Selected quad for the lemma: justice_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
justice_n	aforesaid_a	day_n	john_n	4,551	5	7.7508	4	true

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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

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

nor permitted he friends to stand without to call to them and see them out of the windows but caused such to be turned from the walls of the house and a Court-door in the street which usually stands open to be made fast to keep them out and very fierce he was to them and to any that asked for them and so were his people and great doggs were set on some who came to see them by the rude people who dwelt near with other abuses unpunisht to this day though complaint was presently made by some who were in danger And thus was her friend Margaret Wood who onely was with her in her usual habit and Anne Gannycliffe who seeing the tumult about her came from her occasions out of love to see she had no injury sent to Bridewell together a place for Rogues and were there kept close prisoners and used as aforesaid till the 11th day of the third moneth and Sara till the 16th though it is every ones Liberty to wear what Garments they please and to accompany and see their friends especially where they are no transgressors of the Law And though the Law gives not power to any Judges or Justices to Commit any one * The Stat. Westminst 2. with other Laws provide for a safe imprisonment but for a close imprisonment there is not any but it is directly contrary to the 28. Hen. 8. c. 2. which saith Prisons shall be in the most eminent and populous Towns where there is most resort of people that they may be the more often visited and relieved close prisoner and keep him so be the Crime what it will but not one of the Tumult is to this day called to account or punished though it stood so long before their faces Had Sara Goldsmith appeared in the fantastick dress of this vain wanton age or in a spirit of lightnesse haughtiness she had received enough of friendship from this Generation but being through the cross to her own will made obedient for their sakes to pass through the City in aircloth next her and ashes as a testimony against their pride which never was at that hight as at this day she hath received that hard measure aforementioned instead of laying it to heart and being humbled before the Lord Verily the men of Nineveh shall rise up in Judgment against this Generation Mat. 11. 41. and shall condemn it for they repented at the saying of Jonah the Prophet in sackcloth and ashes To Jer. 6. 40. 20. 7. 8. Isay 8. 18. the Prophets of old the word of the Lord was a reproach and a burthen they were made a derision and mocked daily and were for signs and wonders and they were put into Prisons and into Stocks some of them to death nor was what they said or that wherein they were made signs unto them minded or regarded as it is at this day though it cost them hard to bear it in behalf of the people as a Ezek. 4. 5. Ezekiel 390. dayes lying on his left side and b Ezek. 4. 6. 40 on his right side And to c Ezek. 4. 9 10 11 12. 15. eat his bread mingled with beasts dung during that time by weight and his water by measure And Isaiah to goe naked and bare-foot d Isay 20. 2 3 4 5 6. 3. yeares for a signe and wonder upon Aegypt And how e Ezek. 12. 3 4 5 6. ridiculous was it for Ezekiel to digge through a Wall in the middle of the day and to carry out his stuffe in the sight of the people 〈◊〉 ●ut off his f Ezek 5 2 3 4. haire off his Head and off his Beard and to weigh tt openly with a ballance and to burne one third in the fire another third to cut with a Knife to pieces and a third to throw in the Aire To g Ezek. 4. 1 2 3. pourtray Jerusalem on a tilestone and to lay siege against it And to cast up Mounts and raise battering Rams and to put an iron pan between him and the City to h Ezek. 7. 23. make a chain And for Jeremiah to hide a i Jer. 13. 4 5 6. girdle in the bank of the River Euphrates till it be quite marred to carry a k Jer. 25. 15 16 17 to the 30. Cup for the Nations to drink thereat As the Word of the Lord and his signs wherein he makes his servants to appear are at this day And though he l Amos 2. 11 12. raised up of their sons for Prophets and their young men for Nazarites yet they gave the Nazarites wine to drink and m Isa 30. 10 11. Jer. 11. 21. commanded tht Prophets saying Prophesie not and to the false Prophets they hearkened who prophesied smooth things and n Jer. 28. 15. 29. 31. caused them to trust in a lye and evil entreated his o 2 Chron. 36. 16. Messengers till there was no remedy and those things they prophesied and wherein they were signs were fulfilled upon them in their destruction Why hast thou not reproved Jeremiah of Anathoth which maketh himself a Prophet since the Lord hath made thee Priest in the room ef Jehojadah the Priest that ye should be Officers for the house of the Lord for every man that is mad and maketh himself a Prophet that thou shouldst put him in the prison and the stocks Did Shemaiah the false Prophet write from Babylon in the Captivity to Zephaniah and all the Priests and to all the People in Jerusalem concerning Jeremiah Jer. 29. 