Selected quad for the lemma: justice_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
justice_n	case_n	peace_n	warrant_n	2,852	5	9.9690	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A39300	A caution to constables and other inferiour officers, concerned in the execution of the Conventicle-Act with some observations thereupon, humbly offered, by way of advice, to such well-meaning and moderate justices of the peace, as would not willingly ruine their peaceable neighbours, but act (in relation to that act) rather by constraint, than by choice / by Thomas Ellwood.	Ellwood, Thomas, 1639-1713.	1683 (1683)	Wing E616; ESTC R19625	15,083	20

hand_n as_o have_v a_o mind_n one_o will_v think_v to_o look_v through_o the_o pillory_n and_o indeed_o scarce_o any_o will_v dare_v to_o swear_v so_o desperate_o that_o have_v not_o deserve_v the_o pillory_n before_o then_o for_o the_o notorious_a evidence_n and_o circumstance_n of_o the_o fact_n the_o only_a remain_a way_n of_o proof_n how_o can_v it_o be_v thereby_o prove_v that_o the_o officer_n do_v wilful_o and_o witting_o omit_v the_o performance_n of_o his_o duty_n when_o so_o many_o just_a excuse_n may_v be_v allege_v as_o of_o absence_n illness_n urgency_n of_o business_n ignorance_n misunderstand_a and_o the_o like_a all_o which_o if_o the_o officer_n fine_v do_v appeal_n a_o jury_n of_o his_o neighbour_n be_v to_o try_v and_o beside_o it_o be_v a_o question_n among_o the_o lawyer_n how_o this_o sine_fw-la or_o forfeiture_n of_o 5_o l._n can_v be_v levy_v upon_o the_o officer_n there_o not_o be_v in_o the_o act_n any_o particular_a and_o express_a direction_n for_o the_o levy_n of_o it_o as_o there_o be_v in_o the_o other_o case_n both_o of_o the_o metre_n and_o of_o the_o justice_n for_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v suppose_v that_o the_o officer_n of_o a_o town_n or_o parish_n shall_v levy_v the_o fine_a upon_o themselves_o and_o it_o they_o do_v not_o none_o else_o be_v require_v or_o impower_v by_o the_o act_n to_o do_v it_o 4._o if_o a_o warrant_n under_o the_o hand_n and_o seal_n of_o a_o justice_n of_o the_o peace_n be_v deliver_v to_o any_o constable_n or_o other_o inferior_a officer_n to_o levy_v any_o fine_n upon_o the_o good_n and_o chattel_n of_o any_o person_n within_o his_o limit_v such_o warrant_n ought_v to_o express_v for_o what_o offence_n the_o conviction_n be_v make_v and_o at_o what_o time_n the_o offence_n be_v commit_v which_o if_o it_o do_v not_o the_o warrant_n be_v not_o formal_a nor_o good_a in_o law_n to_o make_v a_o distress_n by_o 5._o but_o if_o the_o warrant_n be_v formal_a and_o sufficient_a yet_o the_o officer_n can_v thereby_o justify_v the_o break_n open_v any_o dwell_a house_n or_o outhouse_n belong_v thereunto_o to_o take_v distress_n no_o not_o although_o the_o warrant_n shall_v express_o require_v it_o as_o the_o opinion_n of_o able_a lawyer_n be_v for_o a_o man_n house_n be_v to_o he_o as_o a_o castle_n of_o defence_n and_o so_o be_v every_o part_n or_o room_n therein_o and_o therefore_o as_o the_o officer_n may_v not_o break_v or_o force_v open_a any_o door_n or_o lock_n to_o get_v into_o a_o man_n house_n so_o if_o find_v the_o outward_a door_n open_a he_o be_v get_v in_o he_o may_v not_o break_v or_o force_v open_a any_o door_n or_o lock_n to_o get_v into_o any_o other_o part_n or_o room_n in_o the_o house_n that_o be_v lock_v but_o must_v content_v himself_o with_o what_o he_o find_v there_o neither_o may_v he_o climb_v over_o any_o hatch_n or_o in_o at_o any_o window_n whether_o it_o be_v the_o shop-window_n or_o other_o for_o the_o enter_v through_o or_o in_o at_o any_o window_n though_o open_a be_v hold_v by_o lawyer_n to_o be_v a_o breach_n of_o the_o house_n nor_o be_v he_o bind_v to_o lie_v perdue_n and_o wait_v continual_o at_o the_o door_n to_o get_v a_o entrance_n but_o may_v take_v such_o time_n and_o season_n for_o it_o as_o he_o shall_v judge_v most_o fit_a and_o proper_a for_o he_o be_v not_o whole_o to_o neglect_v his_o own_o occasion_n to_o attend_v upon_o this_o that_o be_v a_o way_n to_o ruin_v the_o officer_n as_o well_o as_o their_o neighbour_n only_o to_o enrich_v the_o informer_n but_o if_o as_o often_o as_o the_o officer_n come_v he_o shall_v find_v the_o door_n shut_v and_o entrance_n upon_o demand_n deny_v he_o and_o no_o distress_n to_o be_v take_v without_o door_n he_o need_v not_o fear_v the_o penalty_n of_o forfeit_v 5_o l._n or_o that_o he_o can_v possible_o be_v convict_v of_o wilful_o and_o witting_o omit_v the_o performance_n of_o his_o duty_n in_o that_o respect_n and_o beside_o it_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o some_o lawyer_n that_o the_o penalty_n of_o 