off I am holier then thou c. The Certificate in the front of the Masse of malice being so ridiculous frivolous and untrue needs no more but the bare reading over by the Ingenuous man the thing it self being but the brainlesse birth of a broad-brim'd professor who when he shaped it to his own liking dealt with it as counterfeit cripples with their self-made sores viz. lye in the high wayes and publike places to move pity in the passengers to gain relief So the professor aforesaid repairs with his scabbed Certificate into the high-waies Markets and Churches where after much beggery and basenesse above one hundred names are subscribed the pretence is to gain the Parson another place however the subscribers some of them school-boys deboist swearers covetous earthworms drunken companions with unknown names to fill up the number some Ranting professors with about three or four plain-hearted men brought in through deceipt whose names passe like Jackdaws among the Rooks and some there were that set their names in the rear because Mr White was in the front and they alledge they have as good reason to subscribe as he and more too yet some of all these are ashamed to see and own their fair names in the front of so filthy a monstrous Masse of malice c. So much for the Title and Certificate For the Masse it self the Author will not foul so much paper to answer a fool according to his folly nor trouble himself nor the Reader with a particular Survey and reply to all the materials of which the Masse of malice is composed of Wherefore you shall have first a Catalogue of divers of the most ill-shapen untruths laid down which are the subject matter of the malicious Masse Secondly You shall afterwards finde replies of truth to divers of the most notorious quondam Parsons hell-invented untruths against M. Stokes by which you may guesse at the whole Masse and perceive the depth of its Malice The Catalogue of Untruths follow WHat follows is a true Relation of all my sufferings the unjust cruel and heard dealings I received from some in authority and such who desire to be esteemed godly The first beginning of my troubles was my imprisonment never was such harsh and rigid proceedings against any offenders c. Our Justice being prejudiced against us especially against the Gentlewoman who had oftentimes opposed him about our Rates he having a hundred and twenty pound per annum in our Parish and would never pay any rate for the Parliament and Army p. 3. Mr Stokes took Mistress White aside and read to her an Information given him by Good wife Lewis as the cause wherefore she desired a Warrant of the Peace against us p. 4. He viz. Mr Stokes being glad of any accusation is easily wrought upon though it be contrary to all law and reason to prosecute us pag. c. The Justices that day called a petty Sessions and caused the Country to be there though they as before they had resolved did nothing for the Country pag. 5. The woman did tremble as she was speaking and lookt like death p. 5. They viz the Justices could give me no answer but would refer that matter to Judge Nicholas p. 5. They were resolved and neither Law nor Reason should alter them though I used many rationall and strong arguments with them p. 6. We offered Bail but it was denied us p. 7. Lewis and his wife were then bailed for felony upon Bail not worth 10l p. 7. And this the wise Justices would have had done and indeavoured for to do most unjustly and cruelly time after time denying me the time p. 9. Mr Stokes about three weeks before our triall sent me a time which proved false p. 9. For what they had done viz. Mr Stokes and M. Shute they could not say any thing for M. Ivy was gone but they would the next morning talk with Judge Nicholas p. 9. Such were the threats M. Stokes followed the Officer with pag. 10. M. Swanton seemed to be much troubled saying he admired at it and if the businesse had been before him he would have freed us and sent Lewis and his wife to Goal and that if we would procure the deposition he would bayl us p. 10. Whereupon I sent to M. Stokes for the Deposition but he denied it me p. 10. He viz. M. Stokes saith M. Ivy hath the Information when he hath it p 11. And at length on purpose to keep us in Goal sends the Deposition inclosed in a lying Information to M. Swanton and so continues us prisoners to his lying ignorant and malitious spirit p. 11. Judge Nicholas saith O sirra you know the Law do you you are one of Lilborns faction you shall be banisht saith the Judge p. 12. Upon this womans accusation they had an opportunity to lash me not for the fact so much as for Lilborns faction You shall be banisht saith the Judge p. 13. I was not suffered to speak p. 13. The Judge did promise our prosecutors that we should not do any thing against them p. 13. The Indictment was to this effect p. 13. This amazed his Lordship and set his bloud on fire He spake to her in a very chiding scolding manner p. 14. He discovered himself to be full of malice and envy p. 15. She being upon her trial could hardly have the liberty to speak for her self his Lordship sometimes bawling and taunting at her saying he would go from the Bench c. p. 15. And the woman swore to the 6th of October p. 15. They were intended to do what they could to deprive us of our lives p. 15. This wicked