24 25 26 27. Oh Bristol Bristol that thus evill entreatest those who are sent unto thee how hath the Lord soug● 〈◊〉 doth seek to gather thee as a hen doth her Chicken Be warned in time to know the things that belong to thy Peace Lest hereafter they be hid from thine eyes and thy habitation be left to thee desolate Nor were they satisfied with what they had done to those aforementioned but as men restless in their persecutions on the eight day of the third month Daniel Wastfield 8. day 3. month 1655. the Major sent for Daniel Wastfield before him who coming with his Officer the Major and Aldermen Vickris sate down and the Major said to him Wastfield come hither whereupon he drew neer then the Major asked him three severall times what art thou Though he knew him well enough calling him by his name as aforesaid He answered I am a man What 's thy name said the Major My name is Daniel Committed Wastfield said he Take him and carry him to Newgate said the Major to one of his officers further adding that he came thither to contemne Justice To which he replied nay he came thither in obedience to his order So being committed he demanded a Mittimus that so he might know for what he was committed to which the Major answered his word was a Mittimus and so he was carried away without any more words used on

to General Hopton in the Wars for the late King against the Parliament Divined a Gift Sermon who having ended all and dismist the people he said to him now thou hast done I may speak The prayers of the wicked are an abomination unto the Lord Whereupon the Tumult rose Tumulted c. and came upon him assaulted and beat him in the place and after this manner of violence drew him forth thorough the streets to the Maior who demanded what he had done Answer was given Examined that he made disturbance in the Church having said to the Minister The prayers of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord. The Maior asked whether the Minister had quite done They replyed he had Then he demanded of Warren wherefore he went thither for he knew he went not to learn Warren asked whether the place was not as free for him as another The Maior demanded of him why he kept on his hat in the time of prayer He replyed The Lord saith My Son give me thy heart for the fashions and Customs of the world are an abomination unto the Lord. Thou art a cunning fellow said the Maior but I will have some to sift thee as shall be as Cunning as thy self and thou shalt know before thou goest hence that thou hast disturbed the Peace Then in came Alderman Joseph Jackson who presently said Away with him to Newgate and after he had so said asked what he had done After him came in Alderman Henry Gibbs who asked Warren wherefore he went thither seeing he did not like the Minister Warren replyed that he was not there in his own will How camest thou thither then said he Warren answered By Command Thou art a seduced fool replyed Henry Gibbs By what Command wast thou there said Joseph Jackson He answered By the Spirit of God in him There 's enough said Joseph Jackson to commit him to prison To which Warren replyed Know you not that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates Then they were all silent for a little space and without any more words commanded him to be carried to prison without Committed a Mittimus where he was continued some time without any further examination And thus was he imprisoned upon witnessing a Good Confession viz. That he was there by the Command of the Spirit of God in him as the High Priest rent his Clothes and said What need we any further witnesses Ye have heard the Blaspheming what think ye And they all condemned him to be guilty of death when he had asked Christ again and again after the witnesses against him did not agree Art thou the Christ the Son of the blessed And he said I am And ye shall see the Sonne of Man sitting on the right hand of Power and coming in the Clouds of Heaven Mark 14. 61 62 63 64. Meetings of Friends disturbed and abused c. Nor were the private meetings to waite upon 2d of the 11th month 1654. the Lord free from abuse and interruption though none but friends of the City were present for both on the 2d day of the 11th month at a friends house in Corn-street and on the sixth of the same month at anothers in Backstreet were they affronted and disturbed by the Apprentices at the one and abused by the rabble at the other And it was become Crime enough for any one to be reproached with the name of a Quaker and matter for the Tumult to rise upon and aslault such an one For on the 7. day of the 11. moneth being the first day 7th day of the 11th moneth 1654. Robert Claiston for preserving a woman from being strangled Tumulted and beat c. in the Steeple-house of the week Robert Claiston Apprentice to Daniel Claiston being at Stephens Steeple-house only for endeavouring to pull off a hand from a widdowes throat which was violent laid upon it and likely to have strangled her by the tumult John Lane the Constable instead of keeping the Peace and assisting of Claiston and rescuing the woman cryed out to the tumult that he was a Quaker whereupon the tumult struck him several blowes in the face His blood drawn Garment rent which drew blood from him tore his Cloak into three pieces And afterwards the said Lane and the tumult drew him out of the Steeple-house through the Brought before the Mayor streets to the Mayors who permitted not Claiston to speak for himself but dismist him whereupon Daniel Claiston being concerned in the injuries aforesaid done to his servant consulted with a Lawyer for remedy in the case who advised him to bring his action against Lane as Guardian to an Orphan who did accordingly of which when Robert Aldworth the Town Clark understood he Councel in