5_o l._n be_v not_o imposeable_a upon_o the_o officer_n for_o not_o levy_v the_o fine_n impose_v upon_o other_o but_o only_o for_o not_o inform_v the_o justice_n and_o endeavour_v the_o conviction_n of_o the_o party_n according_a to_o their_o duty_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o such_o their_o opinion_n be_v this_o that_o in_o that_o part_n of_o the_o act_n where_o the_o say_v officer_n be_v authorize_v and_o require_v to_o levy_v the_o say_a fine_n there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o any_o forfeiture_n on_o their_o part_n for_o not_o do_v it_o and_o in_o this_o part_n of_o the_o act_n where_o the_o 5_o l._n forfeiture_n be_v impose_v there_o be_v no_o express_a mention_n of_o levy_v the_o fine_a upon_o other_o it_o be_v say_v here_o indeed_o if_o he_o shall_v wilful_o and_o witting_o omit_v the_o performance_n of_o his_o duty_n but_o the_o word_n duty_n be_v mention_v just_a before_o with_o particular_a relation_n to_o his_o inform_v the_o justice_n and_o endeavour_v the_o conviction_n of_o the_o party_n that_o wilful_a and_o wit_v omission_n of_o duty_n to_o which_o the_o forfeiture_n of_o 5_o l._n be_v annex_v must_v say_v they_o by_o intendment_n be_v restrain_v or_o apply_v only_o to_o the_o subject_a matter_n of_o that_o branch_n of_o the_o act_n and_o be_v extend_v no_o further_o than_o to_o the_o neglect_n of_o that_o duty_n therein_o particular_o enjoin_v but_o of_o this_o let_v lawyer_n judge_v 6._o if_o the_o constable_n or_o other_o officer_n have_v opportunity_n and_o open_a way_n to_o make_v distress_n yet_o he_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o take_v more_o than_o the_o fine_a come_v to_o but_o he_o may_v and_o indeed_o in_o justice_n ought_v proportion_v the_o distress_n in_o its_o real_a value_n as_o near_o to_o the_o fine_a as_o he_o can_v and_o when_o he_o have_v so_o do_v and_o take_v such_o distress_n into_o his_o custody_n he_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o drive_v or_o carry_v the_o good_n so_o distrain_v to_o any_o fair_a or_o market_n out_o of_o the_o limit_n of_o his_o constableship_n to_o fell_a for_o he_o be_v not_o to_o act_v any_o thing_n in_o relation_n to_o his_o office_n further_o than_o those_o limit_n extend_v save_o only_a in_o some_o especial_a case_n where_o he_o be_v particular_o necessitate_v or_o impower_v by_o act_n of_o parliament_n to_o go_v further_o which_o in_o this_o case_n he_o be_v not_o nor_o may_v he_o imbezil_v any_o of_o the_o good_n for_o he_o be_v accountable_a for_o every_o particular_a of_o what_o he_o have_v so_o distrain_v nor_o be_v he_o bind_v to_o sell_v such_o good_n at_o under_o rate_n and_o below_o the_o real_a worth_n or_o market-price_n of_o such_o commodity_n but_o have_v offer_v they_o to_o public_a sale_n and_o try_v the_o market_n fair_n and_o chapman_n within_o his_o liberty_n if_o none_o will_v give_v a_o reasonable_a price_n for_o they_o he_o be_v not_o bind_v forth_o with_o to_o sell_v they_o but_o may_v keep_v they_o in_o hope_n of_o a_o better_a market_n and_o if_o they_o remain_v unsold_a till_o he_o be_v out_o of_o his_o office_n if_o he_o than_o return_v they_o again_o to_o he_o from_o who_o he_o take_v they_o i_o know_v no_o danger_n he_o can_v incur_v thereby_o i_o be_o sure_a i_o have_v know_v it_o do_v without_o any_o detriment_n to_o he_o that_o do_v it_o but_o if_o he_o be_v not_o willing_a to_o return_v they_o he_o will_v do_v well_o to_o consider_v how_o he_o can_v just_o keep_v they_o be_v out_o of_o his_o office_n and_o then_o but_o a_o private_a man_n or_o safe_o turn_v they_o over_o to_o any_o other_o without_o good_a security_n to_o indempnifie_v he_o in_o case_n he_o from_o who_o they_o be_v take_v shall_v hereafter_o call_v he_o to_o account_v for_o they_o some_o observation_n upon_o the_o conventicle-act_n humble_o offer_v by_o way_n of_o advice_n to_o such_o well-meaning_a and_o moderate_a justice_n of_o the_o peace_n as_o will_v not_o willing_o ruin_v their_o peaceable_a neighbour_n etc._n etc._n when_o i_o consider_v the_o quality_n and_o qualification_n of_o justice_n of_o the_o peace_n how_o many_o of_o they_o be_v profess_v lawyer_n and_o how_o general_o they_o be_v or_o at_o least_o shall_v be_v man_n of_o learning_n and_o knowledge_n in_o those_o law_n especial_o by_o which_o they_o be_v to_o act_v i_o be_o ready_a to_o withdraw_v my_o pen_n and_o desist_v out_o of_o a_o modest_a fear_n lest_o it_o shall_v be_v think_v presumption_n in_o i_o to_o offer_v advice_n to_o they_o who_o be_v so_o much_o better_a able_a to_o give_v it_o but_o when_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n i_o call_v to_o mind_n that_o many_o great_a and_o very_o wise_a man_n have_v not_o disdain_v to_o hear_v what_o some_o as_o mean_v

