Selected quad for the lemma: conscience_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
conscience_n	law_n	light_n	witness_v	1,100	5	9.8841	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A76750	The Cry of blood. And Herod, Pontius Pilate, and the Jewes reconciled, and in conspiracy with the dragon, to devour the manchild. Being a declaration of the Lord arising in those people, of the city of Bristol, who are scornfully called Quakers, and of the manifold sufferings, and persecutions sustain'd by them from the priests, rulers, professors and rude multitude, contrary to law, liberty, justice, government, the righteous ends of of the wars, and the Scriptures of truth. Together with a true account of the material passages in substance between the rulers and them at their several examinations, and commitments, and at two general sessions of the publick peace: and of the tumults, and insurrections, with other necessary observations, and occurences. Gathered up, written in a roll, and delivered to John Gunning late mayor of that city (being the fruits of his year) for the private admonition, and conviction of himself, and brethren concern'd, and named therein: with a letter declaring the end, and reason of what is so done, (of which a copy followes in the ensuing pages) / Subscribed by Geo: Bishop, Thomas Goldney, Henry Roe, Edw: Pyott, Dennis Hollister. And now after five moneths space of time published, for the reasons hereafter expressed.	Bishop, George, d. 1668.	1656 (1656)	Wing B2990; Thomason E884_3; ESTC R27277	101,853	169

whom you are led Captive to do his will And this is that which we wish and long for even your salvation For you must die and if the tree fall towards the South or towards the North in the place where the tree falleth there it shall be and sad will be your portion if it falleth in opposition to Jesus the Judge of all whom we bear witnesse you now persecute Nor Rocks nor mountains will in that day cover you from the wrath of the Lamb And therefore have we laid things plainly and clearly before you But if ye shall still harden your hearts and go on in the perversenesse and stubbornnesse of your spirits in opposition to the truth We call Heaven and Earth yea the Righteous God and Judge of all this day to record against you that we are Clear of your blood and your destruction will be upon your own heads Remember that ye are thus warned in your life-time Witnessed by those who are true Lovers of your Soul 's eternal good though reproachfully called by you and the world Quakers and persecuted as such Geo Bishop Thomas Goldney Henry Roe Edw Pyott Dennis Hollister Bristoll the 12th day of the 9th month 1655. For John Goning late Mayor Joseph Jackson Richard Vickris Miles Jackson John Lock Geo Hillier Henry Gibbs William Cann Geo Knight and Gabriel Sherman Aldermen of the City of Bristoll The foregoing Letter with the following Epistle and Declaration was delivered to John Goning aforesaid the 18th day of the tenth moneth 1655 since which a patient and silent waiting there hath been to see whether upon this gathering up of the wickednesse which from them hath gone forth into the earth and returning it convicted and judged by the light of Jesus Christ and the Lawes of this Nation to that of God in every one of their Consciences shame would cover their faces and they turn unto the Lord But seeing they still resist the witnesse of God and of late have again and do still continue to run on greedily in the way of Cain persecuting and imprisoning the just who witnesse the Sacrifice that is respected of the Lord which testifies against that unto which he hath no respect for their so testifying in obedience to the movings of the Lord neither regarding Justice or Mercy the Law of God or the Nation contrary unto which are their actions as may appear when what they have done therein shall be brought forth and made publick nor having respect to the widow or the fatherlesse whom they afflict and oppresse though the Lord hath said Thou shalt not afflict any Widow or fatherlesse child if thou afflict them in any wise and they cry at all unto me I will surely hear their cry and my wrath shall wax hot and I will kill you with the sword and your wifes shall be widowes and your children fatherlesse Exod. 22. 22 23 24. Nor their own souls but despising the riches of the goodnesse of God and his forbearance and long suffering not knowing the goodnesse of God leading them to repentance are after the hardnesse and impenitency of their hearts still treasuring up unto themselves wrath unto the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous Judgment of God which shall destroy the adversaries who will render to every man according to his deeds That we may stand clear of their blood and leave nothing unattempted to which we are directed of the Lord that may be for the stopping of them in their way and recovering them from the evil thereof that so repenting and being converted their sins may be blotted out and their souls saved in this day of refreshing which is come from the presence of the Lord which is the longing of our souls even that not one of them should dye but rather that he should turn from his iniquity and live Therefore as we have for above a years time patiently endured what their wills have exercised without resisting without seeking any reparation Though after such a manner have been the sufferings as in the following declaration of them is rehearsed waiting when the witnesse of God in every one of them would have been by them minded and they wearied in their manifold persecutions of the innocent And as when we saw after so long forbearance that they neither considered what they had done nor laid it to heart nor said it is Enough We drew up together and set in order before them much of what they had done and shewed how contrary it was to the Law of God and Man and to Justice and Humanity to the end that seeing their nakednesse therewith as in a glasse by the light of Jesus Christ shame might cover them And as we have since waited for the space of five moneths to see whether their iniquities being so laid before them and so testified to their faces they would blush or be ashamed that so their transgressions might be hid and their sins covered and what they have done against the truth be no more remembred by the Lord or be rehearsed before man which was and is the desire of our Souls the Lord is our record and the end both of our forbearance and spreading of what they have done before them So now through a deceived heart which hath led them aside and a rebellious mind which still carries them on against the truth those ends being hitherto frustrated and instead of them a Violent persecution having been and being still