THE LIBERTY OF AN Apostate Conscience DISCOVERED: BEING A Plain Narrative of the Controversy long depending between Francis Bugg, an officious Agent in William Rogers' Behalf and Quarrel, on the one part: And Samuel Cater and George Smith, Prisoners for the Testimony of Jesus in Ely Goal, on the other Part. With their Answer to his Painted Harlot, etc.  
Whereby F. B's Liberty of Conscience is proved an Injurious Bondage.  
Published for the Information of all Friends of Truth, and others concerned: and for Caution to all such Agents as have Promoted or Spread the late Books of Fr. Bugg and W. Rogers.  1 Thess. 4.6. Let no man go beyond or Defraud his Brother in any Matter, because the Lord is the Avenger of all such. 
London, Printed by John Bringhurst, at the Sign of the Book in Grace-Church-street. 1683.   

AN Introduction TO FRIENDS AND Friendly Readers.  
WHereas myself with others concerned have given account of the Unjust Actions and Unrighteous proceed of Francis Bugg, as hereafter mentioned; This I do say, and in the Fear of the Lord testify, that it is not done out of Envy and Ill will to the Man, or to insult over him, by laying open his Nakedness; but do truly desire his sincere and unfeigned Repentance, even as we have done ever since he began this his Unrighteous Work; and for that end we have waited long upon him, and have laboured much with him; for if wholesome Advice and Brotherly Admonition could have prevailed with him, to have turned him from his Evil way, which of late Years he hath followed, a● this Narrative and his Malicious Books do plainly show, this had never been: But seeing he still followeth his unruly work, and will not be reclaimed to turn from this Evil Spirit which hath led him into these things; we do look upon ourselves Conscientiously concerned for the Glory of God, and the Honour of his Truth, and also for the good of all honest and tender People, who have or may have better Thoughts of him than he doth deserve, and that so under the Profession of Truth, which he in some measure hath gone under, and may thereby deceive or betray any, and draw them from the peaceable Truth, into that Spirit with him, into Strife and Contention; which hath been the work he hath followed these several Years, which is the work and fruit of an Evil minded Man; as saith the Scriptures, An Evil Man out of the Evil Treasure of his Heart bringeth forth Evil things. And Christ saith, By the Fruit ye shall know them; For Men do not gather Grapes of Thorns, nor Figgs of Thistles. Whereby he showeth how impossible it is that ●n Evil minded Man should bring forth that which is Good.  
And now having given a true and faithful account of the disorderly and unjust Words and Actions of this Man; I with the rest concerned with me therein, do leave it and commit it to the just Witness of God in all Consciences, to judge of the wrong he hath done to Truth, to me and others. And whether he hath not justly brought this upon his own Head, since we could not prevail with him to forsake his unruly work. And if any be hereafter ensnared high him and drawn aside out of the way of the Lord, they must bear their own Burden. And I with the rest concerned in this matter shall be clear, in which I rest, believing God in his own time will clear my Innocency, and more fully manifest his guilt, who has abused me (and others without any just cause given him by us) who am a True Friend and Lover of all that truly Love and Fear God, and a wi●ness against Envy and Deceit, where ever it doth appear.  
Ely Prison, 17. 12. 1682. S. C.   

THE LIBERTY OF AN Apostate Conscience, etc.  
THis may satisfy all into whosoever Hands it may come, that whereas there is a Difference made by Francis Bugg of Mildenhall in the County of Suffolk with Samuel Cater of Little-Port in the Isle of Eley; concerning a Fine, about which the aforesaid F. B. hath been so troublesome to me & other friends, both in this County & elsewhere which there has been raised untrue Reports, and therefore for clearing the Truth, and to satisfy all that desires a right Information of proceed therein, from the beginning thereof, I have therefore taken care, with some other Friends, so far as they are concerned therein, to give a true Narrative of the Business from the beginning to this very Day, of the most material passages; that so the Truth being known, it may thereby appear who hath done the wrong in this matter, him, or myself, for which I have been so long abused by him.  
About the Year 1675, I being at a Meeting at Mildenhall, where Francis Bugg dwells; there came one George Ereind of Lakenhoath, and desired me to have a Meeting at his House, and before I promised him, he being a Stranger to me, and Francis Bugg being there, I advized with him about it, he having knowledge of the Man; and he told me, that a Meeting would do very well there, and desired me to go; so after I had spoke further with the aforesaid George Ereind, and found he desired the Meeting in a serious and weighty consideration, I found freedom in myself to promise him to be at his House the next Day; and also told him, he might let his Neighbours know it, and accordingly I went, and F B. with me and several more belonging to Mildenhall Meeting, and when we came at the Friend's House, there came in several of his Neighbours; and after some time spent in waiting upon the Lord, and calling upon his Name in Prayer, I was moved by his Power to stand up and declare the Truth to all that were there present, in which time whilst I was speaking, Two Priests with some other Men, came into the Meeting, and one of those Men that came in with the Priests, asked a Man that was in the Meeting before, what their Speakers Name was? who said, he did not know; and a Woman Friend said, his Name was written in the Book of Life, where he could not read; then they asked Francis Bugg, what is your Speakers Name? His answer was in the hearing of the Officers and Informers, 
* Mark, Fran. Bugg was Informer here.  HIS NAME IS SAMUEL CATER, all which time I was declaring the Truth, and no Man asked of me my Name; But after F. B. had told it, they all went away, and asked no further after it. As also doth appear by this following Certificate▪ and I continued the Meeting until I had cleared myself of what the Lord laid upon me at that time, and then we departed in Peace, being well refreshed with the Love and Goodness of the Lord, whose Presence was with us to our comfort, yea, and F. B. himself, said that he was glad we were there that Day what ever came of it, for we had had a good Meeting. And now whereas F. B. or some of his Abettors, have reported that I refused to tell my Name at the Meeting; here is a Testimony under the Hands of these Honest Friends that were there present.  
FOrasmuch as there hath gone various Reports, relating to a meeting appointed by Samuel Cater, together with the knowledge and consent of Francis Bugg, and others of us the People called Quakers, held at Lakenheath, in the County of Suffolk, at the House of one George Friend, in or about the Year 1675, which Report goes abroad, as if some Person or Persons who came to that meeting with an intent to give Information against the said People then and there met, (as did afterwards appear) did demand of S. C. to tell his Name, and that the said S. C. did not declare his Name when so demanded.  
This is therefore to certify all into whose Hands this may come, for the preventing such false Reports to pass for true as much as in us lies; as also to clear S. C. of the above recited charge against him: We whose Names are hereunto subscribed, being Eye and Ear Witnesses to what passed at the Meeting, do testify, that no Person in the aforesaid Meeting did ask S. C. hi● Name, but one did ask another Man in the aforesaid Meeting what the Speakers Name was? And he said he did not know; and a Woman Friend answered, his Name was written in the Book of Life where he could not read; than it was asked F. Bugg what is your Speakers Name? and F. B. answered in the hearing of the Officers and Informers, HIS NAME IS SAMUEL CATER, than those that came in as aforesaid, went out and came into the Meeting no more, leaving S. C. declaring the Truth as he was before they came, and so continued the time they were there, and also a considerable time after they were gone, after which he concluded the Meeting, and we departed in peace having good unity with S. C. being sensible he was enabled by the Power of God, to declare his Truth with an undaunted Spirit in the Face of its Enemies.  
Witness our Hands, this 9th Month, 1682.  

William Handship,  
William Swaits,  
john Mason,  
james Burges,  
Robert Hibble,  
john Burges,  
George Friend,  
Katherine Handslip,  
Frances Fincham,  
Mary Hogans,  
Henry Hogans.   
Now after this it appears, that the Priests with some others that came with them to the Meeting, Informed against the meeting to the Magistrates who Convicted the meeting, and fined F. B. as he says himself, Fifteen Pound for me as a Speaker; whose Name and Habitation was not known; whenas F. B. had told them my Name, and I have cause to believe, that the Priests, and they which Informed against the meeting, were not without Knowledge of the Place of my Habitations if F. B. did not tell them, that also the Town where I dwell, being but about 10 or 12 computed miles from the place where the meeting was kept: But they having fined F. B. for it (as he says) they issued out their Warrants, and the Offices distrained him for the Fifteen Pound, and he not being willing to lose his Goods, laid down so much money, and kept his Goods by way of an Appeal as he pretended, but never went to Trial, but gave them his money for his Fne, being afraid to try his cause, lest he should be Cast and lose more Money to it, as he told me himself. Now mark this F. B's proceed in this matter, he was Fined and Distrained, and paid his money to redeem his Goods; but never told me of it, nor spoke a word to me about it, until Five or Six Months after, although he had Opportunities enough to have done it in that time. Then after I being at London at the Yearly Meeting, F. B. came to me to Westminster meeting, I seeing him there, asked him to go with me to the Friends House were I lodged that Night, which he did▪ and when we were in Bed together, he told me he suffered a Fine of 15 Pound for me, than I asked him how it was? his Answer was, the Magistrates had fined him Fifteen Pound, and the Officers took away much Goods for it, so he laid down the money by way of an Appeal, and redeemed his Goods again, and before the time of Trial he was advised by Counsel not to go to Trial, for there was danger in being Cast, and that would cost him more Money; so he did not go on, but desired the Justices that he might withdraw his Appeal, and that they might keep the Money for his Fine; whereby said he I lost Fifteen Pound, but I expect thou shouldest pay me it again, whereat I was strangely surprised to hear his demand, to see what a strange Temptation had entered the man; then I told him, I see no reason for that why he should expect it of me, seeing he was Fined for his own Testimony, for his being at the Meeting, (which he also encouraged) and 2dly he paid this money to save his own Goods and not mine. 3dly, he paid it without my consent or knowledge, neither could I have done it if it had been my own cause, and had been Fine myself.  
Neither did I ever pay money to Priest nor other Persecutors to save myself from sufferings, whatever I suffered for my Testimony. And also I did look upon this Demand of his, to be unjust and unreasonable, and therefore I could not in Conscience pay it: And besides I then told him, he being far before me as to an Outward Esta e, there was nothing of Charity in the case to oblige me thereunto; and therefore I see no just or reasonable cause why he should demand any thing of me upon this account, for I was no ways the cause of his being Fined, more than any other faithful Friends must have been that ministers if they had been there; then he said he suffered for my not telling my Name myself.  
I told him, for that he was to blame and not I, 
☞  for being so forward to tell my Name, he prevented the Officers of ask me, whereby I had not an opportunity to tell them, for after he had told them they went away and never asked me; for if they had, I am sure I had told them, for it was ever my practice, both before and after that in the like cause, which is well known both to him and other Friends where I have traveled since this Act hath been in force: Then he told me if I counted his Demand to be unreasonable, he would put it to some Friends to judge whether I ought not to make him satisfaction for that Fine; I told him, if he was not satisfied he might, than he began to mention who to have to hear the cause and by whose judgement we might sit down; I told him he might choose whom he pleased himself, so be they were Honest Faithful Friends, and had a good sense of Truth, I would freely give up my cause to them for my part, and stand by their judgement. Then after some time he told me Giles Barnardiston he knew was my very good Friend, and so he was his, and if he would he should have the hearing of the cause, and if the said G. B. did not judge his Demand to be reasonable, he would desist and proceed no further in it; so I was contented, and we appointed where to meet next Day about it, which accordingly we did; and when we came together, F. B. laid his cause before him, who when he had heard, he seemed much grieved at F. B. and told him he see no cause why S. C. should pay his Demand, for it was unjust, etc. But F. B. broke his promise made to me the day before, and would not stand by G. B's judgement. Then he said he would lay it before the Yearly Meeting, I told him if he did it would not make to his honour.  
He said, he would propose a Question about it, I told him if he did state his Question fairly as the thing was, I would be silent, and not only hear the Meetings judgement, but would sit down by their judgement: But if his Question or Words tended to that purpose as if I would not tell my Name, than I would give the Meeting account how the matter was, for I knew myself clear, so when he came into the Meeting, he proposed his Question according to his own mind, but not according to the true state of our cause about which he differed with me; then I told them plainly how the matter was, and the next day at Horsly-down, I offered to stand by the judgement of the meeting, and desired F. B. to do the like, and that what the meetings judgement was we might both agree to it: this was the second time I gave it up, but F. B. stood silent at the time, and would not say either that he would or would not, so the meeting could give no positive judgement in the case. Then some time after I was gone into the Low Countries, in which time he sent a Letter to my House, to meet him at our monthly meeting, so after I was come home, I met him at a monthly meeting at Chakes, the 4th of the 8th month, 1676. where he complained to the meeting that he had suffered a Fine of Fifteen Pound for me, and I refused to make him satisfaction, and he told the meeting that the cause he was fined was for my not telling my Name, so when the meeting had heard us both, they gave their judgement, and made a Record thereof in the Monthly Book, that I was not Guilty, in not declaring my Name, it not being of me demanded and told by another, which was himself, (viz) F. B. as I made it appear there, and which he did not deny) after which the meeting accounted he would have been at quiet: then at a Quarterly meeting at Hadenham in the isle of Eley; held in the 10th month 1676, F▪ B. complained to the quarterly meeting, than some in that meeting, said that bunsiness was ended before by the monthly meeting, therefore it ought not to be spoken of at the quarterly meeting; then F. B. alleged that it was not ended, for he did not give it up to the meeting to end it, whereupon I asked him if he would give it up to this quarterly meeting to be ended by them, and would stand by the end they made? he said he would, than the meeting heard us both concerning the matter which we had to propound, and then desired us to go out of the meeting until they called for us, which we did, and when they were agreed we were called, and the meetings judgement was, they saw no cause of blame in me for that which F. B. accused me, neither could they award me to give him any money. But desired we should be Lovers and Friends as we had formerly been, and if I had freedom in myself to give him any thing I might, if not he ought to be content.  
Then after this the next Yearly Meeting following, he went to London again, and complained to W. Penn telling him he could not have a fair hearing by Friends in the Country, concerning the difference between him and me S. C. about the Fine, so William appointed him and I to come to Edward Man's, where Geo. Fox with other Friends would be, which accordingly we did, and there he was heard by G. F. and many other ancient Friends, what he had to say and I also, where I again offered to give up my cause to G. F. or to all the Friends there or to any part of them in order to decide the difference depending between F. B. and myself, and to stand to their Judgement, and desired him to do the like, that the business might be ended, he said, no he would not give it up to them, but it shall be ended at our own Quarterly Meeting, and he would put it to ●0 or 12 Friends that should be chosen neither by him nor me, but by the meeting; and them he would commit his cause unto and would stand by their Judgement, than Friends desired an Agreement should be drawn up, and we should set our Hands to it, and they would witness it, that so it might be performed, that there might be no more difference about this business, and one Friend began to write, then F. B said, let me write the Order myself, for I know my own mind best; so he took the Pen and Paper, and with his own Hand drew this Order following, and set his hand to it and so did I and Nine Friends were witnesses to this our agreement. (viz)  
MEmorandum, that upon condition that Friends in the Quarterly Meeting in the Isle of Eley, do choose and elect 10 or 12 Friends to hear and determine the Controversy betwixt Francis Bugg and Samuel Cater, relating to the Fine which the said F. B. was fined for the Speaker at a Meeting in Lakenheath; and all other Controversies they the said Francis Bugg and Samuel Cater, do hereby promise to stand to this final determination under their Hands, and for the future to cease from all Controversy touching any matter now depending between them.  
Witness their Hands this 9th of the 4th mo. 1677. 