that_o time_n it_o be_v levy_v may_v be_v more_o than_o 100_o l._n damage_n to_o he_o from_o who_o it_o be_v take_v however_o be_v the_o suffer_n great_a or_o less_o the_o wrong_n be_v the_o same_o i_o entreat_v the_o justice_n therefore_o to_o take_v this_o matter_n of_o conceal_v informer_n and_o receive_v the_o deposition_n of_o witness_n against_o man_n in_o private_a and_o condemn_v and_o sentence_v person_n unheard_a into_o their_o serious_a consideration_n and_o do_v herein_o as_o they_o will_v be_v do_v unto_o it_o be_v a_o true_a say_n though_o speak_v by_o a_o heathen_a qui_fw-la statuit_fw-la aliquid_fw-la parte_fw-la inaudita_fw-la altera_fw-la aequum_fw-la licet_fw-la sta●uerit_fw-la haud_fw-la aequus_fw-la fuit_fw-la sen._n in_o medea_n act._n 2._o which_o may_v bear_v this_o english_a he_o that_o but_o one_o part_n hear_v a_o fine_a shall-lay_a not_o hear_v what_o the_o accuse_v have_v to_o say_v although_o his_o sentence_n shall_v prove_v just_a yet_o he_o a_o unjust_a judge_n w●ll_n still_o repute_v be_v 5._o what_o have_v be_v say_v of_o informer_n swear_v have_v be_v speak_v with_o respect_n to_o present_a practice_n only_o for_o otherwise_o it_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o able_a counsel_n that_o no_o informer_n oath_n ought_v to_o be_v take_v in_o this_o case_n and_o therefore_o since_o the_o act_n direct_v that_o if_o the_o party_n accuse_v do_v not_o confess_v the_o charge_n he_o be_v to_o be_v convict_v by_o the_o oath_n of_o two_o witness_n it_o may_v not_o be_v unworthy_a the_o justice_n consideration_n what_o person_n in_o this_o case_n be_v fair_a and_o legal_a witness_n what_o not_o in_o which_o inquiry_n i_o will_v not_o insist_v on_o that_o general_a qualification_n of_o a_o witness_n viz._n that_o he_o must_v be_v probus_n &_o legalis_fw-la homo_fw-la for_o little_a probity_n to_o be_v sure_a whatver_o of_o legality_n in_o that_o large_a sense_n be_v to_o be_v look_v for_o in_o that_o sort_n of_o man_n who_o common_o turn_v informer_n but_o i_o will_v propose_v the_o question_n whether_o any_o man_n can_v be_v a_o fair_a and_o lawful_a witness_n who_o swear_v on_o his_o own_o behalf_n and_o for_o his_o own_o advantage_n if_o he_o can_v which_o i_o suppose_v will_v be_v grant_v then_o be_v the_o informer_n exclude_v from_o be_v a_o witness_n since_o if_o he_o swear_v he_o swear_v clear_o no_o man_n more_o for_o his_o advantage_n and_o he_o be_v not_o put_v upon_o swear_v but_o put_v himself_o upon_o it_o mere_o for_o advantage-sake_n to_o himself_o if_o it_o be_v say_v he_o swear_v for_o the_o king_n the_o answer_n be_v and_o for_o himself_o too_o he_o swear_v no_o more_o for_o the_o king_n than_o he_o do_v for_o himself_o the_o king_n be_v to_o have_v but_o a_o three_o part_n of_o the_o fine_n and_o the_o informer_n himself_o as_o much_o if_o in_o trial_n at_o law_n no_o man_n be_v admit_v for_o a_o witness_n who_o be_v interest_v in_o the_o cause_n and_o be_v to_o reap_v advantage_n by_o it_o there_o be_v then_o great_a reason_n sure_a that_o the_o informer_n shall_v be_v set_v aside_o in_o point_n of_o evidence_n since_o he_o be_v not_o only_o interest_v in_o the_o cause_n and_o to_o reap_v advantage_n by_o it_o but_o be_v spur_v on_o to_o the_o undertake_n mere_o by_o the_o hope_n and_o desire_v he_o have_v of_o gain_v thereby_o if_o in_o a_o trial_n it_o shall_v be_v prove_v that_o a_o witness_n be_v promise_v to_o have_v so_o much_o money_n give_v he_o in_o case_n by_o his_o evidence_n the_o cause_n shall_v be_v gain_v will_v it_o not_o be_v a_o fair_a exception_n against_o that_o witness_n and_o a_o just_a ground_n to_o set_v he_o aside_o the_o informer_n be_v the_o accuser_n and_o be_v it_o reasonable_a that_o he_o shall_v be_v both_o accuser_n and_o witness_n too_o it_o be_v he_o that_o make_v the_o complaint_n and_o shall_v he_o be_v admit_v to_o prove_v his_o own_o complaint_n by_o his_o own_o evidence_n only_o if_o he_o have_v aught_o to_o charge_v any_o man_n with_o let_v he_o in_o this_o as_o in_o all_o other_o case_n make_v good_a his_o charge_n by_o the_o evidence_n of_o such_o witness_n as_o be_v uninteress_v in_o the_o cause_n and_o of_o unsuspected_a credit_n but_o this_o exception_n lie_v not_o against_o informer_n only_o but_o against_o all_o other_o also_o who_o be_v to_o reap_v benefit_n to_o themselves_o by_o the_o conviction_n such_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o poor_a of_o that_o parish_n where_o the_o offence_n be_v allege_v to_o have_v be_v commit_v for_o if_o the_o party_n accuse_v be_v convict_v they_o be_v to_o have_v a_o three_o