On July 23rd, 1662, the Solemn League and Covenant of Scotland was torn and burnt by the heralds at the Cross of Edinburgh, by order of the Parliament then sitting there.

Thomas Brewster was tried at the Old Bailey, London, on February 22nd, 1663/4, for printing the Phenix, and found guilty. He was fined, ordered to stand on the pillory, and then imprisoned. The proceedings will be found in Howell's State Trials, Vol. 6, p. 514.

For printing this book, John Twyn of London, stationer, was tried at the Old Bailey on February 20th, 1663, and being convicted received sentence as in cases of high treason, and was executed accordingly.[185] A portion of this pamphlet is preserved among the State Papers of the period. It is a sheet containing pp. 25 to 32, with a note attached that it was taken when printing by Twyn.[186]

On April 7th, 1663, the House of Commons ordered that this printed paper, containing "matter of scandal against several persons of quality," should be referred to the Committee of privileges and elections.[187]

For writing and publishing this book, Benjamin Keach, of Winslow, in the County of Bucks., was tried at the Aylesbury Assizes on the 8th of October, 1664, and found guilty; and the following sentence was passed on him by the Judge.

"Benjamin Keach, you are here convicted of writing and publishing a seditious and scandalous Book, for which the Court's judgment is this, and the court doth award, That you shall go to gaol for a fortnight, without bail or mainprise; and the next Saturday to stand upon the pillory at Ailsbury for the space of two hours, from eleven o'clock to one, with a Paper upon your head with this inscription, For writing, printing and publishing a schismatical book intitled, The Child's Instructor, or a new and easy Primmer. And the next Thursday to stand in the same manner, and for the same time, in the market of Winslow; and there your Book shall be openly burnt before your face by the common hangman, in disgrace of you and your doctrine. And you shall forfeit to the King's Majesty the sum of £20 and shall remain in gaol until you find sureties for your good behaviour and appearance at the next assizes, there to renounce your doctrine, and make such public submission as shall be enjoined you."

According to this sentence he was kept close prisoner till the Saturday following, and then about eleven o'clock was carried to the pillory at Aylesbury, where he stood full two hours to a minute, was denied the liberty of speaking to the spectators, and "had his hands as well as his head carefully kept in the pillory the whole time. On the Thursday following he stood in the same manner and for the same time at Winslow, the town where he lived, and had his book burnt before him. After this, upon paying his fine, and giving sufficient security for his good behaviour, he was set at liberty; but was never brought to make a recantation."[188]

Among the State Papers of the period is preserved the following letter from Thomas Disney, apparently minister of Stoke Hamond, Bucks:—[189]

"Honoured Sir,

And loving Brother this Primer owned by Benjamin Keach as the Author and bought by my man George Chilton for five pence of Henry Keach of Stableford Mill neare me, a miller; who then sayd that his brother Benjamin Keach is author of it, and that there are fiveteene hundred of them printed. This Benjamin Keach is a Tayler, and one that is a teacher in this new fangled way, and lives at Winslow a market towne in Buckinghamshire. Pray take some speedie course to acquaint my Lord Archbishop his grace with it, whereby his authoritie may issue forth that ye impression may be seized upon before they be much more dispersed to ye poysoining of people; they contayning (as I conceive) factious, schismaticall, and hereticall matter. Some are scattered in my parish, and perchance in noe place sooner, because he hath a sister here and some others of his gang, two whereof I have bought up. Pray let me have your speedie account of it. I doubt not but it will be taken as acceptable service to God's Church, and beleeve it a very thankefull obligement to

(Addressed)

These for his honoured friend Luke Wilkes esqre. at Whitehall with speed pray present."

The author of this book is unknown; but the printer, Mr. Francis Smith, before the book was finished was taken into custody under a general warrant, and carried to Lambeth House to appear before the then Bishop, but eventually all proceedings against him dropped.[190]

A quarto pamphlet of 52 pages, a copy of which is in the editor's possession. For publishing the same, Francis Smith the bookseller was committed into the custody of five of the King's messengers by the Council Board, to about £50 charges and damages.[191]

On June 26th, 1675, a warrant was issued by the Secretary of State to search for this pamphlet. The editor has not as yet been able to discover a copy. It was reprinted in the year 1739 under this title, "A merry conversation which lately passed between a very noted Quaker and his maid, upon a very merry occasion. To which is added, The Members to their Sovereign, By Hil—d Ja—bs, Esqre. Third edition." It is a grossly indecent production. A copy of this reprint is in the editor's possession, purchased from the library of the late George Daniel, Esq., Canonbury Square. It is in octavo, and contains 18 pages.

