INDEX
EXPURGATORIUS
ANGLICANUS:
OR
A DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF THE PRINCIPAL BOOKS
PRINTED OR PUBLISHED IN ENGLAND,
WHICH HAVE BEEN SUPPRESSED,
OR BURNT BY THE COMMON HANGMAN,
OR CENSURED,
OR FOR WHICH THE AUTHORS, PRINTERS, OR PUBLISHERS
HAVE BEEN PROSECUTED.
BY W. H. HART, F.S.A.
PRICE ONE SHILLING AND SIXPENCE.
LONDON:
JOHN RUSSELL SMITH, 36, SOHO SQUARE.
1878.
HART AND SON, PRINTERS,] [SAFFRON WALDEN.
261.
A letter to Mr. Miles Prance in relation to the murder of Sir
Edmundbury Godfrey.
A copy of this publication is preserved in the British Museum
Library. It is in folio, and contains three pages. For its
condemnation see article 265.
262.
A second letter to Miles Prance in reply to the Ghost of Sir
Edmundbury Godfrey.
A copy of this publication is preserved in the British Museum
Library. It is in folio, and contains four pages. For its
condemnation see article 265.
263.
The Loyal Protestant and True Domestic Intelligence, or News both
from City and Country. No. 125, Tuesday, March 7, 1682.
A copy of this newspaper is preserved in the British Museum
Library. For its condemnation see article 265.
264.
The Loyal Protestant and True Domestic Intelligence, or News both
from City and Country. No. 127, Saturday, March 11, 1682.
A copy of this newspaper is preserved in the British Museum
Library. For its condemnation see next article.
265.
The Loyal Protestant and True Domestic Intelligence, or News both
from City and Country. No. 136, April 1, 1682.
For this, and the publications described in articles 261 to
264 importing that Sir Edmundbury Godfrey murdered himself, a
prosecution was instituted against Nathaniel Thompson, William
Pain, and John Farwell, and on Tuesday, June 20th, 1682, they were
tried at the Guildhall, London, and found guilty. Thompson and
Farwell were sentenced to stand on the pillory in the Palace Yard,
the last day of Term, between the hours of Ten and One o'clock,
for the space of an hour, and each of them to pay a fine of £100,
and to be imprisoned until they paid it. Pain was only to pay a
fine of £100. Accordingly, on Wednesday, the 5th of July, 1682,
Thompson and Farwell stood in the pillory, in the Old Palace Yard,
at Westminster, with this writing over their heads--
"For libelling the Justice of the Nation, by making the world
believe that Sir Edmundbury Godfrey murdered himself."
The following is a copy of the information:--
Memorandum quod Robertus Sawyer miles, Attornatus domini Regis
nunc Generalis, qui pro eodem domino Rege in hac parte sequitur,
in propria persona sua venit hic in curiam dicti domini Regis,
coram ipso Rege apud Westmonasterium, die Mercurii proximo post
quindenam Paschæ isto eodem termino, et pro eodem domino Rege dat
curiæ hic intelligi et informari, quod die Martis proximo post
crastinum Purificationis Beatæ Mariæ Virginis, termino Sancti
Hillarii annis regni domini Caroli Secundi nunc Regis Angliæ &c.
tricesimo et tricesimo primo, in curia dicti domini Regis coram
ipso Rege apud Westmonasterium, eadem curia apud Westmonasterium
in comitatu Middlesexiæ tunc tenta existente, per sacramentum
duodecim juratorum proborum et legalium hominum comitatus
Middlesexiæ prædictæ tunc et ibidem juratorum et oneratorum ad
inquirendum pro dicto domino Rege et corpore comitatus prædicti,
extitit præsentatum quod Robertus Greene nuper de parochia Sanctæ
Mariæ le Strond in comitatu Middlesexiæ Laborer, [ ] Gerrald nuper
de parochia prædicta in comitatu prædicto clericus, Henricus
Berry nuper de parochia prædicta in comitatu prædicto Laborer,
Laurencius Hill nuper de parochia prædicta in comitatu prædicto
Laborer, Dominicus Kelly nuper de parochia prædicta in comitatu
prædicto clericus, et Philbert Vernat nuper de parochia prædicta
in comitatu prædicto Laborer, Deum præ oculis suis non habentes,
sed instigatione diabolica moti et seducti, duodecimo die Octobris
anno regni domini Caroli Secundi Dei gratia Angliæ Scotiæ Franciæ
et Hiberniæ Regis Fidei Defensoris &c. tricesimo, vi et armis
&c. apud parochiam Sanctæ Mariæ le Strond prædictæ in comitatu
Middlesexiæ prædictæ in et super quendam Edmundum Berry Godfrey
militem, in pace Dei et dicti Domini Regis nunc adtunc et ibidem
existentem, felonice, voluntarie, et ex malitia sua præcogitata,
insultum fecerunt. Et quod prædictus Robertus Greene quoddam
sudarium panni lini _anglice a linen handkerchiffe_, valoris sex
denariorum, circa collum ipsius Edmundi Berry Godfrey adtunc
et ibidem felonice, voluntarie, et ex malitia sua præcogitata,
plicavit, et fixavit _anglice did fold, and fasten_. Et quod
prædictus Robertus Greene cum prædicto sudario sic per ipsum
Robertum Greene plicato et fixato circa collum ipsius prædicti
Edmundi Berry adtunc ipsum prædictum Edmundum Berry Godfrey
felonice, voluntarie, et ex malitia sua præcogitata, suffocavit
et strangulavit _anglice, choake and strangle_, de quibusquidem
suffocatione, et strangulatione ipsius Edmundi Berry Godfrey
prædicti, per ipsum prædictum Robertum Greene in forma prædicta
factis et perpetratis, ipse prædictus Edmundus Berry Godfrey adtunc
et ibidem instanter obiit. Et quod prædicti [ ] Gerrald, Henricus
Berry, Laurentius Hill, Dominicus Kelly, et Philbert Vernat, adtunc
et ibidem felonice, voluntarie, et ex malitia sua præcogitata
fuerunt præsentes, auxiliantes, abettantes, comfortantes,
assistentes, et manutenentes præfatum Robertum Greene ad prædictum
Edmundum Berry Godfrey in forma prædicta felonice, voluntarie, et
ex malitia sua præcogitata, interficiendum et murdrandum. Et sic
juratores prædicti adtunc dixerunt super sacramentum suum prædictum
quod prædictus Robertus Greene, [ ] Gerrald, Henricus Berry,
Laurencius Hill, Dominicus Kelly, et Philbert Vernat, modo et forma
prædictis, præfatum Edmundum Berry Godfrey felonice, voluntarie, et
ex malitia sua præcogitata, interfecerunt et murdraverunt, contra
pacem dicti domini Regis nunc, coronam et dignitatem suas &c.,
per quod præceptum fuit vicecomiti comitatus prædicti quod non
omitteret &c. quin caperet eos si &c., ad respondendum &c. Quodque
postea, scilicet die Mercurii proximo post crastinum Purificationis
Beatæ Mariæ Virginis, termino Sancti Hillarii, anno regni domini
Caroli Secundi nunc Regis Angliæ &c. tricesimo et tricesimo primo
supradicto coram domino Rege apud Westmonasterium venerunt prædicti
Robertus Greene, Henricus Berry, et Laurencius Hill sub custodia
Willielmi Richardson generosi tunc custodis gaoli dicti domini
Regis de Newgate virtute brevis dicti domini Regis de Habeas
Corpus ad subjiciendum, recipiendum &c. in cujus custodia præantea
ex causa predicta commissi fuerunt ad barram prædictæ curiæ dicti
domini Regis tunc et ibidem ducti in propria persona sua, et adtunc
et ibidem statim de præmissis prædictis eis superius impositis
separatim allocuti qualiter se velint inde acquietari separatim,
dixerunt quod ipsi in nullo fuerunt inde culpabiles et inde de
bono et malo posuerunt se separatim super patriam. In quaquidem
causa taliter processum fuit quod prædictus Robertus Greene,
Henricus Berry, et Laurencius Hill postea scilicet die Lunæ proximo
post octabas Purificationis Beatæ Mariæ Virginis termino Sancti
Hillarii annis regni dicti domini Regis nunc tricesimo et tricesimo
primo supradictis, in prædicta curia dicti domini Regis coram
ipso Rege apud Westmonasterium prædictum in comitatu Middlesexiæ
prædictæ, pro felonia et murdro prædictis in indictamento prædicto
specificatis et contentis per quandam juratam patriæ debito modo
triati fuerunt et adtunc et ibidem legitimo modo pro felonia et
murdro prædictis convicti et attincti fuerunt, prout per recordum
inde in prædicta curia dicti domini Regis coram ipso Rege apud
Westmonasterium in comitatu Middlesexiæ prædictæ remanens filatum
plenius liquet et apparet. Qui quidem Robertus Greene, Henricus
Berry, et Laurencius Hill postea debito modo executi fuerunt,
et pænam mortis subierunt juxta formam et effectum judicii et
attincturæ prædictorum. Cumque etiam quidam Milo Prance, super
triationem prædictum fuit testis productus et juratus ex parte
dicti domini Regis nunc adtunc et ibidem legitimo modo dedisset
materialem evidenciam versus prædictos Robertum Greene, Henricum
Berry, et Laurencium Hill ad probandum ipsos fore culpabiles de
felonia et murdro prædictis in indictamento prædicto specificatis.
