the World might condemn him and every sober Subject would cry in their Consciences against him for unjust judgement and cruel proceedings if he upâ—â— report of others through prejudice should act against any people and the Heathen King Agrippa would rise up in judgement against him who would not â—â—â—demn Paul from the Accusation of others without first hearing the Accused â—imself and a Christian King ought to shew as much Mercy Justice and Reason in what he doth as the Heathen Kings have done in the like case And let the King consider this 3. Let him also consider what Enmity and Malice and Rage is in the hearts of these men these Priests I mean of whose Fraternity and Alliance this our Accuser is one and how they seek after innocent blood who are thus ready and â—â—â—â—ard at his first enterance into the Land to present the King with Accusations of Falshood and Reproaches against an innocent people to move his heart if possible to destroy and devour the harmless The spirit and nature of these men are to be considered whose works are often tending to shed blood but if he shall be guided and counselled by such they will lead him into the ditch for they are of the spirit of Envy and Mischief and Mischief rests with them even against all who will not bow under their Authority and submit unto their false Worâ—â—ips And let the King beware of that Generation of men lest they be a snare â—pon him and wound him And I shall now proceed to some other things in his Book to that where he â—aith He doth upon his bended Knees most bumbly beseech the King and the Honourable Parliament that they will first Cut off false Prophets Hereticks and perverse and incorrigible Seducers and â—â—â—â—phemers for these are the Pâ—st saith he of both Church and State 〈◊〉 Answ. I answer to this Many things are considerable to the King and Parliâ—ent and whole Kingdom 1. It is to be considered who these false Prophets Hereticks Seducers and â—â—â—â—phemers are which the Petitioner would have cut off and destroyed â—â—â—m his meaning is of is doubtful for that there are false Prophets Heâ—… Seducers and Blasphemers in these Nations and that very many â—â—is is not doubtful but certainly believed and known but what sort of men 〈◊〉 perfectly who these are distinguished from all others this requireth 〈◊〉 debate and large tryal especially seeing that each sect and sort of â—â—ople cries against others as if they were such and such and this is usual with â—â—â—â—sts Protestants and others to cry for their own Liberty and Toleration a such who are in the right way and each one sort almost desiring and petitiâ—â—â—â—â— the Powers of the Earth against others that are not of their way to deâ—… and cut off such as differ from them as Hereticks and Deceivers but such â—â—â—â—it that seeks to destroy menslives on that account is of Antichrist and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God 2. And if false Prophets Hereticks Seducers and Blasphemers were cerâ—… known and distinguished from others that are not so yet the King 〈◊〉 â—â—â—liament ought not to destroy such and to cut them off from the Earth 〈◊〉 â—…lling of them or executing outward punishments and afflictions upon 〈◊〉 for God hath not committed such power and authority to them neiâ—â—er to be Judges infallibly who are false Prophets Hereticks and Blaspheâ—â—â—â— â—or yet to execute death and outward sufferings upon such as are for these are spiritual matters and Causes to try and judge who deceivers are and to proceed towards Hereticks and Blasphemers and these Cases belong to the Jurisdiction of Christs Spiritual Kingdom and not to any earthly Kingâ— and Rulers at this day 4. And if King and Parliament were able to judge of false Prophets and â—lasphemers and who they are that are such from others that are not yet how contrary to the way of God would it be even to the example of Christ and his Apostles to destroy and cut off by death the lives of such false Prophets and Blasphemers for if men be in an evil way even in the way of Heresie and Error and Blasphemy and be deceived and deceivers of others yet it is not a time to destroy and kill such like as if such should be sent straight to Hell being cut off in their wickedness and in their Error This is not God's way I say for he desires not the death of sinners not to cut men off in their Errors and evil wayes but it s rather the time to instruct and exhort such and to correct and reprove them by sound Doctrine and to win them to the Truth and out of their errors that they may be saved and this Christ and his Apostles gave example for for there were many in their dayes that were false Prophets and Hereticks Seducers and Blasphemers and that were perverse and incorrigible that did Blaspheme against Christ and called him Devil and that did oppose the Gospel and scorned the Apostles and such were Blasphemers and Hereticks but did Christ and his Apostles at all desire that such might be killed and cut off by death Nay they forgave their Enemies and did instruct them by sound Doctrine and sought to win their Persecutors and not to have them killed as this Petitioner would whose Spirit is manifest to be of Antichrist and the Dragon and not of the Lamb and if the request were granted and the lives of such as this Petitioner calls false Prophets cut off then the King and Parliament would rather provoke the Lord against themselves to destroy them then to give unto themselves blessings and peace 5. But they being ignorant who the Deceivers and Blasphemers are and not being equal and just Judges in that case but also divided among themselves about it and it being not committed of God to them to destroy by death of body such as may err in their minds by killing such whom they may suppose false Prophets and they wanting infallible judgement to know who are false Prophets how soon may they destroy and cut off the lives of true Prophets and Christ's Ministers and men that Fear God instead of false Prophets and Blasphemers even for want of true judgement and discerning and because of their own division in judgement in that case for iâ—s possible that some of the Parliament may judge such to be Deceivers whom others of them may judge to be true Ministers and whose judgement then shall stand and also thus it hath often come to pass in the World the true Prophets and Christ himself and the holy Apostles and Ministers of Christ were accounted Deceivers Hereticks and Blasphemers and such like by thâ— Kings and Rulers of the World in former Generations and thâ— true Prophets Christ and his Apostles were persecuted as such and destroyed as such some of them even by the Kings and Rulers of this World till they 〈◊〉 provoked God against them to destroy them and some of them he did bring wrath upon
doubt and cannot receive these things and believe that these particulars are damnable Doctrine and Error as they are laid down in themselves and if what is spoken already be not sufficient I may upon any just Opportunity prove unto you and unto all men in the sight of my Enemies That these particulars held forth by Richard Mayo and alledged by me before you are damnable Doctrine and Error And if I could be convinced to the contrary by him or any man in sober Arguments according to the Scriptures and if he shall be able to prove that these things are true and found and saving Doctrines then may I confess That I have wronged him which never can be done Therefore can I never confess without lying against my Conscience that I have wronged him but God justifies me and just Men and my own Conscience excuses me from all wrong in this matter and here or hereafter shall you and he know it also that I am without Offence to him in this Cause And if I suffer be it upon you that are my Judges and the Guilt of my Sufferings will be upon you one day For for the Truth 's sake am I not afraid nor ashamed to suffer whatsoever you lay upon me And whereas it is chiefly pleaded by my Adversary and his Council That he is damnified and much endangered by the speaking of my words And because I said He held forth damnable Doctrine Therefore say they he is in danger to lose his Place and so He and his Wife and Family cannot tell how to live c. These things they plead and upon this account beg Judgment against me because he is or may be in danger to be damnified To this I reply and Friends I would have you to consider He hath not yet proved to you the Dammage of the value of Two Pence nor is he in any outward Estate worse by loss of any thing outwardly by any thing that I have spoken and it is unjust to condemn me in an 100 l. upon supposed Danger and Dammage which may come while as he hath sustained none at present And further I say unto you I have had no Intentions of Evil against him nor Purpose in my heart to endanger or damnifie him in any outward thing God is my Witness but that nakedly and simply I spoke the Truth of him And if speaking the Truth to him doth endanger him and damnifie him according as they plead then is he a bad man and an evil person and not well worthy of your taking part with him if you be just Men as yet I kâ—…w nothing to the contrary nor worthy of giving your Judgment against me for him If the speaking Truth to him can so endanger him then consider you what a man he is for speaking of the Truth can never hurt an honest Man nor damnifie a good Man for honest Men rejoyce in the Truth and the speaking of it is an Honour to them But the speaking the truth may indeed damnifie a bad Person as to discover his Wickedness and to prevent him of more Wickedness which he may intend but speaking the truth cannot damnifie a good Man And if it be so that Richard Mayo because of his badness be damnified by my speaking the Truth to him must I therefore be condemned for speaking Truth or ought you to do it Let that of God in you answer Will you justifie his false doctrines and condemn me for reproving him Did ever any good Men or just Iudges of old condemn any man for speaking the Truth Or will you shame your selves in the sight of Wise-men by acting contrary to a good Conscience Which if you do condemn me for speaking the truth I do and must tell you while I live That your Iudgment is Unjust and you act contrary to a good Conscience and are Unrighteous Iudges and that you commit the great Abomination in justifying the Wicked and condemning the Righteous And is it not a Shame to him that professeth himself to be a Minister of Christ to plead The Loss of his Livelihood and of his Calling and the Poverty of his Wife and Family c. because of my speaking the Truth to him Never any of Christ's Ministers pleaded any such thing Were not they reproached and much spoken against And they were called Deceivers and Seditious Men and such like And did they proceed on this manner as he hath done against me Nay They forgave their Enemies And if I had spoken falsly of him as I have not he ought not to have done thus if he had been a Minister of Christ as he professeth And doth his Livelihood and his Place and his Maintenance of himself and his Family depend upon my forbearing to speak the Truth For he pleads That he is damnified and endangered in all these by what I have spoken And I still testifie and all good Men know that I have given no Offence saving then speaking the Truth And rather then he shall be damnified by my speaking the truth of him will you unjustly damnifie me for speaking the truth Is this the Way of JUSTICE to condemn the Truth that I have spoken to save the Guilty from supposed Danger Consider of this and save your selves from Unjust Iudgment lest the Lord justly judge you and condemn you This I shew in short and much more I might as to the Unjustness of the Action prosecuted against me and now I come to shew something of the unjust Proceedings in this matter against me in the time of my Tryals and other times and some part thereof I here lay before you that you and all may see I have had as unjust Proceedings against me in the matter as an unjust Action at first brought upon me At my first appearance in my first Answer I demurred to the jurisdiction of your Court and shewed That your Court and Judicatory being Temporal you could not in that Court take Cognizance of this Cause being of a Spiritual Dependancy and ought only to be try'd in spiritual Jurisdiction by spiritual Judges if there were any such and shewed out of the Laws of England reasonably that your Court had no power to try this matter But one of the Bailiffs Iohn Forth said which should have been my equal Judge They would over-rule that and they would try the matter without shewing any just Reason out of the Laws against my Argument grounded upon the Laws and they did over-rule me in that And the Court-day before the Tryal when the Jury-men were to be chosen and nominated I told them That the Jury-men should be such as had the Gift of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Ghost in them or else they could not try the Matter because it was Doctrine that was to be try'd which none could try but by the Spirit of God neither could I cast my self into the Determination of any in this Cause but such And the Bailiffs Obadiah Wicks and Iohn Forth answered If they were men that
his People with whom you have thus dealt yea you shall suddenly know it the time is not long till he will crown his People in the sight of his Enemies he will crown them with Praise and with Righteousness with Honour and Majesty and he will keep them in safety even when Sorrow compasses you about his Mercy and Loving kindness shall extend towards them even when his Wrath and Judgments doth smite you and confound you O! what shall I say unto you for the deep sence thereof remaines upon my heart for when I consider how that in all Ages the Lord did avenge his Peoples Cause and when the time of their suffering was expired he brake the Bonds of Iniquty and set them free thus did he with his People Israel of old and many times it was his way with his People to bring them low by suffering and then to raise them up again in Glory and he suffered their Enemies for a season to glory over them that he might bring them down and thus he did in England in the case between the Bishops and their crew of Persecuters and the poor People at that day called Puritans Did not he confound that persecuting Crew and deliver his People And is not he the same to effect the same Work at this very day Yea doubtless and much more will he do in as much as the manifestation of Truth is more clear then it was in their dayes and in as much as the Rulers and People of this Nation have rejected a more clear Testimony then either the Papists in Queen Marys dayes or the Bishops and Prelets in their dayes even so much the more will the Lord God execute his Vengeance with more Violence in a more manifest way and all shall know that it is he that doth it and he will set his People free for he hath regarded their Sufferings and he hath said it is enough for he hath tried them and found them faithfull and all this hath been suffered to prove them and not to destroy them and like as he hath preserved them in patience and peace through it all even so will he give them Hearts to walk answerably to their deliverance and as they have abounded in Patience in their Sufferings so shall they abound in Praises everlasting in the day of their Freedom and the Earth shall be glad and shall yield the increase and blessing the Heaven and the Earth shall rejoyce and the Hearts of the Righteous shall leap for joy when the Lord hath broken the Yoke of the Oppressed and set his People free inwardly and outwardly and then shall they sing to the Lord over all their Enemies who shall be tormented and vexed in the Lord 's sore displeasure for their Reward cometh and their Recompence shall be even as work and he will give unto them Sorrow and Anguish instead of rejoycing But again when I consider the long Suffering and patience and forbearance of the Lord 's innocent People under all their Sufferings and when I looked at their innocency and at their Righteousness and Spirit of Holiness with which the Lord hath blessed them my Heart was made glad in the consideration of this and the more was my joy the more I beheld their innocency and the guiltlesness of their Cause whereby the unjustness of their suffering did the more appear and withal when I looked and beheld their increase under all their sufferings and how that the Lord had turned all these things to their good and to the overthrow of all their Enemies how that by that way wherein their Enemies intended to destroy them from being a People even thereby did the Lord most wonderfully increase them to be a great People for through all have they grown in Life and Power and in strength and in number and through it all have they been incouraged to follow the Lord with more zeal and boldness and in the consideration of this I did rejoyce with magnifying the Lord for ever that he had brought forth his Praise even through the wickedness of the Wicked and he had increased his People and exalted them through the cruelty of all their Enemies and that through all Opposition they were attained unto a happy Rest and through all the Tempest of great Trials they were arrived into the Harbour of Renown and great Glory And when I considered this how that the Lord had given them dominion and brought their life to reign over all their Enemies these things were a joy unto me and looking back into Ages seeing there was nothing nor any People for Generations that had grown and risen through all Opposition like unto these wherefore is is a Sign and a Testimony that we are the Lord's and that these things are of him and from him and by him alone that he might be praised for ever Again when I do consider how that the Lord hath raised this People even out of the Dust and them that were not a People are become a People and the Lord hath provoked Nations by them that were not a People within these few years and the Lord has carried on this Work amongst his People not by any thing of Man nor by the Arm of Flesh but in pure innocency and simplicity hath it been accomplished not by the Wisdom of this World nor by men in places of Honour and of Power in the Nations for all that has been wanting to them and what they are it is through the opposition of all this for they have had none of the great men of the Earth on their side to defend them and establish them but all have been against them and even Oppression and Tyranny executed upon them rather then any approbation or justification from men in outward Authority so that truely it may be said that there hath been nothing of man in this Work but all of the Lord by his own Power and in a contrary way to all the false Sects and false Churches hath the beginning and carrying on of these things been for we know that all the false Sects in this Nation have risen and been established through the countenance of men in Place and Power and upon man and the Wisdom of this World and Authority of the Powers of the Earth hath the rise and fall of all false Churches depended and as the Powers of the Earth have sided with them so have they been set up and at the displeasure of Authority have been cast down But as for this People they are raised of the Lord and established by him even contrary to all men and they have given their Power onely to God and they cannot give their Power to any mortal men to stand or fall by any outward Authority and to that they cannot seek but to the Lord alone who heareth their cry and will avenge their cause Wherefore let all the Persecutors bow before the Lord and let all the Saints walk humbly in his sight and let them continue in that
been practised in Civil State even Hellish Laws and Devilish Executors of them Merciless Tyrants have born the Scepter and reigned for many years over the Inhabitants and in Church and State has bin Hainous Idolatry and Superstitious Vanities committed in a high nature and measure and even all Men and States of Men and Orders of Men of every degree have been abominably corrupted in the Sight of my Lord even from the Priâ—ce to the Beggar even Rulers and Subjects Teachers and People Judges and Prophets they have been corrupted both in heart and hand and they have dealt falsly and wickedly towards him and towards one another even to the great Displeasure and Vexation of him and his blessed Spirit and to the high Provocation of him to their own Destruction if his Long-Suffering had not prevailed and all this while he hath laid as it were asleep and at rest in himself and he hath left men to try them what they will do and he hath gives them a Day many Kings and Rulers he hath let them have a little time to see how they would use it but they have abused it and not ruled for him nor accomplished his Work nor fulfilled his Will but acted even in defiance of him and of his Power and to his great Dishonour Alack I must be plain with you My Lord hath been utterly exiled and greatly dishonoured and highly provoked and vexed by reason of such proceedings as have been in this Nation for this many years through the Corruption of all sorts of Men in Place and Power who have not ruled for him but for the Devil to their own corrupted Ends only he hath suffered men to go onâ—in their course for a season some as it were appearing on the Stage for a time and suddenly cast down again for their Iniquities sake and his Hand hath been in all these things though very privately and secertly not known and discerned by the Sons of Men yet hath he ruled over the Kingdoms of Men and pulled down one and set up another And to for bear the several Actings and Proceedings of many by-passed Ages and to come to this Generation and to speak of things that have happened within these few years and of the changing and overturning that hath happened in this Nation such was the Cruelty Tyranny Oppression and Idolatry both in Church and Civil State that the people of this Nation were held under in the dayes of Papal-Power such I say was the exceeding heighth of Cruelty and Tyranny of that time that not any that Feared or Reverenced my Lord in any measure could scarce live or have a Beeing in the Nation even against every man that did but inâ—line towards him and desire the Knowledge of his Wayes Hell's Mouth was opened against them and they were swallowed up and many of their Lives taken from the Earth by the hellish power that had in that day usurped Authority in this Island and when thus it was then he looked down from Heaven and his bowels of compassion were opened for the sake of the oppressed People that desired after him in so much that he broke and threw down the power of their Oppressors in some measure as it stood in Papall Authority and when the iniquity of that power was filled up he took vengeance upon it and I must tell you it was he that brought it about even the destroying of that Power in this Nation and freeing the Nation from it though the men that were instruments in the cause were not his Servants otherwise then as Nebuchadnezzar served him for he hath a secret way to have a service from the wicked and such is his Power that he can turn the wickedness of the wicked to his glory and he can make a Rod to whipp his Adversaries and burn it when he hath done and he â—ath often destroyed one wickedness by another Well But to leave that though he did in some measure free the Nation from much Tyranny and Cruelty in the casting out Popish Authority yet a lack the Nation in a few years was near as much violated by Injustice and Cruelty under the succeeding Power as ever it was once under the Papal-Power though before there had been some small Reformation and Change in outward Appearance though little in ground and Nature yet Oppression and Idolatry and Superstition â—in Church and State and all Prophaneness and Wickedness among people was grown so high like as it had been under the Papal Power before and all that desired after the Lord and were weary of Iniquity and of the then present Oppressions and Idolatries were Persecuted and Slain and destroyed and Injustice and Cruelty exercised upon them even almosâ— to to the rooting out of Righteousness and to the grieving of the Lord's Spirit Well then because of the cry of the People and the Oppression of the Nation under that Authority my Lord looked down again and even for his Name 's sake and for his Seed's sake he had compassion on this Nation to set it free and to break off its Oppressions and in a great measure he did deliver the people of this Nation in many things and there was a part of Reformation wrought and much pretended and looked for and all this came to pass through him and my Lord did accomplish it however the Instruments by which he wrought proved deceitful and became Oppressors as others before them and though there was in this Nation a day of great Troubles and Wars and Contention and great Strife and the wasting of much Blood and earthly Treasure and none of these things I must tell you fell without the ordering of my Master's Hand yet so it was and came to pass that after this Nation was restored to Peace though much Unrighteousness and Injustice was removed yet there was much also left behind and men that he had used as Instrument in his Hand in a good Work and to whom he had given Wisdom and Understanding and appeared in much Mercy and in great Deliverance yet they even turned to seek themselves and became corrupted in the Spoils of their Enemies and when Peace and Plenty abounded the Lord was forgotten again and then the Land fell under Oppressors and began again to cry out for Freedom even when other Horns of the first Beast sprang up and went on each of them after his Fellow and though one Horn hath striven to break another yet after one hath been cast down another hath risen and made an Image to the first and ruled and reigned by the same spirit and authority derived from the Dragon's power in Cruelty and Oppression and made Laws and executed them to the Dishonour of the Lord and to the great Oppression of his People and to the filling of this Island with Injustice and Cruelty even from one Generation to another until this day and thus up and down have Times and Seasons been altered Powers and Authority changed and altered Statutes Laws and Decrees
