AN OLU IIAMPSniRE MANOR IIOUSE. 9 



were alive, and twenty persons of tlie most eminent (juality could 

 baar witness for me, and I do repeat, my lord, as I hope to obtain 

 salvation, I never did know Nelthorpe, nor never did see liim before 

 in my life, nor did I ever know of anyone's comir.g but Mr. 

 Hickes, and him I did know to be a Nonconformist Minister, and 

 there being as is well-known warrants out to apprehend all Non- 

 conformist Ministers, I was willing to give him shelter from these 

 warrants ; I was come down but that week into the country, when 

 this man came to me from Mr. Hickes, to know if he might be 

 received at my house, and I told him if Mr, Hickes pleased, he 

 might come upon Tuesday, in the evening, and should be welcome ; 

 but withal, I told him I must go away the Monday following from 

 that place, but while I staid, I would entertain him, and I beseech 

 your lordship to believe I had no intention to harbour him but as 

 a Nonconformist, and that I knew was no treason. It cannot be 

 imagined that I would venture the hazard of my own life, and the 

 ruin both of myself and my children, to conceal one that I never 

 knew in my life, and I did not know Mr. Nelthorpe, but had 

 heard of him in the Proclamation. And for that white-headed 

 man that speaks of my denying them, as I said before, he was one 

 of them that rifled and plundered my house, and tore open my 

 trunk, and if I should not be convicted, he and the rest of tliem 

 may be called to account for what they did, for they ought not to 

 have meddled with my goods, besides my lord, I have a witness 

 that can testify what Mr. Nelthorpe said when he was examined, 

 before I staid in London till all the Rebellion was past and over, 

 and I never uttered a good word for the rebels, or ever harboured 

 so much as a good wish for them in my mind. I know the King 

 is my Sovereign, and I know my duty to him, and if I would have 

 ventured my life for anything, it should have been to serve him. 

 I know it is due, and I owed all that I had in the world to him, 

 but though I coulil not fight for him myself, my son did ; he was 

 actually in arms on the king's side in this business ; I instructed 

 him always in loyalty, and sent hiui thither ; it was I who bred 

 him up to fight for the King." 