the Law in his case termed Advice against the City and displeasure manifested against the Lawyer that gaveit came himself to the Lawyer and exprest much discontent for his giving Counsel as aforesaid terming it Advice against the City Claiston gave the Warrant to one of the Officers to execute it who told him he was afraid to do it lest the Mayor should turn him out of his place because upon his executing of a Warrant of that nature before the Mayor threatned him very much for so doing And when he complained to the Mayor how his Apprentice had been beat and abused at the Steeple-house as aforesaid and that desiring the benefit of the Law and that if his servant had offended the Law he might suffer according to his offence The Mayor told him He should not have the benefit of the Law And Sheriff Lawford Denyed the befit of the Law by the Mayor said That that place meaning the Steeple-house was not a place free for Claistons Apprentice in answer to what Claiston asked of him whether that place was not as free for his servant as others And so remedy at Law is here endeavoured to be stopt and Councel for that purpose in case of great injuries as aforesaid termed Advice against the City and therefore displeasure is manifested to those who gave it and the Officer because of the Officer not daring to execute the Law because of the Mayors threatning threatnings of the Mayor not daring to do his duty in the execution of the Law yea the benefit of the Law is denyed in so many words when demanded as aforesaid instead of Justice being done by them as the Law requires in the behalf of those who suffer wrong Multitude enraged abuse friends grossly And indeed by reason of these things the multitude grew very unruly breathing forth fresh persecutions and blood no passing the streets without great reproaches nor to meetings without many abuses those who met on the ninth of the eleventh moneth in Corn-street were served so and stones 9th day 11th month 1654. cast at them as they went in and the dores assaulted while they were together and against their coming out the street fill'd whooping

11th moneth at which time a Liberate was sent the Jaylor signed Aldworth and witnessed John Gunning Mayor Dated Jan 19. 1654. requiring him to set at Liberty the body of John Warren in that he had found Sureties f●r his being of the good behaviour Whereupon the Keeper would have put him forth But he perceiving the deceit thereby to confess himself an offender and so to give away the innocency of his cause and to administer matter of reproach to the truth and to himself having neither sought Sureties nor found any denyed to go forth thereupon then the Officer would have put him out by force But he desiring a little time to consider wrote a note to the Town Clark and sent it to him in these words Robert Aldworth A Liberate was delivered me His Letter to the Town Clark just now by John Roach the Jaylor for my enlargment out of prison which when I had read over I found that the cause thereof is expressed in these words For that he hath found Sureties for his being of the good behaviour which I cannot accept of in regard that I have not misbehaved myself but have delivered that Message to one that said he scorned the name of a Minister for which I have a Warrant within And because of the not●rious untruth therein mentioned that I have found Sureties for my being of the good behaviour when as I neither directly or indirectly have sought for or found any Sureties for any such thing nor can I and therefore cannot accept of my freedom upon any such Warrant But do protest against it John Worring Notwithstanding he was the same day turned out of the Prison against which upon account of of the Liberate aforesaid he protested when by force he was put out The meek and sober carriage of these prisoners at the Sessions and their not seeking revenge on those who abused and struck them was such as did tenderly take with many who were present and heard the proceeding● An lastly This Sessions endeth not in enquiring Sessions ending after and punishing exemplarily according to Law those Tumults Ryots and Insurrections and other outrages and breaches of the Publick Peace aforementioned which had Judgement been put to the Line and Righteousnesse to the Plummet and Order and Government been respected would have been executed for not so much as one man hath therefore been punished to this day But in the four Orders following which they appoint to be read in all Churches as they call them Order of Sessions That no person or persons do hereafter presume to molest trouble or otherwise disquiet any Minister or Congregation either before or after the Publick exercises be ended And if any person or persons do so offend that in all such cases the Constables or any other Officers shall apprehend take and arrest the Party and Parties so offending and bring him or them before the Mayor and some other Justice of the Peace who are to take care that such offender or offenders be bound with sufficient Sureties to appear at the next General Sessions And in the mean while to be of the good behaviour and for not sinding some Sureties as aforesaid to commit them to Prison Reply The Statute 1 Mary to which they pretend to Justifie their Imprisonments as aforesaid were it in force or fit to be made practicable onely provides for the defence of the Popish Priest during the time of his Masse and Service but for before and after the Masse and Service makes no provision nor for disturbing or