woman invents an accusation against the Gentlewoman and my self which had its countenance from the Justices p. 17. Reason was a stranger in the Court at that time and there were not ears to hear peace for justice p 17. I desire liberty to speak but none was granted and whenever I desired it the Judge held out his stick as if he would have struck me p. 17. The Judge incouraged my adversaries to speak by his putting words into their mouths and interpreting what they said to his own and worst sense p. 18. M. Stokes fearing that he should miss of his ends viz. my death 〈◊〉 the whole series of his actions tended to p 18. His Oath was returned to him with abundance of disgrace for M. Bayliff solemnly took his Oath that he told him no such thing pag. 18. He then produced two Letters pretending they were my acknowledgement of the fact p. 18. They held forth no such thing as a Confession The whole story of M. Bayliffs Deposition p. 19. A most notorious untruth made by T. W. never spoken by M. B. in Court M. Stokes saith the Libeller was so impudent as to swear falsly in the Court to take away our lives which he thirsted after p. 19. M. Stokes saith Webbs Masse of malice thinking to get himself a good name indeavours to take
relation to his fellow-creatures to be above and more binding to him then his relation to his own wife which was but formall but the other was real Upon this with other his most impudent carriage the Parsons wife poor woman expecting better things as the fruit of his sufferings but now seeing her hopes to fail she fals into a labirinth of misery and heart-distress and presently in the same room earnestly desired M. F. Bayliff then in company who was one of Webbs witnesses at the Triall that he would run her through with his sword for she was no longer able to bear as she had done Not to trouble the Reader with all passages in the Parsons return from his Chappell at Fisherton to the Parish Church of Langley you shall only know that at Bradford the Sack went merrily down the Witnesses throats and the rest of the fellow-creatures who well deserved it But amidst their Cups they quaff about this health Here is a health to the Star that now is in the Eclipse but hereafter shall shine in perfect glory which the Relator thus interprets The Star in Eclipse is Mistress White who though now despised because of the peoples ignorance of true liberty yet hereafter when it should be known she should shine in perfect glory viz. be had in high accompt and esteem Well at length home the fellow-creatures come divers are in expectation that the mock-Parson will surely now become a new man at least in apperance but he reforms like a Parsons Ape the clean contrary way he swaggereth it out most bravely with his proud looks poudered pate and prating tongue he breaths out no lesse then ruine and destruction against all opposers amongst which M. Stokes must have a large share he shall no longer continue in the Commission of the Peace a great revenge because he acts so irregularly and unjustly as to prosecute the Law against the honest party and makes no difference between common whoremongers and Masters of Art alias mock-Parsons and Priests Apes a sad case Well all the influence of this honest party is withdrawn which raised M. Stokes into the sadle therefore he must needs fall and the propheticall Parson foretels strange things to come and fortunes to befall divers persons which will all be fulfilled the next black munday And after a while the Parson takes a journey to London and appears before the Committee of Plundered Ministers who so bold as blinde Byard in hopes to continue Parson of Langley by that power which he despised the better to out-brave Mr Stokes and others to whom he had whined and howled out his own wickedness for he well knew though he had narrowly escaped the Halter yet he appeared in an unclean and most ugly shape to all tender spirits And at length about May 1651. he sends Mr Stokes under his own hand writing the Copy of an Order from the said Committee with four Articles against himself to be examined by and certified from the Justices and desires Mr Stokes to appoint a time and place for the execution of the said Order which Mr Stokes appointed accordingly and withall promised the mock-Parson to make good the charge himself against him which when his grace understood he startles not a little and at length scribles back an invective Letter to M. Stokes acquainting him also that his time would not now permit to have the businesse heard for he must wait upon his wife a kinde Parson to Batly which proved a shift whereupon M. Stokes gives this reply to the P. Sir Though you snarl at creatures and like a mad man strike at those that are next you yet when you shall be delivered from your frenzy you will say It was the iniquity of your heels that compassed you about and not malice in your Opposers You might have enjoyed your being at Langley long enough with the love and liking of all that fear God or love the Nation had you been true to your self or friends your dissembled Repentance had once almost re-inthroned you in the hearts of honest men had not your revolting and revellings tumbled you down from thence When you appeared in sheeps clothing who harmed you who molested you who advanced themselves above