Fran. Bugg.  
Sam. Cater.    
Witnesses to it, 

Giles Barnardiston  
John Burnyeat  
John Whitehead  
Ambrose Rigge  
Leonard Fell  
William Whaley.    
To the Friends at the Quarterly Meeting in the Isle of Eley.  
Dear Friends, We desire you that when this business comes before you, that there may be a final end put unto it, that there may be no more trouble about it.  
George Whitehead Stephen Crisp.  
Then the aforesaid Agreement was delivered into a Friend's hand by both our consents to keep, and for him to deliver it to the Quarterly meeting, and F. B. there himself took a Copy of it which he kept. Then at the Quarterly meeting the Order was produced, and Friends discoursed the matter about choosing the men, and would have had us to choose them ourselves, that is 6 Friends each of us; but I told them I was not free so to do, lest F. B. should not stand to what they did, if they went contrary to the Agreement whereunto he had set his hand: So the meeting desired us to go out, so we withdrew, and then they chose the 12 Friends out of the meeting in manner following, viz. the Meeting chose one Friend and agreed that he should choose whom he pleased next, and so the last man chosen was to choose the next, until the 12 were all chosen; and when they had chosen the 12, they sent for us into the meeting, and told us how they had chosen them; and read their Names unto us; then I told them, I was well satisfied with the Choice and what they did in the matter, wherein they were to be concerned between F. B. and myself, I would be contented to stand-by their Judgements; and F. Bugg promised he would do the like, than they withdrew to a Friends house to draw up their Award; and F. B. asked me if I would not go and open my Cause to them, I told him, He might do what he pleased in the matter for himself, but I see no need for it, for it had been spoken of so often before them, that they could not be without a Knowledge of it; but he went to them and spoke what he pleased, and so left them to give Judgement; so when they had agreed and drawn up their Award, they sent for us, and read their Award to us; the substance thereof was.  
THey found Samuel Cater clear of that Demand of Francis Bugs: Therefore Awarded that he was to Pay F. B. Nothing, etc.  
And that all Differences that have arisen between them about that and all other things, be from this Day fully ended; and that they may be Lovers and Friends as they were before the Difference happened.  
These be the Arbitrators Names. 

John Ainsloe, Wil Brazier,  
John Webbe, Robert Smith,  
John Prine, Peter Watson,  
Rich. Read, Sam. Fulbugg,  
Philip Taylor, Edward Firth,  
Jacob Baker, Edward Love.    
Now when they read this Award, F. B. said they had given away his cause, but however he would be quiet and meddle no more: But he soon broke his promise again, and in a little time after he began to threaten the Arbitrators, and wrote to them to that purpose, that they had given away his money, and thereby had done him wrong, and although that by their Arbitration he had now done with S. C. But now he intended to begin with them, for there was a Law in the Nation, That if Arbitrators did not do that which is Equal and Just when so Chosen, the Party Grieved might recover Damage of them; and they should have no more favour than the Law would afford them: Then about this for a time he made a great ado; and gave a Lawyer Brevitts, 
☞  whereby he instructed him how to plead against Friends, and of the state of his cause, to come to our Quarterly Meeting to plead his cause; which said Breviates the Lawyer shown to William Penn and Thomas Rudyard, after which the matter fell, and the Lawyer never came to our Meeting; then he began again with me, and sent to me to have another Arbritation, and Quarrelled with me again for the Fifteen Pound: But I not having freedom to grant his desire, nor to meddle with him any more so that he could not have his will of me: Then he Threatened to prefer A Bill in Chaucery against me for his Money, and went to William Penn, and shown him one that he had prepared, (as I was Informed) Then William Penn being grieved that the Enemies of Truth should have such cause given them to rejoice over us, by having such a cause as that brought before them; he with another Friend wrote to me, that if I could, to get an end of this Business it might be well, for although they believed that his Demands was very unjust, and there was nothing due to him upon that account, and that he was much to blame, yet for Peace sake, if it could be made an end of it might be well, than I knowing he had desired another Arbitration, I condescended to it, and sent him word, that seeing he was yet disquiet about this money, if he knew how to have another Arbitration which would please him amongst Friends, I would condescend to it, and put my Innocent cause once more upon Trial, than he seemed to be pleased, and came over to my House, and pretended all would be ended, for whether he had any money or not he would be tcontented, so he said he would choose 6, and I should choose 6 also, and withal he said he would be bound with me to stand to the Award, which Bonds were made and sealed: But when the Arbitrators came to meet, although they were near to Agreement, yet they did not agree for after F. B. understood that they were like to agree, and his will not answered, he said none should give away his Money for if it must be given away, he would give it away himself: And when the Arbitrators were come to an Agreement, and were drawing up the Award, than F. B. came in amongst them, without being desired, and called Edward Neal one of the said Arbitrators, to speak with him, and when he came in again from him, he would not stand to what he had Agreed to before, than they could go no further, for F. B. made the Bonds himself, & they were made, so that if all the 12, or so many of them as there met were all to agree, or else their Award was not to stand good, whereby it appears although he was willing to be bound to stand to the Award, yet he had made such provision, that if he had not his will & end Answered, he would have nothing done, for be having provided such a Man as would do what he would have him or nothing, as it did plainly appear to all honest Friends that were there present: Which thing was as wicked of F. B's part and him that joined with him in his deceitful practice, as it was before when he promised, and gave it under his hand to stand to▪ and abide by the Award of the other 12 Friends chose by the Meeting, and after they had done it, he promised to be quiet, and meddle no more in the matter so awarded, and so foully and ungodly went from his Word, whereby all may see that reads this Narrative of his Words and Actions, whether he hath not proved himself a false deceitful Man, both to God and Man, and whether he hath not wickedly wronged his own Conscience, by Covenant-breaking, Lying and Deceit, from time to time, for the sake of Money, whereby all may perceive, that have any sense of truth and honesty, how unfit he is to take upon him to treat about the Principles of true Religion, and to plead for Liberty of Conscience, against Imposition, who hath thus wilfully abused and defiled his own Conscience for unjust gain. Then after they could not end it, I was much grieved to see the trouble that Friends and I had had, and yet the Business remained, I then took Fran. Bug aside, and told him, that although I was well satisfied in my Conscience that I had never done him wrong, and that I did not owe him one penny, and that his Demand was unjust and unreasonable, yet for Peace sake, rather than this difference should Remain, to trouble Friends, and diquiet ourselves, I would give him of my own free will, five Pounds towards his loss relating to the said Fine, his answer was, that would not do, so we parted at that time, than I spoke to his Friend and Abettor Edw. Neale aforesaid, and told him he had not done that day like an honest Friend in his Place, nor like a man that feared God, whose work is to make Peace, and pursue it with all men, and he and others of them, that Fran. Bugg had Chosen, had an opportunity thereby to have made Peace in this matter, that so long had been troublesome to the Church of God, but he more especially I understood had hindered that day, by refusing to Join with the rest that would have done it, which days work would certainly become his burden at one time or other; his answer was, we might make an end of it between ourselves, if I would, for he knew Fran. Bugg's end was not for Money, but Justice in the case, I told him, I n●ver did see other by Fran. Bugg bu● that his end was wholly for Money, neither was there any Justice in the case, that he should have 15 Pound of me for nothing, and besides his words was always to me, give him so much Money, and he would be quiet, and when we were together alone at that time he said the same; But I have not freedom to answer his unreasonable demands therein, knowing myself clear of any thing of guilt concerning the matter whereof he charged me, now this was the seventh time that I had given up the aforesaid case to the Judgement of Friends, and four of the 7 times Fran. Bugg excepted of, and Joined with me, and promised, and became engaged, as is before mentioned, to stand to the Award or Judgement of the Friends, to whom we gave up our Cause, but went from his word every time. Now the next thing, wherein like a Deceitful man, who shows himself void of any fear of God, as hath and yet will appear by his following actions, for he Surprised his Cousin Geo. Smith of Littleport, through his Deceitful craft, and got the said 15 Pound of him, who is Fran. Bug's own Mother's Sister's Son, a man that hath been Convinced about 13 or 14 years, and ever since he came amongst us, hath walked uprightly according to his measure, and hath been of a blameless Conversation amongst Men from his Youth, and lives in good credit and reputation, a relation whereof he hath given, which hereafter followeth under his own hand; Also how far he was concerned in this matter by my Wife, under her Hand, whom Fran. Bug calls my Wife her Agent, as sent by her, etc. And when Edw. Neale, Will. Rogers, and Tho. Crisp, and others, whom Fran. Bug accounts of his party, who hath of late Joined and Combined together in a Spirit of discord and opposition against the Godly and mutual care of faithful men and women in their distinct Meetings, in several things which concerns our public Testimony before the World, amongst whom the Lord hath gathered us to bear Testimony against those lose and unjust ways, that many, both Priests and People, lives in and Practices in that weighty matter of Marriage, with several other things, comes to read this relation of Fran. Bug's words and actions, and will yet own him as a Brother amongst them, and as an Agent to Abet their cause without repentance, and making satisfaction, both by word and deed, for the wrong he hath done, as aforesaid, it's no great matter what they profess, neither will it be much to the dishonour of honest and faithful men and women, to be reproached by them, but yet this I do say, and so I shall conclude this Business, that if it please God to give Fran. Bug, and Will. Rogers, and the rest of them, true and unfeigned Repentance for that wherein they have done amiss, whereby they have strengthened the hands of evil doers, and laid stumbling blocks in the way of the simple, by their Writing and Printing in this wilful and unjust manner, against the faithful Servants of the Lord, whose care hath been to keep all clean and savoury amongst the People of God, I say, I shall be truly glad thereof, who am a friend to all that truly Love and Fear God.  
Who am in straight Boreds for the Testimony of Jesus Christ in Ely Prison his 9th Month, 1682.  
Samuel Cater.   