troubling as they call it the Congregation at all But these Magistrates having imprisoned and returned again to prison persons for speaking after the Congregation was dismist to Justifie their proceedings and to oppresse the Servants of the Lord for the future turn Legislators and make a Law where the Nation hath made none And enjoyn one another and all Officers to put it in execution viz. That none presume to molest or trouble or otherwise disquiet the Congregation as well as the Minister before and after as well as in the time of publique Exercise And if any do so offend that in all such cases the Officers shall apprehend take and arrest them and bring them before the Maior or some other Justice of the Peace who are to bind them with sufficient Sureties to appear at the next general Sessions and in the mean while to be of the good behaviour And for not finding such Sureties to commit them to prison When as all Lawes made by any Corporation for imprisonment of any mans person are invalid because against the Fundamentall Lawes of this Nation which also provideth That no Law be made or of force or binding but by the common consent of the People in Parliament which is so absolute and an essentiall a right that the encroachments of the late King and his Ministers of State thereupon occasioned the levying of the late defensive Wars by the Parliament And the late King with others his Ministers were therefore executed and abundance of blood shed and miseries sustained not yet to be forgotten And now that the Wars are ended and this Fundamental Right fully vindicated in the behalf of the Nation And the present Government hath provided the same with the Fundamentall Lawes Art 6. Except in some cases See the Government Art 6. Art 30. in point of Necessity expressed Art 30. till the sitting of the then next Parliament In which the single Person and his Councell have power to make Ordinances These Magistrates who endeavoured what lay in them to subvert and destroy it in behalf of the late King for whom the generality of them were in principle affection and action and are not afraid to presume to take upon them this Supream Legislative Authority over the Citizens and Inhabitants of Bristol who have been active for and faithfull to that Interest as any in that City and have adventured their bloods and their all in its behalf and who are of as godly peaceable and unblameable Conversation as any within that Jurisdiction And not onely over them do they thus usurp it but over all Englishmen who come in that City Nor is it in things of a triviall nature that they are thus bold to Legislate it but in matters relating to Conscience and Religion and to the Commands of God In which to have freedom and Liberty hath been a principall end in those honest men who have engaged in the late Wars and which hath been carried thorough the many and high Contests thereabouts in the late Parliaments And is provided for in the present Government And that they may be sure to hit those honest people against whom their malice rageth both upon the accompt of Civill and Spirituall interests they not onely make Law as aforesaid but become Judges of the Law themselves make Whereas the Administrators of Justice are sworn to execute the Lawes made by the Supream Legislative Authority not to make any Those who are

up the Prophets of Baal to be cut off by the people whom they have deceived And the Lord will Malach. 2. 9 1. 2 2. make them contemptible and base before all the people according as they have not kept his wayes but have been partiall in the Law And now O ye Priests this Commandment is for you If you will not hear and if you will not lay it to heart to give glory unto my Name saith the Lord of Hosts I will even send a Curse upon you and I will curse your blessings yea I have cursed them already because ye do not lay them to heart Behold I will corrupt your seed and spread dung upon your faces even the dung of your solemn feasts and one shall take you away with it And ye shall know that I have sent this Commandment unto you Order of Sessions That the Constables do once in every fortnight make diligent search within their severall Wards for all strangers Inmates and suspitious persons and to present their names and those who entertain them within two dayes following to the Mayor and Justices to the end such course may be taken with them as is agreeable to Law Reply Had what the Law requires of them in this particular been effectually executed the Town had not been so full of persons who ought to be enquired after as it is at this day But all lyes asleep in this particular till the hopes to catch the Messengers of truth and to keep the Town clear of such awakened their blind zeal as another expedient to effect their ends upon those servants of the Lord But it s fallen asleep again since it hath not proved a snare to catch the Innocent Order of Sessions That all people do take special notice and be hereby forwarned not to be present at any tumult or other unlawfull Assembly or on any pretence to assemble or gather into Companies or multitudes into the streets or elsewhere or to conduct and follow offenders either to the Magistrates houses or other places of Justice unlesse they be thereunto lawfully called And the Constables and all other publique Officers are hereby required to apprehend and arrest all such boyes and Apprentices and other people that shall assemble or gather together as aforesaid And to bring them before the Magistrates to be punished