MANIFEST TRUTH: OR AN INVERSION OF TRVTH'S MANIFEST. Containing, A VINDICATION of a Church of Christ in their Proceed on March the 8. 1657, against Mrs Mary Allein, from the false and injurious Aspersions of her husband Mr. Toby Allein.  
By LEWIS STUCLEY, Pastor of a Congregation in Exeter.  
Matth. 5.22. But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the Judgement, and whosoever shall say to his brother, Rach● shall be in danger of the Counsel, but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of Hell fire.  
Luk. 19.22. Out of thine own mouth will I condemn thee.  
Eadem possunt alicui videri manifestè vera, quae alteri videntur manifestè falsa.  
Quisquis à criminibus vitam suam custodit, sibi benefacit; quisquis etiam famam, & in alios misericors est, nobis necessaria est vita nostra aliis fama. Aug. de bono Viduitatis c. 22.  
London, Printed by D. M. for M. Keinton at the Fountain in S. Paul's Church Yard, 1658.   

TO THE READER.  
THat Ink hath Poison and Gall in it, the Historian as well as Naturalist will confess, and a late Pamphleter hath exemplified: We need not impannel a Jury of Inquest for this; hereby it happens that no quarter is given to paper, and as little to many men's names, as thou canst witness if thou hast perused a book of Mr Alleins (falsely) called, Truth's Manifest.  
I must confess I have had some conflicts in my own spirit whether I should silently pass by the falsehood of the report or return some answer to it. Eloquar an sileam? First, I shall give thee the workings of my thoughts for my silence; and then Secondly, give thee an account of the praeponderating considerations that have had the greatest influence upon me, to come thus into the view of the world.  
First, I shall consider what may lie in the balance against my printing.  
1. I bless the Lord I am in some good measure made sensible of my want of parts to contribute to the good of souls by my pen or tongue.  
2. There are many choice practical Tracts (that concern the eternal welfare of souls) published within the last twenty years, that (according to the conviction of my own conscience) must needs promote the great ends of Creation and Redemption, more than I can hope my answer to a Scurrilous pamphlet may conduce; and if Luther (that Phoenix of the world) would condemn his excellent writings to the fire, rather than by the publication of them, the Scriptures should be laid by; (Ego odi meos libros, et saepe opto eos interire. Luther in Gen. 14.) And if Augustin cries out, away with our writings, that room may be made for the Book of God, how much rather may I cry out and others, Auferantur de medio chartae nostrae, away with our scribble  
I must profess to all the world, That I am hearty sorry I must trouble the press or thee with any thing but what may be useful and practical for thy furtherance in Grace.  
3. I was even resolved to say as Bernard, Premat Corpus, tremat mundus, fremat Diabolus, conscientia semper ecit secura: or rather with Paul, My rejoyecing is this, the Testimony of my Conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity I have had my conversation in the world, 2 Cor. 1.12. And with Job; Job 16.19 my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.  
I was thinking to relieve myself with my own innocency, as to things laid to my charge; I could even have resolved not to make Hue and Cry after myself abroad in this misjudging age, but to become careless what the vulgar think or say of me, so it be not deservedly ill; I was loath to buy their good opinion so dearly, as by the expense of much time and many spirits: how sweet have such thoughts as these been to me! It is not the breath of men's praise that I can live by, if I have credit with God, what if I have none with man? God and conscience are my Compurgatours to whom I dare appeal from man's bar; if God and a good Conscience feast me within, no matter for the Hail of man's reproaches that rattle without: my God doth not do by me as man doth, he doth not throw dirt but rather washeth it away in his Son's blood, etc. and therefore in the midst of all the clamours, misapprehensions, and misjudging of men, why should not this content me, that there sits one in heaven that will clear me one day?  
4. When I view the generality of the nation, I fancy them so overgrown with misprision, that I have hardly hopes they will believe truths, further than they suit their particular parties, and interests. One justly complains of the times, that men's words or reports of their actions have fared hard since envy (as Peter with Malchus) hath cut off their right ears; affections always cut off one (and too oft the right) we seldom reserve one care for the strangers (much less the enemies) relation.  
5. I might hope that a Ministers yea or nay, might be of as much credit as Mr. T. A. his yea and nay; and though he hath got a certificate to gain him some credit, yet he knows well how easily I could procure hundreds of Ministers to do me such an office if I thought I needed them.  
6. I have considered that some men's malice is best born by silence, and malice slighted looseth (as the Bee) with its sting its life; I have known some scolds soon silenced by turning the deaf ear; answers and replies do not so soon strike detractours dumb, as a contemning and disliking deafness: It stands with some men's credit to despise poor accusations, and their best answer is, with Alexander (in Lucian) unto Hannibal, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to answer nothing at all: And might not I hope that those mists that were cast upon my person might in a few weeks scatter and vanish, without speaking a word for myself or cause?  
7. I thought I might venture upon the Testimony of the Consciences of many who know me, to vindicate me from the Aspersions of this pamphleter.  
8. Besides all that know me, can bear me witness, how little pleasure I take in a Salamander life; books of this nature can hardly be writ nor read without many heats and Commotions in spirits: These times already have been too fruitful in disputes and controversies, I have from my heart wished that all our swords of Contention were beaten into ploughshares of more use, and fruitfulness, for the Lords field: Would it not be better if Abners Language were in every man's mouth and heart, 2. Sam. 2.26. How long shall it be ere thou bid the people return from pursueing their Brethren?  
9 Is it not a known experimented truth, that when the head is Intoxicated with empty jejune controversies and notions, the heart becomes Consumptive in the solid parts of Godliness? And therefore I had rather acquaint poor souls, that there is a Controversy depending betwixt God and them, and that it is not not small misery to be an enemy to God, to be unpardoned, unsanctified, without hope of Salvation, if so they live and die, to be a slave of Satan, and confidently to go on in the way to condemnation: It grieved a Roman Emperor, that a Neighbour of his should die before he had done him any good; it is some affliction to me, if I must be forced to spread Rabshekahs' papers before God and men and thereby be hindered from more Important affairs, that the necessities of self-destroying souls call for: how many are there round about that there is but a step 'twixt them and the Grave? and 'twixt them and Hell? What haste are many making to everlasting woe? and must I forbear crying, Return, Return, why will ye die? to vindicate my name from the Apersions of an inconsiderable pen? Oh when I think of Psal. 7.11. That God is angry with the wicked every day, he hath bend his bow, and made it ready, he hath also prepared for him the Instruments of death, Me thinks I should leave my name to the fury of the pamphleter, whilst I advise these mad traitors against the majesty of heaven, and beseech them with tears and cries to throw down their arms, and to seek peace on a bended knee, according to the Articles proposed in the Gospel: How can I look these in the face, and think how likely they are to lie in perpetual misery, and not break forth into tears (as the Prophet did when he looked on Hazael) and fall on with the most importunate exhortations? how can I, how may I leave them in such apparent danger to take notice of the reflections of T. A?  
Secondly: But then in the other scale, I found a bleeding name, and thereby the Gospel suffering, I found the Churches and people of God were to be satisfied, that had a chief interest in my reputation, lest my person might prejudice my Doctrine, a Suspicion of sin in an exemplary person (and such are all Ministers) denies his labours their desired acceptance; and therefore Augustine saith, nec audendi sunt etc. Those are not to be harkened to, who having Suspicion raised of them which they know themselves to be free of shall say, their Conscience in the presence of God is enough for them, and imprudently contemn the Esteem of men: Well than a good name is to be kept up, or redeemed from the attempts of men and devil's, it is that which our Saviour expressly Commands, when he saith, Let your light so shine before men, that they may glorify God, Matth. 5.16.  
I know also how Catching a thing falsehood is, and that there are too many spirits in the world that are as dried tinder to the fire of a Malicious Detractor.  
Besides I find the Apostles wipeing off blots from their persons that the Gospel might not be hindered; some there were that prated against John, with malicious words, and he assures the Saints he will remember them. So the Apostle Paul, when some of the Corinthian Church had bespattered him, he accounts it worth a double Epistle, to give Antidotes against that poison, and to wipe off that spittle which some foul mouths had debased him with.  
And the Apostle is express, that the mouths of vain talkers and deceivers (that attempt to deceive though with never such slender artifices; for any thing will serve to deceive the simple) must be stopped. Tit. 1.10, 11.  
Moreover, hereby Satan's design may be frustrated, who hath always attempted to cloud, bemist, and asperse the servants of God, as knowing if he can but lay them low in the eyes of the people, their Gospel and Ministry will soon tumble after them: were I to suffer alone, it were no great matter, but when I consider, the Gospel will suffer, and my labours to many may be obstructed by silence under this man's calumnies and misrepresentations, I cannot hold my peace: If it is come to this, that the Preacher must be vindicated, that his Doctrine may be accepted, I think I am bound in conscience, of two evils to prevent the greater, i. rather to publish my want of Judgement, discretion, and parts, then to lie still and be condemned for a liar, slanderer, and unrighteous Judge, etc.  
But before I make any animadversions on the late pamphlet, I cannot but observe somewhat of greater Moment than I can find in it.  
1. That I being a man subject to great infirmities, yet it hath pleased God to hid them from him, who watched for my halting, and so to govern and order the ill will of my adversary, that he seldom or never hits upon these, but lays the burden upon the whole shoulder, and chargeth me with that which I can easiest wipe off; blessed be God, that if at any time my nakedness hath been more than ordinary, yet this Cham hath not found me in it, for he would soon have published it to his brothers; did he but know my often indifferencies in the ways of God, my often starting aside, my unbelief, together with all the aggravating Circumstances, so much as I do, how would he glory over my infirmities? qui alterius vituperatione laudari putat; who knoweth no other way of Commending himself, then by disparaging others; herein I desire to adore the Love and goodness of God to me and others.  
2. That God should draw good out of evil for the good of me and others, Shimei his railing tongue, and Rabshekahs' letters, should conduce to our reputation, and that the wrath of man in the Lords hands, should be as a file, to make the innocency of his people the brighter; this I desire with reverence to lay to heart; how should I and others adore the wisdom of God who converteth all the soil (that can be raked together out of the draught, either of our infirmities or of the passions of this man) into Fuller's Soap to scour our names and persons to a greater brightness; they say of false dial's, that's best which is most false, because it will deceive fewest: It is a favour for me and others (not intended by T. A. but directed by providence) that seeing we must be traduced, it should be done so palpably and grossly.  
3. I cannot but adore the Justice of God toward this Mr. Allien who hoping to raise up his wifes lost fame upon the ruins of a Church, hath but exposed her scandalous actions and his own to the more shame; and going about to asperse the censures of the Church, hath thereby ripened his own Judgement, which yet may eventually prove a mercy to him; it is so dangerous a thing to go along with impunity in any lewd course that the greatest mercy to a malefactor, is to arrest him in his Carriage.  
And now Reader, lest thou be offended at the tartness of some passages in the following Book, I am forced to this Apology, That I divulge little more of Mr T.A. then what is divulged by himself: the Law of nature teacheth me to do right to myself, and therein to prove (what I may) that I am slandered, and therefore I hope for a fair opinion from thee, if I give thee a farther light of what was done on March the 18th Against Mrs. M. A. which is by her husband very ill represented to the world; my reflections on him are not so much to uncover him, as the truth; expect no more than this from  
June 2. 1658. Thy Friend. LEWIS STUCLEY.   