Elizabeth Cater 's Testimony.  
HEre followeth a Testimony under Eliz. Cater's hand, how She came to encourage G. Smith to Treat with Fran. Bugg about his differing with her Husband Sam. Cater aforesaid, and how far she gave him order, which was thus. Geo. Smith coming to my house one day when my husband was not at home, and told him that I was very much grieved and, troubled at Fran. Bug's continuing so bad and envious against my husband, and although I was satisfied, that what he so furiously abused him for, was unjust, upon which account my husband hath not freedom to answer his unreasonable Demand, I could be glad it were some ways ended; then Geo. Smith told me that he also was much grieved for the difference, for said he, I Love thy husband well, and Fran. Bug also, and he is my near Kinsman, for it doth trouble me that there should be a difference between them, but I do account my Cousin is much out of the way in this matter, but if thou Please, I will speak with him, and see if I can get him to be quiet, than I desired him he would, and I told him withal, that although I knew that neither I nor my husband, owed Fran. Bugg one penny, neither was there any due upon that account he Demanded, yet for Peace sake, rather than my husband and friends should be any longer disquieted about it, I would part with some Money, if it cannot be done without, although my husband knows nothing of it, then Geo. Smith told me, he would take an opportunity, and speak with him, and he did not question but to make an end of the business with little Money, if any at all: This is the truth of the matter, to show how far I was Concerned therein.  
Eliz. Cater.   

An Account given by George Smith, concerning the Money which Fra. Bugg deceitfully obtained from him concerning Samuel Cater.  
THese are to certify all into whose hands this may come, That whereas there was a difference long depending, made by Fran. Bug with Sam. Cater, about a Fine which the said Fran. Bug demanded of Sam. Cater, which he had not Freedom to pay him, looking upon his demand therein to be unjust; and I coming to Sam. Cators house, as is by his Wife before mentioned, was willing out of true Love, which I had to them both, and for Peace sake, to concern myself about it, hoping to have made Peace betwixt them. A true Account of what passed betwixt my Cousin Fran. Bug and myself, is as followeth.  
There being a Fair at a Town where my Cousin Fran. Bug Lives, to which I had an occasion to go; I took that opportunity to Speak with him about that difference between him and Sam. Cater, where I desired it might be at an end, and he told Me, it might, if Sam. Cater pleased, for he counted he had Right to the Money he demanded of him, But I told him, I did believe he had no Right to it, neither by the Law of God nor Man: And besides, I told him, I did find that Friends are in General dissatisfied about thy demand in this matter, therefore I would be glad thou wouldst desist, and be at quiet, and not to Trouble Sam. Cater nor his Friends any further about it: To which he said, it is my Judgement, that I have a Right to the Money I demand of him: then in short I told him, I could be glad I could Persuade him to desist, and be at quiet in this Matter without any Money: But rather than the difference should continue betwixt Sam. Cater and Him, for Peace Sake, I would give him 5 Pounds, though I never have it of Sam. Cater, for he knows nothing of my Treating with thee at this time, but that would not do, than I offered him 7 Pounds 10 Shillings, but he was not willing to take it: Then I desired him to Consider of it, and Proceed no further about Sam. Cater, and he told me, he would meet me at Ely Fair about three Weeks hence, and if I and he could make an end of it, than we would. And when I was at Ely Fair selling of goods, he came to me, and asked if I had time to Treat about that I was speaking to him at his house lately, I told him my occasion was in selling of my goods, he told Me we should soon have done about that concern: Then we went to an Inn to Treat about it, and I told him still I would give 7 Pound 10 Shillings rather than the difference should continue between Sam. Cater and him, His Answer was, Cousin, I would have it all Tendered, for my Words Sake, but thou shalt see, my ends is not for Money, I told him, I had not so much Money, I had not above 5 Pound about me, Than he said, I might Borrow 10 Pound for half an Hour, or thereabouts, which Time would serve for a Tender, than I told him, Cousin, I can Borrow so much of a Tradesman in Town, to make thee a Tender, but if thou be minded to keep it all, I will not do it. Rather than I will give the whole 15 Pound, I will leave the Business as I found it: Then He said, He would have it all tendered, but said he, I will Promise thee I will not Pocket a Penny of it, Then I went and Borrowed 10 Pound and Tendered him the whole 15 Pound, and when he had it, he took it, and put it all into his Pocket, whereby he broke his promise made to me, before I tendered it, that he would not Pocket a Penny of it. Then after a little time I desired to have the 10 Pounds that I Borrowed to carry the Man it again whom I Borrowed it of for Half an Hour to make a Tender with, and which Fran. Bug said, it would be long enough to Borrow it for. Then he began to make Evasions, and said, he would have me let it alone till to Morrow Morning, and he would Treat with Sam. Cater about it, with the Money in his Pocket. And then he pulled out a Paper, and said, if Sam. Cater would Sign that Paper, he should have the Money again, than I told him that was not our conclusion, for, said I, thou saidst nothing of this Paper to me before I tendered the Money, and when I had seen it, I told him, I did believe that Sam. Cater would not set his Hand to it, neither do I see any Reason he should, Then he told me, that to Morrow Morning, whether S. Cater would set his Hand to that Paper or not, he would Pay the 10 Pound where I Borrowed it, or leave it with a Friend in Ely to Pay him; and the 5. Pound to a Brother of Mine, as he went home, to whom I owed the Money, which he did not do, but contrary to his Promise kept all the Money to this day. This is a true Relation of this matter before Mentioned.  
Witness my Hand. Geo. Smith.  
Then after this came to be Spoke of abroad, and Friends came to hearof it, Friends desired us to be both at a Monthly Meeting, that they might know the certainty of it, how it was concerning the matter, so at a Monthly Meeting at Chatteris the 7. day of the 2d. Month 1680, Friends heard us both what we could say about this matter. And I gave them a true account of the Business, how he obtained this Money from Me, and the Meeting were satisfied, that he got it Unjustly. And made a Record in the Book to this effect, that Geo. Smith's simplicity was betrayed, and he ought to have his Money again.   

Edward Firth's Testimony.  
THis is to satisfy all where this may come, that whereas Fran. Bugg hath made use of my Name, in a matter between his Cousin George Smith and him, wherein he saith, that I was a Witness for him against George Smith, which thing is not so, but I am a Witness for G. Smith against Fran. Bugg. And he to make a Cover for himself, would make void my Evidence against him, and through his Deceit, would turn it from himself. Now the matter is this that I witnessed at Chattris monthly Meeting that day that Friends had the hearing of them both, that I had spoken with the Man, that G. Smith had borrowed the Money of, to make a Tender with to Fran. Bugg, and asked him if he did remember G. Smith's borrowing 10 Pound of him about such a time, and he said, Yes, and it was to make a tender of to some Body. Then it was asked him, if he could remember how long time he lent it him for; he said, as near as he could remember, it was for about an hour. This was all that I was a Witness for at that Meeting, and whereby the Meeting was satisfied that the Money was borrowed. by G. Smith but to make a bare Tender with, and not that G. Smith intended that Fran. Bugg should keep the Mony. Now the advantage that Fran. Bugg would take at this my evidence against G. Smith, is this, that G. Smith had said, and doth yet say, he borrowed the Money for half an hour, and the Man he said, (as he Remembers) he lent it for about an hour; which neither disproves G. Smith his Account, nor clears Fran. Bugg.  
Witness my Hand Edward Firth.   

