Webbe and M. W. and the proceedings of the Justices thereupon be also made manifest as it lieth upon record which is here made publique upon this account only to manifest to the world that the ruine and distraction of this people arose from among their own selves and not from the Justices as Tom Webb in his masse of malice most untruly gives out The Information of Edith Lewis wife of William Lewis of Langley Burhill Yeoman given the 23. of Novemb. 1650. unto Edward Stokes Esq against Thomas Webb of Langley aforesaid Clerk and Mary White wife of Henry White of the same Gent. for and concerning the felonious committing of the horrible and crying sin of adultery together and now again taken upon oath this 9th of Decemb. in the year aforesaid before George Ivy the said Edward Stokes and William Shute Esquires three of the Justices of the Peace within the said County as followeth Who saith That her husband and she living in part of the said Henry Whites house in Langley aforesaid she this Informant was sent by the said Mistress Mary White to Chippenham upon a Saturday between Michaelmas and Alhallontide and making more haste from thence then she usually did at other times she went into that part of the house wherein the said Mistress White lived and finding no body in any of the lower rooms she went up stairs and a chamber-door near the stair-head being open she stept into the said chamber and there saw the said Thomas Webbe lying upon the body of the said Mistress Mary White and being in the very act of adultery with her upon the bed there And further she this Informant saith that there was in the same room at the same time one John Morrice a souldier of Gloucester who hastily came to the said chamber-door to put back her this Informant he supposing as she conceived that she had been Mr Henry White aforesaid husband of the said Mary but she being in the chamber before he could shut the door against her he let her alone where she stood as one amazed and in exceeding great fear Then the said Thomas Webbe arose from off the bed and place where he lay to one side and the said Mary White to the other side and afterwards they two together with the said Morris fell to dancing using in their said dancing much filthy and unclean language worse then ever she this Informant heard from any others with whom she this Informant complied in dancing for the time for fear they should do her some mischief but was glad when she was gon from them And this Informant being asked why she concealed it so long saith that she told her own brother Thomas Riley of Calve of it the next day after it was done and that she durst not acquaint any other with it for that she lived under the same roof with the said Mistress White and did not know what injury they might have done her if she should have spoken of it But not being able to hide it long from her husband at length she acquainted him with it who as soon as he heard of it caused her presently to go to Justice Stokes and inform him of it And this Informant appearing again before the said George Ivye the 17. day of February following saith further that the day wherein she took the said Thomas Webbe and Mary White in the act of Adultery and left uncertain upon her former Information was the very next Saturday after Michaelmas last past as she doth now perfectly remember The Information of William Lewis of Langley aforesaid Yeoman taken upon Oath the 17. day of February 1650. before the said George Jvy against the said Thomas Webbe and Mary White as aforesaid Who saith That about the 10th or 11th of June last past there being a great falling out between the said Mr Webbe and Mistress White she the said Mistress White did in the presence and hearing of this Informant and divers others charge the said Mr Webbe that he had many times indeavoured to ravish her force her chastity to which the said Webb replied that he needed not to do so for that he had oftentimes had carnal knowledge of her with her own consent and that she had sent her own husband Mr Henry White to fetch him four mornings in a week out of his bed of purpose to ly with her that she had formerly told him that the childe where with she then went was his and that he begot it on her on S. Stevens his day at night last past and that her servant Elizabeth Briscow was as good as her self for that she lay with John Morris and young Organ of Castle-combe Which things being bruted up and down the Country some honest and religious people of Calve sent one Thomas Riley of the same to this Informant to learn the truth of it to whom he the said Informant gave this answer That the said Mr Webb and Mistress White had charged each other as aforesaid not only in the hearing of this Informant but also in the presence of M. White and Mistress Webbe being the husband and wife of the said Mistress White and M. Webbe and that he conceived them to be both naught and further saith that this quarrell continued between the said M. Webb and Mistress White untill the said Mistress White was delivered of the childe wherewith she then went and it grew to that height that there were above twenty suits in Law depending betwixt Henry White aforesaid and the said M. Webb and that shortly after Mistress White was brought to bed and indifferently well recovered of her childe birth the aforesaid Elizabeth Briscow told him this Informant that her Mistress had a great desire to speak with M. Webb and had appointed her to bring him unto her Whereupon this Informant remembring what had formerly passed betwixt them and fearing that they would grow as familiar again as they had been before did the more strictly observe their doings and the Thursday following being the next Thursday after Michaelmas last past he saw the said M Webb and the said Iohn Morris walking athwart the grounds towards M. Whites house and coming near the said house they stood still under an Oke and lookt about them and after a little pause they went a by-way through the Orchard and Garden into the said house through a door seldom used and the said Morris continued there all that night and for the greatest part of the night the said Morris and the aforesaid Elizabeth Briscow drawing a servant of this Informants into their Company did nothing but curse and swear sing lewd songs and drink such prophane and blasphemous healths as this Informant never heard the like before and the next morning being Friday the said Riley whose sister he this Informant married coming again to his house he the said Informant told the said Riley that he feared that M. Webb and Mistress White would grow too familiar again and that
