A true and impartial narrative of some illegal and arbitrary proceedings by certain justices of the peace and others, against several innocent and peaceable nonconformists in and near the town of Bedford, upon pretence of putting in execution the late Act against conventicles together with a brief account of the late sudden and strange death of the Grand Informer, and one of the most violent malicious prosecutors against these poor people.
         Bunyan, John, 1628-1688.
      
       
         
           1670
        
      
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         A30212
         Wing B5604
         ESTC R21465
         12683016
         ocm 12683016
         65697
         
           
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             A true and impartial narrative of some illegal and arbitrary proceedings by certain justices of the peace and others, against several innocent and peaceable nonconformists in and near the town of Bedford, upon pretence of putting in execution the late Act against conventicles together with a brief account of the late sudden and strange death of the Grand Informer, and one of the most violent malicious prosecutors against these poor people.
             Bunyan, John, 1628-1688.
          
           15 p.
           
             s.n.],
             [London :
             1670.
          
           
             Attributed to Bunyan by Wing and Halkett and Laing.
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Dissenters, Religious -- England -- Bedford.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           true
           and
           Impartial
           NARRATIVE
           OF
           Some
           Illegal
           and
           Arbitrary
           proceedings
           by
           certain
           Justices
           of
           the
           Peace
           and
           others
           ,
           against
           several
           innocent
           and
           peaceable
           Nonconformists
           in
           and
           near
           the
           Town
           of
           Bedford
           ,
           upon
           pretence
           of
           putting
           in
           execution
           the
           late
           Act
           against
           Conventicles
           .
           TOGETHER
           With
           a
           brief
           Account
           of
           the
           late
           sudden
           and
           strange
           Death
           of
           the
           Grand
           Informer
           ,
           and
           one
           of
           the
           most
           violent
           malicious
           Prosecutors
           against
           these
           poor
           people
           .
           Published
           for
           general
           Information
           .
        
         
           —
           They
           which
           hate
           us
           ,
           spoyl
           for
           themselves
           .
        
         
           Ps.
           44.
           10.
           
        
         
           —
           As
           deceivers
           ,
           and
           yet
           true
           ,
           &c.
           
           As
           poor
           ,
           yet
           making
           many
           rich
           ;
           as
           having
           nothing
           ,
           and
           yet
           possessing
           all
           things
           .
        
         
           2
           Cor.
           6.
           8
           ,
           9
           ,
           10.
           
        
         
           —
           And
           took
           joyfully
           the
           spoyling
           of
           your
           Goods
           ,
           knowing
           in
           your selves
           that
           ye
           have
           in
           Heaven
           a
           better
           and
           an
           enduring
           substance
           .
        
         
           Heb.
           10.
           34.
           
        
         
           Printed
           in
           the
           year
           ,
           1670.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           
             SIR
             ,
          
        
         
           Some
           proceedings
           at
           Bedford
           ,
           pursuant
           to
           the
           late
           Act
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           (
           a
           true
           Narrative
           whereof
           is
           herein
           enclosed
           )
           afford
           matter
           both
           of
           wonder
           and
           dislike
           to
           such
           that
           have
           observed
           them
           .
           When
           you
           have
           perused
           the
           Paper
           ,
           you
           will
           conclude
           with
           me
           and
           others
           ,
           that
           this
           Text
           needs
           no
           Comment
           ;
           it
           is
           plain
           ,
           that
           in
           despight
           of
           
             Magna
             Charta
          
           ,
           and
           in
           defiance
           to
           all
           Laws
           and
           Rules
           of
           Righteousness
           ,
           Neighbourhood
           and
           Humanity
           they
           resolve
           to
           ruine
           the
           Nonconformists
           ,
           though
           the
           Instruments
           are
           no
           wayes
           able
           to
           recompence
           the
           King
           and
           Kingdoms
           damage
           thereby
           .
           The
           Sufferers
           are
           chearful
           and
           peaceable
           ;
           their
           immediate
           Persecutors
           are
           the
           scum
           of
           the
           people
           ,
           and
           chiefly
           the
           appurtenants
           of
           the
           Commissaries
           Court.
           The
           most
           forward
           Instrument
           of
           that
           sort
           is
           one
           that
           hath
           openly
           avowed
           and
           declared
           his
           esteem
           for
           Popery
           above
           other
           Religions
           .
           If
           some
           check
           be
           not
           given
           to
           these
           Extravagancies
           ,
           many
           Families
           will
           suddenly
           be
           ruined
           ,
           and
           the
           publique
           Trade
           and
           Welfare
           endangered
           ,
           which
           the
           Interest
           of
           some
           ,
           the
           Rage
           ,
           Revenge
           and
           Enmity
           of
           others
           will
           not
           admit
           regard
           to
           .
           Pardon
           this
           trouble
           ,
           when
           I
           have
           told
           you
           the
           particulars
           of
           the
           Narrative
           are
           all
           true
           ,
           and
           will
           be
           proved
           in
           every
           part
           .
           So
           I
           have
           remaining
           at
           present
           only
           to
           tell
           you
           ,
           I
           am
           ,
           Sir
           ,
        
         
           
             Your
             assured
             Friend
             .
          
        
      
       
         
           The
           NARRATIVE
           .
        
         
           ON
           Lords-day
           (
           May
           15.
           )
           at
           the
           dwelling-house
           of
           one
           
             John
             Fen
          
           ,
           a
           Haberdasher
           of
           Hatts
           ,
           many
           persons
           being
           assembled
           for
           Religious
           Exercise
           ;
           One
           West
           and
           Feckman
           (
           two
           Apparitors
           )
           by
           a
           Warrant
           from
           one
           Mr.
           Foster
           ,
           who
           is
           a
           Justice
           of
           Peace
           ,
           and
           the
           Commissaries
           Deputy
           ,
           did
           enter
           the
           House
           ,
           and
           force
           the
           Meeters
           to
           Mr.
           Fosters
           House
           ,
           who
           fined
           every
           one
           of
           them
           severally
           ,
           according
           to
           their
           reputed
           abilities
           ;
           and
           committed
           the
           Preacher
           to
           Prison
           ,
           for
           words
           he
           spake
           against
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           then
           occasioned
           by
           the
           discourse
           of
           Mr.
           Foster
           .
           The
           Apparitors
           charged
           (
           by
           vertue
           of
           their
           Warrant
           )
           a
           Constable
           ,
           and
           a
           Church-warden
           ,
           to
           assist
           them
           ;
           but
           they
           neglecting
           ,
           (
           being
           not
           willing
           to
           the
           work
           ,
           as
           they
           themselves
           declared
           )
           were
           fined
           each
           of
           them
           five
           pounds
           ;
           though
           by
           intercession
           of
           friends
           ,
           the
           Fines
           are
           not
           yet
           levied
           .
        
         
         
           On
           Friday
           following
           ,
           one
           
             Thomas
             Battison
          
           another
           Churchwarden
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           active
           and
           busie
           in
           the
           work
           ,
           having
           with
           much
           labour
           and
           difficulty
           called
           together
           the
           Overseers
           of
           the
           Poor
           ,
           and
           the
           Constables
           of
           the
           several
           Wards
           ,
           to
           levy
           the
           several
           Fines
           upon
           the
           Goods
           of
           the
           Meeters
           ,
           did
           fitst
           attempt
           to
           levy
           the
           Fine
           of
           Ten
           pounds
           upon
           the
           Goods
           of
           one
           
             John
             Bardolf
          
           a
           Maltster
           ,
           who
           having
           sold
           all
           his
           Malt
           before
           the
           Act
           commenced
           ,
           and
           delivered
           his
           Malt
           and
           Malt-house
           into
           his
           possession
           to
           whom
           he
           had
           sold
           them
           ,
           none
           of
           the
           Officers
           would
           joyn
           with
           Battison
           to
           break
           open
           the
           Door
           of
           the
           Malt-house
           ,
           or
           to
           distrain
           the
           Malt
           ,
           though
           he
           most
           importunately
           charged
           and
           besought
           them
           to
           do
           it
           ,
           promising
           to
           bear
           them
           harmless
           .
        
