HAving twice heretofore caused some Papers to pass the Press, I may possibly incur some Peoples Censure for ap­pearing this Third time in that kind. My old Roman Friends will perhaps cry out, I do it only to raise some sorry Contribution from the Bookseller, or out of a foolish De­light I take in hearing my Name Bawl'd about Streets. These (however will be much more harmless Scandals, than many others they have been pleased to bestow upon me, and yet no less false; for as the Stationers are commonly wise enough, not to give too much Encouragement; so I am as little inclin'd unto, as qualified for Scribling; and therefore shall not presume (with their Famous Oratress) to perswade the World, That every Line of this shall be my own Hand-writing; but this I will assure the Honest Reader, That he shall find nothing here, but what I know and can justifie to be Punctual Truths, and of which I think my self oblig'd in Conscience to give a publick and more particular Account, for stopping the Mouths of such, as make it their Business to palliate their own Villanies, by wrapping me up in a Cloud of Falshoods; or if it be impossible to silence their incorrigible Humour of Lying, yet I hope, at least, by evident Demonstrations of Truth, so to fortifie impartial Ears, That they may not henceforth be in dan­ger of Delusion from these Egyptian Charmers.

[Page 2]There is scarce any thing has given a greater Confirmation of the Reality of the Popish Plot, than their Murdering Sir Edmund­bury Godfrey, of which I have made a Candid Discovery; they had no other way to shift off that Guilt from their Party, than by Discrediting my Evidence: But my Conversation having, I Bless God (till then) been free from any Notorious or Extraordi­nary Crimes or Follies, wherewith they might reproach me; and it being unaccountable Nonsense that any man should own himself concern'd in so black and horrid a Crime, if in truth he knew nothing of it, or that he would run the Hazard and Infamy thereof, meerly to bring himself into danger, and destroy peo­ple that were both Innocent, and his Intimate Friends; and that I Especially (who was never noted for any extraordinary Inven­tion) should forge this story, so reproachful to that Church in which I have been bred, and for which I was so foolish a Zealot; I that had then (and for ought I know have still) two own Bro­thers that are Preists, and one sister a Nun; I whose Trade and whole subsistance depended upon her Majesty, and others of the Roman Catholick perswasion, that under such Circumstances I should testifie such things (if they were false) would be Bedlam-Extra­vagant as well as Hellish malice. They therefore concluded, that no false Suggestion would appear so probable, as to give out that what I have declared of that Assassination, I was compelled unto by Violence and Torture.

This spurious Conceit, first begot in Adultery between Priestly-Impudence and Lay-Credulity, being now grown to some Bulk, comes the ever-memorable Madam Cellier (that notorious Midwife, that has brought abundance more Lies, than ever she did Children, in­to the world) and she exposes the Bantling, and licks the Cub in­to form, and tricks it up with gay Swadling-Cloaths of Circum­stances, or in a word (to leave fooling with Metaphors) to colour the business, She offers her self as a kind of Ear-witness of the force pretended to be used to me.

The Mischiefs designed by this most groundless Lie, are no less various, than all advantagious for the traiterous Conspirators.

1. Hereby they hope to represent my Evidence as Invalid or at least suspected, as being originally given not voluntarily, but per duress.

2. This point being once gain'd, The Actors and manner of Sr. Edm. Godfreys Murder will become dubious, and then they may not only Outface it for their own Credit, but cast it upon Himself, for the Beggars, or the Earl of Danby, or the Preshyterians, or any bo­dy else, for all these they have already (though Sillily and in vain) attempted,

[Page 3]3. Hereby they hope to give some colour to the belief of the Sham-Plots, which they have or intend to set on foot, making the World believe that some persons had made it their Interest and Business, by undue means, to fix horrid Crimes on the Papists, of which they were not guilty, which must be in order to some sinister designs upon the Government, &c. All which Methods are indeed only their own Popish Policies and Practices.

4. A further design is not only to Baffle the Discovery of the Plot, but to bring an Odium on the Nation and the Protestant Religion in general, as allowing or suffering such Cruelties, and Prosecuting Ro­man Catholicks on Testimonies so unduly obtained.

Wherefore, though I my self am inconsiderable, and not worth an Apology, but satisfyed with Truth, could contentedly sit silent and smile at their effronted Forgeries, yet since in the consequences, 'tis a matter of importance to the Safety and Honor of the Nation, I know not how I can discharge my Duty to my Gracious Soveraign, (to whose Mercy I owe my Life) to my Country, and Protestant Religion (in which by the Divine Grace I resolve to live and dye) if I should not detect this lewd Scandal.