BEfore I examine the inside of Mr. Alleins' Book, I must needs fix my eye a while upon the Frontispiece, Testimonial and Epistle.  
First, The Frontispiece. And here we shall gaze a while on the Title, Author, and a Scripture quoted.  
1. The Title, Truth's Manifest: Here he flourisheth over the design, as if it were (at least in the principal branch of it) the rectifying of mistakes, and manifesting of Truths; yet this outside, compared with the inside of the Book, shows it to be but like the Apothecary's box, which hath Pharmacum in titulo, in pixide venenum, Physic in the Title, but poison in the vessel: Before I have done with him, I shall prove mistakes and lies enough to show his Book and Title have no sweet accord. We shall put it to the issue, whether his Narrative be so full and faithful as he pretends, and whether it satisfyeth all that desire to know the Truth? or rather, whether those that have been before deceived by reports, be not now cozened in print? If it be found so, it is a double fault, the falsehood in the Book is one, Truth in the Title another. Here might I present thee with a Catalogue of those many shameless untruths which lie thick scattered like dung upon the face of his Pamphlet. Something might be said against the Manifest, though I dare do nothing against the Truth; but I shall choose rather to take them up as they lie in my way, before I can view them in his Epistle or Narrative.  
2. I am not to pass by the Author, Toby Allein, a late member of the said Church. Mr. Toby, your membership I own, but late member gives the Reader to imagine, that either you are already excommunicated, or that we have dismissed you, or that you are an apostate from us; I would not have your Reader mistaken, we have not taken those advantages against you, which you carriage may (in unprejudiced men's judgements call for) and I am sure we have not dismissed you unto any others Congregation; whether you are an apostate you best know; I do not intent to say farewell until you have satisfied the Congregation why you leave them: you are not ignorant that the Church hath summoned you before them, which call of Christ hitherto you have refused: will you separate from them without giving them the reasons of your withdrawing? This seems not fair, you will lessen the credit of your History, if you are found Schismatical: but I shall give you a little respite to consider of the consequence of such a course, whilst I view.  
3. The Scripture quoted in your Title Page, Prov. 26.5. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own concen: I have viewed this Scripture, with the fourth verse, Answer not a fool; they are both the counsel of Solomon, and would require the advice of as wise as he, to distinguish which one should follow: But Reader, I may not hold thee in the Porch, neither canst thou pass into the inner rooms without some observations, of several names subscribed to a Testimonial in the behalf of the Author: It will be an incivility to let them pass without taking notice of them, and the Contents of their certificate; and therefore this is the second thing considerable.  
Secondly, The Testimonial: We must carry ourselves warily here, lest we be bound to the good behaviour; but I hope without offence, we may put a few Queries to Mr. T. A.  
1. Why do you disparage yourself and credit in the world, as if you may not be delivered without any certificate? Good wine, we say, needs no bush.  
2. Why will you prove so injurious to the Major and Chamber, as for the future to weaken their Testimonies, in case honester men should need them? If I prove you guilty of base putrid lies, will it not be a reflection on the certifiers, as being too facile and easy to give testimony for some men; (A vice I confess too common every where)  Quem cui Commendes iteram atque iteram aspice, ne mox Incutiant aliena tibi peccata pudorem. 
3. But if there must be a certificate had from them, why had you not procured one for your wife and dame, I think (of the three) they needed it most.  
4. But pray Sir, seeing you cannot come abroad without some Compurgators, why had you not got letters Testimonial under the hands of the Ministers, as well as Magistrates? they are better able to judge of your godly conversation: Or  
5. Rather, Why had you not tried the officers and members of that Congregation, with whom you have walked for several years? Sure they had the fairest advantages of giving you what you might justly claim: I am somewhat suspicious of some Ministers, who are forced to borrow hands for their good behaviour, from persons of a remote habitation from them: it was no longer since then the 17. of May last past, that speaking of our Church, you said, we were the honestest people that ere you came among: why had you not got a certificate from them you thought most honest?  
6. Doth it savour of humility and modesty, to have so many lines affirmed of you without blushing? and to get so much to be printed in your behalf? but  — Sic notus Ulysses. 
7. Why would you have such things to be inserted, as I find in the testimony?  
1. That you have been one of the Stewards of the City: May you not be a false Steward in your account notwithstanding?  
2. That you have been always well-affected to the Commonwealth: so you may and not to truth.  
3. That you have been active in, and as Captain raised a company for his Highness' service: so you may, and yet raise more false reports than you did at that time men.  
But pray Sir, why was all this inserted?  
1. Was it not to insinuate to great men in power, as if all the subscribers were men high praising you for your owning the present supreme Magistrate; you know what I could retort to this, Spectatum admissi risum teneatas.  
Or rather,  
2. Was it not inserted to farther a belief of that which you writ pag. 2, 3. That the Protector might be assured he had a singular friend in T. A. who was willing to discover what dangerous agitations there were in a Church at Exeter, that they might be dealt with thereafter? Or at least that the affections of the Supreme Magistrate might be alienated from me (which you know is the great eyesore of the Chamber)  
Well, I will examine you about this no farther: I take it for granted, among other ends you hope to be looked on as an honest man by the help of these Prolocutors (and I hope to be so owned without them) I commend this policy, you will not venture into the field without your Seconds: Defendit numerus junctaeque umbone phalanges.  
But this I shall tell you, You have made so many accessories, that I cannot see how with Justice on your part, and Safety on Mine, your Action on the Case may be tried in Exon.  
But what if you had a Legion of men to certify for you, nay and all good, yet they cannot assure us, that your Narrative is full and true: There was a time that Judas might have had a Certificate for his good Conversation and Stewardship from all the Saints in the world, yet afterwards he betrayed his Master upon a Money account.  
And yet me thinks I can fancy with what confidence you now appear in open field, guarded with the Company; and now if simple people must believe all your reports to be Oracles, for fear of displeasing the Chamber, if Credit must be given to your words, I warrant you we shall see confidence enough in what follows.  
Well Sir, We will venture, pace tantorum virorum, to examine that which comes next in order.  
III. The Epistle to the Reader. Here the man seems so grieved, that he cannot but vent his sorrows to the world: troubled he is,  
1. At the censure of his wife which he calls unrighteous; for this I refer you to the Notes of my Sermon printed lately, where you will find, that scandal and contumacy was proved against her, pag. 19, 21.  
2. He complains of hard measure, that my Notes were printed, the ends whereof he saith was to spread false reports raised by ourselves, as far as we can. No, Reader, there he mistakes, our end was, to satisfy and silence them who pretended we had censured her for joining with a Congregation of different principles from us: And the end of the Postscript was to show, how much I suffered in my reputation by (abominably) false copies of my prayer. And whereas he condemns us of spreading false reports, if any such shall be represented or made known to me, there is no man (I hope) shall be found more ready and pliable to make straight that which is crooked, or to make his pen do penance in any sheets for any error or delinquency in this kind: so willing am I to expose myself to the hazard of any discovery he can make.  
3. He can hardly digest Mr. Malls' quotations because of their impertinency. What if I should tell this Pamphleter, that he understands not what the impertinency of a quotation meaneth, or wherein it consists? Sure I am, that if they attain this end to satisfy the consciences of the Reader, That Excommunication is a delivery of an offender to Satan, and that a particular Church may excommunicate, and that not only great and notorious sins deserve this correction, but also lesser crimes increased with contumacy and contempt of the Church's admonition, become worthy of the same castigation; then are they pertinent quotations with respect to his wife's case. And if these learned and Reverend Men (as he is pleased to style them, though poor man, I think he never saw one of them) do satisfy the Reader, that in dealing with a private offender, he is first brotherly to be admonished alone, if that prevail not, to call one or two witnesses, and if that do not profit, then to declare it to the Officers of that particular Church: and if their admonition be successless, than the original crime, and his contempt is to be declared before the whole Congregation, and upon remaining obstinacy, the offender is to be excommunicated: Surely this is not Impertinent with reference to Mr. T. A. though he is willing to wave such questions, referring his Reader to the learned: Surely it concerned him to have studied those questions, and not to content himself with an implicit faith in the learned.  
There is one thing more that I shall take notice of in his Epistle, he can hardly forbear challenging me and the Church to answer what we have done before the tribunal of him who shall judge the world in Righteousness.  
Mr. A. I bless God I can think of that day without any fear or horror upon my spirits, that may arise from any malice I have borne you or yours: I know the Lord will wittness for me in that day, that you, and your wife, and myself, had nor been at this distance, wherein we now stand, but by her and your miscarriage: than it will be known that your wife was not censured by us for joining in other Congregations beside her own, and this book which you have writ for vindication will be brought forth as a wittness against you, unless that the Lord give you timely repentance, which I beg daily for you. But to come to his Narrative.  
It is the unhappiness of this traveller to stumble at his first setting forth, p. 1. He would make the world believe as if he and his wife were members of Mr. Mark Downs Church in 1648. whereas Mr. Nicholas Eveliegh and myself are ready to witness upon our Oaths, that he told us, he only desired that he and his wife might receive the Sacrament at times with them, until there was a Congregation constituted, according to his own different judgement; elsewhere to which, he and his wife would then join. And another of the Church will witness, that Mrs. Allein did say she did join with Mr. Down on the same terms. A Crazy conscience and a Brickle memory are very ill companions; but why do I blame his memory in this, he lately averred the same before Mr. Ford Minister in Exon, as he confessed to me and Mr. Eveleigh, and I have some cause to believe this, for that since my coming to Exon, which was in 1651. he and his wife were my constant auditors, and afterward joined in Church-fellowship with us. But I never heard that Mr. Downs dealt with them for separating from him; having prepossessed his Reader with his actual membership, under Mr. Downs inspection, he gives us an account, when the Church (to which I stand related) was gathered, (viz. 1650.) Here he trips again (the man will be angry if I say he lie, and so will his Prolocutors too) it was about the middle of the year, 1651.  
After he gives the reason of their proposing themselves to this Church, namely the report of what purity of Ordinances, and excellent administrations we had amongst us, even to admiration, which great report he saith even rapt them up to a fools paradise.  
Here Reader take notice upon what slender grounds this couple desire communion of Saints; had they consulted with the Oracles of God to know his will, and how he could be worshipped, they had given the world a better account of their holy and tender consciences, then to engage so far, and so long in a fools paradise, barely upon a common fame of pure administrations.  
I am bold to say, that the rise of Apostasy hath been hence, unsound professors grow big with expectations in the ways of God, and then missing of them like sick persons, that desire a change of beds and chambers: they are restless in their spirits till (under a pretence of trying all things and ways) they at length throw up all their religion; I cannot but take notice to what a straight Mr. A. is brought, when he knows no way to vindicate his wife, save by jeering at pure Ordinances, and confessing himself and his wife in a fools paradise for years together.  
But it seems, though they were proposed, they were put off; I do not remember this, nor believe this part of the Narrative; but if they were, was it for ignorance or scandal? some reason sure is given? why is he ashamed to discover it? well, but the fault is mended, whatever it was, for they were afterward admitted, p. 2.  
True they were; but with how little freedom the Reader may see in the printed notes of my Sermon, p. 21. They continued with us about four years: Reader, If thou livest near them, know of them, where they were communicants the other 3. or 4. years? I warrant thee thou will never find them at Mr. M. Downs his communion table: of what fold were they all that while? were they strayers, and was there no shepherd to look after them?  
Next I shall examine the grounds for Mrs. A. Separating from this Church.  