A Copy of a Letter sent by G. Smith to Fran. Bugg.  
Cousin Fran. Bugg.  
HAving seen a large Paper of thine, which thou didst send to Friends of the 2d days Meeting in London, in which thou hast Revived the Old Business again, and therein hast abused Sam. Cater and myself, by Misrepresenting the Business concerning the matter wherein I was concerned for Sam. Cater as formerly thou usest to do. And thy Reviving it is altogether contrary to the agreement which was made at the Quarterly Meeting in Hadenham the 10th Month 1680.  
By which agreement, thou wert to cease from any further Controversy concerning this matter. At which time thou seemingly madest some show of Repentance, for what thou hadst written and done against Sam. Cater and myself; as appeared by what thou saidst there to Friends that day, which begat some hopes in some Friends, that thou wouldst not only be quiet from being any more contentious and troublesome to Friends and us, as thou hadst formerly been, for several years: But that also thou wouldst have Restored all the Money again, which thou through thy Subtlety and wicked craft obtained of me, and which thou in measure there confessed in the Meeting, Saying, that thou didst believe that when I tendered thee the Money, I did expect thou wouldst have given it me again. Whereby thou therein cleared my Innocency, and manifested thy own Gild, and Treacherous dealing with me in the matter. But now instead of answering the expectation of the Meeting, by returning the Money again, and making satisfaction for the wrong thou hast done, thou hast further Transgressed, and added sin to sin with a Witness. For before thou flattered'st, and through thy dissimulation wentest beyond me, and got the Money thereby, contrary to my Freedom and expectation, as thou thyself confessedest in the Meeting. And now through thy dissimulation, hast abused the Quarterly Meeting, for when they told thee than thou art to return the Money again that thou hadst so unjustly obtained from thy Cousin G. Smith; thou desired the Meeting to leave that to thee, for they did not know what was in thy Heart. Which words of thine, with thy Dissembling Confession and carriage then, caused the Meeting to leave the Repayment of the Money to thee at that time; telling thee, that they would not have thee think that they would forgive thee the Money, or that they thought it was not due from thee, but did account that thou oughtest to pay it, otherwise it would become thy Burden if thou becamest not honest: But instead of paying the Money, and making satisfaction for the wrong thou hast done, thou art of late sending thy wicked and malicious Papers abroad, to City and Country, in which thou again abusest Samuel Cater, that is the sufferer and Me, whom thou so unjustly betrayed in this manner, whereby thou endeavoured to take away our good Names and Reputations amongst Men. Oh Cousin, Blush, and now let Shame cover thy Face, what? do so Treacherously by Me, as thou hast done in this matter; and abused Me besides! But I know myself clear of thy Lies and Slanders, and so I shall make it appear to thy Shame, if thou hast any tenderness left in thee. Thou revilest and speakest evil of G. F. and G. W. and S. C. and others.  
But I tell thee, that if I knew so much against them as I do of thee, I should not only turn my Back upon them, but also declare against them, as I shall against thee, and Manifest thy deceit. But I have cause to believe better things of them all. And for Sam. Cater, whom thou so much abusest, I know his conversation hath been such among us, as becomes a Man that fears God, that it is not thy Lies that can hurt him; for he hath a Witness in our Consciences, for his Faithful Service, and upright Conversation among us. And now seeing thou wilt be not quiet, but hast set the old business on Foot again, between thee and Sam. Cater and myself, about which thou hast given uncertain reports. Now for the preventing all mistakes, that the Truth may be known, I have given a true account of the business, so far as I have been concerned with thee in the matter, how unjustly thou obtained the Money from Me, and as unjustly keepest it to this day. And of thy wickedly perverting and wresting my words and true intention in my Letter which I sent thee, soon after thou hadst defrauded me of my Money, which was in answer to a Letter, which thou sentest Me, which was like thy words and actions, when thou gottest the Money of Me, in which thou endeavourest to excuse thyself, and cover thy deceit, and wouldst have had Me excuse thee to Sam. Cater and his Wife, and have made some deceitful cover for thee, and not have told them the plain Truth as it was, which thing I abhor to do. And I praise God, Truth teaches Me better things than to Lie, and make deceitful covers, either for myself or thee; Though thou Wickedly and Falsely insinuatest in this thy Scandalous and abuseful Paper, as if I was necessitated to give forth such a report, as was not true, to get my Money again of Sam. Cater, which thou hadst deceitfully obtained from Me, which insinuation and equivecation of thine is as wickedly unjust, as the Action and deceitful work was before, and altogether untrue; for I never had any trouble to obtain my Money again of Sam. Cater, though I do confess, if He nor his Wife would not have given it Me, I must have lost it, neither could I have laid that blame upon them, that is just upon thee, who betrayed Me out of my Money; for Sam. Cater knew nothing of it, when I went about it, and his Wife but little: And it was near Four weeks after thou hadst got the Money before I spoke one word of it to Sam. Cater or his Wife. For indeed, I was ashamed to tell them, how I was betrayed by thee, but when I did tell them, it was with much regret and trouble, that of one so near related to Me, and whom I had once looked upon to be before Me in the Truth, and had a great love for, both as a Friend and Kinsman, I must now tell so bad a Story, if I told the whole Truth, which I found myself bound in Conscience to do, otherwise I had been a partaker with thee in thy wicked deed. So when I had told them the whole Truth of the matter from the beginning, then Sam. Cater said to Me, thou hast fallen into the Hands of 2 deceitful Man, who by his subtlety hath betrayed thee. But now thou shalt see, there is a difference between one that makes profession of the Truth, and lives out of it, and them that desire with their whole Heart to obey it, and do things answerable thereto. For seeing thou out of tenderness and true love to Me and my Wife, and also to him, (though he has abused thy love) didst concern thyself thus in this matter, thinking to have peace, and thereby hast lost thy Money, I will pay thee it all again. So all the whole 15 Pound he did willingly pay, with the 3 Shillings also, which thou tookest for use of the 10 Pound (which I borrowed but for half an hour,) and thou keepest it, and caused Me to give thee Bond for it for 3 Months, with 3 Shillings use for it, or else I could not have paid the Man his Money again, which I borrowed to make a Tender of to thee, and promised he should have his own Money again in half an hour. All which proceed of thine, I have given a true account, and let the Reader judge, into whose Hands it may come, whether thou hast, done like a Man that pretends so much to Christian Liberty and Honesty; or indeed like a Man that hath common Honesty; or rather in this matter, art a shame to both. For which I can truly say, I am grieved to see and know, and could have been glad at my Heart, if thou hadst never given me this cause thus to write of thee, neither do I believe I should, what ever I had suffered by thee, were there not a true concern of Conscience upon Me for the clearing of Truth, and the satisfying of all that desires the certain knowledge of this matter, that so the Innocent may not be blamed, and all mistakes may be prevented. And now I do yet say, what canst thou think of Me? I could be truly glad and I am sure, my Heart would greatly rejoice in it, if yet thou mayest come to true Repentance of these things of which thou standest guilty, and which the Enemy of thy Soul hath led thee into, without which thou canst never hate true Peace with God.  
Which is all at present from thy grieved and Abused Kinsman. George Smith.   