         
           Whilst
           Battison
           and
           the
           other
           Officers
           were
           debating
           in
           the
           open
           Yard
           before
           the
           Malthouse
           Door
           ,
           a
           great
           number
           of
           all
           sorts
           of
           persons
           were
           gathered
           about
           them
           ,
           expressing
           (
           by
           turns
           )
           their
           indignation
           against
           him
           ,
           for
           attempting
           this
           against
           Bardolf
           ;
           whom
           the
           whole
           Town
           knew
           to
           be
           a
           just
           and
           harmless
           man
           ;
           and
           the
           common
           sort
           of
           people
           covertly
           fixing
           a
           Calves
           tayl
           to
           Battisons
           back
           ,
           and
           deriding
           him
           with
           shouts
           and
           hollows
           ,
           he
           departed
           without
           taking
           any
           distress
           there
           ;
           and
           advanced
           with
           other
           Officers
           to
           
             Edward
             Covingtons
          
           Shop
           ,
           a
           Grocer
           ,
           to
           levy
           five
           shillings
           ,
           for
           his
           Wife
           being
           at
           the
           Meeting
           ,
           where
           none
           of
           the
           Officers
           would
           distreyn
           but
           Battison
           ,
           who
           took
           a
           Brass
           Kettle
           ,
           but
           when
           he
           had
           brought
           it
           to
           the
           street-door
           ,
           none
           of
           the
           Officers
           would
           carry
           it
           away
           ;
           neither
           could
           he
           hire
           any
           to
           do
           it
           in
           two
           hours
           time
           ,
           though
           he
           offered
           money
           to
           such
           needy
           persons
           among
           the
           company
           as
           wanted
           bread
           ;
           At
           last
           he
           got
           a
           youth
           for
           sixpence
           to
           carry
           the
           Kettle
           less
           way
           than
           a
           stones-throw
           ,
           to
           an
           Inn-yard
           where
           before
           he
           had
           hired
           a
           Room
           to
           lodge
           such
           Goods
           ,
           under
           pretence
           to
           lodge
           Grain
           :
           but
           when
           the
           Youth
           had
           carried
           the
           Kettle
           to
           the
           Inn-gate
           ,
           (
           being
           hooted
           at
           all
           the
           way
           by
           the
           common
           Spectators
           )
           the
           Inn-keeper
           would
           not
           suffer
           the
           Kettle
           to
           be
           brought
           into
           his
           Yard
           ;
           and
           so
           his
           man
           set
           it
           out
           in
           the
           middle
           of
           the
           street
           ,
           None
           regarding
           it
           ,
           till
           towards
           night
           a
           poor
           woman
           that
           receiveth
           alms
           was
           caused
           by
           an
           Overseer
           to
           carry
           it
           away
           .
        
         
           From
           hence
           ,
           Battison
           ,
           with
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Officers
           at
           his
           heels
           ,
           proceeds
           to
           distrein
           one
           
             John
             Spencer
          
           a
           Grocer
           ,
           for
           a
           Fine
           of
           Forty
           shillings
           ;
           but
           his
           Shop-door
           being
           lockt
           ,
           Battison
           could
           not
           prevail
           with
           the
           Officers
           to
           joyn
           with
           him
           in
           breaking
           it
           open
           :
           and
           so
           this
           day
           ended
           ,
           without
           any
           other
           distress
           than
           that
           of
           the
           Kettle
           .
        
         
           The
           next
           day
           ,
           which
           was
           the
           Market-day
           ,
           the
           Justices
           understanding
           how
           Battison
           was
           discouraged
           in
           his
           work
           by
           the
           backwardness
           of
           the
           other
           Officers
           ,
           and
           the
           open
           discountenance
           of
           the
           other
           people
           ,
           
           commanded
           the
           Officers
           to
           break
           open
           the
           Doors
           ,
           and
           levy
           the
           Distresses
           ,
           and
           promised
           them
           to
           bear
           them
           harmless
           :
           Immediately
           old
           Battison
           ,
           with
           a
           file
           of
           Soldiers
           and
           the
           Constables
           ,
           in
           the
           middle
           of
           Market-time
           advanced
           again
           to
           the
           Malt-house
           of
           
             John
             Bardolfe
          
           ,
           (
           scituate
           in
           an
           Inn-yard
           in
           the
           middle
           of
           the
           Market-place
           )
           and
           breaks
           open
           the
           Doors
           ,
           but
           not
           without
           long
           time
           and
           trouble
           ,
           all
           people
           refusing
           to
           lend
           either
           Bars
           or
           Hammers
           ,
           which
           they
           sent
           from
           place
           to
           place
           to
           borrow
           for
           that
           purpose
           :
           When
           the
           Doors
           were
           broken
           open
           ,
           Battison
           distreyned
           fourteen
           Quarters
           of
           Malt
           ,
           but
           it
           was
           night
           before
           he
           could
           carry
           them
           away
           ;
           for
           though
           the
           Market-place
           was
           then
           full
           of
           Porters
           (
           it
           being
           a
           great
           Corn-Market
           )
           yet
           none
           of
           them
           would
           assist
           ,
           though
           charged
           strictly
           by
           Battison
           and
           the
           Constables
           ,
           but
           ran
           all
           away
           ,
           and
           left
           their
           Fares
           ;
           some
           of
           them
           
             saying
             ,
             they
             would
             be
             hang'd
             drawn
             and
             quarterd
             before
             they
             would
             assist
             in
             that
             work
          
           ;
           for
           which
           cause
           the
           Justices
           committed
           two
           of
           them
           (
           which
           they
           could
           take
           )
           to
           the
           Gaol
           .
        
         
           The
           next
           day
           ,
           being
           Lords-Day
           ,
           Fines
           were
           doubled
           upon
           the
           Meeters
           ,
           before
           the
           first
           could
           be
           levied
           ;
           for
           they
           assembling
           again
           at
           the
           same
           House
           ,
           according
           to
           their
           custom
           ;
           Battison
           with
           the
           two
           Apparitors
           ,
           by
           another
           Warrant
           from
           Mr.
           Foster
           ,
           entred
           the
           Meeting-place
           about
           nine
           of
           the
           clock
           in
           the
           morning
           :
           but
           the
           Mèeters
           refusing
           to
           depart
           before
           their
           Exercise
           was
           ended
           (
           unless
           forced
           )
           Battison
           sends
           word
           of
           it
           to
           Mr.
           Foster
           ,
           who
           returns
           a
           verbal
           Order
           ,
           that
           Battison
           should
           charge
           certain
           Gentlemen
           of
           the
           Town
           (
           whose
           names
           he
           had
           sent
           by
           the
           messenger
           )
           to
           assist
           him
           ;
           which
           Battison
           accordingly
           did
           ,
           going
           to
           their
           Houses
           to
           call
           them
           ,
           though
           there
           were
           near
           a
           hundred
           common
           people
           spectators
           in
           the
           streets
           ,
           and
           none
           of
           them
           then
           charged
           to
           assist
           ,
           and
           also
           Trained-Band
           Souldiers
           ready
           in
           Town
           for
           this
           service
           ,
           partly
           at
           the
           charge
           of
           these
           Gentlemen
           whom
           Battison
           had
           so
           warned
           to
           assist
           ,
           and
           who
           were
           so
           warned
           (
           as
           is
           supposed
           )
           upon
           design
           ,
           to
           have
           them
           incur
           the
           penalties
           of
           five
           pounds
           for
           their
           refusing
           .
           About
           ten
           of
           the
           clock
           in
           the
           morning
           the
           Meeters
           went
           with
           Battison
           and
           the
           Apparitors
           (
           being
           constrained
           so
           to
           do
           )
           to
           the
           Swan
           in
           Bedford
           ,
           where
           being
           kept
           till
           four
           of
           the
           clock
           in
           the
           afternoon
           ,
           and
           their
           names
           taken
           by
           the
           Justices
           ,
           they
           were
           set
           at
           liberty
           .
        