according to the Law Reply Lesse then this they could not do in colour of Justice but whether they meant any such thing will appear in that they never to this day have punished one offender although Hundreds at a time have transgressed therein and that before their faces and at their very doors as the instances hereafter to be mentioned will demonstrate Nor hath a Constable discharged his duty therein required But it seems these Magistrates Constables and people know one anothers minds well enough in this thing and can agree together in injuring the Innocent though their orders seem to speak the contrary Preamble to the Orders of Sessions aforementioned And the ground of all these Orders is premised to be several great Tumults and unlawfull Assemblies lately hapned and arisen within this City as well on the Lords dayes as at other times and as the Court is informed upon pretence or occasions that some disturbed the Congregations and Ministers both before and after the Publique Exercises in the Churches have been fully concluded And likewise by the comming of strangers to the City who can render no good accompt of their being here whereby the Lords day hath been much prophaned the Inhabitants greatly affrighted and the Publick Peace safety and welfare of the City very much endangered to be broken and disturbed which the Court taking into serious consideration and well weighing the manifold mischiefs and sad effects which may grow thereupon did Order c. Signed Aldworth And Ordered by John Gunning Mayor John Lock Richard Vickers William Cann Joseph Jackson Henry Gibbs and George Hellier Aldermen Reply 'T is well we have got the Confession of the Bench under hands that those afore mentioned were great Tumults and unlawful Assemblies prophaning the Lords day greatly affrighting the Inhabitants endangering the disturbance of the Publick Peace safety and welfare of the City whereupon manifold mischiefs may grow and sad effects And ought not such a great Tumult and unlawful Assemblies to have been strictly enquired after and severely punished Ought they not to have been discountenanced and supprest Hath any Master or Servant Officer or Inhabitant been called to accompt and punished for them according to the Law to this day though hundreds have oft times appeared and acted them before their eys When a friend of the Common-wealth was called before the Mayor and Aldermen upon information of some words which was said he should hear one of the Apprentices to say and sworn before them to speak the truth was what he informed them upon his Oath to this effect viz. That the said Apprentice being asked how the Apprentices could be so bold to rise as they had done and be so long from their Masters businesse unless they had leave from their Masters or some other encouragement He heard him say they had leave from their Masters and were encouraged for that Alderman Hellier came into them whilest they were at the Tolzey and said that he would dye rather then any of the Apprentices should go to Prison which he offered to prove further by two of his servants Committed to writing and prosecuted according to the concernment every way of a thing of that nature Or did not the Mayor forbid the Clark to write and took he not under his hand only what he could not say viz. That he heard the said Apprentice to speak that they had 400 horse in the Town ready for the King Hath it not lay husht to this day But Henry Davis a friend to the Common-wealth he and his brethren Committed to Newgate and continued him a Prisoner from the 20th of the 10th month 1654. to the 16th of the 11th month following being the next Sessions for that upon his hearing in his shop in the High street at the hight of the Ryot Decemb. 20. aforesaid when the Proclamation was read at the High Crosse in the name of the Lord Protector requiring every one to depart these words spoken by some of the Royters who then filled that part of the street viz. What do you tell us of a Protector tell us of King Charls He immediatly gave notice thereof to the Officers of the Garrison and not to them some of them telling him he had committed Treason in so doing And James Hill another friend to the Common-wealth they bound over at the same time to answer at the Sessions for speaking the words so heard as aforesaid Do ye not stand guilty O ye Rulers of the tumults disorders aforesaid in the eye of the Law and amongst all wise men shall it be said in not enquiring after in not suppressing in not correcting nay in encouraging

Lord to silence flesh and stop thy mouth and be ashamed of what thou hast done and let the time be sufficient that thou hast spent in vain l●st the blood of the Innocent be required at thy hands for I bear testimony that my blood was spilt amongst thy h●arer whereby thou mayst clearly see the fruits of thy Ministry so thou art now left without excuse From a Prisoner for the Truths sake known to the World by the name of Temperance Hignell From Newgate Prison this 25. of the seventh month 1655. The same 23. day of the seventh month John John Smith 23 day 7. month standing silent whilest Priest Farmer divined Smith being moved went to Nicholas Steeple-house there to declare against all false wayes and worships and all hypocrisie and deceit in Priest and People But Ralph Farmer the Priest having ended his Sermon b●fore he began to pray spake to the people that John Smith should be uncovered who pull'd off his hat and all being ended and the Clerk having published something he had to say John Smith perceiving the people to be enraged said Why do the Heathen rage He that doth break one of the least of the Commands and doth teach men so to do shall be called least in the Kingdome of God And told Priest Farmer that he was covered with a covering but not of the Spirit of the Lord and that as many as were led by the Spirit of God were the sons of God But thou wast not led by the Spirit of God when thou saidst thou wouldst bring one to swear which he offered to prove and further said that because of swearing Jerem. 