Et quidam Willielmus Bedlowe, Johannes Browne, Elizabetha Curtis,
Zacharias Skillarne, et Nicholaus Cambridge super triationem
prædictum fuerunt testes similiter producti et jurati ex parte
dicti domini Regis, et diversas materiales evidentias versus
prædictos Robertum Greene, Henricum Berry, Laurencium Hill, ad
probandum ipsos fore culpabiles de felonia et murdro prædictis in
eodem indictamento mentionatis dederunt. Cumque etiam prædicti
[ ] Gerrald, Robertus Greene, Laurencius Hill, Dominicus Kelly
et Philbert Vernat tempore feloniæ et murdri prædictorum fuerunt
Papistæ et manutentores Romanæ superstitionis. Et prædicti [ ]
Gerrald, Dominicus Kelly, et Philbert Vernat fugam fecerunt et ad
indictamentum prædictum adhuc non comparuerunt nec aliquis eorum
comparuit. Cumque etiam super visum corporis prædicti Edmundi Berry
Godfrey mortui jacentis quædam inquisitio debito modo capta fuit
coram Johanne Cooper generoso tunc uno coronatorum dicti domini
Regis comitatus Middlesexiæ prædictæ per sacramentum proborum et
legalium hominum comitatus Middlesexiæ ultra numerum duodecim
personarum per quamquidem inquisitionem compertum fuit quod quidam
malefactores ignoti felonice et ex malitia sua præpensa ipsum
Edmundum Berry Godfrey strangulaverunt et suffocaverunt de qua
obiit. Et quod quidam Nathaniel Thompson nuper de parochia Sancti
Dunstani in Occidente Londoniæ Typhographus, Willielmus Payne
nuper de parochia prædicta infra civitatem Londoniæ generosus, et
Johannes Farwell nuper de Westmonasterio in comitatu Middlesexiæ
generosus præmissa prædicta satis scientes, et existentes personæ
diabolice effecti ac machinantes practicantes et totis viribus
suis intendentes pacem et communem tranquillitatem hujus regni
Angliæ perturbare et quantum in ipsis fuit debitum legis cursum
corrumpere, subvertere, et evadere, et justitiam hujus regni Angliæ
in ea parte defamare et scandalizare et tam præfatos Milonem
Prance, Willielmum Bedlowe, Johannem Browne, Elizabetham Curtis,
Zachariam Skillarne, et Nicholaum Cambridge quam prædictos Johannem
Cooper et probos et legales homines super inquisitionem prædictam
super visum corporis prædicti juratos in maximum odium contemptum
et vilipendium cum omnibus ligeis subditis dicti domini Regis nunc
inducere et inferre ac ad deterrendum subditos dicti domini Regis
a comparendo detigendo et probando machinationes Papistorum contra
dominum Regem nunc et veram religionem per legem nunc stabilitatam
et impie et nefarie machinantes et intendentes ipsos prædictos
[ ] Gerrald, Dominicum Kelly et prædictum Philbertum Vernat a
subeundo pænas et sententias per legem super ipsos infligendas pro
murdro prædicto ac ad auxiliandum et assistandum ipsos quamvis
inde culpabiles fore compertos minime culpabiles ac ad decipiendum
et fallandum subditos dicti domini Regis de et in præmissis cum
falsis affirmantiis et agreamentis suis et causare et procurare
quod creditum foret et estimaretur quod prædicti Robertus Greene,
Henricus Berry, et Laurencius Hill personæ, sic ut præfertur, pro
felonia et murdro prædictis prædicti Edmundi Berry convicti et
executi minus rite convicti et executi fuissent, quodque prædictus
Edmundus Berry Godfrey fuit felo de se et seipsum felonice
murdrasset, ipsi prædicti Nathaniel Thompson, Willielmus Payne,
et Johannes Farwell ad nequissimas, nefandissimas, et diabolicas
intentiones suas prædictas perimplendas et proficiendas postea
scilicet vicesimo tertio die Februarii anno regni domini Caroli
Secundi nunc Regis Angliæ &c. tricesimo quarto apud parochiam
Sanctæ Mariæ le Bow Londoniæ vi et armis &c. falso, illicite,
injuste, nequiter, malitiose, scandalose, et diabolice, fecerunt,
composuerunt et imprimi causaverunt quendam falsum, scandalosum,
et defamatorium libellum intitulatum, _A Letter to Mr. Miles
Prance, in relation to the murther of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey_,
in quoquidem libello inter alia continetur prout sequitur. _And
hearing that the Coroner's Jury or Inquest were first of opinion,
and accordingly declared, he was felo de se; and that there was
much art and skill used to procure their verdict to the contrary;
more particularly, the refusing of the body, (at their instance and
request) to be opened._ Ac in alio loco ejusdem libelli ulterius
continetur prout sequitur. _They say, that if a man, or any other
creature be strangled, or hanged, and his body cold, and the blood
settled in the veins_ (_as he must needs be, if your evidence be
true_) (evidentiam prædicti Milonis Prance innuendo) _run twenty
swords through such a body, not one drop of blood will come out;
but on the contrary, his body, when found, was full of blood, in so
much that (over and above the cakes or great gobbets of congealed
putrified blood found afterwards in his cloaths) the constable
when he pulled the sword out of his body, it crashed against his
back bone, and gobbets of blood and water gushed or gubbled out
of that wound in abundance, not only in that very place where the
sword was pulled out but in all his passage to the Whitehouse;
especially there where his body was lifted over two high stumps;
and also when he was laid upon the table, the blood and water so
issued out of that wound, that it ran from off the table upon the
floor, and from thence into the cellar. So that they do aver, that
that wound that he received by that sword, must of necessity be
the cause of his death._ Ac in alia parte ejusdem libelli ulterius
continetur prout sequitur, _They observe, that Bedloe's, (before
the Committee of Lords), and your evidence in relation to this
gentleman's death, are as different as the East is from the West;
for you dog him out of St. Clement's; the other decoys him from
Charing Cross; you swear he was strangled with a handkerchief near
the stables going to the water-side; Bedloe, that he was smothered
with a pillow in a room in the great Court in Somerset-house.