there was any thing of the Purpose and Hand of the Lord by intending and bringing these things about without expectation by you and contrary to the great strength of your Enemies who are suddenly of a great and high Mountain made a low Valley and you of a low and trodden down Valley suddenly raised up into a great Mountain And to what do you attribute this Changing and overturning of Power and Authority and Rulers even them that have been as Princes and Potentates to be Rebels and them that have been accounted as Rebels and Traytors to be Rulers and Governours I say To what do you attribute these things on their first Cause whether to the Pollicy of some or to Accident or to good Fortune as some call it Or whether you believe in your Consciences that the Lord God by his secret Power hath purposed and suffered the effecting and accomplishing of these things Quer. 2. And if you believe that there is any thing of the Hand and Purpose of the Lord in doing or suffering these trans actions then wherefore and for what Cause do you believe hath he done these things Is it because you are more righteous in the sight of God than they who are cast out before you and because he loveth you and hateth them Or whether it is not because they have proved Treacherous and Deceitful and not answered unto the Lord what he required of them but sought themselves and forgot the Lord and took your Estates and Titles of Honour upon them and pretended a better Government and to govern better than that way of Monarchical Government but did not but were Oppressors even as others before them And is not this the Iust Cause wherefore the Lord hath suffered these Overturnings May not we justly that are neither of you Attribute this to be the very Cause wherefore the Lord hath brought them down and raised up you over them whereas if they had repented of their Sins and been faithful to what the Lord required of them and to what themselves pretended to and had indeed Governed Iustly and Righteously and freed the Oppressed and answered unto the Lord in an equal Government according to his Law whether may it not be believed that these things had never thus been brought to pass Quer. 3. Whether or no you believe that there is a GOD so mighty in Power and so wise in Counsel and Purpose that can Turn and Overturn you and your Power and lay you low even as others and raise up others who are now as low as you have been for divers years Whether you believe there is a GOD that by his Power can effect such a thing and accomplish it in his Wisdom And whether do you not believe in your Consciences that he will do it if you do not please him and fear his Name and forsake all Wickedness and if you be Oppressors and Cruel-hearted as others have been and do not rule in Righteousness and Equity And whether you believe not that the Lord doth watch over you with his Eye that sees you and marks all your wayes Whether do you consider that the Lord looks for good fruit from you and that you should free the Land from Oppression which if you answer not the Will of the Lord in what he requires Whether do not you believe that he is so wise in Counsel and mighty in Power that he can and will whether by Means or without Means overturn and confound you and your Government Quer. 4. Whether you believe in your Consciences and do acknowledge unto God that there was any thing of his IUSTICE in your late Sufferings for these divers years Or whether all of them or no part of that Suffering which hath been upon you were any whit Iust as from the Lord And whether there was not a great Measure of Iniquity filled up in Monarchical Government and a great Measure of Oppression upon the poor People of this Nation by their Lords and great Men And whether this Rebuke and Reproof that you have had in this measure of Suffering that hath been upon you was not in some measure Iust as from the Lord that you might be humbled before him though it is by me acknowledged That your Enemies these I mean who are now cast out before you brought great guilt upon themselves in executing wrath upon you in that and because they proceeded further and into more Bitterness and Cruelty towards you then they had either Commission or Authority from God But whether there was not a Iustice as from the Lord in that which partly befel you And was not his Hand many times against you in Battel though Number nor Valour was not wanting on your part yet are not you sensible how by a secret Hand you were often defeated and Victory given to your Enemies though the less in Number And were not these things in the Iustice of the Lord's Hand Whether do you not believe it and acknowledge it Quer. 5. Whether or no you do intend any Reformation from OLD Oppressions Or whether you intend to tread in the very steps and to walk in the very Path in every Particular of Government as it stood and was carried on in the beginning of CHARLES the first his days And whether you ought not in the sight of God and before him to consider how to relieve the Oppressed and break off all cruel Bonds of Injustice and how a Government may be set up which may be answerable to the Lord and not unto your own and other corrupted mens ends but if you shall do so Whether do you answer the End or deny the End wherefore the Lord hath thus dealt with you in giving of you this Day unexpected and contrary to all your Enemies And whether do you not believe that God hath set you between Good and Evil between Right and Wrong between doing of his Will and the will of the Devil in the doing and fulfilling one or the other by you whether doth not depend Happiness and Blessedness upon you or the Wo and the Curse your Standing or your Fall your Renown or your Dishonour perpetually Quer. 6. Whether or on you do not believe in your Consciences that the Prosperity and Continuance and Happiness of this your Government to your selves the King and Kingdoms or the Unhappiness Overthrow Misery and Confusion of the Government it self the King and these Nations doth not stand and wholly depend upon the Government and Authority as it proceedeth in Iustice Righteousness and Equity or as it is and proceedeth contrary and is Injustice Oppression and Unrighteousness and if therein it stand whether do you believe in your Consciences that God shall Bless it and Prosper it or he shall Destroy it and Confound it For is not the Hand of the Lord stretched forth in Mercy or in Iudgment according as Men walk in his Fear or without his Fear And whether if your CAUSE be Iust in it self yet if you walk in Unrighteousness
were never seen with any Sword or Staff amongst them nor any Carnal Weapon nor ever held Designs of Mischief and for them thus wickedly to suggest unto the King as if they would have killed them or worse this is Backbiting and Slandering in the highest degree and punishable by the Law of God and Men And its true Them whom they have killed are restrained but the Principles and Practices of the Quakers so called have entred into New-England and passes thorough the Consciences of people without Restraint And it s a shame for themselves to mention how all the Pastors and the whole Church of Boston overcame Three Innocent Persons and what Weapons they overcame them by not the Weapons of the Spirit of God but the Weapons of Cruelty and Hard heartedness even as Caiu overcame Abel and as the Iews overcame Christ and so did the Church of New-England overcome our Brethren And this is all the Confession they can make of Restraining our Friends That they cruelly put them to Death and thereby overcame them And it is not known to us that the Court at Boston hath such Absolute Power as that the Free Subjects of England may not come and return again and again according to their lawful Occasions without leave from the Authority of Boston Court I say this seems to be usurp'd Authority rather than lawfully establish'd upon them by Charles the first but it is apparent and the King knoweth it that in this case the Magistrates or Boston have taken too much upon them and proceeded further than they can justifie either before God or the King in Imprisoning Whipping Cutting off Ears Banishing and Putting to Death the good Subjects of England without either President Example or any power derived from the Lawful Authority of England And we have cause to say They were so far from desiring to spare their Lives as they would suggest to the King that they thirsted for their Blood and nothing else could satisfie them but the extinguishment of their Lives by shameful Torture Again The Petitioners fawn and flatter in these words say they Let not the King hear mens words your Servants are true Men Fearers of God and the King and not given to Change zealous of Government and Order we are not seditions to the Inte est of Caesar c. In answer to this many things are considerable 1. Why should the Petitioners seem to exhort the King not to hear mens words Shall the Innocent be accused before him and not heard in their lawful Defence Must not the King hear the Accused as well as the Accusers and in as much Justice I hope God hath given him more Nobility of Understanding than to receive or put in practice such Admonition and I desire it may be far from the King ever to condemn any Person or People upon the Accusation of others without full hearing of the Accused as well as their Enemies for it is Justice and Equity so to do and thereby shall his Judgment be the more just 2. They pretend to be Servants to the King and that they fear him and are not given to change I shall not seem to intrude into the Matters to which I am a Stranger but I leave this Case to the King to consider what their former Actings and the current of their spirit hath been towards the King I shall only instance one Particular well known to me in a Letter to one Gurden dated at Boston and subscribed by some of these Petitioners where they say There is more Danger in these Quakers as they call them to Trouble and Overcome England than in the KING of SCOTS and all the Popish Princes in Germany these be the Petitioners own words whereby it is manifest what the current of their spirit was against the King then tho gh now they have chang'd their Tale and call him High and Mightâ— Prince and Dread Soveraign and such like and that they are the King's Servants c. whenas not long since they have signified by their words quoted against them That there was Danger in the King of Scots as they called him and reputed him a Troubler of England and numbred him with the Popish Princes of Germany or amongst them Let but the King consider their own words and he shall plainly read as well the temper of their spirit against him not long since as he shall see their Hypocrisies and fawning Fatteries at this time and he may fully perceive that these Petitioners are given to Change though they would make him believe otherwise And this their Address unto the King is like the Approach of the uncircumcised Gibeonites unto Ioshua cap. 9. who wrought wilily and deceitfully using the same words to Ioshua We are thy Servants as these Petitioners have us'd to the King whose deceitful Address is equally paralel with that mention'd the case is worth observing Iosh. 9. vers 4 6 9. 3. As for being zealous of Government and Order not Seditious nor Schismatick as they say it is to be consider'd that their Government and the Order thereof is not only different and contrary to the Government and Order of the Churches of Christ but different and contrary also to the wholsom Constitution of the â—ivil Government of England who have made Laws and executed them to Banishment and Death without any Power deriv'd from the Lawful Authority of England which is absolute contrary to their Patent by which they hold their Jurisdiction which saith They shall make no Laws contrary to the Laws of England c. I shall not Charge them in the King's Presence further of Sedition and Schism than himself believeth concerning them Again The Petitioners say They could not live without the Publick Worship of God and they were not permitted the use of Publick Worship without such a Yoak Subscription and Conformity as they could not consent unto without sin c. In Answet to this this is to be considered That these Petitioners have laid heavier Yoaks of Subscription and Conformity upon others than ever was laid upon themselves witness their imposing Fines upon such as cannot conform to their Worship some Ten Shillings some Forty Shillings and some Five Pounds if any shall be absent from their Assembly it is so much a Day and if any keep any Meetings different from their Way of publick Worship it is so much a Time and these are unjust and illegal Impositions and it is a heinous Yoak of Tyranny put upon the Neck of the King 's good Subjects without any Power derived in this case from the King This they themselves do and yet are complaining of such Impositions and Yoaks laid upon them by the Bishops which were not comparable to these which discovers their own just Condemnation in the same Matters for which they accuse others And thus these Considerations are presented to the King in Vindication of that Innocent People called Quakers whom these Petitioners have accused as guilty of heinous Crimes that themselves might
your Power if that I say ye oppose his Work and will seek to bind and limit his Spirit in his People and will yet force and impose upon Conscience by outward Violence and Kill and Persecute unto Death and Banishment for matter of Conscience and because of difference in Iudgement in Spiritual Things then thus it shall be done unto you Ye shall Fall and Perish and be Troubled and Blessings and Prosperity shall not be unto you If it be not thus the Lord hath not spoken by me Well Friends even all ye that have Authority and Power in the Government of this World are nearly concerned to take special notice of these things presented unto you seeing the Effects of these two Causes are both very weighty and infallibly certain even to you-wards particularly Very weighty because Peace Prosperity and Happiness or Misery Distractions and Downfall to you is depending upon the Effects of the Causes infallibly certain because the Iustice of God Almighty is such that he must bring Reward upon all according to their Deeds and his Iustice cannot be diverted But if ye permit Free Liberty of Conscience in the Exercise of Godliness in Faith and Worship unto all People under your Power then shall Peace and Prosperity be unto you according to the Purpose of God But if ye impose upon Conscience in any wise by Force in Religious Matters and will not be instructed and advised to the contrary Then shall Misery and Destruction certainly be unto you according to the Justice of God's Vengeance These things are so as a Servant of God I present them to you and not upon Fiction or Fancy but as I have received them from the Lord God by his Spirit which signifies the Verity and Certainty of those Things in my Soul Friends Doubt not of these things for verily the Time is at hand and it must surely come to pass my Spirit shall see it and rejoyce therein if in this Body I may not behold it That imposing and forcing of Conscience by Laws and Ordinances of Men upon Penalties on Mens Persons and Estates in Religious Matters shall be expunged subdued and abandoned in these Nations and Kingdoms of the World and it shall be no more But Liberty Liberty shall be Re-planted Embraced and Renowned amongst Men and Truth and Righteousness Mercy and Peace True Liberty and Freedom Justice and True Judgment with all the Causes and Effects thereof shall flourish and grow and prosper on the Earth and the contrary shall fall and rise no more This Day is dawning nigh it s at the Door Blessed are they that are prepared for it Wherefore let all Flesh Hear and Fear Bow and Tremble and let the Hearts of the Righteous rejoyce and be exceeding glad let all the Upright in Heart put on the Garment of Praises and Deliverance For the Day is at hand that Antichrist with all his Strength and Power Force and Policy shall be a Hissing and Reproach and Shame Contempt unto the Saints of the Most High and amongst whom the Lord God Omnipotent doth and must Raign and Rule in Dominion and Glory and Power over all forever and evermore E. B. London this 12th Moneth 1661. Antichrist's Government Justly Detected c. CHAP. 1. Concerning Imposing Religion the Case stated and the Unrighteousness thereof shewed with the Danger thereof also made appear by manifest Proofs Presented unto the Rulers and People of our Age throughout the World TO Impose any Kind of Religion any Way of Worship or Form of Faith and outward Conformity in any Practices of Duty to God-wards by an External Authority of men through force of Laws commanding and requiring such Conformity in Faith and Worship upon Pains Penalties and Forfeitures on mens Persons and Estates as hath been practiced in the World since the dayes of the Apostles amongst the Nations professing Christianity This thing is not of the Lord nor according to Commands of Christ and Example of the Apostles and Primitive Christians declared of in the Scriptures but is of Antichrist and Unrighteous Unequal and Dangerous to the Destruction of the Souls and Bodies of both the Imposers and the Imposed 1. Such kind of Forcing and compelling by force of outward Laws into such outward Conformity of Religion Faith and Worship Church-Government and Ministry was never in beeing nor ever practiced in the true Christian Churches amongst the Apostles in their dayes nor ever was such a thing known among the Primitive Christians There was no such kind of Laws made nor executed amongst them nor such Force exercised on mens Persons and Estates in such Cases there was no outward Violence used in the Primitive Times to compel any to Conformity to Christian Faith Worship and Practice of Christian Religion None of the first Christians were made truly Religious and converted from the Way of Error to the Way of true Christianity by such means of outward Force and Commandments of Men put upon them They were not I say converted themselves to the Christian-Faith and Religion nor made Conformable Worshippers of God in his Spirit by that Way and Means nor did they seek to convert others into Conformity to Church-Government and Christian-Worship by force of outward Laws upon Pains and Forfeitures These things were not in the true Church of Christ in the Apostles dayes amongst the Primitive Christians 2. But the true Way of Conversion among them to the Christian-Faith and Worship and true Church-Government whereby people were made rightly conformable to the true Christian Religion as it was amongst the Apostles was by and through the Doctrine of the Gospel of Christ Jesus preached amongst them in the Power and Demonstration of the Spirit of God of such as were truly called and sent of him which did turn People to the Spirit of God and that Ministry wrought in them to receive it by which their Consciences were convinced and their Hearts perswaded in the Love of christ to believe in him and receive him and follow him and thus were they drawn and begotten and converted into the Faith and Worship and Practice of the true Christiâ—…-Religion and made conformable to the Government and Order of the true Church of Christ in all things by this Means and Way only and not at all by any outward Force and Compulsion exercised upon them they were converted to the true Christian-Religion and to the true Worship of God and by the same Way did they convert and turn others to the same and this only is the Perfect Way of Christian-Conformity to the true Christian-Worship and Church-Gâ—…ment it ever was since the beginning of Christianity in the World and iâ—â—nto this day even to perswade the Heart and to convince the Conscience inwardly by the sound Doctrine of the Gospel through the Operation of the Spirit of Christ and by Love and Meekness and Patience and all the Fruits of Righteousness held forth in Doctrine and Conversation which may answer the Testimony of God in all mens Consciences