there would be murther or some other mischief follow it and did thereupon turn away his aforesaid servant and forbid his wife to meddle or make with Mistress White or any of her businesse And further saith that his wife told him that the said Webb and Morris were the greatest part of that afternoon in the chamber together with Mistress White And this Informant further saith that the morrow after being Saturday about one or two of the Clock in the afternoon of the same day M. White and his sister being then from home and this Informants wife likewise at Chippenham he saw the said Webb and the said Morris walk in the Church-yard together and after a little while slipt into the said M. Whites house the back way through the said Orchard and Garden and towards the evening he saw the said Webb come forth of the said house again the same way And the next day being Sunday in the evening this informant asked of the said Elizabeth Briscow how it chanced that the said Morris had not preached there that day to which she replied that the said Morris intended to have preached but she would not let him and that she told him that he should not come thither roguing and whoring and yet make people believe he was godly The Examination of the said Mistress Mary White taken the 9. day of Decem. 1650. before the three aforesaid Iustices she the said Mistres White being then and thither brought and charged with the felonious committing of the said act of Adultery with the aforesaid M. Webb as followeth Who being examined whether she this Examinant Thomas Webb aforesaid and one Iohn Morris were together at her said husbands house on any Saturday betwixt this and Michaelmas last past or not denieth that ever they were but saith that the said Webb and Morris were on the Friday next after Michaelmas day there in her own chamber at her said husbands house and that all the same time Elizabeth Briscow this Examinants maid-servant was also in the same room and during all the while that they continued there and further saith that the said Webb and Morris have been divers times severally at her husbands house since Michaelmas last past but never both together except that one time And this Examinant doth also utterly deny that the said Thomas Webb had carnall knowledge of her then or at any other time or that she the aforesaid Tho. Webb the said John Morris and Edith Lewis aforesaid ever danced together or that she or the said Webb or either of them are any waies guilty of the things wherewith they are charged in the Information of the said Edith Lewis The Examination of the said Thomas Webb taken before the said Justices as aforesaid Who saith That there being some suits at Law depending betwixt the said M. White and him this Examinant he the said Examinant and one John Morris a souldier at Gloucester went to the house of the said M. White the Friday before Michaelmas day to talk with him and his wife about reconciling the said Law-suits and Mistress White lying in about the same time sent for him this Examinant and the said Morris into her Chamber and there had discourse of the businesse And being further asked whether he and the said Morris were ever together in that or any other chamber of the said Mr Whites with the aforesaid Mrs White at any other time since the said Friday before Michaelmas confesseth and saith that he this Examinant and the said Morris have been severall times together in that house with the said Mistress White but denieth that they were together in any of the chambers of the said house with the said Mistress White ever since that time and doth also deny that he had then ever before or since any carnall knowledge of the said Mistress White or that he the said Examinant with the said Mistress White and the said Morris and the said Edith Lewis danced together or spoke such words as they are accused of by Edith Lewis aforesaid After the aforesaid Informations and Examinations were taken the said Mr Webbe and Mistress White for their said offence were both committed by the three afore-named Justices to the common Goal for the said County of Wilts where they remained prisoners till the Assises following When the fellow creatures understood their mittimus and saw whereto they must trust they seem to be somewhat milder then before and more moderate in their language then formerly but after a little pause Webbe being a better Scribe then Parson imploys his pen and tumbles out of his treasury of self-confidence and impudence expositions of the Parliaments Act of Adultery in Folio and sends them to M. Stokes amongst which he asserts these particulars 1. That no Parson though made a felon by that act is to be proceeded against till after Presentment or Indictment at Assises or Sessions and the verdict of twelve men is to be the leading card to sentence or any other proceedings upon this new Law 2. That no Justice of Peace or other Officer is to imprison or secure the felons mentioned in the said Act till after Indictment and Conviction 3. That the Justices had no power to summon Tho. Webbe nor Mistress White before them nor power to hear the complaints nor to send them to Goal though offending against the said Act according to what is charged against them 4. That the Parliament would rather a man should fly for such an offence then suffer death and therefore they have provided that no other proceedings are to be then upon Indictment wherefore saith he the Parliament would be glad to be rid of them so 5. That old Laws are not a rule for Justices to walk by in their proceeding against offenders as are made so by modern and late Acts 6. That Judge Nicholas can give no councel upon this Act more then another man for first it is a new Law and he is as young a Lawyer in the knowledge of it as another 7. It is distinct from all other Laws for it both afflicts and affords that which no other Law doth Then he laies down his own verdict upon the Justices proceedings and saith That they are Acts of inhumanity and injustice That they are beyond all Law equity reason president and common respect that one creature oweth to another That neither Reason nor Wisdom was called to their Councels or Consultations That their present proceedings were to gain aplause amongst the multitude and that nothing hath more served the enemies designs then their cruel and tyrannicall proceedings against them That such dealings are not amongst Turks and Infidels that are acted against him and his c. Then he fals to these Queries 1. Who shall secure the Tithingman for what he doth upon the Justices unjust proceedings 2. What provision is made for conveying him and his c. to Goal for a foot they cannot go and horses they will not hire 3. Whether seeing