You say, he took horse at Soho; Bedlow says, he took Coach at
Clarendon-house, with many more such like contradictions; and
considering the old proverb, fore-warn'd, fore arm'd; a further
and fuller account of the whole matter expect._ Quodque prædicti
Nathaniel Thompson, Willielmus Payne et Johannes Farwell ad
nequissimas nefandissimas et diabolicas intentiones suas prædictas
perimplendas et proficiendas postea scilicet tertio die Marcii anno
regni dicti domini Regis nunc tricesimo quarto [_word defaced_]
apud parochiam Sanctæ Mariæ le Bow Londoniæ prædictæ vi et armis
et falso, illicite, injuste, nequiter, malitiose, scandalose, et
diabolice, fecerunt composuerunt et imprimi causaverunt quendam
alium falsum scandalosum et defamatorium libellum intitulatum,
_A Second Letter to Miles Prance, in reply to the Ghost of Sir
Edmondbury Godfrey_, in quoquidem ultimo mencionato libello inter
alia continetur prout sequitur. _Next, whereas my letter saith,
(and that truly) that the Coroner's Jury were first of opinion
and accordingly declared he was felo de se; and that much art and
skill was used to procure their verdict to the contrary._ Ac in
alio loco ejusdem ultimo mencionati libelli inter alia continetur
prout sequitur. _And it would be very material, if the Coroner
would declare, what he received for that job, and of whom, and what
evidence he had to induce the Jury to find (as the inquisition
imports) that he was strangled with a linen cloth, a matter of fact
never so much as spoken of, until you came in with your evidence,
which was not in some weeks after. And I do again aver, that the
body was required by the jurors to be opened, and was refused; and
if the body was in their and the Coroner's power (as the Ghost
insinuates) such power was concealed from and denied the Jury._
Et in alio loco ejusdem ultimo mentionati libelli inter alia
continetur prout sequitur, _He is to understand that Mr. Brown,
the two surgeons_ (prædictos Zachariam Skillarne, et Nicholam
Cambridge innuendo) _and Mrs. Curtis are not competent (nor can be
material) witnesses in this case._ Et in alio loco ejusdem ultimo
mentionati libelli inter alia ulterius continetur prout sequitur,
_But Mr. Prance, it will be fully proved, that the body was full
of blood, and that there were cakes or gobbets of dry blood found
in his cloaths, which (with his body) stunk extremely. And it
will be also fully and effectually proved that his eyes, nostrils,
and corners of his mouth were fly-blown._ Ac in alio loco ejusdem
ultimo mentionati libelli inter alia continetur prout sequitur,
_And as to the seventh and last paragraph, which relates only to
the difference betwixt yours and Mr. Bedlow's evidence, I must take
notice, that what you and he swear are very contradictory._ Et in
alio loco ejusdem ultimo mentionati libelli inter alia ulterius
continetur prout sequitur, _But I cannot omit to take further
notice of Mrs. Curtis's affidavit in relation to the drops of wax
found upon the cloaths, in which I cannot say but she may swear
true: but this I do aver, that if it be so, those drops were put
upon the cloaths long after he was found, and after the jury had
sat on the body; for there was no such thing then on the cloaths.
And I suppose this was some artifice used by those, who, either
out of interest or design, were desirous to confirm his being
murthered at Somerset-House._ Ac ulterius idem Attornatus dicti
domini Regis nunc Generalis pro eodem domino Rege dat curiam hic
intelligi et informari quod prædicti Nathaniel Thompson, Willielmus
Payne, et Johannes Farwell in ulteriorem prosecutionem prædictæ
falsæ nequissimæ et malitiosæ machinationis et intentionis suarum
prædictarum postea scilicet septimo die Marcii anno regni dicti
domini Regis nunc tricesimo quarto supradicto apud parochiam
Sanctæ Mariæ le Bow Londoniæ prædictam vi et armis &c. falso,
illicite, injuste, nequiter, malitiose, scandalose, et diabolice
composuerunt, fecerunt, et imprimi causaverunt quendam alium falsum
scandalosum et defamatorium libellum intitulatum, _The Loyal
Protestant, and True Domestic Intelligence, or News both from City
and Country_, in quoquidem ultimo mentionato libello continetur
prout sequitur, _That there is not in the said letter_ (prædictum
falsum scandalosum et defamatorium libellum intitulatum A Letter
to Mr. Miles Prance, in relation to the murder of Sir Edmundbury
Godfrey præantea primo mencionatum innuendo) _the least item or
circumstance, but what will be by undeniable evidence made out to
be the truth: So the said Mr. Prance, having not as yet vouchsafed
an answer to that letter, he will speedily receive a further
letter relating to that murther; wherein the further truth will
not only be fully set forth, and other circumstances set out._
Et ulterius idem Attornatus dicti domini Regis nunc Generalis
pro eodem domino Rege dat curiam hic intelligi et informari quod
prædictus Nathaniel Thompson, Willielmus Payne, et Johannes
Farwell in ulteriorem prosecutionem prædictæ falsæ nequissimæ
et malitiosæ machinationis et intentionis suarum prædictarum
postea scilicet undecimo die Marcii anno regni dicti domini Regis
nunc tricesimo quarto supradicto apud parochiam Sanctæ Mariæ le
Bow Londoniæ prædictam vi et armis, falso, illicite, injuste,
nequiter, malitiose, scandalose, et diabolice composuerunt,
fecerunt, et imprimi causaverunt quendam alium falsum scandalosum
et defamatorium libellum intitulatum, _The Loyal Protestant and
True Domestick Intelligence, or News both from City and Country_,
in quoquidem ultimo mentionato libello inter alia continetur prout
sequitur, _Whereas Dick Janeway in this Day's Mercury, promises
an answer to the late Letter to Mr. Prance, &c. This is to give
him and all the world notice, that such an answer is impatiently
expected by the author of that letter, who questions not but to
prove every tittle of that letter to the satisfaction of all
mankind: And besides he is very desirous that the Courantier
(according to his last Pacquet of Advice from Rome) would go on,
and use his interest, to procure the Lord Mayor, Court of Aldermen
and Common Council of London, to inspect the Truth of that letter;
whereby it will appear inevitably that there is not one Papist
or popishly affected person concerned in that letter, or in the
proof of the particulars thereof; but the same (with divers other
material circumstances relating to the murther of Sir Edmundbury
Godfrey, and the fraud and blind put upon the world in relation
thereto) will be more fully, plainly and manifestly proved, without
giving ill words, or scurrilous language, or reflections to any
person that really are or supposed to be therein concerned in
any circumstance whatsoever_. Et ulterius idem Attornatus dicti
domini Regis nunc Generalis pro eodem domino Rege dat curiam hic
intelligi et informari quod prædicti Nathaniel Thompson, Willielmus
Payne et Johannes Farwell in ulteriorem prosecutionem prædictæ
falsæ nequissimæ et malitiosæ machinationis et intentionis suarum
prædictarum postea scilicet primo die Aprilis anno regni dicti
domini Regis nunc tricesimo quarto supradicto vi et armis &c.
apud parochiam Sanctæ Mariæ le Bow Londoniæ prædictam falso,
illicite, injuste, nequiter, malitiose, scandalose, et diabolice
fecerunt composuerunt, et imprimi causaverunt quendam alium falsum,
scandalosum et defamatorium libellum intitulatum, _The Loyal
Protestant, and True Domestic Intelligence, or News both from City
and Country_, in quoquidem ultimo mentionato libello inter alia
continetur prout sequitur, _Last Wednesday, Nathaniel Thompson,
(upon summons) appeared before the Lords of his Majesty's most
Honourable Privy Council, about the letters to Mr. Miles Prance,
concerning the death of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey where he justified
the matter, and produced the authors, who are ready to prove (by
undeniable and substantial witnesses, not in the least accused,
or suspected of Popery, as the malicious party do suggest) that
every tittle and iota of those letters are true._ Quodque in alia
parte ejusdem ultimo mentionati libelli inter alia continetur
prout sequitur, _Mr. Thompson and the gentlemen his friends, are
to attend the next Wednesday at Council where they do not doubt
but that Honourable Board will put them into a method to prove the
whole, or any particular which their Honours in their great wisdom
shall think convenient to be brought to the test or examination_.
Et ulterius idem Attornatus dicti domini Regis nunc Generalis
pro eodem domino Rege dat curiæ hic intelligi et informari quod
prædicti Nathaniel Thompson, Willielmus Payne, et Johannes Farwell
vicesimo tertio die Februarii anno regni dicti domini Regis nunc
tricesimo quarto supradicto diversis aliis diebus et vicibus inter
prædictum vicesimum tertium diem Februarii anno tricesimo quarto
supradicto et diem exhibitionis hujus informationis apud parochiam
Sanctæ Mariæ le Bow Londoniæ prædictam scienter, et quilibet eorum
scienter prædictos separales libellos fore falsos malitiosos et
scandalosos et seditiosos vi et armis &c. falso illicite injuste
nequiter malitiose scandalose et diabolice prædictos falsos
malitiosos scandalosos et seditiosos libellos utteraverunt,
publicaverunt et quilibet eorum utteravit et publicavit, in
contemptum legum hujus regni Angliæ manifestum, ac scandalum et
defamationem publicæ justitiæ ejusdem, in malum exemplum omnium
aliorum in tali casu delinquentium, ac contra pacem dicti domini
Regis nunc coronam et dignitatem suas &c.
266.
The Memoirs of James Lord Audley Earl of Castlehaven, his engagement
and carriage in the Wars of Ireland, from the year 1642 to the year
1651. Written by himself. London. 1680.
On August 3rd, 1682, Lord Castlehaven was summoned before the
Council, the King being present, respecting the publication of
this book, which he owned; and it was resolved that the book was
a libel against the government.[221] A copy of this publication is
preserved in the British Museum Library.