Francis Bugg,  
I Having lately received a Paper of thine, sent by thee to G. Whitehead, and the rest of the Second days Meeting in London, a Copy of the same thou says thou sent to me, and I returned it to thee back without opening it, and I am glad I did so; for thereby all may see that comes to understand it, that this old Controversy is on Foot again between, Geo. Smith, myself, and thee, and also it will appear who is the cause thereof, and that it is not me nor Geo. Smith, but thyself, that hast revived it again, contrary to thy promise and engagement made to the Quarterly Meeting at Hadenham, the 10th Month 1680. Where thou made agreement with the Meeting, that from that day all defferences betwixt thee and Me, and thy Cousin Geo. Smith, should cease, and all Papers by all parties relating to the said difference, to be brought to Ely Prison, the first of the 11th Month 1680. and there to be burnt, whereunto accordingly thou camest to Me, and brought a great bundle of writings, and further said, that there was all that was in thy Hands so far as thou knew, that thou hadst written about that Controversy, which thou there burnt, and withal promised, that if thou didst find any more, thou wouldst burn them, and that also where there was any in any friends Hands that thou knewest of, thou wouldst write to them to do the same, and as to any thing of that Controversy that had been between us, concerning the Fine and all other matters, should be fully ended and done withal, according to the agreement and thy promise to the Quarterly Meeting, which promise thou made before two witnesses then and there. But now contrary to thy engagement made also before so many faithful Friends, without any Regard to thy word, like a man that neither Regards Truth nor Honesty, thou hast in the aforesaid Paper abused us again, as formerly thou use to do, before the said promise at that Meeting to be quiet, without any Provocation given thee either by G. Smith or myself that I know of, although we have had cause enough given us by thee, First in thy not answering the expectation of the Meeting, which did believe thou wouldst have Paid the Money again, which thou obtained so unjustly from thy Cousin Geo. Smith, as several friends that came from the Meeting told me they did believe thou would, and that it was the sense of the Meeting, that thou oughtest to do it. And Secondly, when thou broughtest forth thy envious Book in Print, so stuffed with Lies and ungodly Suggestions and Reflections, against several Honest and Faithful Men, who truly fear God, and are Serviceable in their Places wherein God hath set them. And whom thou didst account such, before the Enemy of thy Soul filled thy Heart with envy against the People of God, but thy end will be according to thy work if thou repent not; and also thou says in thy aforesaid Paper, that I was Conscious to myself of Gild, (as thou supposes,) and therefore I would not open thy Paper, but sent it to thee without looking in it, which supposition of thine is as false as it is wicked, for I could not be Conscious of Gild, knowing not what was in it, neither had I ever done thee any wrong, but have suffered much wrong by thee, as I shall make appear before I have done with thee, seeing thou hast broken thy promise again, made both in Public and also to Private Persons, of being quiet with us, and art become a common Enemy to the People of God, and a false Informer against them. And having detested thy folly in supposing Me Guilty of thou knowest not what, because I did not bestow looking into thy abusive Letter. Now I shall tell thee the reason why I did not unseal it to look into it, I being truly sensible of thy restless state and Condition, and how far thou art fallen and degenerated from the pure Divine Principle of Love and Life, wherein my fellowship stands with the Children and Servants of God, I did not believe that there was any thing in it that would Minister any Comfort unto Me, but on the contrary, as it doth appear, now through thy restless attempts it's come to my Hand, And I give thee to know that well knowing my own Innocency in matters whereof thou Suggest evil against Me, in which I have true Peace with the Lord, I should have been silent in making any reply thereunto, until God that made thee stops thy Mouth, and makes thy folly Manifest to all Men, as he hath made it Manifest unto Me several years since, were it not for the sake of them that desire a certain knowledge of the Truth of these things, whereof there goes uncertain reports abroad, that so such may know the plain Truth of the manner of thy deal with Me in that matter, which thou so long hast been quarrelling with Me about. A plain Narrative of the whole matter I do now intent to give forth, and leave it to the witness of God in all People to judge, who hath done, or who hath suffered the wrong, either thee or I in this matter. Thou also saidst in thy Paper, thy Cousin G. S. as my Wife's agent, made the restitution for the Fine.  
As to that thy Cousin G. Smith is able to give account what he did in that Case, and I believe will. But if it be as thou says, what is the matter then that thou still quarrelest with Me about the same thing again, for when Restitution is made, Controversy amongst Honest Men use to be at an end. But Francis, it's to be feared that the Restitution thou got by thy Cousin G. Smith thou didst not come by it fairly, but like a Crafty deceitful Man, without regard to Truth or Honesty, went beyond the Man, and Trap and him out of his Money, as will be made appear, and now thou hast thus unjustly got that 15 Pound from thy Cousin, thou art uneasy with it for thy own Conscience (although thou hast taken this Liberty to do so wickedly) cannot be at ease with it, neither is it possible thou shouldest, thy proceed have been so unjust and unrighteous, from the first beginning of thy meddling with Me, unto this day. And the first step thou set wrong in this matter, which thou so long hast abused Me about, was when thou turned Informer against Me, and told the Officers and Informers my Name in the Meeting, which I might have done myself, if thou hadst nor been so forward to have told them, and thereby prevented them of ask Me, for it was ever my practice so to do, when I have been in the like danger of sufferings.  
And it is well known to Friends where I have Traveled, and which is also well known to thee. And as that was wrong, so was every step thou hast set since, about getting Money of Me for thy work, and now thou hast got this Money of mine as unjustly as ever any Informer did, that I ever heard of, except thy Brother Judas, who betrayed Christ Jesus for Money, who after He had got it, Torment and Trouble was his Portion, as his end Manifested, and I wish thou mayest repent of this thy ungodly work thou art in, before it be too late, for thou must never expect true Peace in this unrighteous work of Darkness, which thou hast of late followed.  
And now thou art writing to Me again, to have another Arbitration, when G. S. nor I never wrote word to thee since the time thou speakest of its being ended. But Fran. I had Arbitrations enough with thee about this matter, yea too many, except thou wouldst have been truer to thy promises and engagements than thou hast been, as I sha'; ll make appear to thy shame in an Narrative of the business. Neither shall I trouble Friends nor myself any more with thee in that kind, and whereas thou sayest in thy Paper, if another Arbitration I will not admit of, than thou wouldst have Me to Sign a Paper which thou hast sent, to which I answer, that I have learned better things of Christ since I believed in his Name, who saith, That not one Sparrow shall fall to the Ground without his Father's Providence, and that the very Hairs of our Heads are Numbered. Then to join with thee, to make Laws and impositions to bind the Consciences of my Brethren to serve thy will, who hast Erred from the Faith, which stands in the Power of Gods, as it appears by this thy new invented Cannon, that thou hast here Contrived, whereby it appears, that when thou goest to a Meeting where there's a Friend that Ministers, thou darest not trust God, whether he will suffer the Enemies of his truth and People to lay a Fine upon thee for thy Testimony, or not, for thou wilt make a provision to save thyself if thou can, by imposing upon Ministering Friends, to tell their Names and Habitations to Informers, whether they be asked or not, and what is this but to lay a Yoke where God hath laid none, and to Limit his Servants and Messengers, on whom he lays a true necessity at such times, to declare and speak as he moves by his Power, and gives them utterance by his Holy Spirit, and not to speak as Man Teacheth, but as the Holy Ghost Teacheth, on such thou wouldst lay a Bond that they must leave speaking (as being moved by the Lord) and speak as Francis Bugg hath prescribed, or else they must be Noted as Transgressor's of Francis Bugg's new rule, which He hath prescribed without sujection to, which nothing will satisfy thee as it appears by this thy unruly work against Me, for although thou pretends, that if the Friends in the Ministry do not tell their Names, yet if they will make satisfaction it shall serve. But it is not so, for thou says in thy Paper, that my Wife by G. S. hath made thee Restitution, what is the matter then that thou art so disquiet with Me, was it not enough for Me to lose 15 Pound and 3 Shillings by thee, who never was Penny the better by thee in my life, but wronged by thee before that▪ both by Word and Deed, but still I must be thy object to vent thy wicked Poison at. What will nothing do except Conformity to thy new Orders, which is of thy own inventing, and that Unscriptural too, no where spoken of, neither in the Old nor yet New-Testament, nor practised by Christ nor his Apostles. This Order I do not find to be Apostolical.  
Now this new invented prescription which thou hast sent to Me to subscribe, I have here set down in thy own words as followeth.  
MEmorandum, I S. Cater, do hereby Testify, that it is my Judgement, that all Friends in the Ministry where they are Strangers, aught to tell their Names and Habitations upon the apparent sight of Informers coming into a Meeting, taking Friends Names in Writing or otherwise, in Order to convict the Meeting, that so we all may stand in the like suffering Capacity; or if any have not Freedom thus to do, that then they ought to make satisfaction to such who suffers for them, through their Concealing their Names and Habitations. And that such as refuse to perform his or their Place in either of these two particulars, aught from thence forth to be Reputed blame-worthy, and Noted as such.  
Witness my Hand.  
Now this is the Canon (or Order) that F. B. hath contrived, and which he tells Me, if I will Sign, I shall have all my Money again which He doth unjustly detain from Me. Which invented Order of his, I do in truth say, that for Conscience sake I cannot nor dare not Subscribe, although I for refusing do lose all my 15 Pound which He hath gotten into his Hand for these Reasons following. First▪ it is not my Judgement that all Friends in the Ministry are bound, without being asked, to tell Informers their Names and Habitations, being not thereunto required by the Lord, whose mind they then have, being Ministering in the power of Christ Jesus, whose word they are to declare Faithfully, and not their own nor F. B's. Secondly, it is my Judgement that all Friends that Ministers in the Name and Power of the Lord, are to be left to do in that, as in their Faith and Freedom they shall see Meet, they will answer it to God, and are not to be Limited by F. Bugg, nor any other what to say, nor what answer to make, when Informers and Persecuters come into a Meeting where they are Ministering. Thirdly, I do believe that this new invented Order of Fran. Bugg's tends to the exercising Rule and Lordship over the Faith and Consciences of our Brothers, and therefore I cannot set my Hand to it. Fourthly, I do account it a low and base thing of Fran. Bugg, to make such a Law, and to proffer Me 15 Pound to make Me his Proselyte, or to be an Abettor of his evil Inventions, a thing altogether out of truth, and contrary to the Ancient practice thereof, for Friends to make or to be made Proselytes for the love of Money, and I should Sin if I should condescend to his desires therein, and therefore I deny to do it. Fifthly, I do know the 15 Pound that Fran. Bugg pretends so freely to give Me, if I will sign his new Invented Order, he hath wrongfully, by defraud, got into his Hand of my Money, for which he prepares this new Order, and Imposes upon Me to Sign, to keep Me out of the Money, as it appears if I did not Sign it; And if I did Sign it, to make a Deceitful cover for this his unjust Practice, and Deceitful Dealing with his Cousin Geo. Smith, which I have not freedom to do, although he keeps Me still without my Mony.  
And now I Query of F. Bugg and his Abetters, if any he have, seeing he is against new Orders, and all Impositions as he pretends, which have no Footing in the Scriptures. Why I should not have my 15. Pound and 3. Shillings again, seeing I cannot for Conscience sake Subscribe this his new Invented Order, that he hath prescribed for Me to Sign, and which I do say (as before) I have not freedom to do, for the aforementioned reasons. And whether Fran. Bugg does not appear a Persecuter of tender Consciences, contrary to what He pretends, if he keeps my Money, because I have not freedom to Subscribe to this his new Rule.  
And thou sayest if this be not a condescension sufficient, that is, either to Sign this Order of thine, or a new Arbitration, thou than askest Me what will Please Me, but that which will be well Pleaseing to God, that is, for thee to Truly Repent of thy Lies and Deceitful Deal, and acknowledge thy infaithfulness both to God and Man, and make Satisfaction for the wrong thou hast done. This is that which I expect, and thou must do it before thou canst come to have Peace with God, and true Unity with his People; run whether thou wilt, and climb as High as thou canst, the Hand of the Lord will find thee out, and His Power will bring thee down, as he did the Angels of Old who kept not their first Estate, but lost their own Habitations, which the Lord hath reserved in everlasting Chains of darkness, unto the Judgement of the great day, such the Apostle calls raging Waves of the Sea, Foaming out their own shame, wandering Stars unto whom is reserved blackness and darkness for ever. Now Fran. notwithstanding all thy Malice that thou hast shown against Me, and wrong thou hast done Me, both by word and deed, I could be glad I could perceive that there were so much regard by thee to the Light of Christ Jesus, that thou mightest come thereby to see how near thou dwells to these fallen Angels, and how much thy state and condition now resembles theirs, for thou hast left thy Peaceable Habitation in the truth which the People of God enjoys, and thy Life is now in strife and contention, as appears by the Fruit thou brings forth. Thou art gone from the Love that thinks no evil, into hatred and strife, in which thou makest and inventest all the evil thou canst against the Servants of the Lord, as is manifest by the Fruits thou hast brought forth. How hast thou been Inventing Lies and Slanders, not only against Me, but many more of the Servants of the Lord, whereby thou Foamest out thy Shame, for its a Shame for a man to tell Lies and break Promises from time to time, as thou hast done, both before God and honest Men. And he that lives in the fear of God dare not do it, but they who departs from the true fear and awe of God, what will they not dare to do, as appears by this wicked Work of thine, and also by thy Book, by which thy scoffing Rude Spirit is Manifest, and thy hard Heartedness against the People of God, whom now in thy Envy thou Endeavours to render them to be like the worst of Men, even such as formerly thou accounted good Men, and truly serviceable in the Church of Christ, who are he same still. But Envy hath blinded thy Eye, so that thou canst not see them in their Places, because thou hast lost the knowledge of thy own place, which thou shoulded have continued in, even in low humility before the Lord, to have still waited upon him for his Wisdom to have Guided thee, and to have felt his Power through the daily Cross, to Crucify that Earthly wise comprehending part, in which thou comprehended the Truth in thy Head, but never came to enjoy the life of Truth in thy Heart and Soul, through the Death to thy own will, in which unruly will thou speaks and Acts like an evil unruly Beast, whose Mouth God will stop in his own time, to thy sorrow without unfeigned Repentance.  
And Francis thou tells Me of giving Me 15 Pound to Sign this Paper of thine, but where is the Liberty of Conscience thou Treats so much of in thy Book, Dedicated to Hen. North. Knight.  
Wherein thou pretendest that all aught to be left free to the Liberty of their Conscience, and not to be compelled to any thing that they have not Freedom in themselves to do. But in this Paper thou art far otherwise minded, for thou speakest nothing of leaving Me to my Freedom in that matter of the 15 Pound. But I must either, contrary to my Freedom, set my Hand to that Paper that thou hast contrived, or else condescend to have another Arbitration about it, which I cannot do for the Reason's aforesaid, otherwise I must unavoidably lose my Money, which is far from leaving Me to my Freedom, which in the aforesaid Book, thou pretendest all aught to be left unto. But Francis, tell us, when thou makest answer, was the Dedicating of thy Book according to our Ancient principles which thou pretends to own, or did Friends in the beginning Dedicate their Books in that manner, or is it not rather the making of a Man that hath lost his Habitation in the power of Truth, and now is creeping and Flattering with Men of the World, and admiting men's persons because of advantage, as is spoken of in Judas, of them that fell from their first Habitation, and which thou hast given just cause to believe thou hast done. For although thou never wert so much in Truth as thou would have People believe, by thy assuming to take upon thee to Treat about the Principles of Truth, as received by us in the beginning,  thou never experimentally wert a witness of, yet thou hast known more of Truth than thou hast obeyed or lived in. And thou complainest to H. N. of the mischief of imposition amongst the Quakers, what Redress thou expected by complaining to him, is best known to thyself, but what plainer imposition could ever be invented by a Man, than this new Order of thine is, which thou hath sent to Me, to have Me set my Hand to, and with as much severity imposest it upon Me, as thy Capacity will afford thee to do. Whereby it doth and will appear to H. N. Knight and others, when they come to see what thou hast done, both before and also since thou wrote thy Book, that thou hast dissembled with them, and endeavoured to delude the World, to make them believe thou art against imposing new Orders, and Prescriptions upon tender Consciences, when it's no such matter, as appears by thy Practice. But a Liberty to thyself to Lie and Dissemble, and abuse Honest Men, as is plainly Manifested, both by thy Book and thy aforesaid new prescription, and thou art got to thy old accustomed Work of thine, in abusing Me with Suggesting; that since I was a Preacher and a Sufferer, through receiving Gifts and Rewards, I am become Rich, but I never was counted a Rich Man by thee, until thou turned Informer against Me, and demanded 15 Pounds of Me unjustly for thy work.  
And I not having Freedom to satisfy thy unjust demand, and Friends blameing thee for desiring it, thou then began to change thy Tale concerning Me, that whereas thou used to speak of to whom thou pleased of my outward Condition, below what it was, so now ever since, hast spoke of it at a large Rate, and what end canst thou have in it, but to be get a belief in People that S. C. is a Rich Man, that thereby thy Offence may seem the less, in that thou hast gotten 15 l. 3 s. of mine, for that which neither the Law of God nor Man allows thee one penny. But Fran. what I have as to the outward, I came Honestly by, and I wish that thou hadst not more in thy possession than thou camest as truly and as justly by as I have come by what I have, and then it would be better for Me and mine by near 20 Pounds. And as to what I have, is best known to myself, and I never complained to thee nor any other of want, neither have thee or others ever heard Me Boast of what I had in this World, but am well contented with such things as I have, I praise the Lord for it, and If than couldst have been so, thou wouldst never have troubled Me and others so much as thou hast done, for that which is none of thy own. And again, Fran. thou Suggests in the aforesaid Malicious Paper of thine, as if since I was a Preacher, and a sufferer, I am become Rich thereby, to that I answer, I have been a Preacher of Truth, according to my Measure, and a sufferer for the same, before thou knewest any thing of the Truth or Me either, in all which time it's well known to God and to faithful Friends, both at Home and Abroad, my Conversation hath been without coveting any thing that was other men's, but have from time to time taken an Honest care for Me and mine, that we might not be Burdensome to any (its known to the Lord) and all Honest Friends, who hath known my Conversation longer than thou hast done, who can witness to the Truth of what I say in this matter, and therefore what such railing Rabshecahs as thou sayest is little to Me, who hast forsaken the Truth, and art turned aside to Lies. And now in answer to thy unjust charge and Slander in this kind, I do say, that I was never enriched as to the things of this World, either by Preaching or Suffering in that manner as is by thee Suggested, and I do say thy charge is false and Scandalous, and proceeds from a Lying Spirits, clear thyself as well as thou canst, and if thou thinkest thou canst prove the contrary by Honester Men than thyself, thou mayest go about it.  
I ask no Favour at thy Hand, as thou knowest I have told thee before now, for I have Truth and the witness of a good Conscience on my side in these things whereof thou falsely accuses Me, wherein I have true Peace. And now whereas thou asks if thou hadst no colour of right to the Money before mentioned, (which thou defrauded thy Cousin G. S. in the Gaining of.) Answer, that will appear by the Narrative, whether thou hadst or not, to all that desire to know the certainty of that business, when they come to know the Truth as it is, and then I shall leave it to the witness of God in all their Consciences, to judge who hath done and acted like a Christian Quaker, or like an Honest Man, whether thee or I in this matter, wherein thou hast been so long troublesome to Me.  
Which is all at present, but to let thee know, that I have given a full and true Narrative from the beginning,  
From him who is a Sufferer by thee, as I am under the Envious Priests for the Testimony of a good Conscience, in which I have true Peace. Samuel Cater. Ely Prison the 3d. of the 8th Month 1682.  
POSTSCRIPT.  
FRan. Bugg, thou hast falsely insinuated, as if thy Cousin G. Smith had hard work to get his Money again of Me, notwithstanding (adds thou) thy Wife sent him, as thou told Me thyself: Which insinuation of thine is false, and thy Cousin G. S. will prove it so, and for thee to say, I told thee my Wife sent him, is a lie of thy own making, which thou hast put in to make out thy matter as thou wouldst have it, an evil thou art too much accustomed unto, for I never told thee so, but do well remember still what I said, which was, that I know nothing of G. S'. treating with thee, but my Wife did, as I understood after thou hadst got the Money, as will appear in the Narrative, etc.  
S. C.   