prosecuted wherein they have imprisoned divers for the testimony of Jesus whereby that which we drew up together and privately delivered to them and intended for the raising up of shame as a garment to cover their nakednesse being by them thrown aside and that which should be their shame coming to be gloried in which is all we have hitherto heard from them in relation thereunto We have brought forth to publick View at once what hath been done by them at severall times not in secret but before the Sun And thus openly do we reprove those who have thus sinned openly and rejected private admonition if so be shame may yet overtake them and they smite upon their thigh and say What have we done And of their blood are we clear in the presence of the great and terrible God of Heaven and Earth whose witnesse what we have done shall stand for him against them in the day when he shall come to judgment which on them hastens apace And to that of God in every mans Conscience shall we be made manifest that we have not dealt with Them as they have dealt with Us or as men use to deal with an enemy but with another spirit rewarding Them good whereas they have rewarded Us evill To the Reader Reader THou wilt perhaps marvail That in these dayes wherein Religion seems to have ascended the Throne and Justice and Righteousnesse to have sate down on her right hand and on her left as the glorious issue of many bloody wars Wherein Liberty of

That she stood out of her own will in the will of God therefore she should not bring her Conscience to be bound by the will of man To which the Town-Clerk answered That by order of the Court she must return to prison from whence she came Thereupon she was moved of the Lord to speak to him and she said Mind the light of Christ in thy Conscience which will bring condemnation on the man of sin and teach thee to act righteously and holily and see thou act according to the Law and not a tittle beyond the Law as thou wilt answer it before the Lord. Upon which he jeeringly bade her use better language then she was pull'd down but she cryed out Give me leave to clear my Conscience And being moved from the Lord she warned the Magistrates in these words Mind the light of Christ which will teach you to act righteously and charged them in the name of the Lord to act according to the Law and not a tittle beyond Then was she remanded to prison where she was continued about four weeks and released after they had satiated themselves with her oppressions The Paper she delivered to the Magistrates as aforesaid was as followeth Her Letter to the Magistrates Unto you who are the Magistrates of this City I am commanded of the Lord to give you warning that the Mighty day of the Lord of Hosts is at hand that he is arising in his mighty power In which day the strong shall be as towe and the maker of it as a spark And from the Lord I am to warn you that you judge righteous Judgment that then so you be not found some of those which shall imbrue your hands in the blood of the Saints and so cast the righteous Law of God behind your backs and so hate to be reformed for now the Lord is arising in his sons and in his daughters a faithfull witnesse for himself Crying even in the Ears of the Almighty It is time for thee to arise Lord for men have made void thy Law That so you be not found bearing the Sword in vain and so punishing the Innocent and let the guilty go free Therefore from the Lord you are warned to mind that of God in your Consciences which will bring you to see Judgment running down as a stream and equity as a mighty River And this is the word of the Lord to you whether you will hear or forbear And seeing the Just lyeth slain in the streets of the City it even turns the bowells of the righteous within them that so for Sions sake they cannot hold their peace and for Jerusalem's sake I must not be silent And so knowing the Terrours of the Lord for sin and for rebellion I am moved to write in love to your soules who is a Prisoner in Newgate for witnessing against Deceipt and for the Testimony of Jesus Elizabeth Marshall And shortly after she was returned to prison she sent the following paper to the Town-Clerk Her Letter to the Town-Clerk This is the word of the Lord to thee Robert Aldworth who art a Counsellour in the Law I warn thee in the Name and presence of the living God thou knowing the Law that thou act according to the Law as thou wilt answer it before the Lord at the great and terrible day of the Lord when the book of Conscience shall be opened I warn thee that thou mind the Light of Christ in thy conscience loving it and abiding in it it will lead thee up unto God hating it it will be thy condemnation The Law of God is just and is according to that in my Conscience which I own which is a Law against evil doers as man-slayers thieves and adulterers and drunkards and such like In the name of the Lord and by his word I do pronounce woes and plagues from the Lord against all such as scoffe at the Light of Christ and the Language of Christ as thou didst This is the day of thy visitation whether thou wilt hear or forbear Thus was I moved of the Lord to write unto thee who am a Prisoner for witnessing and for the Testimony of Jesus Elizabeth Marshal John Worrings Tryal John Worring was also brought from the prison and called to whom his Charge was read to this effect for making a disturbance in the publick Congregation calling the Minister Devil kicking at the Clark and saying the Minister spake never a true word Worring answered He made no disturbance The Court said he had disturbed the Minister before he had done his Sermon Worring replyed that one Gunning began that he spake after him and that he to whom he spake was no Minister And had denyed both the name and the Office at a meeting At a meeting said Alderman Joseph Jackson what meeting He answered At a meeting before three hundred people as himself said in the Pulpit at Ragcliff Alderman Cann replyed though he had denyed the Name and the Office yet he did represent the Place of the Minister at that time And Joseph Jackson presently said thou didst call him Devil Worring denyed it Joseph Jackson replyed one had sworn it He answered if I had said so which I never said yet I could prove him one by his own words They asked him how Said Worring Out of his own mouth for he said at the meeting that in all things that he did he sinned and if in all things as well in that meaning his preaching as in other things and he that sinneth is of the Devill If you will not believe me belie●e the Scriptures Then some of the Court said he kickt the Clark He denyed it but said the Clark gave him a kick So they asked him no more concerning that but demanded of him what he said to the Minister To which he