267.
The Loyal Protestant, and true Domestic Intelligence, or News both
from City and Country, No. 166, Saturday, June 10th, 1682.
For publishing this periodical a prosecution was instituted against
Nathaniel Thomson and Mary his wife. The following is a copy of the
information:--
Londonia. Memorandum quod Samuel Astry armiger Coronator et
Attornatus domini Regis in curia ipsius Regis coram ipso Rege
qui pro eodem domino Rege in hac parte sequitur in propria
persona sua venit hic in curiam dicti domini Regis coram ipso
Rege apud Westmonasterium die Lunæ proximo post tres septimanas
Sancti Michaelis isto eodem termino, et pro eodem domino Rege dat
curiæ his intelligi et informari quod Nathaniel Tompson nuper de
parochia Sancti Dunstani in Occidente Londoniæ Yeoman et Maria
Tompson uxor prædicti Nathanielis existentes personæ maledispositi
ac machinantes practicantes et intendentes pacem et communem
tranquillitatem hujus regni Angliæ perturbare et diversas personas
infra hoc regnum Angliæ in odium et contemptum dicti domini
Regis et subditorum ipsius domini Regis inducere et inferre, et
ad nequissimas machinationes practicationes et intentiones suas
prædictas perimplenda et perficienda prædicti Nathaniel Tompson
et Maria Tompson decimo die Junii anno regni domini Caroli
Secundi nunc Regis Angliæ &c. tricesimo quarto vi et armis &c.
apud parochiam prædictam infra Civitatem Londoniæ prædictam
falso, illicite, injuste, nequiter, seditiose et scandalose
imprimi causaverunt et publicaverunt et uterque eorum tunc et
ibidem imprimi causavit et publicavit quoddam falsum, malitiosum,
scandalosum, et defamatorium libellum intitulatum _The Loyal
Protestant and True Domestick Intelligence_, in quoquidem falso,
scandaloso, et defamatorio libello inter alia contenta fuerunt
hæ falsæ, scandalosæ, et defamatoriæ sententiæ in his Anglicanis
verbis et figuris sequentibus _Windsor_. _June 7, 1682. This day
the Court of Verge sate here, where the 2 Portugal Cooks came
to their tryals, and were (upon hearing the whole matter) found
guilty of poysoning Mr. Benning the Turnbroach; the Foreman of
the Jury was one Mr. White, the King's Plummer, near this place.
We cannot hear of any sentence given against them as yet Benning
excepted against a House-Jury, by reason he had formerly disobliged
some of the Servants; wherefore he thought Justice would not be
done him; they having had a prejudice against him ever since._ Et
ulterius idem Coronator et Attornatus dicti domini Regis pro eodem
domino Rege dat curiæ hic intelligi et informari quod prædicti
Nathaniel Tompson et Maria Tompson die et anno supradictis apud
parochiam prædictam infra civitatem Londoniæ prædictam scientes
prædictum falsum, scandalosum, et defamatorium libellum fore
falsum et defamatorium libellum, falso, illicite, injuste,
nequiter, malitiose, et seditiose vendiderunt, utteraverunt, et
publicaverunt, et uterque eorum vendidit, utteravit, et publicavit,
in malum exemplum omnium aliorum in tali casu delinquentium, ac
contra pacem dicti domini Regis nunc coronam et dignitatem suas
&c.[222]
The result of this prosecution does not appear. A copy of this
publication is preserved in the British Museum Library.
268.
The True Protestant Mercury: or Occurrences Foreign and Domestic. No.
149. From Wednesday, June 7, to Saturday, June 10, 1682.
For publishing this periodical a prosecution was instituted
against Thomas Snowden, printer, of the parish of St. Andrew by
the Wardrobe, and Jane Curtis, wife of Langley Curtis, of the
parish of St. Bride's, Fleet Street. The following is a copy of the
information:--
Londonia. Memorandum quod Samuel Astry Armiger Coronator et
Attornatus domini Regis in curia ipsius Regis coram ipso Rege qui
pro eodem domino Rege in hac parte sequitur in propria persona
sua venit hic in curia dicti domini Regis coram ipso Rege apud
Westmonasterium die Lunæ proximo post tres septimanas Sancti
Michaelis isto eodem termino et pro eodem domino Rege dat curiæ
hic intelligi et informari quod Thomas Snowden de parochia
Sancti Andreæ Wardrope Londoniæ Typographus et Jana Curtis uxor
Langley Curtis nuper de parochia Sanctæ Bridgettæ Londoniæ Yeoman
existentes personæ male dispositi ac machinantes practicantes
et intendentes pacem et communem tranquillitatem hujus regni
Angliæ perturbare et diversas personas infra hoc regnum Angliæ
in maximum odium contemptum et vilipendium non solum cum dicto
domino Rege, verum etiam cum aliis subditis ipsius domini Regis
inducere et inferre et ad nequissimas machinationes practicationes
et intentiones suas prædictas perimplenda et perficienda prædicti
Thomas Snowden et Jana Curtis vicesimo die Junii anno regni
domini Caroli Secundi nunc Regis Angliæ &c. tricesimo quarto vi
et armis &c. apud parochiam Sanctæ Bridgettæ Londoniæ prædictam,
falso, illicite, injuste, nequiter, seditiose et scandalose,
imprimi causaverunt et publicaverunt, et uterque eorum adtunc et
ibidem imprimi causavit et publicavit quoddam falsum malitiosum
scandalosum et defamatorium libellum intitulatum _The true
Protestant Mercury or occurrences foreign and domestic_, in
quoquidem libello inter alia contenta fuerunt hæ falsæ, fictæ, et
scandalosæ sententiæ in hiis Anglicanis verbis, _The two Portugal
Cooks mentioned in our last had their tryals on Wednesday last at
Windsor, and were found guilty of poysening Benning the Turnbroach.
The foreman of the jury was Mr. W. the King's Plummer, who lives
near Windsor, but we do not hear of any sentence given as yet
against them. But we hear that his Majesty declared before the
trial, that whosoever was found in the fault, should have no favour
showed him. The reason that he had excepted against the Jury of the
King's servants, was because he had formerly some quarrel with some
of them, and had discovered something against them, and therefore
thought they would not do him justice._ Et ulterius idem Coronator
et Attornatus dicti domini Regis pro eodem domino Rege dicit quod
prædicti Thomas Snowden et Jana Curtis dicto vicesimo die Junii
anno supradicto apud parochiam Sanctæ Bridgettæ Londoniæ prædictam
falsum et scandalosum libellum falso, illicite, injuste, nequiter
et malitiose vendiderunt utteraverunt et publicaverunt et uterque
eorum vendidit utteravit et publicavit, in malum exemplum omnium
aliorum in tali casu delinquentium, ac contra pacem dicti domini
Regis nunc coronam et dignitatem suas &c.[223]
A copy of this publication is preserved in the British Museum
Library.
269.
A second letter from a person of quality to his friend about
abhorrers and addressors, &c. 1682.
This was written by Thomas Stringer, who appears to have been
Secretary or Steward to the Earl of Shaftesbury; and for writing
the same, a prosecution was instituted against him. The following
is a copy of the indictment:--
Londonia. Juratores pro domino rege super sacramentum suum
præsentant quod Thomas Stringer nuper de Londonia generosus
machinans et intendens serenissimum dominum nostrum Carolum
Secundum Dei gratia Angliæ Scotiæ Franciæ et Hiberniæ Regem Fidei
Defensorem &c., et regimen suum in odium et infamiam inter subditos
suas inferre, et pacem et communem tranquillitatem hujus regni
Angliæ molestare et perturbare, et diversas differentias inter
eosdem subditos excitare et procurare vicesimo die Junii anno regni
dicti domini Regis nunc tricesimo quarto apud Londoniam videlicet
in parochia Sancti Botulphi extra Aldersgate in Warda de Aldersgate
Londoniæ prædicta vi et armis &c. falso seditiose et malitiose
scripsit et publicavit et scribi imprimi et publicari causavit
quendam scandalosum libellum intitulatum, _A Second letter from a
person of quality to his friend about abhorrers and addressors,
&c._ in quoquidem libello continentur hæc falsa ficta et scandalosa
verba sequentia videlicet _Tis plain these men_ (ligeos et subditos
dicti domini regis nunc innuendo) _mean and intend by this
abhorrence_ (quandam detestationem versus associationem in papiris
scriptam prætensam fore inventam inter quosdam papiros Anthonii
Comitis Shaftesbury innuendo) _and under this notion to create an
association for all the Tories to maintain a Popish Successor and
to introduce arbitrary power. And whosoever joins with or doth not
vigorously oppose such practices is guilty of these designs._ Et in
altera parte ejusdem libelli continentur hæc falsa et scandalosa
verba sequentia videlicet, _That which concerns the mercenary
forces is no more than every man's duty as much as in him lies
(which means as lawfully he may) to endeavour entirely to disband
all such mercenary forces as we have reason to believe are raised
to advance arbitrary power._ In malum et perniciosissimum exemplum
omnium aliorum in consimili casu delinquentium ac contra pacem
dicti domini regis nunc coronam et dignitatem suas &c.[224]
270.
