Manifest truth: or An inversion of truth's manifest: Containing, a vindication of a Church of Christ in their proceedings on March the 8. 1657, against Mrs Mary Allein, from the false and injurious aspersions of her husband Mr. Toby Allein. By Lewis Stucley, pastor of a congregation in Exeter.

TO THE READER.

THat Ink hath Poyson and Gall in it, the Historian as well as Naturalist will con∣fesse, and a late Pamphleter hath exem∣plified: We need not impannel a Jury of Inquest for this; hereby it happens that no quarter is given to paper, and as little to ma∣ny mens names, as thou canst witnesse if thou hast per∣used a book of Mr Alleins (falsly) called, Truths Ma∣nifest.

I must confess I have had some conflicts in my own spirit whether I should silently pass by the falshood of the report or returne some answer to it. Eloquar an sileam? First, I shall give thee the workings of my thoughts for my silence; and then Secondly, give thee an account of the praeponderating considerations that have had the greatest influence upon me, to come thus into the view of the world.

First, I shall consider what may lye in the ballance a∣gainst my printing.

1. I blesse the Lord I am in some good measure made sensible of my want of parts to contribute to the good of souls by my penn or tongue.

2. There are many choice practical Tracts (that concerne the eternal welfare of souls) published with∣in the last twentie years, that (according to the con∣viction of my own conscience) must needs promote the great ends of Creation and Redemption, more then I can hope my answer to a Scurrilous pamphlet may con∣duce; and if Luther (that Phaenix of the world) would condemn his excellent writings to the fire, ra∣ther then by the publication of them, the Scriptures should be laid by; (Ego odi meos libros, et saepe opto eos interire. Luther in Gen. 14.) And if Augustin cryes out, away with our writings, that roome may be made for the Book of God, how much rather may I cry out and others, Auferantur de medio chartae nostrae, away with our scriblings

I must profess to all the world, That I am heartily sorry I must trouble the press or thee with any thing but what may be useful and practical for thy furtherance in Grace.

3. I was even resolved to say as Bernard, Premat Corpus, tremat mundus, fremat Diabolus, conscien∣tia semper ecit secura: or rather with Paul, My re∣joyecing is this, the Testimony of my Conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity I have had my conver∣sation in the world, 2 Cor. 1.12. And with Job; Job 16.19 my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.

I was thinking to relieve my self with my own inno∣cency, as to things laid to my charge; I could even

have resolved not to make Hue and Cry after my self a∣broad in this mis-judging age, but to become careless what the vulgar think or say of me, so it be not deser∣vedly ill; I was loath to buy their good opinion so dearly, as by the expence of much time and many spirits: how sweet have such thoughts as these been to me! It is not the breath of mens praise that I can live by, if I have credit with God, what if I have none with man? God and conscience are my Compurgatours to whom I dare appeal from mans bar; if God and a good Conscience feast me within, no matter for the Haile of mans reproaches that rattle without: my God doth not doe by me as man doth, he doth not throw dirt but rather washeth it away in his Sons blood, &c. and therefore in the midst of all the clamours, misap∣prehensions, and misjudgings of men, why should not this content me, that there sits one in heaven that will cleare me one day?

4. When I veiw the generality of the nation, I fancy them so overgrowne with misprision, that I have hardly hopes they will believe truths, further then they suit their particular parties, and interests. One justly complaines of the times, that mens words or reports of their actions have fared hard since envy (as Peter with Malchus) hath cut off their right eares; affections alwayes cut off one (and too oft the right) we seldom reserve one care for the strangers (much lesse the enemies) relation.

5. I might hope that a Ministers yea or nay, might be of as much credit as Mr. T. A. his yea and nay; and though he hath got a certificate to gain him some credit, yet he knows well how easily I could procure hundreds of Ministers to do me such an office if I thought I needed them.

6. I have considered that some mens malice is best born by silence, and malice slighted looseth (as the Bee) with its sting its life; I have known some scolds soonest silenced by turning the deaf eare; answers and replyes doe not so soone strike detractours dumbe, as a contemning and disliking deafness: It stands with some mens credit to dispise poore accusations, and their best answer is, with Alexander (in Lucian) unto Han∣nibal, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to answer nothing at all: And might not I hope that those mists that were cast upon my person might in a few weeks scatter and vanish, with∣out speaking a word for my self or cause?

7. I thought I might venture upon the Testimony of the Consciences of many who know me, to vindicate me from the Aspersions of this pamphleter.

8. Besides all that know me, can beare me witness, how little pleasure I take in a Salamander life; books of this nature can hardly be writ nor read without ma∣ny heats and Commotions in spirits: These times al∣ready have beene too fruitful in disputes and controver∣sies, I have from my heart wished that all our swords of Contention were beaten into plough-shares of more use, and fruitfulness, for the Lords field: Would it not be better if Abners Language were in every mans mouth and heart, 2. Sam. 2.26. How long shall it be ere thou bid the people returne from pursueing their Bre∣thren?