part_n of_o the_o fine_a so_o that_o they_o like_o the_o informer_n sweat_v for_o their_o own_o immediate_a advantage_n and_o therefore_o by_o a_o parity_n of_o reason_n be_v equal_o to_o be_v exclude_v from_o give_v evidence_n in_o such_o a_o case_n to_o these_o may_v be_v add_v all_o such_o as_o be_v rate_v to_o the_o relief_n of_o the_o poor_a in_o that_o parish_n where_o such_o offence_n be_v allege_v to_o have_v be_v commit_v for_o though_o these_o do_v not_o as_o the_o former_a swear_v for_o their_o own_o immediate_a advantage_n yet_o the_o evidence_n of_o these_o do_v mediate_o and_o in_o the_o consequence_n of_o it_o tend_v to_o their_o own_o advantage_n in_o ease_v themselves_o thereby_o of_o the_o charge_n of_o maintain_v their_o poor_a in_o whole_a or_o in_o part_n i_o can_v instance_n a_o parish_n in_o which_o the_o overseer_n of_o the_o poor_a do_v at_o this_o present_a forbear_v make_v a_o rate_n for_o the_o relief_n of_o the_o poor_a upon_o a_o prospect_n they_o have_v and_o a_o declare_a expectation_n of_o money_n likely_a to_o come_v in_o by_o fine_n and_o forfeiture_n upon_o this_o act_n by_o which_o they_o hope_v and_o propose_v to_o ease_v the_o parish_n of_o that_o charge_n now_o be_v not_o every_o contributer_n to_o the_o poor_n rate_n in_o that_o parish_n just_o to_o except_v against_o as_o a_o evidence_n in_o this_o case_n when_o their_o evidence_n so_o plain_o tend_v to_o their_o own_o advantage_n and_o interest_n if_o a_o man_n offer_v to_o swear_v for_o the_o enlarge_n his_o own_o parish-bound_n he_o be_v not_o allow_v for_o a_o good_a witness_n nor_o will_v his_o evidence_n be_v take_v in_o that_o case_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o by_o the_o enlarge_n his_o parish_n 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v suppose_v some_o profit_n or_o advantage_n may_v accrue_v to_o he_o 〈…〉_z be_v so_o in_o that_o case_n why_o shall_v it_o not_o rather_o be_v so_o in_o this_o the_o same_o reason_n in_o this_o case_n be_v no_o less_o forcible_a and_o more_o obvious_a than_o in_o that_o nor_o be_v the_o constable_n and_o other_o officer_n free_a from_o be_v except_v against_o as_o witness_n in_o this_o case_n for_o the_o act_n give_v a_o three_o part_n of_o the_o penalty_n to_o the_o informer_n and_o to_o such_o person_n and_o person_n as_o the_o justice_n shall_v appoint_v have_v regard_n to_o their_o diligence_n and_o industry_n in_o discover_v disperse_v and_o punish_v of_o the_o say_a conventicle_n it_o can_v well_o be_v understand_v that_o this_o be_v mean_v of_o any_o other_o person_n than_o the_o constable_n and_o those_o other_o officer_n mention_v in_o the_o act_n because_o none_o but_o they_o be_v authorize_v to_o disperse_v and_o punish_v the_o conventicle_n and_o therefore_o since_o they_o be_v by_o this_o clause_n of_o the_o act_n put_v into_o a_o capacity_n of_o share_v with_o the_o informer_n at_o the_o justice_n direction_n and_o consequent_o may_v be_v tempt_v with_o hope_n of_o advantage_n it_o seem_v but_o reasonable_a that_o they_o also_o shall_v be_v set_v aside_o in_o point_n of_o evidence_n and_o that_o the_o proof_n shall_v be_v make_v by_o person_n of_o other_o parish_n to_o who_o no_o profit_n can_v accrue_v thereby_o and_o against_o who_o no_o colour_n of_o exception_n may_v lie_v 6._o although_o the_o act_n do_v require_v every_o justice_n of_o the_o peace_n upon_o proof_n make_v to_o he_o to_o make_v a_o record_n of_o the_o offence_n prove_v and_o thereupon_o to_o impose_v upon_o the_o offender_n so_o convict_v for_o the_o first_o offence_n 5_o s._n and_o for_o every_o after_o 10_o s._n yet_o it_o do_v not_o enjoin_v the_o justice_n to_o prosecute_v he_o be_v not_o by_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o act_n express_o injoyn_v so_o much_o as_o to_o issue_v out_o a_o warrant_n for_o the_o levy_v the_o fine_a much_o less_o be_v he_o oblige_v to_o drive_v on_o the_o officer_n to_o take_v distress_n nay_o it_o be_v doubtful_a to_o some_o profess_a lawyer_n whether_o a_o justice_n of_o the_o peace_n may_v grant_v such_o a_o warrant_n or_o not_o in_o as_o much_o as_o in_o this_o particular_a he_o be_v not_o express_o require_v or_o authorize_v so_o to_o do_v as_o in_o other_o part_n

