to run and ride after it and to offer largely for it and maketh some Patrons theeues and to admit many an Ignoramus into the charge and cure of Soules and many a Minister to be a periured Simonist before God Hee maketh not a few to heape vp meanes not onely for maintenance but also to make themselues great and many which come in freely to neglect the care of their flockes and to seek after their fleeces to care to bee rich and to follow so after the world as that either they giue ouer to preach or doe make them preach at home very idly seldome and vnprofitably though abroad either for their hire or applaudity more diligently and commendable When People come to Church my Lord hee marreth their deuotion and haleth their soules out of the Church to make them to bee walking their grounds talking with their friends plotting businesses and to bee going some iourney to bee at some Market or Faire to bee counting their debts following their debtors reckoning vp their loane vpon Vsury their profits and gaine here and there not without feare of losses And all these things my Lord with many other worldly thoughts whilst their bodies are in Church When people come from the Church hee choaketh the seed of Gods Word that it thriueth in very few and of these few it is more in talke than in practice Hee keepeth my Lord many from the Church causing them to set the Lords Day apart not for his seruice but for their worldly affaires because they will not take another time for hindering their profit in the weeke daies Much more my Lord I haue to say but I am loth to be too tedious You Master Church haue spoken sufficiently and enough to condemne him Call Master Common-Weale Master Common-Weale what can you say on the Kings behalfe against the Prisoner at Barre My Lord this man hath entred so farre into all businesses as hee hath almost vtterly vndone mee Hee propoundeth Offices to sale and so maketh the buyers to sell their duties for profit to make vp their monies He hath monopolized commodities into his hands inhanced the prices of things to the great grieuance of the Kings Subiects Hee as your Lordship well knoweth hath miserably corrupted the course of Iustice by briberie by making many Lawyers plead more for Fees than honestly for the equitie of the cause by delaying the cause by remouing it from one Court to another till men be vndone He hath to get his desire suborned false witnesses counterfeited Euidences and forged Wils Good my Lord let some order be taken with him else he will vtterly bring mee to ruine and all mine for euer Call Master Houshold Master Houshold what can you say concerning the Prisoner My Lord this wicked Couetousnesse keepes holy exercises out of priuate houses he will not let parents haue any time to instruct their children hee maketh Masters vse their seruants more like beasts than men they are so wholly imployed in worldly businesses as for their soules there is no care taken but they are left to liue as soule-lesse men Hee causeth niggardly house-keeping and ouer-labouring of seruants He breedeth much contention chiding and too much vse of ill language by Mistresses and Dames yea betweene men and their wiues in their Family to the great griefe and ill example of their children and seruants Yea my Lord hee hath made children to bee cruel to their Parents brethren and sisters to hate one another neere of kindred and bloud to goe to Law one with another for and about diuiding goods lands and inheritances yea I can witnes this that hee hath made them murther one another Children their Parents Husbands their Wiues and one Brother another It would be too long to particularize how great euils and how many waies hee hath iniured mee and all mine But because other witnesses stand heere by mee I will trouble your Lordship with no more complaints at this time Call Master Neighbourhood Friend What is it that you can say touching this prisoner My Lord this vnhappy man hath altogether disunited mens affections so as in our Towne there is very little loue hardly will one doe another a good turne freely but either it must bee one for another like for like or in certaine future hope for gaine This wretch hath almost banisht all friendly society euery man is so now for himselfe as hee neglecteth his neighbor almost wholly He maketh them trespasse one another to rob cunningly one another in buying and selling and to fall out with bitter rayling vnneighbourly languages for a penny losse and causeth many suits and brabbles Wee are my Lord indeed miserably disquieted and almost vtterly vndone by him For my Lord we were a company of very good neighbours till he became Landlord here dwelt Amitie Kindnesse Gentlenesse Loue Peace Charitie Patience Goodnesse Readie-good-will Forgetfulnesse of wrongs Sociablenesse Good-turnes and Ioy but most vniustly by his cruelty wrong dealing hee hath displaced them and brought my Lord a company of infernall spirits for so I think I may without offence call them which are these Hatred Malice Enuie Wrath Anger Churlishnesse Discord Niggardlinesse Sturdinesse Strife Debate Variance Emulation Sedition Wrangling Fraud Deceit Malignitie Despight Vnnaturalnesse Implacablenesse Vnthankfulnesse Fiercenesse Highmindednesse Selfeloue Makebate and Vnmercifulnesse The best that hee brings in my Lord are Costlesse complement Faire-Speech How doe you Good-morrow Good euen Glad to see you well Word-welcome Will you drinke Fare-well Yours to command and such like also one Little-good with another called Soone-lost and amongst these No-harme is greatly commended but neuer a Good man amongst them much lesse any too-Too-good to bee found in the Parish except more in name than in deed And this is that which I haue to say my Lord at this time Call out Master Good-worke Master Good-worke what can you say touching the Prisoner My Lord there hath beene so much spoken that I need say nothing yet none haue more iust cause to complaine than I haue for he hath endeuoured to his vtmost to root me out and all my posterity Bounty Liberality and Hospitalitie My Lord we by reason of him daily stand in feare of our liues all the countrey crieth out of him in their loue to vs who well know how often hee hath attempted to murther vs. He hath put out of ioynt both the armes of my Son Bounty and almost broken the backe of my Son Liberality that he hardly at any time goeth vpright and all know this that he hath violently set vpon my Sonne Hospitality and forced him out of doores and in his stead hath let in Pride of apparel Sumptuous building Affectation of vaine Titles whom hee hath made to shut vp doores perswading them that to maintain their state they must increase their reuenues by new purchases by racking of rents by inhauncing their fines and incomes all