'Tis true, Authority in a late just Prosecution of that Wretched Woman, hath fitly confuted her Libel, no Answer being so proper for such stuff as a Pillory; And at her Tryal upon my Oath (which I wish Jesuits, Priests, and indeed all sorts of Papists, had that Con­scientious reguard to, as I have, and I hope shall ever conserve) I did fully satisfie the Court of the utter falsity of any such usage; yet lest the Romanists and their Abettors, should pretend that she was Convicted only for other Branches of her Libel, and Brazen it out (as they are wont) that what I there delivered was but down­right Swearing, I shall here by pregnant circumstances, evident Mat­ters of known Fact, her own Contradictions, and other undeniable Arguments, make such her Story of my being Racked or Tortured, ap­pear to be as empty, though withal as malicious a Fiction, as the Father of Lies could invent.

1. 'Tis well known, (and Celliers Libel, p. 18. confesses, that the King himself told her so) That the Law (of England) will not suffer any person to be Tortur'd; 'Tis a thing not allow'd, not us'd amongst us; How then can That be imagin'd to be practised upon me, which never was done on any body else since the memory of Man?

II. If Eliz. Cellier did at the time she mentions hear such Groans of Torture, and had such Reasons to believe they proceeded from [Page 4]me, why did not she, who was so notable a Busie-body, and so familiar with Ladies and Lords, and persons of greater Quality (as she pre­tends) give immediate notice thereof to His Majesty, that the thing might have been inquired into, the Contrivers thereof and their ill­designs discover'd and punisht? Could she doubt a Fair Hearing? that were to cast a most undeserv'd Reflection on His Majesties Justice and Goodness; For can it be imagined that the best and most Gratious of Princes, would permit, or Connive at causeless Cruelties and Violations of Law, meerly by a false extorted Testimony to take away the lives of his innocent Subjects? Or can we think the Papists so destitute of Friends, that they could not have Access, on so impor­tant an occasion, to that Soveraign Ear, which is ever open to the Just Complaints of the meanest of His Subjects? Their Interest was too much, and their Modesty too little, to have forborn; but rather they would forthwith have filled all the Court, and Kingdom too with Ex­clamations. At least, why did not this Gentlewoman or some of he. Five Associate Gossips come in to weaken my Testimoy at the [...]yal of Green, Bury, and Hill, then had been a proper time for the starting of this Story? But alas! it was not hatcht for many Months afterwards.

III. The Libel, p. 2. says, Cellier never saw the Countess of Powis, or had any Money from the Lords accused, till about THE LATTER END OF JANƲARY, (78.) and then she went and told that La­dy abundance of strange Stories of Mr. Oats and Mr. Bedloe. And after this (which must be supposed to be in February at least) her Ladiship (Powis) taking the Prisoners distressed Condition (so mise­rably distressed that several of them died with Over-eating themselves, and four or five in a Gang would commonly Tope off a dozen or more Bottles of Wine in a day) into her consideration, there was a weekly Charity erected. And this Mother of the Maids, and Nurse to suckling Swearers of St. Omers, was made Lady Treasuress in that Affair. About this time (says she) going to the Prison to perform these Offices of Charity, on Thursday Jan. 9. I din'd in Newgate, &c. Sure the Holy Father that forg'd this part of the Libel, had taken too large a Mornings draught, else he would have laid his Lies a little closer. For how does this hang together? She saw not the Lady Powis till the latter end of January, and after that there was time spent in telling of Stories, and erecting the Contribution of the well-affected, and yet after all this, comes this Female Judas with the Bag to Newgate to scatter the Charity, and it happens still to be but pre­cifely the 9th of the same January. I would entreat the worthy Author, (whether Lord, or Priest, or Monk, or Bawd, or all toge­ther) to soder up this flaw in the next Edition.

[Page 5]IV. She proceeds, p. 3. — About Four of the Clock I came down into the Lodge with five Women, of which three were Protestants, and we all heard terrible Groans and Squeeks which came out of the Dungeon. — Pray observe, there is not one of all these five Women that has got either a Name, or place of Habitation. Nor can she say they were Strangers, for by her own Tale, they were her Compa­nions, staid with her three hours after, nay so intimate that she could tell what Religions they were severally of, a very difficult business, I'll assure you, as times go, but undoubtedly they dwelt in Fairy-Land, and were some of Queen Mabbs waiting Gentlewomen, that use to walk invisible; or the Devil has since run away with them; For else why were not some of them, the three Protestants at least, produc'd in Court now at her Tryal to confirm this part of the Story?

