ABSTRACT
Now Reader, as the stone that is falling, the nearer it cometh to its centre more haste it maketh, so I the nearer I am coming to the conclusion of this my history more haste I desire to make in this last chapter, for the completing and finishing of it. With brevity therefore I will relate some of my travels in Europe, in which I will yield to many of my nation, but for America, and my travels and experience there, I dare boldly challenge all travellers of my country. After my return to London from Surrey, I began to expostulate with my younger brother (knowing he had been present at my father’s death, and had a chief hand in the ordering and executing his last will and testament), concerning what child’s part was left unto me. To which he made me answer, that my father had indeed left him, and my brother the colonel, and two others sons by a second wife, and my own sister, every one somewhat, but to me nothing, nay that at his death he did not so much as remember me; which I could not but take to heart, and called to mind the angry and threatening letter which I had received from him in Spain, because I would not be a Jesuit. Though for the present I said nothing, yet afterwards in many occasions I told my brother I would have the will produced, and would by course of law demand a child’s part; but he put me off, assuring me I should never want amongst others my friends and kindred, with whom he knew I should be well accommodated as long as I continued in England. After few days that I had been in London, my kinsman at Cheam desired me to come to live with him; where I continued not long; for my uncle at Gatton invited me to his house, offering me there meat, drink, lodging, horse and man, with twenty pound a year, which he promised in other ways to make as good as thirty. Here I continued a twelvemonth, refining myself in my native tongue, and (though altogether unknown to my uncle and kindred) searching into the doctrine and truth of the Gospel professed in England; for which cause I made many journeys to London, and then privately I resorted to some churches, and especially to Paul’s Church, to see the service performed, and to hear the Word of God preached, but so that I might not be seen, known, or discovered by any Papist. When in Paul’s Church I heard the organs, and the music, and the prayers and collects, and saw the ceremonies at the altar, I remembered Rome again, and perceived little difference between the two churches. I searched further into the Common-Prayer, and carried with me a Bible into the country on purpose to compare the prayers, epistles, and Gospels, with a Mass Book, which there I had at command, and I found no difference but only English and Latin, which made me wonder, and to acknowledge that much remained still of Rome in the Church of England, and that I feared my calling was not right. In these my scruples coming often to London, and conversing with one Dade, Popham and Crafts, Connel and Brown, English and Irish Dominican friars, I found their ways and conversations base, lewd, light and wanton, like the Spanish and Indian friars, which made me again reflect upon the Popish Church, upheld by such pillars. I came yet to the acquaintance of one Price, Superior to the Benedictine monks, whom I found to be a mere statesman, and a great politician, and very familiar, private, and secret with the Archbishop of Canterbury, William Laud; in conversation with my brother (who belonged then unto one Signor Con, the Pope’s Agent, and was in such favour at the Court that he was sent over by the Queen with a rich present to a Popish idol named our Lady of Sichem in the Low Countries), I heard him sometimes say that he doubted not but to be shortly curate and parish priest of Covent Garden, sometimes that he hoped to be made bishop in England, and that then I should want for nothing, and should live with him till he got me another bishopric; by which discourse of his, and by his and other priests’ favour at Court and with the Archbishop, I perceived things went not well, Spanish Popery was much rooted, Protestant religion much corrupted, and the time not seasonable for me to discover my secret intents and purpose of heart. At this time coming once from Surrey to London, I chanced to be discovered and known to one of the State officers, a pursuivant, who had a large commission for the apprehending of seminary priests and Jesuits, named John Gray, who meeting me one day in Long Acre, followed and dogged me as far as Lincoln’s Inn wall, where he clapped me on the shoulders, and told me that he had a commission against me, to apprehend me, and carry me to the Council Table or to one of His Majesty’s Secretaries. To whom I spoke in Spanish (thinking thereby to free myself out of his hands for a Spaniard): but this would not do, for he replied he knew me to be an Englishman born, and by the name of Gage, and brother to Colonel Gage and Mr George Gage, and that before he left me I must speak in English to him. He carried me to a tavern, and there searched my pockets for letters and money, which in discourse he told me was too little for him (not being above twelve shilling) and that I must go with him to answer before one of His Majesty’s Secretaries. I told him that I would willingly go before the Archbishop of Canterbury, or before Sir Francis Windebanke; at which he smiled, saying, I knew well whom to make choice of to favour and protect me, but he would carry me to none of them, but to Secretary Cooke. I fearing the business might go hard with me, and knowing him to be greedy of money, told him that I would give him anything that might content him, and so offered him twelve shillings then about me, and my word to meet him in any place the next day, with a better and fuller purse. He accepted of my money for the present, and further offer for the day following, and appointed the Angel Tavern in Long Acre (knowing that I lodged thereabout), to be the place of our meeting, and so dismissed me. I being free from him, went immediately to my brother and told him what had happened unto me, what money I had already given unto him, and what I had promised the next day following. My brother hearing me began to chafe and vex, and to fall into furious words against John Gray, calling him knave and rogue, and that he could not answer what he had done, and that he would have his commission taken from him, chiding me for that I had given him any money, and calling me young novice and unexperienced in the affairs of England. This seemed strange to me, that my brother should not only not fear a pursuivant, but should threaten to take away the commission from him, who was appointed to search for and find out priests and Jesuits. Yet I told him I would according to my word and promise meet him the next day, and satisfy him for his fair carriage towards me; to which my brother would by no means yield, but said he would meet him; which he accordingly performed, and although for my sake and promise he gave him some money, yet he brought him before Signor Con, and there himself and the Pope’s Agent with him spake most bitter words unto him, and threatened him very much if ever again he durst meddle with me.