The Addresses importing an abhorrence of an Association pretended to
have been seized in the Earl of Shaftesbury's closet, laid open and
detected. In a letter to a friend. 1682.
This was the production of Mr. Robert Ferguson, and for writing,
printing, and publishing the same he was prosecuted. The following
is a copy of the indictment:
Juratores pro domino Rege super sacramentum suum præsentant quod
Robertus Ferguson nuper de Londonia generosus, Deum præ oculis
suis non habens sed instigatione diabolica motus et seductus,
machinansque et intendens serenissimum dominum nostrum Carolum
Secundum Dei gratia Angliæ Scotiæ Franciæ et Hiberniæ Regem Fidei
Defensorem, et regimen suum in odium et infamiam inter subditos
suos inferre ac pacem et communem tranquillitatem hujus regni
Angliæ perturbare et diversas differentias inter eosdem subditos
procurare vicesimo die Junii anno regni dicti domini regis nunc
tricesimo quarto apud Londoniam videlicet in parochia Sancti
Martini Ludgate in warda de Farringdon extra Londoniam prædicta
vi et armis &c. falso seditiose et malitiose scripsit, impressit,
et publicavit et scribi, imprimi et publicari causavit quondam
scandalosum libellum intitulatum, _The Addresses importing an
abhorrence of an association pretended to have been seized in
the Earl of Shaftesbury's closet, laid open and detected. In a
letter to a friend_. In quoquidem libello continentur hæc falsa
ficta et scandalosa verba sequentia, _And as all Addresses of this
nature tend to render the King, who ought to reign in the hearts
of all his people, the Head meerly of one party and that a very
inconsiderable one if compared with the bulk of the Nation; so
they only serve to publish to all the world the distractions of
the Kingdom, and to proclaim in the face of the Sun the weakness
of the Government. What do the foreigners say upon the perusal
of our Gazets, but that either things are not managed in England
according to the Laws of the Constitution, or that his Majesty
of Great Britain reigns precariously, seeing his Ministers seek
to support the Transactions of State, by courting the applause of
a few little folk here and there through the Kingdom?_ In malum
et perniciosissimum exemplum omnium aliorum in consimili casu
delinquentium ac contra pacem dicti domini regis nunc coronam et
dignitatem suas &c.[225]
A copy of this publication is in the British Museum Library. It is
in folio and occupies four pages.
271.
An Historical and Political Discourse of the Laws and Government
of England, from the first times to the end of the reign of Queen
Elizabeth. With a vindication of the ancient way of Parliaments in
England. Collected from some manuscript notes of John Selden, Esq.;
by Nathaniel Bacon, of Gray's Inn, Esquire. London. 1682.
This is one of the reprints of the original edition of 1651. For
publishing this reprint, a prosecution was instituted against John
Starkey. The following is a copy of the indictment against him:--
Londonia. Juratores pro domino Rege super sacramentum suum
præsentant quod Johannes Starkey nuper de Londonia Stationer
machinans et intendens Serenissimum Dominum nostrum Carolum
Secundum Dei gratia Angliæ Scotiæ Franciæ et Hiberniæ Regem Fidei
Defensorem &c. supremum et naturalem Dominum suum et regimen suum
in odium infamiam et contemptum inter subditos suos inducere
et inferre ac pacem et communem tranquillitatem hujus regni
Angliæ perturbare vicesimo die Junii anno regni dicti domini
Regis nunc tricesimo quarto apud Londoniam videlicet in parochia
Sancti Dunstani in Occidente in Warda de Farringdon extra London
prædicta vi et armis &c. falso seditiose et malitiose impressit
et publicavit et imprimi et publicari causavit quendam librum
scandalosum intitulatum _The continuation of the Historicall and
Politicall Discourse of the Laws and Government of England until
the end of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth with a vindication of
the antient way of Parliaments in England_. In quo quidem libro
de et concernente præfato domino Rege nunc continentur hæc falsa
ficta et scandalosa verba sequentia videlicet, _I do easily grant
that Kings have many Occasions and Opportunities to beguile their
People, yet can they do nothing as Kings, but what of right they
ought to doe: They may call Parliaments, but neither as often or
seldome as they please, if the Statute-Laws of this Realme might
take place._ Et in altera parte ejusdem libri continentur hæc falsa
et scandalosa verba sequentia videlicet, _And though Kings may be
chiefe Commanders, yet they are not the chiefe Rulers_. In malum
et pernitiosissimum exemplum omnium aliorum in consimili casu
delinquentium ac contra pacem dicti domini regis nunc coronam et
dignitatem suas &c.[226]
Upon this indictment Starkey was outlawed, but in the first year
of Will. and Mary he brought a writ of error and the outlawry was
reversed.
272.
Mr. Hunt's postscript for rectifying some mistakes in some of the
inferiour clergy, mischievous to our government and religion. With
two Discourses about the Succession, and Bill of Exclusion. In answer
to two Books affirming the unalterable right of Succession, and the
unlawfulness of the Bill of Exclusion. London. 1682.
Thomas Hunt, Esq., of London, was prosecuted for publishing
this. The information charges that Thomas Hunt, late of London,
esquire, being a pernicious and seditious man, and contriving and
maliciously intending to disturb the peace of England, and to
create false opinions and suspicions among the king's subjects
concerning the king and his government, and to cause them to think
that the king was an abettor of Papists and most pernicious men
conspiring to procure the subversion of the government of the
kingdom and also the Protestant religion established by law, called
_plotters_, and to excite rebellious seditions and discords between
the king and his subjects, and to bring the king's government into
contempt and hatred, did in order to carry out his most wicked
and diabolical intentions, on the twentieth day of January in the
thirty fourth year of the reign of King Charles the Second, at the
parish of St. Michael Cornhill in London, unlawfully, wickedly,
maliciously, scandalously, and seditiously make, compose and write,
and cause to be printed, published and sold a certain false,
scandalous, libellous, seditious, and defamatory book intituled _Mr
Hunt's Postscript_, in which book in writing of and concerning the
Papists and the _plots_ in the same book mentioned to have been
perpetrated, among other things is contained as follows--_Nay,
as if they_ [meaning Papists] _did not fear or care to loose the
favour of their most indulgent Prince, which they have possest
since he used Papists in making his Escape at Worcester; they have
contrived these two last Plots with such Art, as to bring them
under his Majesties Observation, and represented them as things
fit for his encouragement. Sure if they were not urged with the
fears of a real guilt, and a restless Conscience of the Plot, they
would never have adventured thus to have interested the honor of
the King, and to tempt him to abandon them to the publick Justice
of the Nation: which begins to grow impatient by the delays of
it against this hellish Plot. For we have had four Parliaments
dissolved since the discovery of it, one a darling to the Crown.
The bringing into question the Dissolution of that Parliament in
the House of Peers, upon the reason of an unnatural Prorogation,
was not long before censured, and some great Lords imprisoned
therefore; proceedings so unwarrantable, that it was after thought
fit by that House to obliterate the Memory of them; soe necessary
was that Parliament then thought to the service of the Crown. The
Dissolution of that Parliament, gave us reason to fear that the
King had no more business for Parliaments. By these Dissolutions,
no publick ends that are intelligible are served, no Interest but
that of the Plot is gratified; no persons of any sort receive
their satisfaction but the Plotters, who are respited thereby from
publick Justice, and gain time to bring their Plot to effect._[227]
The result of this prosecution does not appear. A copy of the book
is preserved in the British Museum Library.
273.
The Presbyterian Paternoster; Creed, and Ten Commandments. 1681.
This is a single sheet printed on both sides. A copy is preserved
in the Library of the British Museum.