made answer that he said If he were a Minister of Jesus Christ the Law of the spirit of life which is in Jesus would set him free from the Law of sin and death and unlesse he were freed by that Law of life which is in Christ Jesus he was still acting the works of the Devil and was no better in that condition Then the Court told him he had been invited by some turbulent people who had set him on that action and asked him whether he would promise for the future he would do no more such things and finde Sureties for the good behaviour One of the Officers told him A little boy might be surety Worring replyed that he denyed his words and told the Court that he was not sorry And that he stood single and free The Court replyed that he must be sorry He answered them again that he stood single and free that if they would clear him they might if not they might do their pleasures And for being sorry he was not The Court told him he must to prison again He answered again he stood free and so he was to prison returned and continued there till the 19th of the

replyed In the Spirit Canst thou pray said Joseph Jackson that Prayer in the 11th of Luke He answered yea according to the measure of the Grace of God given him Then he demanded what was his name though he knew it well enough Christopher replyed A Servant of the Lord according to the measure of the grace of God given me What 's thy name said he again He answered in the flesh Christopher Birkhead Then they bade him promise the Mayor that he would go to the Church no more and then they would set him free He answered The Church is in God But the Steeple-house you mean Well the Steeple-house said one of them let him have it in his own terms He answered he would promise as much as he could keep with a good Conscience towards God As to my own will as far as I know said he I shall not go But if I am moved of the Lord I shall obey God and not man They asked him why he went now He replyed Against his will Then they said Take him away to Bridewell Committed to Bridewell Whereupon he told the Ma●or he was no vagrant or runnagate But the Maior sleighted what he said and sent him thither where they continued him for the space of 9. or 10. dayes though Bridewell is no prison and he ought not therefore to have been committed thither had he mis-behaved himself as to the breach of any Law but a house of Correction for rogues and for idle persons who will not work And Christopher Birkhead is one born and bred in the City being about the age of fourty years diligent in his calling an able Seaman and alwaies living in the City except when at Sea as was his father before him and of good reputation as to the world But it seems Joseph Jackson had a great mind to have him fast in Bridewell and to have the place of whipping of him there to make him leave his quaking What rule they bear and what spirit they are of rationall men will Judge Who instead of taking heed what they do for the Judgment ought to be the Lords and not man's and instead of executing Justice according to Law without respect of persons are upon sleight occasions drunk with fury and passion on the Seat of Judgment and in their rage and lusts imprison and oppresse the Innocent contrary to the Law and let offenders go free Alderman Joseph Jackson will one day sadly know except he repent what it is to do so of which the Light in his Conscience hath given him many a Remembrance and what it is prophanely to scoffe at the power of the Lord in his Servants who stand in dread of his presence trembling shaking and quaking of whom the Scriptures bear record as did a Gen. 27. 33. Isaac who trembled exceedingly and b Heb. 12. 22. Exod. 33. 11. Act. 2. 37. Moses who spake with God face to face as a man to his friend and did exceedingly quake and fear the whole c Exod. 19. 6. Camp of Israel d Job 37. 1. 16. 12. 21. 6. Job the f Ezra 10. 3 4 9. Children of the Captivity under Ezra and Nehemiah the g Isa 66. 5. 66. 2. people of the Lord in Isaiah's dayes the humble and contrite ones in whom God dwelt h Ezek. 12. 18. Ezekiel and the i Ezek. 37. 7. 38. 19. Camp of dry bones to which he prophesied k Psal 119. 120. 1 Sam. 13. 14. David a man after Gods own heart l Jerem. 23. 9. 5. 22. Jeremiah whose bones shook like a drunken man m Dan. 10. 11. Daniel n Habac. 3. 16. Habakkuk o 1 Cor. 2. 3. Paul and the p 2 Cor. 7. 15. Church of Corinth who received the Gospel in much fear and trembling and he was with them in fear and much trembling And what it is to wish to have the whipping of such and to call it of the Devill Let him be warned lest he witnesse q Dan. 5 6 25. Belshazzar's condition whose countenance was changed and his thoughts troubled so that the Joynts of his loynes were loosened and his knees smote one against another when the fingers of the mans hand came forth and wrote over against the Candlestick And let him and all others who scoffe at and persecute the power of the Lord now risen in his Saints and call it of the Devill read and consider what Christ saith Mark 3. 28 29 30. Verily I say unto you All sins shall be forgiven unto the sonnes of men and blasphemies wherewithall soever they shall blaspheme but he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgivenesse but is in danger of eternal damnation because they said He hath an unclean spirit They who built the Sepulchres of the Prophets and said if they had lived in their r Luke 11. 47 48 49 50 51. fathers dayes they would not have killed the servants the Prophets they told Christ he had an unclean spirit and cast out Devills by the Prince of Devills and Christ said to them They bore witnesse to themselves that they were the chil●ren of those who killed the Prophets and that all the righteous blood shed from Abel should fall on them and these murthered the Lord of glory and persecuted to the death his Apostles and Disciples though he ſ Mat. 18. 6. said It were better for a man to have a millstone tyed about his neck and he cast into the middle of the Sea than to offend one of these little ones who believed in him This is said to him out of much love to his soul for he is seen and comprehended in the eternall light which never changeth and he will find it a hard matter much longer to kick against the pricks For the Lord will stirre up Jealousie ere long like a man of War because of the persecution of his sonnes and of his daughters and when he is angry who shall be able to deliver out of his hands Now the Serpent who is more subtile than all the beasts of the field that he might indeed bruise the heel of the seed of the woman and reach those with his floods whom his tail hath not touched suggesteth yet new wayes to molest and wear out the servants of the Most High by seeking occasion against and sending for before them such of the people aforesaid as they knew could not bow to any image or respect mens persons and to execute their oppressions and injustice on such Jeremy Hignell on the 15th of the first month Jeremy Hignell 15th first month 1654. 1654. being in his shop attending his calling was sent for by the Maior and Aldermen to come before them which he presently obeying the Maior commanded him to draw near and asked him whether he knew where he was Hignell said he did Then the Maior asked him where He replyed In the presence of the Lord. Are you not in the presence of the