The first reason was a petition, the substance whereof was to pray the Lord Protector, not to accept of the Kingly Office.  
We are not ashamed to tell the world, that we and several other Churches, both in Devon, and elsewhere, did petition his Highness; and we laid down our reasons against his accepting the title of King: And whereas it is supposed, that there was treason in the said petition, sure he shown little good will to us, that he would suffer us to persist in any treasonable undertaking, and not endeavour to hinder us, and as little affection did he show to the present Government, that if we were guilty as much as the Archbishop, or Strafford, he should conceal this, and thereby become guilty of misprision of Treason: may not I say that this man is either a traitor or liar? let him extricate himself from this Dilemma: The great certifiers for him are little beholding to him, that they must tell the world that Mr. Toby Allein is a man to whose words credit is given, and always well affected to the Common wealth, and yet here charged with lying or concealing of treason: But we may say, as Gen. 49.23. The Archers sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him, but, etc. Joseph is accused as an enemy to the Chastity of his Mistress, yet the true reason and ground of his accusation, was not his enmity, but his faithfulness thereunto, though the matter of our accusation be opposition to authority, yet I make little question, but the true and real cause thereof, was my affection to it, for which I have suffered sufficiently as a temporizer; he knows well what a mercy we count it, that under the shadow of this Government we can enjoy our consciences: but if he could by this artifice, alienate the chief Governors affections from us, so as to deliver us into the hands of others, our ruin would be sure and speedy; however we trust that our Lord Christ is as tender of our lives and liberty as ever, and will continue to give a charge to them that rule, to put forth their power for our preservation and comfort, though this Tobiah (like him of old) endeavour our ruin.  
He tells us, p. 3. That this was the first disrelish his wife had of our proceed. Here you may take notice, that for several years it pleased God so to accompany us with his presence, that there was no just advantage given to this woman, until this petition was signed; it seems then that our proceed against Mrs. Parr (whom we had long before with their consent suspended) were liked by both: and yet in his Epistle he affirms, he saw no crimes proved against his wife or Mr. Par, That might argue the parties guilty, and that both have been before excommunication, and since unblameable in their walkings. How could this man of such a good name and reputation, and so well esteemed of, and beloved for his godly conversation, Consent to the suspension of Mrs. P. and walk with us so long after, and never discover to any fellow member or Officer (that we can hear of) our wronging such an innocent.  
But I may not leave him thus: was this the first disrelish? he is mistaken; my faithfulness to his wife, in charging sin upon her, for defaming her sister in law, swollen her with prejudice, and with such prejudice, that when I desired a conference with her, she refused it, alleging that I forced her to that which was against her conscience, in confessing her faulty carriage to her sister, as the Reader may see in the notes of my Sermon, p. 22.  
Well, However the dissatisfaction began, yet dissatisfied she was, and now forsooth, she fears, the Church carried on some particular man's interest: I wonder what that man should be, I bless God, I know not his name, I will not plough with his Heifer, to know the meaning of this, but will contentedly let it pass. Quorsum hoc, to what end is all this? but to insinuate with the Reader, as if he and his wife alone were the people that had no state ends, nor politic interests, nor worldly preferments in their eye: and yet in the next lines she begs, that he would be exceeding wary, what he did and have respect to himself, her, and her children; now Reader, the paint gins to wear off, and self will be found the by as of this woman, the thread of self advantange will be seen running through this whole piece: she had for sometime before bewailed the bitterness of the Presbyterians toward her husband, because differing from them in opinion, and perceiving some hazards to his trade (should he abide among us) she hath found out this expedient to alienate her own and husband's affections from us: and yet, — Primati nil habetista domus.  
Although she thus reflect on us, yet if her husband may be believed, she was yet to the Church very quiet; too quiet in one sense, that being offended to our treasonable practices, and driving on particular men's interests, she had not discharged her duty in giving admonition, and desired satisfaction from the supposed offenders; but I think he means it in another sense, she is yet very quiet, this the Reader must observe, lest he think as some do, that she deserves the Poet's Character.  Molliter irasci non sciet illa tibi. 
2. The second reason for her saparation was, a members using such words in prayer as these, concerning the Lord Protector, Lord humble him, what would he have, is not he high enough already? well, I must profess myself to be a stranger, to any reflections of this nature upon his Highness, and wish from my heart that T.A. and and all his prolocutors were but as faithful hearty friends to the Protector, as that party is whom he secretly fathers these expressions on. And though he insinuates, as if he were of Mr. Feakes way, yet afterward confesseth a day of thanksgiving was appointed by the Church to bless God for his preventing some insurrection by the fifth Monarchy men: Oportet mendacem esse memorem. But it seems this kind of praying, so wrought upon T.A. himself, that he resolves, that if the said member prayed so again, he would never hear him more: A strange resolution! should he be impartial, from how many would he withdraw upon a true account? Here I must caution my brethren to be wary for the future, how they let fall words of reflection, lest they thereby lose one of their Auditory. Well, how slightly soever I look on this, it hath so great influence on Mrs. A. that hereupon she gins to flag in her affections to our way, as he tells us, p. 4. did she but now begin to flag? it seems then the petition of pretended treason was more tolerable than the prayer. And why had not so great an offender been (at least) admonished, or why must her affection's flag to the whole Church and way she walked in from one man's delinquency? and why must every thing that was amiss, now be thought on by her? here he would make his Reader believe there were many things amiss amongst us, he names none, (I take it for granted there are none) for he loves us so dearly he would be sure to blaz on them) except what is given as a  
3. The third Reason for her separation, the expressions of some members, who in making out their experiences at their admissions, spoke of such sins as are not to be named, which things she said bordered too nigh Auricular confession, p. 4.  
1. Let the Reader consider, that it is no new thing for persons when admitted to discriminating Ordinances to confess their sins? compare, Mat. 3.6. with Luke. 3.10, 14. as Mr. Hildersham observes in the Lectures on the 51 Psalms p. 148. The people came and cried out, O Sir, we have been unmerciful to the poor, seeking ourselves only without all care of the good of others; the publicans came and cried, we have been worse than so, for we have been shameful extortioners, and under colour of law and pretence of right, we have got men's goods unjustly from them; the Soldiers came and cried, O Sir, We have been worse than all these, for we have by violence, without all colour of right, spoiled many: see more Hild. p. 161.  
2. If there were any undecencies in persons at their admissions, why had there not been some faithful counsels administered to prevent what he would publish for our shame?  
3. His wife if not himself, show their ignorance, in thinking such a course borders on Auricular confessions: Auricular confessions is a phrase used to denote that which is required amongst the Papist, viz. that every one do confess all his sins, though private to the Priest alone, Whispering the same into his care, now what a shame is that put on us in the application hereof to our course in our admission? surely the conscience of Mr. T.A. cannot but acquit us of popery and treason.  
There is somewhat more observable in the 4. p. That his wife was much discontented with him— What need the world know more of that? but the cause is weighty— let it pass, though I cannot let pass the words, she then threw forth; she apprehended that some of them did carry on a selfish carnal design: A strange inference; He that can gather Grapes of thorns, and figs of thistles may happily see the naturalness of this deduction; I will not asperse T.A. with the filth of his own kennel; I will not say that his wife advised him to separate from us, to save the incident charges of the church, to save a sum of money, that he had subscribed for the erecting of a Gallery in Peter in the West, and to farther his trade in vending Serges; but ask him Reader, whether the tenor and strain of this accusation be not purely satanical? being drawn to the life according to that pattern. Job 1.9. Doth Job serve God for nought? for as the Devil there seeketh to traduce, and embase that external course of sanctity and uprightness which Job held, by falsely charging it with sinister ends and motives, so doth the pamphleter most unworthily calumniate and deprave the Candid intentions of a Church of Christ: but wherein lay the selfishness of this design/ He ill consults for self that joins to this Church in Exon, where the way of God hath the same portion of Calumnies, lying, reproaches, as in the days of old, Acts 28.22. Against which as a sect, every one speaks liberally, and where the spirits of men are so exasperated, that we own our very lives as well as liberties, to the restraining Providence of God, and the vigilant care and tenderness of his Vicegerent.  Turpe est— Cum Gulpa redarguit ipsum. 
But I pass on to the fourth reason  
4. For her separation which was a Covenant, and therein two things distasteful, the one whereof was a tying of the members wholly to hear their own Officers, when they preached, and no other without their leave: And the other was that we were to expect a greater blessing from their ministry, than any others, p. 5.  
To which I give this Answer.  
1. There was no Covenant at that time, drawn up, much less to be taken by the Church; and therefore that is false which the pamphleter suggests, only there was a paper of mutual duties betwixt officers and people, with Scriptures annexed to them, for the Church to consider of.  
2. Whereas it is suggested, that all or a great part thereof was assented to by the Church, p. 5. It is abominably false; for they did hardly debate the tenth part of the said paper: you may see how bold and lavish this man is, now that he is guarded with his Testimonial.  
3. I am not ashamed to declare it as my judgement, that members ought ordinarily to hear their own officers, and may expect a greater blessing from their Ministry, than any others; and dare avouch that this opinion is no other than what Prelatical, Presbyterial and Congregational men do generally own and defend. In the same Page he would make the Reader believe, that forthwith his wife joined to Mr. M. Downs, before any member had admonished her: which I am confident is abominably false, and I have more than Ordinary cause to fear that he himself was convinced in his own conscience of the falsehood of it, let his own words be but weighed: who can imagine that she having professed so much sorrow for her departing from Mr. Downs, and pretending the judgements of God had followed her for the same, that her husband would after this, desire her to join with us (against whom she was so displeased for the reasons aforesaid) as a member with us, I cannot let this pass before I have taken notice of the grounds of her (pretended) return to Mr. Down, namely God's displeasure against her, manifested in her children's death, and her own sickness for departing from him: surely as a late writer hath observed, the providences of God are written in the dark and unlegible Characters, which though they may soon be discerned to be his hand, yet to decipher the sense and meaning of them is a task that ofttimes exceeds the line of humane wisdom: They are like the the hand-writing on the wall, Dan. 5.5. where part of the hand that wrote it Belshazzer saw, but the meaning of it, neither he nor the most learned of his Chaldeans could find out: to interpret the mind of God in his providences requires the skill and wisdom of a Daniel: and let the Reader take notice that God hath seemed to put a check upon this inferrence from Providence, by the death of one of her children, since her separation and excommunication, and whilst this lying pamphlet lay in the press, p. 6. He tells his Reader, that Mr. Ford was traduced, but by whom I know not, only still I find T. A. peccant in neglecting to admonish one with whom yet he was in fellowship: sure he that allows himself in the omission of fraternal correption deserves not such a Testimonial of his godliness. Immediately he chargeth us with common slighting of others that are not of our way (though never so godly): this is a false imputation, and suggested by the accuser of the brethren: Had we commonly slighted godly men of different persuasions, it had been an intolerable crime, and he ought not to have put it up, without dealing with us about it: is there no way for Mr. A. to make his own and his wife's face clean but by throwing dirt in the face of a Church of Christ? p. 7. He confesseth that the manner of his wife's withdrawment from us, was according as is set forth by Mr. Malls' account: She refused to obey the voice of Christ in his commands, Mat. 18.15, 16. She refused to hear the first and second party, and so successively; and if the Church did send for her, she would not come near them, for she did not mean to be so tossed up and down as some others had been: so that, Reader, had her grounds of separation been just (though the contrary doth appear to all uninterested persons) yet the manner of her separation is altogether unjustifyable; and whereas she pretends she desired that the business might be determined by two other Ministers, and myself with Mr. Mall. I shall reply two things.  