In a newspaper of the period, The True Protestant Mercury of
February 23, 1680-1, we find the following account of this
production:--"Feb. 18, 1680-1. Complaint being made to the
Bishop of London of a most vile and blasphemous pamphlet, lately
published by one Hindmarsh, a bookseller in Cornhill, intituled
_The Presbyterian's Paternoster, Creed, and Decalogue_, wherein
the sacred form of prayer taught by our Blessed Saviour to his
disciples, the Ten Commandments, written with the finger of the
Almighty, and delivered with dreadful Majesty, together with that
Brief Summary of our Holy Faith, commonly called _The Apostle's
Creed_, were most impudently depraved and profaned, and to the
horror of all pious ears, the scandal of Christianity, and
indelible shame of the Nation, turned into ridicule and impiety;
his Lordship detesting such abominations, presented the said
pamphlet to the consideration of His Majesty's most Honourable
Privy Council; and 'tis said, the said Bookseller will at the
Sessions beginning to be holden this week for London be indicted
(as he most justly deserves) for blasphemy; in the mean time all
sober men of the Church of England (for which every true Protestant
has a profound deference and respect, though dissenting from some
superfluous ceremonies, so much perhaps the more eagerly contended
for by domineering spirits, by how much the less necessary they
are) will take notice what kind of persons these are, who so
studiously make it their business to render Dissenters odious and
suspected, with those swarms of seditious libels, daily spawned by
_Th. Too. S. M._ this worthy gentleman in Cornhill, and others. And
that the authors of such pamphlets, whatever they scribble, are no
real sons of the Church of England, but a disparagement unto her,
by shrouding themselves under her mantle, being in truth, either
disguised Papists, or else mere Ruffians, debaucht rakehells and
Atheists."
Very soon afterwards at the Sessions of Peace held at Guildhall,
the Grand Jury found a true bill against Hindmarsh, Thomson the
printer and Parson Ashington the alleged writer of this "detestable
blasphemous pamphlet." To quote the forcible words of the next
number of The True Protestant Mercury--"The Secretary of Hell
that contrived this horrid piece is confessed to be one Ashington,
credibly reported to be a beneficed parson in Northamptonshire, but
non-resident; and skulking here about town to practise more freely
debauchery and do mischief. There are warrants issued forth against
him; and some say, he was once seiz'd, and by negligence suffered
to escape; at present we cannot hear that he is in custody."
Hindmarsh brought a certiorari to remove the indictment into the
King's Bench, but Mr. Justice Dolben forthwith granted a procedendo
to try it immediately; and the indictment being read, Hindmarsh
pleaded guilty, and was immediately ordered to be taken into
custody, and was afterwards bailed, "the Court resenting so justly
the heinousness of the offence, that they deferred giving sentence
till next term, resolving to do it in a public manner at the King's
Bench, all the Judges being present."[228]
On the 24th June Hindmarsh appeared in the Court of King's Bench
and moved to have his bail discharged; the Lord Chief Justice
told him he deserved to be severely punished, and asked him what
he had done to expect such a favour? His Counsel alleged, that
he had discovered the author, who had already done penance for
it. Notwithstanding which the Lord Chief Justice ordered him
to prosecute the said author at common law by the first day of
the next term, and then they would consider of discharging his
bail.[229]
The following is a copy of this curious paper.
The Presbyterian PATERNOSTER; CREED, and TEN
COMMANDMENTS.
---- ---- Manent veteris vestigia fraudis. _Virg._
The Pater Noster.
Our Father which art in Hell, magnify'd be thy name; thy Arbitrary
Kingdom come, thy Tyranical will be done in _England_ now, as it
was in _Forty One_; Give us in this our Day a holy occasion of
Rebellion; and forgive us our shew of Godliness for thy sake, as we
forgive others their holy Hypocrisy for our _good Cause_; and lead
us not into an agreement of _King_ and _Parliament_; But Deliver
us from _Monarchy_ and _Hierarchy_; and then thine shall be this
Kingdom, its Power and Glory, for ever and ever, _Amen_.
THE CREED.
[Sidenote: {**} They the only Saints
{*} Dominion is founded in Gr]
I Believe in _John Calvin_, the Father of our Religion, disposer of
{**} Heaven and {*} Earth; and in _Owen_, _Baxter_ and _Jenkins_
&c. his dear Sons our Lords, who were Conceived by the _Spirit_
of _Fanaticism_, born of _Schism_ and _Faction_, suffer'd under
the _Act of Uniformity_; were Silenced, Dead and Buried; and had
descended into Hell, but that they arose again in the year of
_Toleration_; ascended into _Tub-Pulpits_, and now sit at the
right hand of the Lord S---- from whence they are coming to judge
both the _Church_ and the _State_. I Believe in the Holy _Assembly
of Divines_, the Holy _National Synod_, the _Seperate Meetings_,
the _Act of Oblivion_, the _Resurrection from Dead Rites_, and
_Toleration Everlasting_. Amen.
_The Ten Commandments._
The same which _John Presbyter_ hath spoken in 20 Chapters of his
_Works_; saying, _I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of
the Land of Antichrist, out of the House of Ceremonious Bondage_.
I.
Thou shalt have no other Gods but Me.
II.
Thou shalt not make any Image, or likeness of any _Saint_ in
Heaven above, (except _S. Oliver &c._) or bow down at the Adorable
name of _Jesus_ here on Earth; nor use the Sign of the _Cross_ in
the _Waters of Baptism_; For I the Lord thy God in my Jealousie
murder'd the Father, and will visit his _Superstitious Iniquity_
upon his Children, unto the third and fourth Generation of them
that hate me; but shew Mercy unto thousands in them that love me,
and keep my Damnable and Rebellious Commandments.
III.
Thou shalt not make the _Solemn League_ and _Covenant_ vain, nor
subscribe the _Declaration;_ nor take the Oaths of _Allegiance_ and
_Supremacy_, unless (with a Jesuitical _salvo_,) to obtain places
of Honour and Power.
IV.
Remember that thou keep holy the Remembrance of Forty One. Many
years didst thou labour, yet could'st not do all that thou hadst
to do; But in _Forty One_ the Lord thy God sent thee a Sabbath of
Deliverance; Thou shalt therefore now remember to do all manner of
work that thou didst then, Thou, and thy Son, and thy Daughter, thy
Man-Servant, and thy Maid-Servant, the Brutes and Proselytes that
are within thy Conventicles; For in _Forty One_ the Lord thy God
made ENGLAND and SCOTLAND Rebellious; thou shalt therefore Bless
the year Forty One; and hallow it.
V.
Honour _Fanaticism_ thy Father, and _Schism_ thy Mother, that thy
Days may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God will once more
give thee.
VI.
Thou shalt do no Murder, but upon _Majesty_, _Episcopacy_ and
_Loyalty_.
VII.
Thou shalt not commit Adultry, save with the _Holy Sisterhood_, to
get Babes of Grace.
VIII.
Thou shalt not steal, unless by _Sequestration_, _Composition_, or
_Publick Faith_.
IX.
Thou shalt not bear False witness against a _Brother_, but may'st
swallow Perjury by a Popish Reservation for the good of Holy Cause.
X.
Thou shalt Covet nothing but _Crown-Lands_, _Bishops Lands_, and
the Estates of _Malignants_.
_POSTSCRIPT._
_Thus is our_ New Religion
_Model'd by that of_ Forty One;
_And we must root up_ Monarchy
_To stop the growth_ of Popery;
_And undermining_ Church _and_ State,
Rome's _Practices we'll Antedate_;
_The better to prevent the_ PLOT,
_Ourselves will do what they cou'd not_.
_We'll cure all fear of_ French Invasion,
_By ruining at home the Nation_.
_And since_ Petitions _do no good,
And all our Tricks are understood:
Since He who never us'd to fail,
Doth now, our little_ Matchiavel;
_We'll to the World Proclaim aloud,
The_ King _and_ Duke _thirst after_ Bloud.
Curtis, Harris, Smith and Care,
_Shall Thrice a Week the Kingdom scare_,
As if the_ Devil, Turk, _or_ Pope,
_Were just arrived in the_ Hope,
_We'll authorize Men to Rebel,
By Tales from_ Hatfield, _and from_ Hell:
_And then perswade the silly Nation,
That_ Treason _comes by_ Revelation:
_And that_ Imaginary Ghosts
_Are_ Envoys _from the Lord of_ Hosts.