The CRY of BLOOD AND Herod Pontius Pilate and the Jewes reconciled and in conspiracy with the Dragon to devour the Manchild BEING A Declaration of the Lord arising in those people of the City of BRISTOL who are scornfully called Quakers and of the manifold Sufferings and Persecutions sustain'd by them from the Priests Rulers Professors and rude multitude contrary to Law Liberty Justice Government the righteous ends of the Wars and the Scriptures of Truth TOGETHER With a true Account of the material Passages in substance between the Rulers and them at their several Examinations and Commitments and at two general Sessions of the Publick Peace And of the Tumults and insurrections with other necessary Observations and Occurrences Gathered up written in a Roll and delivered to John Gunning late Mayor of that City being the fruits of his Year for the private Admonition and Conviction of himself and Brethren concern'd and named therein with a Letter declaring the end and reason of what is so done of which a Copy followes in the ensuing pages Subscribed by Geo Bishop Thomas Goldney Henry Roe Edw Pyott Dennis Hollister And now after five moneths space of time Published for the Reasons hereafter expressed And they cryed with a loud voyce saying How long O Lord holy and true dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth Rev. 6. 10. And shall not God avenge his own Elect which cry day and night unto him though he bear long with them I tell you that he will avenge them speedily neverthelesse when the Son of man cometh shall be find faith on the earth Luke 18. 7 8. And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together for before they were at Emnity among themselves Luke 23. 12. For of a truth against thy holy Child Jesus whom thou hast anointed both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together Acts 4. 27. And the Dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered to devour her child as soon as it was born and she brought forth a man child who was to rule all Nations with a rod of Iron and her child was caught up to God and to his Throne and the Dragon was wroth with the Woman and went to make war with the remnant of her seed which keep the Commandements of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ Rev. 12. 4 17. And the Devil shall cast some of you into Prison Rev. 2. 10. London Printed for Giles Calvert at the Black-spread-Eagle at the West-End of Pauls 1656. To you John Gunning late Maior Joseph Jackson Richard Vickris Miles Jackson John Lock George Hellier Henry Gibbs William Cann George Knight and Gabriell Sherman Aldermen of the City of Bristoll WEE with the rest of the people of God in this City who are in scorn and derision called Quakers have for many moneths together patiently and in silence born and suffered manifold persecutions from your selves and the people of this Town thorough your encouragement without seeking reparation though with a very high hand and with exceeding hard measure they have been executed upon us waiting when the witnesse of God in every one of your Consciences with which we are One and which one day will witnesse us and our sufferings and the Truth for which we suffer eternally upon you except you repent would have been hearkned unto which would have opened the eye in every one of you which the God of this world hath blinded and have shewn you Jesus whom without a cause in us you persecute and have filled your faces with shame for the evill of your doings and have caused you to mourn over him whom you have pierced with a bitter lamentation even as a man that mourneth for his onely son and have raised up in you the righteous principle of God from whence true Judgement would have proceeded that so the Cruell mockings bitter revilings illegal bonds and imprisonments and other grosse abuses with which we have been by you and thorough your means exercised might have ceased and you led to repentance and the Salvation of your souls which are pretious in this great and notable day of the Lord Jesus After which we long and our Bowels earn the Lord is our witnesse even that you might come to the knowledge of the truth thorough Faith in his blood for which things sake all that we have received from yor hands would have become to us sweet and pleasant But seeing neither the forbearance and long suffering of God nor our patient and long abiding under all your wills and lusts nor the fear of man to the penalty of whose Lawes you lie very obnoxious nor naturall affection nor Common humanity which would lead you to tendernesse and mercy and Justice and to do to others as you would be done unto your selves nor the Consideration of what hath been our carriage especially of some of us to you notwithstanding that we have received alwaies the worst of usages at your hands above what you could think of expect or hope for have not prevailed with you but instead thereof you are become more hard rewarding Evil for Good and Cruelty for Kindnesse declaring your sin as Sodom the shew of your Countenance witnessing it against you and having breathed forth new and fresh persecutions against the witnesses of Jesus in which † Temperance Hignell One of them hath lately suffered to the losse of her life When as wickednesse rageth in the streets And who is there found amongst you that doth it punish We have gathered up much of what the Truth and we and our friends for witnessing thereof have suffered by you into one body and have demonstrated how contrary your actions therein have been to Law and Scripture the Rules by which you pretend to order all your affairs and to Liberty and to Justice And although you can expect no such thing at our hands yet that it may appear that another spirit ruleth in us than the spirit of this world and how desirous we are that you should know and be convinced of the evill of your way and turn unto the Lord We do herewit hin the Close of the year before we publish it present it to you even to that of God which is pure and just in every one of your Consciences to which we speak that as in a glasse with the light of Jesus Christ by whom the world was made wherewith he lightens every one that cometh into the world which convinceth you of sin you abiding still and cool therein may come to see what you have done and the spirit and principle from which it hath proceeded to wit of Darknesse and of the Prince of this world who throughout all Ages as now by you hath raised persecution against the Principle of Light the Seed of God as the Scriptures testifie and that by him you may be delivered out of the snares of the Devil by