the chiefest meanes here to set the poore on worke which cannot bee without wooll and wooll cannot bee had without flockes of sheepe If this Worthy Knight and good Common-Wealths man tooke any aduice of mee it was for publike good Good my Lord consider that Pouertie is impatient euer complaining and very vnthankfull to his best friends if they doe not alwayes supply his wants You know this my Lord to be true and all the Worshipfull Iustices of the Bench. Touching Master Church his accusation vnworthily doth he lay the faults on me for when any doe ride post so for Benefices when they be fallen they are set on my Lord sometime by Perking Pride sometime by Neighbour Need and all of them by Master Haste to get the liuing and by Master Feare to come short of it It was neuer I that made them offer such summes of monies to Patrons for it is my manner to aduise my friends to be euer sparing of their purses but it was their ouer-forward friend Master Hope-to-preuaile that counselled them to make such profers I am not my Lord the cause of any Ministers negligence in his Function but a couple of base loytering fellowes dwelling with such Ministers commonly called my Lord the Parsons men Ease and Idle by whom such Ministers are too much led If the people profit not vnder those that bee painfull Ministers my Lord the fault is not through mee but the fault is in Inbred Ignorance Dulnesse Old man Mistresse Heart and Wilfull Will her man and Maides hating to bee reformed Dislike of Teachers either for their person or doctrine Want of loue of the Truth Contentednesse to liue and die in Ignorance and the verie Deuill himselfe my Lord their vtter enemie These ought to beare the blame my Lord and not I. For Master Common-Weale my Lord I maruell that hee should thus abuse me and wrong me for my Lord he knowes well that I haue many waies enriched such as belong vnto him his cunning Merchants in trading and his craftie Lawyers in pleading I haue holpen many a meane man to a great estate and many a base birth to bee counted of the Gentrie Forward haue I beene to helpe all sorts of euerie estate of euery professioÌ„ of euery trade and course of life and must I now be questioned for my life Concerning Master Houshold hee hath no reason of all others to blame me for I taught him how to be warie in his house-keeping how to manage his estate for his best thrift how to aduantage himselfe in buying and selling Corne and Cattell how to let and set and hire grounds to graze and fat Cattell and my Lord I euer sought his profit in all my courses Hee hath no cause thus to accuse me to your Lordship He had neuer gotten vp to haue maintained so great a Family but by me I raised his Father from a base Cottage to be a Free-holder and so himselfe to be Master of a great Family and houshold If any such euils haue happened vnder him as hee complayneth of let him accuse Vnnaturalnesse Impatience Vnruly Passions and such like makebates and withall the Suggestions of Satan which doe set men on such mischiefes and not mee my Lord. For Master Neighbour-hood hee may of all other be ashamed to accuse mee so because hee hath liued much better and nothing worse by me my Lord for I caused to bee remoued from him and his neighbours in their often and idle meetings which they pleased to call Good-fellowship a Company of verie Vnthrifts Waste Ryot Prodigalitie Drunkennes Gluttonie Idlenesse Carelesnesse Needlesse-Expence and a rout of very Rascals with reuerence be it spoken my Lord. I taught him and all such as hee is a better way to liue and a more thriuing course to looke diligently to their estates and to take good courses to saue to get and to increase their meanes As first hauing abandoned such lewd companie before named in the next place I aduised them to put away their bad Men-seruants Slacke and Slothfull Carelesse and Wastfull Gor-belly and Tospot Weake and Way-ward Loue-bed Drowsie Light-finger and Lurching Gamester and Go-gay Slipstring and Wanderer Scape-thrift Spendall and such like vnprofitable Hindes And withall to rid themselues in like manner of al their bad Maid-seruants such as these Pranker and Prattle Wanton and Loue-sick Sleepy and Slugge Sweetlip and Daintie Gadding and Forgetfull Greene-sicknesse and Tender Driuell and Slut also and aboue all the Choare-woman and her daughters Pocating and Filch with all their fellowes And in stead of these my Lord I commended vnto them a company of Men-seruants worth entertainement all one mans children the sons of mine honest Neighbour Good-husbandrie as Care and Forecast Makehasâ—e and Warie Thriftie and Pinch Aduantage and Holdfast Cunning and Catch Watchfull and Toilesome Homely-fare and Meane-clad Clouted-shooe and Patch Vp-betimes and Labour Last vp and Trustie Getting and Lockfast Spend-little and Get-much Take-time and Lose-nought Debtlesse and Gaine with such other profitable seruants And because I knew that Maid-seruants answerable to them were as necessarie I aduised the best I could to prouide such also the daughters of Good-hous-wiferie as Eager and Spare Quicke and Nimble Trusty and Timely-vp Health-full and Chaste Euer-doing and Silent Wittie and Pliant with other of the like nature helpfull to vphold a mans estate By which good counsel of mine my Lord Neighbour-hood liueth now richly and not beggerly Neede knockes not daily at his doore either to begge or borrow as he was wont to doe Concerning the last man Master Good-worke he hath least cause of all others to complaine for that same which hee pleaseth to call in me Oppression Vsurie Extortion and what not haue built many a faire Almes-house many a goodly Hospitall in the Land my Lord and haue also giuen by will many a large Legacie to the poore and much to publike vses My Lord when I was a Romane Catholique in our Forefathers dayes none was than in more grace and fauour with all the Clergie than my selfe By mee the holy Father the Pope greatly increased his Treasurie by my Counsells the Prelates gat vp to such an infinite wealth and to such glorious dignities by me they making Religion a cloake for me to put on they got such stately houses for their dwellings and for the varietie of their orders built in the best places of euery Nation and such yearely Reuenewes as did exceede for their certaine maintenance Good my Lord let it please your Lordship to thinke better of me than these men procured for witnesses haue suggested for falsely haue they spoken against me Good my Lord good my Lord doe me right I beseech you Stand vp stand vp Fellow I haue heard with Patience these thy verball Apologies thy subtile shifts to acquit thy selfe thy faire shewes to winne thee credit if it weare possible thereby to