Religion nor in the truth but is found to be in the Error and out of the Truth let such deny their Worship and Church and renounce all their Religion and confess to all the World under their hands that they are and have been deceived and for ever hereafter stop their Mouthes and never profess nor practice any more what they have done in such Religion And freely upon these Issues and Conditions we will joyn trial with them let them appoint time place and profer terms at their own pleasure and then to all the World it shall be manifest and to all people discovered whether we have not good ground and sufficient reason to war against these Priests and it may perfectly appear that what we have said and written against them these divers years have been upon a good foundation and we have had sufficient cause to speak and write against them as we have done and none thenceforth shall have cause to say or doubt that what we have spoken and written against them hath been out of malice or envy and without cause and good reason but on the contrary all shall know the Ground of Quarrel is sufficient and full of equity on our part And upon these or any equal tearms and conditions would we and are we willing to engage with these Priests and all or any one of these Sects in a lawful Tryal in Disputes or Writings for the Tryal and searching out of the Truth and the true Religion And were it not equal and reasonable that we had the same liberty among all these Priests and in their Church and Assemblies freely to declare our minds and to let forth our selves in what we hold and profess without being violently haled and beat and whipped and sent to Prison as we have been this many years which liberty we do freely grant and allow among us to all to query or declare what is upon them without such violent dealing or whipping or sending them to Prisons and Houses of Correction and the same and no other do we desire of others in this particular of freedom to declare the Truth and what we hold then what we do and would allow to others and that no Weapon be used by them against us nor dealing towards us but the Weapons of the Spirit the best they have or can bring forth against us and let them let Creatures alone and not hurt nor do violence to them and no other Weapons shall we use against them nor deal with them by any other thing but the Weapons of the Spirit of God which are powerful will bring down strong Holds and as for Creatures we shall not hurt nor do violence nor imprison them and whose Weapons are the strongest let such overcome And such as are overcome is not the true Church for the true Church of Christ which is builded upon the Rock the Gates of Hell cannot prevail against and who do overcome with such let it be manifest that God of a truth is with them and let them all cease to defend their Church and Ministry and Religion with Prisons and Whips and Houses of Correction for by such things was never the true Church Ministry and Religion defended but only the Power and Authority of God preserved them and resisted all their Enemies and so it is at this day and let all cease to cry Deceivers and being afraid to be deceived for if they be the true Church all or any of these Sects and Professions of Religions then if we be Deceivers and come among them they cannot be deceived if they be in the Election for no Deceivers nor the Gates of Hell cannot prevail against the true Church of Christ nor against them that are elect which the Devil hath nothing in And if we be the true Church of Christ in the Election then if all the Deceivers upon Earth come among us they cannot prevail against us nor deceive us for the Elect cannot be deceived and upon these terms we may engage with any people and Sect upon Earth Therefore come to this and joyn with us take you the Liberty to declare in soberness what you own and prosess you shall not be persecuted nor your Bodies nor Persons harmed by violence and let us have that liberty to declare in Meekness and Soberness and in Gods Authority amongst you what we hold and profess and let us not be persecuted and dealt violently withal and then let it appear whether we or our Enemies have a greater Testimony and more powerfull in the hearts of people And were not this a way full of equity for the trial of all things but doing contrary as you have done these many years against us by Violence and Whipping and Persecuting it shews you have not the spiritual Weapons nor the Authority of God with you nor among you and that is the cause of running to Magistrates and putting in Goals and Whippings and all Violence because the Authority of God's Spirit is wanting amongst you which all the false Sects and false Churches since the days of the Apostles have wanted to defend themselves and resist their Enemies and so all Sects have been fighting one with another and killing Persons and Creatures and desending themselves by Prisons and Inquisitions and destroying of lives and all this hath been out of the Power of God and not in it but by the power of the Dragon and of the Beast who hath caused all to worship and them that would not he hath power to kill and hath killed them by Fires and Tortures and cruel Deaths and all these have lost the spiritual Weapons and been without the Power and Spirit of God And what a Church is this of yours which hath been to be defended by Goals and Prisons and Whips and Stocks and violent Dealing this Church is not the Church of Christ for the Power and Spirit of God defends her always and not Inquisitions and Prisons and Whips these are Cains Weapons and not the Weapons of the Spirit of God whereby his true Church was ever defended for because Cains sacrifice was not accepted therefore he slew his Brother and persecuted him and thus you that are of Cains seed do the same upon the same Ground because your works are rejected and theirs accepted with whom you deal thus in this violent way of persecution and wickedness And this is the Protestant Church so called and her Ministers with whom I am now Dealing which seems to be the true Church and more then the Church of Rome for you Protestant Ministers do deny and cry against the Church of Rome as a false Church and her Ministers to be Deceivers which in it selfe is very true But yet your hypocrisie in this doth appear and your double-mindedness for let me tell you while you cry against the Church of Rome as a false Idolater and a Persecutor of the true Church and against her Ministers to be Deceivers and contrary to the Apostles are not your
in the day of the Lord Is your answer ready or will not your mouthes be stoped and you speechless when righteousness it self pleads against you And what can you plead for fining men and imprisoning them for not respecting your persons and bowing with hat and knee and because they could not swear this hath some of you done will you have any thing to say in the cause of these things when Christ Jesus comes to reign and his Saints with him unto whom the government and the authority and rule shall be given though now they are persecuted and as the refuse of men accounted by you unto whom they are become a prey to act your oppression and cruelty upon and because they render nor evil for evil therefore is the impudency of some men the more encreased and their hardness of heart enlarged and because judgment is not speedily executed therefore are the hearts of some men set in them to do evil O! what a sad reckoning in that day and what large indictments and verdicts for your oppression will be read against you and proved to be just in the sight of God and men a sad thing will it be upon you when laid to your charge by the Lord for causing men to suffer because they could not swear nor respect persons nor uphold the deceits of false Worships and Teachers nor cease to cry against sin in your Towns and Steeple-houses O! be stirred up out of your security you Heads and Rulers and Judges and Officers even all you be awakened who have turned your sword against the peaceable and been a terror to righteousness as much as you could which you ought not to have been and so your power you have abused and subverted it to another end than wherefore it was committed to you instead of defending the upright you have offended him and instead of being a terror to the wicked his hand hath been strengthened through your wicked presidents this is the truth as the Light in all your consciences shall witness in the day of the Lord O! how hath justice and true judgment been neglected and oppression and cruelty abounded the like in Generations past hath not been known but the Lord is now arisen and hath said I will ease mâ— of my Enemies and take vengeance upon my Adversaries who have done wickedly against him and his people till the patience of the Lord is near an end and his long suffering finished and his judgments will he make known upon his Enemies in this Generation that Ages to come forever may be warned not to oppress the Innocent as these have done by false accusations and unjust judgments and wicked proceedings and because of it the wrath of the Lord is kindled and his viols of indignation shall be poured upon the Beast and upon the false Prophet and all their power shall be smitten in one day And O what wickedness hath abounded in the people also to help up the measure of the Rulers sins that they may receive their recompence together how have the people of all sorts abused the innocent lambs of Christ whom he hath called What beatings and stonings and bruisings and other abuses in Towns and High-ways and Steeple-houses its hard to be expressed and large to be declared some have been wounded nigh unto death others bruised till blood have gushed out and others cast down in the dirt and punched with feet and troden upon and many have been in danger of their lives some have been knocked down with staves and their cloaths-rent and their hair torn off their heads and some have been pursued after with throwing stones and dirt at them and many haled and tumbled and lugged and hurried up and down in cruel manner to the danger of life and oppression of the creature and others have been whipped and lashed and put into cruel torment of their Bodies by Engins framed of purpose to torment the Bodies of the harmless as Chester and Carlile may witness and others have been haled before Rulers and falsly slandered to the taking away of life if the Lord had not prevented more than the mercy of men and having been unmercifully and unjustly sent to prison there have they suffered cruelties from the Goalers or their servants by beatings or punishings or threatnings or cruel words and casting into Dungeons and great abuses shamefully acted upon them and other Prisoners have made a prey upon them by taking away their cloaths and meat and beating of them and abusing them divers ways Murtherers have had more priviledge of freedom in prisons and in tryals than these who are Innocent and those things thus acted contrary to their own Law have passed without reproof from many in Authority though it hath been brought to their Door and in this manner have the Children of God the Lamb and his Followers been persecuted without cause or any evil works brought forth by them and legally proved against them but for well-doing and not for evil have the wicked vented their malice against them that the more the Beast and his power hath fulfilled wickedness the sooner may be his destruction And O what scorning and reviling and lying and slandering and evil speeches with mockings and cruel words of envy and tearms of cruelty against the Innocent hath this Generation brought forth in this day wherein the Dragon with his Angels hath joyned battel against the Prince of Righteousness and they that follow him and whole Gog and Magog is gathered together to compass the Camp of the Saints about and to fight against the beloved City the Judges and Rulers with their train of subservant officers as Bayliffs Clarks Goalers Constables with all that to those belonged have with a high hand persecuted and laid oppressions by hard-heartedness upon the backs of the poor and distressed and the Scorners and â—iers and prophane wretches have bent their tongue against the Just in uttering lies slanders reproaches back-biting nick-naming and false-accusing and all manner of evil speeches and false reproaches and the just have been burthened by all this and thus they that have been departed from iniquity have been a prey to Rulers to act their injustice upon and to the people to utter their slanders and to do cruelty against and the teeth of evil-doers have been set on edge to bite and devour and to satisfie their maliciousness upon the sufferings of the upright people and from the Judge upon his throne to the begger upon the high-way all have had their hand dipped in this cause of cruel and unjust persecution and the Lord hath considered and harkened from his holy Habitation and numbered up the sum of all your iniquities that he may repay and recompence upon your heads wo unto you unjust Judges and corrupt men who have abused your power And wo unto all that do oppress by hard dealing who have offended the just and defended the unjust Wo unto all you scorners lyers back-biters and repoachful tougues the Lord is
not to bow to any Likeness Exod. 20. And we read Iames 2. the Apostle exhorts not to have the Faith of 〈◊〉 Lord Iesus with respect of Persons but condemns that practice of respeâ—â—ing such as are in goodly Apparel and gay Cloathing and have gold Rings above a poor man in vile Raiment and he saith plainly They that have respect to Persons commits sin and we read that the Pharisees said of Christ he respected no mans person and he is our Example And we read that the three Children were cast into the fiery Furnace with indignation before the King being bound before him and cast into the Furnace Daniel 3. And we read that Paul and all the Servants of God did Thou Kings and Princes and Rules and they spoke plainly to all men and durst not give flattering Title to any as you may read in Iob 33. so that all people may see their Practice in denying to respect Persons and in speaking plainly without flattering Titles to any man or denying to pull off the Hat or bowing to men iâ— gay Clothing or giving place to such that wear gold Rings and have goodly Apparel before such as have vile Raiment is justly according to the Scriptures though people stumble at such Practices and the People of God may claim to be maintained in this Practice of their Religion seeing it is proved to be commanded in Scriptures not to respect the Person of any man and also it was the Saints practice and therefore herein they ought not to be condemned but justified as being a practice in Religion agreeing with the Scriptures And as concerning their denying Obedience to Magistrates in some Cases this is according to Scripture also for we read that the Rulers commanded the Apostles and straitly charged them to speak no more iâ— the Name of Iesus yet the Apostles did not obey Magistrates herein neither did they cease to Preach in the Name of Jesus and though Christ was commanded or besought to depart out of their Coasts yâ—â— he did not obey their request and we read that the three Children werâ— commanded to worship the great Image yet they did not obey this Command of the King so that all people may see it is lawfull for the Saints to disobey Commands of Kings and Rulers where they command that to be done or spoken which God doth not but the contrary And I say again Where Kings or Rulers Parents or Masters doth command or require any thing of them that are under them which is not according to God in such causes Subjects or People and Children and Servants are free and not required of the Lord to subject to any thing which is not justly according to him but yet we say That Subjects and People and Children and Servants ought to subject to them that have rule over them in all things which is according to God in Truth and Righteousness and by the Law of God all People are bound to obey those that have Rule over them not to disobey them in any thing which may stand with the Exercise of a good Conscience to God so that though the People of the Lord now do deny to depart out of a Town or Place and though they will not cease to declare against sin and wickedness in Teachers and People though a Magistrate command it this is but according to the Scripture for the Apostles went on boldly declaring the Name of the Lord after they were forbidden And thus the Servants of the Lord do now they freely declare the Way of Salvation and call People to repent and reprove Iniquity in all sorts of people though wicked men command them to the contrary and falsely charges them that they are disobedient to Government and Authority though they are not no more then the Servants of God and Apostles of Christ who in the same causes did the same things and the Lord hath commanded to crâ—â—â—â—ud and not to spare but to tell people of their Transgressions and therefore many of the Lords Servants do deny to be silent or to cease from declaring against sin though a Magistrate command it And Christ hath commanded not to swear at all and therefore many do deny to swear upon any account in any place though the Magistrates do command it for the Servants of the Lord do deny to put off a Hat or to Bow in respect of any mans person though a Magisttate command it for the Scripture doth say He that respects Persons commits sin so that all people may see that what the Servant of the Lord doth in these things are not contrary but according to the Scriptures for all these things were commanded and practised by the Saints in former Ages and they said It was better to obey God then man and we ought to do it in all things and that according to the Scriptures too So that in all these practises in Religion the Scriptures justifies them and are as Witnesses to them and they might claim protection in the exercise of them by the Protectors Oath but if they be not maintained but persecuted for the practice of these things then will the Light in every mans Conscience witness the Oath is broken and not kept for it extends to uphold and maintain the practice of Religion which is according to the Scriptures as these are proved to be And as concerning their Doctrines which the World stumbles at yet their Doctrines are according to the Scripture though they say Christ is the Light of the World and lighteth every man or hath given light to every man that cometh into the World this is according to the Scripture as you may read Iohn 8. 12. and 1. 9. and though they turn people from Darkness to the Light of Christ within them and exhort people to hearken to that within them and not to seek a Christ without them to ascend or descend to fetch him these Doctrines are perfectly according to the Scripture for you may read Acts 26. 18. Pâ—… saith He was sent to turn People from Darkness to the Light and from the power of Satan to the Power of God and Rom. 10. you may read the Apostle saith What saith it The Word is nigh thee in thy Heart that is the Word of Faith which we preach and they were not to say Who shall ascend or descâ—… to fetch Christ. And though they tell people They must witness Christ in them 〈◊〉 else they cannot be saved This also is according to the Scriptures as you may read 2 Cor. 13. the Apostle saith Iesus Christ is in you except ye 〈◊〉 Reprobates And though they say Christ is the Word of God and do deny the Scriptures to be the Word by which the World was made This Doctrine also is according to the Scriptures for we read Rev. 19. 13. That the Name of Iesus is called the Word of God And Luke 1. of the Scriptures it is saâ—â— They are a Declaration by those which were Eye-witnesses and Ministers of
and not reconciled to God upon whose shoulders the Government lies and the execution of the Law in their power who cannot minister true Judgment nor discern of different Causes amongst Men. And therefore all Magistrates are to weigh and be considerate in all these things and so to act and judge among men as they may give a good Account unto God and all men and when a Cause is brought before them to give Judgment of or any accus'd unto them that they should execute the Law upon they should by the Spirit of the Lord first try into the Ground and Nature of such matters to know whether it be a wilful and supposed Wrong or Injury done between man and man or it be of Ignorance or want of better Knowledge or such like or whether it be a Matter of Conscience or about Religion or the Worship of God whereupon the Controversie dependeth and if it be a matter of wilful and purposed Wrong or of Ignorance then good Reason and Iustice will teach a Magistrate to defend the Innocent from Wrong or to restore his Wrong by true Judgment that his Person and Estate be freed and preserv'd from all Wrong and that the Wrong-dealer be restrain'd and punish'd and judg'd justly according to his Offences but if it be a matter of Conscience about Religion or the Worship of God then the Magistrates with their Law ought not to meddle therein or to judge of such Matters for these things concerning the things that are Spiritual are out of their Jurisdiction and not in their power to judge of And if the Controversie between man and man depend about such Causes not having reflection upon Persons or Estates but only about Spiritual Matters then Magistrates with their Laws ought not to judge in these Causes but Spiritual Men ought only to give their Judgments hereof as they have receiv'd from God And though men be in controversie about Religion and the Worship of God yet if they be men of Peace not wronging one another in their Persons and Estates they ought to be both protected in a good Government by the just and righteous Laws And here the Sword of Justice is laid only upon the Evil-doer to be a Terror and a Punishment to him and to limit and restrain him from Wrong-dealing and this is the End wherefore it was ordain'd of God to be among men and not to be laid upon the Conscience to oppress and afflict the tender Consciences of the Upright whose Minds are exercis'd in the Law of God for such should have Praise that do well by the Sword of Justice while it is a Terror to all Evil-doers whatsoever and this is the perfect End wherefore the Law was added and the practice of it herein by faithful and just Executors is Well-pleasing and Acceptable to the Lord. And now as concerning this one thing which is Oppression in the Nation brought forth through the unjust and false Execution of the Laws whereby many tender Consciences are afflicted and not for any Wrong or Evil-doing but for the Exercise of a pure Conscience Whereas many for a pure Conscience sake do deny and cannot pay any thing to maintain a Steeple-House or Place of Worship which the people of the World do worship in and where they commit Idolatry neither can they for Conscience sake pay any thing to uphold such Worship and such a Ministry and Ministers which are not of Christ nor ever were sent of him but of Antichrist and such by which the people are led in Blindness and Error as manifestly doth appear through the whole Land And yet the Magistrates some of them being as blind and ignorant as the people do compel many people by their Writs and Orders and Judgments to maintain a Priest and Steeple-house which for Conscience sake they deny to maintain and yet by Authority from the Magistrates are the innocent Men's Goods spoyl'd by Distress and great Oppression Exercis'd upon many poor People to maintain and uphold the Ministry and Worship of this Generation which is not of God but against him and many hereupon are cast into Prison and others have their Goods taken from them by Violence and great Havock is made in the Countries about this matter Now first it may be consider'd That to deny to uphold and maintain a Steeple-house and Place where ignorant people in Tradition do meet to Worship is not a matter of wilful and purpos'd Wrong-dealing or the breach of any Bargan or Contract between man and man but it is a matter of Conscience to the People of God and for a good Conscience sake they cannot do such a thing as to maintain a place of Worship which Abomination is committed in by ignorant and rude people who are without the Fear of God as daily is manifest and it is not manifest that by denying of this they injure any man's Person or Estate in any thing which belongs unto him by lawful Bargan and Contract or otherwise Neither is there any Reason or Equity in this matter That any should be forc'd and compell'd by Injustice and Oppression to uphold a house of worship which others worship in and not they and they knowing that worship to be Abomination to the Lord also and not the True Worship of the True God and there is no Justice nor Religion in it that any should be caused by force to uphold a House for other people to commit and practice Idolatry in if the house were for any good purpose or honest practice as for poor or impotent people to dwell in or such like who had not Houses of their own because of their poverty then that were a deed of charity to uphold it and the people of God would not deny it but could freely give their money to such a use or end but because it is not to such a use but only a place to commit Idolatry in and to worship God ignorantly in superstitions therefore it is a matter of Conscience unto many and for a good Conscience sake they rather suffer the spoiling of their Goods and affliction upon their Bodies then to pay their Money for such a use or end and herein the Magistrates do great injustice in the sight of God and his Saints and contrary to Reason and a good Conscience in causing innocent mens Goods to be spoiled by cruelty to uphold a place of idolatrous worship contrary to mens tender Consciences for as I have said they do no wrong to any man but only peoples wills are offended and their blind zeal turned into rage and fury against the Just who worship God in Spirit and in the Truth and cannot uphold the Houses of false worship and it is a shame unto the people and Ministers themselves who cannot uphold their own worshipping Houses and it is a reproach upon their God and their Religion who cause others to maintain their worshipping Houses by injustice and great oppression and will not themselves maintain their Houses where they