produced as well for proof of the said Articles as of the defence of the said M. Webb and to certifie the said Articles together with the former Articles Answers and Examinations to this Committee close sealed up with all convenient speed and the profits of the said Rectory are to be secured according to the former Order of the 8th instant in the mean time Articles of Prophanenesse and Scandall against Thomas Webb the pretended Rector of the Personage of Langley Burhill in the County of Wilts. 1. THe said Thomas Webb never had any legall Order for his incumbency there but by the help and favour of his pretended Patronesse Mistress Mary White and some other Parishoners of the same Parish upon his promise unto them of non-taking Tithes obtained the Parsonage usurping the place of an Incumbent there contrary to the Orders made by the Honourable Committee for Plundered Ministers and the Committee of this County 2. The said Webb stands charged to be an Adulterous person and to have committed the detestable sin of uncl-annesse with divers women besides his pretended Patronesse Mistress Mary White and hath confessed the same and gloried therein and affirmed he could lye with any woman save his own Mother 3. The said Webb stands charged to have affirmed in his discourse that Moses was a Conjurer and that Christ was a deceiver of the People 4. The said Webb stands charged to have affirmed that Preaching and lying are both alike to him 5. The said Webb stands charged to have tearmed his hearers fools for coming to gape on him whilst he told them lies 6. The said Webb stands charged to have drank to the confounding of the Parliament and to have tearmed them Rogues and Devils withall saying that if he were by those that heard him accused for any of the afore-mentioned crimes he would for swear the same 7. The said Webb hath in an high nature scandalized and abused Judge Nicholas George Ivy Edward Stokes and William Shute Esquires and other the Justices of the Peace for this County for discharging their duties both in Law and Conscience according to the trust reposed in them 8. The said Webb hath done much waste and made great spoil and destruction upon the Gleab lands of the Rectory of Langley Burhill aforesaid by cutting down and selling at very low rates a great part of the Wood and Trees late growing and being upon the same which were before his coming thither much stored and better replenished with Wood then any Parsonage in those parts besides also he hath let fallen pulled down to the ground and sold away part of the housing belonging to the Parsonage-house there 9. The-said Webb stands charged by the most knowing Christians in his own Parish to have Preached false and unprofitable Doctrine WHereas we have received two several Orders from the Committee of Plundered Ministers purporting certain Articles heretofore to have been exhibited against Thomas Webb Minister of Langley Burhill in the County of Wilts referring the same to the Justices of the Peace in the said County or any two of them who are desired to receive the said Mr Webbe his Answer thereunto and to summon before them and examine and cross-examine the Witnesses that shall be produced as well for part of the said Articles as of the defence of the said M. Webb These are to give you to understand That we Justices of the Peace of the County aforesaid intend God permitting to execute the contents of the said Order at the house of Captain Taylor being at the sign of the White Hart in Chippenham on the 12th day of September next ensuing after the date of these presents between the hours of eight and nine of the Clock in the morning of the same day where if you think fit you may produce Witnesses to be examined on your part and behalf and we shall be then ready to receive your Answer according to the Contents of the said Order Witnesse our hands at Chippenham this 28. of August 1651. To Thomas Webb Minister of Langley Burhil This Paper following was delivered in by the said M. Webb unto the said Justices at their appointed meeting for the executing of the aforesaid Orders viz. Grounds of Exceptions against Sr Edward Bainton William Shute Esq. c. and against the Examination intended 1. FIrst That the Charge to be examined is not the Charge exhibited before the Honourable Committee upon which the Orders were granted which occasioned this meeting 2. That most part of the Charge hath been already answered and the accused quit 3. That in some part of the Charge the Examiners themselves are concerned 4. The Examiners have manifested abundance of prejudice against the accused as will easily be made to appear 5. The accused stands bound in Judgement and conscience to prosecute the Examiners for neglect of doing of their duty for the Common-weal in the late time of danger whenever called thereunto and hath already declared against it as he believes is known to some of them 6. Lastly Such was the height either of ignorance or malice if not both that when the Warrant for appearance was sent they sent neither copy of Orders nor charge but I was forc't though not bound to it to send to them for the Charge and Orders and as yet have received but a part of the Charge and but a Breviat of the Orders These and other grounds are my Exceptions built upon which I humbly tender that they may be seriously considered and I have right done to me No more is desired by him who in the integrity of his own spirit subscribes to these his Exceptions Tho. Webbe Depositions of Witnesses taken at Chippenham in the County aforesaid the day of September in the year of our Lord God One thousand six hundred fifty and one against Thomas Webb Minister of Langley Burhill in the said County by George Ivy and William Shute Esquires two of the Justices of the Peace for this County by vertue of two several Orders unto the Justices of the Peace of the County aforesaid or unto any two or more of them directed from the Honourable Committee for Plundered Ministers the one of which Orders bears date Aug. 8. last past and the other bears date the 13th of the same moneth in manner following viz. Charles Aland of Langley Burhill aforesaid Yeoman aged thirty two years or thereabouts Sworn and Examined deposeth as followeth TO the first Article this Deponent saith That the said M. Webb about a moneth since did confesse in this Deponents hearing that he had no Order from any Authority to possesse himself of the Rectory or Parsonage of Langley aforesaid or to Officiate there but that he did Officiate there by the consent and approbation of some of the Parishioners of Langley aforesaid And this Deponent further saith That he did thereupon shortly afterwards search in the Office of the Committee for Plundered Ministers to finde whether the said â— Webb had any such Order