THE ISLE OF MAN OR The Legall Proceeding in Man-shire against SINNE Wherein by way of a continued Allegorie the chiefe Malefactors disturbing both Church and Common-Wealth are detected and attached with their Arraignment and Iudiciall triall according to the Lawes of England The spirituall vse thereof with an Apologie for the manner of handling most necessary to be first read for direction in the right vse of the Allegory thorowout is added in the end By R. B. Rector of Batcomb Somers The fourth Edition much enlarged LONDON Printed for Edw. Blackmore at the great South doore of Pauls 1627. TO THE RIGHT Worshipfull Sr. THOMAS THYNNE Knight and to his religiously-affected Ladie the Lady KATHERINE THYNNE All sauing graces in the blessed way vnto eternall Comforts are vnfainedly wished Right Worshipfull SInce your departure and now returne to Longleate where the poore feele your mercies in set times of releefe and daily almes and your tenants and common neighbouring Inhabitants good entertainment at the generall time of great house keeping it was my hap to trauell into and thorowout the whole Isle of man now its vsuall with Trauellers to discourse of their iourneying and to relate their Obseruations And therefore let none obiect say vnto mee that of Persius Scire tuum nihil est nisi te scire hoc sciat alter For I found good in my paines taking and bonum is communicativum sui diffusivum and so quo communius eo melius In my very entrance and afterwards euery where I found written that old ancient precept Nosce teipsum This lesson I began to take out with diligent obseruation And it brought to my mind the Apostles charge Quisque explorat seipsum which I laboured to put in practice and so sought my selfe in my selfe for I remembred that saying long since learned Orbis quisque sibi nec te quaesiueris extra Thus my trauell became very profitable to mee and the variety of sights withall procured delight and turned my paines into pleasure In my trauelling I came to the County Towne or chiefest Seat there called Soule Where I rested for some time because it fell out to be the Assise weeke for all that Iland Where I specially marked how in all things they proceeded against Malefactors according to the Lawes of England in this onely lyeth the difference there is neuer but one Iudge whereas wee haue euer two appointed in euery Circuit as wee haue now in this Westerne very honorable and religious Iudges quos honoris causa non possum non nominare Sir Iohn Walter Lord Chiefe Baron and Sir Iohn Denham another worthy Baron of the Exchequer louers of vertue and Iustice And indeed such ought Iudges to be as was and is this Iudge in Man He is a Iudge of Iethroes choice verax Dei timens osor turpis lucri Hee is diuinely giuen prudent impartiall and very quicke vpon good information in dispatch of Causes Hee was worthily attended as he ought euer to bee with a worthy Sheriffe with Iustices of Peace Knights and Esquires Gentlemen of singular note and fame in that Countrie This I heard of them and it appeared by their practice that they all stand for the maintenance of the lawes they see their Soueraigne well serued Iustice duly obserued and iudgement executed accordingly They neuer side with any for they hate faction Pride and Enuy two restlesse Make-bates who for notorious misdemeanour I saw bound to the good behauiour So as now there a Caesar-like spirit patitur superiorem a Pompey suum parem They runne all one course and as true Israelites quasi vir vnus for publike good Therefore doe the people liue in peace the land prospereth Iustice flourisheth vertue is exalted vice suppressed and the enemies at home and abroad made to feare The whole discourse of this excellent order and carefull proceedings there by me obserued from my first entrance vnto the end I am bold here to present vnto your Worships whom I haue now found diligent Readers of holy Scripture addicted to priuate prayer besides set forme for the whole family to be entertainers of the Preachers of Gods Word giuing freely to such Benefices as they hap to be void not being seduced by mens offering large summes to procure Aduousons afore hand as too many Patrons bee in these daies Now the Lord God Almighty hearten you in and to these things more more and to euery other good grace that may liuely demonstrate to the world the power of sauing knowledge in the vse of Gods abundant earthly blessings so largely bestowed vpon you with which earnest prayer vnto God for you and for a blessing vpon these my endeuours to further the same I humbly take leaue Your Worships in all Christian seruices at command RICHARD BERNARD Batcombe May 21. THE AVTHORS earnest requests FIRST to the Worthy Reader whosoeuer to whom let me but say thus much of this Discourse and allegoricall narration that in it sunt bona sunt quaedam mediocria sunt mala nulla Yet if any thing may seeme distastfull let thy minde be to take it well as Caesars was to interpret well the seeming offensiue carriage of one Accius the Poet towards him and thou wilt not be displeased Thy good minde will preuent the taking of an offence where none is intended to be giuen In discouery attaching arraigning and condemning of finne I tax the Vice and not any mans person so as I may say with one Hunc seruare modum nostri nouere libelli Parcere personis discere de vitijs Thou hast heere towards the end of this discourse the tryall and iudgement vpon foure notorious Malefactors Two of them the very prime Authors of all the open rebellion or secret Conspiracies which at any time euer were in that Iland The other two were the principall Abettours and the chiefest Supporters of them Their names their natures and their mischieuous practices thou mayest find at large in the narration There should haue beene at that Assises with these the arraignment of certaine suspected Witches but this was preuented because the Grand-Iurie Gentlemen could not agree to bring in their Billa vera for that they made question of diuers points whereof they could not be resolued at that present 1. Whether the afflicted did suffer by onely some violent diseases in nature producing strange effects like practices of Witch-craft Which for want of a iudicious Physitian they could not discerne 2. Whether the afflicted were a counterfeit as was one Marwood the Boy of Bilson and one Mary Brosier Or that he or she hauing some natural disease did make vse thereof and counterfeited the rest as one Mainy did who was troubled with the hysterica passio 3. Whether being a disease supernaturall yet might come vpon the afflicted by the operation of the deuill without the association of a Witch as it happened to Iob and others in the Euangelists Or that the afflicted hath a deuill