         
           Next
           morning
           Mr.
           Foster
           the
           Justice
           appears
           early
           in
           the
           streets
           ,
           with
           old
           Battison
           and
           the
           two
           Apparitors
           ,
           a
           file
           of
           Souldiers
           and
           some
           Constables
           ,
           to
           see
           the
           Fines
           levied
           upon
           the
           Meeters
           Goods
           ;
           charging
           to
           his
           assistance
           such
           persons
           he
           sees
           ,
           and
           sending
           for
           others
           to
           their
           houses
           ,
           but
           got
           few
           or
           none
           besides
           his
           first
           company
           ;
           most
           of
           
           the
           Tradesmen
           ,
           Journeymen
           ,
           Labourers
           and
           Servants
           having
           either
           left
           the
           Town
           ,
           or
           hid
           themselves
           ,
           to
           avoid
           his
           call
           .
           The
           Town
           was
           so
           thin
           of
           people
           ,
           that
           it
           looked
           more
           like
           a
           Country
           Village
           than
           a
           Corporation
           ;
           and
           the
           Shops
           being
           generally
           shut
           down
           ,
           it
           seemed
           like
           a
           place
           visited
           with
           the
           Pest
           ,
           where
           usually
           is
           written
           upon
           the
           Door
           ,
           
             Lord
             have
             mercy
             upon
             us
          
           !
        
         
           The
           first
           Distress
           was
           attempted
           upon
           the
           Goods
           of
           one
           
             Nicholas
             Hawkins
          
           a
           Cutler
           ,
           who
           was
           fined
           forty
           shillings
           ;
           but
           his
           Goods
           being
           removed
           beforehand
           ,
           and
           his
           House
           visited
           with
           the
           Small-Pox
           ,
           the
           Officers
           declined
           entring
           .
           Mr.
           Foster
           meeting
           here
           on
           
             John
             Croker
          
           (
           that
           was
           also
           fined
           three
           pounds
           )
           commanded
           his
           assistance
           ;
           who
           refusing
           ,
           was
           therefore
           by
           Mr.
           Foster
           commanded
           into
           the
           custody
           of
           one
           of
           the
           Town-Sergeants
           ,
           then
           present
           .
        
         
           From
           hence
           Mr.
           Foster
           went
           into
           the
           House
           of
           one
           
             Michael
             Shepheard
          
           a
           Shoomaker
           ,
           who
           was
           fined
           five
           shillings
           ;
           where
           a
           Distress
           was
           made
           ,
           not
           only
           for
           five
           shillings
           ,
           but
           also
           for
           12d
           .
           more
           ;
           because
           the
           said
           Shepheard
           being
           asked
           the
           same
           time
           by
           Mr.
           Foster
           ,
           if
           he
           was
           at
           Church
           the
           day
           before
           ?
           and
           not
           answering
           ,
           only
           desired
           to
           know
           who
           accused
           him
           ,
           or
           would
           swear
           it
           .
        
         
           The
           next
           House
           in
           their
           way
           was
           one
           
             Thomas
             Honyloves
          
           ,
           a
           Journy-man
           -
           Shoomaker
           ,
           fined
           twenty
           shillings
           or
           more
           ;
           whose
           Children
           lying
           sick
           of
           the
           Small-pox
           ,
           in
           the
           House
           where
           his
           Goods
           lay
           ,
           the
           Officers
           were
           unwilling
           to
           enter
           ,
           and
           so
           Mr.
           Foster
           drew
           them
           off
           to
           one
           
             Thomas
             Cowpers
          
           a
           Heelmaker
           ,
           fined
           forty
           shillings
           ;
           distreyning
           three
           Cart-load
           of
           Wood
           ,
           cut
           especially
           for
           his
           working
           ;
           which
           was
           of
           more
           value
           than
           any
           of
           his
           houshold
           Goods
           ,
           he
           being
           a
           poor
           man
           ,
           and
           living
           only
           upon
           making
           Heels
           and
           Lasts
           .
        
         
           The
           next
           remove
           was
           to
           one
           
             John
             Crokers
          
           House
           before
           mentioned
           ,
           a
           Dealer
           in
           Linen
           Drapery
           ,
           and
           fined
           three
           pounds
           ;
           who
           having
           removed
           his
           Shop-Goods
           to
           another
           place
           ,
           to
           secure
           them
           from
           the
           Distress
           ,
           old
           Battison
           would
           not
           trouble
           himself
           to
           distrein
           then
           ,
           but
           said
           he
           would
           take
           a
           better
           opportunity
           to
           get
           his
           Goods
           .
        
         
           Near
           this
           place
           lived
           one
           
             Daniel
             Rich
          
           ,
           a
           Tanner
           ,
           and
           Constable
           of
           that
           Ward
           ;
           who
           being
           fined
           five
           shillings
           for
           his
           Wife
           ,
           had
           his
           best
           Wearing-Coat
           distreyned
           the
           same
           time
           ,
           by
           immediate
           Order
           of
           Mr
           ,
           Foster
           .
        
         
           From
           hence
           Mr.
           Foster
           marcheth
           to
           
             John
             Spencer
          
           ,
           a
           Grocer
           ;
           whose
           Goods
           he
           distreyned
           for
           a
           Fine
           of
           about
           forty
           shillings
           .
           The
           next
           Neighbour
           was
           
             William
             Jay
          
           ,
           a
           Baker
           ,
           who
           was
           also
           distreyned
           for
           five
           shillings
           .
           And
           next
           to
           him
           lived
           one
           
             Edward
             Isaae
          
           ,
           a
           Blacksmith
           ,
           fined
           forty
           shillings
           for
           himself
           and
           his
           Wife
           ;
           from
           whom
           they
           took
           
           away
           Locks
           ,
           Shovels
           ,
           and
           the
           very
           Anvil
           upon
           which
           he
           forgeth
           his
           Work
           ;
           and
           Battison
           would
           have
           pulled
           down
           the
           Forge-Bellows
           also
           ,
           but
           that
           it
           required
           more
           time
           and
           labour
           ,
           than
           his
           itch
           to
           greater
           prizes
           in
           other
           places
           would
           allow
           him
           :
           Hastening
           therefore
           to
           their
           Market
           ,
           they
           leave
           (
           for
           a
           time
           )
           the
           Parish
           of
           Pauls
           ,
           invading
           the
           Parish
           of
           Cuthberts
           ;
           where
           they
           find
           the
           door
           of
           one
           
             Thomas
             Arthur
          
           a
           Pipe-maker
           ,
           locked
           ,
           who
           was
           fined
           five
           pounds
           ;
           before
           they
           had
           broken
           the
           door
           open
           by
           attempts
           they
           made
           at
           it
           ,
           the
           same
           was
           unlocked
           on
           the
           in-side
           ;
           Mr.
           Foster
           enters
           ,
           and
           distreyning
           all
           the
           Goods
           within
           doors
           and
           without
           ,
           the
           said
           Arthur
           desired
           to
           know
           ,
           how
           much
           Money
           he
           had
           distreyned
           for
           ?
           to
           whom
           the
           said
           Mr.
           Foster
           replied
           ,
           that
           they
           distreyned
           for
           eleven
           pounds
           :
           thereupon
           
             Thomas
             Arthur
          
           desired
           to
           see
           the
           Warrant
           ;
           which
           being
           produced
           ,
           he
           seeing
           himself
           therein
           but
           six
           pound
           ,
           told
           Mr.
           Foster
           so
           :
           to
           which
           M.
           Foster
           answered
           ,
           
             that
             there
             was
             five
             pound
             more
             for
             keeping
             his
             Door
             locked
             .
          
           When
           
             Thomas
             Arthur
          
           perceived
           that
           Mr.
           Foster
           would
           distreyn
           all
           his
           Goods
           ;
           he
           said
           ,
           
             Sir
             ,
             What
             shall
             my
             Children
             do
             ,
             shall
             they
             starve
             ?
          
           Mr.
           Foster
           replied
           ,
           
             that
             so
             long
             as
             he
             was
             a
             Rebel
             ,
             his
             Children
             should
             starve
             .
          
