes at Stafford. As also of Charles Kern a Priest, at Hereford-Assizes, before the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs, 1679.

ON VVednesday, Aug. 13. 1679. the Court sate; And the Night before the Lord Chief Justice having charged the Sheriff to return a good Jury, he now enquired of him if he had observed his Directions; The She∣riff acquainted his Lordship. That since he had impannelled the said Jury, he had heard that one Allen, (who had being returned) said in Discourse with some of his Fellows, that nothing was done against the Popish Priests above, and therefore he would do nothing against them here, nor find them Guilty: Where∣upon his Lordship called for the said Allen, and one Randal Calclough, one of his fellow Jury∣men, and another Witness upon Oath, who proving the words against him, his Lordship discharg'd him of the Jury, and committed him

to Prison, till he found Sureties for his good Be∣haviour. And likewise three more of the Jury were discharg'd upon suspicion of being Po∣pishly-affected, his Lordship commanding the Sheriff to return good Men in their Places; which was accordingly done, and the Jury sworn, viz.

• ...Thomas Higgin.
• ...John Webb.
• ...Edward Ward.
• ...Thomas Marshall.
• ...John Beech.
• ...Randal Calclough.
• ...Richard Trindall.
• ...James Beckett.
• ...VVilliam Smyth.
• ...VVilliam Pinson.
• ...Daniel Buxton.
• ...Richard Cartwright.

Then Andrew Brommich being set to the Bar, was Indicted for being a Priest. And to prove him so,

Ann Robinson deposed, That she had received the Sacrament from him about Christmas last, according to the Church of Rome, in a Wafer; and four times more, before that time, twice at Mr. Birch's, and twice at Mr. Pursall's.

Then Jeoffery Robinson deposed, That he heard him say something in an unknown Tongue, and that he was in a Surplice; but (being a Papist) was hardly induced to say so much.

Brommich's Defence, was only a denial that ever he gave the Sacrament to Ann Robinson, or if he did, that it could be no Sacrament unless he was a Priest. He desired also that it might be took notice, that Robinson and his Wife, upon their Examinations before a Justice of the Peace said, they did not know him.

Then the Statute of 27. Eliz. Cap. 2. was read, and the Ld. Ch. Justice summ'd up the Evidence, and the Jury brought him in Guilty.

Then VVilliam Atkins was set to the Bar, having been Arraigned for being a Romish Priest; and his Indictment read to the same Jury.

Then VVilliam Jackson, being sworn said, He could say nothing.

Francis VVilden deposed, That he heard him say Prayers in an Unknown Tongue, in a Surplice, and had seen him give the Sacrament to seven or eight, according to the manner of the Church of Rome, in a Wafer, at Mrs. Stam∣ford's House in VVolverhampton.

Then John Jarvis being called, refused to be sworn, saying, He was troubled with a Vision last Night; But the Ld. Ch. Justice told him he mistook, for Old Men dream Dreams, 'twas Young Men see Visions, and that he was an old Man: Bidding him speak the Truth, and he'd warrant him he should not be troubled with Visions any more, this being a Trick of the Priests.—So he being sworn, deposed, That he had often been relieved by this Atkins,—and had heard him say somewhat in an Unknown Tongue, and had Confess'd to him, and often received the Sacrament from him, he being in a Priests Habit.

Henry Brown also deposed, That he was al∣most turned from the Protestant Religion to that of the Church of Rome, but never went further than Confession, and that was to this Man, and then he left them.

Then Thomas Dudley deposed, That he like∣wise was given that way, and had been at Con∣fession with one Atkins (whom he believed to be this Man) and had seen him perform several Rites of the Church of Rome at VVell-Head at Ham.

Then the Statute was read, and the Prisoner saying, He had neither any Witnesses to call, nor any thing to say, The Ld. Ch. Justice summ'd up the Evidence; and the Jury brought him also in Guilty. And the Ld. Ch. Justice sentenced them both to be Drawn, Hang'd, and Quar∣ter'd.

ON Monday, Aug. 4. 1679. at Hereford; Charles Kerne was brought to the Bar, and being Arraigned, he pleaded Not Guilty to the Indictment, which was for being a Romish Priest: Then, the Jury being sworn (whose Name's are not inserted into this Trial, only that one VVill. Barret was Foreman) the Court proceeded to call the Evidence against him.

And first Edward Biddolph was sworn, who deposed, that he did not know the Prisoner; that he had seen one of that name 6 Years agone at Mr. Somerset's at Bellingham, but would not say this was he.

Then Margaret Edwards deposed, That she had known Kerne five or six Years.—That the first time she ever saw him was at Mr.VVigmore's of Lucton, who told her it was he. That she hath seen him several times since; twice or thrice at

VVoebly, and the last time was, the 29th of May was Twelvemonth at Sarnsfield, at Mrs. Moning∣ton's, where she saw him deliver the Wafer (and remembred the Words Corpus Christi) to four persons that were there, but she her self did not receive.—She gave also an account of the Reason of her then coming thither, it being at the request of one Harris of Lempster, whose Wife was sick, to seek some Remedy from Mrs. Monington for her.—Telling how the Maid brought her up to the Mistress, how she acquainted her with her Errand, what advice was given her, and how Mrs. Monington under∣standing she was a Papist, took her into the Chappel, whereof she gave a Description.

Then Mary Jones deposed, That she knew Mr. Kerne about eight Years ago, when she lived at Mr. Somersets, and that Mr. Kerne lived in the House about half a Year.—That she hath seen several Persons come thither.—And that one Sunday Morning she saw several Persons go up with Mr. Kerne, and listning, she heard Mr. Kerne say something aloud which she did not understand, there being but a Wall between them.—That also there was a Child Christned in the House, and no one there but Mr. Somerset and his Wife, Mr. Latchet and his Wife, and Mr. Kerne to do it; but she did not see him do it, though she heard his Voice.—And that once she wash'd a Surplice, but knew not whose it was.

Then the Prisoner, in his own Defence, called one Mr. Hyet, who said, That Margaret Ed∣wards had denied to him, that she knew Mr.

Kerne, (but not being on her Oath, when she said so, it was not regarded.) Mr. Weston's maid affirmed, That she saw Margaret Edwards and Mary Jones talking together, and Marg. Edwards instructed the other what she should say; (but being called, they both denyed it upon their Oaths)

Then Mrs. Monington appear'd, who said, She neither knew Marg. Edwards nor James Harris; and Mrs. Monington's Maid denied that ever she saw her at her Mistresses House. Then the Statute being read, of 27 Eliz. the Prisoner urged, that Persons that are not Priest's may say Mass, except that of Bread and Wine; and Christen too in extremis.

Then the Ld. Ch. Justice summ'd up the Evi∣dence, concluding, Margaret Edwards to be a Positive Evidence, but leaving the other doubt∣ful to the Consideration of the. Jury, who brought the Prisoner in Not Guilty.