and will not return again till Judgment and Righteousnesse be set up in the earth and all his enemies be subdued under him As the word of the Kingdom grew and multiplyed so the rage of the Beast and of the false prophet increased against it For having a little recovered the deadly wound at first given them the Priests apply themselves to the Rulers as the false Prophets Priests and Pharisees did of old and pressed they are to turn these servants of the Lord out of Town as men not to be endured who on the 30th day of the eighth moneth following being the 2d day of the week in the morning being assembled in their Councel Chamber and the Priests ready according to their appointment sent an Officer to Francis Howgill and 30th of the 8th moneth 1654 Francis Howgill and Edward Burrough before the Rulers Edward Burrough to desire not to command them to come before them whereupon they immediately went being accompanied with three or four friends of the City against whom there was no just cause of exception whom when the Magistrates saw as they sate about the Councel Boord as in a Judicature they began immediately to be enraged and Richard Aldworth Joseph Jackson and George Hellier Aldermen would not be at rest till the Maior had commanded them forth and caused the door to be kept fast by an Officer that their friends might not come in and be present which was observed all the time the strangers were before them but dealt not so with their opposites who were admitted and present all the time though they were told it was not fair dealing Those two being left alone several of the Priests came in presently and others of their party who were also admitted And the Maior having demanded of them their names and their Countrey and their businesse and the last place from whence they came And they having given plain answers thereunto And that according to the Command of the Everlasting God they came to that place to bear witnesse and testimony unto his Name against all deceipt as they had done many dayes at the City of London from whence they came last The Mayor asked them whether they would discourse fairly of things They answered Yea and exhorted the Rulers to try them by the Scriptures for as unto them by it they would be judged in what they spake The Priests having got this material instead of the sword of the Spirit began to ask them many questions but they replying That what the Magistrate who had Command over them asked they were ready to answer not what the Priests demanded And the Magistrates thereupon assigning their power to the Priests they said they were ready to answer any thing that should be put upon them And to what the Priests demanded gave they answers according to the Scriptures which the Priests were not able to disprove nor prove by the Scriptures what they affirmed As would appear were the particulars rehearsed though Ralph Farmer one of the Priests then present is not ashamed in a book of his stiled The Mysterie of ungodlinesse to affirm the contrary And with meeknesse gave they a reason of the hope that was in them and declared how the Lord had wrought upon them and in them and how he had called them forth to this Ministry and of their former Conversation But the Priests cutting them short in their Declaration of their immediate Call forbearing to ask them more Questions the Magistrates having got no advantage against them by their words and that which one of the Priests present charged them with to have said in his hearing at a publique meeting was disproved by another present to the silencing of the Priest who afterwards confessed before them that twice in the same discourse he exprest himself otherwise charged them with having tumultuous meetings and said they could not suffer it They answered If they were found at any time transgressors of any Law let the Law be shewed them and they would suffer by it for they desired nothing but equity And to the Law of equity they were subject for conscience sake But bade them take heed how they made their own wills a Law And one there present said he had been at their meetings where there were very many honest godly sober people And that their meetings were not tumultuous Then they warned them from the Lord to beware lest they hardened their hearts and so persecuted the innocent without a cause and were found in the steps of the Scribes and Pharisees and Chief Priests which persecuted Christ and his Apostles and so brought innocent blood upon their own heads But their wrath was kindled against them And though they had nothing to lay to their charge as to what they had done as their own consciences will testifie and bear witnesse no breach of any Law being found upon them and what they spake they proved by the Scriptures which bare witnesse to the same Yet in their anger they commanded them to depart E. B. J. H. commanded to depart the City the City and the Liberties thereof at their peril To which they made answer that they came not in the will of man nor stood in the will of man but when he moved them to depart who moved them thither they should obey but their wills they could not obey for their will was not Law And boldly said If they were guilty of the transgression of any Law let them suffer by it but rather than they would transgresse the righteous Law of God written in their hearts by subjecting to their wills and lusts they choose to walk in the Law of God and to suffer under their wills what they could lay upon them for they were free-born Englishmen and had served in faithfulnesse the Common-wealth being free in the presence of God from the transgression of any Law To their commands they could not be obedient and if by violence they would put them out of the City and had power to do it they could not resist and so they departed out of their presence rejoycing in the will of God that they were counted worthy reproach and to be called before Rulers and Councellors for the testimony of Jesus Now let all people Judge whether these proceedings of the Magistrates be not manifestly contrary to the Rights and Liberties of Englishmen who may freely come into and live in any place within the English Jurisdiction giving an accompt of their names former habitations businesse places of birth and last abode and freeing the Parish from charge if it be demanded And to the Lawes of the Nation which requires plain dealing not treachery in Magistrates That places of Justice be open and free to all not to be done privately and in a Chamber or the doores kept fast That witnesses on both sides be present and heard That the Accuser and Pr●secuter be neither Examiner Witnesse nor Judge That the Magistrates without respect of persons judge according