           And
           so
           on
           Wednesday
           following
           ,
           old
           Battison
           ,
           the
           two
           Apparitors
           ,
           with
           a
           File
           of
           Musquetiers
           ,
           and
           a
           Cart
           ,
           carried
           away
           what
           Houshold
           Goods
           they
           thought
           fit
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           Wood
           both
           within
           doors
           and
           without
           ,
           necessary
           to
           his
           Trade
           ,
           by
           three
           Cart-load
           ,
           not
           leaving
           so
           much
           as
           to
           suffice
           for
           the
           burning
           of
           a
           Kiln
           of
           Pipes
           ,
           ready
           set
           ,
           though
           earnestly
           desired
           by
           the
           poor
           Pipemaker
           himself
           ,
           and
           also
           by
           others
           of
           Battisons
           Company
           .
           
             Mr.
             Foster
          
           having
           done
           his
           Work
           at
           the
           Pipemakers
           ,
           proceeds
           in
           the
           Parish
           to
           one
           
             Robert
             Browns
          
           a
           Gardener
           ,
           distreyning
           all
           his
           Houshold
           Goods
           ,
           for
           a
           Fine
           supposed
           to
           be
           three
           pounds
           :
           making
           haste
           to
           the
           chiefest
           place
           they
           aimed
           at
           ,
           for
           their
           turn
           ,
           they
           passed
           into
           Peters
           Parish
           ,
           to
           the
           House
           of
           Mris.
           
             Mary
             Tilney
          
           ,
           Widow
           ,
           a
           Gentlewoman
           well
           descended
           ,
           and
           of
           a
           good
           Estate
           ,
           who
           was
           fined
           Twenty
           pounds
           ;
           and
           to
           make
           her
           exemplary
           in
           suffering
           for
           that
           offence
           ,
           Mr.
           Foster
           himself
           ,
           being
           attended
           by
           his
           Publick
           Notary
           ,
           will
           see
           the
           Fine
           effectually
           levied
           upon
           her
           Goods
           ;
           and
           indeed
           the
           same
           was
           effectually
           done
           ;
           for
           (
           a
           Cart
           being
           provided
           for
           that
           purpose
           )
           they
           distreyned
           and
           carried
           away
           all
           the
           Goods
           in
           her
           House
           they
           thought
           worth
           their
           labour
           ,
           as
           Tables
           ,
           Cupboards
           ,
           Chairs
           ,
           Irons
           ,
           Feather-beds
           ,
           Blankets
           ,
           the
           very
           Hangings
           of
           the
           Room
           ,
           and
           the
           Sheets
           off
           her
           Bed
           ,
           insomuch
           that
           the
           Widow
           was
           forced
           that
           night
           to
           borrow
           Sheets
           of
           her
           Neighbours
           to
           lie
           in
           ,
           being
           not
           willing
           to
           lodge
           out
           of
           her
           own
           House
           ,
           though
           invited
           by
           her
           friendly
           Neighbours
           ;
           nor
           did
           they
           leave
           her
           one
           Featherbed
           of
           her
           own
           (
           having
           
           taken
           three
           away
           )
           whereon
           to
           spread
           those
           Sheets
           she
           borrowed
           ,
           but
           she
           was
           forced
           to
           make
           use
           of
           a
           Bed
           and
           Bolster
           of
           anothers
           ,
           left
           in
           her
           House
           :
           It
           is
           true
           the
           Gentlewoman
           had
           more
           good
           Houshold-stuff
           of
           her
           own
           ,
           than
           was
           at
           this
           time
           found
           in
           her
           House
           ;
           but
           foreseeing
           the
           Waste
           intended
           upon
           her
           ,
           prudently
           secured
           the
           best
           of
           them
           abroad
           ;
           and
           therefore
           cannot
           with
           safety
           possess
           them
           for
           her
           necessary
           use
           :
           And
           as
           for
           the
           value
           of
           those
           Goods
           taken
           away
           ,
           it
           is
           supposed
           to
           be
           betwixt
           forty
           and
           fifty
           pounds
           .
           Yet
           the
           said
           Mris
           Tilney
           was
           more
           troubled
           at
           the
           crying
           and
           sighing
           of
           her
           poor
           Neighbours
           about
           her
           ,
           (
           who
           were
           much
           affected
           with
           her
           sufferings
           ,
           she
           being
           very
           charitable
           )
           than
           for
           the
           loss
           of
           her
           Goods
           ,
           which
           she
           took
           very
           chearfully
           .
           And
           so
           the
           Officers
           left
           her
           ,
           having
           finished
           this
           dayes
           work
           .
        
         
           The
           next
           day
           ,
           being
           Tuesday
           ,
           more
           Fines
           were
           to
           be
           levied
           on
           the
           Goods
           of
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Meeters
           ;
           but
           Battison
           finding
           it
           would
           lie
           hard
           upon
           him
           and
           the
           two
           Apparitors
           ,
           for
           want
           of
           more
           help
           than
           they
           had
           the
           day
           before
           ;
           and
           fore-knowing
           that
           if
           he
           deferred
           charging
           Assistance
           till
           he
           began
           his
           work
           ,
           all
           people
           would
           get
           out
           of
           the
           way
           ,
           as
           they
           did
           ;
           Therefore
           early
           in
           the
           morning
           he
           walked
           alone
           in
           the
           Streets
           ,
           looking
           into
           the
           Shops
           ,
           to
           charge
           men
           beforehand
           to
           be
           ready
           :
           Which
           being
           soon
           perceived
           by
           the
           people
           ,
           most
           of
           the
           Tradesmen
           and
           other
           Inhabitants
           ,
           instantly
           either
           deserted
           the
           Town
           ,
           or
           hid
           themselves
           as
           before
           .
           About
           ten
           of
           the
           Clock
           ,
           old
           Battison
           ,
           with
           the
           Souldiers
           ,
           and
           some
           Constables
           ,
           whom
           he
           had
           warned
           over-night
           to
           be
           in
           readiness
           ,
           marcheth
           up
           the
           High-street
           ;
           where
           he
           levieth
           the
           Fine
           of
           five
           pounds
           upon
           
             John
             Fen
          
           ,
           the
           Haberdasher
           of
           Hatts
           before-mentioned
           ,
           at
           whose
           House
           the
           Meeting
           was
           ;
           taking
           away
           all
           the
           Hats
           in
           his
           Shop
           ,
           and
           the
           next
           day
           carted
           away
           his
           Houshold-Goods
           ,
           because
           there
           was
           but
           twenty
           nine
           Hats
           in
           the
           Shop
           ,
           beside
           Hatbands
           ,
           that
           they
           took
           away
           .
           Having
           thus
           dealt
           with
           this
           Hatter
           ,
           he
           proceeds
           to
           deal
           the
           same
           measure
           to
           another
           Hatter
           ,
           one
           
             Samuel
             Fen
          
           ,
           who
           was
           also
           fined
           five
           pounds
           ,
           and
           dealt
           with
           as
           his
           Brother
           before
           him
           ,
           finding
           no
           more
           favour
           from
           them
           than
           the
           former
           .
        
         
           The
           next
           Fine
           they
           proceed
           to
           levy
           ,
           was
           forty
           shillings
           upon
           the
           Goods
           of
           one
           
             Thomas
             Woodward
          
           ,
           a
           Malster
           :
           but
           one
           
             Richard
             Layfield
          
           being
           in
           possession
           of
           the
           Malthouse
           ,
           to
           whom
           the
           Maltster
           had
           (
           some
           time
           before
           )
           sold
           all
           his
           Malt
           ,
           and
           quitted
           the
           possession
           ;
           Old
           Battison
           met
           with
           a
           stop
           ,
           and
           was
           perswaded
           to
           defer
           distreyning
           ,
           till
           
             Richard
             Layfield
          
           ,
           who
           had
           bought
           the
           Malt
           ,
           had
           spoken
           with
           the
           Justices
           ,
           then
           met
           at
           the
           Swan
           :
           forthwith
           the
           said
           Layfield
           applyed
           to
           the
           Justices
           ,
           ●cquaints
           them
           that
           
             Thomas
             Woodward
          
           (
           
             bona
             fide
          
           )
           did
           owe
           him
           sixty
           
           pounds
           ,
           that
           he
           had
           formerly
           lent
           him
           in
           money
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           said
           