Anger doe lye Impatiencie Rayling Back-biting Quarrellings Murther and such like 10 In the Bed of Ioy lye Wanton delights Foolish iesting Leuity and a world of Vanity 11 In the Bed of Sorrow lye worldly griese vnquietnes murmuring discontentednesse and such like Thus are these lodged in Mistresse Hearts Chamber and there shee lyeth also with the Old-man and Will her man The Bed which they lye vpon is Impenitencie and the Couerings are Hardnesse of Heart and Carnall Securitie in which they lye snorting carelesly till the Chiefe Constable come vpon them and attach them all one after another the greater villaines and the lesser Theeues not sparing any He feareth not to attach the Capitall neither passeth hee by any of their meanest associates The attaching of sinne is nothing eise but the Apprehension of Gods wrath striking vs with feare through the terrour of the Law and our guiltinesse of the breach thereof For in this spirituall attaching it is as in the attaching of Felons who knowing themselues guilty of the breach of the Lawes are strucken with feare in their apprehension of death which they know they cannot escape These Theeues thus apprehended the Constable carrieth them to the next Iustice by authority of his Warrant The Iustice is Wel-informed Iudgement able to examine euery Malefactor that is euery Sin brought before him A Iustice of Peace must bee a man of wisdome and experience so this spirituall Iustice must bee a Iudgement well-informed in wisdome and discretion wisely to proceed against Sinne. It is meet that a Iustice be learned in the lawes to know how to proceed legally so must this spirituall Iustice bee learned both in the Law and Gospell to know what sins are committed against either of them and thereafter to proceed A Iustice is commonly to bee one in that Country where he is an Inhabitant so this Iustice must be euerie mans Well-informed Iudgement within himselfe not another mans for it is not another mans Iudgement that can sit downe in his soule to try and examine his heart and waies but his owne Iudgement For who knoweth what is in a man sauing the spirit of a man which is in him The Iustices Office is to preserue Peace and to see the lawes obserued and to see to the suppressing of all disorders routs ryots robberies conspiracies also to take order for all Vagabonds stout and sturdie Beggers yea to see the reformation of all vnlawfull gaming and euery misdemeanour whatsoeuer by Law prohibited contrarie to the Peace of our Soueraigne Lord the King and the quiet of the Weale-publike so this spirituall Iustice his Office is to see Peace kept betweene God and himselfe to see the Lawes of God obserued and to see all disorders in his soule as vagrant thoughts sturdy resolutions riotous behauiour euery misdemeanour in thought word and deed forbidden by Gods Law contrary to the Peace of a good Conscience and the quiet of the soule contrarie to the dignities of a Christian and the honour of our Soueraigne Lord the King CHRIST IESVS When a Malefactor is brought before a Iustice the Iustice is first to examine him then to set it downe then to bind some ouer to prosecute against the Felon at the Assises and lastly in the meane space to send him to the Goale if hee be not baileable 1 Hee is as is said to examine the party apprehended and brought before him and to demand his name then to enquire after the fact and the nature of it with the occasions causes and degrees with the associates euident signes the fruits and effects thereof so this spirituall Iustice is to examine sinne 1 To know the name and nature thereof and to what Commandement it belongeth so that he may consider what Statute of God is broken 2 What were the Occasions offered as Dauid by looking out saw Bathsheba washing her selfe 3 What were the Causes mouing thereto as Enuie in the Iewes to put Christ to death and in Cain to kill Abel 4 What are the seuerall Sorts vnder one and the same Capitall Sinne as vnder Theft Couetousnesse and Coozenage vnder Adultery Fornication Selfe-pollution c. 5. What be the Degrees in the same Sinne as in stealing not from the rich but from the poore not from a stranger but from a Christian brother from Father and Mother So committing vncleannesse not onely with one of no kinne but with one nigh in bloud in killing not an vnknowne person but against nature his Father Mother his Wife his Childe himselfe 6. What sinnes accompanied the same as the making of Vriah drunke and the murthering of him accompanied Dauids adulterie 7. What are the Signes thereof as the rouling eye filthy speech and wanton dalliance are signes of adulterie all such ornaments and vanities of which Esay speaketh are ensignes of Pride 8. What Fruits and effects did follow thereupon as from Will-worship and Idolatrie commeth ignorance of God from this libertie to sinne from this obstinacie from this contempt of Gods true worship and sincere professours thereof and from this at last comes bloudie persecution 2. In Examining the Iustice is to set downe the Examination and Confession of the partie so this spirituall Iustice after hee hath thus examined his waies he is to set it downe This is a Serious consideration of all his sinnes and offences and such a remembrance of them as may make a man to forsake them and to turne his feet vnto Gods Statutes as Dauid did The Examination without this will bee in effect as nothing this must not therefore bee at any hand omitted 3 The Iustice is to binde some ouer to prosecute against the Felon at the next Assises and Gaole deliuery so doth this spirituall Iustice binde ouer True Repentance to follow the Law and to giue euidence against this Felon Sinne which he is very ready to doe for it cannot be if a mans iudgement bee Well-informed vpon serious examination with a carefull and considerate remembrance of all his sinnes but that hee must needs perforce bee made to sorrow for them and vpon true repentance pursue them to the death with a deadly hatred 4 The Iustice finding the offender not bay leable by Law hee maketh his Mittimus to send him to the Gaole there to bee in durance to the next Assises so this spirituall Iustice doth for hee knowes by the Law of God that the reward of sinne of what kinde or degree soeuer greater or lesse though but in thought is not baileable by any man No man is able to answer God for the least deuiation from Gods Law for if hee continue not in all things which God commandeth he is accursed Therefore none being sufficient to lay in baile to answer God for the sinne nor sinne in itselfe baileable hee maketh his Mittimus and deliuereth it into the Constables
