Very soon afterwards at the Sessions of Peace held at Guildhall, the Grand Jury found a true bill against Hindmarsh, Thomson the printer and Parson Ashington the alleged writer of this "detestable blasphemous pamphlet." To quote the forcible words of the next number of The True Protestant Mercury--"The Secretary of Hell that contrived this horrid piece is confessed to be one Ashington, credibly reported to be a beneficed parson in Northamptonshire, but non-resident; and skulking here about town to practise more freely debauchery and do mischief. There are warrants issued forth against him; and some say, he was once seiz'd, and by negligence suffered to escape; at present we cannot hear that he is in custody."
Hindmarsh brought a certiorari to remove the indictment into the King's Bench, but Mr. Justice Dolben forthwith granted a procedendo to try it immediately; and the indictment being read, Hindmarsh pleaded guilty, and was immediately ordered to be taken into custody, and was afterwards bailed, "the Court resenting so justly the heinousness of the offence, that they deferred giving sentence till next term, resolving to do it in a public manner at the King's Bench, all the Judges being present."[228]
On the 24th June Hindmarsh appeared in the Court of King's Bench and moved to have his bail discharged; the Lord Chief Justice told him he deserved to be severely punished, and asked him what he had done to expect such a favour? His Counsel alleged, that he had discovered the author, who had already done penance for it. Notwithstanding which the Lord Chief Justice ordered him to prosecute the said author at common law by the first day of the next term, and then they would consider of discharging his bail.[229]
The following is a copy of this curious paper.
The Presbyterian PATERNOSTER; CREED, and TEN COMMANDMENTS.
---- ---- Manent veteris vestigia fraudis. _Virg._
Our Father which art in Hell, magnify'd be thy name; thy Arbitrary Kingdom come, thy Tyranical will be done in _England_ now, as it was in _Forty One_; Give us in this our Day a holy occasion of Rebellion; and forgive us our shew of Godliness for thy sake, as we forgive others their holy Hypocrisy for our _good Cause_; and lead us not into an agreement of _King_ and _Parliament_; But Deliver us from _Monarchy_ and _Hierarchy_; and then thine shall be this Kingdom, its Power and Glory, for ever and ever, _Amen_.