it_o may_v be_v as_o myself_o have_v have_v to_o say_v i_o be_o thence_o again_o embolden_v to_o go_v on_o hope_v that_o what_o be_v so_o well_o intend_v will_v not_o be_v ill_o take_v they_o that_o have_v suffer_v by_o this_o act_n and_o be_v still_o liable_a to_o suffer_v more_o may_v be_v allow_v to_o have_v look_v more_o narrow_o into_o it_o than_o other_o who_o be_v not_o under_o its_o lash_n and_o if_o upon_o a_o thorough_a search_n any_o thing_n can_v be_v find_v in_o the_o act_n itself_o which_o may_v fair_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o abate_v in_o any_o measure_n the_o force_n of_o the_o blow_n which_o we_o lie_v under_o i_o hope_v none_o will_v blame_v we_o for_o modest_o represent_v it_o to_o those_o by_o who_o hand_n the_o stroke_n be_v appoint_v to_o be_v give_v and_o in_o this_o confidence_n i_o proceed_v obseru._n 1._o since_o the_o title_n of_o the_o act_n which_o be_v not_o unapt_o call_v the_o key_n because_o it_o open_v the_o intention_n and_o purpose_n of_o the_o lawmaker_n therein_o and_o the_o preamble_n of_o the_o act_n also_o describe_v the_o assembly_n and_o meeting_n design_v by_o this_o act_n to_o be_v suppress_v to_o be_v seditious_a conventicle_n and_o the_o person_n against_o who_o this_o act_n be_v make_v to_o be_v seditious_a and_o disloyal_a person_n who_o under_o pretence_n of_o tender_a cons●t●nces_n have_v or_o may_v at_o their_o meeting_n contrive_v insurrection_n it_o seem_v but_o reasonable_a that_o a_o justice_n of_o the_o peace_n when_o informer_n come_v before_o he_o to_o inform_v against_o any_o person_n for_o be_v at_o a_o conventicle_n or_o meeting_n may_v examine_v they_o severally_z and_o apart_z what_o token_n of_o sedion_n they_o see_v or_o hear_v in_o that_o assembly_n which_o they_o inform_v against_o if_o there_o be_v any_o sedition_n there_o it_o must_v appear_v in_o word_n of_o action_n and_o of_o that_o it_o may_v be_v expect_v the_o informer_n shall_v give_v account_n if_o there_o be_v no_o seditious_a word_n speak_v no_o seditious_a cesture_n use_v why_o shall_v it_o be_v take_v for_o a_o seditious_a meeting_n and_o the_o person_n punish_v for_o what_o they_o be_v not_o nay_o for_o what_o they_o most_o abhor_v to_o be_v beside_o it_o rare_o happen_v but_o the_o justice_n himself_o both_o know_v what_o sort_n of_o people_n they_o be_v that_o be_v inform_v against_o and_o be_v more_o or_o less_o acquaint_v with_o some_o of_o they_o now_o if_o he_o be_v so_o and_o upon_o his_o own_o knowledge_n of_o the_o person_n or_o their_o principle_n be_v persuade_v and_o satisfy_v in_o his_o own_o conscience_n that_o they_o be_v not_o seditious_a or_o disloyal_a person_n that_o they_o never_o have_v contrive_v insurrection_n at_o their_o meeting_n nor_o be_v it_o consistent_a with_o their_o principle_n so_o to_o do_v have_v he_o not_o good_a cause_n then_o to_o reject_v such_o information_n and_o let_v such_o peaceable_a meeting_n and_o metre_n alone_o as_o not_o come_v within_o the_o intention_n of_o the_o act_n 2._o since_o that_o which_o the_o act_n call_v a_o offence_n be_v by_o the_o express_a word_n of_o the_o act_n declare_v to_o be_v any_o person_n of_o the_o age_n of_o 16_o year_n and_o more_o in_o number_n than_o four_o beside_o the_o family_n be_v present_a at_o any_o assembly_n etc._n etc._n under_o colour_n or_o pretence_n of_o any_o exercise_n of_o religion_n in_o other_o manner_n than_o according_a to_o the_o liturgy_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o direct_v that_o this_o offence_n must_v be_v prove_v to_o the_o justice_n either_o by_o confession_n of_o the_o party_n or_o oath_n of_o two_o witness_n or_o by_o notorious_a evidence_n and_o circumstance_n of_o the_o fact_n it_o seem_v reasonable_a that_o the_o justice_n may_v put_v the_o informer_n to_o prove_v every_o part_n of_o this_o offence_n for_o the_o offence_n consist_v of_o many_o particular_n the_o offender_n must_v be_v 16_o year_n old_a he_o must_v be_v a_o subject_a of_o this_o realm_n whence_o quere_z whether_o scottish_n and_o irishmen_n though_o live_v in_o england_n be_v not_o exempt_a he_o must_v be_v one_o above_o four_o beside_o the_o family_n he_o must_v be_v meet_v under_o colour_n or_o pretence_n of_o some_o exercise_n of_o religion_n and_o that_o exercise_n of_o religion_n must_v be_v in_o other_o manner_n than_o according_a to_o the_o liturgy_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n all_o these_o must_v go_v to_o the_o make_v up_o of_o the_o offence_n and_o the_o offence_n so_o make_v up_o must_v be_v prove_v and_o if_o any_o of_o these_o be_v want_v or_o the_o proof_n fail_v in_o any_o of_o these_o it_o be_v then_o no_o offence_n within_o this_o statute_n now_o the_o onus_fw-la probandi_fw-la the_o burden_n of_o prove_v this_o lie_v upon_o the_o informer_n and_o that_o with_o great_a reason_n and_o justice_n according_a to_o the_o know_a maxim_n affirmanti_fw-la incumbit_fw-la probatio_fw-la he_o that_o affirm_v must_v prove_v and_o he_o must_v prove_v all_o that_o he_o affirm_v but_o the_o informer_n must_v affirm_v every_o one_o of_o these_o particular_n in_o order_n to_o make_v it_o a_o