These verses were published by Henry Nevill, otherwise Henry Payne, of Medborne in Leicestershire, on January 10th, 1678/79, for which the following information was filed against him by the Attorney General.

"Middlesexia scilicet. Memorandum quod Willielmus Jones miles attornatus domini regis nunc generalis qui pro eodem domino rege in hac parte sequitur in propria persona sua venit hic in curiam dicti domini regis coram ipso rege apud Westmonasterium die Jovis proximo post octabas Sancti Hillarii isto eodem termino et pro eodem domino rege dat curiæ hic intelligi et informari quod Termino Sancti Michaelis anno regni domini nostri Caroli Secundi Dei gratia Angliæ Scotiæ Franciæ et Hiberniæ Regis fidei defensoris &c. tricesimo, in curia dicti domini regis coram ipso rege apud Westmonasterium in comitatu Middlesexiæ (eadem curia apud Westmonasterium in comitatu Middlesexiæ tunc tenta existente) quidam Edwardus Coleman nuper de parochia Sancti Martini in Campis in comitatu Middlesexiæ generosus debito modo per sacramentum duodecim juratorum proborum et legalium hominum comitatus Middlesexiæ prædicti indictatus fuit pro diversis altis proditionibus in falso malitiose subdole et proditorie proposicon' compassacon' imaginacon' et intenden' seditionis et rebellionis infra hoc regnum Angliæ et dictum dominum regem nunc de regali statu titulo potestate et regimine regni sui penitus deprivandum deponendum dejiciendum et exhæretandum ac ipsum dominum regem ad mortem et finalem destructionem adducendum et ponendum et gubernationem ejusdem regni et sinceram Dei religionem in eodem regno recte et legibus ejusdem regni stabilitas pro voluntate et libito ejus mutandas et alterandas et statuta totius hujus regni Angliæ per universas ejus partes bene instituta et ordinata totaliter subvertenda et distruenda et guerram contra dictum dominum regem nunc infra hoc regnum Angliæ levandam et procurandam. Et quod prædictus Edwardus Coleman postea scilicet prædicto termino Sancti Michaelis anno regni dicti domini regis nunc tricesimo supradicto in curia dicti domini regis coram ipso rege apud Westmonasterium prædictum in dicto comitatu Middlesexiæ debito modo per sacramentum duodecim juratorum patriæ pro alta proditione prædicta convictus fuit et postea attinctus posteaque tractus suspensus et exartuatus fuit. Et quod quidam Henricus Nevill de Medborne in Comitatu Leicestriæ generosus alias dictus Henricus Payne de Medborne prædicta in dicto comitatu Leicestriæ generosus præmissa prædicta bene sciens sed existens homo pernitiosus et seditiosus et machinans et malitiose intendens prædicta crimen et offensam altæ proditionis minuere necnon veredictum et judicium prædicta versus præfatum Edwardum Coleman pro prædicta alta proditione ut præfertur legittimo modo obtenta habita et reddita in odium et vilipendium cum omnibus ligeis et subditis dicti domini regis inducere et inferre ac ad prædictum Edwardum Coleman qui pro proditione prædicta per ipsum ut præfertur commissa in forma prædicta rite et juste punitus fuit gloriosissimum Dei martyrem per pravos et superstitiosos homines Romanæ Religionis infra hoc regnum Angliæ reputandum et colendum procurare et causare decimo die Januarii anno regni domini Caroli Secundi nunc Regis Angliæ &c. tricesimo apud parochiam Sanctæ Margarettæ Westmonasterii in comitatu Middlesexiæ falso illicite injuste nequiter malitiose scandalose et seditiose fecit composuit et scripsit et fieri componi et scribi causavit quoddam falsum malitiosum scandalosum libellosum et seditiosum libellum intitulatum To the Glorious Martyr E. C. per quas duas literas E. C. prædictus Henricus inuit et intelligi designavit præfatum Edwardum Coleman qui pro alta proditione ut præfertur legittimo modo convictus attinctus posteaque tractus suspensus et exartuatus fuit cujus quidem falsi malitiosi scandalosi libellosi et seditiosi libelli tenor sequitur.