Mediators of intercession besides Christ also in his rebellious pride of heart he hath exalted mans Merit and made him a party Sauiour of himselfe by satisfactory punishments either heere or in their seigned Purgatory Thus is he a Rebell and an Abettor of Rebels against Christ Againe the Law of Christ the holy Scriptures he hath notoriously corrupted and abused many wayes 1 He maketh it no perfect rule 2. He teacheth blasphemously that the Originall is corrupt and so shaketh the faith of all such as rest on the Scriptures 3. He hath added to them mens writings called Apochrypha to make them Canonicallâ—a He hath feigned a traditionall word equalleth the same with the Scriptures 5. He debarred for a long time the translating of Gods Word into a knowne tongue to keepe the people from the vnderstanding thereof 6. Being enforced at length to translate it hee hath or purpose done it corruptly and with many vncouth obscure words hath hidden the truth still to keepe the people in blindnesse 7. Yet this their so corrupt obscure Translation is not admitted indifferently to all but to some and to these vnder license for which they pay money 8 These parties though they may read the Scriptures yet must it bee with the Popes Spectacles and may not see farther than the false Teacher pleaseth nor conceiue otherwise of the Sense than he suggesteth though the Text be neuer so cleare of it selfe 9 They blasphemously publish that the Scriptures are a Nose of Wax a dead Letter sowterly Inke dumbe Iudges and a black Gospell inkie Diuinity and may haue one sense one time and another at another time according to the Churches state condition 10 They set vp a corrupt Latine Translation for as authenticall as the Originalls in the Hebrew and the Greeke 11 And Lastly they brought into the Church in stead of the holy Bible a booke of Lyes to bee read Thus is this wicked wretch guilty of High-Treason against our Soueraigne Besides that hee hath counterfeited his Maiesties Broad Seale inuenting new Sacraments neuer of Christs institution and hath conspired and plotted the death of an innumerable multitude of his Maiesties Subiects in a most cruell and bloudie manner my Lord he is no way longer to be endured for we shall neuer bee at Peace as long as hee may haue libertie to liue for he is a ranke Traitor to our King and State an vnderminer of Religion and the true Church of Christ an enemie to our peace welfare in the Common-wealth Gentlemen saith the Iudge you of the Iurie haue heard Master Attournies witnes also what both Master Veritie and Sir Christianitie haue spoken against him now that you haue heard the euidence so fully what say you touching the Prisoner is he guiltie or no Then the Foreman in the name of all the rest answereth Guiltie my Lord. Whereupon the Iudge turneth to the Prisoner saith Papistry thou hearest what grieuous iniquities foule and filthy abominations murthers massacres haue beene layed to thy charge thou hast heard the Verdict of these so learned and well approued Gentlemen chosen without all partiality to go vpon thee And they in their iudgement vpon their consciences haue found thee guiltie What canst thou say for thy selfe that sentence of death should not bee pronounced against thee My Lord the Iurie assuredly is corrupted by some meanes or other else would they neuer haue found me guiltie for our learned men haue cited many of these in my behalfe and therefore I appeale from them to a Generall Councell for the Triall of their honestie in this Verdict Vpon this lewd surmise and brazen-faced accusation all the Iury fell a murmuring being much grieued to be taxed of faithlesnes and periurie The worshipfull gentlemen the Iustices and Master Sheriffe began to speak in their behalfe but the Iudge standing vp staid them and made answer for them Papistrie to be briefe with thee thou art shamelesly impudent to accuse these worthy Gentlemen for iustly proceeding according to the cleere Euidence to thy face For thy learned men they haue only cited the names of some of these but without their knowledge or consent Yea many testimonies they bring vnder their names which indeed are proued to be counterfeits abusing their vnaduised Readers in their vniust defence of thee As for thy Appeale to a Generall Counsell it s but to set a good face vpon an ill cause for thou knowest that we haue long desired a Free General Counsell but not a gathering together like the lewd Conuenticle of â—rent But art thou not ashamed to conceit the bringing of these mens verdict to the triall We must by them be tried and not they by vs. By what canst thou trie the Principles of Religion wilt thou deny them must Fathers Councels Scriptures al be brought vnder our Iudgements Thou haddest no cause to taxe the Iurie if any had bin in fault it should haue beene the Witnesses but canst thou tax Verity of lying or Christianity of falsehood As for Master Attourney his speech is no more then your owne words writings and practise do testifie Heare therefore thy Sentence iustly deserued before God and men Papistry thou hast bin indited by the name of Papistry of all these former treasons rebellions coÌ„spiracies gun-powder plots murthers massacres falsehood heresies Iudaisme Paganisme and of that thy detestable Idolatry and for the same hast been arraigned thou hast pleaded not guilty hast put thy selfe vpon thy tryall and beeing found guilty hauing no more to say for thy selfe this is the Law That thou the Mystery of Iniquitie with the old Serpent called the diuel or Sathans thy father with thy lewd mother that great Whore drunke with the blood of the Martyrs of Iesus which sitteth vpoÌ„ a Scarlet-coloured Beast as also with that false Prophet the sonne of Perdition thy guide and gouernour shall bee cast aliue where the Dragon is into the Lake of fire burning with brimstone there to be tormented with all thy marked ones in the preseÌ„ce of the holy Angels and in the presence of the Lamb without rest day night the smoake of which torment shall ascend vp for euer and for euer without mercy or hope of redemption After this Sentence there is made an Oyes and so the Court breaketh vp the Iudge ariseth the Iustices and Gentle-men attend him the Sheriffe with the Vnder-Sheriffe his seruants goe before with the sounding of a Trumpet and so do conduct him to his Lodging and there doe leaue him with rest and peace Laus Deo The Contents of this little Booke for spirituall vse besides the literall delight in the Allegoâ—ie In the first part 1. THat which is most hurt full to man is sin set out vnder the name of a notorious Malefactor pag. 2. to 10. 2 That God hath giuen to such as be his heauenly graces