offence_n within_o the_o act_n and_o therefore_o they_o must_v prove_v every_o one_o of_o they_o also_o it_o be_v true_a the_o party_n inform_v against_o may_v be_v confession_n convict_v himself_o if_o he_o please_v but_o it_o be_v at_o his_o own_o pleasure_n whether_o he_o will_v or_o no_o and_o if_o he_o do_v not_o the_o next_o way_n of_o proof_n be_v the_o oath_n of_o two_o witness_n and_o i_o conceive_v that_o if_o the_o party_n shall_v confess_v he_o be_v at_o a_o meeting_n and_o that_o there_o be_v more_o there_o present_a than_o four_o beside_o the_o family_n yet_o this_o will_v not_o subject_v he_o to_o the_o penalty_n of_o the_o act_n for_o this_o he_o may_v be_v justifiable_o enough_o unless_o he_o will_v also_o confess_v the_o other_o part_n essential_a to_o a_o offence_n within_o the_o act_n viz._n that_o he_o meet_v there_o under_o colour_n or_o pretence_n of_o some_o exercise_n of_o religion_n and_o that_o it_o be_v in_o other_o manner_n than_o according_a to_o the_o liturgy_n etc._n etc._n now_o as_o the_o party_n confess_v some_o part_n only_o and_o not_o every_o part_n of_o the_o offence_n will_v not_o convict_v he_o of_o the_o offence_n nor_o subject_a he_o to_o the_o penalty_n of_o the_o act_n so_o neither_o will_v the_o informer_n swear_v some_o part_n only_o and_o not_o every_o part_n of_o the_o offence_n convict_v the_o party_n against_o who_o they_o so_o swear_v or_o subject_v he_o to_o the_o penalty_n of_o the_o act._n as_o therefore_o it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a that_o the_o justice_n shall_v see_v due_a and_o full_a proof_n make_v against_o the_o party_n in_o every_o particular_a branch_n of_o the_o offence_n before_o he_o make_v record_n of_o it_o as_o a_o offence_n in_o order_n to_o convict_v the_o party_n thereof_o so_o it_o may_v reasonable_o be_v suppose_v that_o if_o the_o justice_n will_v hold_v the_o informer_n close_o to_o their_o evidence_n and_o examine_v they_o strict_o and_o punctual_o concern_v their_o knowledge_n in_o every_o particular_a of_o the_o offence_n they_o complain_v of_o they_o may_v ease_v themselves_o of_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o trouble_n and_o their_o honest_a neighbour_n of_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o wrong_n for_o how_o can_v informer_n dare_v to_o swear_v that_o the_o party_n inform_v against_o do_v meet_v under_o colour_n of_o pretence_n of_o some_o exercise_n of_o religion_n and_o not_o real_o and_o sincere_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o religion_n or_o how_o can_v informer_n take_v upon_o they_o to_o swear_v that_o that_o exercise_n of_o religion_n be_v in_o other_o manner_n than_o according_a to_o the_o liturgy_n etc._n etc._n unless_o they_o be_v present_v the_o whole_a time_n of_o the_o meeting_n from_o the_o very_a beginning_n to_o the_o very_a end_n thereof_o which_o they_o rare_o if_o ever_o be_v and_o hear_v and_o see_v whatsoever_o be_v say_v or_o do_v there_o and_o unless_o they_o themselves_o also_o better_a understand_v than_o they_o common_o do_v what_o be_v according_a to_o the_o liturgy_n what_o not_o 3._o since_o by_o the_o stat._n 18._o eliz._n 5._o it_o be_v provide_v that_o informer_n for_o certain_a offence_n therein_o express_v shall_v not_o only_o stand_v on_o the_o pillory_n and_o be_v for_o ever_o disable_v from_o be_v informer_n more_o but_o also_o in_o some_o case_n shall_v pay_v unto_o the_o defendant_n his_o cost_v charge_n and_o damage_n and_o in_o other_o case_n shall_v forfeit_v the_o sum_n of_o 10_o l._n it_o seem_v reasonable_a that_o a_o justice_n may_v demand_v a_o account_n of_o the_o habitation_n and_o ability_n of_o any_o person_n that_o offer_v himself_o as_o a_o informer_n that_o so_o he_o may_v be_v satisfy_v

of_o the_o act_n he_o be_v but_o however_o this_o seem_v clear_a that_o inasmuch_o as_o there_o be_v a_o reasonable_a ground_n of_o doubt_n the_o justice_n do_v not_o incur_v the_o forfeiture_n of_o 100_o l._n in_o case_n he_o do_v refuse_v to_o grant_v such_o warrant_n provide_v he_o ground_v his_o refusal_n upon_o that_o doubt_n and_o declare_v that_o to_o be_v the_o reason_n of_o his_o refusal_n at_o the_o time_n when_o he_o so_o refuse_v for_o than_o he_o can_v be_v convict_v of_o wilful_o and_o witting_o omit_v the_o performance_n of_o his_o duty_n as_o the_o word_n of_o the_o act_n be_v in_o relation_n to_o that_o forfeiture_n and_o which_o must_v be_v prove_v in_o order_n to_o the_o recovery_n of_o it_o 7._o the_o act_n do_v not_o inflict_v the_o penalty_n of_o 20_o l._n or_o 40_o l._n upon_o any_o person_n for_o pray_v as_o it_o do_v for_o preach_v or_o teach_v the_o word_n of_o the_o act_n be_v that_o 〈◊〉_d