reproaching and some casting water and durt on them others pinching and striking them haling off their cloths and kicking them and after this manner followed them up the streets toward their homes And that night between the ninth and tenth hours came Robert Willet to a friends house whose dores being fast A friend violently entred at night he with violence entred the Entry being full of Riotous followers though he was denyed entrance by the man of the house because he attempted it by force as aforesaid but being in he walked up and down staring and looking as one over filled with some mischievous intent notwithstanding the man of the house spake nothing to him but in a milde manner said that he wondred that he who in a civil way and with his leave might come at any time into his house should violently and against his leave enter his house and continue so And he very much abused therein and desired a friend by to take notice what he said and how the other behaved himself And on a sudden after being about a quarter of an hour in the house without any occasion or provocation with much passion and rage stamping with his feet and beating the boards abused him with most scurrilous and opprobious language and with much threatning said He should dye like a dog that his head And his life threatned should go off that his life should go forth as a moth out of a cloth and for his liberty he was certain it was gone for e●er the Language of the Plot which was to have been executed thorough the Nation the twelvth of February following but providentially discovered and prevented To which the man of the house made him no return or reply but desired his friend to take notice of proceedings though had he sought to have revenged himself he could easily ha●e made him an example to all who should for the future attempt the like During the time aforesaid there was none in his house but a friend or two besides his own family and this man is made Ensigne to Robert Aldworths own Company in the new Militia Sessions Hitherto proceedings were had by the Magistrates in a more private way against the seed though so notorious as they became the example and encouragement to those outrages afore mentioned Now the more publick proceedings drew nigh being the General Sessions for the Publick Peace of the City and County held the 16. day of the 11. moneth At which Sessions as of what hath 16. of the 11th month 1654. hath been before rehearsed were very small things and of too private a cognizance The Magistrates came now to sit in publick Judgement and what they had done as aforesaid pleasing the people they stretcht forth their hands publickly to add persecutions where before they had not reached and to decree unrighteous Decrees and to write down grievances which themselves not the Law prescribed to turn aside the Needy from Judgement and to take away the right from the Poor that Widdowes may be their Prey and that they may rob the fatherlesse as those did of old against whom the wo is pronounced Isa 10. 1. and to whom the Lord said What will you do in the day of visitation and in the desolation that will come from far to whom will you flock for help and where then will you leave your glory ver 3. At which Sessions in the first place Robert Aldworth The Town-●larks Charge to the Grand-Jury Town Clark in his charge to the Grand Jury who were upon their Oaths amongst other things signified to this effect That the Law did protect those who met together to perform some Religious duty as to sing pray read or expound the Scriptures but for people to meet together though in a private house and to be silent was no part of Religion and therefore out of the verdge of the Law and to be enquired after by them and where such were found to present them This is such an interpretation and conclusion as that Law will not bear nor hath the like been heard of from any man besides himself pretending to Religion and Reason or to learning in the Laws for first It is well known being an Act but of few years standing And both the titles viz. An Act for relief of Religious and peaceable people from † See Act of Parliament Sept. 27. 50 the rigour of former Acts of Parliament And the whole body of it doth demonstrate That that Law was made purposely for the protection of different Judgements in matters of Religion from any thing of an imposition punishment or other trouble by reason or pretence of any Law whatsoever And 't is strange Logick to assign matter of molestation and punishment by a Law upon that which to defend from any trouble that very Law was made and is an interpretation against the reason of the Act which the learned in the Law account absurd and invalid Wherein doth the sence of the Law lye according to which Judgement is to be given whether in its own words or in expositions thereupon Again Is a silent waiting upon the Lord no part of Religion Did not the Scriptures hold this forth and the holy practice of the men of God there on Record Or were it a Doctrine that those who pretend to Religion have or would deny a little time would be spent in demonstrating it to be so But being undeniable and that which every one who truly have fellowship with the Lord do witnesse how is he not ashamed to endeavour to strike it out of the num●er of religious exercises and so out of the protection of the Act But were it so Is there any Law that punisheth people that are together neither saying nor doing any thing Is quietnesse and silence transgression of the Law It seems nor he nor the Magistrates for vvhom he judgeth can finde a Law at least Conscience to put it in execution by which to enquire after and punish such Ryot and Insurrections as hath been mentioned But for the quiet the silent the peaceable though the Law is a praise and commendation to such yet rather than they shall go unmolested a sense contrary to the very ground of the Law of vvhich it is given shall be stampt a Law and charged upon a Grand-Jury on their Oaths to enquire after but the Grand-Jury have shevvn more Conscience to their Oaths hitherto in not observing than the Tovvn-Clark had understanding in Lavv or tendernesse in Religion or Conscience to give it Had he not bent his Bow and made his Arrow ready to shoot at those who are upright in heart and sought vvhereby to persecute them these things had been plain before his eyes And so vvould have been the 37. Article of the present Government vvhich saith expresly in these vvords † See Government Art 37. That such as professe faith in God by Jesus Christ though differing in Judgement from the Doctrine Worship and