Fantasie Chamber Intelligence Dyning-roome Mistris Hearts Maids 11. Passions 1. Loue. 2. Hatred 3. Desire 4. Detestation 5. Vaine-hope 6. Despaire Ier. 18. 12. 7. Feare 8. Audacity Numb 14. 40. 9. Ioy. Reu. 11. 10. 10. Sorrow Exod. 12. 30. 11. Anger 1 Saw 25. Hest 3. 5. 2 King 5. 13. 1 King 22. In his Summes Mistris Hearts Man seruant Will is made the seruant to all Loue. Genes 38. 16. Hatred Gen. 27. 41. 1 Kings 1. 5. 2 Kings 5. 20. Matth. 26. 15. The hearts prouision for sinnes Table Instability Table-cloth Vanity Bread Salt Trenchers Napkins Dishes of meat 1 Is the lusts of the Flesh Who eats of this 2 Lusts of the Eies Who feeds on this 3 Is the pride of life Who feeds on 〈◊〉 Drinke Waiters How Mistresse Hearts Maidens humour their guests Taking away vexation of spirit Eccl. 2. 11. Lodging Naturall corruption Seuerall Beds Loues Bedfellowes Hatreds Bedfellowes Desires Bedfellowes Detestations Bedfellowes Vaine hopes Bedfellowes Despaires Bedfellowes Feares Bedfellowes Audacities Bedfellowes Anger 's Bedfellowes Ioyes Bedfellowes Sorrowes Bedfellowes The Bed is Impenitency The two Couerings What the attaching of Sinne is Iustice is Wel-informed iudgment What a one a Iustice should be 1 Cor. 2. 11. What his Office is What well informed Iudgement is to doe How to deale with a Malefactor 1. Examine Examine Sin in 8. things 1 Name and nature 2 Occasions 3 Causes 4 Kinds 5. Degrees 6. Concomitance 7. Signes 8. Fruits 2. Write the Examination Psal 119. 56. 3. Bind ouer True Repentance followes Sinne to the death 4. The Mittimus Rom. 6. 23. Genes 2. 17. Ezek. 18. 20. Deut. 17. Gal. 3. Psal 49. 7 8. Mittimus Chiefe Gaoler Master New-man Eph. 4. 24. Sheriffe is True Religion Vnder-Sheriffe Holy-Resolution Gaole is subiection 3. Vnder-Gaolers Eph. 4. 24. Col. 3. 10. 1 Knowledge what prisoners he lookes vnto Col. 3. 10. 2 Holinesse what prisoners he seeth to Ephes 4. 24. 3 Righteousnes what prisoners he takes care of Sinnes be vnruly Spirituall Bolts and Fetters Gods Word an hammer Ier. 23. 29. Prison to bee seene to Doores of tâ—â— Prison to be fast locked with seuerall keyes Lewd Companions Files and picklocks Walls whereof built Foundation of subiection Rom. 6. Assises the time of triall Iudge is Conscience Bench is Impartiality Commission actiue power of Conscience Commission lost is the dead seared or benummednesse of Conscience 1 Tim. 42. Eph. 4. 19. 2 Sam. 12. 7. Reading the Commission Circuit in which Conscience sits and iudgeth Accessaries to sinne Oyer and Terminere Iustices of Peace Iustices of the Quorum The Iustices Clerkes K. Sergeant K. Atturney Clerke of Assises Memory Clerke of Arraignment Tongue Cryer Complainant Repentance Framing of the Inditement Grand-Iury Ignoramus Billavera Penmen of Scriptures are the Grand iury What Gods Word makes not sinne is no Sinne. Rom. 4. 15. False informers what they be That which is condemned by God cannot be dispensed with by man Prisoners Sinnes Bringing forth Chained The Barre Petty-Iurie Iurie called by name Acts 15. 9. 1 Iohn 5. 3. Prou. 1. 7. 1 Cor. 6. 13. Iohn 1. 47. Acts 1. 14. and 2. 1. Ephes 4. 3. Rom. 5. 4. Luke 21. 19. Craces wherewith we should all be qualified The charge what it is The Iury look on the Prisoners Iury of vertues A distinct knowledge of sinne necessary Iury challenged What vertues and vices be in opposition Vertue binds corruption to the good behauiour The Prisoners Petition to the Iudge Indifferent Gentlemen 1. Old-man arraigned His Inditement Euidence Dauid Psal 51. 5. Job 25. 4. Isa 48. 8. Saint Paul Rom. 5. 15. Rom. 7. 8. 11. 13 21. 15. 19 23. Verdict Old-mans plea. Pelagius and Anabaptists Rom. 6. 23. Obiect Answ Rom. 5. The Sentence Ephes 4. 22. Colos 3. 9. 5. Executioner Mistrisse He tryed Her Inditement Rom. 2. 5. Ephes 4. 18 Luke 24. 25. Acts 7. 54. Matth. 94. â—â—d 21. 34. â—â—hn 13. 2. Acts 5. 3. Iohn 13. 2. Hearts accusers Moses â—sal 106. 32 33 Gen. 6. 5. Gen. 8 21. Jeremie Ierem. 17. â—â— Ierem. 4. 14. Ier. 7. 24. and 9. 14. and 11. 8. and 13. 10. Psal 58. 2. Ezechiel Ezek. 20. 16. and 33. 31. S. Matthew Matth. 15. 19. Saint Marke Mark 7. 21 22 23. Hearts plea for her life Psal 101. 1. 1 Chron. 29. 19. 15. 17. Nehem. 9. 8. Esai 38. 3. Ignorant people praise their heart The Iudges speech to her Matth. 13. Luke 8. The heart is two-fold Sanctified Corrupt Sentence against Mistris Heart Her punishment Prou. 4. 23. Hebr. 3. 12. Will arraigned Witnesses called out Captaine Reason Reasons and arguments to conuince The Lieutenant his witnesse The Ancient his Witnesse Sergeant Vnities winesse Sergeant Orders winesse Companie is to Wilfull-Will Corporall Disciplines witnesse Will is a great hinderance to spirituall warâ—are Will speakes to the Iudge Abuse of birth and gentry Iudges speech to Will True Gentry what Two capitall sinnes Col. 3. 5. Couetousnesse tryed His Inditement 1 Tim. 6. 10. Mich. 22. The first Euidence against him is Repentance What euill Couetousnesse hath done Iosh 7. 1 King 21. It troubles and darkens the vnderstanding Dauids care to preuent Couetousnesse Psal 119. 36. Without diligent search its hard to finde out our Couetousnesse Cares complaint Clearing accuseth him Indignation complaineth Feare speaketh against him Vehement Desire hurt by him Zeale blunted Reuenge made weake Other Witnesses produced Master Church is Witnesse People hindred by Couetousnesse in the Church Matth. 13. People hindred comming out of the Church Master Common-weale his accusation Master Houshold his witnesse Cruelty of Couetousnesse Master Neighbourhood his witnesse Good neighbours and peaceable Gal. 5. Ill Neighbors and very vnquiet Rom. 2. 1 Tim. 3. The best kindnesses of the couetous No-harme the best man among the couetous M. Good-worke his accusation Couetousnesse an enemy to good workes Pouerty his grieuous complaint against Couetousnesse The couetous are vnmercifull in seeking their owne gaine It depopulateth Parishes Couetous will giue nothing but by Law Couetousnesse prouoketh to theft Couetousnesse plea against Pouerty What makes men poore Excuses of the couetous in lending In buying In not giuing In depopulating townes Pretence of publique good His answer to Master Church What makes Ministers to run so for liuings Who make Ministers so negligent What hinders people from profiting vnder the Word Psal 50. 1. King 22. Ios 6. Mat. 13. Answer to Common-Weale Answer to Houshold What 's makes debate in a family Answer to Neighbour-hood Bad societie Bad men-seruants Bad Maid-seruants Thriftie men-seruants Profitable Maids Answer to Good-worke Couetousnesse a Romane Catholique Iudges speech Couetousnesse would find an error in the inditement The Couetous will be onely held thriftie Who they bee that call Couetousnesse onely Thrift Friends to the Couetous Enemies to Coueteousnesse What the Couetous may do Couetousnesse hath saire pretences The Couetous will iustifie themselues One may be Couetous and yet do many commendable things Mat. 6. Mat. 23. Luk. 16. 14. Mat. 29. Mar. 10.
