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MEMOIR OP 
any great learning, knowing for the most parte 
only the scholastic philosophie and theologie, hot 
some of them were very devout in ther way, and 
spent most of their time in publick or private 
devotion, and acts of charity, whiph increased 
my esteeme for them. They were too forward 
in their methods, and I told them, their having 
their service upon the streets might occasion 
them more trouble than they were aware of ; 
bot they did in that more like bigots than wise 
men, and provoked the Rabble against them 
and me. 
The Rable judged I had made the Earle of 
that persuasion, and vowed to be avenged on 
me ; and accordingly the first of February, while 
I was sitting in my own chamber, reading, they 
came in a tumult to my house to assassinate me. 
I had been warned of their designe in the fore- 
noon by a Lady that overheard them swear they 
would kill me, and had thereupon made my will, 
and prepared myself for death ; and when they 
came to force their entry to the house, three or 
four hundred of them, I fell upon rny knees, and 
commended my soul to God, and went out at 
the back door of my house, not doubting but 
that they might fall upon me and kill me. It 
pleased God, Mistress Kyle who lodged below 
me, heard me come out, and gave me the key of 
the yard, so I escaped by leaping my yard dyke, 
and lying in the braes at the foot thereof, till 
