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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A94096	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.	Stuckley, Lewis, 1621 or 2-1687.	1658 (1658)	Wing S6090; ESTC R230380	41,764	60

foot so near her time it seems that p. 35. of his book she was glad to Carrie her midwife with her Will any Reader think that she in such a Condition would take such a Journy for such an end 4. Would she have pitched on such an infamous woman as Dame who had ran to Ireland as her Brother Mongwel confessed after another womans husband Had she no relations that she might trust to convey her in case her husbands Company was not so proper 5. Why did they not proceed in their journey what though her brother could not accompany her must she needs returne being in her journey more then half the way especially when she could goe with more Credit to Taunton then before but 6. If the Mare was sent for to convey her to Taunton what should Dame her Companion or Midwife doe must she ride upon the Muggle of the Mare 7. But is it likely that she would send about fifteen miles for a Mare to expedite this journey 8. Is Honnington in the road way to Taunton 9. There are several persons that then lay in the house that heard the Landlady say that Mr. T.A. could not be admitted for a while into his wifes Chamber and that Mris. A. did confesse to her that she left her husband because of a different way from her Well but he thinks to excuse by a friendly lodging he had that night with her p. 9. it was sure but part of the night I think it was near nine of the Clock before he took horse to find her out for her friendlinesse to him I will not medle with it only it Cost him deare to travel so unseasonably and to ingage as was reported that he would never joyn with us more 10. Her journey was sinful in the opinion of both husband and wife p. 10. he saith she was sensible of her sin in going from him without his privity and desired the Lord to humble her for it and desired him to forgive her Well grant this yet the offence became publick Honnington and Exeter Rang with this scandall and the Church account themselves obliged to take notice of it and they appoint members to admonish her of it but she refuseth to hear them as she was wont Now let the Reader Judg whether this is so slight àn offence and whether a Church of Christ have not power to deale with such an offender although she be forgiven seventy times seven by her husband yet no appearance of sorrow was seene by any of us for her opening the mouths of wicked men against Religion therefore we expecting saisfaction but missing of it we resolved to follow this offendor according to the instruction given us Math. 18.15.16.17 In the same page he adviseth his Reader to take notice that the Church were ignorant of the occasion and end of her journey and yet c. Noe wonder if Ignorant of the occasion of that scandalous motion when her own husband knew it not till he found her in Honnington and as for the end though he pretends it was to Receive satisfaction Concerning some scruple yet I doe not believie it How ever he hath been taught in Peters that it is a most sad thing when a man hath nothing to say for the justifying of himself but this that he hath a good meaning in such an action it is no question a man may have a kind of good meaning in that which is nothing but wickednesse the best intention in the world is not good enough to make an evill action to be good Good is a perfection as evil is a defect and all perfection must come from the concurrence of all the causes to compleat it what think you of Lots Daughters their end was that they might preserve seed on earth yet this would not Justify them in such an abominable act as that was yea he hath been taught that no man can have a good intention in a wicked action how can a man have a good end as long as he walks by a crooked rule and useth indirect meanes for the obtaining of his end it doth imply it is a contradiction The obedience of he Creature to its maker is the end for which it was made honoring of God by obeying him is the end of a Christian now how can he aime at the glory of God that taketh a direct course to disobey him But if his wives end was so good in that swift motion of hers why had it not been made known when the two others were sent to his wife Why did she refuse conference with them She knevv vvell enough that the scandalousness of the action vvas notorious and did it not become her or her husband in her behalf to satisfie us about this glorious end Besides vvhy had she such a ruffe carriage toward those two Bretheren when coming to her in a message from Christ and his Church p. 10.11 We know she is a ruffe piece but that was a strange time so to express her self when she lay under so much guilt as that he confesseth she ask't him forgiveness and said she was sensible of the evil of that journey and desired the Lord to humble and forgive her for it When David had truly repented of his sin though a Shimei accosted him he vvas not rough tovvards him though this pamphleter be overbold in his lying imputations yet the Lord did not Permit him to charge the brethren vvith any uncivil carriage in their conference vvith his vvife only he confesseth that vvhich needed no proofe