Smith That I own said he You know wherefore you are brought hither do you not said the Town Clerk He replyed he was not there to accuse himself where were his Accusers and said further that by the Law of Mary which they pretend to act by he should have been examined within six dayes after he was committed to Prison and the Fact ought to be croved by two sufficient Witnesses whereby he had broke the Law but he had been fourteen dayes in Prison and had not been examined nor any thing proved against him and caused a Paper to be delivered to him wherein was contained some of their unjust proceedings against him contrary to Law and desired him to reade it out that they might bring their deeds to the light But he refused for to reade it openly but lookt it over and put it up the substance of which was as followeth Robert Aldworth I spake no word untill Ralph ●is Note delivered to Robert Aldworth to be read in the Court. Farmer and the Clerk had ended and therefore transgressed no Law John Sandford being asked upon his his oath whether he did lay violent hands on me or not he confessed he did it at the command of Alderman Lock so it appears that Alderman Lock so called was the Commander and John Sandford the first Actor in the Riot yet I was imprisoned contrary to Law and they were not Reade the Statute made 1. Mary 12. and 1. Elizab. 17. and see the Penalty for Riots I was sent to Prison without a Mittimus although I demanded it which was a thing accounted unreasonable amongst the Heathens to send a Prisoner and not withall to signifie the Crimes laid against him Acts 25. last That although them called Magistrates saw the Riot and the rude Multitude follow me in the street they sent none to appease the Riot neither have they imprisoned the Rioters according to the Law Reade 2. Henr. 5. 8. Now if these men are sworn to do Justice according to Law to that of God in thine and their Consciences I desire to be made manifest whether they do act according to their Oaths But to this he had no answer Then he demanded what Law he had broken or what they had against him It was answered he had disturbed Mr. Farmer and the Congregation He replyed He that is called Master did not abide in the Doctrine of Christ who commandeth his Disciples not to be called of men Masters and bid them prove in what he disturbed them Then there was an Information read against him to this effect That upon the 23. day of September he came into Saint Nicholas Church with his hat on at or in the time Mr. Farmer was in his prayer which disturbed him and hindred the Congregation from hearkning to the Word of God He answered That which was read against him was false for Ralph Farmer was not in his prayer when he came in for he was preaching So that lye was shuffled over So he bid them prove in what he had disturbed the Congregation To which was replyed That to stand with his hat on in the time of prayer was a disturbance He answered For a man to pray or prophecy with his head covered dishonoureth his head but I said he was silent and did not speak and therefore they could not say I did pray or prophecy but Ralph Farmer did preach and pray with his head covered having a cap on besides another false covering not of the Spirit of the Lord. And said what he spake there he was moved to speak by the Spirit of the Lord for the good of the people and bid them prove what words they were that he spake or wherein he had disturbed them but there was nothing proved Then he asked if any of the People of God ever persecuted or beat or imprisoned indeed the Heathen did so Then it was said that he abused Mr. Farmer as they called him by some words pretended by him to have been spoken to Ralph Farmer at John Youngs Now the said John Young who heard the words was on the Bench and Priest Knowls and Priest Farmer were standing by to whom John Smith said Here is John Young let him speak the truth but he was silent and did not answer John Smith was asked what the words were He replyed I asked Farmer whether he was or did profess himself a Minister of Christ He said he would not answer a Trister Then he asked him whether that was a tristing question Ralph Farmer pointed to the Steeple-house and bid him come there and he should † Yet when he came to the Steeple-house how was he used See the foregoing passages concerning it and thereby understand that what he came to know of Ralph Farmers be●ng a Minister of the Gospel was to be beat dragged haled and followed out with Tumults and his Garment ●ent by his hearers and justice not executed by the Magistrates present though in their sight the things aforesaid were acted and though again and again demanded but in stead thereof himself was by them committed Prisoner the proper effect of coming to Priest Farmers Steeple-house to know whether he be a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Ralph-Farmers tongue and hands did presently manifest what information therein he should receive as appears by the relation When the testimony of the Lord against the Priests comes to the Steeple-house those who bring it thither are beat and abused and say they Why are we not spoken with at our houses when at a house violent hands are laid the tongue abuseth and direction is to the Steeple-house and there beatings and halings and tearing of cloaths and imprisonment in stead of protection and justice is the effect know and called him Puppy and Booby and laid violent hands on him and forced him out of John Young 's door another mans house into the street upon which John Smith said he ought to be no striker Then something was said concerning obeying Magistrates He answered he honoured all men in the Lord and did disrespect no mans person And further added that when he ran into the same excess of riot with men he was accepted amongst them but now he departed from evil he became a prey and that he owed no injury to Farmer but desired he might repent Alderman Lock reproved him for calling the Church a Steeple house he replyed the Church was in in God made all of living Stones elect and pretious Christ Jesus himself being the Chief Corner Stone and bid them shew him one Living Stone in that Steeple-house They asked him whether he desired to be at liberty He answered he desired not to be in bondage but to go to his employment Then they asked whether he would acknowledge his offence and be sorry for what he had done All which he denyed and told them he had broken no Law and suffering for Christ sake he was happy and that for his Conscience he suffered Nevertheless though no