1. How doth this accord with what is said by T.A. p. 8. where to find fit persons for the resolving this question, we knew not; being both of us tender to engage the Ministers of the City, lest it might prove of ill consequence, or beget some anunosity between them upon the desiding of the question? why was she not as tender of preventing animosities in offering the determination of the business to two Ministers as in stating the question?  
2. But to clear up matters more fully know, that toward the end of September last, I occasionally met with Mr. Alleins' father, who signified to me that his daughter in law (the party censured) did with tears in her eyes profess her willingness to leave herself to the determination of any two Ministers within the City or without (she was indifferent) that might confer with me and end the business in controversy, whereupon (though I told him it was a great reflection on her Pastor that he could not be admitted to treat with her unless others might be present; it was a tacit charging me with unfaithfulness, and that I had never given her cause for such estrangements) yet however I pitched on two Ministers Mr. Ferdinando Nicols and Mr. Thomas Down and sent her husband notice of it, who was overjoyed at my condescensions, as hoping to reduce his wife by this expedient; but she in stead of this flies off from her pretensions to her father in law, and would not refer herself to them. p. 8. I find Mr. T. A. and his wife agree to have the case stated whether those things before mentioned (at which she was so much offended) were sufficient cause to withdraw from my Church (as he calls it) and go to another? Had he consulted with the Presbyterian books concerning separation, he might have been satisfied: Mr. Brinsley would have told him that is an unwarrantable separation which is either  
1. Unjust, When there is no persecution, no spreading errors or heresy, no Idolatry, nor superstition maintained in the Church.  
2. Which is either when the cause pretended is but light, or when the separation is sudden and heady, without due endeavour and expectance of reformation in the Church: Brinslies Arraignment, p. 24.25. Or he might have perused Mr. Manton on jude, who would have taught him that the only lawful grounds of separation are intolerable persecution, damnable heresy, gross Idolatry, p. 496. and that lawful separation on these causes, must not be sudden till all due courses be tried, p. 497. And now Reader, do but reflect on the four grounds of Mrs. A. her separation and thou canst not but discern, how groundless and rash even in the account of brothers (dissenting from 〈…〉 separation is: we are neither accused of heresy, Idolatry or superstition, and she never declared her resolutions to leave us, or any grounds thereof, or endeavoured to be satisfied about any thing burdensome to her, until we admonished her of disorderly walking in neglecting Church-fellowship with us, we had not an hint of any of her discontents. Hitherto I have followed this pamphleter to see and show his weakness in justifying this wife's neglecting Church-fellowship and withdrawing from us: I shall next take notice what he pleads for her other sin of running from him: p. 8. 9 he pretends, as if the end of that motion was satisfaction, whether she might withdraw from us; what need so much impatience if she had actually been in Communion with Mr. Downs people? Here Reader I shall give thee some probabilities that she intended not for Taunton in this expedition.  
1. At her departure from her husband in the morning she told him in a passion she would leave him, as he confessed with tears in his eyes to Capt. Roll and Lieut. Owen, about four of the Clock the same day; and yet p. 34. of his Truth's Manifest, he knows in in his own Conscience that she never entertained the least thoughts of deserting him; is not this a bold liar?  
2. Was she so poorly beloved in Exon that she could not borrow an horse for love or money? where she had her birth and breeding, such as it was.  
3. Was she not great bellied, and consequently unfit for travel on foot? so near her time, it seems, that p. 35. of his book she was glad to Carry her midwife with her. Will any Reader think that she in such a Condition would take such a Journey for such an end.  
4. Would she have pitched on such an infamous woman as Dame, who had run to Ireland as her Brother Mongwel confessed after another woman's husband? Had she no relations that she might trust to convey her in case her husband's Company was not so proper?  
5. Why did they not proceed in their journey? what though her brother could not accompany her, must she needs return being in her journey more than half the way, especially when she could go with more Credit to Taunton then before? but,  
6. If the Mare was sent for to convey her to Taunton, what should Dame her Companion or Midwife do? must she ride upon the Muggle of the Mare?  
7. But is it likely that she would send about fifteen miles for a Mare to expedite this journey?  
8. Is Honnington in the road way to Taunton?  
9 There are several persons that then lay in the house that heard the Landlady say, that Mr. T.A. could not be admitted for a while into his wife's Chamber, and that Mrs. A. did confess to her, that she left her husband because of a different way from her. Well but he thinks to excuse, by a friendly lodging he had that night with her p. 9 it was sure but part of the night, I think it was near nine of the Clock before he took horse to find her out: for her friendliness to him I will not meddle with it, only it Cost him dear, to travel so unseasonably, and to engage (as was reported) that he would never join with us more.  
10. Her journey was sinful in the opinion of both husband and wife p. 10. he saith, she was sensible of her sin in going from him without his privity, and desired the Lord to humble her for it, and desired him to forgive her. Well, grant this, yet the offence became public, Honnington and Exeter Rang with this scandal, and the Church account themselves obliged to take notice of it, and they appoint members to admonish her of it, but she refuseth to hear them as she was wont: Now let the Reader Judge, whether this is so slight àn offence, and whether a Church of Christ have not power to deal with such an offender, although she be forgiven seventy times seven by her husband, yet no appearance of sorrow was seen by any of us, for her opening the mouths of wicked men against Religion; therefore we expecting saisfaction but missing of it, we resolved to follow this offendor according to the instruction given us, Math. 18.15.16.17.  
In the same page he adviseth his Reader to take notice, that the Church were ignorant of the occasion and end of her journey, and yet, etc. No wonder if Ignorant of the occasion of that scandalous motion, when her own husband knew it not till he found her in Honnington; and as for the end, though he pretends it was to Receive satisfaction Concerning some scruple, yet I do not believie it: How ever he hath been taught in Peter's, that it is a most sad thing, when a man hath nothing to say for the justifying of himself, but this, that he hath a good meaning in such an action; it is no question, a man may have a kind of good meaning in that which is nothing but wickedness; the best intention in the world is not good enough to make an evil action to be good. Good is a perfection as evil is a defect, and all perfection must come from the concurrence of all the causes to complete it: what think you of Lot's Daughters, their end was that they might preserve seed on earth, yet this would not Justify them in such an abominable act as that was: yea, he hath been taught, that no man can have a good intention in a wicked action; how can a man have a good end, as long as he walks by a crooked rule, and useth indirect means for the obtaining of his end? it doth imply, it is a contradiction: The obedience of he Creature to its maker is the end for which it was made, honouring of God by obeying him, is the end of a Christian: now how can he aim at the glory of God that taketh a direct course to disobey him?  
But if his wife's end was so good in that swift motion of hers, why had it not been made known when the two others were sent to his wife? Why did she refuse conference with them? She known well enough that the scandalousness of the action was notorious, and did it not become her (or her husband in her behalf) to satisfy us about this glorious end? Besides, why had she such a ruff carriage toward those two Brothers, when coming to her in a message from Christ, and his Church, p. 10.11. We know she is a ruff piece, but that was a strange time so to express herself, when she lay under so much guilt, as that he confesseth, she asked him forgiveness, and said, she was sensible of the evil of that journey, and desired the Lord to humble and forgive her for it: When David had truly repent of his sin, though a Shimei accosted him, he was not rough towards him; though this pamphleter be overbold in his lying imputations, yet the Lord did not Permit him to charge the brethren with any uncivil carriage in their conference with his wife, only he confesseth that (which needed no proof) that his wife was rough, yet upon this repentance (though questionable enough) he forgives her, so might we: had she with tears professed (to us) Herself sensible of the evil of her journey, desiring the Lord to humble her, and forgive her for it. To this was she bound by the Law of the same God that obliged her to ask her husband forgiuness, her sin being public, her repentance should have been public, she had scandalised the Church, and she ought to have sought forgiveness from them, as well as from her husband: There is a twofold forgiveness.  
1. That which is opposed to hatred, grudges, and unjust desire of revenge, thus we were to forgive her, whether she repent, or no.  
2. That which is opposed to the censures of the Lord Jesus in his Churches, and so we are bound not to forgive unless there be visible repentance; and therefore we are not ashamed to say, that such a scandalous sin is unpardonable to a Church-member, without the Church's satisfaction, though he as an husband may pardon the scandalousness of it, as relating to himself, yet not as relating to the Church; and had he consulted either for the peace of his own conscience, or the safety of her soul, he would have taken an occasion from her private confessions to prevail with her for a public acknowledgement; but he neglecting his duty, and his wife hers the Journey having opened so many mouths against Religion, and the pretended end being concealed from the Church, they thought themselves bound in conscience to use the last remedy that Christ had left them, namely to set apart a day to censure her for her offences, and contumacy.  
At this he tells us, p. 11. he was so offended, that therefore he abstained from our meetings: whereas long before we had brought his wife's business to an head; he was observed to neglect fellowship, whereupon he was summoned to appear before the Church, and promised to come; but a common liar (as he now proves himself in print) will break his word; instead of coming, he writes a letter, and for the choiceness of it he hath published it. p. 12.13, 14. which letter I shall branch into a double charge, and a threefold defence.  
In his charge I shall consider, First, His charge of the Church in general, for separation; we believe separation to be a very great sin. I am ready to say with August. Contra parmen: non esse quicquam gravius sacrilegio schismatis. How far T.A. is guilty of it himself, we may fear from his Title page where he styles himself a Late member; but seeing he hath laid the charge, it will concern him to make it good, by showing to what body this Church was ever united according to the rules of Christ, and that such an union hath been desolved by them: Which I am sure he can never evince.  
There is another charge of several members, who (he saith) have much defamed him, so as to make him a perjured person, because Mr. M.D. baptised his child. This I believe is a lie, though I think he gave just cause of trouble to many thereby; he pretends even in this letter that he forbore to partake with other Churches, because he would not offend us, and yet he known that his carrying his child to another Minister would offend them, as much, if not more: and indeed hath more offended, because of those many solemn serious professions of his, that he was not changed in his principles, and had resolutions to continue in our fellowship) but if there were any such as so defamed him, did not they trespass against him; and why will he live in the constant neglect of so plain a duty, as telling it between him and the offender, and in case of party or parties had not been reduced, to have taken others in order to their healing; but be forgiveth without their ask him mercy. What ever principle of forgiving an offending brother he pretends to, yet he should have studied that in Luk. 17.3.4. take heed to yourselves, if thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him, and if he repent, forgive him, and if he trespass against thee, seven times in a day, and seven times in a day, turn again to thee, saying, I repent, thou shalt forgive him; from which words the late large Annotators infer that charity must connive at sin, but discreetly reprove it, and refer us to Levit. 19.17. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart, thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour and not suffer sin upon him; but perhaps the captain is better for a desensive posture, then for a charge.  
I shall now view him standing on his guard.  
1. He seems to defend himself from any charge, for forbearing our company, by saying, that after salutes, presently the discourse was about his wife, which was as gravel to his teeth. Surely he hide it within his gums, I do not know any persons, that he can justly charge with such discourses, but some of our brethren did pity his condition, and laboured to support him under troubles, that his wife did occasion: this I say; this I know. I dare challenge him to instance in any person, that so gravelled him, as he complains; Mr. Toby his memory is not so shallow, that he can forget what discourses we have had with him about his wife, have been for reducement, and for his direction, rather than for his wife's defamation: yea, he knows that I have desired conferences with him about spiritual things of the highest nature: but if any of the brethren fed him with gravel; nay, if any one said, if the unbeliever departed, let him departed; I am very confident he never shown the least distaste to such a person, or persons, until he went about to publish this grievance in the Church.  