thou hast not known it altogether much less then knowest thou of those things which are Eternal which belong to thy Peace it shews thou ownest not the Lord who cannot own his People but rather countest them thy Enemies and sufferest all Evil to be inflicted upon them and this is the greatest of thy Misery in that the Lord hath been so good unto thee and thy Promises so large towards him for the Feeedom of his People yet all forgot and the Lord's Goodness not answered and his People made as Slaves and Bond-men under thee suffering the loss of Liberty and even their Birth-right-Priviledge in many parts of these Nations wherefore be awakened O man and sleep not totally in Carelesness but remember thy self either to perform the Good or at least to escape the Evil which may suddenly come upon thee And this I have written to thee out of perfect Love in the Fear of God without the Fear of any man or without any secret or open envying of thee couldst thou but own the Lord he would be thy strength to forgive all thy Iniquities and blot out thy Sin and to defend thee from all thy Enemies and above all things Love Iudgment Mercy and Truth and fear before the Lord and let not his People be thy Bond-slaves who are more dear unto the Lord then all Earthly glory is unto thee and if thou couldst own them they would own thee in the Face of all thine Enemies many times hast thou been warned and that from the Lord and thou shalt confess it when the Lord's hand is upon thee and thou delivered into the Will of thy Enemies Remember that I have told thee what the Lord hath shewed me happy art thou if thou canst receive it that Peace may be unto thee and not War Salvation and not Condemnation Renown and not Dishonour which waits for thee except thou turnst to the Lord. Edw. Burroughs The Original of this was delivered to him in the Seventh Moneth 1657. To the Protector and Council A Servant of the Lord and to you a Friend wisheth Grace and Wisdom the Spirit of sound Iudgment and the Knowledge of God unto you that in all thing True Justice and Righteous Judgment may be brought forth and abound unto all people that you may be more Honourable and may be made a Blessing to your selves and this Nation and to Generations after you But alas my Friends how long shall Justice and true Judgment be neglected and the Innocent deeply groan for want thereof How long shall it be ere the distresâ—â—d Cry of the unjustly Afflicted enters into your hearts I say when shall your Ear be bowed down to hearken to consider of the guiltless cause of many of the faithful Subjects who lie deeply afflicted through this Nation some under one cruel Bond of Oppression and some under another being most unjustly and wickedly imposed upon them by Cruel Men who pervert Justice and turn true Judgment backwards and neither Fear God nor Regard Men but contrary to Justice and the good Laws of this Land as men without Reason and Natural Affections to Mankind do act most illegally to the grievous Oppression of many approved and faithful Subjects and the true Knowledge and Consideration hereof is enough to pierce the hardest Heart and to vex the most patient Mind and undoubtedly the â—…ce Anger of the Lord is greatly kindled because of these things and even against your Forbearance who seem to take little notice of such Cruelties and injustice when they are laid before you for you do not relieve the Oppressed neither 〈◊〉 remove Oppressors as you ought to do and as the Lord requires of you What hath the aboundance of this World's glory and its treasure quite overcome and stolen away your hearts wholy from all sence and feeling of the unjust Sufferings of your Brethren who have in times past as faithfully as your selves served their Nation with their Lives and Estates to the purchasing of this Peace and Freedom out of the hands of Opposers and such may now justly claim the benefit of this Peace and Freedom and to have a part with you therein even by Birth-right and by Purchase and also by Promise from some of your selves But alas while they have waited for it and thought peaceably to enjoy the same under you are many of them entrapped into as great Bondage as ever if not more woful and unjust and they are unjustly imprisoned and unreasonably fined and every way oppressively dealt withal and are even spoiled in their Persons and Estates and their lives often in danger being through great Injustice become a Prey to their very Enemies who now take occasion to revenge their former Cause because of their Faithfulness for the Common-wealth against them and all this is done while you look on and no way shewing your dislike to these things which strengthens greatly the hands of Evil-doers to add to the Bonds of the Afflicted yet are you without excuse for you are not wholy ignorant of these things for the knowledg of them has often bin laid at your doors yea and the very Cry of these Oppressions and Cruelties reach through the whole Land to the wounding deeply of all people that fear God to know so great Injustice and Oppression brought forth upon the â—â—nocent and faithful People by some so far entrusted as having the Law comâ—itted to them which they pervert and turn Judgment backwards and the greater is the Wound because you who have power to stop and prevent these things should have no more regard to set at liberty the unjust Sufferers and to â—â—der Judgment upon those as thus pervert true Justice by whom the Land is filled with Violence whereby the Name of the Lord is greatly dishonoured and the Government greatly reproached in many parts of the World why because the faithful Subjects cannot enjoy their Birth-right-Priviledge as they ought according to the Law of God and man for their Equals yea their Inferiors have exalted themselves above and are become Oppressors of the Free-born People and divers ways do these hainous Oppressions and Cruelties abound upon the Innocent and not for Evil-doing but for the exercise of their pure Consciences towards God for many have been taken travelling on the High-way and some out of peaceable Meetings and out of their Inns and Friends Houses and by some wicked men in Authority without shewing just Cause therefore have just Men been whipped or stocked or imprisoned or other Cruelties done unto them and yet the transgression of no just Law truly charged against them neither have been convicted of any Evil-doing but they have suffered wholy Innocâ—â—tly only through the Malice and Will and Pleasure of their Enemies who have taken occasion wihhout any just Offence at all to stock and whip and imprison many of the true and faithful Subjects and this hath not been done in secret but openly in many parts of this Nation and you have had Information of
in Judgment because thereof And as for thee who art now set up in his stead We certainly believe that the Hand of the Lord is in this matter if but to try thee and it is he that hath brought it to pass not expected by any nor much sought after by thy self but its 〈◊〉 to pass a thing out of and contrary to the Thoughts and Expâ—â—â—ations of the whole Nations art thou attained to this Place of â—…nment and therefore we must acknowledge something of the great Hand of God in it being come to pass as out of due season yet may the Lord make it seaâ—â—nable and we patiently wait to receive what the Lord brings to pass thereby knowing that thou art in the Hand of the Lord to do whatsoever he will with thee and conceâ—â—ing thee And if thou fearest him and walkest with him and chusest him for thy Councellor and art obedient to him and seekest his Glory alone and not thy own Honour and Greatness then the Lord will do great things for thee and by thee and accomplish his own Work through thee whiâ—â— fell in thy father's hands and thou wilt be blessed and renowned and honoured forever and thy Name shall be had in respect in Generations to come and hereby the present thoughts of many shall be confounded but if thou dost harden thy â—eart against God and live cruelly and neglect his Cause and despise his Name 〈◊〉 Honour and seek thy own renown and oppress the Just in thee and without thee and suffer the Poor to groan under the Cruelty and Burden of Oppressing Men and Laws in thy Government without relief from thee and go on 〈◊〉 Authority as some evil men before thee then shalt thou not prosâ—… but the Lord shall bring thee down and lay his Hand of Judgment upon thee and thy Name shall be a Reproach to the Saints forever and the heavy 〈◊〉 of Vengeance shall be upon thee and pursue thee more then any before thee and the Lord will deliver his People by another way and this is not in Flattery and Feignedness to thee but as the Lord lives our God shall 〈◊〉 to pass in his day and thou shalt be the Witness Wherefore O man seek the Face of the Lord and enquire diligently of him and hear his Word that thy Soul may live and feel a measure of his Spirit in thee to lead thee into all Truth and set his Presence before thy Eyes alwayes to direct thy steps that he may bless thee with Power Wisâ—â—â— Authority and Dominion to perform the Duty of thy Place faithfulâ—â— towards the Lord and all Men as he requireth of thee And if thou 〈◊〉 â—â—â—kest the Kingdom of God and its Righteousness and the Reconciliation between the Lord and thee and comâ—st to feel the Elect Seed of God raised up over all the contrary in thee and Transgression and thy own Will and Affections and that which is of the Flesh in thee judged and condemned by the Word in the Heart which maketh the immortal Soul to live and â—e refrâ—â—â—ed in God and the Heir of the Promise of God born in 〈◊〉 and hereby shalt thou have an Assurance and Hope of Life Eternal to rest in perfect Peace with God when this World is no more but passed away â—ith thee and also in this present time Wisdom and Valour and true Nobility shall be added to thee and the Spirit of Power and Dominion to â—â—ke Men and Nations be afraid and fear and all Evil Men and such 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the hurt of thee and thy Government â—â—â—ll be blasted and confoundâ—â— and all Good Men be encouraged and made strong and the whole Naâ—â—â—â—â— kept in Peace and Unity and the Truth and Peace of God shall hereâ—â—â—â—ourish amongst us to the Honour of the Eternal God and to thy Reâ—… if thou rulest and governest for him and by his Spirit and Authority And we are truly sensible of the great Charge of this Place and also of the multitude of Perplexities and Dangers to thy self occurring and happening thereby Dangers from open Enemies by their Malice and cruel Plots and Dangers from thy pretended Friends and they of thy own House by secret Surmâ—â—â—ngs Dangers in Martial and Civil Affairs in this Nation and abroad so that we certainly believe Nothing save only the Wisdom of God and his Power can preserve thee and carry thee to go through and faithfully fulfil so great a Place and to discharge it truly in the Sight of God and Just Men neither mayest thou be defended and preserved by any other Means from the wills and plots and envy of evil men who may watch for evil against thee to destroy theâ—â— and blot out thy Name and thy Father's Posterity out of the Land Wherefore take heeâ— to thy self and fear God that he may bless thee for this is a subtil and crafty Generation and the Nations are politick and the Inhabitants thereof are wise and deceitful over whom thou art set and with whom thou hast to deal Therefore beware of men for many may seek after thy hurt and some may flatter thee and shew seeming great respect unto thee and profess great Service of Love to thee in the Nations and in thy Family for a season till their own Ends of Advantage be accomplished and may in the very time hatch Evil against and secretly invent to uncover thy Nakedness and betray thee for many men are Treacherous but thou receiving a Measure of the Wisdom of God it will guide thee over all such and thou wilt see into the hearts and spirits of men and to discern between Love Unfeigned which will seek thy good and not self and that Love which is feigned which will flatter thee and blind thy Judgment and lead thee into Snares and such as will the least flatter thee will be the most true to thee So beware and let not vain Flatteries and Proud Ambitious and ungodly Self-seeking Men nor Drunkards nor Covetous nor Politick and Deceitful men and spirits have any place in thy Heart nor in thy House nor in Places of Authority and Trust in thy Government for such men will be a Snare unto thee and a Dishonour to thee and the cause of God's Wrath and Curse against thy Person Family and whole Nations for such men God will not bless nor thee nor the Government for their sakes and this thou wilt find trâ—â— one day Therefore chuse unto thee such men as fear God who are Just and Humble and Upright-hearted who are Sincere and Faithful to the Lord who have the Wisdom of God and true nobility of Spirit in Righteousness and Simplicity free from the Prophaneness of this evil World let such be thy Companions to wait upon thy Person and to Govern and Rule in thy Family and Nations and let such be put in Trust who will not be Treacherous for such are Blessed and will be a Blessing to thee and the whole Government And we know that the Lord gives respect
the Land which if you he the Instruments in such a Work it will be your greatest Crown and your perpetual Honour for the Lord's Purpose is 〈◊〉 â—â—y or other to cleanse the Land of all these and other Oppression whatsoever that the People of this Land may be a free People from all the heavy Yâ—… of Antichrist which have long sorely pressed them down and the Purpose of the Lord is to break the Yoaks of Oppression and Tyranny from off the Necks of this People and therefore it is that he overturneth yea and will overturn all Men and Authorities that shall oppose his Work and none shall be 〈◊〉 to stand before him for the Presence of my Lord is more dreadful to a Nation when he shews himself in Wrath then any Multitude of Armed Men and Wo is unto you if you be found opposing of him and if you seek to stop his Work you shall not cumber the Earth very long nor oppress the Nations maâ—◠〈◊〉 Wherefore consider Cursed will you be if you be unfaithful in what 〈◊〉 have to do on the Lord's behalf for your Hour passeth ever that is alotted you and will be suddenly expired never to be recalled and then you cannot work And whereas there is a great Cry about Ministry For sending forth and Mainâ—…ng and Encouraging a Godly Ministry as you say Now to this I do answer on my Lord's behalf and I must tell you plainly As for a true Godly Ministry truly called and sâ—nt of God such a Ministry and such Miâ—isters you can never be able to hinder but the Lord will send them out â—â—â—â—taining them and preserving them whether you will or no and while you are â—â—â—â—bling your selves about such a matter you are but meddling with things above your Line and out of your Jurisdiction while you act in such a case 〈◊〉 it belongs to his Goverment to send out Ministers whom and as he will 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 maintain them and defend them according to his own Pleasure and all this without you for such Ministers truly called thereunto and sent of the Lord will not seek to you to be sent forth or maintained by you they will not be beholding to you in such a case but even without you and contrary to you must they be sent out and maintained So that the Lord will have a Ministry in this Nation purely of his own and not of Man nor by Man and such a Ministry you shall not be able to hinder And I must tell you plainly As for these men called Ministers in this Nation the way of their setting up and sending forth and the way of their Maintenance and the way of their standing and Defence and in every particular of their being such they are the greatest and most woful Oppression in the Nation even the most Abominable and unjust Cruelties and Tyrannies is acted through them as any other thing in the Nation and they are as such aforesaid the woful Cause of the Nations Groaning under Merciless Dealing and there is upon their account the Guilt of Blood Injustice and Oppression lying upon this Nation their Inqiuities their Iniquities cry for Vengeance upon their own heads for they are full they are full and the measure thereof is near finished and God's Eternal Vengeance is their next Reward from the Eternal God What shall I say of them but this The Earth is oppressed by them the Inhabitants groan under them and the Righteous God is vexed through them and they are the very men of high Indignation and fierce Wrath and all their Practices as such are the Fewel of his Anger to be consumed by the Fire of his Jealousie the Nation is weary and its Inhabitants and the Lord is weary because of these men And is this the Ministry cryed up by you as Godly and Piâ—â—â— c Are these the men that the Nation must be forced to maintain in their Pride and Idolatry Is this the Ministry that must be Encouraged Well if these be the men and this the Ministry which must be established and encouraged by you in so doing you shall never prosper but thereby gain the Displeasure of the Almighty unto you to bring a Curse upon all your doings even because hereof for I must tell you the Hand of my Lord is against them and whosoever shall seek to defend them shall not prosper in their doings because their Oppressions Cruelties Deceit and Abominations are nigh finished and fulfilled wherefore take â—â—ed unto your selves for this is my Master's Advice unto you Let this Ministry alone and joyn not your selves to Baal lest you perish neither take part with Antichrist any longer neither be ye Fighters against the Lamb and his Kingdom but free the Nation and let all its Inhabitants be freed from the cruel Tasks and Yoaks of such Men and such a Ministry as aforesaid uphold it not against the Lord for if you do you shall never be established and this is from the Mouth of my Lord unto you And last of all My Master hath a People in this Nation even a suffering People that have born the Burden of the Cruelty and Injustice and Wickedness both of Rulers and Teachers who have as it were trodden them down and made them a very Prey to their Devouring Mouthes the very Cry of their Sufferings have reached unto Heaven and the very sound thereof your Ears have heard And this People are greatly beloved and my Lord will assuredly honour them and his Hand shall be continued to preserve them and defend them against all their Enemies whatsoever and he doth reserve them to himself and for a glorious Work that he hath to do by them and he hath formed them for himself and they cannot joyn with any of the Horns of the great Beast neither can a Place of Honour pervert them from their perfect Way but my Lord he compasseth them about on every side and hath kept them in the midst of Tryals Reproaches and Sufferings and covered them in the Heat and in the Storm till his Pleasure is to make further use of them they are His and not their Own and they must fulfil His Will and none besides and they lie at Rest in Him while Mountains are overturned and while one Potsherd of the Earth breaks another and this must be even till the appointed Time And to say no more of them though much more might be said They are had in Remembrance before the Lord to do with them even for his own Glory and for this Nation 's perpetual Good and to the Authority of the Most High through them shall Kings of the Earth and Nations of the World bow and tremble wherefore ye men touch them not neither do ye afflict them even as you hope to prosper remember their Cause and suffer it not alwayes to be rejected as it hath long been but keep your selves free from the Injustice and Cruelty of them that have gone before you who have been Merciless and Oppressors
is insufficient to maintain his own Cause and to uphold the Rights and Priviledges of his own Kingdom Do you think that he hath need of you or a Multitude of wild and heady Men and Youth to fight in his Cause to uphold his Gospel and Ministry and Ministers Alas no you are deceived in this matter for his own Arm shall do all this and he will do it without you and not be beholding to you in this matter His Gospel nor the Priviledges of it shall not fall the true Ministry the Preaching and Dispensing of God's Word and Ordinances shall not perish though you be silent for the Lord by his own Power will maintain and carry on these things and all others belonging to his Kingdom without the help of Mortal Men or without the help of the Arm of Flesh so that you may put up your Swords and be still in this matter and leave it to God who is sufficient for these things without a multitude of men or without the Arm of Flesh For I must tell you that the faithful Teachers of God's Word and the faithful Ministry desire not your help to prosecute their Cause and the Cause of the Gospel but they trust to the Lord to be maintained countenanced and encouraged by him alone who is sufficient in that cause though its true the false Ministers and the antichristian Teachers through all Christendom for many Generations they have sought unto the Arm of flesh to set them up to maintain and defend them and their Gospel and false Church thus it is through the Popes Dominion and among some Protestants also they cry unto the Magistrates unto the Kings and Parliaments for the making cruel Laws to defend them and to the rude world they cry Help us and save us and defend us by fighting with Carnal Weapons for Heresies and Errors and such like and they stand in their Ministry in their Call to it and Maintenance of it and defence in it by the Arm of flesh and their Church is upheld thereby also but this is but Antichrists way and these are Antichrists Ministers and his false Church hereby is defended in the World and this shews that the Weapon of the Spirit of God is wanted by them which the Apostles had and it s very doubtful O ye Apprentices of London that your Ministers have prayed you and preached you into such a work as that you should stand up to maintain them and fight for them and their church against such that do oppose them but I must tell you if their Defence be not in another hand then in yours they are like to come to perpetual ruin and their Gospel and their Teaching and their Sacraments their Church cannot stand if they have not the Lord's Help more then yours And as for the Universities which you contend for alas many of you are ignorant concerning them and what Abomination is committed among them oh if you knew but the Prophaneness and Ungodliness and Ill-education that is among them it would turn your zeal for them backwards and it s not from humane Studies that the faithful Ministers of Christ come but who are so indeed are made so by the Gift of God's Eternal Spirit both in this Age and in Ages past So that O ye Apprentices Be still be still and do not ruin your selves and your City by Rage and Fury and Disorders upon such a Proceeding for your ground of Quarrel is not perfectly good nor your Endeavour in the Cause aforesaid well accepted with the Lord. But if your Quarrel be upon the account or about the matter of Church and Ministry leave that to the Lord and to your Ministers that they may defend themselves their Church and Ordinances and Worship by the Spirit of God if they have it for that is the Weapon of Ministry Church and Gospel-Warfare and not Carnal Weapons nor the multitude of an Host of Men Let your Ministers come forth in the best authority of spirit that they have and plead the cause of their Worship and Gospel and Ministry like Christians and not like Iews and Heathens for they use Carnal Weapons killing and murdering about Church and Religion that is the Papists Practice and not the Practice of the Saints So that ye Apprentices seeing you state your Quarrel against the Army upon the account of Church and Ministry my Advice is to you Proceed no further upon that ground but give your Trust to the Lord for the maintaining of all things related to his own Kingdom But the Cry is Those Sectaries those Sectaries away with them Your Trouble seems to be concerning them lest they prevail but wherefore are you troubled in this matter like as if you knew not that what the Lord purposeth must come to pass who are of God will stand this you need not doubt and who are not will come to nought and its vain for Mortal Man to oppose the Lord's Purpose but this was the Cry in dayes past How did the Bishops and Prelates in their dayes cry against the Non-conformists as Hereticks and such like even as the Ministers now cry against Sectaries But consider how did the Bishops proceed but in being the chief Cause themselves of raising War against the then Non-conformists thinking thereby to have smitten them all but you know it proved otherwise and as they thought to do unto others so was it done unto them which thing may be an Example to you For as they thought to have destroyed the then called Puritans in like manner were themselves destroyed and this may possibly fall upon you Therefore consider for I tell you as an equal man between you and them that there is more Sincerity towards God and Fear of his Name in some of them called Sectarians then there is amongst you and your Ministers though I do not here justifie the Sectarians so called in all things neither do I in every thing condemn your Ministers but this I say and do know If that you and your Ministers raise a War against those called Sectarians the effect thereof will prove your own Sorrow and their Advantage So this is my Advice to you rest and be still and that will prove your own Peace and Happiness Therefore take heed and beware lest ye oppose and gain-say the Work and Power of God which his purpose is to bring to pass in this his Day who is setting up his Kingdom in the midst of Tribulations that comes upon men The second Particular humbly desired by you is The Freedom and Priviledges of Parliaments as being the Great Charter of the People which you account very dear unto you and by which you hope to see you say a Settlement in Church and State and you humbly conceive that to be the probable means to establish the true Protestant Religion reform the Laws secure the Liberties promote Learning c. Answ. Now Friends do but truly consider and with a humble Mind what the Work of the Lord hath