person_n who_o shall_v take_v upon_o he_o to_o preach_v or_o teach_v in_o 〈◊〉_d ●uch_o meet_v etc._n etc._n and_o shall_v thereof_o be_v convict_v as_o aforesaid_a shall_v forfeit_v for_o every_o such_o first_o offence_n the_o sum_n of_o 20_o l._n and_o if_o such_o offender_n etc._n etc._n shall_v at_o any_o time_n again_o commit_v the_o like_a offence_n etc._n etc._n and_o he_o thereof_o convict_v etc._n etc._n than_o such_o offender_n so_o convict_v of_o such_o like_a offence_n or_o offence_n shall_v for_o every_o such_o offence_n incur_v the_o penalty_n of_o 40_o l._n here_o the_o penalty_n of_o 20_o l._n and_o 40_o l._n be_v restrain_v to_o preach_v and_o teach_v not_o a_o word_n of_o pray_v now_o pray_v be_v neither_o preach_v nor_o teach_v for_o preach_v and_o teach_v be_v direct_v to_o man_n but_o prayer_n be_v direct_v to_o god_n who_o no_o man_n can_v teach_v if_o therefore_o any_o man_n shall_v be_v inform_v against_o for_o preach_v and_o upon_o examination_n it_o appear_v that_o he_o be_v only_o hear_v to_o pray_v he_o can_v be_v thereby_o legal_o convict_v of_o be_v a_o preacher_n or_o incur_v the_o fine_n impose_v by_o the_o act_n on_o such_o as_o preach_v or_o teach_v this_o have_v be_v try_v upon_o a_o appeal_n and_o judgement_n give_v for_o the_o appellant_n 8._o this_o act_n do_v not_o forbid_v woman_n to_o preach_v or_o teach_v for_o though_o it_o seem_v at_o first_o to_o speak_v indefinite_o of_o every_o person_n yet_o it_o immediate_o restrain_v it_o to_o the_o male_a sex_n by_o use_v the_o masculine_a gender_n only_o he_o and_o his._n the_o word_n of_o the_o act_n be_v that_o every_o person_n who_o shall_v take_v upon_o he_o to_o preach_v etc._n etc._n shall_v forfeit_v etc._n etc._n to_o be_v levy_v upon_o his_o good_n etc._n etc._n and_o if_o the_o say_a preacher_n or_o teacher_n be_v a_o stranger_n and_o his_o name_n not_o know_v etc._n etc._n it_o be_v not_o say_v who_o shall_v take_v upon_o he_o or_o she_o etc._n etc._n or_o to_o be_v levy_v upon_o his_o or_o her_o good_n etc._n etc._n or_o if_o his_o or_o her_o name_n be_v not_o know_v etc._n etc._n as_o in_o the_o next_o paragraph_n of_o the_o act_n relate_v to_o the_o meeting-place_n it_o be_v for_o there_o it_o be_v say_v that_o person_n who_o shall_v witting_o or_o willing_o suffer_v any_o such_o conventicle_n etc._n etc._n to_o be_v hold_v in_o his_o or_o her_o house_n etc._n etc._n shall_v forfeit_v 20._o l._n to_o be_v levy_v upon_o his_o or_o her_o good_n etc._n etc._n or_o in_o case_n of_o he_o or_o her_o poverty_n etc._n etc._n here_o the_o gender_n be_v very_o careful_o vary_v and_o as_o this_o variation_n of_o gender_n from_o he_o to_o she_o do_v clear_o subject_a woman_n to_o the_o fine_n for_o suffer_v such_o conventicle_n mention_v in_o the_o act_n at_o their_o house_n so_o the_o omission_n of_o that_o variation_n and_o use_v only_o the_o masculine_a gender_n he_o and_o he_o not_o she_o at_o all_o do_v as_o clear_o exempt_a woman_n from_o be_v fine_v for_o preach_v this_o also_o have_v be_v try_v upole_n a_o appeal_n and_o judgement_n thereupon_o give_v for_o the_o apellant_fw-la 9_o if_o above_o the_o number_n of_o four_o person_n beside_o the_o family_n be_v meet_v together_o and_o sit_v in_o silence_n so_o that_o the_o informer_n be_v not_o able_a to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v any_o word_n speak_v among_o they_o and_o so_o no_o overt_a act_n of_o religious_a exercise_n such_o a_o meeting_n have_v be_v adjudge_v not_o to_o come_v within_o this_o act_n nor_o the_o person_n so_o meet_v to_o be_v just_o liable_a to_o any_o of_o those_o fine_n ●mposeable_a by_o this_o act._n for_o they_o who_o be_v finable_a by_o this_o act_n must_v be_v such_o as_o be_v convict_v of_o have_v be_v at_o a_o meeting_n where_o be_v some_o exercise_n of_o ●el●gion_n in_o other_o manner_n than_o according_a to_o the_o liturgy_n etc._n etc._n but_o what_o exercise_n of_o religion_n can_v those_o person_n be_v convict_v of_o who_o only_o sit_v still_o and_o neither_o say_v a●y_a thing_n nor_o do_v any_o thing_n if_o their_o mind_n and_o spirit_n be_v inward_o gather_v into_o a_o spiritual_a exercise_n towards_o god_n who_o be_v the_o father_n of_o spirit_n that_o methinks_v shall_v not_o be_v in_o other_o manner_n than_o according_a to_o the_o liturgy_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n however_o that_o fall_v not_o under_o the_o cognizance_n of_o outward_a evidence_n but_o that_o which_o the_o justice_n may_v well_o hold_v the_o informer_n and_o their_o witness_n to_o be_v what_o exercise_n of_o religion_n they_o see_v there_o and_o if_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o give_v account_n of_o some_o