2. Secondly, He goeth about to defend himself, for his absence from our Church-assemblies, which he calls private meetings: to which I reply, that when a Church of Christ is convened for the worship of God, I know not how to call it a private meeting, any more than the meetings of the Saints in the primitive times, when though they met in houses, their meetings were public; one reason of his absence seems to be taken from our debate, and discourses about his wife. This is but pretended, and founded, upon a falsehood, a double falsehood; 1. We have had very seldom debates about her, in our Church-assemblies, the works lying on the officers to prepare and ripen matters for the Churches proceed: and 2. To show the invalidity of his defence, both to this and to the former charge; I do most confidently affirm, that he hath several times pretended another reason for both, viz. His hopes of reducing his wife by forbearing our company a while; as for what he subjoins of his being of another apprehension, as to the matter in controversy between us and his wife, than the Church was: this is a witnessing to the truth of what his wife charged him with, that he was of her opinion, though he often denied it.  
Another reason of his absence seems to be some brethren vilyfying his wife, at their doors, shops, and tables: this is a false imputation, he will never be able to prove his defence: besides the thread of neglecting fraternal corruption runs through the veins of all his calumnies, as you will find anon.  
3. He defends himself against an objection that he supposeth might be made against him for his absenting from the Lords Table: the reason whereof, he tells us was because Mr. Savery was unsatisfied, and lest the Church should be offended.  
1. As to that branch of Mr. Saveries being offended: an understanding Reader would rather think that he was offended that views, p. 11. saying, that his letter to him carried so much, if not more in the terms thereof, as to set T.A. at variance with his wife. But that the Reader may know, who is the offending party, I have prevailed with him for a copy of his letter, sent to him, August 22. 1657.  
Dear Brother,  
And beloved in the bowels of our Lord Jesus Christ's Grace and peace be ever your Portion.  
Having of late not had an opportunity to confer with you, and fearing to come to your house because of your wife, have made bold to present you with these few (though much confused) lines, to give you to understand, how much my soul is grieved for your disorderly walking; I mean your absenting yourself from our private meetings; to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, is a sin, and I may boldly say, such a sin as carries many others in the bowels of it; you may see how the Holy Ghost doth condemn such an unsaint like practice, in Heb. 10.24, 25. your often withdrawing from us, hath drawn these lines from me; what your excuses be I know not, I must tell my fears and Jealousies; which are, that they will not hold weight in the balance of the sanctuary; if the wife of your bosom do divert you, give me leave to tell you, as my Lord hath told me in Luke 14.26, 27, 33. You cannot be his Disciples, if your multiplicity of business in the world hinder you from waiting upon God in those Galleries, where he hath so eminently appeared: Oh sit down and consider, that Scripture in Mat. 16.26. and so with 1 joh. 2.15. Love not the world; and what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? what shall we who profess ourselves to be the children of the most high, live upon things so low as the world is? what shall we be so earnest for a dying world when our immortal and never dying souls lies at stake? Oh Dear Brother, Remember God will not be mocked; if we bring forth the fruits of the flesh, doubtless we shall reap corruption, and confusion of face forever; truly a name to live and a report to be a Christian, will not stand in the day of appearance: all that I shall say more for the present, is to desire, that the good Lord would grant us such Revelations of Christ, as that it might make us to cast out and cut off what ever is displeasing to him: I should not have been faithful, had I not told you my mind. Now the Father of Spirits give you a heart to receive it as an humble hearted Christian would do; and take it all in Brotherly and Gospel love from him, who is,  
Yours (whilst you are Christ's) in Gospel Bonds. THOMAS SAVERY.  
I do not see that this Letter should breed strife betwixt him and his wife, I dare be Compurgator for T.S. he never in the least intended it: but T.A. is very exact in drawing thorns from Grapes; any man that doth but compare his after inferences from my Sermon, p. 26. 27. 29. 31. 35. may discern it. But suppose he was offended with Mr. S. why did not he discharge duty towards him? Would he suffer a person to lie in so great a sin from Aug. 22. to Feb. 4. without following him by first and second admonition. But (to return to the Letter) Mr. Savery is unsatisfied, and the Church knows of it, by what means should the Church come to the knowledge of it, seeing Mr. Savery never brought it to their hearing; they had indeed known it on February 4. if I had observed his irregular desires. But was he unsatisfied with T.A. why did not T.A. agree with him quickly, according to that Math. 5.25. If Church members take this Liberty to dissatisfy persons in Communion with them, and do not carefully discharge duties mutually, a Church will soon lose their purity and will become a Babel: still Reader, Mr. Savery is unsatisfied and now T.A. grows bold, satisfied or not; to the Lords Table he will, as if he had never read, Math. 5.23.24. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there remember'st that thy brother hath aught against thee, Leave there thy gift and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy brother and then Come and offer thy gift. I wonder who those are, that he thinks more wise and Godly than himself; that would advise him to go to that Lovefeast, till he had made up a difference between him and his brother? And therefore his desire was unreasonable, to ask of us liberty to come to the Lords Table, when the difference between him and Mr. Savery had disabled him, and being never suspended, he needed not crave that privilege. In the close of his letter he intended to oblige the Church, by wiping off an ill name, they had got: Did he publish this letter and his Book for this reason? Or would any man think his subscription, Yours to Command in any service for Christ, can possibly consist with such passages as I find in his Book? where he accuseth us of unrighteousness in his epistle, and of raising and spreading false reports, as Traitors p. 2.3. as slighting all that are not of our way p. 6. as glad of any occasion to censure his wife p. 10. as overreaching Mris. Par p. 28. as proud, as thinking there are no pure Ordinances but in such Churches p. 31. 41 as tollerating of wicked persons amongst us p. 41. as miscalling other Churches, looking on them as Babylonish and Synagogues of Satan p. 28.42. and compareth us to the Pope and Pharisees p. 32.39. is this the man to whom we are dear still even to the fourth of February? And is this the way to wipe off what he can, that ill name that is laid upon us?  
Thus have I considered the letter whose Subscription runs to my Honoured friend Mr. L.S. to be Communicated to the Church who (they say) are unsatisfied: Which was it seems the intent of that paper, and the subject matter of it confirms it, though he would delude his Reader with another inscription, p. 12. with this, A letter from Mr. Toby Allein To Mr. Lewis Stucley, to be communicated to his Church before they excommunicated his wife: here a simple Reader will think the intent of the letter, was to prevent the excommunication of his wife, whereas he that Reads it narrowly, will see that it is rather to prevent his own: He doth but as in a parenthesis name somewhat, that his wife was dissatisfiea about, the invalidity whereof I have already evinced to the judicious Reader; neither was that meeting (from which he absented himself And therein broke his Solemn promise) appointed in relation to his wife's affairs, but his own. By this time I have given thee an account that this Pamphleter doth unjustly charge me with unfaithfulness to him, and the Church for not communicateing it, according to the directions given p. 15. Unfaithfulness supposeth some preceding obligation; I know no ties on any Pastor to communicate to his Church all the papers that private persons would have divulged to them, should I be bound to that, I might foone fill the ears of my Congregation with rude undigested stuff, or with unseasonable matter: Was it fit for me to countenance him in an irregularity, of bringing in several charges, against some members, before he had admonished them privately? Or would it have been wisdom in me, to communicate his reflections on the Church in general, before he had made a Just defence for himself? Besides, in his paper, there are some passages so obscure, that I could not understand, as p. 13. this and such like say, begat in me some dissatisfaction, which, for want of better observation, I thought z●aie, which, when my good Father heard I Remember etc. With whom he was dissatisfied I do not understand, nor what he means, by zeal, whether he was dissatisfied with his wife, or with the Church, and what the antecedents are to those relatives.  
p. 17. He gives you an account of a letter from Mrs. Par (who he saith was a late member of my Church, and long since deserted them; how a late member, and yet long since deserted us) and Mistress Allein, to which I need not say much, any judicious Reader may see, it robs parricular Churches, of that power and Authority which Christ hath entrusted them with, of trying and censuring their own delinquent members, upon a pretence that the whole Church are parties; to which we might retort many things, if it were needful; but he Pamphleter takes it for granted, that a particular Church may excommunicate (in his Epistle) and that which he dislikes in several Pages, is our censuring the parties for petty small offences; moreover so far are either of them, in this paper, from confessing any of their scandals, that they rather would asperse us, as if the evil we were censuring them for, was their communicating in the Ordinances of Christ, with others of God's people that will admit them to their communion: Sure March the seventh was of all the days in the week, the most improper to blot paper with slanderous reflection.  
By this time I suppose I have almost wearied my Reader, with enlarging on the unchristian liberty, which this Pamphleter hath taken to make both my person and the Church I walk with odious to the world, but I may say as it was told Ezekiel, Behold yet greater abominations; he is not contented to falsify, and pervert actions, but p. 20. he jeers at the workings of the blessed Spirit, in those mournings and lament which God was pleased to bestow upon his people, upon that sad day; this he blasphemously calls a hideous howling cry, and accounts so just a censure to be but like the Pope's bull, a beast when it roars the loudest, p. 33. I should the less wonder at these expressions, had not this T.A. been once present, when this censure was inflicted on Ganicle; hath this poor soul forgotten how they sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in them; yea, what clearing of themselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge? The Author of the History of the Council of Trent (though a papist) would have taught him more Christianity, who saith p. 330. That the excess of charity in correcting (speaking of the censure of excommunication) did make the corrector feel greater pain than the corrected, so that in the Church no punishment was imposed without great lamentation of the multitude, and greater of the better sort, and this was the cause why to correct was called to lament; so St. Paul rebuking the Corinthians, for not chastifing the incestuous, said, you have not lamented to separate such a transgression from you.  
And must this scurilous tongue report that days mourning for his wife's misery to be howling and hideous howling? and compare it to the Pope's roaring Bull? how can this Ishmael that is grown up, and become a scoffer of Isaac, hope to keep his reputation among them, who know what sighs and groans in duty means? it was indeed a sad and black day, and this the excommunicates will know to their everlasting shame and sorrow without repentance; however this adamant heart may flout and jest at our sense of the misery of these contumacious wretches for a while: I know, and am persuaded, that we have cause given us to glory in that which he would publish for our shame; we bless God that the place of our assembling ourselves together was turned into a Bochim, and that the great holy God was pleased to give us frames of mourning, becoming the work of such a day; we remember well, we are not the first that have been so traduced, and if this be to be vile, we desire to be more vile, if ever such a sad occasion present itself again.  
This Pamphleter having cast such blaze aspersions upon the workings of God in the hearts of his people, and having misshaped the Congregation, his next work is to lay me low in the eyes of all men, by printing somewhat of my Prayer for the Reader to view, to make way for his own false observations, that afterwards he annexeth.  