breach of any one Law either of God or the Nation was proved against him yet they sent him back to Newgate Prison where they keep him from his employment which should maintain his family Then William Foord was called being out of Prison William Foord his Triall upon sureties to whom the Town-Clark spake concerning his being bound to the good behaviour which he denyed Wherefore are you here then said the Town-Clark He answered he Came there to Cleere those of their bonds who had bound themselves unknown unto him for his appearance upon which they searched their Papers and were silent Afterwards the Town-Clark asked him for what he was examined at the Tolsey and imprisoned He asked whether they had it not upon R●cord then they called for Richard Goodwin supposing he had been the man that prosecuted against him But that not serving their turn they seeing Thomas Hayter they asked him He told them it was for keeping a stranger at work Then the Town-Clark asked William Foord where the Stranger was He answered He knew not when saw you him said the Town Clark He replyed he had not seene him a great while the Town-Clark asked Thomas Hayter whether he knew where he was He answered he knew not but thought he was out of Town Then the Town-Clark asked him whether he was sorry for what he had done He answered he had committed no evill therefore he had no cause of sorrow nor had he broken any Law which being urged again and again and he still refusing they Commanded the Keeper of Newgate to to take him away And lastly Christopher Birkhead was brought before them from Bridewell where he had been a Prisoner five weeks and three dayes for standing silent in the Steeple-house till the Priest required him to speak as aforesaid To whom he said I stand in obedience to the Righteous Law of God in my Conscience I have neither offended the Law of God nor the Nation whereupon Alderman Joseph Jackson stood up in fury and asked him whether he would contemne the Court He answered He contemned not those who judged Righteously Then Robert Aldworth asked him whether he was sorry for disturbing the Congregation at Nicholas He answered He disturbed no man where was his accusers Robert Aldworth replyed that must come after Joseph Jackson said take him away untill he find sureties for his good behaviour So they put him from the barre But Christopher stood up again and said first prove me to be of evill behaviour but he heard them make no answer and so he was put by without any examination of the cause of his imprisonment or what he had done Neither was an accuser brought against him though he had been so long in prison as they were swearing the Jury he was moved of the Lord to speak to them and said All these that swear are out of the Doctrine of Christ to which they hearkened not but returned Christopher with the other five aforementioned to Newgate Prison with the transgressors amongst whom they were caused to stand● and were numbred though four of them have families which depended upon their liberty for maintenance as is well known to these Rulers who care not how they oppresse a man and his house and take the Parents from their Children and husbands from their Wives and Wives from their Husbands and Masters from their families not fearing the Lord who hath said Against such he hath devised an evill out of which they shall not remove their necks nor goe haughtily for the time is evill and that he will come neere to Judgement and be a swift witness against such And with them they also returned to prison and continue there Richard Jones who hath always Richard Jones been faithfull to the Parliament and in their service hath often stoutly adventured his life lost his estate and severall times been a Prisoner twice in this City whom they committed the 28. day of the 6. month and kept in durance from his family which depended upon him for maintenance for some evill words which he had spoken above a year since Concerning George Hellier then Major in the time of his Ignorance and Heathenish nature wherein as he Confessed and spake in the Court he ran with the world into the same excesse of riot into evill words wicked wayes and customes of the world which after his Conversion and becoming obedient to the truth were remembred against him though spoken by him so long before and he punished as aforesaid beyond the directions of any known Law in that particular Now all evill speaking is denyed by the Children of the light and by him also as he said to the Court in these words since the day hath appeared of my Convincement and Coversion the grace of God that hath appeared to all men teaching the Saints to deny all ungodlyness and worldly lusts the same grace hath appeared unto me and doth teach me to deny all ungodliness worldly lusts and to live soberly and righteously in this present evill wo●ld But as to all the tumults riots insurrections violences outrages beatings injuries and abuses aforementioned raised acted and committed upon the Innocent servants of the Lord the witnesses of Jesus no enquiry and proceedings according to Law were had either at this Sessions or at the Gaol delivery or at the Sessions 19. day of the Eleventh month 16 4. nor at any other time except as before expressed Nor any one offender therein questioned and proceeded with according to Law to this day though of so unheard of and unsufferable a nature and so contrary to Law Justice Order Government Humility and the Scriptures of Truth On the fift day of the ninth month five of the Prisoners aforesaid viz. John Smith Richard Jones Christopher Birkhead who had been there sick about a fortnight Margaret Thomas and William Foord who also had been sick were turned out of Prison upon two becoming baile unknown to them or any of their friends for their appearance onely at the next Generall Sessions of which they having information after they had notice from the Keepers servants that they might go forth protested against their being freed on that accompt and also for clearing their Consciences and that the truth might not suffer wrote to one of them advising him to take up their Bond least they should bring themselves into trouble and to let them stand to their own Master who would deliver them for that in the will of God they stood and not in their own or in their own time and did not know whether the Lord might carry them to bear witness to his name before the time came and moreover that they did not accept of deliverance at all by any such means who were innocent did suffer for the truth of God according to their measures Notwithstanding they put them forth And Temperance Hignell who was knockt down to the ground to the astonishment of her sences and afterwards sorely beat and bruised and