them The third Particular consisteth about the Magistrates Power in matters of Faith and Worship and the Authors say Though they greatly prize Christian Liberty yet they profess utter dislike and abhorrency of an Universal tolleration as being contrary to the mind of God in his Word Answ. It appears the Authors are lovers of themselves and prizers of their own Liberty but not of the Liberty of others but do utterly dislike and â—â—ber the tolleration of others which may indeed be more righteous then themselves and this is no less then the very Principle of the Whore of Rome which Promotes her own Liberty and makes others Slaves and ahhorâ— tolleration to any but themselves and they plead Scriptures as well as you for proof of their Religion and they will say all that differs from them are contrary to the Scriptures even as you say when as there is very little better foundation in the Scriptures for your Religion then there is for theirs and it is doubtful to many what Religion this day extant is perfectly according to the Scriptures but yet thus much may be said That Church and that Religion which are not in the same Spirit as gave forth the Scriptures are not according unto the Scriptures and he that can distinguish of this and who it is that hath the same Spirit that gave forth the Scriptures is only able to judge what Religion is according to the Scriptures But can the Authors shew plainly out of the Scriptures that their Religion is only according thereunto and all others the contrary and until they prove this why may not the Rulers that are of may be in this Nation give Tolleration unto other sorts of People as well as to the Independants the supposed Authors of this Paper The fourth Particular consisteth concerning Tythes and say they The taking away of Tythes for Maintenance of Ministers until as full a Maintenance be as equally secured and as equally settled tends very much to the Destruction of the Ministry and Preaching of the Gospel in these Nations Answ. Alas for you poor ignorant Creatures ye foolish men that seems to have no understanding of the Ministry and Gospel of Christ Do you indeed think that the true Ministry of Christ and the Preaching of the Gospel depends upon Maintenance by Tythes Oh ye Robbers of God who have secretly dishonoured him in your hearts and publickly disgraced him as much as in you lyes to the Nation as if he were not able to save his Ministry and the Preaching of his Gospel from destruction if Tithes be taken away Surely you err in your Judgements and have no acquaintance with God nor with his Ministry nor Gospel who have thus dishonoured him in setting up that Maintenance by the forcible and unjust oppression of Tythes to be the preserving of Ministry and Gospel and as if Tythes were the uphold ing of Ministry and Gospel and you have thus falsly and wickedly measured God his Ministry and Gospel by the wickedness of your own hearts who seem to be indeed of those Hirelings that cheat Souls for money and run for the gift like Balaam and for the lucre like the evil Beasts and Slow-bellies and so I do believe that your false Ministry indeed and your feigned pretence of preaching the Gospel do depend upon great sums of money and upon large Maintenances and we believe that indeed is the chief Reason of your Preaching and of your Ministry and it is very possible that your Ministry and Preaching may fall which is Antichristian when Tythes and Hire is taken away which Ministry dependeth thereupon but the true Ministry and preaching of the Gospel will God maintain and uphold though the oppression of Tythes be vanquished and I hope some of the Rulers of this Nation and Officers of the Army will not believe your advice but yet you seem to be willing to renounce Tythes if you could have as full a Maintenance setled another way so that however great maintenance comes you regard not so you can have that whether by this way of Oppression or the other it s your Maintenance you love and follow after and seek unto the Powers of the Earth for that end and how equally and legally Tythes have been setled which you seem to affirm let all good People judge given they were and setled first in our Nation by the Popes Authority to be the Maintenance of that Whore's Ministers and the Laws that gave them and setled them have been Antichristian and Oppression in the Nation and there is the guilt of Blood and of cruel unjust sufferings lying upon this Nation in that very cause of Tythes and the Hand of the Lord is gone out against it and against all Contenders for it and God will redeem the Nation from â—â—der it though you be putting your strength to uphold it through your hypocritical Prayers and Preaching and Flatteries with God and man The fifth particular is these Authors desire that countenance be not given unto nor trust reposed in the hands of Quakers being persons of such Principles that are distructive to the Gospel and inconsistent with peace and civil society Answ. Here your wickedness and the malice of your hearts is let forth against the dispised People for their righteousness sake and this spirit of yours would not only discountenance them but destroy them from the face of the Earth if it were in your Hands and you are worse then Baalam ever was and far more blind then he for you are as it were seeking inchantments against the People of God for Money and you see not the goodly tents of Iacob as he did nor the People that are altogether blessed Oh! ye envious persons that are even a preparing as much as in you is the destruction of a peaceable People and that would keep them in slavery under you and you would have the countenance of the powers of the Earth but they must not and you would Monopolize all the places of trust for advantage to your selves and you would hardly allow the People of God a place on the Ground Oh! ye sinful Hypocrites and Flatterers and Slanderers of the just but what need you have made such preparation against them do they seek places of honour among you do they delight in great places among men do they love to be great in this World nay their Kingdom is from above and they reject the countenanance of the Beâ—â—â— Authority and they reject any confidence that the Dragon and unjust poâ—… can repose in them and you need not have been afraid in this matter and thereupon slandered us and have back-bited us to the powers of the Earth what do you fear even the thing which you fear will God in a judgement bring upon you and there is a Government to be set up in this Nation even that which is of the Lamb and your Antichristian Monarchy the Beast with all his Heads and Horns shall fall to the Ground and the Lord may
of Answer for the end that People may be satisfied concerning things doubtfull which are in controversie this day among many for it is well known the Controversie hath been long and is grown very high between us and you concerning Church Ministry and Religion and divers things in your Exhortation are doubtfull unto many and that all doubts may be removed if possible therefore I do return what follows as an answer unto you Whereas you say You are not ignorant of the prejudices and prepositions wherewith the carnal World is leavened concerning you Calling Office and Doctrines and what Clamors and fiery Contentions abound for them every where that pleads Christ's Cause in the Gates c. Answ. As for your Calling Office and Doctrine there is much to be said against them in and by the Spirit of the Lord for your Calling and Office is not according to the Example of Scriptures though the Calling and Office of Ministers of the Gospel hath Example in the Scripture yet as you are called into your Office that is not according but rather contrary to the Scriptures And as for your Doctrine it is in some things unsound also Now as for Seasonable Exhortations of Ministers to People I do acknowledge that it is a Duty which ought to be done but how seasonable and sound your Exhortations are that remains to be tried and it is not onely the carnal World as you speak that are doubtfull concerning your Calling and Office but it the best of the people whose eyes the Lord is opening to see and behold the false immitations of the Calling and Office of Ministers as you have stood for many Generations and it is true them that pleads Christs Cause they are cryed out upon and contended with but this fully belongs not to you though you apply it to your selves but it pertains more to others for the World speaks well of you as it use to do of false Prophets And you say We the Ministers of the Gospel in the City of London do with earâ—…ess exhort the people of this City to awaken as out of Sleep and to lay to heart the great dangers that threatens you which you represent under a threefold consideration 1 The fear of the return of Popery 2 The distracted estate of Religion amongst us 3 Other symptomes of Gods wrath hanging over your Heads Answ. That you are Ministers of the Gospel this is doubtful unto many and many more testimonies might be given to the contrary then can be given for it But this is not the present debate and therefore no more of it And what is the people of your Congregations yet asleep Have not you awakened them in so many years time Have you been preaching over them and taking their Money so long and are they yet to awaken as out of Sleep Will not the blame of this and the condemnation of it fall upon you their Watch-men who hath not yet awakened them And may not they say that you have dealt unjustly by them who are left as asleep under all your preaching and are yet unsensible of the danger that threatens them Oh Friends will you consider and your people with you what you have been preaching and what they have been hearing for so long a time seeing you now acknowledge they are yet asleep and unawakened Now as to the first of your considerations The fear of the return of Popery for which you lay down divers things to make the people believe it First The union of foreign Popish-Powers Secondly The vast numbers say you of Popish Emissaries and Jesuites that swarms amongst you Thirdly The vending and printing of so many Popish Books every year c. Answ. As for Popery I know it is Idolatry and their Church and Worship and every part thereof abomination to the Lord and the spirit that leads them is not the Spirit of Jesus and as for Popery it was never yet truly cleansed out of the Nation but there hath been and are great remainders yet standing which may indeed easily recover its former strength For is not the most part of the worship of the Church of England made up of such things as was first instituted and practised amongst the Papists witness the making Ministers by natural learning at Schools and Colledges and their maintenance by Tythes and yearly Stipends and their way of Parochial settlements are not all these things Papistical and witness sprinkling Infants calling it the Baptism into the Visible Church and witness the singing of Davids Psalms as now they are sung among you these things for the most part are of Popish institution and many other things also pertaining to your Church Religion and Ministry so that Popery was never clean cast out of the Nation though the Lord hath wounded it yet there is the remainder of it yet standing in great force so that while Tythes are pleaded for by you and those things practised by you it may indeed be feared the return of Popery seeing you stick so fast in those Practises which were of Popish institution and the cause of fear lies at your Door and upon your selves principally and if there be vast numbers of Popish Priests and Jesuites swarming amongst you if you be Ministers of Christ why do you not discover Wolves in Sheeps cloathing and fright them away Why do you not lift yp your Spiritual Weapons if you have them as the Apostles did whose Weapons were powerful and mighty through God and who shall bear the blame but you if Wolves in Sheeps cloathing tear your Flocks that is a sign you are lazy idle Shepherds and that your want the Power and Authority of God and when the Powers of the Earth fails you and your carnal Weapons are all broken then you are like to be overcome with the swarming of Popish Priests and Jesuites if there be any such among you look you to it for I know not any and if you know any by name and where they are you ought by your Law to discover them Now you say they are acting under the disguise of Sectaries and subtilly insinuating many of their Doctrines as teaching Iustification by Inherent Righteousness Perfection 〈◊〉 lawfulness in joyning in your Ordinances and nullity of your Ministry c. Answ. Now these that you call Sectaries may truly plead against you against your Church Worship Ministry Practises upon good grounds as for Justification by Inherent Righteousness it is a Doctrine of the Church of Christ that the Saints witnessed Christ and his Righteousness within them and that none are justified by any righteousness without them but who witness Christ revealed in them for all are Reprobate that do not witness Christ in them 2 Cor. 13. 5. And as for Perfection that is the Doctrine of the Gospel and of Christ for the Apostles spake wisdom to them that were perfect 1 Cor. 2. 6. and Christ commanded them to be perfect Mat. 5. who never commanded impossibilities You might better have charged
New Birth and â—ll such are out of the right way in the way of Error if they have the Form of Godliness but want the Power though they may have Mass or say Common-prayer once a week oâ— oftner yet all this is but Abomination and Deceit whilst they practise Iniquity Hatred Back-biting Lying Drunkenness and the like they that act these things the Plagues of God will be their portion and Misery their end and their Profession in Religion will not save them The Day of the Lord is at hand ye Hypocrites ye false Christians ye â—â—at profess God with your Lips and your Hearts are far away Therefore repent ye and treâ—ble before the Lord lest hâ— smite you with Vengeance and forsake your false Religions both your Mass and your Iâ—…s of Prayer and be not Idolaters in professing love in your mouthes and honour with your Lips wâ—ilst your hearts are departed from the living 〈◊〉 and now come to learn the true Religion Depart from all Iniquity and do not Lye nor Swear nor be Drunk nor Steal nor Murder nor Envy but love the Lord with all your hearts and your Neighbour as your selves And this is the true Religion in which man may be saved and live in Soberness Meekness and â—â—nesttâ—y and speak every man Truth to his Neighbour and live in love 〈◊〉 with another and be kind and gentle and bring forth the Fruits of the Spirit of God Cease to do evil and learn to do well and depart form all â—â—iquity and follow after Righteousness This is true Religion and in it â—ou may â—e saved this is the right way all that walk in it shall have Peace and Blessing from God and all that walk contrary Damnation is their portion Therefore you Papists and Protestants so called turn from your Hypocrisie and learn this way and cease from your false worships that are after the Forms and Traditions of men and not after the Spirit of God and learn to worship God in the Spirit that you may be saved You have a Light from Christ in your Consciences which lets you see what sins ye are guilty of and it reproves you for your sin If you believe in the Light and walk in it that is the right way then you will deny what is evil and follow what is good in your Conversations but if you follow what is evil and act contrary to the Light in your Consciences and repent not Vengeance in flames of fire will be youâ— portion This is the day of your Visitation the Army of the Lamb is gone forth and the Sword of the Spirit is drawn amongst them that will wound your Consciences and God will smite you with the words of his mouth ye Rocks and Hills and Bryars and Thorns and fruitless Trees the God of Heaven will hew you to pieces and pluck you up and cast you into the fire to be consumed Repent for the Day of the Lord is at hand By one that seeks the Good of all men E. B. A VINDICATION OF The People of God CALLED QUAKERS Directed Unto Roger Boyle Called Earl of Orrery Charles Coote Called Earl of Mountrath Theophilus Iones Called Sir Theophilus Iones Being an Answer to a Book dedicated to them by one George Pressick of Dublin In which Book many Lyes and Calumnies are presented against the Innocent People of God And this is for the clearing of the Truth that no Lye may rest upon it And for the Satisfaction of all Sober People in Ireland and elsewhere With a Word of Good Advice to the Chief Governours there THere is Irreconcileable Ennity between the two Seeds to wit the Seed of God and the Seed of the Serpent and these two are alwayes opposite and contrary one to the other in Nature Fruits and Effects and the seed of the Serpent is alwayes persecuting the Seed of God in every Age and Generation and they in whom the seed of the Serpent is living and ruling are alwayes projecting and contriving mischief and hatred against the People and â—â—â—vants of the Lord in whom the Seed of God liveth and reigneth as it is written He that is born of the Flesh persecutes him that is born after the Spirit Thus it hath been in all Generations and thus it is at this day Great is the â—â—â—â—sition that is made by many in Lyes and Slanders in Reviling and Reâ—…hing in Imprisoning and Persecuting and in all manner of evil works 〈◊〉 words against the innocent People of God called Quakers How have the hands of ungodly men been lifted up to smite that People by many kinds of abuses and how have their Tonges been set on fire to reproach and revile and slander in all kind of evil-speaking and all this for Righteousness-sake and not for any evil doing For who is the man and where is he that can justly charge Evil upon that People either in Doctrine Faith or Practice or in any â—â—ing relating to their Religion to God-wards or in relation to their Conversations and walking towards men It is true we have not wanted Accusers to every Authority but such and such things have been falsly charged against us and that to every Power that hath been since we were a People under whom we have been a suffering People even from all that ever have sitten in the Throne since the Lord raised us up to bear Witness of his glorious Name and Truth in the World Now the present occasion of this my present work is Forasmuch as we now stand accused of great and heinous Crimes in the view of this whole Kingdom of Ireland and more particularly before you three in a Book called A brief Relation of some remarkable Passages of the Anabaptists in Germany c. published by one George Pressick of Dublin and dedicated in a special manner to you that his Work may pass with the greater Credit and his Slanders and Calumnies be received for undoubted Truths Now that the Innocency of the Upright may be cleared and that no Lye may rest upon the Truth nor that you neither any others may receive Falshoods for Verities because of our silence therefore it is that the Lord hath put it into my Heart to defend the Cause of God and his People by returning plain and sober Answer to the principal part of his Book wherein we are concerned and falsly Charged and for the end that the false Accuser may be reproved and his Calumnies returned into his own evil and malicious Heart from whence they came and that you and all men may be truly informed and prevented if possible of being seduced into the belief of Falshoods lest that your Hearts and Hands should be stirred up to act or do in your Authority against the People whom God hath blessed and from the ground and cause of Mis-informations and false Accusations without better Testimony which would be a way to destroy your selves and to bring the unjust Sufferings of the Lord's People upon your own Heads which would draw
