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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A30710	A narrative of the proceedings of the commissioners appointed by O. Cromwell, for ejecting scandalous and ignorant ministers, in the case of Walter Bushnell, clerk, Vicar of Box in the county of Wilts wherein is shewed that both commissioners, ministers, clerk, witnesses have acted as unjustly even as was possible for men to do by such a power, and all under the pretence of godliness and reformation.	Bushnell, Walter, 1609-1667.; Chambers, Humphrey, 1598 or 9-1662. Answer of Humphrey Chambers ... to the charge of Walter Bushnell.	1660 (1660)	Wing B6256; ESTC R6388	126,592	274

Judges such Witnesses such a sentence and such a Malefactor The Judges although most unjust yet pretending not only to Justice but Piety likewise The witnesses most infamous and yet countenanced and made use of by these Judges although they knew them to be such And although the sentence be not altogether the same yet the Malefactors crime being either the witnesses malice or else that he held something which they were sick for These things being premised by way of Caution I take my leave Gualt Bushnell THE TRANSACTIONS at the time when first I appeared before the COMMISSIONERS sitting at the Bear in MARLBURROUGH FEBRUARY 14. 1655. section 1 BY vertue of an Ordinance of OLIVER called the PROTECTOR and his Council intituled An Ordinance for the Ejecting of Scandalous Ignorant and Insufficient Ministers and Schoolmasters bearing date Aug. 29. 1654 wherein certain Commissioners with Ministers assistant were impowred to proceed according to severall Instructions therein specified as by the said Ordinance whereunto for further satisfaction I refer thee appears I was by Warrant from Marlburrough delivered u●to me by Tho. Cox bearing date Jan. 21. 1655. under the hands and Seals of Tho. Bayly Tho. Hunt Gabriel Martin William Shute William Blisset and Richard Phelps summoned to appear before the said Comm●ssioners at Marlburrough on the 14 day of February then next following in these words WILTS By the Commissioners for the ejecting of scandalous Ministers c. sitting at Marlburrough this 21 day of Jan. 1655. THese are to will and require you Walter Bushnell Clerk Minister of Box to make your personall appearance before us at the Sign of the Bear in Marlburrough upon Thursday come three weeks the 14 day of Febr. next coming to answere to a Charge of Articles purporting matter of scandal and insufficiency before us this day exhibited against you Hereof fail you not at your perill Given under our hands and Seals the day and year abovesaid To Walter Bushnell Clerk these On the outside Mr. Bushnell of Box. section 2 Which personall appearance I accordingly made and after I had waited till about Eight of the Clock at night I received a Copy of the Charge in these words WILTS ss A Copy of the Charge against Mr. Bushnell exhibited Januar 21. 1655. 1. That the said Mr. Bushnell is guilty of profaning the Sabbath day 2. That he is guilty of frequenting Inns and Ale-houses and drinking to Excesse 3. That he useth the Form contained in the Book of Common Prayer and Baptizeth with the Sign of the Crosse 4. That he is guilty of playing Cards and Dice 5. That he is guilty of severall attempts by him made on his servant woman to have committed uncleannesse with her 6. That he hath expressed his disaffection to the present Government in associating himself with severall persons who were chief Actors in the late Insurrection Ex. per me William Blissett Vera Copia To these Articles I pleaded not guilty which I subscribed at the foot of them adding further to Mr. Shute and Dr. Chambers the only persons that to my knowledge I had ever seen before that if those Articles were true then was I notoriously scandalous but if false then were the Informers Notorious Slanderers or words to that purpose To which Dr. Chambers replies to this purpose That the severall parties should be brought face to face So that waiting only for a Copy of the Articles for which I gave the Clark Mr. Blissets Son 2 s. 6 d. I was at that time dismissed untill further summons section 3 Now I must acquaint thee that these Articles were exhibited by one John Travers of Slaughtenford commonly then called Captain Travers This Trade of Information and such unworthy shifts being conceived to be almost all that he had to live by he being looked on as a Fellow meerly Mercenary framing Complaints against men for no other cause but that he might be hired to hold his peace and endeavouring to displace Ministers for this reason that he might have his reward for making room for others to come into their Livings And I make no doubt of it but that as it was hope of reward which moved him to act so at first it was indifferent to him from whom he had it A good Crust would have so charmed this Cerberus that he would not have opened his mouth unlesse it had been in my behalf Nor do I make a question of it but that as some reward from me would have kept him quiet or made him for me so that he had some promises given him or