9. Is it not a known experimented truth, that when the head is Intoxicated with empty jejune controversies and notions, the heart becomes Consumptive in the solid parts of Godliness? And therefore I had rather acquaint poore souls, that there is a Controversy de∣pending betwixt God and them, and that it is not no small misery to be an enemy to God, to be unpardon∣ed,

unsanctified, without hope of Salvation, if so they live and dye, to be a slave of Satan, and confidently to goe on in the way to condemnation: It grieved a Roman Emperour, that a Neighbour of his should die before he had doen him any good; it is some affliction to me, if I must be forced to spread Rabshe∣kahs papers before God and men and thereby be hin∣dred from more Important affaires, that the necessi∣ties of self-destroying souls call for: how many are there round about that there is but a step 'twixt them and the Grave? and 'twixt them and Hell? What haste are many making to everlasting woe? and must I forbeare crying, Returne, Returne, why will ye die? to vindicate my name from the Apersions of an inconsi∣derable penn? Oh when I think of Psal. 7.11. That God is angry with the wicked every day, he hath bent his bow, and made it ready, he hath also prepared for him the Instruments of death, Me thinks I should leave my name to the fury of the pamphleter, whilest I advise these mad traitours against the majesty of heaven, and beseech them with tears and crys to throw down their armes, and to seek peace on a bended knee, according to the Articles proposed in the Gospel: How can I look these in the face, and think how likely they are to lye in perpetual misery, and not break forth into teares (as the Prophet did when he lookt on Hazael) and fall on with the most importunate exhortations? how can I, how may I leave them in such apparent danger to take notice of the reflections of T. A?

Secondly: But then in the other scale, I found a bleeding name, and thereby the Gospel suffering, I found the Churches and people of God were to be sa∣tisfied, that had a chiefe interest in my reputation, least my person might prejudice my Doctrine, a Suspi∣tion

of sin in an exemplary person (and such are all Ministers) denyes his labours their desired acceptance; and therefore Augustine saith, nec audendi sunt &c. Those are not to be hearkned to, who having Suspition raised of them which they know themselves to be free of shall say, their Conscience in the presence of God is enough for them, and imprudently contemn the Esteeme of men: Well then a good name is to be kept up, or redeemed from the attempts of men and di∣vils, it is that which our Saviour expresly Commands, when he saith, Let your light so shine before men, that they may glorify God, Matth. 5.16.

I know also how Catching a thing falshood is, and that there are too many spirits in the world that are as dryed tinder to the fire of a Malicious Detra∣ctour.

Besides I find the Apostles wipeing off blots from their persons that the Gospel might not be hindred; some there were that prated against John, with mali∣cious words, and he assures the Saints he will remember them. So the Apostle Paul, when some of the Corinthian Church had bespattered him, he accounts it worth a double Epistle, to give Antidotes against that poyson, and to wipe off that spittle which some foule mouths had debased him with.

And the Apostle is express, that the mouths of vaine talkers and deceivers (that attempt to deceive though with never such slender artifices; for any thing will serve to deceive the simple) must be stopped. Tit. 1.10, 11.

More-over, hereby Satans designe may be frustrat∣ed, who hath alwayes attempted to cloud, bemist, and asperse the servants of God, as knowing if he can but lay them low in the eyes of the people, their

Gospel and Ministry will soone tumble after them: were I to suffer alone, it were no great matter, but when I consider, the Gospel will suffer, and my la∣bours to many may be obstructed by silence under this mans calumnies and mis-representations, I cannot hold my peace: If it is come to this, that the Preacher must be vindicated, that his Doctrine may be accept∣ed, I think I am bound in conscience, of two evills to prevent the greater, i. rather to publish my want of Judgment, discretion, and parts, then to lye still and be condemned for a lyar, slanderer, and un∣righteous Judge, &c.

But before I make any animadversions on the late pamphlet, I cannot but observe somewhat of greater Moment then I can find in it.

1. That I being a man subject to great infirmities, yet it hath pleased God to hide them from him, who watched for my halting, and so to governe and order the ill will of my adversary, that he seldom or never hits upon these, but layes the burthen upon the whole shoulder, and chargeth me with that which I can easi∣est wipe off; blessed be God, that if at any time my nakedness hath been more then ordinary, yet this Cham hath not found me in it, for he would soone have pub∣lished it to his bretheren; did he but know my often indifferencies in the wayes of God, my often starting a∣side, my unbeliefe, together with all the aggravating Circumstances, so much as I doe, how would he glo∣ry over my infirmities? qui alterius vituperatione laudari putat; who knoweth no other way of Com∣mending himself, then by disparaging others; herein I desire to adore the Love and goodnesse of God to me and others.

2. That God should draw good out of evil for the good of me and others, Shimei his railing tongue, and Rabshekahs letters, should conduce to our reputa∣tion, and that the wrath of man in the Lords hands, should be as a file, to make the innocency of his people the brighter; this I desire with reverence to lay to heart; how should I and others adore the wisdome of God who converteth all the soyle (that can be raked together out of the draught, either of our infirmities or of the passions of this man) into Fullers Soap to scoure our names and persons to a greater brightness; they say of false dyalls, that's best which is most false, because it will deceive fewest: It is a favour for me and others (not intended by T. A. but directed by provi∣dence) that seeing we must be traduced, it should be done so palpably and grosly.

3. I cannot but adore the Justice of God toward this Mr. Allien who hoping to raise up his wifes lost fame upon the ruines of a Church, hath but exposed her scan∣dalous actions and his own to the more shame; and go∣ing about to asperse the censures of the Church, hath thereby ripened his own Judgment, which yet may eventually prove a mercy to him; it is so dangerous a thing to go along with impunity in any lewd course that the greatest mercy to a malefactour, is to arrest him in his Carriage.

And now Reader, least thou be offended at the tart∣ness of some passages in the following Book, I am for∣ced to this Apology, That I divulge little more of Mr T.A. then what is divulged by himself: the Law of na∣ture teacheth me to do right to my self, and therein to prove (what I may) that I am slandered, and there∣fore I hope for a faire opinion from thee, if I give thee

a farther light of what was done on March the 18^th Against Mrs. M. A. which is by her husband very ill represented to the world; my reflections on him are not so much to uncover him, as the truth; expect no more then this from

June 2. 1658.

Thy Friend. LEWIS STƲCLEY.