             Thomas
             Woodward
          
           was
           bound
           to
           deliver
           two
           hundred
           ninety
           odd
           quarters
           of
           Malt
           to
           others
           ,
           for
           Money
           and
           Barley
           received
           of
           them
           ;
           and
           therefore
           upon
           condition
           that
           the
           said
           Layfield
           should
           acquit
           him
           of
           the
           said
           sixty
           pound
           debt
           ,
           and
           oblige
           himself
           to
           deliver
           the
           two
           hundred
           ninety
           odd
           quarters
           of
           Malt
           to
           the
           several
           persons
           interessed
           in
           them
           ,
           he
           did
           sell
           and
           deliver
           to
           him
           the
           said
           
             Richard
             Layfield
          
           ,
           all
           the
           Malt
           lying
           in
           his
           Malthouse
           ,
           and
           Barley
           left
           ,
           and
           that
           there
           was
           no
           fraud
           herein
           ;
           All
           the
           persons
           to
           whom
           the
           two
           hundred
           ninety
           and
           odd
           quarters
           of
           Malt
           were
           due
           ,
           were
           ready
           to
           make
           oath
           of
           the
           truth
           of
           their
           Debts
           ;
           the
           said
           
             Richard
             Layfield
          
           did
           also
           produce
           the
           Deed
           to
           the
           Justices
           ,
           and
           averred
           that
           the
           reason
           of
           making
           this
           Bargain
           ,
           was
           to
           secure
           his
           sixty
           pound
           ,
           which
           he
           thought
           might
           otherwise
           be
           hazarded
           .
           But
           notwithstanding
           all
           this
           ,
           Sir
           
             George
             Blundell
          
           ,
           one
           of
           the
           Justices
           ,
           said
           ;
           That
           
             Richard
             Layfield
          
           went
           about
           herein
           to
           defraud
           the
           King
           ,
           and
           therefore
           bound
           him
           over
           to
           the
           next
           Assizes
           ;
           and
           further
           said
           ,
           that
           so
           long
           as
           
             Thomas
             Woodward
          
           aforesaid
           offended
           ,
           the
           Malt
           should
           be
           distreyned
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           would
           leave
           them
           (
           meaning
           the
           Meeters
           )
           worth
           nothing
           ;
           And
           when
           he
           had
           done
           that
           ,
           he
           would
           fill
           the
           P●isons
           with
           them
           :
           adding
           moreover
           ,
           If
           they
           do
           not
           like
           it
           ,
           
             Let
             them
             stand
             up
             and
             defend
             themselves
             ,
             as
             we
             did
             .
          
        
         
           There
           were
           no
           further
           Distresses
           made
           the
           last
           week
           ;
           it
           is
           conjectured
           that
           some
           falling
           out
           betwixt
           the
           Mayor
           and
           
             Mr.
             Foster
          
           on
           Wednesday
           ,
           was
           the
           occasion
           to
           delay
           their
           proceedings
           ;
           It
           seems
           the
           Mayor
           was
           not
           willing
           that
           Battison
           (
           who
           is
           Churchwarden
           for
           Pauls
           )
           should
           distreyn
           in
           the
           two
           Parishes
           on
           the
           other
           side
           of
           the
           River
           where
           the
           Mayor
           lived
           :
           But
           on
           Monday
           the
           30th
           instant
           ,
           Feckman
           the
           chief
           Apparitor
           ,
           with
           the
           Churchwarden
           ,
           Constable
           ,
           and
           Overseer
           of
           Mary's
           Parish
           in
           Bedford
           ,
           began
           to
           distrein
           .
           The
           persons
           name
           is
           
             Joseph
             Ruffhead
          
           at
           whose
           House
           they
           first
           began
           ;
           the
           Fine
           they
           levied
           upon
           him
           was
           three
           pound
           ;
           the
           said
           Ruffhead
           upon
           their
           approach
           to
           him
           desired
           to
           see
           their
           Warrant
           ,
           wherein
           not
           finding
           Feckmans
           name
           ,
           he
           discharged
           him
           from
           coming
           upon
           his
           Ground
           ,
           and
           therefore
           was
           had
           to
           one
           of
           the
           Justices
           ;
           before
           whom
           making
           good
           his
           practice
           in
           keeping
           Feckman
           from
           his
           Ground
           ,
           because
           not
           in
           the
           Warrant
           ,
           was
           told
           by
           the
           Justice
           ,
           that
           Feckman
           came
           only
           as
           an
           Assistant
           to
           the
           Officers
           .
           Whereupon
           the
           said
           Ruffhead
           returning
           back
           permitted
           them
           to
           take
           their
           Distress
           ;
           who
           took
           two
           Timber-Trees
           of
           about
           seven
           pound
           value
           ,
           for
           the
           three
           pound
           .
           The
           same
           
           day
           the
           same
           Officers
           went
           to
           distreyn
           one
           
             John
             Clerke
          
           ,
           a
           Grocer
           ,
           for
           forty
           shillings
           ;
           and
           breaking
           open
           his
           Doors
           ,
           they
           took
           his
           Houshold-goods
           ,
           not
           medling
           with
           those
           in
           his
           Shop
           ,
           being
           but
           of
           little
           value
           .
           And
           from
           thence
           the
           same
           Officers
           went
           to
           the
           House
           of
           
             John
             Rush
          
           Waggoner
           ,
           to
           levy
           a
           Distress
           of
           three
           pounds
           set
           upon
           him
           ,
           where
           they
           seized
           a
           new
           Cart
           and
           Wheels
           for
           the
           same
           .
        
         
           The
           same
           day
           at
           part
           of
           a
           Village
           called
           Cotten-End
           ,
           near
           Bedford
           ,
           the
           Officers
           of
           the
           same
           ,
           by
           Warrant
           from
           the
           Justices
           ,
           distreyned
           several
           persons
           ,
           who
           had
           been
           convicted
           by
           the
           Justices
           ,
           for
           having
           a
           Meeting
           at
           the
           House
           of
           one
           
             Thomas
             Thorowgood
          
           ;
           which
           persons
           were
           fined
           to
           a
           greater
           value
           than
           the
           whole
           of
           their
           Estates
           did
           amount
           to
           ;
           and
           this
           day
           they
           are
           stripped
           of
           their
           whole
           substance
           ;
           and
           the
           said
           Thorowgood
           hath
           not
           left
           him
           so
           much
           as
           his
           Loom
           to
           work
           with
           ,
           being
           a
           Weaver
           ;
           and
           by
           his
           labour
           therein
           supporting
           himself
           and
           his
           Family
           .
        
         
           But
           because
           there
           are
           several
           remarkable
           Circumstances
           relating
           to
           this
           matter
           ,
           which
           do
           clearly
           evince
           the
           undue
           and
           most
           inhumane
           dealings
           of
           some
           of
           the
           Justices
           ,
           especially
           of
           Sir
           
             George
             Blundell
          
           ,
           with
           the
           poor
           people
           last
           mentioned
           ;
           here
           is
           therefore
           inserted
           a
           particular
           and
           exact
           Account
           of
           the
           whole
           Proceeding
           ,
           as
           followeth
           .
        
         
           From
           the
           discourse
           of
           a
           little
           Child
           ,
           who
           said
           there
           had
           been
           a
           Meeting
           at
           the
           House
           of
           
             Thomas
             Thorowgood
          
           in
           Cotten-End
           ;
           the
           Wife
           of
           
             John
             Pryor
          
           Victualler
           ,
           resorts
           to
           Sir
           
             G.
             B.
          
           and
           makes
           Oath
           of
           the
           Child's
           Report
           to
           her
           ,
           who
           issues
           a
           Warrant
           for
           the
           appearance
           of
           several
           persons
           of
           that
           En●ship
           ,
           suspected
           to
           have
           been
           there
           ,
           who
           appeared
           before
           several
           Justices
           at
           the
           Swan
           in
           Bedford
           ,
           before
           whom
           none
           that
           were
           examined
           confessed
           a
           Meeting
           to
           have
           been
           ,
           or
           that
           they
           were
           there
           :
           the
           Justices
           dealt
           with
           them
           severally
           ,
           assuring
           them
           that
           such
           of
           them
           as
           would
           confess
           who
           was
           the
           Preacher
           ,
           should
           be
           acquitted
           :
           but
           no
           confession
           was
           made
           ;
           and
           generally
           they
           did
           refer
           to
           any
           proof
           that
           could
           be
           brought
           against
           them
           ,
           not
           being
           willing
           to
           accuse
           themselves
           or
           others
           .
           The
           Justices
           upon
           consideration
           did
           conclude
           ,
           that
           there
           was
           ground
           sufficient
           to
           convict
           them
           ;
           and
           did
           assess
           Fines
           upon
           them
           severally
           .
           Thomas
           Thorowgood's
           Fine
           (
           at
           whose
           House
           the
           Meeting
           was
           said
           to
           be
           )
           was
           Nineteen
           pounds
           ;
           who
           was
           by
           the
           Officers
           distreyned
           ,
           and
           all
           that
           he
           had
           ,
           with
           the
           Implements
           of
           his
           Trade
           (
           he
           being
           a
           Weaver
           )
           taken
           from
           him
           ,
           and
           the
           said
           Thorowgood
           with
           his
           Wife
           is
           since
           departed
           away
           from
           their
           dwelling
           and
           gone
           .
        