somewhat assured him in case he would appear against me The man whom they have put in my place hath complained of the Charges be hath been at in getting of it one must have 20 l. another 10 l. another 10 l. and 10 l. it cost him in such a businesse now there is no doubt but that John Travers had his share in this Dividend as well as in the Service Neither can I think that Mr. Sterne would have beknaved him ask William Blisset the younger and Tho. Cox how as he did some others if John Travers had travailed and swore for him upon his own Charges And for some such kinde of man was he looked upon by Mr. Chambers himself when he first delivered in these Articles against me who as he hath reported called for the Articles with a purpose to have torn them because they were Exhibited by such a hand section 4 And since I have mentioned the Articles and the person that delivered them in and the entertainment which they were like to finde from Mr. Chambers because they were delivered in by such an hand let me now tell thee what as he hath reported it was the cause which made the Doctor forbear tearing of them and that was because he saw there the Names of many whom he knew and took to be honest men And here for an Introduction to the honesty and discretion of the Dr. I shall observe this unto thee that as I have been told he observed it that although there were severall names subscribed yet they were all written in the same hand from which it must needs follow that by the Doctors confession the whole writing both Articles and hands might be all forged as indeed they were so that me thinks the Doctor hath very much overshot himself in point of discretion for he looks upon the Articles the more because subscribed with such and so many names and yet 2 he acknowledgeth all the names to be written with one hand which would have made any sober man the more to have suspected it But yet the Doctor had an evasion for this for at my appearing before them at Caln some of those whose names were subscribed desired a sight of the Paper that they might know who had thus abused them which they could not obtain yet the Dr. that we might not prove his Friends guilty of Forgery endeavours to preserve their reputation with a Salvo to some

think that the Son is the farther from him by it it being usual for wicked Children Brothers and other wicked men to hasten Gods servants to him by those wayes and means by which they ruine themselves And although our Lawes repute none Paricides but such who lay violent hands on their Parents and by some blows and wounds give them some visible cause of death yet I doubt not but that Divine Justice will look upon many for Paricides whom our Lawes do not reach nor see I any cause to doubt of it but that he who with Frights with Threats with Curses with Blows with Gripes in the Throat with drawing Knives with continual horrid and barbarous vexations shall even break his Fathers heart and so much William Pinchin the Elder hath said that his Son would do by him is as guilty of his bloud as if he had taken a Knife and stabbed him And I could advise Mr. Chambers to admonish William Pinchin that he would sadly consider of it in this his day And I am confident of it that they had done better service both to the Church of God and to the Common-wealth if in stead of incouraging him to swear falsly and maliciously himself and instructing others to doe the like they had spent some pains with him to have made him know that the Voice of a Fathers bloud is some more clamorous then the Voice of a Brothers section 22 And it is more then Doctor Chambers knows whether there have been any such Love and Unity amongst those who are there yet behind as was then suggested and pretended to be If he knows not of it already I can tell him that since the time that I was thrust from Box there have been notable clashing of Doores gnashing of Teeth sweet words passing from the Son to the Mother and great thwarting and crossing betwixt them in their business it being William Pinchins custome to do by his Mother as he did by me To doe himself some mischief that he may doe his Mother a greater pleasing himselfe in frighting away work and Custome from their Mill as I have heard belike thinking himselfe well satisfied with little or nothing because his Mother doth thereby lose her half The Doctor if he aske the Neighbourhood or the Servants or the Children may be told that there is little there that favours of a Cordial Union or of a Blessed Reformation Possibly it may not be so publique now as it hath been formerly but in case she be forced out of her house she dares not say that she was kickt or beaten and in 〈◊〉 she comes to any of her Neighbours he must complain softly and in a Chamber and buy her relief or else want it The recompence which she hath made me being a fair warning for any one to receive relieve or else to pity her Nay more Mr. Stern hath told me since I came to T●●● that her Son hath used a means to 〈◊〉 her not only out of her house but out of the County likewise section 23 At the same time it was that William Punchin produced another Paper I think