down the heavy Wrath of God upon you I cannot flatter you by feigned words of guile nor give you flattering Titles but I judge you are reasonable men in that degree as to hear and consider our Defence as well as our Enemies Charge and I hope you are wise in that degree as to judge between Truth and a Lye and to distinguish one from the other and I suppose you are just in that measure as to receive what ye know to be truth and to reject what you know to be false being convinced in your own Consciences and as such I must place my Plea before you particularly and make my Defence to your judgement Seat even to the Witness of God in your Consciences I intend and mean and I shall omit to say much to the Accuser himself as supposing him a man more full of envious raging humour than of solid and wise judgement to receive either reproof or conviction for many such as he I have dealt withall in this case whom I have found men so filled with Prejudice that neither the authority of sound reason nor of the Word of God could convince them of their evil Proceedings therefore before you I shall state the particular Accusations and the Defence against them The way in which our Adversary hath proceeded in his Accusations is obscure and yet malicious enough and also in great ignorance for he tells 〈◊〉 in his Epistle he hath gathâ—red up out of several Authors the most remarkable passages both of the Doctrine and Practice of the Anabaptists so called iâ— Germany 〈◊〉 years ago and then he charges the same things upon the Anabaptists and Qâ—… as he scornfully calls them in these dayes and then he applauds you thâ—… 〈◊〉 words of high stile for being Instrumental to suppress their insolent tyrâ—â—nical 〈◊〉 Authority which they exercise ever God's People in this Nation to â—nslave 〈◊〉 saith he to their insatiable lusts These are his own words in his Epistle Answ. In answer to all this divers things are very considerable which I desire to lay before you 1. Concerning the Anabaptists so called in Germany and their Doctriâ—… and Practices with the several transactions falling out in that timâ— It is not my work now to plead their Cause nor yet can I justifie them in their proceedings if the relations given of them be true which are many and to me seems not in every thing credible because I find it were their Enemies who are our Authors who seldom give true Relations of such whom they hate But be the Relations true or false it is not material in this case in hand for my occasion is not concerning a People so far off as in Germany and of so long time as above a hundred of years but I am to clear the Innocent who are now living from the present Accusations of an envious man though if it were necessary or would edifie or were a matter of pertinency I could say somewhat more concerning that Peoples appearing in Germany but being a matter not suting â—y occasion I do forbear it 2. As for them called Anabaptists of this our Age and Country I shall not plead their Cause at this time though I cannot believe that they are of that spirit of Murder and Tyranny c. as is reputed by your Informer though their Judgment in every case neither about civil or spiritual things I dare not justifie nor may I lawfully clear all of them from a large measure of the spirit of Ambition and Covetousness Vain-glory and Self-seeking for which the Lord hath justly brought them under a just Reproof and by this time I believe some of them may see some Error in their own way and more I may not say of them but that I believe the present Accusation against them by your present Informer is more out of bitter and perverse Emnity and devouring Malice that he bears towards them than out of any other end and I doubt not but they are sufficient to answer for themselves and to clear their Innocency in things whereiâ— they are not guilty and if they are guilty let them fall in their Tryal I leave them to speak for themselves thus omitting any further Answer on their behalf 3. As for us whom in scorn the Accuser calls Quakers and whom he hath accused as guilty in all things with the Anabaptists so called in Germany and in this Nation I say there is great difference both in Iudgment and Practice in things Civil so accounted and things Spiritual between us and them as is well known and were they fully guilty of all what is said of them which I dare not believe yet how can we be charged guilty of their Crimes being they and we are different in Iudgment and Practice as I have said Surely your Informer hath neither shewed good Conscience nor yet pure Reason in his proceeding who hath laid things to our Charge which we never knew and hath accused us guilty of that which never entred into our Hearts to practise and hath as it were charged other mens Crimes upon us being wholly innocent as will appear in the prosecution of this matter and I hope to make it plain that he hath wronged us and abused you by dedicating Falshood for your apâ—roof and sent Slanders abroad as it were under your Name or Paâ—â—â—â—age 4. As concerning the Charge it self included in these words saith your Informer And considering how Instrumental your Honours have been to suppress their â—…t Tyrannical Usurped Authority which they exercise over God's People in 〈◊〉 Nation to enslave us c. In these words there are very deep Accusations â—…ders and unjust Reproaches vented against us and with what Face except â—…ent we can be thus charged is almost wonderful especially considerâ—…â—â—at we have been our selves a suffering People by every Authority since 〈◊〉 time the Lord raised us up and never had any outward Authority in 〈◊〉 Nation but all were cast out of all Place and Power both Civil and Military when as they have become one with us in our Way and this hath been the manner of dealing with us by all that ever have ruled and yet we are charged most unjustly with exercising Insolent Tyrannical Uâ—…d Authority in this Nation c. for it s said Their Insolent and they exercise to wit the Quakers when as it is manifest as I have sheweâ— that we never excercised any outward Authority at all but have been suffering People by all Authorities unto this day therefore I do appeal to the Witness of God in your own Consciences how great is this Slander and how false this Accusation and how wicked is our Adversary in thus accusing us before you in the things which you so well know are utterly and detestably false and the Accuser and his Accusations are to be condemned together 5. But and if it had been so or should be so in time to come that we had any or all outward Authority in our Hands I may
hath redeemed us into Peace and Comfort with God and one with another And as concerning our Principle about Magistracy and Government and obedience thereunto this I do declare 1. We do own and acknowledge Magistracy to be an Ordinance of God instituted of him for the punishing of Evil-doers and for the praise of them that do well and we acknowledge all subjection to Authority Magistracy and Government This is our Principle and hath ever been our Practice known through these Kingdoms that we are subject by doing or suffering to whatsoever Authority the Lord pleaseth to set over us without Rebellion Sedition Plotting or making War against any Government or Governors 2. That Government and Authority which is justly according unto God in all its Statutes and Ordinances we are and do engage to be subject thereunto by full Obedience to all the Commands and Injunctions of such Authority and Government whose Laws Ordinances and Commandments are grounded upon right Reason and Equity which leadeth to do to all men as we would be done unto and punish the contrary to such Government and Authority we are readily subject in all things and cases and we are for the Order and Assistance of such Government in all Righteousness 3. That Government which is contrary unto this which is Injustice commanding and requiring things contrary to the Law of God and imposing upon People in Matters and Cases contrary to Right Reason and Equity whose Commands are different to the Will of God yet to such Government we acknowledge subjection by patient suffering under all Penalties inflicted for disobedience to the Commands which we cannot perform by Obedience for Conscience sake And this is our Principle though an Authority and Government were never so Unjust in it self and in its exercise yet we may not plot nor contrive or make turbulent Insurrections to redeem our selves from such Government and Authority but we must commit our Cause to the Lord in such case of suffering under any unjust Commands of Men. 4. As concerning Church and Ministry and the Exercise of Religion We believe and acknowledge that Christ hath a Church upon Earth and a lawful Ministry and we are not Enemies to Church and Ministry and Gospel-Ordinances as we are falsly reputed by Men ignorant and slanderous but we only bear witness against the corruption and degeneration of the Church of Papists and Protestants so called wherein they are different and contrary to what the Churches of Christ were in the Apostles dayes they are different and contrary I assert to what the Churches of Christ once were in Ministry in its Call and Maintenance in Ordinances and Worship in Discipline and Government in all these things there is difference to what these things were in the true Churches in the Apostles dayes And our Principle is for the reforming of Ministry Church Government Discipline and Worship and not to destroy them 5. As concerning Imposing of Faith and Doctrine and Practices and Worship in Religion by the force of Laws and Penalties in the ignorance of mens Consciences or contrary to their Consciences We do say This Practice never was in the Apostles dayes but is an Intrusion of Antichrist and we bear Testimony against it not to be of God but contrary to him And that outward Government and Authority in Kingdoms and Nations is to be exercised over the outward man in things between man and man and not over the inward man in things between God and mans Conscience in spiritual Matters and Worship and Duty to God-wards No King nor Ruler upon Earth hath Power given him of God to exercise such Authority over the Consciences of Men in the Matters of God's Kingdom And further Religion and Church Government so set up and established by force upon Pains and Penalties can but reform a People into Hypocrisie and false Conformity and not into any real Performance of Religion or Duty to God And such Performance of Religion Church-Fellowship and Ordinances is not unto eternal Life but to the making of men two fold more the Children of the Devil 6. We do believe That it is the Convictions and Teaching of the Spirit of God that doth make men and People only truly Religious It is that only that perswades the Conscience from all Evil unto that which is Good and true Religion and the Worship of God and Duty towards him is not truly learned by Traditions of time Commandments of Men or Custom of Countries or the like but it is the Spirit of God and its Teachings in the Consciences of People that leadeth into all Truth according as Christ hath said so that the Way of forcing Religion and Duty to God upon People by force and outward Penalties this was never known among the Saints and Apostles of Christ. These things are presented to your Considerations The Lord give you a right Understanding of them and that you may walk in the way of your own Peace with God and Man E. B. Written in the 10th Moneth in Ireland 1660. SOME CONSIDERATIONS Presented unto the King of England c. Being an Answer unto a Petition and Address of the General Court of Boston in New-England presented unto the KING as is said Feb. last the Eleaventh Day 1660. Subscribed by Iohn Indicot the chief Persecutor there thinking thereby to cover themselves from the Blood of the Innocent OH King this my Occasion to present thee with these Considerations is very urgent and of great necessity even in the behalf of Innocent Blood hoping that my Work will find such Favour with thee as to induce thee to the reading and serious consideration hereof My Occasion is this Because of a Paper presented to thee called The humble Petition and Address of the General Court at Boston in New-England In which is contained divers Calumnies unjust Reproaches palpable Untruths and malicious Slanders against an innocent People whom they scornfully call Quakers whom for the Name of Christ's sake are made a Reproach through the World and by these Petitioners have been persecuted unto Banishment and Death It is hard to relate the Cruelties that have been committed against these People and acted upon them by these Petitioners they have spoyled their Goods imprisoned many of their Persons Whipped them cut off their Ears Burned them yea Banished and Murdered them and all this I aver and affirm before thee O King wholy unjustly and unrighteously and without the Breach of any just Law of God or Man but only for and because of difference in Iudgment and Practice concerning Spiritual things and without any Transgression of the Law of God or their own Laws saving that they made Laws against them on purpose to spoil their Goods imprison Persons cut off their Ears yea and kill them which Laws were made by them without any Power truly derived from the lawful Authority of England contrary to their Patent And now O King these same men have presented thee with a Petition in which is asserted very many
Guiltless Brethren than they were before no more safe I say but more lyable to the Justice and Terror of the Almighty and to the Justice of the King and the good Laws of England for and because of their Barbarous Cruelties But as I have said we leave Vengeance to the Lord and commit them to the Justice of God's Hand which we doubt not but it will pass upon them in his Day and Season 3. Whereas they would seem to extenuate their Crime of putting to shameful Death the Lord's Servants they tell the King as if they only kept the Passage with the Point of the Sword held towards them as if they had no intention to hurt them and this the Magistrate did both in conscience to God and man I say It is to be considered what occasions were given them to stand in the Passage with the point of the Sword towards this People Was it for any Cause on their parts but as aforesaid for reproving their Sin and crying against their Wickedness whenas their Lives Conversations were Harmless and Innocent amongst them I say This was no just Cause for the Magistrates to stand in the Passage with the Point of the Sword and therefore they were Unjust in so doing if they had done no more and proceeded in the way of insolent Usurpers For what Reason had they to stop the Passage with the Point of the Sword for hindring of as good Subjects as themselves to pass through the King's Dominions Is not this derogating from the Honour and Authority of the King for the sub-ordinate Magistrates of New-England to usurp such Authority over free-born People of England as to prevent them from Egress and Regress in lawful Occasions in any part of the King's Dominions And I suppose this will be found contrary to their Patent and Prescription delivered them by Charles the first even this standing in the Passage with the Point of the Sword towards the Innocent and imposing great Fines upon men that came â—o their Harbour to sell their lawful Commodities if they had but the Name of Quakers though no other thing could be charged against them yet they were imposed upon by Fines and Imprisonment and the Point of the Sword was held out against them and all this I suppose is contrary to their Patent and in Derogation and Dishonour to King Charles the second 4. But to extenuate their own Fact of putting to shameful Death the Innocent they charge their Death to be a wilful Rushing and their Death was their own Act and their Blood was upon their own Heads Concerning which let it be considered they no more wilfully rushed upon their Death neither is their Blood on their own Heads more then the Prophets and Apostles that were slain for the Testimony of Jesus But these Petitioners do plead These Quakers so call'd knew there was a Law proclaimed against them Sentence of Banishment upon pain of Death but they would not keep away but came again and run themselves upon the Sword point And after this manner of arguing they would make it appear their Death was of themselves and their Blood was on their own Heads but these poor Evasions and favourable Interpretations of their own Cruelties ought not to cover them from the Justice of God not from the Justice of the King for it s to be considered That where God commands one thing and men another God ought to be obeyed rather then men and it is fully believed by us That these Sufferers did not go into New-England in their own cause but in God's Cause and in the Motion of his holy Spirit and in good Conscience towards God they did rather suffer the loss of their own Lives for their Obedience towards God than to disobey him to keep the Commandments of men And this was the Apostles Case when they were commanded to preach no more in the Name of Iesus Did they at all obey it for fear of Man And when the three Children were commanded to bow to the Image did they do it for fear of Man or If they had dyed for their Disobedience of the Kings Commandment could it have been said That their Blood was upon their own Heads and that they rushed themselves upon it and this is in part the like Case that our Friends suffered under the Injustice of these Petitioners who would now cover themselves like men of guilty Consciences But the God of Heaven will let them know one Day and the King may justly do it That the Blood of our Brethren lieth upon the Heads of the Magistrates of New-England and they are guilty of their cruel Death for they put them to Death not for any Evil doing between man and man but for their Obedience to God and for Good Conscience sake towards him Again The Petitioners say The Quakers dyed not because of their other Crimes how Capital soever but upon their super-added Presumptions and incorrigible Contempt of Authority breaking in upon us notwithstanding the Sentence of Banishment bad they not been restrained there was too much cause to fear that we our selves should quickly have dyed or worse and they would not be restrained but by Death Nay had they at last but promised to depart the Iurisdiction and not to return without leave from Authority we should have been glad to have said they should not dye In Answer to this it is considerable 1. What these other Capital Crimes were which the Sufferers were guilty of here is a secret Charge of Crimes without Nomination and this is the part of Slanderers to Accuse in general without particular Proof but this is still to extenuate their own horrid Fact of putting the Innocent to Death and that the King may believe better of them than indeed he hath cause and the super-added Presumption and incorrigible Contempt of Authority what was it any more than that Unjustly and without Reason they commanded them to depart or if they did not they should be put to Death whenas no Reason could possibly be rendred for such Law Commandment but because they were called Quakers and were different in Matters of Faith and Iudgment concerning spiritual Things for as I have said No Sedition Evil-dealing Drunkenness Lying nor any of these thingt could be charged against them and therefore the Law and Commandment of Banishment was unjust and could not be actively obeyed by our Brethren but they returned again not in contempt of Lawful Authority but as they were moved and upon their Occasions which was lawful and just in the sight of God and Men deporting themselves Harmlesly towards all people and this is stiled Super-added Presumption and incorrigible Contempt of Authority but they must needs put a Good Name upon their bad Work and render the Innocent as high Offenders as Excellency of Speech can demonstrate 2. There can be no just Cause rendred wherefore they should fear our Brethren except the Guiltiness of their own Consciences for as I have said They
that we had a reserve against the King's Person and Government and our living Peaceably might be the more doubted of but being our known Principle and Practice alwayes Not to Swear at all in any Case whatsoever this removeth all Ground of Jealousie or Cause of Suspition of us in this Case And also we being ready to confess all just Authority and Power to the King to declare Obedience thereunto solemnly and sincerely and that we shall live Peaceably and quietly under his Government and not to Plot or Rebel against him and this to confirm by Yea and Nay our Testimony of this kind may as justly be taken and stand as effectual and be as faithfully performed as the Oaths of any others for we make Conscience to perform what we say in Yea and Nay as much as any do to perform what they Swear and this is known of us in the Consciences of our Enemies So that in Good Conscience and Just Reason and Equal Justice we are excusable from all Penalties and Forfeitures in that behalf of denying the OATH of ALLEGIANCE 4. And the King and his Government is not the less safe and secure though we refuse to swear Obedience to them nor could they be any safer or securer if we contrary to our Principles and Consciences were forced by Penalties to swear Allegiance for by the same Principle which keeps us from Swearing and by which we deny it we must be preserved to live Peaceably and not to Plot nor Rebel against the King and if we renounce our Principle and our good Conscience and be induced to swear against our Consciences what likelyhood is there to perform such a forced Oath taken contrary to our Consciences and Principles For if we swear to the King and his Government because of the Fear of Men and to save our Estates c. and this contrary to our Consciences it might well be suspected of us that at Opportunity we would break such Oaths for fear of Men or some Self-end On the other hand If we had already renounced our good Consciences so that it more appears we shall perform good Obedience to the King and his Government acknowledgâ—d by Yea without an Oath and in good Conscience then by Swearing forced on us contrary to our Consciences therefore our Yea may better be accepted in this Case then Swearing can be demanded of us And also If we should Change with the Times and Renounce our Principles and Consciences and Swear we should make our selves Ridiculous and a Scorn to all men and bring our selves into a capacity not ever to be trusted in any Case if we should bow and bend to Times and Powers and for Terror of â—en deny our Religion as other Hypocrites and I very well believe the King would not trust us in our Allegiance any whit the better but rather the worse though we did swear and fawn and flatter with him contrary to our Principles neither could he reasonably judge himself the safer nor more happy nor that we would be truly subject the more to his Authority if we swore and conformed in things by Force contrary to our Consciences and Principles for himself knoweth that Oaths and Engagements made and taken by Force and for Fear in Straits are seldom or never truly performed but alwayes broken And of the like Case there are large Testimonies in the Kingdom of many that have sworn promised and engaged and sometimes by Force and Fear to this kind of Government and another and yet at Oportunities and for their own Self-ends have broken all Oaths and Engagements and Rebelled against the very Persons and Authorities to which they have sworn and engaged Fidelity and Allegiance so that many are not the more to be trusted though they swear Allegiance For the Proverb saith He that will Swear will Lâ—e and he that is forced to swear against his Conscience will hardly perform his Oath And we are no less to be trusted though we Swear not for we never yet engaged our selves by Oath to any Governours or Government and yet we never Rebelled or Plotted against any but have lived Peaceably and in a Patient Suffering Condition under all that have sitten on the Throne since we were a People And therefore our living Peaceably under the King's Government cannot justly be doubted of though we cannot engage the same by swearing But yet if we do not live quietly and in good Obedience as Peaceable People but do Rebel Plot c. then we refuse not to suffer the Pains Penalties and Forfeitures as such that swear and do not perform their Oaths I say If we do not live Peaceably but Plot and Rebel against the King and his Government then let us suffer the same in every particular as if we had sworn and not performed our Oath 5. All these things rightly considered it doth fully appear 1. That we are not Enemies neither in present Action nor future Intent to the King's Person or Authority 2. Nor that we refuse to acknowledge Just Authority to King Charles the Second as supream Magistrate over these Kingdoms 3. Nor doth it appear that we are otherwise than Peaceable and Quiet People under the King's Government 4. Nor is it manifest but that we are ready to acknowledge so to continue in all Good Conscience and Righteousness And therefore we do appeal to the God of Heaven and to King Charles and to all people whatsoever That our present Sufferings by Imprisonment and whatsoever else we may suffer in this Case for refusing to take the Oath of Allegiance it is not for Plotting against the King nor for refusing to acknowledge Just Authority to the King nor for denying just Obedience to him and the good Laws of the Land nor for denying to live peaceably in the Kingdom under the King's Authority because to all this we acknowledge solemnly in Yea and Nay Neither are our Sufferings in this Case for any Evil-doing towards God or Men but our Sufferings are for keeping the Command of Christ which to us is Matter of Conscience to perform more than to save our own Lives and Estates and our Sufferings are because we cannot Swear at all and not because we are Rebellious or that we deny just Allegiance to the King and such our Sufferings are not as Evil-doers nor Justly and Righteously as Offenders because we are not guilty of Evil in this Case towards God nor Man and our Sufferings are Cruel Persecution for our Tender Conscience sake and for the Name of Christ Jesus And we call God and just Men to witness between us and our Prosecutors that as Saints and Servants of God we suffer in this Case and for our Faithfulness and Obedience to the King of Heaven and not for Evil-doing or Disobedience to King Charles and his Authority And if any be persecuted on this Case for Refusing to take the Oath of Allegiance to the Ruin of Persons Wives and Families in this World then we shall have Cause
