True. Observe here, First L'Estrange expounds his History in the Title Page, by restraining it to the Charge and Defence of the Persons there mentioned: Beside that he calls it an Historical Abstract, and a Summary, in his Epistle.
2. Staleys Trial had no Relation at all to the Plot, and Reading was not Try'd for's Life; and so not within the Compass of his intention exprest in the Preface.
3. The Epistle acknowledges a Detestable Plot, and a Conspiracy: but advises Moderation, and that the Rabble may not dictate Laws to Authority; for that Licence was the Cause of the Late Rebellion.
4. It was more then a Story, the Murther of the Late King, and the Subversion of the Government, and the suppressing of these Necessary Hints, and Cautions is notoriously a part of the Grand Phanatical Design.
5. In L'Estranges History here Pag. 79 and 80. there's every particular of Mr. Bedloes Evidence in Sir George Wakemans Tryal, Pag. 46. with many other passages over and above: whereas your Damnable History here Pag. 295. falls short at least by One Half. And then for the shuffles, and Omissions reflected upon, Pag. 77. see L'Estranges Words, Pag. 88. The Lord Chief Justice (says he) after some Remarkes upon the Romish Principles, summ'd up the Evidence, and gave Directions to the Jury: which is the substance of the Page cited in the Preface. Touching your Elsewhere, it is in plain English, No where.
6. Look ye, here's more Juggling. He says S E V E R A L Gross Incoherences, and you have made them M A N Y: and then you have left out the Parenthesis, (especially in the Latter of them) which varies the Case too. And I remember again, that the Erratum was supply'd after L'Estrange had corrected it: And sure it was a Gross one too, to expose a Protestant Gentleman for a Papist, Nine times in two Pages. I could shew ye several other Material Mistakes, but One shall serve for all. Pag. 45. (as I take it) of Irelands Tryal; which you will finde charg'd upon the Press, in L'Estranges History, Pag. 18.
7. Pray'e mark me now: L'Estrange findes Errours of the Press in the Other Tryals and Rectifies them, in his Own: Now if Posterity shall finde in the Right, that the Other are wrong, they are in no danger of being Misled by the One, in what is Corrected by the Other: And if they do not read the Right Copy at all, there's no harm done to the Other, but they must take it as they finde it. So that this Remark is so far from Disparaging the Proceedings, that a greater Right can hardly be done to Publick Justice by a Pamphlet. But now let the Epistle speak for it self.
To the READER.
The Episle to L'Estrange's History of the Plot.