he received it from Thomas Powell as the implaint of an honest man I think he added Godly too being at that time in the County of Summerset The writing was but short and the complaint as I remember That he had lived so long under my Ministery and was not profited or to that purpose Which Paper upon my request they shew unto me upon the view whereof I finde it to be the hand of William Sergeant a man indeed living in Sommerset but in a Parish adjoyning to Box a considerable part of his Estate lying in that Parish about the Tithes whereof for he refuseth payment he hath been questioned and cast by both Persons and Vicar and so far proceeded against that he lay in Gaol upon the same score even to his dying day This man William Sergeant by report hath gone through all Opinions and at that time was and I think still continued as vehement a Quaker as any whatsoever Upon the redelivery of the Paper I told them I had much to shew from the same man and written by the same hand Now by this the Commissioners might have guest what sort of men appeared against me in that they laboured to strengthen themselves by such who are profest enemies to the Profession and Calling of Ministers Not was this the first time that they received Papers against me written by this William Sergeant He it was that wrote the Articles against me which were Exhibited by John Travers his Brother in Law But since he was in person before the Commissioners at my next time of my appearing I shall trouble thee no more about him now nor with any thing else touching the Transactions of this day From Marlborough after an Expensive Reckoning we are discharged and notwithstanding the Warrant by which I appeared expressed that I should then receive judgement according to the demerit of my cause yet as to Sentence there was nothing then done belike the Testimonies came not up as ●et to the Expectations of these Commissioners or to Mr. Byfields and Dr. Chambers desires or else William Pinchin might give them in another Paper and that he had other Witnesses yet behind that could swear farther and Testifie more but for that time discharged I was untill another Summons The Transactions at my fourth time of appearing before them June 4. 5. at the George in Cāln section 1 BEing as I told thee thus discharged from Marlborrough May 9. within some short time after I received a piece of Paper from John Travers in these words Mr. Bushnell YOur appearance is expected before our Commissioners at their next meeting at the George in Caln Wednesday the 4. of June with your Witnesses for your further defence if you intend any more William Blisset Clerk 14 May 1656. section 2 Whither we repair accordingly and there we finde for the Common-wealth William Pinchin Jone Pinchin his mother Elizabeth Pinchin his Wife Peter Web John Gibbons Nicholas Spencer Thomas Hayward Ann the Wife of William Rawlins William Cottle and Henry Parsons of Box John Gibbons of Corsham John Travers of Slaughtenford William Sergeant of Bathford William Sanders of Chippenham Obediah Cheltenham Richard Cottle and Lawrence Cottle of Ditcherridg who being all sworn were required to speak to the Articles accordingly as they were proposed unto them section 3 But before I descend to any particulars I shall recommend to thy observation some few things As 1. That William Pinchin at this time leaves off to be a witness and now takes upon him and acts the part of a Sollicitor or Informer for as I can prove he instructed and catechized some of the witnesses before and so far prevailed with them that they were contented to swear not what they had informed him of but accordingly as he had written and afterward he marshals his Witnesses into a form and accordingly as he looked upon

as a perjured person and therefore might they well think that he would not stick to forswear himself again to excuse it and as Sanders formerly endeavoured to countenance his perjury with a lie so William Cottle minded to countenance his with another false Oath But this as I have said the Commissioners did not admit and yet they made use of his Testimony against me yea and so did the Judges in the case of Naboth and the chief Priests and Elders although they knew that their Testimonies were false and that they themselves had put those false words into the witnesses mouths section 4 And now when I consider how William Pinchin Nicholas Spenser and Obadiah Cheltenham would have engaged William Cottle to swear again I cannot but wonder and tremble to think how far wicked men for base interests will lead and how far a wicked man for the hopes of a small reward will follow This William Cottle betwixt the time that he swore at Caln and this time that he now appears at Lavington was heard to wish that his tongue had been cut out of his mouth before he had sworn against me yet now being backt by his Tutors he is ready with the same tongue to lay a heavier burden upon his soul Having sworn falsely before he now appears to swear falsely again that he never said so But mark the sequel and here I would have the Reader to admire to wonder to tremble but not to judge Shortly