Worshipfull Gentlemen These are men of worth my Lord of farre more esteeme euery where than these meane men heere picked out of purpose by Master Sheriffe These my Lord of the Iurie are men of small reckoning in the Country These liue scattered here and there almost without habitation except in poore Cottages so as we maruel my Lord how they can bee brought in for Free-holders hardly any one of them is of any account with men of great estates and of worth in the Land Good my Lord consider of vs. Then the Iudge asketh them what those men be of whom they speake and what are their names Then they answer My Lord they are these Master Naturalist Master Doubting Master Opinion Master Carelesse Master Chiuerell Master Libertine Master Laodicean Master Temporizer Master Politician Master Out-side Master Ambo dexter and Master Newtralitie all my Lord very indifferent men betwixt vs and them Gentlemen Free-holders of great meanes we beseech you my Lord to shew vs some pitty that they may be of the Iurie The Iudge informed by those worthy Iustices of the Quorum concerning these men so named by the prisoners and knowing the honesty and good credit of the chosen Iurie their exceptions against them are not admitted of and so these indifferent Gentlemen are passed by The Clerke therefore is commanded to goe forward and then he readeth the Inditement of euery one in order one after another as they be called forth by name and set to the Barre The first which is called out is the Old-man Then saith the Clerke Gaoler set out Old-man to the Barre Then hee is brought to the Barre and commanded to hold vp his hand and his Inditement is read Old-man thou art indited here by the name of Old-man of the Towne of Euahs Temptation in the Countie of Adams consent that vpon the day of Mans fall in Paradise when he was driuen out thou did dest corrupt the whole nature of man body and soule leading all and euery of his Posterity comming by generation with the body of Sinne making him indisposed to any thing that is good framing lets to any holy duty and polluting his best actions but making him prone to all euill bringing him captiue to imperious lusts and so causing him to liue in continuall rebellion against GOD contrary to the Peace of our Soueraigne Lord the King IESVS CHRIST his Crowne and Dignity What sayest thou to it He pleades Not guilty and so puts himselfe to the Triall Then the Cryer calleth for euidence against the Prisoner Then commeth forth Dauid whose Euidence is this I was shapen in Iniquity and in Sinne hath my Mother conceiued me Iobs is this He cannot be cleane that is borne of a Woman Isaiah his Euidence is That all are transgressours from the wombe Saint Pauls Euidence is most cleere for being asked what hee could say Hee answered My Lord this Old-man hath bin the death of very many I haue wofull experience of him a wretched man hath he made me Hee tooke occasion by the Commandement to worke all concupiscence in me Hee deceiued me and slew me wrought Death in mee so that in my flesh dwelleth no good but when I would doe good euill is present with mee so that through him the good I would doe I cannot and the euill I hate that I doe Hee maketh warre against the law of my minde and bringeth me into captiuitie to the Law of Sinne. Thus my Lord is in me the Body of Death from which I desire to be deliuered and this is that I can say The Euidence being thus cleere the Iury presently being all agreed giue in their Verdict and being asked what they say of the prisoner at the Barre guilty or not they answer Guilty Then he asketh what hee can say for himselfe why sentence should not bee pronounced against him Good my Lord saith he I am wrongfully accused and am made the man I am not there is no such thing as Originall Corruption Pelagius a Learned man and all those now that are called Anabaptists who well enough know all these Euidences brought against me haue hitherto and yet doe maintaine it that Sinne commeth by imitation and not by Propagation and in-bred prauity Good my Lord I beseech you be good vnto me and cast not away so poore an Old man good my Lord for I am at this day 5556. yeeres old Then saith the Iudge Old-man the Euidence is cleere those thou hast named are condemned Heretickes and as for thy yeeres in respect of which thou crauest pitty it is pitty thou hast beene suffered so long to doe so great and so generall a mischiefe as these good men doe witnesse against hee O my Lord I beseech you then a Psalme of Mercie Old-man the Law of the King allowes thee not the benefit of the Clergie for The reward of Sin is death This is his Maiesties Decree vnchangeable as the Law of the Medes and Persians Good my Lord that is meant only of Actuall Sin and not of me That is not so for Originall Sinne is Sinne and all men know that Children die that neuer sinned by Imitation nor Actually after the similitude of Adams transgression And Death goeth ouer all in as much as all haue sinned If sinne were not in Infants they could not die Heare therefore thy Sentence Thou Old-man hast by that name beene indited of these Fellonies Outrages and Murthers and for the same arraigned thou hast pleaded Not-guiltie and put thy selfe vpon the Tryall and art found guiltie and hauing nothing iustly to say for thy selfe this is the Law thou shalt bee carried backe to the place of Execution and there be cast off with all thy deeds and all thy members daily mortified and crucified with all thy lusts of euerie one that hath truly put on Christ This Sentence pronounced the Sheriffe is commanded to doe Execution which Religion by his Vnder Sheriffe Resolution seeth throughly performed The Executioner is hee that hath put on Christ Gal. 5. 24. This Prisoner thus proceeded against the Gaoler is commanded to set out Mistrisse Heart to the Barre who is commanded to hold vp her hand and then is her Inditement read Mistrisse Heart thou art heere indited by the name of Mistrisse Heart of Soule in the County of the Isle of Man that also vpon the day of Mans fall in Paradise thou becamest corrupted accompanying the Old-man and also Will thy man and hast beene so hardened that thou couldest not repent and so blinde that thou becamest past feeling and hast made men to giue themselues ouer to all lasciuiousnesse to worke all vncleannesse euen with greedinesse to bee also very slow to beleeue all that the Prophets haue spoken and to be so enraged with choller somtimes as to runne mercilesly on Innocents to murther them and to cause men most cursedly to