that his vvife vvas rough yet upon this repentance though questionable enough he forgives her so might vve had she vvith tears profest to us Her self sensible of the evil of her journey desiring the Lord to humble her and forgive her for it To this vvas she bound by the Lavv of the same God that obliged her to ask her husband forgivness her sin being publick her repentance should have been publick she had scandalized the Church and she ought to have sought forgiveness from them as vvell as from her husband There is a tvvofold forgiveness 1. That vvhich is opposed to hatred grudges and unjust desire of revenge thus vve were to forgive her vvhether she repented or no. 2. That vvhich is opposed to the censures of the Lord Jesus in his Churches and so we are bound not to forgive unless there be visible repentance and therefore vve are not ashamed to say that such a scandalous sin is unpardonable to a Church-member vvithout the Churches satisfaction though he as an husband may pardon the scandalousness of it as relating to himself yet not as relating to the Church and had he consulted either for the peace of his ovvn conscience or the safety of her soul he vvould have taken an occasion from her private confessions to prevail vvith her for a publick acknovvledgment but he neglecting his duty and his vvife hers the Journey having opened so many mouths against Religion and the pretended end being

MANIFEST TRUTH OR AN INVERSION OF TRVTH' '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 Matth. 5.22 But I say unto you That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the Judgment and whosoever shall say to his brother Rach● shall be in danger of the Counsel but whosoever shall say Thou fool shall be in danger of Hell fire Luk. 19.22 Out of thine own mouth will I condemn thee Eadem possunt alicui videri manifestè vera quae alteri videntur manifestè falsa Quisquis à criminibus vitam suam custodit sibi benefacit quisquis etiam famam in alios misericors est nobis necessaria est vita nostra aliis fama Aug. de bono Viduitatis c. 22 London Printed by D. M. for M. Keinton at the Fountain in S. Pauls Church Yard 1658. TO THE READER THat Ink hath Poyson and Gall in it the Historian as well as Naturalist will confesse and a late Pamphleter hath exemplified We need not impannel a Jury of Inquest for this hereby it happens that no quarter is given to paper and as little to many mens names as thou canst witnesse if thou hast perused a book of Mr Alleins falsly called Truths Manifest 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 against 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 within the last twentie years that according to the conviction 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 conduce and if Luther that Phaenix of the world would condemn his excellent writings to the fire rather 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 conscientia semper ecit secura or rather with Paul My rejoyecing is this the Testimony of my Conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity I have had my conversation 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 innocency as to things laid to my charge I could even have resolved not to make Hue and Cry after my self abroad in this mis-judging age but to become careless what the vulgar think or say of me so it be not deservedly 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 misapprehensions 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 Hannibal 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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 without 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 many heats and Commotions in spirits These times already have beene too fruitful in disputes and controversies 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 Brethren 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

he was dissatisfied I doe not understand nor what he meanes by zeale whether he was disatisfied with his wife or with the Church and what the antecedents are to those relatives p. 17. He gives you an account of a letter from Mris. Par who he saith was a late member of my Church and long since deserted them how a late member and yet long since deserted us and Mris Allein to which I need not say much any judicious Reader may see it robs parricular Churches of that power and Authority which Christ hath intrusted them with of trying and censuring their ovvn delinquent members upon a pretence that the vvhole Church are parties to vvhich vve might retort many things if it vvere needful but he Pamphleter takes it for granted that a particular Church may excommunicate in his Epistle and that vvhich he dislikes in several Pages is our censuring the parties for petty small offences moreover so far are either of them in this paper from confessing any of their scandals that they rather vvould asperse us as if the evil vve vvere censuring them for was their communicating in the Ordinances of Christ with others of Gods people that will admit them to their communion Sure March the seventh was of all the dayes in the week the most improper to blot paper with slanderous reflection By this time I suppose I have almost wearied my Reader with inlarging on the unchristian liberty which this Pamphleter hath