         
         
           The
           Wife
           of
           one
           
             George
             Winright
          
           ,
           and
           a
           Son-in-law
           of
           Winrights
           ,
           were
           fined
           ten
           pounds
           five
           shillings
           ,
           as
           having
           been
           at
           the
           Meeting
           .
           The
           said
           
             George
             Winright
          
           is
           Tenant
           to
           the
           Earl
           of
           Exeter
           ,
           and
           being
           in
           Arrears
           of
           Rent
           to
           his
           said
           Landlord
           ,
           about
           Michelmas
           last
           ,
           for
           his
           said
           Landlords
           security
           of
           receiving
           Rent
           then
           due
           ,
           and
           such
           further
           as
           for
           the
           year
           ensuing
           would
           be
           accrewing
           ,
           the
           said
           Winright
           prevailed
           with
           two
           Sons-in-law
           of
           his
           ,
           to
           become
           bound
           for
           him
           to
           the
           Earl's
           Steward
           ,
           then
           upon
           the
           place
           ,
           for
           his
           quarterly
           payment
           of
           money
           due
           ;
           and
           for
           the
           indempnity
           of
           his
           two
           Sons
           ,
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           said
           Bond
           ,
           the
           said
           Winright
           by
           Bill
           of
           Sale
           passeth
           over
           all
           his
           Goods
           and
           Chattels
           to
           the
           two
           Sons
           ,
           one
           whereof
           lived
           with
           him
           ,
           in
           the
           possession
           of
           what
           was
           so
           sold
           ,
           from
           the
           time
           of
           the
           said
           Sale
           ;
           but
           it
           happened
           that
           the
           Son
           who
           lived
           with
           him
           ,
           staying
           out
           from
           home
           at
           a
           Fair
           the
           third
           of
           May
           ,
           kept
           at
           a
           Village
           about
           two
           miles
           from
           Cotten-end
           ,
           the
           Father-in-law
           took
           such
           displeasure
           that
           he
           broke
           open
           the
           Son's
           Coffer
           standing
           in
           the
           House
           ,
           took
           out
           the
           Writing
           and
           destroyed
           it
           :
           the
           Son
           remains
           still
           with
           his
           Father
           ,
           and
           was
           fined
           ten
           pounds
           for
           being
           at
           a
           Meeting
           .
           The
           Father
           pleads
           there
           were
           no
           Goods
           of
           the
           Son
           's
           there
           ,
           though
           they
           were
           once
           his
           with
           his
           Brothers
           ,
           yet
           the
           Writing
           was
           since
           destroyed
           ,
           and
           sets
           forth
           the
           matter
           of
           Fact.
           The
           cancelling
           of
           the
           Writing
           was
           deemed
           Collusion
           ,
           and
           the
           Officers
           were
           ordered
           to
           proceed
           in
           the
           Distress
           .
           Winright
           thereupon
           driveth
           away
           his
           Cattel
           ,
           sells
           several
           of
           them
           at
           
             Potten
             Market
          
           ,
           and
           some
           not
           sold
           there
           ,
           he
           sells
           to
           one
           Miller
           ,
           an
           Inhabitant
           of
           the
           same
           Parish
           ,
           for
           a
           valuable
           rate
           ;
           who
           paid
           good
           part
           of
           the
           money
           ,
           and
           gave
           Bond
           for
           the
           remainer
           to
           Winright
           (
           the
           said
           Cattel
           being
           in
           
           Miller's
           Grounds
           and
           Possession
           several
           dayes
           )
           which
           being
           heard
           of
           ,
           Sir
           
             G.
             B.
          
           sends
           a
           Warrant
           for
           both
           the
           Buyer
           and
           Seller
           to
           appear
           before
           him
           ,
           to
           whom
           they
           gave
           information
           of
           the
           sale
           and
           the
           payment
           .
           But
           all
           their
           Pleas
           being
           unregarded
           ,
           the
           said
           Knight
           demanded
           Sureties
           of
           them
           for
           their
           appearance
           at
           the
           Assizes
           ,
           declaring
           with
           his
           wonted
           vehemence
           he
           would
           bind
           them
           both
           over
           ,
           and
           distreyn
           the
           Cattel
           likewise
           :
           whereat
           the
           said
           Winright
           being
           affrighted
           ,
           promised
           to
           pay
           the
           ten
           pounds
           ,
           and
           accordingly
           did
           so
           ;
           but
           some
           few
           dayes
           after
           ,
           being
           told
           by
           a
           Lawyer
           that
           he
           had
           wrong
           in
           so
           doing
           ,
           he
           repairs
           to
           Sir
           
             G.
             B.
          
           acquainting
           him
           with
           what
           the
           Lawyer
           had
           said
           ,
           entreating
           his
           favour
           :
           which
           without
           delay
           he
           imparted
           ,
           beating
           him
           well
           for
           his
           pains
           .
        
         
           
             Thomas
             Langley
          
           ,
           an
           Inhabitant
           of
           Cotton-End
           ,
           likewise
           being
           fined
           five
           pound
           ten
           shillings
           ,
           for
           his
           being
           at
           the
           aforesaid
           suspected
           
           Meeting
           ,
           presuming
           upon
           the
           favour
           of
           Sir
           
             G.
             B.
          
           (
           to
           whom
           he
           stood
           in
           late
           relation
           as
           a
           Servant
           )
           told
           the
           Officers
           
             he
             would
             pay
             the
             money
             ,
             if
             he
             could
             not
             get
             abatement
             of
             Sir
             G.
             B.
          
           to
           whom
           repairing
           ,
           and
           not
           prevailing
           for
           any
           such-like
           kindness
           ,
           he
           was
           unwilling
           to
           pay
           the
           said
           Fine
           ,
           having
           very
           little
           Stock
           ,
           and
           owing
           for
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           that
           ,
           and
           much
           likewise
           in
           arrears
           to
           his
           Landlord
           :
           but
           the
           Officers
           having
           strict
           charge
           to
           go
           take
           all
           he
           had
           ,
           and
           sell
           it
           for
           five
           pounds
           ten
           shillings
           ,
           they
           distreyned
           his
           three
           Cows
           ,
           really
           worth
           ten
           pound
           ,
           and
           going
           to
           sell
           them
           ,
           a
           Neighbour
           in
           compassion
           to
           the
           Distreyned
           ,
           paid
           the
           Officer
           five
           pound
           ten
           shillings
           ,
           and
           sent
           the
           Cows
           home
           to
           the
           right
           owner
           .
        
         
           Some
           other
           persons
           of
           the
           said
           Endship
           were
           distreyned
           by
           the
           Officers
           ,
           and
           had
           that
           little
           substance
           they
           had
           taken
           from
           them
           ,
           and
           deposited
           by
           the
           Officers
           in
           the
           house
           of
           the
           aforesaid
           Pryor
           ,
           whose
           Wife
           did
           at
           first
           inform
           of
           the
           said
           Meeting
           ,
           where
           they
           yet
           remain
           to
           be
           sold
           to
           any
           willing
           to
           buy
           the
           same
           ,
           that
           with
           the
           proportion
           allotted
           to
           the
           Informer
           ,
           the
           said
           Pryor
           may
           again
           have
           some
           money
           to
           put
           into
           his
           purse
           ,
           having
           prodigally
           and
           brutishly
           wasted
           all
           ,
           that
           he
           lately
           sold
           a
           considerable
           Estate
           for
           ,
           that
           lay
           in
           the
           aforesaid
           Endship
           .
        