spy out his wickednesse This young Stripling having formerly made himself a Preacher forsaking his lawfull Calling becomes a Parish Priest or Parson and being setled to his content and obtaining a Gleab worth 70lb per annum he cunningly to increase his fame refused the Tithes protesting against them as an unjust Tax by which means he obtains the good will of divers of the most ignorant parishioners and others lookt upon him as a consciencious man not knowing what he had been nor what he was Not long after his settlement he buries his second wife at Langley aforesaid who had not lain many daies in the grave but he the said Thomas Webbe became so far in love with a certain Gentlewoman notwithstanding her husband was then and there living insomuch that he engageth himself to be a faithfull friend and servant unto her not to marry with or make use of any other woman besides her self and thereupon he had as he saith divers times carnal knowledge of and fellowship with her But as he said conscience fled in his face and would not suffer him to continue this vile course But it s rather thought one woman was not sufficient to satisfie his brutish lust And therefore in a short time he marries a modest sober young woman without the consent and to the great grief of her friends whereupon a great difference grows between the two former lustfull lovers the Parson is charged with perfidiousnesse and breach of promise but he being grown a cunning Parish Priest hath a salve ready to cure this sore gives satisfaction by a new Engagement which made good that saying of his That there 's no Heaven but women nor no hell save Marriage So that this late Marriage prevents not the rage of lust in either But notwithstanding that so many times a week are set apart for the satisfying of the flesh And now any reasonable creature would think that the former Marriage and the late agreement would have contented both parties But the union in wickednesse is not yet near enough And therefore about March 1650. two houses being too many and at too great a distance for such choice lovers Both families are united in one and Thomas Webbe removes the former distance being almost a slight shot was too farre to strike whilest the iron is hot neither could wickednesse be acted so covertly nor kept so closely in many meetings and it was not yet time to professe their principles publiquely to the world Here modesty commands the Author in silence to pass over many particulars of uncleannesse confessed by the said Thomas Webbe in the time of his pretended Repentance and Reformation Well now the famous families are united and the uniters wonderfully well pleased and none displeased The Patron and the Parsons wife rejoice being in hopes to enjoy each others love more constantly then formerly But the devout Parson and his co-partner in wickednesse having brought their Swine to so fair a market resolve to eat no such flesh nor to be so prophane or silly as to delight themselves with lawfull things leaving that to those that know not their liberty and to nice and weak-sighted Pharisees as they term those that dare not will not cannot run with them into the same excesse of Riot And let those deluded souls feed their fancies with vain hopes or empty husks as long as they please all 's one to these endeared lovers who have attained to the height of humane society and Christian alias diabolicall liberty and to so much perfection as to know their fellow-creatures from other cattell 'T is not for servants to pry into their Masters nor Mistrisses secrets nor to meddle with their meat Mixt Governours of a mixt family having the highest knowledge and deepest understanding are fittest to bear Rule and to rule the rest Wherefore no pitty nor praise shall attend the forlorn hope of the P. and Parsons wife who are ordained to stand as Ciphers or at best as servants to stand still or wait whilst those who are more spiritually wicked give up themselves to chambring and wantonness Well Thomas Webbe being a Parson of the last Edition and having undertaken a great charge laies about him how to manage all his affairs as becomes a man of so excellent parts and calling and hold out to the end which that he may be able to do and come off with credit the sweet draughts of an Independent heat the most coroborating cordials the fattest morsels and the most delicate fare is provided for his sweet tooth which never goes alone and good reason for hereby he is made able to give content to his fellow Creature and to answer all scruples that might arise against him from or by means of any pretended relation or formall union such as Ranters term marriage to be For you are to understand that ere a long time is past over even before this pious or rather impious Parish Priest had taken his fill of lust although the Gentlewomans husband remains contented yet the Parsons wife being more sensible begins to grumble and grows passionate and manifests much trouble fearing least her husband Thomas Webbe notwithstanding his seeming sanctity would prove an unclean Parson Hereupon the slipshood Priest is put to his trumps yet he having taken so many degrees in wickednesse resolves to answer and silence this case of conscience also and therefore summons all his wits together and when he findes them all too shallow he cals to his councell his fellow-creature who being of better understanding and of riper wit then himself two heads being better then one they make up and contrive a silencing argument to satisfie and content this complaining Spirit of the poor woman Hereupon a cunning and devillish plot is contrived for they apprehend action to be more prevalent then argument to make her understand her liberty and the Ranters true doctrine And therefore in the first place the Parsons wife is instructed in the lawfulnesse of making use of any other man setting relation aside whom she could most affect And further she is taught that God hath not tied up mankinde from those injoyments which are left free to the beasts of the field c. From this doctrine arise many uses but the use which is insisted upon is an use of examination the Parsons wife is strictly examined by Webbs fellow Creature Whom she loved best or whom she could love most besides her husband The woman being prest exceedingly upon this point and being as is supposed ignorant of the depths of Satan and not knowing that there was a hook under the Bait confesseth that next to her husband she could most affect such a man naming a lusty young man who lived not far from Langley and one who made often resort thither and was in great esteem with the fellow-Creatures and therefore as right as a gun and as pat to the purpose as might be to accomplish the design in hand which was to cure