exercise_n of_o religion_n there_o use_v and_o that_o in_o other_o manner_n than_o according_a to_o the_o liturgy_n etc._n etc._n the_o justice_n have_v very_o good_a ground_n to_o reject_v their_o information_n in_o this_o case_n also_o upon_o a_o trial_n the_o person_n so_o meet_v have_v be_v acquit_v 11._o and_o last_o concern_v the_o house_n or_o place_n where_o the_o meeting_n be_v hold_v there_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o great_a mistake_n for_o some_o eager_a prosecutor_n of_o this_o act_n for_o every_o time_n that_o proof_n have_v be_v make_v to_o they_o of_o a_o meeting_n be_v hold_v at_o such_o or_o such_o a_o house_n have_v impose_v a_o fresh_a fine_a for_o the_o house_n which_o in_o my_o apprehension_n with_o submission_n notwithstanding_o to_o more_o able_a judgement_n the_o act_n afford_v no_o colour_n for_o the_o word_n be_v these_o and_o be_v it_o further_o enact_v by_o the_o authority_n aforesaid_a that_o every_o person_n who_o shall_v witting_o and_o willing_o suffer_v any_o such_o conventicle_n meet_v or_o unlawful_a assembly_n aforesaid_a to_o be_v hold_v in_o his_o or_o her_o house_n outhouse_n barn_n yard_n or_o backside_n and_o be_v convict_v thereof_o in_o manner_n aforesaid_a shall_v forfeit_v the_o sum_n of_o 20_o l._n to_o be_v levy_v in_o manner_n aforesaid_a upon_o his_o or_o her_o good_n and_o chattel_n or_o in_o case_n of_o he_o or_o her_o poverty_n or_o inability_n as_o aforesaid_a upon_o the_o good_n and_o chattel_n of_o such_o person_n who_o shall_v be_v convict_v in_o manner_n aforesaid_a of_o be_v present_a at_o the_o same_o conventicle_n and_o the_o money_n so_o levy_v to_o be_v dispose_v of_o in_o manner_n aforesaid_a this_o be_v the_o whole_a of_o that_o matter_n verbatim_o in_o which_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o any_o more_o or_o other_o than_o one_o fine_a and_o that_o of_o 20_o l._n no_o iteration_n or_o repeat_v of_o the_o fine_a for_o every_o such_o meeting_n as_o in_o other_o part_n of_o this_o act_n where_o the_o fine_a be_v to_o be_v repeat_v it_o be_v express_o say_v for_o instance_n in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o hearer_n there_o be_v not_o only_o the_o fine_a of_o 5_o s._n set_v for_o the_o first_o offence_n but_o a_o double_a fine_a afterward_o for_o every_o such_o offence_n express_o again_o in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o preacher_n there_o be_v not_o only_o the_o fine_a of_o 20_o l._n for_o the_o first_o offence_n but_o a_o double_a fine_a afterward_o for_o every_o such_o offence_n express_o again_o in_o the_o case_n of_o a_o constable_n wilful_o and_o witting_o ●mitting_v the_o performance_n of_o his_o duty_n it_o be_v say_v express_o he_o shall_v forfeit_v for_o every_o such_o offence_n the_o sum_n of_o 5_o l._n but_o in_o this_o case_n of_o the_o meetinghouse_n there_o be_v no_o such_o expression_n use_v no_o such_o provision_n make_v no_o such_o direction_n give_v ●o_z such_o course_n require_v nay_o here_o be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o a_o implication_n of_o a_o second_o for_o the_o word_n first_n be_v not_o here_o use_v as_o in_o the_o other_o case_n of_o preacher_n and_o hearer_n it_o be_v now_o since_o in_o all_o place_n of_o the_o act_n where_o the_o penalty_n be_v to_o be_v repeat_v or_o more_o than_o once_o inflict_v it_o be_v express_o say_a for_o every_o such_o offence_n which_o sentence_n in_o this_o place_n be_v whole_o omit_v take_v it_o for_o a_o very_a persuasive_a argument_n that_o it_o be_v never_o intend_v any_o more_o than_o one_o fine_n shall_v be_v set_v for_o one_o meetinghouse_n how_o oft_o foever_o meet_v in_o but_o if_o any_o apprehend_v otherwise_o and_o shall_v think_v the_o intention_n of_o the_o lawmaker_n reach_v further_o yet_o since_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o law_n extend_v no_o further_o since_o also_o the_o clemency_n of_o english_a nature_n have_v resolve_v it_o into_o a_o axiom_n that_o penal_a law_n be_v to_o be_v take_v in_o mitiori_fw-la sens●_n in_o the_o more_o mild_a and_o favourable_a sense_n there_o seem_v to_o be_v here_o at_o least_o fair_a scope_n for_o all_o who_o will_v not_o be_v severe_a than_o severity_n and_o even_o exceed_v summum_fw-la jus_fw-la to_o exercise_v some_o degree_n of_o compassion_n towards_o the_o afflict_a to_o which_o christian_n temper_n and_o tend_v frame_v of_o spirit_n what_o word_n can_v be_v more_o move_v and_o apt_a to_o dispose_v than_o those_o of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n in_o his_o sermon_n in_o the_o mount_n viz._n bless_a be_v the_o merciful_a for_o they_o shall_v obtain_v mercy_n mat._n 5._o 7._o the_o end_n