depart from the liuing God Thou hast beene and art also in confederacie with all and euery euill thought word and deed committed against God and Man Thou hast beene a receptacle of all the abominations of euery Sin whatsoeuer and hast had conference with Satan to lie vnto the holy Ghost and for greedy gaine at the deuils suggestion hast set some on worke to play the Traitors to the shedding of the innocent blood of our Soueraigne contrary to the Peace of the King his Crowne and Dignitie What sayest thou to this Inditement Guilty or not guilty She answers Not guilty and puts her selfe to the Triall Then the Cryer saith If any man can giue Euidence against the Prisoner at the Barre let him come for shee stands vpon her deliuerance then come in such as can say any thing against her and first is Moses Moses what can you say against this prisoner looke vpon her see if you know her My Lord I know her well enough she made me and my brother Aaron to speake so vnaduisedly with our lips by her passion that wee could neither of vs be admitted to goe into the land of Canaan This I can say of her that euery imagination of her thought is onely euill continually and that naught shee hath beene from her youth vp Moses hauing ended then saith the Iudge is there any more To whom answer is made yes my Lord there is Ieremie the Prophet Ieremy the Prophet look vpon the prisoner can you say any thing on the behalfe of his Maiestie My Lord this I can say that shee is deceitfull aboue all things and desperatly wicked so that no man without Gods speciall assistance can either finde out her deuices or escape her treacheries And this moreouer I know that she hath been sent vnto and forewarned to wash her selfe of her wickednesse and yet for all this she doth lodge still ill thoughts in her house Yea my Lord shee hath seduced many from God making them to walke after her euill counsels and imaginations to their vtter destructions And I am truly informed that there is euer the place where the enemies of their owne soules doe worke their wickednesse and mischiefes Is there any more Euidences Yes my Lord here is Ezekiel Ezekiel what can you say My Lord I can witnesse thus much Such is her lewdnesse that she followed after Idols and after Couetousnesse which is Idolatry both high Treason and Rebellion against God Yea so very shamelesly and lawlesly she carrieth her selfe that if such lewd companions come not in to her she will goe out and follow them These be witnesses enow saith the Iudge to condemne her but is there any other Yes my Lord please you here are more here 's Saint Matthew Saint Matthew what can you say against the Prisoner at the Barre My Lord I haue heard it from the mouth of my Lord Chiefe Iustice himselfe when I did attend vpon him hee hauing occasion publikely to speake of her that out of the heart doe come euill thoughts Adulterics Fornications Murthers Thefts Conetousnesse Wickednesse Deceit Lasciuiousnes an euill eie Blasphemie Pride and Foolishnesse All these euills hee witnesseth to come forth of her house so that it is euident against her by his honours vndoubted testimony that shee is an harbourer of a company of very bad and vnsufferable guests Saint Marke here next me can witnesse as much It is very true my Lord. Here is an Harlotrie indeed said the Iudge Iurie if you be agreed giue in your verdict what say you of this Prisoner Guilty or not Guilty Wee say guiltie my Lord. Woman what canst thou say for thy selfe that Sentence according to Law should not bee pronounced against thee Ah good my Lord take pittie on mee a poore weake old woman These men speake against me the worst that they can because I would not be ruled by them They speake of malice my Lord. If I haue misdemeaned my selfe any way it was by this Old man my Fathers misleading my Lord by whom I thought that being a woman I should bee wholly guided But heare me good my Lord I beseech you let not these mens testimonies cast mee away For I did dwell with as good men and better than they are or euer were my Lord as other can witnes to my great cōmendations Then saith the Iudge who are those I pray you I dwelt my Lord with King Dauid with King Salomon and was in their house held to be a perfect Heart so was I after accounted in King Asa's house Yea my Lord with Abraham the Father of the Faithfull was I found Faithfull and such hath beene my credit that I was well spoken of euen to God himselfe by good KING Hezekiah That all this is true that I say I beseech you to aske Isaiah the Prophet as also Nehemiah and others that haue recorded the same Besides all these be pleased to heare me good my Lord aske all the Country people and they will with one mouth speake well of me They haue say they a good Heart towards God and that euer since they were borne they neuer found mee so wicked as these witnesses are pleased to speake I hope therefore my Lord that you will be pleased to be good to mee good my Lord pitty a very old aged poore woman as euer you came of a womā Woman Woman for the witnesses against thee they are without exception and thy owne mouth doth condemne thy selfe in that first thou dost confesse that thou wouldest not bee ruled by them when these holy men were sent vnto thee and that with speciall command from his Maiestie to see thee reformed Againe that thou doest acknowledge thy selfe to haue beene wholly led by the Old-man one now most iustly condemned by the Law to be crucified As touching Dauids heart Salomon heart Asa his heart the faithfull heart of Abraham and the vpright heart of Hezekiah neuer an one of these was thy selfe thou dost lewdly seeke to deceiue by equiuocation and to beguile the standers by with thy tricks of Iesuiticall cousenage True it is that there is great commendations of an Heart and the same to be an honest and good Heart an vpright Heart a faithfull Heart But woman this is the heart sanctified and purged by faith in all those that are borne anew of water and the holy Ghost but this is not that which thou art the naturall and corrupt heart Thou art that commendable heart in name onely but not in quality therefore thy boasting is vaine thy pleading subtiltie verifying Ieremiahs euidence of thee that thou art very deceitfull As for the vulgar praising of thee it is through their owne selfe-loue and foolish selfe-conceit and their vtter ignorance of thee that maketh them to speake so well of thee Thou doest therefore but trifle away the time and trouble the Assembly As for