V. I askt Harris the Turnkey, &c. Here the Reader must note, That the crafty Gypsie knew well enough, that this Harris was not in a condition to disprove her, being long since dead, and therefore of all the rest chooses to make use of his name. — We went behind the Gate and lissened, and found it to be the voice of a strong Man in Torture, and heard, as we thought, the winding up of some Engine;—That was a most lucky thought, and very pat to the Business. But when you invented this Lye, I'll warrant you never thought of the Engine called the Pillory. — We went to the Turners Shop without the Gate, and stood there amazed with the horror and dread of what we heard — And yet neither the People of that Shop, nor any body else heard one bit of all this Tragedy.

VI. One of the Officers came running from the noise [but he too, has no Name; What! Could she think of never a Servant at New­gate that has died within these two years to father it on?] One of us caught hold of him, saying, O! What are they doing in the Prison? Officer — I dare not tell you: [on my word, a very Civil Gentle­man! I was afraid he would have answer'd, — D—m ye for a Bitch, what's that to you?]

Mistress — It's a Man upon the Rack, I'll lay my life on't [What Mistress, or whose Mistress, this was, is a Secret; but A Miss she was, we have Madam Celliers word for't, who has as much Judgment and Experience that way as any body about Town, her dear Sister, and fellow-helping Witness, the fa­mous Madam Mosely her self, not excepted.]

VII. We heard these Groans perfectly to the end of the Old Baily. What, no further? Why not as well to Powis-house? For undoubted­ly this strong Man was Tortur'd in Perillus's Bull, and had a Speak­ing-Trumpet all the while at his Mouth. — They continued till near seven of the Clock. So that it seems Cellier and her five Compa­nions [Page 6]attended three long hours to hear them, which had they been so dreadful as to be perfectly heard to the end of the Old Baily, what a fright must they have put all the Neighborhood into, and how many hundreds, nay thousands, in so publick a passage must have been gathered together to inquire the cause of such dolesome out-cries? yet is there not one person living besides this worthy Gentle­woman that remembers any such thing.

VIII. Then a Person in the Habit of a Minister, of middle sta­ture, &c. ment in, and a Prisoner loaded with Irons was brought into the Lodge— The Incoherence of this part of the Romance was ex­cellently observed at her Tryal by my Lord, Baron Weston, how ab­surd it is to imagine a man that had been three hours or more on the Rack, should presently be able to walk, loaded with Irons too.

IX. 'Tis evident, That the Scope of this Invention, is to abuse the World into a perswasion, that I was thus misused only to force me to own my self privy unto and concern'd in Sir Edmundbury's Murder, and to charge it on the Papists. Now therefore, to Knock the whole Lie o'th' head, and confute it beyond any possibility of Reply, by notorious Matter of Fact, I shall only desire the Reader to observe, That I was taken into custody the 21 of December (78) as appears by the Warrant of my Commitment; That on the next day, being Sunday, I did upon Examination, set forth several particulars of the Popish Plot, which I had heard from Fenwick, Grove, and others, as that there would very shortly be 50000 Men in Arms, &c. And on the next day, being December 23. on further Examination by a Committee of the House of Lords, I made a Discovery of Sir Ed­mundbury Godfry 's Murder, and the Persons that actually Butcher'd him, viz. Fitz-Girald, and Dominick Kelly, two Priests, Henry Berry, Robert Green, and Laurence Hill, upon which the three last were apprehended, the said Hill being brought to Newgate the same night, Berry, the next day, being the 24th, and Green on the day fol­lowing, being Christmas-day, as by the Records of their respective Commitments (to which I refer my self) does appear.

Furthermore, on the said 24th of December, I gave a large Ac­count before His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council of that hor­rid Murder and its circumstances that fell within my knowledge (agreeable in all things to what the day before I had declared to the Committee, and which since I have deposed at the respective Tryals, and Printed in my first Narrative) And for more full sa­tisfaction to His Majesty, and their Lordships, did then go to Sum­merset-House, and shew to the Duke of Monmouth, the Right Hono­rable the Earl of Ossory and Clarendon, and Sir Robert Southwell (ap­pointed by His Majesty for that purpose) the particular Rooms in which the Martyr'd Body had for several nights been Reposited, as [Page 7]most truly, and at large, is set forth in my said Narrative, Page 21.

Since therefore I had, upon my Oath, made such a full Dis­covery on the 23d of December; Confirmed the same the 24th, both by Oath, and Satisfactory Circumstances; And that the Three Assassinates (since deservedly Executed) were, Meerly upon my Information, all secured in Gaol for that Fact, before the 26th of December; What occasion was there to Torture me on the 9th of January following, to dispose me to a Confession of that, which I had voluntarily, and so effectually made above 16 dayes before?

From all which (I suppose) the Vanity, Incongruity, and Utter Falshood of the Story is sufficiently apparent, and from thence no less plain, That as the Papists have a most Wicked Cause to Manage, viz. Treason and Murder; so they make no Scruple at all of Forging and Asserting any kind of Lies that may serve their Interests therein; And the more Groundless and Improbable such their Lies are, with so much the greater Assurance do they Print, and Brazen them out to the World, to make them Credited.

Yet is not this Slander of Torture any New Stratagem; but hath been us'd oft and long ago by Popish Libellers. For Ex­ample, in one of their Pamphlets Printed Anno 1602. (but said to be Written in the year 1599.) Intituled, An Apology of T.F. and other Catholicks. Designing, to Out-face the Treason of Ed­ward Squire against Queen Elizabeth, for which he had been Le­gally Convicted and Executed; The Contents of the Third Chapter run thus— Of the Cruelty of the Rackmasters in England. As if Racking of Men were as common amongst us as in the Spanish Inquisition, and that Torturers here kept their setled Ordinary Offices, and Commenced Masters in the Facul­ty, And presently after he sayes— And may it please you to consider, the Barbarous Ʋsage and Tyranny that the Rack-Ma­sters, Tormentors, and Inferior Officers and Examiners, have used in the Causes of Catholicks for many years, and daily do use, observing no order of Justice, nor form of Law— And, Chapter the Fourth, he has these words— They Torment the Catholicks on bare Suspitions without any Proof, or Witness in the World, and that with such Extremity, as they Lame some, and Kill others, and with such Devillish Devises, as amongst Christi­ans hath not been heard of. And then to make such his Impu­dent Assertions the better swallowed, proceeds thus— It is not many years [but pray observe, he dares not say for [Page 8]fear of a Detection, When, or Where] that Francis Dickenson, Priest, was taken and Committed to Prison by one of the Perse­cutors, who seeing him to be a very proper young Man, in the Flower of his Age, and imagining that he might quickly Overthrow him by the sin of the Flesh, found means to have a Woman conveyed to his Bed, who being repelled by him, and the Enemy seeing that the practise took no effect, but came to be known, not only to all that were in the Prison, but also to many others abroad, to the Commendation of the Priests Chastity, and honor of the Ca­thalick Religion, he was so incensed against him, That he caus'd him to be hang'd up, first by the Privy Parts ( which he made to be Pierced in divers places with hot Irons) and after by the Hands, untill he was half dead, and then called in many to see his said Privy parts instamed and rankled with the Burning of the hot Irons, saying unto them, after they were gone forth again, Behold this Chast Priest, how he hath dressed, and spoiled himself with naughty Women. And not content therewith, caused him also to be Arraigned, and Executed for being a Priest, without having any other Matter against him: Which kind of Cruelty, tending to the Overthrow both of Soul, Body, Honor, and all, can hardly be matched with any Example of the Old Heathen Persecutors of the Primitive Churches.

Thus far that effronted Jesuite (for so the Author appears to be) and indeed, Could any thing be devised more horrid, but withall more improbable, and remote from Truth? yet hereby we see Cellier, and her Inspirers, wanted not Presidents for their Fiction, their Party having so long inur'd themselves to Forging Untruths, that now they think they may lawfully Lie by Prescription.

Having therefore Vindicated, not so much my Self, as Truth, and the Honor of my Country, from that Notorious Slander, I shall take this Opportunity to wipe off some other Aspersions that have altogether as groundlesly been raised by the Popish Faction, and other ill people, to the prejudice of my Re­putation.

1. In the Month of May last, there was a Publick Reflecti­on upon me, in a Thing called, The Domestick Intelligence; Suggesting, as if I had received 500 l. of one Blunden, for my being concerned in the Murder of Justice Godfrey. The Truth of which whole matter was thus—Some short time be­fore the first Discovery of the Plot, I did, by the Order of one Fowler a Priest, that was a kind of Steward to one Mr. [Page 9] Ployden then in France, receive of Mr. Blunden of Basingstoke in Hampshire (then utterly a stranger to me) 90 l. Fifty pounds whereof I soon after paid away to a Merchant in London, to be Transmitted to the said Ployden, and the rest to the said Fow­ler. Now afterwards when I had made my Discovery, and was generally Talked of, the said Mr. Blunden, in Discourse with one Fowler an Apothecary in London, happened to say, That he had once seen me, and paid me some Money, and he wish'd it were not Imploy'd in the Plot, or Words to that purpose; Long after this, a falling out (as 'tis said) happening be­tween Mr. Blunden and the said Fowler the Apothecary; the latter having, it seems, heard talk of one Blunden, a Popish Priest, that used to frequent Newgate, and manage Catholick Fire­works, &c. did thereupon (whether out of Revenge, or pure­ly on a Mistake, I know not) give Information against this Mr. Blunden as a Priest, and that he Confessed to him that he paid me 500 l. for the Murther of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey, &c. Hereupon I was called before His Majesties most Honora­ble Privy-Council, to whom I related the Premises, How that Blunden was a Stranger to me; that I never saw him but once, and then received 90 l. of him on the Account aforesaid But, most truly deny'd, that I ever received of him, or any other Person whatsoever 500 l. or any other Sum of Money for my being Concerned about that Horrid Murder. And the said Mr. Blunden being sent for up by a Messenger, did deny that he ever spoke any such words relating to me, but only that once he, by Order, paid unto me the said 90 l. and, upon Exami­nation, was found to be A good Protestant, and a very honest Man; Whereupon, the matter being referred to the Kings Bench, he was there soon after Discharged But the Apothe­cary, who occasion'd all this Noise, and causeless Trouble, was ordered to find Sureties for the Good Behaviour; And the Author of the Domestick Intelligence did Retract his News, and Ask my Pardon; And perceiving he did it through Misinfor­mation, and not with Design, I did pass it by, without gi­ving him further Trouble.

2. The Papists buz abroad Reports, as if what I have done were for Profit, or that I had got some Great Advantages by be­coming an Evidence. This is the Common Lerry of their Pam­phlets; Mrs. Cellier has a Touch of it, in that most Audacious and Seditious Expression (in the Postscript) Whensoever His Majesty pleases to make it as safe and Honorable to speak Truth, as it is Apparent it hath been Gainful and Meritorious to do the Contrary, &c.

[Page 10]In Answer to which, I shall only say, That as I owe my Life to His Majesties Mercy, so I am freely ready to expend the whole Remainder of it in his Service: And as I must acknow­ledge, That when I have done all I can, I have done but my Duty; So with all Thankfulness I do own, That His Majesty has Graciously been pleased to Encourage my poor Endeavours, To whose good pleasure I contentedly submit my self; Only to confute these Malitious Clamors of Extraordinary Gains, am ob­liged to Declare this Truth, That from my first Discovery to this day, I never had, or received any Allowance, Pension, Salary, Place Sum of Money, or other Advantage whatsoever, save only the Sum of 30 l Ordered me soon after my coming out of Pri­son: Now, if it be Considered into what hard Circumstances this my Honest Discovery had brought me, That I have lost a Considerable and Constant Imploy from Her Majesty; Nay, that I have lost my whole Trade and Livelihood, which lay altogether amongst Priests and Papists. That I have now spent well nigh Two years in the Service of the Publick, which occasionally has taken up most of my time, and necessitated me to very considera­ble Expences, and the neglect of my Private Concerns, to the great hazard of Ruining my self and Family: All this, I say, be­ing considered, I conceive 30 l. cannot be thought any such enviable sum, that any need upbraid me with the Gains I have made by my Evidence; Though yet, to me, the Gains (but in a far different sence) are invaluable. Having, I bless God, gain'd the Quiet of my Conscience, before miserably distracted with being Privy to that Horrid Murder (The only Rack and Tor­ture which I ever suffer'd.)

3. Another Aspersion, is, That I have charg'd some as Popish Priests, whom I could not prove to be such, and particularly one Geldon But this I do avow is absolutely false: For, as several Priests, viz. Parry, Knapper, and others, have been by me Discover'd, and are Legally Convicted (though I have not yet received one farthing on that Account of the Rewards pro­posed in His Majesties Royal Proclamations) so I never Tax'd any but whom I certainly knew to be Priests. And as for Geldon, alias Bacon, I did Discover and Apprehend him in Ja­nuary last (he having just before been in Cure of a desperate. Pox) who thereupon was Committed to Newgate: Nor was it my Fault that he was not Prosecuted, having been ready to Attend to give Evidence; and since, understanding that he was got out upon Bail, I did my self, the Last Sessions, prefer an Indictment against him, which is found by the Grand Jury; and I am ready (as I doubt not with good Evidence) to prove it upon him, Let him appear if he dare.

[Page 11]Another damnable Scandal they have broached, which, tho it principally be level'd at Sir William Waller, as if he under pretence of searching for Priests, and seizing Popish Trinckets, should take away Money, Plate, and other things of value from the Owners, and Necklaces of Pearl for Beads; yet since I very frequently went along with him, it does obliquely reflect on me, and I cannot but do that worthy Gentleman the right to justify him against such a most false groundless and malicious slander: I do therefore De­clare in the presence of God, and shall be ready to Attest on my Oath, that whensoever I attended him in Searches, (which was almost every day,) I never could discern in him the least inclination to any such base practice; but that to the contrary he behaved him­self as a good Christian and just Magistrate; for wherever we came what Money was found was left in the Owners possession, and as for Chalices and Pixes (of Plate) belonging to Priests and used in their Mass, or for keeping Holy Oyl, &c. We did indeed batter or break them to pieces, but always returned all the pieces to the Pro­prietors, But their Copes and Priestly Vestments, Superstitious Pi­ctures, Habit of Monks belonging to their peculiar Orders, and such like Trumpery, we did sometimes take away and cause them to be publickly burnt never making any advantage thereof. And as for Books being sometimes too numerous to be immediately per­used, they were laid up (each mans by themselves) in places where those they belonged to, might by their Friends have Access to them, and such as were not Prohibited by Law were ready to be returned. And as to any Necklaces of Pearl, reported to be by him taken away, I am more than consident the same is as errand a Lie, as that he thought one Bednigfield, whom he took at Newmark— to have been the same Beding field, who dyed in the Gatehouse, for he well knew it was another Man, but likewise was not ignorant that 'twas not unusual for two or more Priests to go by the same Name, which yet many times doth in truth belong to none of them. And if Sir William had committed any such ill Acts, why did not the People injured or some of them Indict him, or bring their Actions, (his being a Justice was no Protection,) or why at least did not they forthwith complain to the King and Council, rather than Right themselves in N. T's Lying Intelligence? But alas, they well knew these stories would not indure the Test, only might serve to raise scurvy apprehensions among some silly inconsiderate People.

And therefore to shew Sir Williams innocence, integrity, and kind dealing in these Cases, I shall at present only give the following in­stance amongst many others, which to my knowledge are true. When we took Napper a Priest, and now a Condemned Traitor in Newgate; we found in his Chamber about 50 pieces of Gold, seve­ral parcels of Silver, two Silver Tobaco-Boxes and other such things to the value of above 100 l. as I verily believe, and there was no body present but Sir William and his Company. Now here [Page 12]was a convenient bootty, which if there had been any such bese avari­tious design, might have cleverly been carried off by colour of seizing it as appertaining to a Traitor. But Sir William was so far from offering any such thing, that he called to Mr. Napper, and told him, Sir, You must to Prison, and possibly may have occasion for your Money; therefore take this Cabinet (pointing to one that stood there,) and put all your Treasure therein; and either take it with you, or reposite it in such hands as you can trust. Now, how un­likely is it, that he who was so generously just and kind to a known Priest, should be so pitifully injurious to Ladies of Quality, or any other People far less obnoxious, and more capable to right them­selves.

This I thought my self bound in Conscience to say of that Honourable Gentleman, (for whether he be living or dead, I know not,) and do heartily wish, That all Ministers of Justice throughout England were as diligently zeasous in discharge of their Trust, for the finding out and punishing all lurking Jesuits, Popish Priests, and such like Traiterous Vermin; for if they be not vigorously prosecuted, his Majesties sacred Life and Govern­ment cannot be safe, but they will be perpetually carrying on their Hellish Plot, and creating fresh Disturbances.

Fifthly, There is yet another Aspersion, which is so vain and incredible, that I could scarce believe it should enter into the Heads of any reasonable people, did I not to my amazement often hear it Reported, which is, That I am still a Papist. Now as to this, I know not what words I can use will be effectual to Confute such a ridiculous suspicion, if the Things I have done, so clearly demon­stating the contrary, cannot convince them; I shall therefore only say, That as Reflections on the horrid Murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey, and the villany of the Priests urging the lawfulness on't, did (when I came calmly to Consider it) raise at first an Aversion in me to that Bloody Religion, so by the Grace of God, the Confe­rences which the now Reverend Bishop of St. Asaph, and other Di­vines were charitably pleased to use to me, fully convinc'd me of the Falshood, Absurdity, and Superstitions of the Roman Church; and on the other side, of the Truth and soundness of the Protestant Doctrine, and it's agreeableness to the sacred Word of God, and all the glorious Ends of Christianity, whereupon heartily, unfeigned­ly, and on grounds fully satisfying my Conscience, I did cast my self into the Arms of the Church of England, and have without wa­vering in the least, strictly adhered to her Communion in all the Or­dinances and Exercises of Religion, and do resolve, by the help of Almighty God, therein to continue to the last moment of my life. Nor can it be any but Papists, and their Instruments, that would broach this Fable; who do it only to render me suspected to Prote­stants, and thereby sully the esteem of my Evidence against them­selves. And therefore if hereafter any shall maliciously spread such stories, I shall not be wanting to vindicate my self, and [Page 13]punish their Extravagance by such Remedies as the Law allows me.

Sixthly, Having thus wip'd off the Scandals of professed Ene­mies, I must now take leave to rectifie certain Mistakes of a Friend in a Pamphlet entituled, The Narrative of William Boys: The Pen-man of which has committed some Errors, or at least represented things so as they may be liable to Misconstructions; as p. 5, and 6. where he seems with many words to tell a story, as if I had not made the discovery of Godfries Murther till the 12th or 13th of January; and that he the said Mr. Boys was the first man in the World that I revealed it to. Whereas in truth I had many days before acquainted both the Committee of Lords, and the Lords of the Council therewith; and Green, Berry, and Hill were thereupon in Prison, as before herein is set forth. And the real Truth of the matter that he talks of is only thus: That sometime after I had made such discovery, the closeness of the Prison (though I were used otherwise with Civility enough) occasioned my falling sick, and being in a Feaver, I might per­haps (as is usual in such cases) being then Light-headed, use some extravagant expressions; and in that condition, when Questions were askt me, might (as he observes p. 5.) never answer to the purpose. Whereupon Mr. Boyce being knowe to be very well ac­quainted and familiar with me, was ordered by the Lords of the Committee on the 10th of January to come to me, and keep me Company; which he did for several days: And as soon as I reco­vered any competent degree of health, and was able to talk rea­sonably, I did declare to him the manner of Sir Edm. Godfry's Murther, and confirm what before my sickness I had discovered to the Lords. And though what he did was by Order, yet I acknowledge my Obligations to Mr. Boyce for his Society and Con­verse, which was very acceptable to me in that condition; nor were the Lords wanting to satisfy him for his time expended in at­tending me, but became (as appears in his Paper p. 7.) suitors to his Majesty, on the 29th. of the same January for 30 l. for him, which I understand he received, and I suppose will not deny it to have been a bountifull Reward for about 19 days going up and down.

But from this Discourse of his I am apt to believe the Contrivers of Celliers Libel might take the Hint to time that Story of her hearing me Rack'd, for he having publish'd, that he came to me the Tenth of January, and that I did not make any Confession till some daies after; these subtle Forgers lay the scene of their Tor­turing Tragedy on the 9, 10, and 11 daies, as you have heard, to make it seem the more probable that my Confession proceeded from some ill usage. I would not hereby be misunderstood to insinuate, That Mr. Boyce had any bad Design, or were in Confederacy with Gellier and her Gang, for I have far better thoughts of him, but only I say, 'tis probable they might take the advantage thence to [Page 14]six the business precisely on the Ninth of January. But as to the cruelty of Racking Mr. Boyce, p. 8. does very honestly and justly attest that there was no such thing, which might, were there occa­sion, be confirm'd by twenty others. P. 10. He tells the World, That he took me and my Wife home to his House for a Month; I con­ceive my old Friend has no intent (as he has little reason) by these words to upbraid me with his kindness, 'Tis true, we did lie at her House about a Month, but as in that time we provided a great part of our Diet; so at our going away, I gave Mrs. Boyce 5 l. for the trouble we had given their House, and never heard but they were therewith well satisfied.

At the end of the same Page, 'tis said, That my Wife her self went to her sister Sherburn, a zealous Papist, and cunningly in­form'd her that the time was now come to be Revenged upon Mr. Boyce for being instrument in the discovery of the Murder of Sir E.G. for that I and he were faln out. As to this, First, I do not understand, that if we had been indeed faln out, how this could have contributed to their taking Revenge on Mr. Boyce, for I bless God though we had a long acquaintance, yet we never had any dangerous secrets between us, whereby either party might be able to prejudice the other, if he should have so much ill nature, or malice as to endeavour it. Secondly, If my Wife did so cunningly inform her Sister of this, I suppose 'twas secretly; and if so, how came Mr. Boyce to know of it? And thirdly, If he did know her to be of so treacherous and dissembling a Spirit (for no Neighbour or Friend could shew more kindness than she alwaies did to Mr. Boyce and all his Family,) 'tis a wonder that he would after this, send for her to his House, and desire her to sit up two daies and a night with his Wife in her sickness.

P. 15. Mr. Boyce seems to take it ill, because I gave him some notice that he was to be examined in January last; I did not tell him what it was about, but this it is to be offended with me for not being a Conjurer, for I knew it not my self; nor do I remember that I said any thing to him, of his having talkt at a strange rate of things of high and great Concernment, having no reason, that I know of, to use such an Expression. In a word, as I have heen long and intimately acquainted with Mr. Boyce, so I shall never be un­grateful for any kindnesses. But there are some people in the World that sully their Courtesies with an importune ostentation, who never think their Obligations cancel'd, and upbraid their Friends with their good Offices so much and so long that they lose almost all their luster, and the Cackling proves more troublesome than the Egg was valuable.

Seventhly, A Neighbour of mine, one Mr. Salisbury being questi­oned for some words, whilst this was preparing for the Press, al­ledged to have been spoken by him, though I did no more than what I was obliged unto both in Duty, and for my own safety in that Af­fair, yet some people have mis-represented it, and thence raised [Page 15]false Reports to my prejudice, and therefore I shall presume to an­nex an Account thereof, being thus, On Thursday, Sept. 23. in­stant, I heard a Rumour, That the said Mr. Salisbury on the Tues­day before had to his Journey-man spoken words of dangerous Con­sequence; and that a Boy related to me, and boarding in my House heard him, and did Report it. Hereupon I having a long time known the said Mr. Salisbury, and never observed any thing by him, but that he was a very Civil peaceable man, took the Boy to task, threatning him for reporting such false things, enough to ruin an honest man, the Boy persisted that he did hear him say such words; and desired me to ask the Journey-man, whether it were not true; which I did, who seemed to own that there was some such like words pass'd between them, though not the same that the Boy (who heard them at some distance) had reported, but that they were qualified with certain other circumstances and expressions. Hereupon the noise encreasing, and several persons directing their discourse to me about it, though the man were a Neighbour, and one I had a kindness for; yet where my King is concern'd, I know no Friend, and had it been never so near a Relation, I should have thought my self bound in du­ty to give notice of it, That the matter might be examined; and ac­cordingly I did acquaint the Right Honourable the Earl of Sunder­land, one of the principal Secretaries of State, with what I had heard reported, who commanded me to attend the Council, and there it was ordered that Mr. Salisbury should be taken into a Messengers hands, and on Wednesday last the matter being heard before the Honorable Board, I did acquaint their Lordships, That I knew nothing of my own knowledge of the words, for I heard them not. That Mr. Salisbury had been divers years my Neighbour, and had alwaies behav'd himself very civilly amongst us, and that I had alwaies lookt upon him as an honest man and good Subject. Then the Witnesses were Examined, and the words appearing to have been in part misappre­hended by the Boy, and the occasion and circumstances of speaking them being declared by the other Witness, it was lookt upon but as impertinent Chat, and Mr. Salisbury was discharged. In which affair I am confident no discreet man or good Subject will blame me: For besides my Obligations by my Allegiance, my particular circum­stances oblig'd me to it, for how did, or do I still know, but the Re­port might be fomented by some Papists under-hand, and especially Addrest to me, that if I had not speedily informed Authority, they might have had matter of Accusation against me?

I shall conclude the whole with this solemn Protestation in the presence of Almighty God, That I was never in any kind Rack'd or put to Torture by any persons during my Confinement; nor by any threatnings, or other ill means induced to the Discoveries I have made; and that what I have set forth thereof, and the Evidence I have given thereof against Green, Bury, and Hill, or against any other person or persons relating thereunto, or to the Plot in Gene­ral, or for being Priests, is true; and that I have not been sway'd therein by Malice, Revenge, hopes of profit, or any other sinister end whatsoever. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my Hand.