you When you appeared in another shape who did not pity you and pray for you and expect your return c. Had you learned the doctrine of self-denial but half so perfectly as that of self-justification certainly your present condition had been such as now you fain it to be But why do you boast your self in your own deceivings your great swelling words of vanity affrighten none save fools or women You do well to study the Law but I wish your understanding therein prove not abortive like your Gospel knowledge But howsoever you need not fear the times are so peaceable theeves cannot and so good honest men will not rob you of any priviviledge due to you The whole body of Articles you may meet withall with the Committee of Plundred Ministers or have a Copy here when my Clerk is at leasure You can appoint and wave meetings at your pleasure you can both juggle and play fair at the same game 't is no matter into what shape you lick your self so long as you like your self Sir Your contemptible reproaches and threats are but badges of honour which you are pleased to cast though with another intent upon E. Stokes About the later end of August following these ensuing Orders and Articles were sent down by the Committee for Plundered Ministers unto the Justices of the Peace for the said County of Wilts. By the Committee for Plundered Ministers August the 8th 1651. ORdered that the Articles exhibited against Thomas Webb Minister of Langley Burhill in the County of Wilts a copy whereof is annexed be referred to the Justices of the peace in the said County or any two or more of them who are desired to receive the said M. Webb his Answer to the said Articles and to summon before them examine and crosse-examine the witnesses that shall be produced as well for proof of the said Articles as of the defence of the said M. Webb and to certifie the said Articles answer and Examinations to this Committee by the eleventh day of November next close sealed And the said Justices are desired to secure the profits of the said Rectory till this Committee shall have heard and determined the cause upon the said return and to see that no spoil be made on the said Personage-house or Glebe-lands thereunto belonging By the Committee for Plundered Ministers August the 13th 1651. ORdered that the Additionall Articles this day exhibited against Thomas Webb Minister of Langley Buthill in the County of Wilts a copy whereof is annexed be referred to the Justices of the Peace in the said County or any two or more of them who are desired to receive the said M. Webb his Answer thereunto and to summon before them and examine and crosse-examine the Witnesses that shall be
aforesaid that are unconcerned in this businesse did in pursuance of your two several Orders hereunto annexed prefix a time and place for the execution of the same whereof the said M. Webb had sufficient notice and upon his appearance before us this present day we did shew unto him the said Webb the Charge and Articles exhibited against him and required his answer thereunto and withall offered to examine and cross-examine any Witnesses that he should produce unto us for his defence but the said Webb after much uncivil carriage used by him in the presence of us and divers others and many frivolous and unfitting discourses tending only to the diminution of your Authority and the disparagement of our selves and the rest of the adjacent Justices as not being fit to examine that or any other businesse that concerned him instead of an Answer did at length deliver us the afore-recited scandalous Exceptions and withall told us that he would give us no other answer and that we should not examine or crosse-examine any Witnesses for him by these Orders or used words to that effect We humbly conceive it necessary to signifie these things by themselves and have also herewith sent the Execution of your Orders so far as Witnesses come in but we did not examine upon the Article wherein we and other Justices are concerned because we would avoid all cause of exception and we did inform the said M. Webb of so much before we examined any Witnesse Upon the Articles and Depositions aforegoing the most famous Parson was ejected the Parsonage of Langley Burhill in September 1651. by the Honourable Committee of Plundered Ministers where the said Webb appeared in his own defence being armed cap a pe pe with his wonted silly self-confidence impudence and ignorance who notwithstanding though he had over-stood his Market refusing to examine or crosse-examine Witnesses in the Country yet now propounds to the Committee of Examination as aforesaid only he desires two other Justices of Peace to be joyned with those whom he termed his adversaries with such like frothy conceits as vain as himself but they hold no water the mock-Parson is reduced to his pristine purity viz. a Priest without a Parsonage which act of Justice operates much upon the Parsons foul stomack and therefore though the Parsonage be evacuated yet the dregs remain which are brought up and disgorged at severall times or by degrees First The unsavory salt was no sooner cast to the dunghill but the ejected quondam Parson lays about him and seeing his tongue was too short to tell of his misfortunes and to bespatter his persecutors he betakes himself to his Pen