"Et ulterius idem attornatus dicti domini regis nunc generalis pro eodem domino rege dat curiæ hic intelligi et informari quod Henricus Nevill alias dictus Henricus Payne postea scilicet dicto decimo die Januarii anno regni dicti domini regis nunc tricesimo supradicto apud parochiam Sanctæ Margarettæ Westmonasterii prædictum in dicto comitatu Middlesexiæ sciens prædictam falsum fictum malitiosum scandalosum libellosum et seditiosum libellum fore falsum malitiosum scandalosum et seditiosum libellum adtunc et ibidem falso illicite injuste nequiter malitiose scandalose et seditiose diversis ligeis subditis dicti domini regis publicavit et publicari causavit in contemptum legum hujus regni Angliæ manifestum In malum et pernitiosissimum exemplum omnium aliorum in tali casu delinquentium ac contra pacem dicti domini regis nunc coronam et dignitatem suas &c."[193]

A manuscript copy of these verses is preserved in the British Museum Library, written on the back of a printed paper, entitled "The answer of Coleman's Ghost to H. N.'s Poetick Offering." Nevill is there called a Priest, but in the preceding information he is merely styled "Gentleman."

This pamphlet which traces the intrigues of the Court of England with that of France, made a great impression on the nation. A reward was offered in the Gazette for the discovery of the author.

A reward was offered by Proclamation to such as would discover the author of this book. It is printed at length in Marvell's Works (ed. Thompson, 1776, Vol. 2, p. 555), also in Cobbett's Parliamentary History, Vol. 4, Appendix, p. xxii.

On November 28th, 1666, an order in Council was made for the Secretaries of State to cause the suppression of this "scandalous pamphlet," and to make strict enquiry after the author and printer.[194]

The following are copies of informations and other documents preserved among the Domestic State Papers concerning the publication of this book. It appears to have been written by Lord Castlemaine. A copy is preserved in the British Museum Library.

"An account concerning the English Catholics Apology.

"December 5th, 1666.

"Elizabeth Bud (a Hawker) sayes That John Brereton (a Hawker) was the onely disposer of it; but shee knowes not perfectly his lodging.

"One Radcliffe (a Hawker) sayes as much and directed to his lodging.

"John Brereton sayes that hee had 200 coppyes on Munday last was sevenight from Two Gentlemen at the Bell and 3 Cranes-Tavern by the Savoy in a Room one pair of Staires next the street, but denyes to know the Persons, yet confesses to have seen one of them severall times since.

"Hee sayes further that Hee was brought to them by One Fox (a Hawker) and disposed of the coppyes as follows:—

"Two Quire to Anne Brache at the Parlt Stairs Foot.
"One Quire to One Miller at Westminst^r-Hall door.
"A Dozen to One Michel in Westminst^r-Hall.
"The Residue Hee sold in the streets.

"The Examinate further sayes, That on Tuesday (the day following) Hee had 100 more of a Gentleman in a house by Charing-Cross which Gentleman hee hath since seen and knows again upon sight.

"Brache }
 Miller   } acknowledge according to Brereton's confession.
 Michel }

"Francis Fox (a Hawker) sayes, That on Munday Nov: 26th a Porter called him to the Bell and 3 Cranes-Tavern in the Strand to Two Gentlemen, who sayd, They had a Parcell of Bookes to be disposed of. The Examinate demanded, what they were. They replyed, That they were A Vindicacion of the Catholics that had suffer'd in his Majesty's Service. The Examinate told them that Hee durst not meddle with them and soe went his way. After which acquainting Brereton with the business, Zwounds, sayes Brereton, why did you not take them? shew them me and I'l take them. Soe They went together and in Fox his presence, Brereton receaved 200 Bookes, as the Gentlemen sayd that delivered them in the Chamber one pair of stairs towards the Street.

"William Galhampton (Drawer in the Bell and 3 Cranes-Tavern) sayes, That Mathias Gateley in Company with another Gentleman came thither, upon a Munday Morning and tooke up a Chamber one pair of Stairs toward the Street, and that they were the first Company that came into that Room.