but when the differences first arose between Webbe and his Mistress this Lewis and his wife assist Mistress W. and chargeth the Parson as you may see formerly expressed wherefore the Parson resolves to call them to an accompt for taking parties with the weaker vessell against the mighty male Ranter But Lewis being now jealous of this new friendship is become a strict observer of the waies of Parson Webbe and dislikes with his private approaches through bye waies and his long abode made upon his friendly visits early and late he now begins to have an evil opinion of his Landlady and thinks her as lewd as her fellow-creature Hereupon Lewis discovers his minde to his own wife she thereupon-declares to her husband what she both heard and saw Now the rage that was formerly in Tho. Webbe the Parson against his fellow-creature who likewise hers against him unite against Lewis and his wife and for telling tales out of school are threatned to be soundly whipt Fear now possesseth the wofull hearts of Lewis and his wife Mistress W. takes with others a journey to Glocester and to the whispering place or some better Oracle they repair where being advised home they return and in their company one J. M. for the better nodification of Goodwife Lewis upon whose aproach she is surprised with fear of what former threatnings would amount unto in the close and therefore though it was late in the night and the waters out yet as late as it was away runs Lewis and his wife to Justice Stokes and requires a Warrant of the peace against Thomas Webbe Mistress W. E. B. her servant and the said J. M. Mr Stokes knowing the aforesaid parties were Ranters all a row was very shie of medling with them and unwilling to hearken to any of their stories or complaints and the rather because the parties complaining as well as the fellow-creatures were his bitter enemies and expressed so much a good while before because as a Magistrate he had expressed himself as well as being a Christian against the Ranting principle as is before remembred Wherefore Mr Stokes demands of them why they trouble him about such complaints why at that time of the night why they did not rather get the assistance of some of their friends to reconcile them or if not wisht them to repair to some other Justice of the Peace To which William Lewis answers Sir although there have been some former difference between us in matters of opinion yet I take you to be a just man and that you will do Justice impartially which is that we desire He said we came this late because it was but even now that Mistress W. and her company came home with I. M. a most wicked and prophane man and that he was brought on purpose to do his wife or himself a mischief and had given out threatning speeches so soon as he was alighted from his horse the woman in the mean time seeming to be wonderfully affrighted Mr Stokes asked her how they fell at variance the woman replied that she had discovered some lewd actions of Thomas Webb and Mrs. W. which was come to their ears again and therefore they have threatned and sworn to be revenged upon me and my husband so that I dare not return home any more without danger of life and therefore I desire surety of the peace to be granted against them Mr Stokes replied again Surely I doubt 't is not fear brought you hither but rather revenge for I understand you were arrested at Mr Whites suit the other day William Lewis confessed he was arrested but the cause of that arrest was but a beginning of that revenge which the Parson and Mistress W. had threatned against them because they disliked their wickedness She said further she would not for a world go such a way to work as to seek revenge but she could take her oath that she was afraid of her life When nothing would serve to silence the parties Mr Stokes tenders her with admonition not to swear falsly the Oath which she takes and thereupon grants her a Warrant of the peace against the said Parson Webb Mistress W. I. M. and E. B. After the Warrant was perfected these persons make a full relation to Mr Stokes of all passages at Langley between the fellow-creatures and particularly William Lewis acquainted him with the foul act of Webbs being taken in the act of adultery with Mrs. W. a little after Michaelmas last past and this complaint to Mr Stokes was Nov. 23. 1650. William Lewis cals his wife and she makes good the Information and tenders to swear it divers questions Mr Stokes put to her tending to weaken if not stifle the Information but she stands boldly in the justification of it with a world of other most horrible and hatefull crimes and practices of theirs not to be named Two questions Mr Stokes desires them to satisfie him in one is Why the fact was concealed till now The second was Whether ever they took M. W. to be a good woman To the first query the answer falls in from the womans own mouth afterwards to the second he answers that they lookt upon M W. to be a godly religious and as wise a woman as any in the Country till of late they had found to the contrary but Webb had discovered himself to be a leacherous knave long ago Well Mr Stokes takes the womans Information but not upon Oath and so made no further proceedings upon it thinking perhaps the woman might be as Ranters usually are of another mind another day But they continue the same tune from day to day W. L. follows Mr Stokes for a prosecution M. Stokes acquaints two of his fellow-fellow-Justices with it and a day is appointed for a hearing of the business Well in the mean time the Warrant of the peace is served on M. W. and Thomas Webbe and they also meet on the 25. of Novem. before M. Stokes M. W. gives sureties to keep the Peace Webbs credit is so much cract that he must needs pretend that he will go to Goal yet rather then he should go alone and be in Loâ—s pound without a fellow-creature M. W. such is the tender love and pity of the woman to the Parson moves her husband to stand for one of Webbs sureties but some having more wit then some he refuseth and pleaded an ingagement to the contrary at which the little Gentlewoman seems angry And anon M. W. and his wife mount on horseback and are returning home but before they had rode a flightshot from the place M W findes better arguments on horseback then afoot prevails with her husband to become a surety for the Parson what will not love do So M. W. and his horse face about and he brings his wife with him for a witnesse that he himself with another Gentleman was surety for Tom. Webbe that he should not go to Goal nor stay at home to break the publique peace
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