         
           
             A
             true
             Relation
             of
             the
             sudden
             and
             strange
             Death
             of
             one
             Feckman
             ,
             a
             malicious
             Persecutor
             of
             the
             good
             People
             at
             Bedford
             .
          
           
             Of
             a
             like
             complexion
             with
             that
             beastly
             creature
             
               John
               Pryor
            
             ,
             last
             mentioned
             ,
             was
             one
             Feckman
             a
             most
             violent
             and
             thirsty
             Persecutor
             at
             Bedford
             ;
             whose
             father
             living
             at
             Turvy
             in
             the
             County
             of
             Bedford
             ,
             left
             him
             a
             very
             considerable
             Estate
             ,
             who
             at
             his
             marriage
             did
             receive
             a
             good
             addition
             thereto
             ,
             by
             a
             Portion
             with
             his
             Wife
             ;
             but
             giving
             no
             limits
             to
             his
             lusts
             and
             extravagancies
             ,
             in
             some
             few
             years
             he
             had
             spent
             all
             ,
             and
             for
             his
             last
             refuge
             became
             an
             Apparitor
             ,
             to
             which
             the
             calling
             of
             an
             Alehouse-keeper
             being
             by
             special
             favour
             added
             ,
             he
             by
             the
             gains
             from
             both
             was
             enabled
             to
             live
             as
             a
             Hous-keeper
             in
             Bedford
             ;
             but
             at
             the
             coming
             forth
             of
             this
             late
             Act
             ,
             he
             blessed
             himself
             with
             the
             hopes
             of
             recovering
             an
             Estate
             ,
             and
             raising
             himself
             a
             Fabrick
             out
             of
             the
             Ruines
             of
             those
             whose
             kindnesses
             had
             refreshed
             him
             ;
             and
             pursuant
             to
             this
             purpose
             ,
             he
             engages
             with
             all
             his
             might
             both
             in
             taking
             the
             Meeters
             ,
             and
             levying
             the
             Distress
             upon
             their
             Goods
             ;
             in
             the
             former
             ,
             manifesting
             more
             than
             usual
             diligence
             ;
             and
             in
             the
             latter
             ,
             expressing
             extraordinary
             rage
             and
             violence
             ,
             so
             that
             by
             his
             fierceness
             and
             cruelty
             
             (
             wherein
             he
             seemed
             delighted
             )
             he
             appeared
             rather
             a
             Purveyor
             for
             ,
             and
             a
             resemblant
             of
             Satan
             ,
             than
             an
             Officer
             of
             a
             Court
             Christian
             (
             as
             some
             men
             stile
             the
             Commissaries
             .
             )
             But
             some
             few
             dayes
             after
             ,
             
               viz
               June
            
             3.
             1670.
             at
             a
             Visitation
             (
             where
             he
             ,
             as
             a
             necessary
             and
             endeared
             Appurtenant
             ▪
             was
             attending
             )
             at
             Ampthill
             ,
             he
             was
             taken
             there
             ill
             ,
             and
             coming
             thence
             to
             his
             home
             ,
             fell
             very
             far
             amiss
             ,
             issuing
             blood
             in
             great
             abundance
             both
             by
             vomit
             and
             seige
             ,
             continuing
             so
             to
             do
             till
             his
             death
             (
             which
             was
             the
             5th
             day
             after
             his
             first
             sickness
             )
             during
             all
             which
             time
             he
             was
             in
             very
             great
             pain
             and
             anguish
             of
             body
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             most
             part
             unwilling
             to
             speak
             ,
             and
             not
             very
             sensible
             ,
             sometimes
             speaking
             words
             of
             threatning
             against
             Phanaticks
             ;
             and
             sometimes
             blaming
             
               Mr.
               Foster
            
             for
             setting
             him
             in
             the
             Office.
             After
             whose
             Death
             his
             Wife
             ,
             in
             complyance
             with
             her
             Husbands
             desire
             of
             being
             buried
             at
             Turvey
             ,
             endeavoured
             to
             borrow
             a
             Coach
             of
             the
             Neighbour
             Gentlemen
             ,
             to
             carry
             his
             Corps
             ;
             but
             all
             that
             were
             asked
             ,
             refused
             to
             lend
             ;
             and
             the
             two
             Carriers
             who
             live
             in
             the
             Town
             (
             each
             of
             which
             keeps
             two
             Coaches
             ,
             that
             they
             let
             for
             Hire
             to
             persons
             desiring
             them
             )
             did
             both
             of
             them
             refuse
             for
             hire
             to
             let
             theirs
             for
             his
             conveyance
             ;
             so
             that
             his
             wife
             was
             constrained
             to
             send
             his
             Corps
             in
             a
             Cart
             to
             the
             place
             designed
             for
             his
             burial
             .
          
        
      
       
         
           A
           POSTSCRIPT
           .
        
         
           THis
           Instance
           of
           the
           Execution
           of
           the
           late
           Act
           against
           Meetings
           for
           Religious
           Worship
           ,
           is
           not
           thus
           made
           publick
           ,
           as
           though
           there
           were
           no
           other
           of
           the
           same
           kind
           in
           other
           places
           ;
           For
           it
           is
           well
           known
           that
           in
           many
           of
           the
           principal
           Cities
           and
           Towns
           in
           the
           Nation
           ,
           there
           have
           been
           proceedings
           on
           the
           same
           account
           ,
           with
           no
           less
           Outrage
           ,
           Illegality
           and
           Violence
           ;
           which
           may
           in
           due
           time
           be
           published
           also
           :
           only
           this
           is
           one
           of
           the
           first
           ,
           whose
           Tragical
           Acts
           have
           been
           collected
           ,
           every
           particular
           whereof
           will
           readily
           be
           attested
           on
           Oath
           ,
           by
           those
           that
           suffered
           ,
           and
           others
           who
           were
           spectators
           of
           the
           whole
           proceeding
           .
           Nor
           is
           the
           design
           of
           publishing
           hereof
           ,
           to
           cast
           any
           reflection
           on
           the
           Act
           it self
           ,
           let
           it
           stand
           or
           fall
           in
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           it
           shall
           be
           found
           complyant
           with
           ,
           or
           opposite
           to
           ,
           the
           Honour
           and
           Interest
           of
           his
           Majesty
           ,
           with
           the
           Peace
           ,
           Welfare
           and
           Prosperity
           of
           the
           Kingdoms
           .
           Councels
           for
           publick
           good
           ,
           are
           the
           Province
           of
           our
           Superiours
           ;
           ready
           Obedience
           ,
           or
           peaceable
           Sufferings
           ,
           