and writes his black Parson-like Epistles to the honest alias Ranting Party acquainting them what had fallen out and then rails Parson-wise against Mr Stokes giving him such titles as can belong to none save mock-Parsons and withall promiseth his fellow-creatures to write a book and publish it against Mr Stokes and others and then sets down such particulars as he intended to Print against M. Stokes which he hath with some alteration performed Secondly He abuseth the Honourable Committee of Plundred Ministers taxing them with injustice and tels his friends that he will indeavour to turn the stream assuring them that if not this yet another Representative will do it Thirdly He makes them believe he is very near a very good settlement in another place and presseth them to gain him with speed a Certificate from the honest party So after this non-such Parson had a while lain his wits a soaking in the stinking puddle of envy and Revenge and bent his tongue like bows for lies he composeth a certain ill-shapen Libell as full almost as the Author of untruth and error Which monster so far resembles a well-formed creature that it runs upon two legs The first whereof is to inform the world That Tho Webb is a man of excellent parts and full of piety an enemy to uncleannesse to blasphemy to Parsonages to Tithes and whores a man of a publike spirit of sound judgement of great temperance and a sufferer for righteousnesse sake The second is That all those that did not flatter him in his wicked and unclean waies or did in any thing dislike his Rantings and counterfeit repentings were unjust cruell tyrannicall malitious and bloudy minded men and amongst the rest M. Stokes being the greatest opposite to the Ranting Parson is to be numbered amongst the worst of men he is now a blasphemer of the highest rank a deceiver and what not c. upon these two legs the Libell comes into the world the father whom it resembles gives it a name and the witnesses names being in number a hundred and four are fastened to a silly certificate to justifie the father that by their credit the monstrous birth may travell the Common-wealth without being questioned or dealt withall as a runnagate or base born brat The Name or Title is A Masse of malice against Tho. Webb late Minister of Langley Burhill in the County of Wilts discovered IN the Title you may note that this Parson hath often times in publique and private denied that he was any Minister yet here writes himself Late Minister of Langley B. Secondly Whilst he was possest of a Parsonage he said there were no Ministers in England yet now being spewed out of the same he prints himself Late Minister of L. B. He saith of his work It 's a true relation which indeed is most untrue as also are those six severall Heads attending the relation though they all walk upon two legs as before mentioned as in the catalogue afterwards will appear Then he most prophanely abuseth two several Texts of Scripture applying that which is true in David the Type or Christ the Anti-type unto his unclean and most graceless self The first is Psalm 35. 11. False witnesses did arise up they laid to my charge things that I knew not He hath been charged to be a whore-master and he hath acknowledged himself so to be see his Letters before and yet here he saith in a Scripture phrase They laid to my charge things I knew not The second Scripture to support the Masse of malice and the Author is Psalm 38. 20. They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries because I follow the thing that good is It seems all those that disliked Webbs wicked waies are such as render evil for good he justifies his own actions and by a Scripture phrase saith they are good and he follows the thing that good is Surely the thing that the Parson follows is not good unlesse Ranting Revellings Whorings and counterfeit Repentings be good these he hath followed to the heels as the relation makes manifest But it seems these are good and so followed by T. W. late Minister of Langley B. and such as dislike him are his adversaries and render evil for good But let the mock-Parson alone to condemn all others and trumpet out his own praises saying Stand further
it out of our Ashes and rather then he will miss of his ayms he will swear falsly in open Court But he respects neither Law nor Gospel but is a blasphemer and contemner of both p. 20. Perfect malice and envy leads him to another design saith the Ranting Parson for to take away my means which after much injustice and grosse abuse acted towards me he hath obtained The wrong and injury done to me was very great not only in taking away my means but rendring me under a most foul and unclean vizard p. 20. So an honest man one M. Richard Wick supplied my place in my absence p. 21. So M. Pinell parted and looked after the businesse no further though very much solicited thereto by M. Stokes p. 21. But M. Stokes he sends to a solicitor that attends the Committee p. 21. M. Stokes being troubled in his minde that nothing was done against me p. 22. Which two Orders were not then created nor was there any such thing as an Order p. 22. He summons me to appear before the Commissioners p. 22. M. Stokes returns me this answer that he had sent up the body of another Charge against me p. 4. He will have this Massey