after this time VVilliam Cottle falls sick his wife as I have heard hath reported it that it began with a burning in his lips proceeding thence to his tongue insomuch that he was forced to keep water in his mouth to cool it while he was at work one who was with him as a Physitian hath told me that when he came to see him he found his tongue black and swoln even out of his mouth In this sad condition sending forth such groans which were heard into the street he continues certain dayes and not long after dies Now considering that sentence was past upon me Jul. 23. and that VVilliam Cottle was buryed Aug. 18. next following and that he lay sick for several dayes before he died and was not buried till some dayes after he was dead I say these things considered there will remain but a very few dayes for him to rejoyce in my overthrow or to please himself with the expectation of his reward It must be confest that VVilliam Pinchin was somewhat more kind unto him in his sickness then the chief Priests and Elders were to Judas in his distress for as 't is reported both he and his Mother visit him often but now whether or no it were to incourage him with hopes of recovery or to comfort him with an assurance of his reward when he was recovered or whether or no it were to confirm him in what he had said and done fearing that he should repent and tell the truth I will not judge section 5 Reader think not that I insult over this carcass or in any triumph tell thee of his sudden and sad fall or say that he was thus smitten for this cause Only let me say thus much that as we may trangress by being too uncharitable in such cases so we may transgress by being too stupid And I wish that all that shall read this story may from this Example have a care to themselves as with reference to their several actings and relations If suborners that they have a care how they prepare and practise with others If mercenary that they have a care how they are practised with and if Commissioners that they have a care whom they countenance and give credit to And I wish that these Commissioners may be the last that credit or countenance such witnesses That Obadiah Cheltenham William Pinchin John Travers Nicholas Spenser may be the last that prepare them that William Cottle may may be the last that take such Oaths and that I may be the last that suffer by them And I further wish that these men W. P. O C. J.T. N. S. yea and the Commissioners and Doctors too may timely and sadly consider of it That if William Cottles soul perish for this cause then they cannot but look upon themselves as guilty of his damnation If God will will require the bloud of men at their hands who seeing others in wicked wayes shall neglect to recal them certainly much more will he require it at their hands who shall put them into wicked wayes and incourage them them to go on If he who withholds not from Hell be accessary then much more be that thrusts thitherward And here let me observe unto thee the portion which divine Providence dispenseth to such practitioners that do or say or swear basely or falsely for reward or gain 1. They are often disappointed of and never receive that which hath been promised them as Cottle 2. In case they receive it yet can they take no delight in the keeping of it it was so with Judas 3. That such a thing which they never dream't of befals them which will never be wiped off Infamie 4. That that doth usually befall their families which by these ungodly courses they labour'd to prevent I have told thee already that John Travers promised VVilliam Cottle that if I were ejected he would see that he who succeeded me should pay him if not he was like to loose it but a third thing hath happened which they never dream't of and who shall pay him now Divine Providence so ordering it that I should be ejected that VVilliam Cottle should live to see it that he should die before he could receive the reward of his perjury that that hath befal his family which by this means he labour'd to prevent and if his soul miscarry for it he is gone to such a Master for his wages which neither he nor the suborners nor the Commissioners nor their Doctors did then so much as dream of I say that that hath befallen his family which by this means he laboured to prevent Poverty He left behind him many small children and a wife who was with the Overseers to ingage for her house-rent notwithstanding her late husbands father were her Landlord before I was thrust from the place I have been told since that this William Cottles widow belike conceiving herself to be her husbands Administratix and that all promises made to him to be due to her hath been with some of the ingagers for the portion promised her husband which it seems was five pounds besides the Clerks and Registers place but that she was yet put off and advised to go to Mr. Stearn for it which hath made the woman to flie high and to report it That had it not been for the Oaths which her husband took against me which he took upon the incouragement of W.P. J.T. O.C. N.S. she believes that her husband had been alive to this hour From which it is cleer