the King 's own former Promises 4. All these things considered and rightly understood by the King and his Council it will appear unto them in good Reason 1. That our Meetings are just and lawful in themselves because they are for the Worship of the Lord God and to wait upon him 2. They are according to the Example of the Apostles because the Scriptures prove the like Meetings 3. And they are not contrary to his own Promises and Tolleration that he gave for Six Moneths after his coming in because he said We should not suffer for our Religion if we lived Peaceably and we were not disturbed by Authority from him that we know of in our Meetings till this Occasion 4. It will appear That we ought in Justice Equity to have our lawful Meetings Protected and Preserved by the King's Authority and not prohibited because we are not guilty of that which occasioned this present Restraint but what we have suffered in this Case it hath been upon Suspition and without any just Cause on our part And for these Ends and Causes I plead on the behalf of the Innocent that we may enjoy peaceably our Meetings for the Exercise of God's Worship and not be prohibited in the King's Dominions under his Authority 5. But and if we are persecuted and imprisoned and made to suffer for this Cause of Meeting together to Worship God and Wait upon him in Conscience and Duty towards him and for following the Scriptures Example as the Saints of old as afore-mentioned we must only commit our Cause to the God of Heaven and in Patience suffer under whatsoever is unequally inflicted upon us for this matter if men shew the height of Oppression towards us and we must put on the Spirit of Long-suffering and Forbearance and leave Vengeance to the Lord who will in his season redress our Cause if that we are Persecuted for meeting together and for Worshipping of the Lord according as his Spirit perswades our Consciences and such our Sufferings are not for Evil-doing nor as Transgressors against God nor the King but as Servants of God we suffer and fot holding the Testimony of JESUS and a Good Conscience And thus I have brought the state of our Case as concerning our Meetings unto the Kings Knowledge and must leave it to his serious View and Happy will he be if he hath regard to the Afflicted but if he stop his Ear from the Cry of the Poor and suffer them to be destroy'd who shall plead for him or excuse him in the Day of the Lord when He comes to Iudgment to reward every man according to his Deeds CHAP. III. The Case Stated and Pleaded concerning Tythes as paid among the Jews and also among the Christians and the Cause why we Refuse to pay them at this day 1. WE do acknowledge That Tythes as instituted given and received in the Law of Moses amongst the Iews and according to the Commandment of God were of Heavenly Ordination and were for that Holy Use and End of maintaining the Levitical Priesthood and the Poor the Widdows and the Strangers in Israel and we know that whilst that Levitical Priesthood of Signs and Types and Figures was yet unfinished and unfulfilled by Christ Jesus the Everlasting Priest that Law that gave and received Tythes was in force and it was sinful against God and contrary to his Law in any of Israel to with-hold their Tythes and not to pay them and such as did robbed God and the Poor and the Prophet complained against them for then the Ordination of Tythes was of God and the Practice and End of them was good and blessed But that Law and Priesthood that gave and received them is finished and ended with all the Types and Shadows of the first Covenant Heb. 7. 12. and Christ Jesus the everlasting Priest of God is come in whom is ended the first Priesthood that took Tythes and that Law that gave them and he hath put an end to Tythes Temples Priests-Office under the Law among the Iews and all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Types and Figures and First Covenant and is an High-Priest forever and the Everlasting Substance of all Shadows pertaining to the first Covenant and hath finished them and ended them even that Law and Ordinance that gave and received Tythes and that Priesthood to whom Tythes pertained so that though it was Unlawful in the first Covenant to with-hold the payment of Tythes yet that Covenant being ended and that Law and Priesthood and another Covenant and Priesthood established to whom the Law of God allows not the Tythes of mens Estates it seems now to be unlawful to pay receive or demand Tythes and for good Conscience sake we cannot do it 2. We cannot now pay Tythes according to the first Covenant nor uphold any part of the first Priesthood that stood in Types and Shadows nor submit to that Law by any Obedience to it which once gave and received Tythes seeing Jesus Christ is come in the Flesh who hath ended all that Covenant with every thing that pertaineth thereunto and we believe in Jesus Christ as the Everlasting Substance and receive the Law by which we walk in all things unto him and not from Abraham nor Moses For he is with us that is greater then they whose Law and Example we must follow in the Administration of the Gospel and not the Law and Example of Abraham and Moses in the First Covenant who did but Prophesie of Christ and did not witness him fully come but dyed in the Faith Now if we should pay Tythes according to the First Covenant and so uphold any part of that Priesthood which took Tythes which was but a Type of Christ the Everlasting PRIEST then we should deny Jesus Christ to be come in the Flesh and turn back again to the Law and to the Iews Ordinances and prove our selves Unbelievers and Antichristian for he that denies Christ to be come in the Flesh is an Antichrist 1 Iohn 4. 3. and we may as well turn back to Circumcision Sacrifices and Burnt-Offerings as to pay Tythes being all pertaining to the First Covenant and Priesthood which whomsoever doth uphold denieth Jesus Christ to be come in the Flesh and so are of Antichrist But we believe Christ is come and we have received him as the End and Finishing of the first Priesthood and we believe in him as the Everlasting Substance who hath put an end to Tythes Temples Burnt-Offerings c. and we confess unto him as our Judge and Law-giver and have renounced all Shaddows pertaining to the first Covenant whereof one was Tythes and for Conscience sake and that we may continue in the Faith of Christ the Substance and not deny him therefore it is that we refuse and cannot pay Tythes for we are Christians and Believers and not Iews nor Children of the first Covenant 3. And there is no Example by any of the Apostles or Saints in all the New Testament That ever any of the
because of our Bondage and strive for Liberty and also if we were men of disposions to war and plot c. it cannot be supposed by reasonable men that any Engagement by any Sum of Money would bind us from it upon occasion seeing we might hope in such attempts to save our Sums of Money and to gain far more advantage or else we hazarded to loose all and to gain a greater advantage if we were men of strife we would not doubt to attempt to lose a less and we being not men of strife we cannot bind our selves as aforesaid in this or any case neither can any in good reason desire the same of us if they rightly consider the case 3. These things considered it is fully manifest That upon good Reason and a clear Conscience we do refuse and deny to give Bond and make such and such Engagements by Forfeitures of Sums of Money it is I say In good Reason and Conscience and not in any wilfulness or stubbornness or contempt of Authority that we do it nor as though we were guilty in such matter suspected and durst not answer the Law but we do it to keep our Innocency clear and not to betray it into real cause of doubt that we are guilty 2. That we may not lay ourselves liable to a greater Suffering by answering false Suspitions and Accusations as it often happeneth in the Proceedings in course of Law 3. That we may not come under men of evil prejudiced minds that seek more occasion against us than they have and we may not fulfil their wills and to give them occasion against us when as in the Accusations they have justly none 4. That we may not expose our selves to be intrapped and ensnared into greater Sufferings to avoid a less 5. That we may walk in the Doctrine and Command of Christ Iesus who hath commanded to let our Yea be Yea and our Nay be Nay and whatsoever Oath or Engagement out of the Counsel of God is more cometh of Evil which we may not do These with some others are the Reasons and Causes why we cannot for Conscience sake bind our selves in such kind of Formal Engagements out of the Will of God to do or not to do to answer this false Suspition or the other but we do deny it out of good Reason and Conscience And also there is no Example for it that we know among the Saints in former Ages that any of them ever bound themselves to any Kings or Rulers in any such kind of Engagements neither can we at this day but as I said If we Transgress the Law let us suffer by it if we are already or hereafter be found guilty we desire nothing but the just Execution of Iust Laws and in Patience we shall bear it but before-hand we may not bind our selves in Formal Engagements out of the Will of God to promise upon Forfeitures and Penalties what we will do or say or what we will not do or say for at the Will and Disposure of the Almighty we are in all Things and Cases and it is our Principle and Belief That we abiding in the Fear and Counsel of God can be no â—ther than Peaceable Just Righteous and Innocent in the Land So that whatsoever we may do or suffer for this Case of denying to give Bond or Engage our selves so and so as aforesaid it is for Truth 's sake and such our Sufferings are Persecution and Unequal and we must commit our Cause to God who will plead it in his season if that we are persecuted for the Cause of groundless Suspition and because we cannot Engage to answer causless Objections And thus I have sought out this matter and laid it before the King and I leave it to him to consider and to shew Justice Equity Mercy and Long-suffering and in so doing he will be blessed but if the cortrary be brought forth the Effect thereof will be more miserable CHAP. V. The Case stated and pleaded concerning Government it self and particularly of this present Authority and our Obedience to it 1. WE do acknowledg Government and Rule and Magistracy to be an Ordinance of God ordained and instituted of him to be exercised among the Children of Men For to be a Praise and a Defence to all that do well and to be a Terror and Corrector to all that do Evil. And we believe there ought to be Rule and Government and Authority exercised and executed in every Kingdom Nation City and Country for the end aforesaid to wit That Evil-doers may be made afraid and corrected limitted restrained and subdued and that Sin and Transgression may be suppressed and Truth and Righteousness promoted and them that do Well praised and strengthened And this is the very end of outward Government of Kings Princes or other amongst Men upon the Earth even that the outward Man may be kept in good order and subjection in his Conversation in the World and may be limitted and restrained from all wrong doing oâ— speaking against his Neighbours Person or Estate and if he do he is punishable by such Iust Authority This is the very end of outward Government in the Kingdoms of the World but it extends not over the Inward Man to rule govern or exercise Authority over the Consciences of any in spiritual Matters and Cases between God and Man's Conscience This Dominion and Authority only partains to the Inward Government and Rule of Jesus Christ by his Eternal Spirit but not to any Outward Government of Kings Princes Parliaments or any others They I say ought only to exercise Authority over the Persons and Estates of People in all just and lawful Things and Matters but not over the Consciences of any in the exercise of Duty towards God or in the Cases and Matters of Worship and Religion 2. The Exercise and Execution of this Iust Government over the outward Man as afore described ought to be committed into the Hands of faithful just and upright men such as fear the Lord and hate Covetousness and every evil Way in all Kingdoms of the World The Execution of the Government in all just Laws ought I say to be committed to such men and not to Drunkards Lyars Covetous or Evil-minded Persons Ambitious or Vain glorious Persons in any Nation such as these ought not to be entrusted with the Execution of the Government and the good Laws of any Kingdom for such will not be a Blessing unto the Land nor unto any People but a Curse and the cause of provoking God to Vengeance and Wrath against themselves the People and the Government if such men whom God chooseth not be chosen to make Laws and execute them and to exercise Governments in any Kingdoms of this World But Men that fear God and delight in Iustice Mercy and Truth that are humble and meek and lowly Persons ought to be called to the place of Government and only such are fit to exercise Rule and Authority and to make and
execute Laws in these Kingdoms and in all the Kingdoms of the World and such would be a Blessing in the Earth and the Governments under such and in the Execution of their Hands would be Blessed and Prosperous and all good Men would have cause to rejoyce therein and all Evil-doers and Transgressors would be limitted and made afraid if so be the Laws be Just Holy and Righteous and according to Equity and the Holy Law of God in all things and the due Execution of such Laws committed to Just and Righteous and Meek Men that love Judgment Mercy and Truth and would execute them in the Earth Then the happy and blessed Government will be exalted and Truth and Righteousness would reign as Judge on the Throne and in this shall all Nations and Kingdoms be prosperous and blessed when it cometh to pass 3. And as for this present Authority and Government now in being under the Name of King Charles the Second we do believe and acknowledge That according to the Purpose and Will of God and of his bringing to pass this present Government and Authority is set up and into its present being established The Lord I say hath suffered it to be effected for the Cause and End and Time and Purpose known to himself and not to mortal man And thus this Government and Authority is of God being brought in and set up in opposition to and for the reproof and correction of such as went before who had neglected Mercy Truth Judgment and Righteousness in the Earth till it was time for the Lord to cast them out and reprove them and make them a Desolation before their Enemies and this Authority was judged of the Lord fit for that use and end and reserved to be brought in as a Rod of God in his Hand to correct and smite many People And it is right in the sight of the Lord that this Authority should have this time and season to be exercised in these Kingdoms to try and prove both it self and all under it if so be that Truth Justice and Righteousness Mercy and Peace may be brought forth it these Kingdoms through it that God may establish it for long continuance and it is now a trying and proving to make it self happy and blessed or otherwise to bring it self into contempt and dishonour and accordingly as Truth Justice Mercy Judgment and Peace is brought forth by it or the contrary brought forth by it so must the Just and Equal Effects and Reward of it be from the Hand of God and it is only just Judgment Mercy and Truth Righteousness Relieving the Oppressed and the doing thereof that can alone make the Person and Government of the King Happy Blessed and Honourable in this World and hereafter and the contrary if it be brought forth must needs bring Confusion Discontents and all miserable Judgments and to say no more of it this is my present Judgement of the King and his Authority both in respect of their coming in and the Cause thereof and the Fruits and Effects that must follow which is not otherwise Determined of God but according to Desert and Merit of walking in Truth Justice and Righteousness or in walking otherwise 4. Our Obedience to this Authority must be according as before declared in the Plea of the first Case concerning Allegiance to wit For Conscience sake to God we are bound by his Iust Law in our Hearts to yeild Obedience to it in all Matters and Cases actively or passively that is to say in all just and good Commands of the King and the good Laws of the Land relating to our outward Man we must be obedient by doing and not withhold our Just Obedience but in the Cases of Conscience to wit in the Matters of Duty to God and of Worship Faith and Religion towards him we must only be obedient to God for it is he that teacheth and requireth Obedience in all those things and if any thing be commanded of us by the present Authority which is not according to Equity Iustice and a good Conscience towards God to be done by us we must in such Cases obey God only and deny active Obedience for Conscience sake and patiently suffer what is inflicted upon us for such our Disobedience to Men and we must choose Obedience to God rather than man though we suffer because thereof And this is our Principle and hath ever been our Practice to obey Authority by doing or suffering not disputing whether the Authority in it self be absolute of God or not yet being an Authority over us we are to obey it either by doing or suffering because it is an Authority and not to plot rebel or rise up with carnal Weapons against it and thus must our Obedience be to the King and his Government And if that in any thing of the Commands of the King we cannot be obedient for Conscience sake in the Cases of Conscience and when ought is required different or contrary to the Law of God we have Example hereof in the Scriptures of many of the Servants of God that could not in all things yield Obedience to the Laws of Nations and Commands of Kings when they required ought to be obeyed contrary to their pure Consciences as in the Case of the three Children Dan. 3. they could not obey the Law and Command of the King though it was absolute but refused Obedience and suffered for it and Daniel also himself disobeyed the King's Law and Commands Dan. 6. and the Apostles the same when they were commanded by the Authority of that City and County To preach no more in the Name of IESUS Act. 4. 17 18. They did not obey the Command of the Rulers in that Case but went on and preached Iesus in disobedience and contrary to the Command of the Rulers And by these and many other Examples it is apparent that it is justifiable in the sight of God and that it was practised by the Servants of God in former Ages even Disobedience to Kings and Authority in the Matters and Cases commanded contrary to the Law of God and a good Conscience and their Example may justifie such now in the same Practice in the same Case if they walk therein by the same Principle 5. And thus it is manifest That if we at any time be found not in full obedience by doing in all Cases and Things to the Laws and Authority of this Kingdom it is not out of contempt unto or Rebellion against the King's Person or Government it is not I say on that account but for good Conscience sake and because we must obey God rather than man when and where their Com mands stand in opposition the one to the other and this is that we may keep our Consciences clear in the sight of God from disobedience against him which is our care and endeavour by all means and when any thing is required of us to be done which we cannot do with a clear Conscience in