I have already in a solemn place witnessed against those lies, with which I am charged, and should have hoped for so much ingenuity from a professing people, that they would have given credit to me, in my disowning the Blasphemy, Lies, Contradictions, and incoherences of such papers; but this I feel and find by sad experience, that when persons are engaged in spreading lies to defame their brethren, they will hardly be persuaded to retract their uncharitable practices against them; it had suited with a Gospel-spirit in Ministers, and others, to have known of me, whether I delivered such passages, as the bold man fathers on me, before they had believed them, or any way contributed to the spreading of them; this is not to walk by that (generally applauded) rule, Mat. 7.12. All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; this is not to love thy neighbour as thyself, this is not to uphold the credit of the Minister, and the esteem of our brethren in the Ministry, this is not to deal faithfully with our brethren, and not to suffer sin to lie upon each other, and freely and lovingly give to, and receive admonitions from each other, for any evil that shall be discovered in either of us.  
I do once again profess to my brethren in the Ministry, and to all others, that I am exceedingly wronged by these reports, and if this do not satisfy thee, if thou wilt credit more on H.R. (a person so notorious, that I believe few will certify for his godly conversation) rather than believe a Minister of the Gospel: I may say, now walkest not thou charitably; Religion will teach thee to suspend rather thy determining any thing in this matter; I cannot force the credit of any, but will commit my cause to God; I believe a day of Judgement is hastening upon us, and then it will be known how much sin men of all degrees have been guilty of in this matter, by saying, report and we will report. In the mean while I shall give thee a double Certificate from the members of my own, and some of other Congregations.  
A Printed Pamphlet under the name of Mr. Toby Allein, coming lately to our view, and finding therein somewhat styled a prayer, which is by him asserted to be Mr. Stucleys, we cannot but judge ourselves obliged in duty and conscience, to testify to all that desire to be informed of the truth, that several passages therein, are to our knowledge forged, and invented, and several other material passages omitted, and several incoherences inserted; so that we are verily persuaded it was framed and published out of a malicious design, to traduce our honoured and beloved Pastor, and to blast the reputation of his name and Ministry, which is and will be as a sweet savour to us and many other poor souls in these parts, who enjoy the benefit and comfort of his Gifts and graces.  
Signed in the name, and with the consent of the Church, by 

Thomas Mall.  
Nicholas Eveleigh.  
John Whitehorne.    
Having often heard of many scandalous papers spread up and down, and lately seen in Mr. Toby Allein's Narrative, a Prayer said to be delivered March. 8. by Mr. L. Stucley, we account ourselves debtors both to the truth and reputation of Mr. Stucley, to declare to the world, that having then been ear-witnesses of what he delivered, we know him to be much wronged in it, for that several things are omitted which he spoke, and other things inserted which he did not deliver, we fear, that if Mr. Allein had not meant to abuse himself, he would never have printed so gross an untruth.  
Given under our hands the first of June 1658. 

Fortescue Lowman Minister  
Henry Hill.  
Nich. Hitchcock.  
George Berry.  
James Wood  
John Crossman.  
Allexander Wood  
Robert Gill.    
I shall let the Reader pass on to what remains, when I have assured him, that what a minister aspersed me with, as if one or more of my Congregation would be sworn, that the copies that were scattered up and down, was a true copy of my prayer, is a mistake, to call it by no worse name; and to assure thee of it, I shall give thee part of his letter.  
Sir, The Copy which I saw of your Prayer, was acknowledged by one or two of your Congregation to be true, except the contradiction and mistake in it, all the rest they believed was yours; the contradiction was (let us not pray for them, let us remember them in our prayers; and the mistake, viz. God is banished from their presence, instead of, they are Banished from God's presence, etc.  
Now these two members I have talked with, and they are so far from swearing to the truth of this assertion, that they affirm the contrary, yea, the contrary is granted by the limitations annexed in the letter, for if there were a contradiction and a mistake in the copy, than it was not a true copy; besides, these two persons affirm, that H.R. told them, he had omitted one or more particulars; and to say but this, thou wilt find upon a second view of the pretended prayer, that the contradiction is now totally omitted, instead of (let us not pray for them etc. but remember them in our prayers, let us remember that such and such persons are this day accursed) now T.A. p. 23. hath these words; let us not pray for them, avoid their company, but remember in our prayers that such and such persons are this day accursed.  
But the malice of Tobyah is not yet quenched with the blood of my name, unless he smites my worthy fellow-labourer Mr. T. Mall. He advanceth himself in his design, p. 25. to asperse him also, and at once condemns him for uncharitable and invective resteotions (which he will never be able to prove) and for weakness of parts, though that little part of the world wherein he hath exercised his Ministry will be sufficiently able to confute his slanderous tongue without the need of any other Apologists.  
The Author of Truth's Minifest is high flown with confidence, that by this time his infamous pen hath sufficiently prejudiced his Reader, and made way for the entertaining of what followeth, the main design whereof is to give a lying Testimonial, concerning his wife's behaviour and our opinions and practices: so it will appear by and by, when I have but rectified the Readers judgement, that may be misled by a passage in his 38, 39 p. judge how fit it is for Mr. St. to rake up this petty business, an offence indeed taken, and not given it, and to aggravate it in Pulpit and Print, beyond all truth near three years after they had been reconciled, and the same had been buried in oblivion, on purpose to bespatter and abuse my wife. How many lies there are in these few words thou will find anon: I might here refer thee to the 21.22. p. of Mr. Malls' True account, where thou wilt find that my endeavours to bring the two sisters to an agreement, begat Rancour in her spirit against me; for she confessed that the reason why she would not speak with me, though desired by me, was because of my unfaithfulness, in forcing her to ask forgiveness of her sister, and that way to make up that difference, whereby it appears they were not so reconciled as T. A. pretends, and that I had cause enough to discover that fire for my own vindication; and how petty soever this business seems to be, yet I am most confident that in the solemn day, when the books, and hearts of men and women shall be fully opened, it will appear, that it was not the want of purity among us that made her neglect our fellowship, nor our intermeddling with State affairs, nor our tying ourselves ordinarily to hear them that God hath set over us, that made her heart to groan, as he termeth it, p. 3. but her implacable malice against her sister, was the rise of her contumacy and apostasy, her spirit was too full of wrath, and discontent to walk with her sister, as Church-relation requires, and therefore embraced any the least occasion to quarrel with us. In the same p. he tells the world, that when I would write letters, I would have as much of reflection in them, as I could, that they might be ashamed to show them. If I said so, I might ask of him yet again, whether I spoke according to the Gospel or not? if I did, why did he blame me? if not, why did he not reprove me? why did he lay it up in his breast, to throw it up among his discontents? (I could never get an answer from him by letter, to this) if ever I said those words, (which I do not remember) I may have the liberty to put this sense upon them, that having to do sometime with persons, that under pretence of affection and desire of satisfaction may seek to defame me, and to take advantage against me, from my writings, I think it some patt of wisdom, to interline truth with truth, that if my letters come to the view of many, they may see the black side as well as the bright of men I writ to. But if this pamphleter intends by reflections, lies, I hope there is no judicious Reader will think me so wicked, or if so wicked, not so much a fool to lodge such a cursed defigne in the breast of T.A.  
Reader, an advantage sufficient is given me to follow this pamphleter through his observations, as before I have traced him through his narrative; but I shall content myself in giving thee, but two general observations I have observed through out his book, which I think justly slain him, more than his Testimonial can credit him, with unbyased persons.  
The first thing that I cannot but let thee see, is his constant neglect of fraternal correption: when he was admitted to our fellowship, he solemnly covenanted to admonish, and reprove those especially of that Church to which he joined, according to that, Mat. 18.15, 16. that he hath made little account of his solemn engagement, will appear by an induction of particulars, wherein (though in most things falsely) yet he hath not walked according to the express rule of our Saviour.  
1. In his Epistle he taxeth the Church in general for an unrighteous censure, and yet hath forborn to tell us all this while wherein the unrighteousness lay.  
2. p. 2,3. He chargeth us with intermeddling with State affairs, so as to make ourselves guilty of Treason; he hath suffered this supposed sin to lie upon us without admonishing us for it.  
3. p. 4. He was offended at a brother's expression in prayer: and yet I dare say he never dealt with him about it.  
4. p. 6. He supposed a brother to have scandalised Mr. Ford: but doth not his conscience tell him, he never rebuked him for that pretended slander?  
5. In the same p. he saith, we commonly slight others that are not of our way: I never heard that he so aspersed us, before I saw his book, so far was he from admonishing us, but hath suffered this (with which he now chargeth us) to lie upon us.  
6. p. 7. He looks upon it as a dangerous principle, that no others were to have to do with the business of our Church: and yet never endeavoured to rectify our judgements.  
7. p. 11. He accuseth Mr. Savery, as if he should set variance between him and his wife: But why had he not admonished him? and in case he would not have heard him, to have taken one or two more? etc.  
8. In the same p. he asperseth another; with saying, if the unbeliever departed, let him departed: but doth not his own conscience tell him, he did not admonish him? If he did, and the party received it, why doth he rake it up? he seems to blame me for this, p. 38. 39 though wrongfully; I may say to T. A. why behold thou the mote that is in thy brother eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own? thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam that is in thine own eye, etc. Mat. 7.35.  
9 pag. 12, 13, 14. He accuseth several persons for defaming his wife, whereas we cannot learn that any one was privately admonished for it.  
10. p. 20, 21, 22. He hath published a false copy of my prayer without enquring of me whether it were true or no, or admonishing me of the evil of it.  
11. pag. 25. He accuseth Mr Mall of uncharitableness, but never endeavoured privately, to show him that he was guilty of any such sin.  
12. p. 29. He saith, That I accounted partaking at the Lords Table in the Churches of Exon to be a partaking of the table of devils; though this be a brazen faced , yet why had he not admonished me for so much wickedness?  
13. pag. 30. He saith, His wife and Mrs Parr never found that purity which they expected, but were disappointed; But did he ever question the Church in general, or any particular person?  
14 p. 31. He saith, Such is the pride of Independents, they think there are no pure Ordinances but in their own Churches: But which of us did he ever admonish of this great sin?  
15. p. 35. He seems to be angry at me and some of my Church for speaking freely of Dame such things, as we can never prove, and that we very much abuse and slander her therein: to backbite is a sin, I confess, (and I wish many in Exon were more convinced of the greatness of if) but if Dame was so slandered, why had not Mr. Toby admonished such offenders?  
16. p. 36. He accuseth the Church, as being partly the occasion of Mrs. Parr lying, by our tampering with her; where also he vindicates her to asperse us, but he hath forgot what an hand he had in her suspension, and that he never declared any dissatisfaction at our proceed with her, till since March the eighth.  
17. p. 39 He saith, I told him, That when I wrote letters etc. I would have as much reflection in them as I could, that they might be ashamed to show them; if this be a true charge and a charge of sin (for I profess as he hath several times applied it to me, I do not well understand what he means by reflection) but if it was a wicked custom, in his opinion, how unfaithful was T. A. that he did not admonish me of it, especially if I accustomed myself to such kind of writing?  
18. p. 41. He says he knows as bad tolerated among us, and nothing said to them; the more is T.A. his guilt aggravated, that knowing such, he hath not to this day discovered them; how great is his sin, who shall accuse our Church members of impurity, and yet not show who the delinquent persons are? He saith also, in the same page, that we have need enough of the last use of exhortation, the Leaven being amongst us, the Leaven of the Pharisees, etc. What an unfaithful man is this, that pretends to know so much wickedness amongst us, and yet hath concealed it all this while? That he may with the greater advantage bury our names in the dust, and yet tells his Reader p. 32. That he shall not asperse us.   