S. Cater's Letter to F. Bugg.  
Thine I have received Dated the 8th of the 10th Month, 1682. Wherein thou sayest thou didst not send thy other Letter before this for controversy, not to revive the old one: But Fran. that is false, and thy Letter and the use thou makes thereof proves the contrary to any that have seen or may see the same, for thou hast not therein written to Me and thy Cousin Geo. Smith in order to make us satisfaction for the wrong thou hast formerly done us, but thou hast again therein abused us, and wrote Lies to exuse thyself about the old concern; which is not a way to stop controversy, but to increase it, and further, if thou hadst been minded that it should not have been revived again, why didst thou send thy malicious Letter to Geo. Whitehead and to the 2d days Meeting in London, who see and are satified it was to revive the controversy again; and again, why didst thou send the same Letter or a Copy of it to Ann Dockwra, letting her know thou hadst sent that Letter to Me, and that I had sent it back to thee again without opening of it, and She says that thou wert minded to make it Public, only She accounted She had persuaded thee to the contrary by something She had wrote to thee, and withal She said, that I had done well in that I did not look into thy Letter, and thereby have been stirred up to enter into further controversy again with thee, so that She as well as others that have come to the sight of thy Letter, do see that the tendency thereof was, and is for controversy: but thou sayest thou Intends to Manifest Me to be a reviver of the Old contreversy, because thou believes I have spoke of it; and that thou mayest have wherewith to accuse Me, thou like one of the Officers in th' Star-Chamber (when in force) Queries of Me in thy Letter, whether at one time or other I have not spoke of it, since the agreement was made between the Quarterly Meeting and thee? for sayest thou, if Sam. Cater have spoke of it, than the agreement of the Quarterly Meeting is broken, yet also sayest, thou knowest not that ever thou Covenanted or promised not to write a Letter to Me about it: to that I answer, if thou that wert at the Quarterly Meeting, and there made an agreement with the Meeting, and promised to cease from all Controversy, and that all the writings thou hadst writ about the Old Controversy in general, should be by thee brought to Ely Prison in the 11th Month following, and there be burnt, which thou saidst thou didst, even all that were in thy Hand, and what was in thy other Friends Hands, thou saidst thou wouldst send to them to do the like. Now (say I,) if thou wert at the Quarterly Meeting and made the promise and agreement with them thyself, dost not look upon they self at bound by that Order or agreement, from writing to Me and others about the same Controversy again, how comes it to pass, that I, who was not at the Meeting, could be bound by that Order and agreement not to speak of it.  
For of Sam. Cater hath spoken of it, sayest thou, the Order of the Quarterly Meeting is broken on his part, but I never saw any such agreement, this is strange Logic, yea, Confusion indeed, it's like the rest of thy proceed about and concerning this matter and thou wilt have as hard work to prove this, as thou hast to prove that I refused to tell my Name in Laken-Heath Meeting, which is false, and may be proved so. Thou also speaks as if the report of this Controversy was in London, Bristol, Hartford, Lincoln, etc. whereby thou wert abused and mispresented: what then, if it were so that this business follows thee, and thy malicious Book, if thou hast done well in it, thou needs not be ashamed of it, but if thou hast done evil, why dost thou not make satisfaction, seeing thou pretends so much to be a Christian Quaker: But Francis, I am apt to believe, that not any have abused thee therein, for who can speak worse of thee than thou deserves? And besides, if it be spoken of in those places aforesaid, must it needs follow, that it was through my speaking of it? was it not public to the Nation? does not many Hundreds know how unjustly thou demanded that Money of Me, and how restless thou wert to obtain it, & when thou hadst got it in that deceitful manner of thy Cousin G. S. did not he give account thereof to the Monthly Meeting? and were not Friends satisfied that thou went beyond him, and gave it as their judgement, that his simplicity was betrayed, and that he ought to have his Money again? and did not he give the same account again to the Quarterly Meeting, before Friends of five several Counties, and could this be a private business to be kept from being spoken of by Me? but I suppose thou thinks, I may have spoke of it to some body or other that might ask Me, if F. B. had paid Me, or G. S. the 15 l. 3 Shillings he got so unjustly into his Hands, which the Meeting expected he would have returned again, as well as burn his writings? As to that let Me know when thou writes again▪ what thou wouldst have me to say about it; when I am asked, since I have not Freedom to tell a Lie to cover thy deceit, and whereas thou offers in thine, to return Me 7 Pounds to Shillings, if I will accept it as Token of thy condescension, which thou sayest, thou hast told some Friends of, and that thou wouldst give Me so much Money as a Free Gift; To that I answer, I have neither need nor Freedom to receive such Gifts of thee: But that which I do expect and desire of thee, is to return to Me or thy Cousin G. S. that 15 Pounds 3 Shilling, which thou so unjustly obtained from, him and whereunto I have just right, and thou mayest keep thy Gifts for them that will accept of them form I desire nothing of thee but my own, neither shall I receive it, but as my own: and as to thy comparing Me to the Pharisees, who lay Heavy Burdens upon the People, etc. it's but one of th● Slanders, and hard and ungodly Speeches, whic● thou must give an account to the Lord for; so it's known to the Lord and to Faithful Friends my Innocency both in that and other things whereof thou hast unjustly accused Me and other Friends, who truly fears God, and are clear and innocent in the sight of God, of those things tho● chargest them with, for which thou hast a bitt●● Cup to Drink at the Lords Hand, who will n●● acquit the workers of iniquity, who sin against t●● light in their own Consciences, as thou hast do●● for several years.  
This is ●ll at present, from him who desires Repentance before Mercy be hid from thy Eyes. Samuel Cate● Ely Prison the 25th of the 10th Month, 1682.   

Sam. Cater's Letter to F. Bugg, the 26th of the 10th Month, 1682.  
THis is to let thee know, that if thou wilt not make thy Cousin G. Smith and myself satisfaction for the wrong thou hast done us, both by word and deed, and also call in thy wicked Book, which thou hast caused to be Printed, in which thou hast belied, abused, and misrepresented Friends to the World, than we shall make thy ungodly Accounts, and fraudulent proceed more Manifest than ever we thought to have done, whereof we have a Narrative ready for the Press, but if thou wilt call in thy Book, an as Publicly own thy Condemnation, as thou hast given the offence, and thereby clear Friends of the Reproaches thou hast cast upon them, than we shall stop any further proceed against thee in this matter: To this I desire thy speedy answer.  
From him who hath long been much wronged and Abused by thee. Samuel Cater.  
F. B. this Sam. Cater desired should be given thee, desiring thy present answer.  
J. B.   

Samuel Cater,  
THis day I received thine, Dated the 26th of the 10th Month, and am not sensible, 
(a) Not sensible. No, for deceitfulness of Sin, Lying and Falsehood, do produce Hardness, and Blindness.  that I have wronged thee or my Cousin G. S. neither haste thou therein said, wherein I have, so that in answer, I dare say, if either of you, can make it appear, wherein I have wronged either of you, I will readily make you, or either of you satisfaction; but if thou mean the Money that my Cousin G. Smith paid me, as thy Wife's Messenger, 
(b) G. S. had no Message from her, to pay the 15 Pounds.  or Ambassador, in satisfaction for the Fine I suffered for thee, Anno. 1675. And art not willing to stand by the Agreement made at Quarterly Meeting in Hadenham, the first of the 10th Month 1680. and then Recorded in their Quarterly Book, that All Controversy betwixt thee, G. S. & myself should cease. 
(c) That was probably in hopes of thy amendment and making satisfaction for the wrong done, but instead thereof, hast not thou begun and renewed the Controversy again against Sam. Cater.  I say, if thou art not willing to stand to the said agreement, but find thyself uneasy under it, I will, as I wrote thee word in my Letter, dated the 10th of the 6th Month 1682. very willingly consent and agree, that thou shalt have a hearing De Novo by Persons indifferently 
(d) How oft hast thou shuffled with Arbitrators, and evaded their Judgements, and determinations in the case will such Flams and Pretences as these excuse thee.  Chosen by us both, viz. each others, 4, 6, 10, or 12 Persons, and be bound again to stand to their award, etc. And as for the calling in my Book; this I am willing to let the know: That on condition, the Orders upon Record in out 7th Book, which say, that for the time to come, no Marriages are to be either suffered or permitted, (meaning amongst us) except the Parties, both Man and Woman, Publish their intentions twice before men's Meeting, and twice 
(e) That was, that both might be concerned in a Godly care to see things clear and to prevent disorder and Scandal what in them is.  before the women's Meeting, they being (thou knowest) distinct and apart each from others, and the Record against J.A. 
(f) Which was because of his Irregular proceeding in Publishing his intention in the Woman's absence, to the men's Meeting, and that but once, and refusing to bring her to the next Meeting, as desired by Friends for example and satisfaction, as Friends had not Union with his Irregularity, it seems he had not Union with them, First, in that Orderly Method of both Persons Publishing their Intentions twice before the time of Marriage.  for not taking Wife according to the advice of Friends; be razed out, and made void, that so those that have Freedom to publish according to the said Orders 
(g) Why should they then be Razed out, if a Freedom be granted to proceed according to them, what evil or error is in them simply considered, as Reason to Race them out, or wouldst thou not have those Records Razed out that thou mayest make new ones, and Rule in thy lose conceited Spirit?  may, and those that are otherwise minded, may be left to their Freedom, and also the Book Entitled, The Accuser, and others against William Rogers, be called in, 
(h) No Reason nor Justice in that proposition, we allow no such bargain. Those Books against Wil Rogers, were occasioned by his, which was first; and aught to be called in, therefore thou art an unjust Judge and Partial.  I say, on condition that these things may be done, I am willing to call in mine, and shall be willing to use any Christian means for a thorough Reconciliation and healing of Breaches, 
(i) How canst thou be any fit Instrument for such a Christian-work, who art in a Spirit of discord and Enmity thyself?  But whereas thou seems to threaten me with a further Publication of a Narrative, etc. It doth not frighten me, neither do I think it would have been thus long detained from publishing in Charity or good will to me, hadst not thee been Conscious 
(k) If S. C. were so Conscious, by the same reason he would not pulish a Narrative at all, therefore his Publication of a Narrative proves thee Guilty of presumptuous and false Judgement in this matter.  to thyself, that Publication thereof would have been a further means to have unmasked thee and such as thee art: This is my sense, and as speedy an answer as I can well give thee who am thy well-wishing (though much abused) Friend,  
Francis Bugg.   