taken to make both my person and the Church I walk with odious to the world but I may say as it was told Ezekiel Behold yet greater abominations he is not contented to falsifie and pervert actions but p. 20. he jears at the workings of the blessed Spirit in those mournings and lamentings which God was pleased to bestow upon his people upon that sad day this he blasphemously calls a hideous howling cry and accounts so just a censure to be but like the Popes bull a beast when it roars the loudest p. 33. I should the less wonder at these expressions had not this T.A. been once present when this censure was inflicted on Ganicle hath this poor soul forgotten how they sorrowed after a godly sort what carefulness it wrought in them yea what clearing of themselves yea what indignation yea what fear yea what vehement desire yea what zeal yea what revenge The Author of the History of the Councel of Trent though a papist would have taught him more Christianity who saith p. 330. That the excess of charity in correcting speaking of the censure of excommunication did make the corrector feel greater pain then the corrected so that in the Church no punishment was imposed without great lamentation of the multitude and greater of the better sort and this was the cause why to correct was called to lament so St. Paul rebuking the Corinthians for not chastifing the incestuous said you have not lamented to separate such a transgression from you And must this scurilous tongue report that dayes mourning for his vvives misery to be howling and hideous howling and compare it to the Popes roaring Bull hovv can this Ishmael that is grovvn up and become a scoffer of Isaac hope to keep his reputation among them vvho knovv vvhat sighs and groanes in duty means it vvas indeed a sad and black day and this the excommunicates vvill knovv to their everlasting shame and sorrovv vvithout repentance hovvever this adamant heart may flout and jest at our sense of the misery of these contumacious vvretches for a vvhile I knovv and am persvvaded that vve have cause given us to glory in that vvhich he vvould publish for our shame vve bless God that the place of our assembling our selves together vvas turned into a Bochim and that the great holy God vvas pleased to give us frames of mourning becoming the vvork of such a day vve remember vvell vve are not the first that have been so traduced and if this be to be vile vve desire to be more vile if ever such a sad occasion present it self again This Pamphleter having cast such blase aspersions upon the vvorkings of God in the hearts of his people and having mishaped the Congregation his next vvork is to lay me lovv in the eyes of al men by printing somevvhat of my Prayer for the Reader to vievv to make vvay for his ovvn false observations that aftervvards he annexeth I have already in a solemn place vvitnessed against those lyes vvith vvhich I am charged and should have hoped for so much ingenuity from a professing people that they vvould have given credit to me in my disovvning the Blasphemy Lyes Contradictions and incoherences of such papers but this I feel and find by sad experience that vvhen persons are ingaged in spreading lies to defame their brethren they vvill hardly be persvvaded to retract their uncharitable practises against them it had suited vvith a Gospel-spirit in Ministers and others to have knovvn of me vvhether I delivered such passages as the bold man fathers on me before they had believed them or any vvay contributed to the spreading of them this is not to vvalk by that generally applauded rule Mat. 7.12 All things vvhatsoever ye vvould that men should do to you do ye even so to them this is not to love thy neighbour as thy self this is not to uphold the credit of the Minister and the esteem of our brethren in the Ministry this is not to deal faithfully with our brethren and not to suffer sin to lye upon each other and freely and lovingly give to and receive admonitions from each other for any evil that shall be discovered in either of us I do once again profess to my brethren in the Ministry and to all others that I am exceedingly vvronged by these reports and if this do not satisfie thee if thou vvilt credit more on H.R. a person so notorious that I believe fevv vvill certifie for his godly conversation rather then believe a Minister of the Gospel I may say now walkest not thou charitably Religion will teach thee to suspend rather thy determining any thing in this matter I cannot force the credit of any but will commit my cause to God I believe a day of Judgment is hastning upon us and then it will be known how much sin men of all degrees have been guilty of in this matter by saying report and we will report In the mean while I shall give thee a double Certificate from the members of my own and some of other Congregations A Printed Pamphlet under the name of Mr. Toby Allein coming lately to our view and finding therein somewhat stiled a prayer which is by him asserted to be Mr. Stucleys we cannot but judg our selves obliged in duty and conscience to testifie to all that desire to be informed of the truth that several passages therein are to our knowledg forged and invented and several other material passages omitted and several incoherences inserted so that we are verily perswaded it