_Nor will We cease, till we pull down_
Episcopacy _and the_ Crown.
Printed for _Tom Tell-troth_ at the Sign of the _Old King's Head_
in _Axe Yard in King Street, Westminster_.
274.
An Apostrophe of the Loyal Party to his Majesty. 1681.
At the Sessions for the City of London held on June 1, 1681, the
Jury made a presentment against this "seditious pamphlet, contrived
by Papists, and believed to be printed by the Popish Printer in
Fetter Lane, the design of it being to overthrow the ancient
constitution of this kingdom."[230] The Editor has not been able to
discover a copy.
275.
The Vindication of the English Roman Catholics. 1681.
On Monday October 10. 1681 a complaint was made by Justice Warcup
of this "popish invective libel" dated from Antwerp. The publisher
was had before the Council, and was to answer the same before
the King and Council, on the following Friday.[231] No further
proceedings can be found, neither can the Editor discover a copy of
the book.
276.
Smith's Protestant Intelligence; Domestic and Forein. Numb. 21. From
Thursday April 7. to Monday April 11. 1681.
For publishing this newspaper, a copy of which is preserved in
the British Museum Library, a prosecution was instituted against
Francis Smith. The information charges that Francis Smith, the
elder, late of the parish of St. Christopher, London, Yeoman,
being a pernicious and seditious man, contriving and maliciously
intending to disturb the peace and common tranquillity of this
kingdom, and to make, excite and procure discord between the King
and his subjects did, on the first day of October, in the thirty
third year of the reign of King Charles the Second, in the parish
aforesaid, falsely, unlawfully, unjustly, wickedly, seditiously and
scandalously cause to be printed, sold, uttered and published a
certain false, malicious, scandalous, and seditious libel intituled
_Smith's Protestant Intelligence, Domestick and Forein_ in which
are contained these false, malicious, and scandalous sentences
following, _April 9. Mr Everard having two Orders of Council sent
him for to attend on his Majesty at the Board Yesterday, he there
Appearing, constantly refused to give a Bond for to Prosecute
Fitzharris; but, that the Reasons that made others (whose Office
it was) to decline it, ought to make him much more shie to do it,
It was thereupon granted to him that the King's Attorney General
would prosecute. But it being insisted that he should give in his
Evidence, as the law required (if what he had discovered were
true). Everard, (as 'tis said) replied, that he would think of
that, and return his Answer after some convenient time, if he were
resolved as to some Difficulties and Quæries; viz.--Whether it was
the Opinion of that Honourable Board, that Fitzharris could be
tried elsewhere than in Parliament, and whether it were safe enough
for Mr. Everard to give his Evidence elsewhere non obstante the
Impeachment of the said Fitzharris by the Commons, especially after
the Impeachment was lodged with the Lords, and entred in their
Books, because the Lords might receive and reassume the Impeachment
in another Parliament (as in case of the Lords of the Tower) and
then the Commons might become Prosecutors themselves._[232]
277.
Del Teatro Brittanico o vero Historia dello Stato, Antico, e
Presente, Corte, Governo Spirituale, e Temporale, Leggi, Massime,
Religioni, et Euuenimenti della Grande Brettagna. By Gregorio Leti.
London. 1683.
For writing this work the author was banished the kingdom, and
seven hundred copies were seized. A copy exists in the British
Museum Library. It is in two volumes, quarto size.
278.
The Impartial Protestant Mercury, N^o 89. From Friday Feb. 24 to
Tuesday February 28. 1681/2.
At the Easter Sessions for Bristol in the year 1682 the Grand
Jury presented this and the four following publications as being
"infamous, scandalous, and seditious"; and the Court thereupon
ordered that at its rising these libels be publicly burnt by the
Beadle or Common Executioner.[233] A copy is preserved in the
British Museum Library.
279.
The Impartial Protestant Mercury, N^o 96. From Tuesday March 21 to
Friday, March 24. 1681/2.
A copy is preserved in the British Museum Library.
280.
The sad and lamentable cry of oppression and cruelty in the City of
Bristol. 1682.
The editor has not met with a copy of this work.
281.
More sad and lamentable news from Bristol. 1682.
The editor has not met with a copy of this work.
282.
The devouring informers of Bristol &c. Being an additional account
of some late proceedings of those ravenous beasts of prey, against
Dissenting Protestants. Bristol. April 22. 1682.
A copy of this tract is preserved in the British Museum Library. It
is in quarto, and contains four pages.
283.
Smith's Currant Intelligence, or an impartial account of transactions
both forraign and domestick. Published from Tuesday, March 23 to
Saturday March 27. (1680).
For publishing this newspaper, a copy of which is preserved in
the Library of the British Museum, a prosecution was instituted
against John Smith of Queen Street, in the County of Middlesex,
Printer. The information charges that the defendant being a
pernicious person, and contriving and maliciously intending to
excite discord and scandal between the King and his people and the
nobles of the kingdom, did on the twenty seventh day of March, in
the thirty second year of the reign of King Charles the Second,
in the parish of St. Giles in the Fields, Co: Midd:, publish and
cause to be published a certain false, scandalous, and malicious
libel intituled _Smith's Currant Intelligence, or an impartial
account of transactions both forraign and domestick_ containing
among other things as follows:--_The Project for carrying and
recarrying of Letters from place to place throughout all the
Cities of London and Westminster, for a penny a Letter, so often
mentioned in the Intelligences, is, as Dr. Oates says, a farther
branch of the Popish Plot; for that he is credibly informed, it is
the most dextrous Invention of Mr. Henry Nevill alias Pain, who is
notoriously known to be a great asserter of the Catholick cause,
and shrewdly suspected to be a promoter of this way of Treasonable
Correspondencies; And it is to be feared, as that good Invention of
Pipes hath wholly destroyed the Trade of Tankard Bearer, so this
silly Invention will only serve to ruine the poor Porters._[234]
284.
England's Alarm: or, a most humble declaration, address, and fervent
petition to his most Excellent Majesty Charles the Second, King of
Great Britain and Ireland; and to his most honourable and grand
Council the Parliament of England; as also to the City of London,
and the whole nation in general. Concerning the great Overtures,
Catastrophes, and Grand Occurrences about to inundate and pour in
upon us, as the Judgments of Almighty God upon Antichrist and his
adherents, and the Pride, Nauseancy, and Errour of Professors, in the
years 1680 and 1681. Written by a true lover of the true Protestant
Religion, and of his Tottering poor Native Country of England
_Johannes Philangus_.
London. Printed for Thomas Pasham, in Fleet Lane. 1679.
This book is ascribed by the compilers of the Catalogue of the
Museum Library to William Petyt; and there are several other
productions of Johannes Philangus; but it does not appear upon what
authority Petyt is considered the author. A copy is preserved in
the British Museum Library. It is in folio, and contains six pages.
For printing this work a prosecution was instituted against James
Cottrell, a printer of the parish of St. Sepulchre in London.
The information charges that he, being a pernicious person, and
contriving and maliciously intending to create discord and scandal
between the King and his people, and the nobles of the kingdom, did
on the twenty sixth day of March in the thirty second year of the
reign of King Charles the Second, at the parish of St. Sepulchre
in the City of London publish and cause to be published a false
scandalous and malicious libel intituled _England's Alarm, &c._ (as
in title), containing among other things as follows: _Remember,
England, if thou art not mad drunk with the Whores Charms how that
thy preaching Ministers are turn'd into dumb Dogs and ravening
Wolves. And they bear rule by thy means, and thou lovest to have it
so._[235]
285.
The Neck of the Quakers broken; or cut in sunder by the two-edged
sword of the Spirit which is put into my Mouth. First, in a Letter
to Edward Bourne a Quaker. Secondly, in answer to a letter to Samuel
Hooton and W. S. Thirdly, in a letter to Richard Farnsworth, Quaker.
Fourthly, in answer to a printed pamphlet of the said Richard
Farnsworth, entituled, Truth Ascended: or, The Anointed and Sealed
of the Lord defended, &c. Written by Lodowick Muggleton, one of the
two last Prophets and Witnesses unto the High and Mighty God, the Man
Christ Jesus in Glory. Amsterdam: Printed in the year of our Lord
God, 1663. And are to be had in Great Trinity Lane, over against the
Lyon and the Lamb.
The author of this book was founder of the sect called
Muggletonians. He was born in 1609, and was bred up to be a tailor.