REader, I shall not tyre thee and myself, to follow this Phamphleter line by line; instead of other particulars, take notice, that whereas the certifiers testify, that to his words credit is given, I have therefore annexed, what I find in his sheets, that in my apprehensions cross such a testimony, and without offence may be called mistakes or lies. Which is the second general observation.  
1. In his Epistle to the Reader, he saith, that Mr. T. M. hath published the notes of my Sermon, to spread false reports as far as possibly the Church can: When he knows in his own conscience, that persons were employed to write after me, and boasts were made, that they would publish that day's work to the world for my defamation, and that he was not contented to be very Instrumental in spreading false copies of my Prayer, but also employed some to write out my notes, in order to the press, and therefore to prevent his farther defaming me, I gave way that M. Mall should publish my Sermon.  
2. He saith also in his Epistle, That he hath made a true report of all transactions relating to his wife's excommunication; whereas he might have published to the world all my care that I expressed to him, and all the Counsel I gave him to prevent this censure.  
3. He saith in his Epistle, That he saw no crimes proved either against Mrs. Parr or his wife that deserved such a censure; and yet this very Mr. Allien acted in the suspending Mrs. Parr, as far as any of the brethren, and until the eighth of March, and since, we never heard of any the least dissatisfaction, at our proceed against her; and though he now pretend that his wife walked so unblamably before the censure, yet he hath often professed, in the hearing of several persons, that her carriage to the Church was (next to his own sins) the greatest affliction that ever he met with.  
4. Whereas in the epistle, he calls it, an unrighteous censure, he was so far convinced of his wives failing toward the Church, that when I told him at Mr. Eveleighs house, whether his wife's carriage would lead her, and assured him, that for his sake we yet spared her; he was so far from declaring a word of dislike, that he told me (with outward expression of grief) he was sensible of that, an●●●●●ired only our forbearance of proceeding against her, till she was delivered of the child she went with.  
5. In p. 1. whereas he would make the world believe as if he were a (fixed) member 〈◊〉 Mr M. Down his Church, he hath often expressed the con●●●● that he and his wife Received the Sacrament upon condition to join to a Congregation of their own principle, when God 〈◊〉 give them that liberty.  
6. In p. 2. He affirms, that he and his wife Communicated their experiences to the Church, and were not admitted, That's false, they were admitted (though with much difficulty) as is to be seen in Mr. Malls' account p. 21.  
7. p. 5. He saith, that all the greatest part of a Covenant was assented to by the Church: in which words, there are no less than two lies; it was no Covenant, and very little of that paper so much as debated, and what was assented to, was not disliked by himself.  
8. p. 5. In the same page he would have the Reader believe, as if his wife joined to Mr. M. Down his Church, before she was admonished, which is also full of falsehood.  
9 In p. 6. The traducing of Mr. Ford I believe to be a lie; but that we slight the Godly, is undoubtedly an egregious lie and slander.  
10. p. 8. 9 He tells us, that his wife acquainted him, That she would go some where to be resolved, and rising early in the morning, she went her way; whereas the search he made for her, and the tears for her departure, evidenced the contrary, and so did that consolatory language (if spoken to him) if the believer depart let her departed.  
11. Whereas p. 11. He pretends, that upon reports bruited that the Church had an intent to excommunicate his wife, he therefore abstained from our private meetings: this is also false, for he confessed to several of us, that the reason of keeping off, was the better to prevail with his wife to return.  
12. p. 12. 13. He saith, the reason of his forbearing our company both in a private, and more public capacity, was, our discourses about his wife; whereas several of us are ready to prove, that the reason he gave, was, he hoped thereby to bring his wife to the better compliance with the Church.  
13. He saith also, That he was of another apprehension than we were of as to the matters in controversy between us and his wife; this is a witnessing to the truth of what his wife charged him with, that he was of her opinion, which he often denied.  
14. p. 19 He saith, After the Letter from Mrs. P. and M A. was delivered to me, I opened it, and with two others of my Church looked it over and pocketed it up; whereas I did not open it at all, until I withdrew, and I remember not of persons that saw it then.  
15. p. 20. He saith, that my prayer after Excommunication, was as there followeth; which differeth from Ratcliffs own copy, and from another copy that I have seen, but most of all from the Prayer itself, as appears by a Certificate.  
16. p. 24, 25. It is false that which he saith concerning M. mals standing up after the prayer was ended, and saying to the Congregation, now we have separated the precious from the vile, let us renew our solemn league and Covenant; there are no less than two untruths in this, the one as to the posture, and the other as to the words.  
17. p. 28. He saith, that neither his wife nor Mrs. Par were looked on as refractory, and rebels to God and man, till they had no more any mind to stay with them, and for this they were excommunicated: this is false. Mrs. Par was dealt with by the Church, before ever she declared herself altered in her Principles, neither did Mrs. A. declare any dislike of us, or our way, before she was admonished for neglecting Church-meetings.  
18. In the same page he saith, that we look on all other Churches (that are not Congregational) as Babylonish and Synagogues of Satan; this is an egregious lie, we hold communion in all ordinances, with some Presbyterian Churches.  
19 p. 29. He saith, that upon his reasoning with me about communicating in the Lord's Supper with us, and others also, (meaning the rest of the Churches in Exon) that I should tell him be could not partake of the table of the Lord and the table of Devils: to which I say, that it is no wonder, if I understood not his meaning, he hath been such a Proteus; sure I am, I understood him not of the Churches in Exon; I do not at all remember any discourses with him about his Communicating with them; most sure I am, that I never called their Communicating Table, the Table of Devils, and as an evidence, that this is not my judgement, I dare challenge all the people in Exon, that have had discourses with me about Church affairs, to be my compurgators: this I have evidenced to some Ministers in Exon in my papers to them, (before this lying Pamphlet was writ) in not admitting a fit person of one of their Congregations to join as a member with me, which doubtless I should not have refused, had it been to have delivered him from the tables of Devils. Yea, this Mr. Allein in a letter to me, bearing date, April 19 1658. draweth an argument from my acknowledging the Churches in Exon to be true Churches, to show how unreasonable it would be, if I should be offended with him for his holding communion with them.  
20. Whereas he saith p. 30. I insinuate his wife to be a very strumpet: this is no less than a lie: I must needs give this cerificate in her behalf, that before March 8. or on that day, I had not a thought that she was such an one, and still wish, that her husband had as much truth, as she honesty: and whereas he suggests p. 35. that I omitted somewhat that I spoke in preaching, to insinuate into my auditory a suspicion of his wife's Chastity, I aver it to be a most notorious falsehood.  
21. In the same page he saith, I care not what filth and dirt I cast upon any that care not for my independent ways; this is a broad-faced lie.  
22. He saith in the same page, that the two censured persons, being disappointed of purity amongst us, went about to mend their fault by returning to those Congregations to which thy formerly belonged; this is also a lie, That Mistress Parr owned any of the present Ministers in Exon, as pastor, before she joined with us; the same I can prove of his wife.  
23. He saith in the same p. that it is a most notorious belying his wife to say she is a lawless women, that knoweth no subjection, etc. whereas he knows, how she hath taken the power of rule out of his hands by turning off a servant or servants for hearing of me, and discountenancing her own sister, almost to the turning her out of doors, even then when he manifested high affections to me and the Church: I wonder what Conscience he hath got, to account me a defamer of her, by reporting her lawless toward him? Besides I may not omit her journey to Hanniton, and her reflections on her husband another time, at Mr. Eveleighs house, when we were debating the matters in difference betwixt her and her sister.  
24. p. 31. He saith, that such is the pride of the Independents, that think there are no pure ordinances but in their own Churches. I doubt not but he accounts me one of those Independents, and therefore must profess this to be a putid lie.  
25. In the same p. he saith, in what a sad condition I put all that are not independents, as if such are not among God's people and cannot enjoy the benefit of the Covenant: this is also a falsehood of the greatest magnitude.  
26. In 31. 32. p. He would make the Reader believe, as though none were God's people but my Church, according to my teaching; this is another lying defamation.  
27. p. 32. He assures the Reader, that neither he nor his wife could ever see such eminency of Godliness in our conversations; and yet whilst his book was printing, he professed to two brethren (that were sent to admonish him) that we were the honestest people he ever came among (setting aside this business of Excommunication.)  
28. p. 33. He saith, I Slur Mr. Rutherford in my sermon; it is false, and I here publish it to the world, that I have high thoughts of him, his pious works praise him in the gates.  
29. p. 34. He tells us, that in his own conscience he knows his wife never deserted him and his family, and that she never entertained the least thoughts of it: the contrary to this is proved already from her own mouth by two witnesses, to whom he confessed that she had left him soon after her threatening to leave him.  
30. p. 35. He saith there was no exception against Dame, whilst his wife was amongst us, and had her for her keeper: to my knowledge this is false, and he himself was sufficiently burdened with her, and hath been heard to call her old whore.  
31. In the same p. he is persuaded that what I hint and some of our Church-members have said, we can never prove, but do very much abuse and slander Dame therein, when (as hath been said) it can be proved, he called her whore, nay old whore; yea, his Br. in law Mr. Mongwel will be found a liar, if he be not able to prove it.  
32. In the same p. he saith, his wife hath ever showed him as much tenderness and affectionate kindness as his heart could wish, and yet p. 8. confesseth words of heat and discontent towards him.  
33. p. 36. He saith in the behalf of Mris. Par, that the quarrel between the Church and her, began in this, she had a mind to hear some other Ministers; this is also false, the quarrel began in her contentious spirit and sowing divisions, and was increased, by lying, as you may see p. 18. & 20. of my Sermon: she was never questioned by the Church for hearing other Ministers: that is also a lie which he adds.  
34. In the same p. that because Mrs. Par was peremptory in her resolution, not to be tied from hearing others, that therefore she was excommunicated.  
35. p. 37. He impudently chargeth me with neglecting the duty of reproof towards his wife, for the space of four years. How dare this bold man assert this? but now that credit is given to his words, he takes this unchristian liberty to defame me, as he pleaseth.  
But know, Reader, that I have admonished her, and more than once, for the neglect of that duty towards her (supposed) offending sister: but besides in p. 21. of Mr. Malls' book, my words are these, I think this I may say, there is not a brother or sister here that can bare witness of her performing any Church duty to them of admonition, exhortation or reproof, and if any of you can witness for her in these things, I charge you to discover it. I speak this because if she hereafter fling dirt in this, or that, or the other persons face by reports, you may look on such things as slanders, or on her as a Covenant-breaker in not observing the rule of Christ: what little reason than hath this pamphleter Ironically to note, what a good shepherd I am &c. or to say that I can find it in my heart to curse her for neglecting to admonish others.  
36. In the same p. he chargeth me with a partial and untrue relation between his wife and her sister in law. I do profess, with all sincerity, that there was no untruth in that relation, or any partiality, unless in omitting some Circumstances, that would have aggravated her guilt; and many are ready to affirm the same.  
37. p. 38. He speaks of his wife's love, to her brother and sister in law and desire of their thriving etc. whereas this is so contrary to truth, that she persuaded her husband to be at no small charges to be rid of their company, and she said to their friends in Wilt-shire, that she would give an hundred pound out of her purse to be rid of them, and keep a day of Thanksgiving to boot.  