the fire of lust the lightning leaves the room of his prophane heart and darkness keeps possession there the dew is dried up through the rising up of L. flames and Rottennesse seaseth the early fruit of his seeming repentance Solomon saith truly Pro. 27. 8. As a bird wandereth from her nest so is a man that wandereth from his place c. Was not this man as a silly bird to wander from his place from his lawfull calling from the wife of his bosome from his pretended purity to lay the egs of his filthinesse in other birds nests But because he could act any part on the devils stage he imitates the Cuckoe also the better to increase a generation of a more pure strain then are produced by lawfull marriage And then see how farre he wanders in a counterfeit repentance one would have thought his own tongue had raised so many Bulwarks against his own self that it was altogether unpossible for him any more to return again into his wonted folly or way of wickednesse or to have familiarity with his fellow-creature any more for ever But it hath been the usuall practice of these vain persons to give the most cursed titles to each other that ever the world practised or the devil invented as Toad Toads brood Toads Spane Witch Devils brood and such like with most horrible cursing each other like mad Bedlams or Devils incarnate See Salmons Letter before recited to Webb and yet they love each other intirely scorning and jearing all that are not of their own Sect their prophane language and terms being as they pretend uttered in a mystery to destroy the precise wickednesse of the professing party who make conscience of these words waies and actions So it seems that what ever the Parson pretended yet he intended no such matter he now slights and scorns all those to whom he had confessed his wickednesse and to whom he promised amendment and dotes again upon his fellow-creature enters into the house of H. W. at set times and at private waies where all matters of difference are husht up and the fellow-creatures reconciled upon a personall Treaty after the Gentlewoman was brought to bed and delivered of her childe which Tho. Webbe said he begot This agreement of the fellow-creatures fils the Country with a famous sound astonishment seiseth the hearts of those that lately rejoyced in his repentance and return but now all their hopes of him die in so much that divers reject farther society with him which the lust-loving Parson bears with scorn enough being so abundantly satisfied with returning to his vomit The old lascivious dresse and garb is now taken up again and the humble Parson acts afresh the part of a most proud and insolent phantastick and appears more like unto a prophane stage-player then Parish Parson or sober Christian His long shaggy hair which lately hung like a forgotten excrement is now taken into consideration and furbisht up with so much frizell and pounder as if nature or lust had altered its course on the sudden We have read of men that through sudden fear have been turned grey in one night why may not a lascivious joy upon its resurrection operate as much upon this vain man 1. His companions now are not these to whom he pretended a repentance no they are slighted but the Ranting professors and such as were most notoriously ignorant or scandalous or both these are his fellow-creatures and daily associates 2. Solomons Proverbs which lately were so well expounded by him and applied against whorish women are now expunged out of his mouth and minde and the rest his study of the Scripture must give place to a study more noble in the esteem of illiterate Ranters called Astronomy in which he is likely to become a proficient as soon as other Egyptian fortune-tellers nay more he being a man of so much learning wisdom and experience may happly attain to know how far he may wade in English dirt and not fall into a French mire 3. 'T is not Davids Psalms of repentance or praising that the Parson can now sing but foolish fancies and witlesse songs are his delight being uttered ex tempore 4. Musick and mixt dancing is now also grown into fashion and practice with this Parish Parson to which the youth of the Parish and others are invited that so the work of conversion may not cease nor the building of the Ranting Babel be at a stand any more as lately in the Apostacy of the prime Parson and fellow-creatures 'T is recorded of Cain that to quiet his accusing conscience he went to build Cities and the learned Parson Webbe knows that a multitude of businesse and variety of imployments was the only means to make him have no more conscience of sin and therefore farwell humiliation confession and sorrow for sin I have other fish to fry welcome my sweet Mistress let the falling out of us lovers be the renewing of love Welcome my lascivious dresse and whoring garb I am no precise Parson welcome thou new noble study of Astronomy I am weary of this Scripturing though I have gained a Parsonage by it yet I 'le use no more then may keep it welcome my fine fancies and ex tempore songs you are pleasing to me and I with you must please my fellow-creatures welcome Musick mixt dancing and mirth thou art more pleasing to me then those sighs and groans which erst while I poured out most foolishly to the great scandall and reproach of the Ranting cause this is the way to attain to our true liberty and freedom which a foolish niceness would rob us of Such expressions all wise persons reade in the Parsons practice and whether the particulars are not fitting qualifications for a Parson and publique Preacher let Christians stand by whilst the prophane world judge But to proceed with all possible brevity The reconciliation is upon such sure grounds between the fellow-creatures that it holds to this day yet the counsell of the Lord shall stand destruction shall arise to evil doers from among themselves And therefore the Reader is desired to take notice that when Thomas Webbs family was united with Mistress W. there being houseroom enough another of the same gang is taken with his family and there retained as a convenient inmate for the fellow-creatures were acquainted with the old saying of Cheaters when they have enticed young travellers into their company The more the merrier Now you must note that this man William Lewis by name was lately become a very great enemy to M. Stokes who had formerly opposed him in his Ranting principles For the first that ever manifested those principles publiquely to M. Stokes was the said W. L. and F. B. Whereupon the said parties were received with greater love amongst the fellow-creatures at Langley and the said W. L. entertained and who but he with the Parson and his c. And so they continue great friends for a good space
