My adversary, not satisfied with that judgment, petitioned that most just and honourable man, the Lord Chancellor Hyde, for a re-hearing his cause before him.

It was granted, and the 13th June, 1664, my M.C. then directed to quartile of Venus and Sol.  His Lordship most judiciously heard it with much attention, and when my adversary’s counsel had urged those depositions which they had against me, his Lordship stood up, and said,

’Here is not one word against Mr. Lilly.’—­

I replied, ‘My Lord, I hope I shall have costs.’

‘Very good reason,’ saith he; and so I had:  and, at my departure out of court, put off his hat, and bid ‘God be with you.’

This is the month of Dec. 1667, wherein, by misfortune, he is much traduced and highly persecuted by his enemies:  is also retired, however not in the least questioned for any indirect judgment as Chancellor, in the Chancery; [but in other things he hath been very foul, as in the articles drawn up by the Parliament against him, it appears.  Which articles I presume you have not seen, otherwise you would have been of another mind, A W] for there was never any person sat in that place, who executed justice with more uprightness, or judgment, or quickness for dispatch, than this very noble Lord.  God, I hope, in mercy will preserve his person from his enemies, and in good time restore him unto all his honours again:  from my soul I wish it, and hope I shall live to see it.  Amen:  Fiat oh tu Deus justitiae.

In 1663 and 1664, I was made churchwarden of Walton upon Thames, settling as well as I could the affairs of that distracted parish, upon my own charges; and upon my leaving the place, forgave them seven pounds odd money due unto me.

In 1664, I had another law-suit with Captain Colborn, Lord of the manor of Esher, concerning the rights of the parish of Walton.  He had newly purchased that manor, and having one hundred and fifty acres of ground, formerly park and wood ground lying in our parish, conceived, he had right of common in our parish of Walton:  thereupon, he puts three hundred sheep upon the common; part whereof I impounded:  he replevins them, and gave me a declaration.  I answered it.  The trial was to be at the Assizes at Kingston in April 1664.  When the day of trial came, he had not one witness in his cause, I had many; whereupon upon conference, and by mediation, he gave me eleven pounds for my charges sustained in that suit, whereof I returned him back again fifty shillings:  forty shillings for himself, and ten shillings for the poor of the parish he lived in.

This I did at my own cost and charges, not one parishioner joining with me.  I had now M.C. under quartile of Venus and Sol—­both in my second, ergo, I got money by this thing, or suit.  Sir Bolstrode Whitlock gave me counsel.