and sent his Letter for him as it was proved to his face the 22. of September last Great preparation was made by M. Stokes c. for a Petition to the Committee for Massey What was acted by these men viz. M. Stokes and M. Shute saith the Libeller not knowledge nor any interest in the thing but impudent malice p. 46. Sr Edward Baynton and his faction caused them to be disbanded p. 50. Their sending me the Warrant without either Charge or Order bewrayed in them abundance of ignorance or malice So about ten daies after when M. Stokes his partner Chaâ— Aland and Massey had hatcht a Charge then it was sent to me p. 51. The great grounds of exception pag. 52. are printed contrary to the original Copy Wherein falsly they informed that I contemned the Committees Order p. 53. But M. Wiliington told me what I had done questioned the Authority of that Committee p. 53. The Articles intended to be examined were not those exhibited before the Committee p. 53. The Libeller intimates pag. 54. That M. Stokes did carry up the Examination against him to the Committee and solicited for a poor slipshood-Parson p. 54. Truly mine eyes have seen him do such horrid acts of blasphemy saith the Libeller of the highest nature as ever I heard related to be done by any p. 54 He is become viz a meer dissembler with God and man He is a publick mocker jearer and derider of all publick worship and fell down upon his knees to a mock-prayer and made the same a subject of mirth pag. 54. M. Stokes and my self with two or three more lay at the Bores-head in Salisbury p. 55. And came to bed with very blasphemous words in his mouth pag. 55. Finding a bottle he filled it with his Urine and set it by his Filth He used the gesture of kneeling And expressed himself in this abominable and blasphemous language to me viz. That I should kneel down and partake the Communion Saith he pointing to his dung Here is the body of Christ Pointing to his urine saith he Here is the bloud of Christ To every cup of Sack or Bear he would make a mock of the Lords Supper He would teach me to make a spiritual face p. 55. They cannot away to hear of love and good works p. 56. I might insert many other acts of his blasphemy as true as the rest p. 56. Well saith the Libellous Parson I may diminish but indeed I have not added any thing to them Nakedly as they came from him I have here inserted them I might insert saith he his viz. M. Stokes his pocketting up of 4l which were collected of the honest party in my Church He issued out his Warrants for the raising of him mony to buy him Trumpets and Banners p. 56. I was not suffered to give in my Answer saith the Parson in any fair even and just way p. 57. In the 57. pag. he hath set down the Articles of prophaneness and scandall against himself falsly In the same page he belies M Stokes concerning his Deposition to the first Article Being earnestly desired saith he by M. White and the Parish I accepted Q. Is not M. White and the Parish beholding to T. W Answer M. White is having raised his fortunes and saved his tythe by this acceptation p. 58. He saith M. Stokes and M. Martyn were both satisfied that the right lay in M. White and not in the Committee p. 58. The people with one consent cried A Webb a Webb Untill it was within this half year M. Stokes looked upon me as their Minister and hath often pressed me to take Tythes He saith M. Stokes hath sevenscore pounds a year land in our Parish viz. Langley as true as the rest he hath but 30l per annum there during his fathers life p. 59. Truly saith the Parson that cannot speak truth such is the enmity of my spirit against the evil of uncleannesse that I should be never given over to commit much lesse to glory in it p. 60. She meaning Good wife Lewis M. Stokes sent his Warrant to come against me p. 61. This last clause struck the nail on the head before the Committee p. 62. At that time M. Stokes and I were a little intimate p. 62. And in this late time of danger engaged my self p. 62. I hope saith Webb its because they knew themselves guilty of having dealt very unjustly by me which is all that ever I said of them p. 63. The following certificate which is from the most knowingest and godliest Christians pag. 63. The Justices most knowingest Christians are such who will swear and speak most falsly p. 63. Their own consciences do acquit me p. 64. All the honest party the whole Country throughout will clear me saith Parson Webb p. 64. They have sought to take away my life p. 65. Here you have the true Relation of my Case p. 65. The unjust saith the unclean Parson and harsh dealing I have received from the Justices was the cause of the great Odium cast upon me p. 65. Truly this was the plot even to send me to the Goal and thereby cast a cloud of filth over me p. 65. I acted amongst many of the Country for the bringing of him viz. Geo. Ivy Esq to an accompt for his Malignancy p. 65. He is not a fit man meaning Mr Shute to act in any publique imployment p. 65. Of M. Stokes he saith he knows that the woman who was my accuser hath to my self and others charged him with many things of the same nature p. 66. When danger was eminent he laid down his Commission p. 66. When he was made Justice for the Peace he faces about p. 67. When these worthy Gent. Lieut. Col. Lilborn M. Walwin and the rest were