Abandoning his trade in 1651, he set up himself and his companion
John Reeves as the "two last witnesses" mentioned in the apocalypse
as having power to prophesy, and to smite mankind with plagues.
They began to fulfil their "commission" by denouncing all religious
sects, and especially the Ranters and the Quakers. An exposition
of their doctrines, was published in "The Divine Looking-Glass."
In this work, among other wild vagaries, were propounded the
views that the Trinity are merely the three different names, and
not the three distinct persons, of one God; that God has a real
human body; and that he left Elias as his vicegerent in heaven
when he came down to the earth to die on the cross. These profane
heresies provoked much opposition. They were attacked by William
Penn, the Quaker, in a book entitled _The New Witnesses proved Old
Hereticks_. 1672.
For writing this book Muggleton was prosecuted; and was tried at
the Old Bailey on Wednesday, the 17th of January, 1676/7; he was
found guilty, and sentenced by the Court to stand three days in
the Pillory, one day in Cornhill near the Royal Exchange; the next
day in Fleet Street near the end of Chancery Lane; and the third
day in West Smithfield, from eleven to one o'clock each day, with
a paper over his head describing his offence in large letters,
and his books to be seized, and divided into three parts, to be
burnt before his face near the Pillory by the Common Hangman; and
besides, to be fined £500, and to continue in gaol till payment,
and afterwards for his life, unless he procured good bail, "such
as the Court should accept of, and not of his own gang, faction or
sect," for being of good behaviour. Full particulars of his trial
will be found in a little book, entituled, A true narrative of the
Proceedings at the Sessions-house in the Old Baily, at a Sessions
there held on Wednesday the 17th of January 1676/7, giving a full
account of the true tryal and sentence of Lodowick Muggleton for
blasphemous words and books. London. 1676/7.
The indictment charges that Lodowick Muggleton, late of London,
labourer, being a pernicious, blasphemous and heretical man in
his opinions, pretending and affirming that he was one of the
two last prophets of the New Testament, designing and intending
to disseminate his pernicious, blasphemous, seditious, heretical
and monstrous opinions, and to disturb the common peace and
tranquillity of this kingdom, and to deprave the true religion
rightly established and exercised within this kingdom, also to
move, make, and excite discords between the king and his subjects,
and to bring into great hatred and contempt the king and his royal
government in ecclesiastical causes, did on the thirtieth day of
August in the twenty eighth year of the reign of King Charles the
Second, at the parish of St. Giles without Cripplegate, London,
with force and arms, falsely, unlawfully, wickedly, maliciously,
scandalously, blasphemously, seditiously, schismatically, and
heretically write, cause to be printed, sold, uttered and published
a certain malicious, scandalous, blasphemous, seditious, and
heretical book intituled _The neck of the Quakers broken, &c._
(setting out full title) in which book are contained these false,
unlawful, blasphemous, seditious, schismatical, heretical, and
scandalous sentences following, viz.:--_I write these lines unto
you Edward Bourne, knowing you to be of the seed of the serpent,
and appointed to eternal damnation before you were born, though
you know it not, I do know it by your speaking evil of that
Doctrine which is declared by us the Witnesses of the Spirit, by
calling of it Deceit, Confusion, and Lies, with many more wicked
speeches against the purest Truth that ever was declared by Prophet
or Apostle, because this is the Commission of the Spirit, and
the last Witness of God on earth. Therefore for these your hard
sayings against the Doctrine of this Commission of the Spirit, in
obedience unto my Commission, I do pronounce you cursed and damned
soul and body from the presence of God, elect men and Angels, to
eternity; neither shall that light within you, nor any God deliver
you from this Curse, but according to my word it shall be upon
you, because you shall know that God hath given power unto man to
curse you to eternity, and that there is a Prophet of the Lord now
in the Land. Written by Lodowick Muggleton, one of the two last
Witnesses and Prophets unto the High and Mighty God the Man Christ
Jesus in Glory._ Vale. And in another place of the same book are
contained these false, feigned, malicious, scandalous, blasphemous,
seditious and heretical sentences following, viz.:--_Now in this
last age God hath given me power, and discerning to determine
and give judgement upon men and women according as I do discern
by their words, and I thereby also know what nature and seed
they are of, and accordingly I give judgment upon them, for I do
go by as certain a rule as the Judges of the Land do, when they
give true Judgment according to the Law. For God hath ordained me
the chief Judge in the world at this day to give sentence upon
men and women's spiritual and eternal estate what will become of
them after death. Full of this cursing I confess my mouth is, and
I do rejoice in it too, I know that God is well pleased in the
damnation of those that I have cursed, and I am wonderous well
satisfied in giving judgement upon them, according to the tenor of
my Commission; and this is that which you call swelling words._ And
in another place of the same book are contained these other false,
feigned, malicious, scandalous, blasphemous, unlawful, seditious
and heretical sentences following, viz.:--_Therefore I shall speak
a few words unto you two in particular, because you two have
committed that unpardonable sin that never will be forgiven in this
world, nor in the world to come; for you have done despite unto
the Spirit of Truth, in speaking evil of things you do not know,
for you have called the Doctrine and Declaration of the Spirit,
Blasphemy, Deceit, and Lies, with many other railing speeches,
with high impudency, from a light within you, and from the dead
letter without you, and hath presumptuously lifted up your selves
with that light within you, to speak evil of the Commission of
the Spirit, which we received from the true personal God without
us, even the Man Christ Jesus in Glory. Therefore in obedience to
my Commission, I do pronounce Samuel Hooton and W. S., for this
their Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit that sent me, cursed and
damned soules and bodies from the presence of God, elect men and
Angels, to eternity. Your light within you, nor God without you
shall deliver you from this Sentence which I have declared upon
you, because you shall know that there is a true Prophet now in
the last Age, as well as there hath been in former times. And this
Sentence shall be the mark of your Reprobation in your foreheads
to eternity, even as your great Grandfather had in his forehead,
and all the Seed of Faith that shall read this Epistle and see you,
shall see the mark of Reprobation in your foreheads, neither shall
you scrape it out, but it will be seen by the Elect as long as you
live. And when you dye, you shall pass through this first death
into the second death, and in the Resurrection you shall never
see the face of God, nor man, nor Angels, nor your own faces, to
eternity: but you shall be in utter darkness, where is weeping, and
gnashing of teeth for evermore._ To the great scandal and contempt
of the King, his Crown and Dignity, also of the religion rightly
established in this kingdom, to the bad and pernicious example of
all others in like case offending, and against the peace of the
King, his Crown and Dignity.
The indictment also further charges that--Nathaniel Powell late
of the parish of St. Clement Danes, London, yeoman, being a
pernicious, blasphemous, impious and profane person, and not
having the fear of God in his heart, but moved and seduced by
the instigation of the devil, and contriving and intending to
deprave, scandalize and vilify the true Christian Religion rightly
established and exercised within this kingdom; also to blaspheme
the wisdom, omnipotence and majesty of the Holy Trinity, and the
incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to strengthen, confirm
and ratify the aforesaid pernicious, seditious, heretical and
monstrous opinions of the said Lodowick Muggleton within the
kingdom of England, did, on the first day of April, in the thirty
third year of the reign of King Charles the Second, at the parish
of St. Clement Danes, aforesaid, say, pronounce, and publish
falsely, scandalously, maliciously, profanely, blasphemously,
and heretically these false, scandalous, profane, blasphemous,
and heretical words in the presence and hearing of divers liege
subjects of the said lord the King, viz.--_I rather believe in
Muggleton that stood on the Pillory, than in Jesus Christ, I have
power to damn and to save, and if thou_ (meaning a certain Gilbert
Soper then and there present) _art not damned I never desire to
see the face of God. I do believe in that Muggleton, that stood
on the Pillory, next to God Almighty. That Muggleton had power to
damn whom he pleased, whom he damned were damned to eternity, and
whom he saved, were saved. I have power to damn and to save, I
believe more in Muggleton than in Jesus Christ. I thank God, never
offended God in my life, I have no sin to ask God pardon for, I say
drunkenness is no sin, I have had the knowledge of my own salvation
these twelve months, I have the power of damning and saving, I damn
thee_ (meaning a certain Richard Sharpe then and there present)
_and God cannot save thy soul_. To the great scandal of the true
profession of the Christian Religion, to the manifest contempt of
the Holy Trinity, and blasphemy of the Deity of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and to the bad and most pernicious example of all others in
such case offending, and against the peace of the King his Crown
and dignity.[236]