           are
           the
           lot
           of
           private
           men
           :
           But
           least
           of
           all
           is
           there
           any
           design
           in
           this
           Narrative
           ,
           to
           insinuate
           further
           discomposures
           into
           the
           minds
           of
           men
           than
           what
           are
           already
           evident
           ,
           or
           to
           attempt
           a
           disposal
           of
           them
           ,
           into
           irregular
           ,
           and
           disorderly
           actings
           ,
           to
           the
           disturbance
           of
           the
           Publick
           Peace
           :
           This
           indeed
           (
           as
           it
           appears
           in
           the
           Narrative
           )
           some
           of
           their
           Adversaries
           do
           openly
           declare
           ,
           that
           they
           would
           willingly
           ,
           by
           their
           unjust
           and
           oppressive
           usage
           of
           them
           ,
           hurry
           them
           into
           .
           But
           all
           endeavours
           of
           that
           kind
           will
           be
           in
           vain
           ,
           and
           the
           hopes
           of
           some
           about
           it
           ,
           wholly
           frustrate
           .
           For
           as
           this
           People
           ,
           by
           their
           peaceable
           deportment
           for
           many
           years
           together
           ,
           have
           given
           all
           the
           satisfaction
           ,
           that
           any
           men
           in
           the
           like
           circumstances
           are
           able
           to
           give
           ,
           of
           their
           harmless
           and
           quiet
           inclinations
           ;
           So
           they
           intend
           not
           (
           by
           the
           Grace
           of
           God
           )
           to
           gratifie
           their
           Adversaries
           ,
           by
           transgressing
           the
           obligation
           of
           their
           own
           Consciences
           unto
           peace
           ,
           and
           all
           due
           subjection
           unto
           Magistrates
           .
           It
           is
           nothing
           else
           but
           the
           Authority
           of
           God
           in
           their
           Consciences
           ,
           which
           imposes
           a
           necessity
           upon
           them
           to
           practise
           those
           things
           in
           their
           Christian
           Profession
           for
           which
           they
           are
           made
           obnoxious
           to
           so
           great
           sufferings
           ,
           and
           gives
           them
           a
           supportment
           under
           them
           .
           The
           violation
           thereof
           ,
           by
           any
           disorderly
           and
           seditious
           behaviour
           ,
           to
           the
           disturbance
           of
           the
           Publick
           Peace
           ,
           would
           be
           at
           once
           ,
           to
           renounce
           the
           Principle
           of
           their
           Actings
           ,
           and
           to
           deprive
           themselves
           of
           the
           Comfort
           of
           their
           Sufferings
           .
           Nor
           do
           they
           in
           the
           least
           suspect
           ,
           that
           the
           Declaration
           of
           their
           Resolutions
           in
           this
           kind
           ,
           will
           prompt
           many
           to
           renue
           and
           multiply
           their
           violent
           proceedings
           against
           them
           ,
           upon
           security
           of
           freedom
           from
           opposition
           ;
           None
           but
           vile
           and
           ignoble
           spirits
           will
           entertain
           a
           thought
           of
           so
           doing
           ,
           upon
           such
           grounds
           ;
           Wise
           and
           generous
           Persons
           will
           rather
           take
           hold
           of
           it
           ,
           as
           a
           fit
           and
           honourable
           occasion
           ,
           to
           exercise
           their
           clemency
           and
           forbearance
           .
           And
           indeed
           all
           unquiet
           storms
           ,
           thundrings
           and
           lightnings
           ,
           are
           in
           and
           from
           the
           lower
           Regions
           ;
           but
           amongst
           the
           higher
           Spheres
           and
           more
           Celestial
           Bodies
           ,
           all
           things
           are
           alwayes
           peaceable
           and
           serene
           ,
           and
           by
           their
           influences
           are
           the
           other
           raging
           and
           noxious
           disturbances
           quell'd
           and
           scattered
           :
           and
           such
           an
           end
           do
           we
           hope
           and
           pray
           for
           ,
           of
           our
           present
           disquietments
           .
        
         
           The
           ends
           therefore
           of
           publishing
           this
           Account
           are
           plainly
           and
           only
           these
           :
           First
           ,
           to
           prepare
           others
           ,
           of
           the
           same
           way
           and
           practice
           in
           the
           things
           of
           Religion
           ,
           with
           the
           persons
           so
           roughly
           treated
           at
           Bedford
           ,
           not
           to
           think
           strange
           of
           the
           like
           tryals
           when
           they
           befal
           them
           ,
           and
           to
           bear
           them
           patiently
           ,
           quietly
           ,
           and
           peaceably
           ,
           notwithstanding
           all
           provocations
           to
           the
           contrary
           ,
           as
           they
           have
           done
           .
           2dly
           ,
           Humbly
           to
           demand
           
           of
           our
           Legislators
           ,
           whether
           this
           be
           the
           Garment
           of
           their
           Off-spring
           ?
           It
           doth
           not
           appear
           that
           there
           is
           any
           thing
           in
           the
           Act
           it self
           ,
           that
           doth
           direct
           to
           ,
           or
           will
           bear
           any
           man
           out
           in
           ,
           such
           an
           execution
           of
           it
           ,
           as
           that
           which
           is
           here
           most
           truly
           and
           impartially
           represented
           .
           And
           we
           suppose
           that
           the
           secret
           intentions
           of
           some
           ,
           ought
           not
           to
           influence
           Publick
           Administrations
           ,
           wherein
           all
           are
           concerned
           .
           And
           it
           may
           not
           unbecome
           the
           wisdom
           of
           those
           who
           have
           Power
           ,
           speedily
           to
           revise
           those
           Laws
           ,
           which
           may
           easily
           be
           perverted
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           give
           too
           much
           countenance
           unto
           ,
           and
           be
           made
           instrumental
           in
           ,
           gratifying
           the
           lusts
           and
           revenge
           of
           private
           men
           .
           3dly
           ,
           To
           give
           a
           clear
           prospect
           into
           the
           sad
           Effects
           of
           the
           Prosecution
           of
           this
           Act
           ,
           in
           the
           way
           and
           manner
           as
           hath
           herein
           been
           made
           known
           ;
           in
           which
           it
           appears
           ,
           that
           there
           hath
           been
           very
           little
           regard
           to
           Law
           ,
           Equity
           ,
           Peace
           ,
           Love
           ,
           Humanity
           ,
           or
           indeed
           any
           thing
           that
           is
           desirable
           or
           useful
           among
           Mankind
           .
           It
           is
           evident
           already
           ,
           how
           that
           by
           these
           means
           ,
           no
           small
           Disturbances
           ,
           Distractions
           and
           Confusions
           ,
           have
           filled
           the
           minds
           ,
           and
           exercised
           the
           thoughts
           of
           all
           sorts
           of
           men
           ;
           some
           forsake
           their
           Callings
           ,
           and
           all
           industry
           in
           them
           ;
           in
           which
           number
           are
           not
           only
           the
           Prosecutors
           of
           this
           Act
           ,
           and
           those
           prosecuted
           by
           them
           ,
           but
           others
           also
           ,
           who
           withdraw
           themselves
           ,
           or
           forsake
           their
           Habitations
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           have
           no
           concernment
           in
           these
           proceedings
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           not
           to
           contribute
           their
           Assistance
           in
           them
           .
           Poor
           industrious
           Families
           are
           utterly
           ruined
           ,
           and
           some
           made
           wholly
           incapable
           to
           provide
           for
           their
           future
           subsistance
           ,
           (
           the
           Utensils
           and
           Implements
           of
           their
           respective
           Callings
           (
           contrary
           to
           Law
           )
           being
           most
           barbarously
           taken
           from
           them
           :
           )
           And
           besides
           all
           this
           ,
           opportunities
           are
           hereby
           given
           to
           Thieves
           and
           Robbers
           to
           countenance
           their
           Villanies
           ,
           with
           pretences
           of
           executing
           this
           Act
           ,
           which
           have
           actually
           by
           some
           already
           been
           made
           use
           of
           in
           Hartfordshire
           ,
           not
           far
           from
           the
           Town
           of
           Hartford
           ;
           the
           truth
           whereof
           will
           evidently
           appear
           upon
           enquiry
           .
           Moreover
           ,
           also
           ,
           the
           minds
           of
           the
           residue
           of
           men
           are
           filled
           with
           mutual
           Animosities
           ,
           Heats
           ,
           Jealousies
           and
           Suspicions
           ,
           things
           no
           way
           conducing
           to
           publick
           tranquillity
           and
           advantage
           ,
           And
           all
           this
           is
           brought
           about
           by
           this
           only
           means
           ;
           And
           that
           too
           in
           a
           time
           otherwise
           of
           the
           highest
           peace
           ,
           calmness
           ,
           and
           sedateness
           of
           mind
           amongst
           all
           sorts
           of
           people
           throughout
           the
           Nation
           .
           Whether
           these
           ,
           and
           innumerable
           other
           evils
           of
           the
           like
           kind
           ,
           will
           be
           recompenced
           unto
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           by
           the
           satisfaction
           given
           to
           the
           envy
           and
           jealousies
           of
           some
           men
           ,
           (
           whose
           usefulness
           unto
           themselves
           is
           very
           well
           known
           ,
           but
           not
           so
           as
           to
           the
           Publick
           advantage
           of
           the
           Nation
           )
           Men
           wise
           ,
           peaceable
           and
           sober
           ,
           will
           in
           their
           own
           minds
           judge
           and
           determine
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .