{Fifth Part 21} And also I do hear, that a Book of Narrative is made of our Meeting which we had at Bristol when I was there last, and spread up and down Westmoreland, Cumberland, Yorkshire and the South, amongst prejudiced People; which was utterly contrary to the Agreement then, that no Papers should go forth, without the knowledge or consent of both Parties; which Agreement was taken down in writing, as there at Bristol may be seen; and therefore this Practise to the contrary is below Common Moral Men and not for the Society of civil People; short of Christianity, &c. This their Work bespeaks their Spirit. A Truce-breaking Spirit, a Convenant-breaking Spirit, and not to be Credited, &c. short of Christianity, and below some Priests, to spread such things behind our Backs in a secret, underly way; which doth clearly manifest it is not the Spirit of Christ, nor Honesty amongst men. Thus far G.F. to John Story.
At the penning of this unrighteous Reproach, I cannot but call to remembrance, that there have been of G.F’s Party, who have propesied Withering in Banquet and Store upon me, and that joyn unto that Spirit, as the term was; ‘tis well if G.F. hath not spread his ungodly Reproaches against me underservedly, that so thereby my Name and Reputation may be defam’d as a Proper Expedient to bring a withering on my Outward Estate. I confess, ‘tis a very likely Expedient, if my Commerce were only amongst such as are ready to give credit to G.F’s Scandalous Reproach before cited, written unto Joan Hily concerning me, in one Letter. which seems to be on the same foot as his writing unto John Story, as aforesaid, is. Were his Character {Fifth Part 21} concerning me, and those whom he accounts concerned in spreading the Narrative, made mention of, justly applied to me, I should then blame no man refusing on that foot to commerce or trade with me. And if so be his unjust Reproach should have such an Influence, as that all should refuse Commerce with me, what might become of Me, my Wife and Children, whom, 'tis well known, I have hitherto comfortably maintained by my Industry as a Merchant, and been able to be assisting unto others in my generation? May the God of heaven abate the pride of G.F’s lofty Spirit, that he may cease to make Lyes and Scandalous Reproaches, as well as a False Certifcate (of which more anon) his Refuge and Defence: For I affirm in the presence of the Almighty God, they are Sins whereof his is guilty, and in this treatise effectually demonstrated, if the Papers spread abroad in his Name, and annexed from him, which to me is past question, being handed by those that are great Espousers of his Actions, and Opposers of John Wilkinson and John Story.
And now, forasmuch as I have occasion to know from the words of G.F’s Mouth, that he accounted me Blame-worthy or Reproachabe, for securing a part of my Estate (though for my Wife and Children) out of the Hands of the Spoilers; which at length gave me occasion to prove G.F. guilty in a thing of the same Nature, which he condemned (as hereafter will appear) I therefore think needful, in order thereto, to cite a part of the 15th section of the 2d part of the before-cited Manuscript, which now follows.
The Reader may now take notice, that since the time William Rogers hath been so much concerned in the matters relating to this Controversie, Persecution arose at the Meeting whereto he belongs in Glocester-shire, viz. Olvestone and to prevent the Informers (who raised the Persecution {Fifth Part 23} for no other end but to Enrich themselves, as is notoriously manifested) from making a Prey upon all his moveable Goods, in that Place, he secured a part thereof which lay without Doors, having secured Within and Without to the value of about three hundred pounds, which lay Subject to the Spoilers at the place of his Residence; that so none should suffer either for him or his family: On this occasion Reports suddenly spread abroad, that William Rogers had now Manifested himself of what Spirit he was of, and was so improved by his Enemies, (under the Name of Friends) that he would not suffer a Groat, and that others were fined for him, if not paid Fines for him, which was very false; for that he affirms, the Fines laid on him exceed ninety, if not an hundred pounds; and that a part thereof is levyed on his Gods without Doors, and never returned, but sold away to an Enemy to Friends.
This we thought Necessary to insert, because we do not doubt, but that the Cause of Truth hath suffered, through the Belief of Lying Reports relating to him; for when a Mare of twelve pounds value, was distrained from him, ‘twas suddenly Reported, that he caused his man to buy her again, which was utterly false; for that the Mare was sold by the Distrainer to an Enemy to Friends in Truth, that kept the Mare for his own Use.
On this Occasion we think meet to recite a Paper, given forth by G.F. touching securing of Worldly Estate in time of Persecution, together with an Answer thereto by William Rogers.
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