23. 10. Mat. 5 33 34 35 36. James 5. 12. the Land mourns and Christ saith I say unto you swear not at all and the Apostle saith Above all things my brethren swear not at all neither by the heaven neither by the earth nor by any other oath lest ye fall into condemnation And told him that the Scriptures were fulfilled upon him which saith the Leaders of my people cause them to erre and that he said that he the said John Smith was a Puppy and asked him whether he did not sin in likening a man which God created after his own Image unto a dog but the rude multitude fell upon him striking Tumulted beat him on the face and kicking of him and one Sandsford dragged him by the Cloak with much violence Dragg'd And whil'st these things were acting John Gunning the Mayor Alderman Lock Sheriff Lawford and others of the Councel passed by whom he asked whether any of the People of God did ever beat or abuse any and said that he spake not to upbraid or condemn any thing that was good but to reprove that which was evil and that if he had transgressed any Law let him be tryed by the Law But they heeded not nor did they cau●e their Officers to appease the rude multitude yea so far were they from doing it that Walter Sandie one of the Councel laid violent hands on him himself and as he was passing to go out of the Steep●e-house door his Cloak was rent in twain Garment rent in twain and the greatest part taken away the other piece whereof he shewed to the Rulers aforesaid and asked them whether that were the fruits of their Ministry and whether they did Justice To which Sheriff Lawford said he had no call or command to be there He replyed that he came to declare the truth and said he let your blood be on your own heads the wicked shall be turned into Hell and all those that forget God And passing up the High street he said to the Mayor and those of the Rulers with him that the Law was made for fighters drunkards swearers and perjured persons But nevertheless and though they saw the rude multitude following him they did not send any Officer to appease the tumult but the multitude followed him to his lodging and broke his glasse-windowes and would have forced his door upon him The next day the Major and Aldermen sent their 24. day 7. Month 1655. Officers who finding him upon his employment for the State brought him before them viz. the Major Apprehended Joseph Jackson Richard Vickris George Hellier John Lock and George Knight Aldermen with others who commanded him to Come neere them and asked him whether he knew whom he was before Examined and whether he saw not the sword and his hat was taken off at their command He replyed he honored all men in the Lord and out of him he honored none and those who ruled for him ought to be men fearing God and hating Covetousness and such bore not the sword in vain but were a terror to evill doers a praise to them that do well and that he stood in the presence of the Lord and further that Christ said How can ye believe that receive honour one of another and asked them whether that were Scripture and whether they would own it At which Joseph Jackson scoffed and Alderman Knight called him Rascall and another said he was led by the Devill and he was charged by them with words which they said he spake at John Youngs against Priest Farmer viz. that he the said Farmer should swear or forswear or words to that purpose whereupon he asked Ralph Farmer who was there present whether he could say that he spake those words But he could not so say nor was any such thing made to appear Then they asked him what he did say at John Youngs to him he answered that he asked Ralph Farmer whether he was or professed himself to be a Minister of the Gospell of Jesus Christ but he did not say he was and that he told him the hireling did not abide in the Doctrine of Christ and asked him if he did And said that the Priests that preached for hire and the Prophets that Divined for money were them that did build Sion with blood and Jerusalem with iniquity All which he offered to the Magistrates to prove by Scriptures but they admitted him not Then they charged him with making a disturbance in the Church he answered he was peaceable they replyed he had his hat on or was covered he asked whether many of them had not their hats on They answered not at prayer He bad them prove by Scripture that it was unlawfull but that was not done and said that Ralph Farmer was covered with a Cap besides another false Covering not of the spirit of the Lord. And with Caps were some of the Rulers covered also And Ralph Farmer stood with his hat off saying he came to their worships for Christ and spake to them to send for one to make oath before them John Smith replyed that swearing was out of the Doctrine of Christ and alledged that Jeremiah said Because of oathes the Land mourned and Zachary This is the curse that go●th over the face of the whole earth every one that sweareth

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