Joshua Bangs Letter to F. B.  
I Sent F. B. a few Lines, to let him know, that if he had any thing to offer in his own defence, etc. I gave him time to do it, whereupon he returned me a great Letter, to which I have given something in answer, which is as follows.  
F. B. thy great Letter Received, which is in Vindication of thy receiving the 5 l. of Justice Shelly which the Widow Root said, was part of the 15 l. thou wert Fined for S. Cater; and withal could not believe that thou hadst taken 15 l. of G.S. and that is it Edw. Swanton says, that Justices Shelly told him, that 5 l. of the 15 l. was returned again to thee, forasmuch as but 10 l. could be Levied upon one Person for the offence of any other Person, according to the words of the Statute: But in thy introduction thou endeavourest to Invalidate what he can say about it, by saying, he was an Informer, yes, he was an Informer, and had 40 s. for so doing, but did not Pocket one penny of it, but if being an Informer formerly, or violating Obligations, excludes a Man being believed in any caused, who shall believed F. B. in his own cause, for was not F. B. an Informer against S. C. in that Laken-Heath Meeting? And hath he not got 5 l. more than what he could be justly Fined for S. C. according to the Statute, for the Act says, (speaking of one Person, being Fined for another's Offence,) that it shall be at the discretion of the said Justice, Justices or chief magistrate respectively, so as the same to be Levied on any one Person, in case of the Poverty of other offenders amount not in the whole to above the Sum of 10 l. And again, provided always, and be it enacted by the Authority aforesaid, that no Person shall by any clause of this Act, be liable to pay above 10 l. for any one Meeting in regard of the Poverty of any Person or Persons. What can be Plainer than this, but in Contradiction hereunto, says F.B. Justice Shelly and his other Counsellors told him, that for neglect of the Speaker, a Preachers declaring his Name and Habitation, one Person may be Fined 15 or 20 l. for his offence, or to this Effect.  
Francis, Justice Shelly was a Man I had no acquaintance with, but I have heard he was a Judicious understanding Man, and I much question whether he spoke to that purpose, but rather take it to be of thy own Hatching, yet since Justice Shelly is Dead, if thy other Counsellor be alive, let him give his Reasons under his Hand; with his Name to it, that we may know where to find him; for the time is coming thou wilt stand in need of the Assistance of such a Counsellor, that can make lies seem true, bring something out of nothing, and make a foul false Cause look fairly. And what I have said, is not to Vindicate or commend Edw. Swanton wherein he hath done amiss; not yet condemn F. B. for well-doing, neither do I know whether there will be any necessity to make use of his Certificate, in Order to Manifest thy deceit, since thou hast confessed so much, but if there be, because the Statute Backs what he Certifies, the Justice said, it will be as credible as any thing, thee and thy Counsellor can say, which so plainly Contradicts the Statute. And now, since thou hast done as thou hast, how canst thou Escape the just imputation of Folly, or Knavery? Thou mentions much charge and cost thou hast been at in Journeys and otherwise, whose fault was that? Oh! but thou hast a smooth turn for that too, because thou couldst not have Arbitrators indifferently chosen, or to that effect: I Query, were they not such as thou accepted of? And didst thou not engage to stand to their Award? Nay further, didst thou not say, after thou knew their Award, that thou wouldst sit down by it, or stir no further in it, or to that purpose. But to return, notwithstanding all thou canst say for thyself, I take notice what the Widow Root said of thee, and how confident she was of thy Honesty, that thou wouldst not take 15 l. having 5 l. returned thee again, see how some honest Friends are betrayed into a conceitedness of thy Honesty; so smooth and subtle have thy carriage been. I have also perssed the Act, to find what colourable pretence thy Counsellor can have to say, that 15 l. or 20 l. may be Levied upon any one Person for the Preachers not declaring his Name and Habitation, and the Act is worded thus; and if the said Preacher or Teacher so convicted, be a stranger, and his Name and Habitation not known, or is fled and cannot be found, or in the Judgement of the Justice, Justices or chief Magistrate, before whom he shall be convicted, shall be thought unable to pay the Sum, the said Justice, Justices, or chief Margistrate respectively, are hereby impowered and required to Levy the same by Warrant as aforesaid, upon the Goods and Chattels of any such Persons, who shall be present at the said Conventicle, etc. Now had the word Persons been in the singular number, it had made something to the purpose; but Francis, thy covering I do think will be too scant to cover thy deceit, and I do believe it had been better for thee every way, that thou hadst not so earnestly hunted after S. C's. 15 l. But since thou hast gone so far in it, there is little hopes of any better Service in thy miscarriages, then that others may thereby beware that they enter not into the like Temptations, and so be caught in the same Snare.  
Joshua Bangs. At Hallywell-Row in Mildenhall, the 13th of the 12th M. 1683.   

Edward Swantons Certificate of F. B's. having 5 l. of the 15 l. Fine repaid Him by the Justice.  
THis may Certify all whom it may concern, that whereas Fran. Bugg of Mildenhall in the said County, Avereth that he Paid 15 Pounds or above for his being present at a Conventicle or Meeting in Laken-Heath, some years last passed, which I do believe to be true, but I do affirm, that Five Pounds of the aforesaid Sum was Allowed and paid unto him back again by Justice Shelly, or his order (as the said Mr. Shelly Informed Me,) and this I am ready to Testify upon Oath at any time when by Lawful Authority thereto called:  
Given under my hand this Ninteenth day of January, Anno Dom. 1682. Laken-Heath in Suffolk. Edward Swanton.   

Reader, By this Certificate thou mayest see Fran. Bugg hath retained Five pound to himself, and Edw. Swanton says, if he be so confident as to deny it, notwithstanding what he hath herein given forth, he can produce more if need require, to Assertain the truth of it.   

A short Reply to Francis Bugg's Foul Slanders cast upon me and his Cousin George Smith, in his Book called the Painted Harlot Stripped and Whipped. Printed 1683. Wherein not only his Folly, but also his bitter Envy, is discovered against us and others, who never gave him just cause so Maliciously to Abuse us.  
First, I take Notice of F. B's saying, that I Revived the Controversy which was formerly between him G. S. and myself, after (saith he) It was ended by Friends at Hadenham, the First of the 10th. Month, 1680. Which saying of his is false, and his own Letter, Dated August 10th 1682. plainly proves the contrary, and gives him the Lie; For before he sent me that Letter, nor some time after, I never wrote a word to him nor any other Man from the time of that Hadenham Meeting, whereby to stir up any thing of that Nature, neither was I willing to have meddled with it any more, and that he himself very well knew, notwithstanding, he thus saith; for when he sent me that Letter Dated as before, wherein he did not only Invite me to begin again about that Controversy which he said was ended; but in that Letter used many Scurrilous words, whereby to Provoke me and G. S. thereunto, as it plainly appeared thereby when we came to see it; but I understanding it came from him, I never opened it, but sent it him back again, not being willing to concern myself in any Controversy, which was also the cause I did not meddle to answer any part of his former Book, Entitled De Christiana Liberiate, wherein he much abused me with the rest of Friends, in this Isle of Ely, and although I refused to meddle with his Book and Letter, whereby he might have occasion to be Quarrelling with me again, he sent the second Letter to London to Friends there that he had sent to me, and a Copy also thereof to Cambridge, to A. D. and complained to her that he had sent me the like, and I would not Read it, who wrote to me and in her Letter, said, I did well in not opening F. Bs. Letter, whereby to enter into farther Controversy with him; and yet he is so impudent as to say in this Idle Ridiculous work of his, That it was▪ I that Revived the Controversy again, which is as absolutely false, as Truth is Truth. But after he had thus sent his malicious Letter about, and it came from London, whither he had sent it, wherein he had Reviled me and his Cousin G. S. again, so that his hard charge against us for breaking Covenant falls upon himself with his Slanderous comparing of us to Berket the Papist, which will return upon his own Head, for he broke the agreement made between him and the Meeting, and not I nor G. S. for although I was not there, neither knew any thing of it until some Friends came from the Meeting and told me what was done, yet for Peace sake, and out of respect I had to the Meeting, I was willing to condescend to it, and did abide by it until he broke it, but when came to see and hear how he had abused us again, both it City and Country, we did then resolve to give a true Narrative of the business, as it truly was, and leave it to People to judge, Whether he hath wronged us, or we him; Seeing his restless Spirit would not let him be at quiet, which accordingly we did write to him to give him account thereof, as by the Narrative doth more fully appear.  
The next passage I take Notice of, is, how F. B. hath in effect Confessed himself, Guilty of going beyond his Cousin G. S. in getting the Money aforesaid, as by his own Tongue and Pen he hath here Confessed, for says F. B. in Page 35, (Treating about the Money he got of G. S.) He pretended Trouble or else he was really Troubled in that he thought all I aimed at was, a bare tender, and upon that, without any other terms, would have returned it. These words of F. Bs. gives just cause to believe that he betrayed him by his Subtlety out of his Money, as G. S. hath given account, or else why should F. B. himself say, (who is seldom wanting to make a deceitful cover, for this his work of Darkness) G. S. might think than all he intended in having the Money all Tendered, was but a bare Tender, and that he would have returned it again: which saying of F. Bs. gives ground to believe that G. S. had some cause so to think, from something that F. B. had spoke or promised to G. S. before he tendered him the Money, as G. S. hath declared, for he is not so weak a Man as to think of having all the Money returned again, without some Grounds for it. But however, they that shall say, That F. B. got this Money Fraudulently, or by over-teaching, or going beyond his near Kinsman, them he seems to be much offended with, accounting they Grate much upon his Reputation; But let F. B. give his getting the Money what Name he please, I know it is a way that is not used by such as are accounted Honest Morral-Men, setting Christianity aside; which brings Men not only to Act and Speak justly, uprightly, and truly, and to walk inoffensively both towards God and Men, but also Patiently to suffer Injuries, and to do good against Evil, however 'tis commendable in its place to do justly between Man and Man, which F. B. in this matter hath fallen far short of, as doth yet farther appear from his own words, as may be seen in page 36, his words are these, (Speaking about the said Money, he got of his Cousin G. S.) I did proffer (saith he) to Return 7 l. 10 s. which I had more than G. S. Voluntarily proffered me, (Note, that F. Bs. offer of returning the said 7 l. 10 s. was about three years after he had Received it of his Cousin G. S. and that not until he was severely Reproved for his unfair deal by Friends; and farther, he did not offer the Money as Repenting him for his so unjustly obtaining it) Therefore it may be very well questioned how F. B. came by the said 7 l. 16 s. Seeing he says himself that G. S. Did not Voluntarily proffer it him, then does it not follow, that without question G. S. tendered him the whole, thinking thereby to have pleased him in his wilful humour, and thinking as F. B. himself saith; He would have been pleased with a bare Formal Tender thereof, and so have returned the whole 15 l. again; but seeing F. B. did not return it all again, according as he says, G. S. his thoughts might be that he would, yet to keep the other half also, which was by him never Voluntarily proffered him, let F. B. make what covers and excuses he can for himself, People that know what it is to Live uprightly, and to deal justly between Man and Man, will account this Deed of F. Bs. to Spring from a Covetous and Overreaching-Mind, and a Deed that does not become such a Man as would be accounted a Christian Quaker, and one that hath taken upon him lately to complain of others, more Honest and Just than himself, as appears; But it had been well for F. B. if he had better spent this time. which he now spends, in Silly, Scornful, Scribbling and Printing against his Ancient Friends, and such whom he used to speak very well off before, the Enemy of his Soul thus filled him with Envy; It had been better (I say) for him to have waited upon God in Humility, to have seen first the Beam cast out of his own Eye (as Christ saith) before he had so much concerned himself to pull the Mote out of another's Eye. But now mark, after F. B. had thus got this Money of his Cousin G. S. the the next thing he endeavoured to do, was to quiet him that he might keep it, and to that end he first gave him a paper, as he himself saith, for me to sign, which he said, If I would Sign he would Return all the Money again; But G. S. knowing that he had nothing to do with papers, but the Money, which he had made him a tender of, seeing he never spoke of any such paper before the Money was tendered, Slighted the paper, but prest-hard upon him for the Money again, (as more at large appears in the Narrative) that he might carry and Repay the 10 l. again to the Person of whom it was borrowed; But F. B. would not part with the Money, but be thought himself of another way, to try Salve the Sore which he had made in his Cousin's mind, by keeping the said Money from him, as himself saith (in Page the 35 of his Book) to his Cousin G. S. after he had got the said 15 l. his words are these, However to comfort him, I told him that Samuel had 10 l. lately sent him from London; and that he had taken 40 s. at one place when he went into Scotland, towards his charges, and 3 l. at another place, on the account of his Ministry, and so Cousin said I, there is no fear but Samuel will made whole. These are F. Bs. own words to G. S. (as he himself saith) But this will prove a Deceitful Cure and Cover as hereafter will appear.  
F. B. in some other places in his Book, accounts this as a great Evil, (he taking it for granted that I received this Money he upbraids me with) or else why is it so often spoken of in his Book, but it is not a greater Evil in him, to use it as an Argument to persuade G. S. to let him alone quietly with this 15 l. he so unfeignedly obtained from him, that so he might have the benefit of this Money which he blames me for Receiving, which 15 l. he had thus obtained of G. S. he never offered Voluntarily but one half of it, than it must needs follow that he got the other half by Craft, and kept it against G. S. his Mind, which is doubtless a great Evil in the sight of God, and a just cause of the breach of Friendship and humane Society betwixt Man and Man, thus to do.  
And whereas in page 46 F. B. speaks something there as if R. S. with some other Friends hath given it as their Judgement that S. Cs. Wife betrayed G. S. about this Money, which thing cannot stand with Truth nor found Reason, for let it be considered whether it can be understood or believed by any Man to be as he saith, seeing F. B. was the Man that thus obtained the Money of G. S. as is before mentioned: and S. C. and his Wife did freely and willingly repay the aforesaid G. S. the whole 15 l. again, and besides, when it was debated in that Monthly Meeting, it will appear that R. S. was not of that mind then (neither was it ever the Judgement of the Monthly or Quarterly Meeting that it was S. C's. Wife betrayed G. S. but on the contrary, that F. B. was the betrayer of G. S. for at the said Monthly Meeting B. S. called out to Friends about the time of the Record making to know where there was a Man in the Meeting that would say that Francis had right to that Money, and that he came Honestly by it? And indeed was the very Man that was Zealous against F. B. in that Meeting, which caused F. B. to fall out with him in the Meeting, and reprove the said R. S. for being the cause of his being so far Engaged in that concern, and instanced some particulars.  
And again, whereas F. B. makes no small stir (in this Slanderous piece of confusion) about my being grown: Rich with Preaching, who says I was so Poor that I could scatced pay my Debts, both which I return back upon him again as Lies and Defamation, but his Tongue is no Slander, for first I never was so Poor as not able to pay my Debts, but have always paid every Man his just due, since I knew what it was to deal and Trade in the World, neither was any Man ever burdened with my Debts, nor yet paid one penny for me, which those that I have dealt with can witness for me; But now how I came to be so Rich, as he pretends it was or is by Making advantage of People by my Preaching, of which F. B. hath threatened long to make a discovery of me and my Brethren. But I have told him, he might do his worst, for I have both Faith and a good Conscience on my side, and also Testimony in the Hearts of Honest Friends, where I have Laboured and Traveled, That I have not sought myself, nor to enrich myself, by any thing of this, But have truly preferred the good of People's Souls, before my own outward benefit, and this many can Witness to the Truth of what I say: but now F. B. hath brought forth this Monster, what does he charge me with? With being Rich with Preaching; But I do not know what Ground any have to believe that by any thing that he hath brought to Light, except such as are as full of Envy as himself, who if any such as he says it, it is enough for him to believe it; but let any Rational Man consider what he tells People of that I have Received, for near these 20 years he hath known me, and I perceive hath been watching over me with an Evil Eye for some time. And what is it that he says of the Sums of Money I have Received in this time, whereby (he says) I am made a Richman? Why, says he, Three Sums of Money, which in all amounts to 15 l. but let it also be considered, that if I had Received all the three Sums as F. B. says, (which I says, I had not; let him prove it if he can) how much have I left me, towards making me a Richman, when I had paid G. S. the 15 l. which he confesses he had of him, and which I paid again, although no more than half of it was voluntarily proffered him by G. S. might not F. B. therefore be ashamed, I am sure he would (if he were a tender Hearted Man and feared God) of this his wicked work, who sometimes hath called me Pensioner, and compares me to be like to the hireling Priests, who are known to Preach for Money, either by the year, or so much a Sermon, as they can get, and now tells the World of my Receiving 15 l. for near 20 years, for suffering Travelling (as he pretends) and Preaching: might not People have thought that I have had some great Salary (by such his Insinuations) for Preaching, for which I do say, that I never took penny more nor less, directly or indirectly in my Life, but am wholly clear of his Malicious and Scandalous thing, both in the sight of God and Honest People, neither can F. B. prove it, although he hath so Reproachfully Insinuated it against me, expect he or any other Man will or can account that the 3 l. I Received as part of the 20 l. given by the last Will and Testament of J. M. of Whitlesea-Coles, which I Received with other Friends, according to the intent and desire of the Giver, which no Impartial and unprejudiced Person will blame me for, but such as are Levened with the Spirit of Envy, as F. B. hath Manifested himself to be both against me and others. He says he was our Book-Keeper so many years, and thereby had opportunity to know what was then done amongst us, but he to make the said 15 l. seem as big as he can, he hath brought it up several times in his Book, sometimes he says I Received it as a Preacher, sometimes as a sufferer and as a Traveller; but still it is all but 15 l. some of which I never had.  
Again he is hinting in an interlined Note, Page 40. as if I knew, that the Widow Moor, nigh Bishopsgate London, hath understood what he means, who (says he) was constrained to break up House, being (as he insinuates) so much oppressed by me, and such as I am, as he hath declared, which I know nothing of that she would give over House-keeping upon any such Account, neither was I burdensome to her, but if I would have accepted it, (as she desired of me) I might have been there to have Lodged when I refused, neither, did I ever here that she or any related to her complain of any such oppression. Well, but F. B. does not leave here, for in Page 54. he says, If all thy sufferings be attended with such a plentiful reward, I do not know but that sufferings may be as beneficial to thee as of Old they were to Bishop Worren. And for Instance, (he saith) It hath been said that in Ely Prison by Treat● and otherwise, they believe thou fairest as well as some Persons of much Higher Degree. But if this be all thou hast to say about thy Foolishly comparing me to Bishop Worren in his sufferings, I say it was well the Man in the time of his confinement, found Friends in the midst of his Enemies, to take care of him, and show kindness to him, and I praise the Lord, so have I in Measure, in the time of my close confinement, although it be to my Enemy's grief, which thou hast appeared to be none of the jest, who has been abusing me from time to time, in the time of my sufferings, by which thou manifests not only thy envy against me, but seemest to be troubled that any Loves me, but thou must run thy race, and make thy folly manifest to all, till the Lord put a Hook in thy Nostrils before thou wilt be quiet, and thou mayest be ashamed, Nay, I am sure thou wouldst, if Envy did not Blind thee, how the Devil befools thee in thy undertake, to make a Noise about my being grown Rich with Preaching, and now wanting proof against me, makes thy appeal to my Neighbours and to the Parish Priest, whether they have got so much as I have, but what if some Neighbours have gotten much more in these 30 years' time that I have kept House, as some of them have done, and some less, and others spent what they have, what's that to the proof of thy change against me? And I have told thee before, I have nothing but what I came honestly and justly by, neither haste thou proved the contrary, and therefore there's none have cause to believe thee, nor will, that are not Learned with that Spirit of Envy that thou art in, whose reproaches are little to me, knowing it is the Portion of them that fear God to go through good report, and evil report, as the Servants of God did before me.  
Now whereas F. B. makes a great stir about a Lawyer meddling in my Case, and calls me his Client, I do say, I never spoke or writ, neither directly or indirectly employed T. R. about the said concern, whereof he so sayeth, and if the said T. R. did any thing in it, he did it of himself, and not by any Order or Advice from me; and that I have told F. B. before now, only he is minded to fill up his filthy Book with something, although it doth and will return to his own shame. Many things more might be spoken unto, to manifest his numerous lies and falsehoods, and his wild Airy scoffing Spirit against myself and many others, which at present I pass by, looking upon it not worth the spending time about, nor questioning but impartial and  Readers will see that it's more Malice than Matter against us, as one lately told me, who is not of our Society: Neither would I too much Treat him in his Folly, lest (as the wise Man saith) I appear like him, neither would I be altogether, silent lest he grows Proud in his own conceit. And having given Account of Transaction in these things before I saw his, and now made some reply in short, to what I thought most needful in this, I shall commit my Innocent Cause to God and to his just witness in the Consciences of all that Reads both his and mine, to Judge in themselves who is in the wrong, or what cause he hath thus to abuse me. And rest a Friend to all that love Truth and Righteousness.  
Samuel Cater. Ely Prison the 17th of the 6th Month, 1683.  
Now the Controversy Rightly considered, F. B. may apply the Title of his Book to himself, and his own Malicious Scornful Spirit.   