the sight of God such Commands we cannot yield Obedience unto and yet it is not out of Wilfulness Stubbornness Contempt or Rebellion against the Authority but it is for this End and Cause that we may not sin against God nor against our own Consciences by doing any thing that is contrary thereunto lest we should bring the Wrath of God upon our own Consciences so that all these things rightly considered it doth appear 1. That we acknowledge Magistracy and Authority to be the Ordinance of God to be exercised and executed in the Kingdoms of the World among men 2. That Iust and Righteous men are the only Persons fit to execute Iust Laws and Authorities in the Earth 3. That we acknowledge this present Government of King Charles and that according to the Purpâ—se of God it is now set up 4. That we are to be obedient by doing or suâ—â—eriâ—g in all things to the Authority of the King as the Supream Authority 5. That if in any case we are disobedient thereunto and cannot wholly perform every Command by doing yet it is for Conscience sake to God and that we may not sin against him and not out of Rebellion or Contempt of the King or his Power And all these things truly considered if we do suffer Tribulations Afflictions and Imprisonments under and by this present Authority for and because of our Profession and Practice of Religion without evil or wrong doing to our Neighbours Persons or Estates though we do not in the things contrary to our Consciences obey actively this present Authority yet we are persecuted for the Name of Christ and as so we receive our Sufferings and not as for Contempt or Denial of Authority or as Rebellion against it but for Conscience sake to God our Sufferings are and our unjust Persecution will be upon our Enemies in the effect and reward thereof with great Indignation and Wrath from the Lord God that rewards all according to their works Thus much about Government And now I shall shew what Persecution is in it self CHAP. VI. Concerning Persecution what it is in it self and how great an Enemy it is to the King's Person and Authority 1. PErsecution is when a Person or a People do suffer Tribulation Affliction Imprisonment Bonds or Death whether by a Law or without the Law for and because of his or their Principle and Practice in Religion As when a Person or a People are reproached falsly accused imprisoned or put to death only for and because of their Religions sake when as no evil-dealing in the things between man and man can be justly charged and proved against them but only because they are righteous and walk in the Wayes of the Lord and cannot conform to the Wayes and Vanities of this World but are separated from it in its Prophaneness and in its formal Profession also of Religion and because thereof Sufferings are imposed upon them while yet they walk justly innocently and harmlesly towards all men This is Persecution for Conscience sake and such are persecuted if so be they suffer for and because of Righteousness sake and because they will not deny their Principles nor Profession of ReÌ„ligion nor conform to Times nor Laws contrary to a good Conscience and yet suffer because hereof this is Persecution 2. Persecution is when a Person or a People is afflicted and any kind of sufferings imposed upon them whether by any Authority or without Authority and only because they are of such a Profession and Practice in Religion though yet their Profession and Practice in their Religion is not perfectly according to God nor by the Exercise of that Spirit of God ruling in their Consciences in such their Religion yet if they suffer only for their Religion sake while yet they walk uprightly as men in all outward Affairs relating to the outward Man this also is Persecution and such are persecuted for their Religions sake though not wholy for Righteousness sake and none ought to suffer as such under the Authority of any King Prince or Power but if such do suffer as I have said and that for their Religions sake only so though yet their Religion is not perfectly according to God yet they are persecuted and this is Persecution And thus I have in short described defined what Persecution is in it self and who it is that are persecuted and I shall now shew how great an Enemy Persecution for Conscience and Religions sake is unto the King's Person and Authority Persecution for Conscience sake and for Difference in Matters of Religion is a great Enemy to the Person and Government of the King it is I say a destroying and devouring Enemy and the Fruits and Effects thereof may work terrible Destruction yea this Enemy Persecution hath often wrought Overthrow in Kingdoms Let the King strive to be delivered speedily from this great Enemy which is fierce and cruel and may work woful Effects in this Kingdom also and the King may be more blessed in his Person and Government if he remove far from him this Enemy Persecution 1. It is his Enemy because its Effect is To eat out the Affections of many good and sober People from the King and may make their Love and Affections dye to the King's Government when they behold and consider the Persecution of many good and peaceable People for Righteousness and good Conscience sake whenas no Evil-doing between man and man can justly be laid to their Charge but only for the matter of their Religion and the exercise of their Consciences towards God and if such suffer cruel Imprisonment unjust Fines and grievous Vexations for such Cause it may weaken and eat out the Affections of good People and divert their Love and good Desires from the King and his Government in which such Persecution is brought forth and that which diverts the Peoples Love from the King is his great Enemy and such is Persecution 2. Persecution is the King 's great Enemy Because it may kindle Heart-burnings Envyings Strifes and Murmurings among his Subjects while some are tollerated in the Profession and Practice of their Religion and others persecuted and imprisoned for the same Cause and this kind of dealing exerciseth the King's Subjects in harsh dealing one towards another and gives great Occasion for Quarrelling Envies Debate and Malice one against another even when some execute Persecution upon others hailing them to Prison spoiling their Goods and the like And this kind of dealing I say whilst the Authority of the Land persecutes one sort of the King's Subjects by the hands of others it tendeth much to great Division and Distractions amongst the people and it is not for the King's safety but for his great Dishonour and Disadvantage every way to have the people divided into Heart-burnings and Quarrellings against one another and therefore Persecution is the King 's great Enemy because it worketh such evil Effects 3. It is his great Enemy Because it is contrary to the Trust which
know the Iustice of God's Iudgments executed upon them And therefore happy will the King be if he keep himself clear and put far from him this Enomy Persecution Three Considerations I have to present unto the King for Conclusion 1. THe Strength and Safety and Prosperity of the King and his Government stands in the Union good Affection and Love of his Subjects and the People of these Kingdoms one to another and to the King and the more that the People of the Kingdoms are in Love and Union and good Affection one with another and to the King the more strong and safe and prosporous thereby is the King and his Government and the more like for a long and happy Continuance and Establishment And it is the Love and Union and Affection of the Sober and Grave and Just and Upright People and of the Meek of the Land that is the King's Strength and Safty and will much tend to his Prosperity and to the Establishment of his Government and Authority and the King's Safety and Strength and Prosperity doth not depend upon the Affections and Acclamations of the Ruder Sort and of the Wild Multitude though such profess great Subjection and cry up the King and his Government and drink his Healths and Swear the Destruction of all his Enemies and have much Love and great Union for the King and are for him to serve him and Swear Fidelity and Engage themselves very highly in Words and Gestures for the King yet the King and his Government is no whit the safer nor more strong nor prosperous because hereof For his Prosperity and Establishment dependeth upon the Love and good Affection of the Just and Upright and Temperate and Meek Men of the Kingdoms and not upon the Love of the Rude Multitude such cannot be a Blessing to him in their Vaunting and Boasting and Rudeness nor can he stand by them but must stand in the Establishment of his Government by the Love of such as fear the Lord and depart from all Iniquity by the good Affection of such and their Faithfulness and Love may the King be happy and blessed Therefore let him strive to please such and to gain their good Affections to be united to him and this may add to his long Continuance 2. It is the doing of Justice and Truth and allowing all Just and Equal Liberty to all People under his Authority that will gain upon the Hearts of all Just and Good People And as Righteousness Mercy True Judgment and Truth is brought forth in the Land and all the contrary limitted in the King's Government this will gain much upon the Hearts and Affections of all good People to be united in Love one to another and to the KING And this is the way of the King's Prosperity and to make his Government established if so be that he exercise his Rule and Authority in Love and Meekness and Equal Iustice and Mercy and love Righteousness and Truth and hate and deny all the contrary and limit it then the spirits of all People in the Kingdoms would be subjected and subdued under his Power and he should Rule over them and his Kingdoms be Established prosperously and this is the Way of an Happy Government But if so be the KING put on Rigour and be Fierce and Cruel and think to subdue all under him by Will and Force without shewing Justice and Reason to answer the Consciences of his Subjects in all his Proceedings this way can never be prosperous nor Establish him in his Authority but it will work the contrary Effect For if Oppression be brought forth and Heavy Yoaks laid upon the Back of the Poor then will the Wrath of God and of Men be kindleed against him and Murmurings Strifs and Contentions will arise in the Minds of Men against him and the Oppressions of the Poor will reach unto Heaven and God will hear and Revenge their Cause So that it is Ruling and exercising Authority in these Kingdoms in Justice Righteousness Love and Good Reason that must gain the Hearts of People unto right Subjection to make the King and his Government Happy and Established and Rigour Force and Cruelty will never make the King happy but will work contrary For the People are Wise and Understanding will not long bear any degree of the Yoak of Slavery 3. Inasmuch as the People of these Kingdoms are divers and divided and contrary in Judgment one to another in many things and so are dis-united into several Opinions and Parties the King ought to Rule in Wisdom and Love over them all and to shew Equal Justice and Liberty and to eaâ—rcise Righteousness towards them all alike notwithstanding their Difference in Religion and Judgments for if he shall give Liberty to some and Oppress others if he do joyn with one Way and promote that and the men of one Judgment be tollerated and all other Wayes and all others that are different in Judgement be persecuted and oppressed and sought to be destroyed this is not the way for the King to prosper nor to be established to perpetuity for there seems to be no one Way so strong or any one sort of People so many for the King to cleave to and allow and seek to destroy all the rest because there is of other sors of people that ballance that sort in opposition and so the King and his Government seems not secure if he take hold of any one sort of People only to stand thereby in opposition to all the rest persecuting of them because there are many of other Sects that will be discontented and murmur if not more So that the King's Safety is and the Prosperity of his Government and the Establishment of it seems to be By giving Equal Liberty and Iustice and shewing Love and Tenderness to all of all Iudgments and then he may stand by all and none will oppose him but all will be ready to defend and preserve him For he may stand established and be happy in his Government by engaging all sorts to him through Love and Righteousness and Liberty towards all but he cannot according to my Iudgment be established nor prosperous if he choose only the Men of one Judgment to stand by and cleave only to that and persecute and seek to destroy all the rest that are different and so only make one Party his Friends and dis-engage all others in Love and Affection this seems I say not the Way of Prosperity Let the King consider it and the Lord give him a Right Understanding By a Friend to Iust Authority E. B. PERSECUTION IMPEACHED As a Traytor against God HIS LAWS and GOVERNMENT And the CAUSE of the Ancient MARTYRS Vindicated against the Cruelty inflicted upon them by the Papists in former Dayes Being a Brief ANSWER to a Book called Semper Iidem Or A Paralel of PHANATICKS c. lately published by a Nameless Author Wherein is contain'd a Relation of the Martyrdom of many such as Dissented and Opposed
the rest but the Presbyterians and Episcopals and all of that way and these Professions stand in Reputation and are accounted Phanaticks and Hereticks even William Pryn himself and this is manifest by the Author of Semper Iidem who hath reviled and reproached all the People of England publickly and openly For seeing the Antient Martyrs the Fathers so accounted of the Church of England are villified as Phanaticks Then must needs follow that the Church of England even in the way of Episcopacy as being in their own account the Successors of the Martyrs in some things at least are also Phanaticks and such as Semper Iidem saith the Old Phanaticks were for the men being reputed Phanaticks who were as the Fathers then needs must the Children be the same and this deserves serious Consideration by the Protestants of England 3. Consider how the very Cause it self of Protestants in this their long Contest for these many years with and against the Church of Rome is now weakened and even as it seems in a way of losse and decay being now reproached and held under publick scorn in England by Semper Iidem I say the very Cause of the Protestants is new struck at and beat against and sought to be destroyed being already defamed and reviled as appears by the discourse of the nameless Author who hath rendred the Antient Martyrs that promoted as much as they could the Protestants Cause against the Church of Rome and dyed for it many of them sealing the Cause with their Blood as Hereticks Erroneous Rebels and Phanaticks and hath also rendred Fox and his Acts and Monuments who hath hitherto in England been counted a true Reporter and Historian of the PROTESTANTS Sufferings as invalid as possible even that he is a Lyar and his Chronology Untruths and hath justified Queen Mary and the Papists who put the Martyrs to Death And these things considered duly and justly how is the Protestants Cause it self struck at and weakened and as it were the very Victory given to the Papists against the Protestants in this long Quarrel between them ever since Henry the Eighth's dayes and long before 4. Consider How the Papists Cause seems to be reviving in England and how bold the Members of the Church of ROME are of late dayes growing as to appear so publickly in Print justifying their own Cause as good as Queen Mary and the Papists in her dayes in Martyring and Burning the Protestants and condemning the Martyrs of the Protestants as Hereticks and Phanaticks This I say is great Boldness in the Papists more than hath been for this Hundred of Years and a Sign of a Reviving and Recovering of their Cause more than hath been for many Years who durst not any of them appear so publick as the Author of Semper Iidem hath done with that Boldness and Courage to justifie the Papists Cause and condemn the Protestants For if such a Discouse as Semper Iidem had been brought forth and published in the dayes of Queen ELIZABETH which were Darker Dayes then these are it is possible it would not have been suffered to be cryed up and down LONDON but Restrained and Condemned for the Fire But now the Papists have taken Confidence to themselves and are of better Hopes than formerly even that they shall have Fire and Faggot again and to Burn and Destroy such as differ and dissent from them whom they may call Hereticks and Phanaticks And this I observe from the spirit of Semper Iidem 3. Consider The Nature and Constitution and Disposition of the spirit of the Church of ROME how that it is not Changed but the self-same that ever it was viz. A spirit of Murder and Cruelty that hath Killed and Martyred such as have Differed from them and been Contrary-Minded in Religious Matters and it would work and bring to pass the same still if it had its Power without Limitation in ENGLAND The Papists I say would Burn Kill and Torture such as they judge Hereticks and all that cannot Bow and Bend and Conform to their Wayes and Injunctions and Religion this they would be at again in England if it were in their Power as it was heretofore I say This ought to be considered even the Cruelty of that spirit and what Danger there is in it to give way to the Exaltation of that spirit and to embrace it in the least whereby to give it occasion to get into the Power and Judgment-Seat for if it doth then Fire and Faggot and Killing and Burning about Religion will openly appear again and this seems to be manifest by the Constitution of the spirit of Semper Iidem which may give Good and Wholsome Cautions that the spirit of the Papists is still a Cruel Spirit and would Destroy all that Differ from their Way if they had Power and that that spirit is not to be Hugged and Embraced nor set highest lest the Effect of it proves Woful to England by bringing forth again what it once did in Renewing Fire and Faggot for this is the Disposition of the spirit of the Romish Church as is apparent by Semper Iidem 6. Consider how Careful and Vigilant the People of England ought to be to wait and attend the Motions of the Spirit of the Church of Rome lest it insinuate it self into Authority and get its intended Advantage and Purpose against the Protestants and their Cause and advance it self against them and promote its own Interest and Destroy and overturn theirs For without all Controversie that same spirit is now at work to agitate its Desires and according to its old course its Hatching and Contriving how to promote it self and destroy all that 's contrary it is Undermining and secretly Surmizing its Opponents Overthrow that it self may be exalted For that spirit is diligent in its way to take the least Occasion for its Self-advantage as is manifest by Semper Iidem and therefore the People of England ought also to be Careful and Diligent in their Cause to Preserve themselves and their Interest from the defeat of the Church of ROME and they ought to watch against that spirit to keep it in subjection under Authority and Command and not to exalt it into Command over them lest they be subjected to the Idolatries and Oppressions and Persecutions of that spirit to their own Destruction both of Persons Estates and Religion for that spirit will attempt alwayes to Rule and if it Rule then will follow consequently An Utter Overthrow of the Protestants PERSONS and CAUSE that will be the Effect of the Authority of it though it bear hand in hand in seeming Love and good Agreement with the Protestants till it hath gained its desired end over them which is To promote it self and subdue by Burning and Cruel Tortures all that which is contrary to it Let the People of ENGLAND consider this Matter now while it is time and be Watchful over the Motions of that spirit and not put Confidence in it too far nor to
exercise of Faith Worship and Religion to God-wards may be allowed and maintained unto all without any imposition violence or persecution exercised about the same on the persons Estates or Consciences of any in any relation to Religion the Worship of God Church Government and Ministry But that all Christian People may be left free in all these Kingdoms in the exercise of Conscience without being restrained from or compelled to any way of worship and practise of Religion upon any pains and penalties and that every one may be admitted to worship God in that way as his spirit perswades the heart and may be defended in such their profession of Religion while they make not use of their Liberty to the detrement of any other mens persons or Estates as aforesaid And let it not seem strange to you why I appear in this manner and matter at such a season as this for your very Happiness prosperity and establishment or the contrary dependeth hereupon even in allowing and maintaining liberty of Conscience in the exercise of Religion or in limitting and forcing and persecuting about the same and this may appear if you justly consider these things following 1. The Lordship in and over conscience and the exercise thereof in all matters of Faith and Worship and duty to God-wards is Gods alone only and proper right and priviledge and he hath reserved this power and Authority in himself and not committed the Lordship over Conscience nor the exercise thereof in the cases of faith and worship to any upon Earth not to perscribe and impose principles and practises of Faith and worship and Religion by force and violence on the persons and Consciences of men but this belongs only to God even to work faith in the heart and to convert to holiness and to lead and teach people by his Spirit in his worship and to exercise their Consciences in all his wayes For the Apostles themselves said they had not Dominion over the Faith of the Saints 2 Cor. 1. 24. but the Lord alone And King Charles the first said in his Meditations page 91. of that Edition Printed for R. Royston I have often declared how little I desire my Laws and Scepter should intrench on God's Soveraignity which is the only King of men's Consciences c. So that to be Lord in CONSCIENCE and Exerciser thereof in all the Matters of God's Kingdom is his Only Proper Right and to him alone it appertains 2. And therefore consider If ye do not allow Free Liberty of Conscience and give unto God the Lordship and Exercise thereof in all Matters of Faith and Worship to Him-wards but do impose by Violence in forcing to and restraining from such and such Wayes of Religion than ye take Dominion over mens Faith which ye ought not to do and ye intrench on God's Soveraignity and usurpe his Authority in exercising Lordship over the Conscience in and over which Christ is only King as before recited and ye ought not to take his right from him nor to exercise that Authority over ruens Faith and Consciences which only appertains unto him as his proper priviledge for in so doing how dangerous effects may it bring forth even ye may easily provoke the Lord to wrath against you and bring upon your selves sorrow and misery if ye exercise violence upon mens Consciences in and concerning Religious matters contrary to the Scriptures and the example of Primitive Christians who were persecuted for their Conscience sake but did never persecute nor punish any for that cause nor ever used violence about their Religion as Charles the I. in his meditations pag. 82. Nothing said he violent nor injurious can be religious c. 3. Consider if ye allow not the free exercise of Conscience in Spiritual matters but do take Dommion over mens faith and impose by violence in the cases of Conscience about Religion and do not suffer the Lord to enjoy his only right to be King in the matters of his own Kingdom then ye divert the end of just rule and government among men and pervert the end of Gods great love and favour shewed unto you in restoring of you to the place of Authority and Judgement for the end of just Government upon earth by Kings and Rulers is To exercise Justice Truth and Righteousness among men and over the outward man and to be a praise to all that do wellâ— and walk uprightly and to be a terror to all transgressors and them that do evil in their outward man and to keep the outward man in good order by just Judgment in all cases between man and man This is only the extent of your Authority over the outward man and to your Jurisdiction only this belongs to judge in Truth and Righteousness to make Laws and execute them between man and man to preserve mens persons and estates from the wrong one of another but not at all to make Laws and execute them between God and mens Consciences in the cases of his Spiritual Kingdom this power belongs to God and he hath not committed it to you to exercise and therefore let justice equity and mercy be exercised by you among men and over the outward man and in all cases between man and man but meddle not in the Cases of mens faith to God and their Consciences to him but leave that unto him alone whose right it is for it is dangerous and will bring wofull effects if ye intrench on Gods Soveraignity and if ye divert the proper end of just Government and of the Love of God in restoring you into Authority and power 4. Consider if ye allow not free Liberty of Conscience in the profession and practice of spiritual things but will compel by violence about Religion then this will inavoidably produce and bring forth cruel persecution in the Kingdoms imprisonment banishment and death and all the evil effects of persecution will fill the Nations for though never so forceable impositions be laid on the persons estates and consciences of men for the cause of difference in Judgment and practises of Religion and tocompel into Conformity yet it cannot be supposed that all will bow and conform to the denying of that way which they are perswaded in Conscience to be right and to the embracing of what they cannot in Conscience believe is of God but will rather suffer the cruelest death then conform to any thing contrary to light and knowledge and if free Liberty of Conscience be denied many such must needs be exposed to Persecution even to Death though they may be Peaceable People and profitable Inhabitants of the Kingdoms and in the things between man and man and in all matters Temporal pertaining to the King may be Just and Righteous and Unreprovable yet because of Difference in Judgment and Opinion exposed to be destroyed in person and estate and such effects will not be of honour nor saftey to these Nations if innocent and just men be destroyed and their relations ruined