38. That's also false in the same p. concerning her advising her sister against carelessness in her calling. For when the differences between them were debated, it being demanded of her, by her brother, why she would go into Wilt-shire to speak evil of her sister, and had not rather (if she had aught against her) told her of it privately? she answered, she would have so done but her husband would not suffer her: False also is what is annexed, concerning her sisters taking great distaste at her for any such Counsel; how could she take great distaste at that which was never spoken to her?  
39 That's a lie which followeth, that when she was in the Eastern parts she was so careful of her sister as to wish her mother to give her such good Counsel: whereas the main end of her going into those parts was to ease her stomach against her sister, and she then told her sister's mother, that her sister had almost broke her husband's heart, and brought him into a Consumption, and would undo him, etc. and whereas he suggest, that her Mother gave her also such advice agaiast the same fault; this ill agreeth with that letter, that followed upon it, from her Mother Mris. Thurman, which is as followeth.  
Poor Soul,  
Be content to bear the burden, which it shall please the Lord to lay upon thee, it will turn to thy comfort at last. Your Sister Allein might have employed herself better when she came into our Country, than she did; but I think she came to rout all the generation of you; she thought to rout me too, but I bear of what condition she is, and I take her to be as she is, and I desire thee to take no care for what she saith, etc.  
40. Whereas he saith, that his sister in law had engaged a strong party for her. Sure I am, that his own wife had vented her discontents and slanders to many, and had so far possessed me with prejudice against her sister in law, that I have confessed in my Sermon p. 21. that at that time, I came engaged to her as the party innocent, rather than the other.  
41. He saith they frequented each others company in a friendly manner for the space of above a year, it is false.  
42. p. 39 Whereas, he saith, the offence of his wife in that business was taken and not given, it is very false. It was given and in several particulars.  
43. Whereas he saith, this offence of his wife was printed three years after they were reconciled: It was not a year and half.  
44. In this p. he is guilty of lying, in charging me with untruth; he would insinuate, that we had nothing against his wife until she had left her relation to us. Whereas she was admonished by several persons, for her neglecting the Church, before ever she deserted the Church.  
45. p. 40. He assures us, that his wife had not left us, if we had allowed her to communicate in the Ordinances with other Churches as there was occasion. This is also very false, she never desired it, and we never did forbid it.  
46. He saith in the 41. p. He and others know as bad as liars (if not liars) tolerated in the Church and nothing said to them: I know non such, and have publicly professed and since suffered it to be printed in Mr. Malls' book, p. 90. That I know none such in our assembly, if we know more such offenders, by the grace of God we shall so proceed upon them; and for a trial, if any of you have any thing to lay as a charge, do but observe the rule that Christ hath appointed of private, and then of more public admonition, and see whether there shall not be impartial proceedings against them, if not, then condemn us of partiality.  
47. In p. 42. It is an abominable lie, that we have such great thoughts of ourselves as if we were the only Church and people of God in Exon.  
48. He closeth up all with a lying reflection upon Mr. Mall, that whole ●●●ft of her discourse, on March the 8. aimed at this, that we or lie were Zion and the Israel of God, and all others as had as she strangers from whom Israel separated in Nehemias' times if this man forsake the Devil and all his works, who hath so lived in the constant neglect of brotherly admonition, and hath vented more lies, than he hath pages, to the number of about forty eight let the judicious Reader determine.   

READER,  
IN the foregoing Pages thou hast seen how weakly and sinfully this T. A. hath vindicated his wife; in what remains, thou maift observe the same methods and wiles in his clearing of Mistress, Par. He tells us in the Epistle to the Reader, that there were no crimes proved, that might argue her guilty, or deserving such a censure, and that her unblameable walkings before and since, may justly challenge me and the Church to answer what we have done before the tribunal of him, who shall judge the world in righteousness: p. 28. he saith, Mrs. Par. was not looked on as refractory, till she had no more any mind to stay with us: p. 29. There is nothing in her for which she may not compare with the best saints among us; again he tells us p. 36. that the quarrel began betwixt the Church and her, because she had a mind to hear some other Ministers, and was peremptory in her resolutions, not to be tied hearing of others; how far she might forget herself in discourses with us (which we call tripping in her tongue) he cannot say, only (if she did) it was partly occasioned by our tampering with her for going out sometimes to hear some other Ministers of the City; and p. 40. that she therefore relinquished this Church, because she held it her sin to be tied to one Congregation, and to be debarred fellowship with others; yea, p. 29 he tells us, he dare say, the city in which she was born and bred, and hath ever lived, can say no otherwise then that she may compare with the best saints in the Church. How false this certificate is, concerning Mris. Par, will appear by my giving thee an account, why she was suspended, and and what her carriage hath been since.  
First, The ground of her suspension, I shall reduce to her contentiousness, censoriousness, and lying.  
The contentiousness of her spirit was proved by several witnesses in several particulars, as  
1. In very many, if not in most of those debates which have been in the Church since our first coming together, she hath been usually silent, until the Church have been ready to come to some determination, or had determined, and then she would object against what she perceived was the Judgement of the Church, and pursued it with much violence; this the generality of the then Church-members witnessed.  
2. When it was moved in the Church to this effect, that it was very necessary to have respect in our admission of Church-members, to Union in judgement (at least in all the Ordinances of Christ) that peace and love in the Church might be preserved, she did eagerly contend against this motion, and occasioned long and sad disputes, between the Church, herself especially, concerning singing of Psalms, the practice of which she absolutely denied, and declared, that praises and Thanksgivings unto God in prayer were only that singing which the Scripture requireth: this also the generality of the then Church-members did witness.  
3. She hath opposed several persons in their admissions, who have been known to be of approved godliness and integrity, and those who have been most liable to exception, she hath most contended for; insomuch that the church having respited the admission of a person concerning whose conversation they were not sufficiently satisfied, she did openly declare against it, in these words, that it was an unrighteous sentence: this particular was witnessed by four persons.  
4. She opposed the admission of Mris. D.E. for her joining with the Presbyterians in the Ordinance of the Lords Supper, and insisted upon it with much earnestness, she then declaring, that she could not be satisfied otherways, then by her acknowledging it to be her sin in breaking the law of Charity: this was witnessed by seven persons.  
5. She caused a great deal of disturbance amongst us after the officers were chosen, in pressing with much earnestness, that Mr. Stonham might be chosen Pastor: this was witnessed by three persons.  
6. She did for a long time contend for women's speaking in the Church, and being admonished for practising accordingly, she did openly profess, that she would not be present at Church meetings, when matters were debated, unless she might have that liberty, and being denied, she ever since contemptuously neglected Church meetings, and slighted the officers of the Church.  
The censoriousness of her spirit was evidenced in her uncharitable language concerning the Presbyterians and us also, reporting one to be fallen from the faith, another to have nothing of God in her, charging Mr. Stonham to have walked contrary to the Apostles counsel 2. Cor. 4.2. and to have such expressions in preaching and prayer as were but as chaff to the Wheat, and imputing the afflictions of some of the Church, to their unworthy receiving the Lords Supper, not discerning the Lords body; these were proved by many witnesses and her own letters.  
The Third Head of her Charge was Lying.  
1. She affirmed that she always acknowledged Presbyterian Churches to be true Churches in respect of Doctrine and worship, and that it was hard for her to separate from the Presbyterians, in distinguishing Ordinances: whereas she excepted against Mr. Toby Allein for having his child Baptised by Mr. Ford, and opposed his admission on that ground; there were four witnesses to this.  
2. She affirmed that she never opposed Mrs. D. E. her admission, but was for it; whereas the generality of the then members of the Church witnessed, that a long time she openly contended against it, to the grief of the Church.  
3. She denied that she ever called the Presbyterian Churches by the name of Babylon, whereas most of the Church witnessed, that she had often so called them.  
4. She denied that she ever endeavoured to have Mr. Stonham Paster, and under her own hand were these words, I never laboured to bring him to that Office; whereas the contrary was witnessed by three persons.  
5. She affirmed that she never profited by Mr. Stonhams preach, and never approved his Ministry; the contrary hereto was witnessed by three persons.  
6. She denyeth in a letter, that she suspected those that had kindred and relations among the Presbyterians, whereas many witnessed the contrary.  
By these passages thou mayest see how lavish the pamphleter is in his testimonial for this woman: I should now annex her contumacious refusal of admonition given according to the rule of Christ; I might tell thee, I have several times endeavovered to convince her of her sin, yet I do not remember that she ever acknowledged herself guilty: and that several persons that were sent to her (or that went voluntarily) about the work of admonition came away from her with a burdened spirit; but I shall refer thee to 20. and 21. p. of my Sermon in the true account; her crimes and contumacy being very great, the Church thought themselves obliged. to suspend her from Communion, before ever she joined in the Sacrament with any other: This is the woman that T. A. saw no crimes proved against, that might argue her guilty; and yet this T. A. objected nothing against her suspension for these crimes proved against her; this is the woman concerning whom T. A. boldly affirms that her unblameable walkings before censure may justly summon us to God's bar: and whereas he saith that the quarrel between the Church and her began, because she had a mind to hear some other Ministers, that is abominably false, that was no particular, for which she was ever admonished by the Church: indeed there passed several letters between her and myself, wherein I endeavered to persuade her, that it was her duty ordinarily to hear her own officers; which had they seen the Sun, the world would have seen more of this woman. And here Reader, I shall once more take shame to thyself, that I did not sooner excite the Church to their duty, as to the last remedy for the healing of this woman: there are some who are full of evil surmises about this matter, as if the Church would never have proceeded against her, but upon a design to hinder others from deserting us: But this I profess, that I have had no quiet in my spirit, that a person should lie so long suspended, and give no evidence of repentance, but the contrary, and yet should not be proceeded against; I took advice with several Ministers about this matter, and at length was concluded by them and my own conscience, that though she was gotten into another fold, yet the rod of discipline should be exercised towards her; and though some men were angry at this, yet I can say, we did not censure her to reflect on other Congregations, but to discharge our duty to her, as Legally a part of our flock.  
But Reader, that I may keep promise with thee before I close up this unpleasant work, I shall,  
Secondly, Give thee (briefly) yet a farther account of her carriage, since her suspension; there have come several reports to my ears, of what she hath spoken, full of lying defamations, viz. that there were no lies proved against her, that she was suspended only for hearing sometimes other Ministers, that I should persuade her to deny holiness for God's sake, that she was promised by an officer of the Church, that if she would but desert the Presbyterians, she should be entertained amongst us, without giving any satisfaction for former miscarriages; and that being charged for lying, she pleaded, that she did not remember any such thing, that one of the Church should offer to take his oath for his hearing somewhat from her at such a time when he himself was not present; that two others of the Church have defrauded servants of their ways, that she was never questioned, till she discovered her resolutions to leave us. But Reader, I am loath to blot paper with any more of this nature, only I shall tell thee, that when I offered to some Ministers of the City, to prove the charge against her; I told them, if they would be at the pains to receive her defence, I was very confident (and still am) to prove the falsehood of it by two witnesses at least. By this time I doubt not but the Reader is satisfied what a confident liar T.A. is, but it hath happened to him as to most malefactors, he hath revealed his own, his wives, and Mrs. Pars guilt in his endeavours to conceal it, I may say of his tongue, hand and pen. Heu quam difficile est crimen non prodere. Thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty; thine own mouth condemneth thee and not I; yea, thy own lips testify against thee, Job 15.5, 6.  
I shall close with David's Prayer against Doeg Psal. 120.2, 3. Deliver my soul O Lord from lying lips, and from a dreceitful tongue: what shall be given to thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?   
FINIS.