George Smith's return to F. B.'s Scandalous report of him in his Book Entitled, The painted Harlot, etc.  
WHereas I have lately seen the said Book put forth by my Cousin F. B. wherein he hath Treated me as uncivilly, as he got the Money before of me unfairly: For he hath taken two passages out of a Letter of mine which I formerly sent him in Answer to one he sent me, after he had the Money, wherein I much blamed him for his unjust and unfair deal with me about the 15 Pounds as I have given Account of. And now I find he hath taken out of that large Letter (which contained almost three sides of a Sheet of Paper) only two passages barely from what went before and followeth after, and which is explanatory to that which he hath recited, whereby his unfair and Fallacious dealing is manifest, for by that way he makes my Letter seemingly speak what he would have it, and not what I intended, and is thereby apparent; and when he had done so, than he paraphrases upon it, and tells what lies he pleases, to abuse me. But God that knoweth the Secrets of all Hearts, knows how much he hath belied and abused me, and S. C. and his Wife thereby, in Page 38. He brings me in speaking in my Letter to him in this manner, viz, I am engaged to give an Account of this business, without I would hear the loss of all the 15 Pounds aforesaid. And again, that I am necessitated now to give such a report left the Parties concerned should think I was too much biased in joining with thee. Thus far he hath Quoted me, by which two Passages he pretends as if I told S. C. and his Wife some false story of him to get my Money again; which is altogether false, and nothing true in it, neither will my words bore such a construction in my Letter as he makes of them, if they be Read as I have set them down, for his construction is contrary to the intent of my mind, for my mind therein is to speak plainly and truly how he got the Money of me, as may be seen in my Letter, and for that end, that the Truth may be known, I have hereunto annexed that part of my Letter, out of which he pretends to have taken them words, leaving out what made not for his turn, as may appear to all that reads it. The other large part I leave out for Brevity sake, and which I find not meddled with in his said Book.  
These are the Words of the Letter Verbatim, viz.  
OH Cousin, thy State is to be Lamented, I desire the Lord may give thee a true sight of thy sins, lest that Scripture be fulfilled upon thee, where the Apostle says, the Love of Money is the Root of all Evil; whilst some have covered after it, they have Erred from the Faith, and have Pierced themselves with many sorrows, and fallen into many dangerous and hurtful Lusts, thou seems to be much offended because I spoke of thy unjust deal by me in this matter, indeed thou mayest very well be ashamed to hear, that one so nearly related to thee as I am, and have had so much Love for thee as I have had, should have so just a cause as thou hast given me, to give such a Report of thee as I am necessitated now to do for the clearing of my own Innocency, that so the Parties concerned, nor no others that hears of it, may think that I was too much biased in joining with thee in this matter, so that I am engaged to give an Account of the business as it is, without I would bare the loss of all this Money, to cover thy Deceit, and how unreasonable that is, I leave it to the honest to Judge, for thou knowest that the business does not end in thee and I, and therefore it must be known, and besides I do not find Freedom in myself to cover such Deceitful deal as thou hast used in this matter, I perceive that thou hadst been contented that I should have held my Tongue to have covered thee, and bore the Money myself for my good will. So no more at present but my hearty desire that thou may truly repent and forsake all such Actions as ●●●●re.  
And so Remain thy Kinsman George Smith. Littleport the 22d. of the 8th Month, 1679.  
WHereas Francis Bugg, hath falsely accused Samuel Cater, etc. with Growing so Oppressive (when going on Truth's Errand) that the Widows substance is devoured, that some have been Constrained to Break up House. For which he Quotes, our Deceased Mother, thus, viz. Sam. Cater knows, that the Widow More at the Seven Stars nigh Bishops gate London, hath understood what I mean, now we her two Sons, (one of us living with her, when she Lived there,) do affirm this to be an abusive Forgery, and foul Defamation and Scandal, for we know of no such thing of our Deceased Mother, nor never did hear so much as the least complaint thereof from her, and we are certain she did no● leave off Shop upon any such Account, as.  
Witness our Hands, John and Joseph Moor. London, the 30th of the 6th Month, 1683.  
THE END.   

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THere is now in the PRESS a Book, Entitled, The Liberty of an Apostate Conscience: being a plain Narrative of the Controversy long depending Between Francis Bugg on the one part, and Samuel Cater and George Smith on the other part: whereby F. Bugg's Liberty of Conscience is proved not only Unchristian, but Immoral and Injurious.