"And Hee further sayes That M^r Gateley coming into the House, demanded if the news-bookes were out and that soon after This Examinate saw Fox and Brereton goe into M^r Gateley's Chamber and That Hee saw there upon the Table a large Deal-box; and that M^r Gateley called to the Drawer for a Hammer. Hee sayes moreover, that M^r Gateley and his Friend went out about 12 of the Clock, leaving a Waterman in the Chamber to looke to some Luggage and that M^r Gateley enquired of this Examinate for a backway to the Water-side.

"John Joyce (a Drawer in the Tavern above said) sayes That M^r Gateley with another Gentleman came upon Munday was sevenight in the morning into that House and took up the Chamber one pair of Stairs towards the Street, and kept it for themselves and a Waterman which They had to looke to some Goods from morning till 7 at night: about which hour This Examinate sayes that Hee lighted M^r Gateley a backway to the Water-side: a Waterman carrying his Luggage. This Examinate sayes also that Hee saw Brereton (a Hawker) goe into M^r Gateley's Chamber in the morning.

"Mrs. Layton (Mistress of the s^d Tavern) sayes that M^r Gateley was there in the morning upon that day, when a Water-man was left in charge of some Goods in his Chamber and that Hee was in the Room, up One pair of Stairs next the street.

"Mathias Gateley sayes that Hee came not into that Tavern till about 4 of the Clock afternoon: but acknowledges that there he was and in the Chamber toward the Street in Company with one M^r Billingsley.

"Hee denyes the having any Box upon the Table; The calling for a Hammer; The having seen any of the Hawkers there; And upon the whole matter, The having had anything to doe with the Catholicks Apology.

"The Mistress of the Tavern, Two Drawers, and the Two Hawkers doe all agree upon the same person."

(Indorsed).
Dec. 66.
M^r Lestranges
report of his enquiry
after the Ro. Cath.
Apology.

"The Examination of [         ] Gately taken before [         ]

"Sayth

"That he was not at the Bell Taverne on Monday Fortnight in the morning.

"That Friday month M^r Billingsley invited him to that Taverne, he being ready to goe to Roehampton to the E. of Aylesbury whom he serves, He had certaine Bundles of Cloathes, &c. which he called a Waterman to carry for him, denying to have been there on Monday.

"That he was there only once in a morning, but went not up Staires, and that was Friday fortnight.

"That on the day in question (Monday fortnight), He dranke his morning's draught with the page in a woman's house in St. John's Close about 10 where he parted not till about 11, then he dressed himselfe at home and dined at home, after that desiring leave to goe abroad 2 or 3 houres, in the afternoone he mett M^r Billingsley towards Charing Crosse, with whom he dranke 2 glasses of wine at the King's head Taverne at Charing Crosse. Then to Billingsley's House who showed him the Cath^cke Apology.

"That a Porter came and enquired for him by his name when he was drinking his morning's draught from Gately and company. He came and found the Gentlemen in a foreroome and under the Table was a parcell of Bookes, which they called to him to sell, which he declined, and so left them, and having told A. B. another Hawker of Books, they both went up together and A. B. tooke 200 of them to sell, and relieves Gately from all Relacions and understands to have been one of the two.

"He demanded no money for the coppyes, but gave them freely. That those 200 were all he then saw."

"To the Right Hono^ble the Lord Arlington,

"The humble Peticion of Mathias Gateley now a Servant to the Earle of Alisbury

"Sheweth

"That whereas your Peticioner was comitted by your Lordshipp's Order into custody for the Distributing of the Bookes called the Apologie of the English Catholiques, although your Peticioner is innocent of any such fact comitted by him.

"That in regard your Peticioner is still in custody, and thereby at a great charge, and for that hee maketh no question but to cleere himselfe of the said Accusation.

"Your Peticioner therefore humbly praies your Lordshipp
to graunt him Liberty upon Baile whereby he
may bee in a capacity to bring his witnesses togeather
for the cleereing of himselfe; And to that end your
Lordshipp wil be alsoe pleased to appoint a speedy
Day for hearing.

"And your Peticioner shall pray.
"&c."

December 20th, 1666.

"The Examinⁿ of Thomas Osborn, of Westminster.

"The Examinant saith

"he thinkes it to bee near a monith agoe since he was at the Printer's house: (whose name is Milborne) with my Lord Castlemain on the Saturday he went up Staires and at my Ld. Castlemain's intreaty helped him to compare a written Paper with one halfe printed which hee supposes was the Roman Catholiqs Apology, but never read the whole piece.

"Q.—What part hee had in the dispersing of them.

"Sayes, hee had none but saw severall copies of them afterwards in My Lord Castlemain's hands.

"Asked who was the Authour.

"Sayes he supposes my Lord Castlemain the Authour and hee thinkes hee heard him say soe. Sayes moreover the written copy was in My Lord Castlemain's hand.

"If he knowes who dispersed them.

"Supposes dispersed by his Lordshipp's order for hee heard him say soe and saw him deliver some of them.

"Askt if hee bee a Roman Catholique.

"Sayes, Noe."

"The Examination of Tho: Milburn and his Wife.

"These Examinates agree upon the sight of M^r Tho: Osborn that Hee is the Person who came in company with Another Gentleman low of Stature and appearing to be a Person of Quality to the Printing-house and that the lesser of the Two went up stairs leaving M^r Osborn below.

"Milburn's wife sayes, that M^r Osborn stayd in the Room where shee was, while the other was above. That at last offering to goe up, The little Gentleman sayd to him Cozen, stay below, I'l come to you. That M^r Osborn spake nothing to her of anything to print; And that the Other coming down, They went away together. Shee says further, that they came a Second Time, upon a Saturday morning; and a third time in the Afternoon; at which time they stayd 3 or 4 houres and as she believes for a Proof. And being demanded who managed the business, shee sayes, that the little Gentleman seem'd to her to doe all, and that the Other appear'd to her, onely to come for company.

"Thomas Milburn sayes, That the little Gentleman appear'd first to him with One Scroop (or Pugh) in his company at the Crown Tavern in Smythfield, and the 2^nd time with the same Person at the Star in Holborn. He sayes further, That afterward the little Gentleman came to his house with M^r Osborn. And that the little Gentleman gave him the coppy of the English Catholics Apology; Order'd the printing of it and pay'd for the Impression, and that M^r Osborn sayd nothing to him concerning the business, onely, at last, this Examinate saw them reading over the Proof together. But who was the Author of it, Hee knowes not."

On July 23rd, 1666, a warrant was issued by the Secretary of State to Lewis Dormay to apprehend George Wither, Henry Eversden, Sarah Anderton, Elizabeth Goslin, and Margaret Hicks for dispersing this "seditious pamphlet."[195] A copy of it is preserved in the British Museum Library.

This book was written by John Wilson, a Nonconformist, of Chester. Elizabeth Calvert was imprisoned for helping the author to print it, as appears from a petition presented by her to the Secretary of State wherein she states that she was wholly ignorant of the sedition contained therein, and she promised never to be concerned in such books for the future.[196]

This book was published by Benjamin Harris, Bookseller of Cornhill, and for so doing he was tried at the Guildhall, London, in 1680, and found guilty. He afterwards received sentence in the Court of King's Bench to pay a fine of £500; to stand on the Pillory an hour, and find sureties for his good behaviour for three years; and had it not been for Mr. Justice Pemberton, the Chief Justice would have added that he should be publicly whipped.[197] On December 21, 1680, the House of Commons ordered an address for the remission of this fine to be presented to the King. The indictment is as follows:—

London. Memorandum quod Creswell Levins miles attornatus domini regis nunc generalis qui pro eodem domino rege in hac parte sequitur in propria persona sua venit hic in curia dicti domini regis coram ipso rege apud Westmonasterium die Jovis proxima post tres septimanas Sancti Michaelis isto eodem termino et pro eodem domino rege dat curiæ hic intelligi et informari quod Benjaminus Harris de parochia Sancti Michaelis Cornehill London Bookeseller machinans et malitiose intendens dominum nostrum Carolum Secundum nunc regem Angliæ &c. et gubernationem suam hujus regni Angliæ scandalizare et in contemptum ducere vicesimo secundo die Octobris anno regni dicti domini regis nunc Angliæ &c. tricesimo primo apud parochiam Sancti Michaelis Cornehill London prædictam quoddam scandalosum et seditiosum librum intitulatum An Appeal from the Country to the City for the preservation of his Majestie's Person, Liberty, Property, and the Protestant Religion publicavit et venditioni exposuit in quoquidem libro inter alia continetur prout sequitur in hæc verba We in the Country have done our parts, in choosing for the generality good members to serve in Parliament; but if (as our two last Parliaments were) they must be dissolv'd or prorogu'd, when ever they come to redress the Grievances of the Subject, we may be pitied, but not blam'd. If the Plot takes effect, (as in all probability it will) our Parliaments are not then to be condemn'd, for that their not being suffer'd to sit occasion'd it. in magnum scandalum et contemptum dicti domini regis et gubernationis suæ hujus regni Angliæ in malum exemplum omnium aliorum in tali casu delinquentium ac contra pacem dicti domini regis nunc coronam et dignitatem suas &c.

A copy of this book is in the Editor's possession. It is in small quarto, and contains twenty-nine pages, but is without printer's name. Although printed anonymously, it is known to be the production of Charles Blount, and was reprinted in the year 1695, with other of his writings in a little volume entitled "The Miscellaneous Works of Charles Blount, Esq." The Editor of this collection was Charles Gildon, who ushers it into the world by a preface in defence of self-murder, Blount, having, as it appears destroyed himself. This unhappy man was son of Sir Henry Blount.

It was ordered by the Privy Council to be burnt. "Our author" say the Editors of the Biographia Britannica "drew up this letter at the desire of the Earl of Shaftesbury, and under his Lordship's inspection, only committing to writing what the Earl did in a manner dictate to him; and this indeed is evident with regard to that part which contains remarks upon the characters and conduct of several of the nobility, since these could be known only to his Lordship." It is printed at length in Cobbett's Parliamentary History, Vol. 4, Appendix, No. V.

On October 22nd, 1669, Richard Chiswell, Bookseller, was sent for by the House of Commons to give an account of the printing and publishing of this book, and upon examination he confessed that he caused the book to be printed, and that he had no formal licence for it, but it was sent to him by a Privy Councillor, the Lord Hollis, with direction and order to print it, and that he had no hire or reward in money, but only the benefit of the copy for doing it. It was then ordered that the Attorney General should draw up an indictment in the King's Bench against Chiswell for his offence in causing the book to be printed and published without licence. The House being afterwards informed that the said book was printed by one John Darby, a printer, it was ordered that Darby should be summoned to attend the House to give an account of his printing the book.[198] A copy of the book is preserved in the British Museum Library.

On April 25th, 1679, the House of Commons ordered that enquiry should be made as to the authors and publishers of this "false and scandalous pamphlet."[199]

On April 1st, 1679, the House of Commons ordered that a Committee should be appointed to enquire as to the authors and publishers of this "false and scandalous pamphlet."[200]

For the condemnation of this book see next article. A copy exists in the British Museum Library. It is in quarto and contains 15 pages.

On March 21st, 1678/9, it was ordered by the House of Commons that Jonathan Edwyn, living at the Three Roses, in Redcross Street, be immediately sent for to give the House an account by what authority he published this and the preceding pamphlet. The next day, on Mr. Hills being called in, he informed the House that he printed them by order of the Lord Treasurer; and a Committee was appointed to consider of these two pamphlets, and to report their opinions to the House. On the 26th, the House was informed that Doctor John Nelson was the author of the Letter from a Jesuit in Paris; he was therefore ordered to be sent for.[201]

For publishing this book, one J. Brown was brought to trial, and sentenced to pay a fine of 1000 marks, bound to good behaviour for seven years, and his name struck out of the roll of attorneys, without any offence alleged in his said vocation. Not being able to pay this fine, he lay in prison for three years till he was pardoned and restored to his place of attorney by royal warrant dated 15th December, 1679. The information does not appear to be entered on the Judgment Rolls, but Howell[202] extracts from the book the following words upon which the prosecution was founded:—

Nor let any man think it strange, that we account it treason for you to sit and act contrary to our laws; for if in the first parliament of Richard II, Grimes and Weston, for lack of courage only were adjudged guilty of high treason for surrendering the places committed to their trust; how much more you, if you turn renegadoes to the people that entrusted you, and as much as in you lie surrender not a little pitiful castle or two, but all the legal defence the people of England have for their lives, liberties, and properties at once! Neither let the vain persuasion delude you, that no precedent can be found, that one English Parliament hath hanged up another; though peradventure even that may be proved a mistake; for an unprecedented crime calls for an unprecedented punishment; and if you shall be so wicked to do the one, or rather endeavour to do, (for now you are no longer a parliament) what ground of confidence you can have that none will be found so worthy to do the other, we cannot understand: and do faithfully promise if your unworthines provoke us to it, that we will use our honest and utmost endeavours (whenever a new parliament shall be called) to chuse such as may convince you of your mistake: The old and infallible observation, That Parliaments are the Pulse of the People, shall lose its esteem; or you will find, that this your presumption was over-fond; however, it argues but a bad mind to sin, because it is believed it shall not be punished.

For publishing this book an information was filed by the Attorney General against Matthew Turner, a Stationer, of the parish of St. Andrew, Holborn. Turner was tried in the summer of 1680, and was sentenced to pay a fine of 100 marks.[203]

The information is as follows:—[204]

Middlesexia. Memorandum quod Samuelis Astry Armiger, Coronator et Attornatus domini regis, in curia ipsius regis coram ipso rege qui pro eodem domino rege in hac parte sequitur in propria persona sua venit hic in curia dicti domini regis coram ipso rege apud Westmonasterium die Sabbati proximo post Crastinum Purificationis Beatæ Mariæ Virginis isto eodem Termino, et pro eodem domino rege dat curiæ hic intelligi et informari, quod cum quidam Edwardus Coleman et diversi alii proditores pro diversis separalibus proditionibus per debitam legis formam super testimonium diversorum credibilium testium convicti et attincti fuerunt, quidam tamen Matheus Turner de parochia Sancti Andreæ Holborne in Comitatu Middlesexiæ, Stationer, machinans et malitiose intendens gubernationem domini regis nunc hujus regni sui Angliæ et administrationem justitiæ in eodem regno et testes productos ex parte domini regis super triationem proditorum prædictorum scandalizare, et in odium et contemptum ducere, vicesimo primo die Januarii anno regni domini nostri Caroli Secundi, Dei gratia Angliæ, Scotiæ, Franciæ, et Hiberniæ Regis, Fidei Defensoris &c., tricesimo primo, apud parochiam Sancti Andreæ Holborne prædictam in comitatu prædicto, quoddam falsum, scandalosum, seditiosum et malitiosum librum, intitulatum The Compendium, or a short view of the late Trialls in relation to the present plott against his Majestie and Government with the speeches of those that have beene executed, as alsoe an humble addresse at the close to all the worthie patriots of this once flourishing and happy Kingdome. malitiose et seditiose publicavit et venditioni exposuit; in quoquidem libro continetur relatio evidentiarum datarum super triationem proditorum prædictorum, et post talem relationem in eodem libro inter alia continetur prout sequitur An humble address to all worthy patriots, of what Rank soever they be. Having (my Lords and Gentlemen) given you this exact and short account of the late Judicial Proceedings; for when should I have ended, had I not (in spight of the continual follies that occurr'd) forc'd my self to Bounds? I say, having given you this short account, I know not whether you are now more surpris'd (for surpris'd I am sure you are) at the strange Incoherencies, nay, Impossibilities, in the charge all along, or at the mighty weight of the defence, though the accusers themselves had bin men of repute and probity. For, after a sober and close consideration (to which nothing can more conduce than an Abstract, or Compendium) what have they lay'd at the dores of Catholicks, that, by its monstrous and disagreeing parts, shows not it self to be wholly vain and chimerical? Et in alio loco ejusdem libri continetur prout sequitur, There is not one Witness against us, who has not either bin a most Profligated Wretch, by the unanimous Consent of all that knew him, or given at least Prognosticks by his Poverty or Temper, that the first Opportunity would infallibly make him so. In magnum vilipendium scandalum et contemptum testium dicti domini regis versus proditores prædictos in contemptum dicti domini regis et gubernationis suæ ac legum suarum, in malum exemplum omnium aliorum in tali casu delinquentium, ac contra pacem dicti domini regis nunc, coronam et dignitatem suas &c.