or Authority from thence as aforesaid but could finde none To the sixth Article this Deponent saith That the Sunday seven-night before Mistress White and the said M. Webb were carried to Prison for committing of Adultery together in the Church yard before the morning-Sermon the said M. Webb and this Deponent walking there together and this Deponent being formerly appointed to be a Lieutenant unto one Captain Parsons designed to be a Captain of the Militia forces of this County the said M. Webb to perswade this Deponent to dissert the said service and to withdraw his affection from the Parliament used amongst other perswasions these words following That the Parliament was unjust and dealt unjustly in gathering too much monies and imploying the same to their own private uses and not for the publick and that if he and others might have liberty they would prove it or spoke words to the like effect And at one other time the said M. Webb told this Deponent That God would appear for and on the behalf of the Cavaliers once more To the eight Article this Deponent saith That when the said M. Webb came and entred into the Rectory or Parsonage of Langley aforesaid the Glebe-land thereunto belonging was very well stored and replenished with Timber-trees and other Underwood and that since that time the said M. Webb hath cut down burnt and sold all or the greatest part of the same Trees and Underwood and hath also pulled down two substantiall out-houses belonging to the said Rectory or Parsonage-house and sold away the materials thereof And this Deponent further saith That the said M. Webb being required by a Warrant which came under the hands of Edward Stokes Esq being both a Committee man and a Justice of the Peace of the said County of Wilts to surcease from making of further spoils upon the Glebe of the said Parsonage he the said M. Webb returned seven Queries in Writing upon the backside of the said M. Stokes his Warrant by way of mocking and jearing of him and withall abused the said Warrant before he sent it back unto the said M. Stokes defiling the same with his own or some others excrements as this Deponent doth verily believe To the ninth Article this Deponent saith That the Lords-day seven-night before the said M. Webb was committed to Prison as aforesaid he heard the said M. Webb deliver in his morning-Sermon on that day in the Parish-Church of Langley aforesaid to his Auditors then and there assembled That he was no Minister of God and wisht them not to look upon him as a Minister for that said he God had put an end to all Ministers and Ministrations and at the same time perswaded the people not to conform themselves to any visible Ministrations either for Church or state meaning thereby as this Deponent conceiveth that they should not obey any Ecclesiasticall or civil Authority And further in the same Sermon he informed the people That God requires no obedience to any Scripture-commands And this Deponent further saith that after the said Sermon was ended the said M. Webb being asked by this Deponent what then meant all the Epistles of the Apostles whereunto the said M. Webb then answered that they concerned us not Edward Stokes of Tytherton Lucas in the said County of Wilts Esq. aged Thirty six years or thereabouts Sworn and Examined deposeth as followeth TO the first Article this Deponent saith That after M. Hughes had left the Parsonage of Langley Burhill aforesaid the same being destitute of an Incumbent one M. Martyn had Orders both from the Honourable Committee of Plundered Ministers and also from the Committee of the said County of Wilts to Officiate there and to receive the Tythes and Profits there-out arising which Orders the said M. Martyn shewed unto this Deponent and upon the request of the said Martyn this Deponent went along with him unto the Parish-Church of Langley Burhill aforesaid who being come thither and intending to Preach was opposed by the said M. Webb Mistress Mary White and some other of the Parishioners who laboured to have M. Webb to Officiate there some of them then conceiving him to be a very godly and profitable man but have since found themselves deceived and others upon his promise of not taking Tithes of them did altogether set themselves against the said M. Martyn which made him to depart thence and leave the cure And the said M. Webb hath thereupon continued there ever since without any Order or other Title to the same place To the second Article this Deponent saith That there having formerly been overmuch familiarity between the said Mr Webb and the said Mistress White the wife of Henry White Gent. about June 1650. there happening a great varience between them the said M. Webb and Mistress White the said Webb then seemingly professed to this Deponent to be a great penitent and exceedingly troubled for his vile conversation and divers times since that did both by words and letters of his own hand-writing confesse to this Deponent that he had committed the detestable sin of uncleannesse with the said Mistress White through whose temptations he had committed it so frequently with her that at length he was glad when he had the liberty to walk in the air And the said M. Webb seemed to this Deponent to be so penitent that he wished himself accursed for the pretious Gospels sake that had been so blasphemed by his wicked and unclean conversation And further said that solicitations were used to bring him over and reconcile him again unto the said Mistress White but he then wished saying Oh that I might be accursed and the earth swallow me up alive rather then I should hearken unto her any more Notwithstanding all which imprecations he shortly after grew intimate and familiar with her again and was so open and impudent in his carriage with the said Mistress White that he was charged upon Oath to have been taken in the very Act of Adultery with the said Mistress White whereupon they both were committed to the common-Goal for the County of Wilts aforesaid there to remain untill they should be discharged from thence by due order of Law Robert Jeffryes of Langley aforesaid Yeoman aged Forty three years or thereabouts Sworn and Examined deposeth as followeth TO the second Article this Deponent saith That this Deponents wife being sent for to Mistress White the wife of Henry White of Langley aforesaid Gent. when she was intravell with her childe whereof she was then shortly afterwards delivered the said M. Webb came to this Deponents house about a weeks space after her delivery not usually having come thither before that time and then asked her how Mistress White did and told this Deponents wife in his this Deponents hearing That the childe which Mistress White had them brought into the world was his the said M. Webbs childe or no And this Deponent further saith That this present day the said M.
Webb told this Deponent that if he did come to be examined against him that he would bring his Action for the same against him Deborah Clerke late servant to the said Robert Jeffryes aged Seven and twenty years or thereabouts Sworn and Examined deposeth as followeth TO the second Article this Deponent saith That in some short time after Mistress White was delivered of her childe the said M. Webb came to her said late Masters house and asked her Dame how Mistress White and her childe did and withall did thereupon say in a boasting way That the childe which Mistress White had then brought into the world was his the said Webbs childe or no Edith Lewis wife of William Lewis of Langley aforesaid Yeoman aged Forty years or thereabouts Sworn and Examined deposeth as followeth TO the second Article this Deponent saith That about Whitsuntide last was twelve-moneth the said M. Webb this Deponents husband and she this Deponent being conferring together concerning matters of Religion she this Deponent did then and oftentimes since bear the said M. Webb say That he did live above Ordinances and that it was lawfull for him to lye with any woman And at one time above the rest the said M. Webb Mistress White this Deponent and divers others sitting in the Gate-house of the dwelling-house of the said Mistress White there being tame Pidgeons in the Court the said M. Webb observing a great Cock Pidgeon to tread divers of the Hen Pidgeons there said unto those that were there present that it was lawfull for every man and woman and that they ought to take that liberty and freedom one with the other as those Pidgeons did although they were not married the one to the other To the fourth and fifth Articles this Deponent saith That upon a Lords day in the afternoon about Whitsuntide last was twelve-moneth the said M. Webb being asleep in a room of the dwelling-house of her this Deponents husband and sitting in a chair this Deponents husband came to him and awaked him and then said unto the said M. Webb that it was time to go to Church for the Bell had done ringing and there was a great audience of people come to hear him whereunto the said Mr Webb answered her husband in her this Deponents hearing Alas poor fools why do they come so far to hear me and stand gaping upon me whilst I tell them lies Whereupon this Deponents husband asked the said Mr Webbe What do you tell them lies in the Pulpit whereunto he replied That lying and Preaching was all one to him To the eight Article this Deponent saith that when the said M. Webb entred into the Rectory or Parsonage of Langley Burhill aforesaid the Glebe-lands thereunto belonging were very well stored and replenished with Timber-trees of all sort and other Under-wood and that since that time the said M. Webb hath hewed cut down burnt and sold all or the most part of the said Timber and Under-wood which were any thing worth and hath mored and grubbed up about the one half part of the Copice-ground belonging to the said Rectory And that in summer last was twelve-moneth the said M. Webb did hire Workmen who did by his appointment pull down an handsome Barn belonging to the said Rectory and sold away the materials thereof Robert Powell of Langley Burhill aforesaid Husbandman aged Fifty years or thereabouts Sworn and Examined deposeth as followeth TO the last Article this Deponent saith That the next Sunday after the Lent Assises being the first Sunday after M. Webbe came from Salisbury Gaol he heard the said Webbe in his then morning Sermon Preach and declare to his Auditors then assembled in the Parish-Church of Langley aforesaid these words following that is to say That the works of Jesus Christ and his Apostles were dead works and carnall and ended when they died and served but for their time only and that people might live unto God without Jesus Christ yet said I must confesse that Jesus Christ was the greatest Ordinance that ever God set up and yet the Saints may live unto God without that Ordinance Nicholas Gale of Langley aforesaid Miller aged Five and twenty years or thereabouts Sworn and Examined deposeth as followeth TO the last Article this Deponent saith that about Whitsuntide last upon a Sabbath day he did hear the said M. Webb in his morning-Sermon Preach and declare in the said Parish-Church of Langley to his Auditors these words following that is to say that the doctrine and practice of Jesus Christ and his Apostles were dead works and ended when they died and that Preaching and Praying cease for the Lord hath no ears to hear And this Deponent further saith that at another time afterwards upon a Sabbath day he heard the said M. Webb deliver in a Sermon in the said Parish-Church of Langley that Ministers ought not to be believed though they did Preach the truth except they could work miracles as Christ and his Apostles did Hugh Wastfeild of Langley Burhill aforesaid Yeoman aged Forty years or thereabouts Sworn and Examined deposeth as followeth TO the eight Article this Deponent saith That when the said M. Webb came and entered into the Parsonage of Langley aforesaid the Glebe-land thereunto belonging was very well stored and replenished with Timber-trees and other Under-wood and that since that time the said M. Webb hath hewed cut down burnt and sold a great part of the same Trees and Wood and hath grubbed and mored up a great part of the Copice-ground thereunto belonging and that since the said M. Webbs coming to dwell in the Parsonage-house of Langley aforesaid there hath been a great Barn or Hay-house appertaining to it pulled down and the Material's thereof were either burnt or conveyed a way To the last Article this Deponent saith That he hath heard the said M. Webb deliver in severall Sermons these things following that is to say that the Baptisme of water was only John's Ministry and was a legall washing and to be reckoned amongst legall things that Gods reaching his people is not by any outward Ordinance or Ministry or means but by the inward unction and anointing and that all preaching all conference or speaking one to another is but meer declaring to each other what we are taught and not any Ministry as for the teaching one of another and that he knew not whether Pauls Epistles do concern us or no And further this Deponent saith that he did hear the said M. Webb deliver in a Sermon That he did hope to live so long and that it was now in working that there should be no such thing as a Parsonage or Minister in England The Certificate of George Ivy and William Shute Esquires to the Honourable Committee for Plundered Ministers after they had taken the aforesaid Depositions WE do humbly Certifie your Honours That we being the two next Justices of the Peace for this County of Wilts unto Langley Burhill
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