Molton one pewter tankard towards the reparation of that Steeple-house in all taken for that greedy Priest French towards the said repâ—â—â—â—â—iâ—n twelve pounds and more in sheeep Cows Lambs brass pewter and the demand hardy amounts to five pounds Again Mary Richard and Mary Moss of Pennarth in Ciâ—â—y for clearing their conscience to John Câ—tts Priest were haled and beaten and drawn up a pair of stairs and there set in stocks by the Constable and Priests man Cradock Griffith Walter Rayland John Lewis VVilliam Lewis John Mâ—yâ— John Fabarn Again Eâ—iz beth Holme according to the leadings of the spirit of truth went into Pembrookshire where large meetings she had and in a meeting at Thomas Baâ—rats house in Tenbigh in the aforesaid County where Adam Hawkins Priest came with two Bibles under his arm Joel 2.28 Act. 21.9.2.17 Rom. 16.3 and standing till the meeting was ended and there spoke to Elizabeth Hâ—lmes saying Paul said a woman was not permitted to speak the which she cleared unto him as it is plain according to Scripture How Pâ—isciâ—a was â—aul fellow-helper and that one had four daughters which did declare the word of truth and the Lord said he would power of his spirit on all flesh and sons and daughters should prophecy in his name so it is very clear the spirit of truth is permitted to speak in male and female to which this Priest Hawkins could little object but said he did believe that Elizabeth Holmâ—â— was a woman that did convert many souls to God and it was truth she spake and if she would come to Hartâ—ordwest where he was going to be Minister he would give her way to speak to the people a time after she went to Hartfordweâ—â— according to the leading of the spirit of truth and another friend with hâ—r Alice Burkat which was about the beginning of the second moneth 59. where they had a large meeting in William Batemans house the which tormented the Magistrates and Priest that officers came and brought Elizabeth Holmes and Alice Burkat and William Bateman before the Maior and Thomas Davis called Justice and by them Elizabeth H lmes and Alice Burkat were committed to the house of Correction and by the master of the house of Correction at first was threatned to set bolts on them but he did not do it so afterwards became very loving and suffered meetings in the prison where they were detaiâ—ed about fourteen dayes untill the Quarter Sessions Priest Adam Hawkins came unto them endeavoring to clear himself that he had no hand in the Imprisonment but they would not believe him but told him the contrary so to the quarter Sessions they were brought where the Maior and Thomas Davis and more men called Justices were and Priest Hawkinâ— so unto them Elizabeth Hâ—lmes declared what passed betwixt the Priest and her in â—enbigâ— and how he came unto them to clear himself of having any hand in the persecuting of them then Thomas Davis one of them that had committed them said in open Court that he would not let them be quiet until they were imprisoned and so reproved the Priest and said unto him that if he would not be more watchful of his words he was not fit to be their Minister and by the Court in the Sessions was Elizabeth Holmes and Alice Burkat cleared and by it were Lewis Barron Mayor and Thomas Davis made manifest who had committed them as vagabonds and wanderers but from being so they are clear and the salse accusations atop of them was cast and by truth judged into the pit of darknesse from whence it did arise with their enmity who commited William Bateman at first for receiving them a man all along well affected to the honest party and suffered much loss by Charls Stuarts party and now some of the Magistrates of Hartford-west formerly adhering to Charls Stuart hath an enmity against him as plainly doth appear who endeavoured with Priest Hawkins to lay blasphemy to his charg so under that colour committed him to prison there to remain to the great assizes for the County and Humphery Wiâ—â—iams with him both expressed in the same commitment so some of William Batemans relations gave bail to answer accordingly if they would bring the matter before the Judge of the Assizes without fainting it would be well for if they do so it is like the Magistrates enmity and the Priests shame will be double made manifest And after Elizabeth Holms and Alice Burkat were releast by them at the Sessions about a day after Alice Burkat meet with the Mayor in the street and spoke a few words unto him for which he sent her to Bride-well and about two dayes she was kept there and after made a lying pass intending to send her to Cardâ—ff so forth of Harford-weâ—t she was brought with it but the Constable having less enmity and more wisdom then the Magistrates let her go where she would and these are the fruits of Lâ—wis Barran called Mayor of Hartfort-weâ—t and Thomas Davis called â—ustice and Adam Hawkins called a Minister who was proved in open Court a notorious lyar in Hartford-west in Pâ—mâ—r oâ—-shire commonly called Little England beyond VValâ—s where this Priest is called a Minister who violently struck John ap Jones in the house of VVilliam Bateman witnesses Henry K ly and VVil Bateman with others this is a great shame to Hartford-wâ—â—t to suffer suâ—h a man to be called their Minister Again Jâ—nnit Jones of Hartford-wâ—â—t for standing before this Priest Adâ—m Hawkinâ— in the Steeple-house of Hartford-west the Magistrate and the people were amazed as they relate in the Commitment for which she was committed to the house of correction till the quarter Sessions by Lewis Barran called Mayor of Hartford-west about the 1â— of the 2 moneth 1659. Again William Thomas of Llanducy in Pâ—mbrook-shire for standing witness against Stephen Hâ—ges called Minister in the Steeple house of Llandevilâ— for which he was apprehended and brought before John Elâ—iot called Justice who committed him to Goal and there to remain until the general Sessions to be holden for the County of Pâ—mbrook this was done in the name of the Keepers of the Liberty of England the 23 day of the third moneth 1659. Though this man Stephen Hughes be accounted such a great Priest in P mbrook and Carmarthen shires yet here he is made manifest to be a persecutor and a striker who struck Evan John of the Parish of Landeny in the County aforesaid in the presence of William Thomas and G â—rge Hâ—wel of the said parish Again â—lizabeth Holms being moved of the spirit of truth Alice Burkat with her to go to the Steeple-house called Christ-Church in Munmouth-shire where VValter Cradock was who haled Alice Burkat down and said get thee behind me Satan Again the first day of the week being the eighth day of the third moneth Elizabeth Holms was moved of the Lord to go to VValter Craddock in the same place above mentioned and
A RECORD OF SOME PERSECUTIONS Inflicted upon some of the Servants of the Lord in SOVTH-WALES with the sufferings of many for not paying Tithes not repairing Steeple-houses and for not coming to the Steeple-houses Also the fruits of some of the Priests who are called Ministers of the Gospel in South-Wales and Pembrook-shire where some persecution hath been at Harford-west which in short is here also mentioned which hath not been brought to publick view till now Spoilâ—rs shall come from the North which shall spoil Babylon Jer. 51.48 I have raised one from the North and he shall come upon the Princes and as the Potter treadeth clay Isa 41.25 Lift up your eyes and behold them that come from the North Jer. 13.20 They have persecuted me and they will also persecute you and take joyfully the spoiling of your goods knowing in your selves that you have in Heaven a better and an induring substance Jo. 15.20 Heb. 10.3 These things they will do to you for my Names sake John 15.21 By Francis Gawler LONDON Printed for Thomas Simmons at the Bull and Mouth near Aldersgate 1659. TO THE READER READER WIthin these few years the Lord God Almighty was pleased to send many of his dear and faithful Servants according to his own promise to visit his own seed in South-Wales where were some who had long waited for them hearing the sound of the Lords Trumpet Isa 41.25 Jer. 13.20 in the beginning of the Lords work it this Nation by his dear and faithful Servants who by the Lord some of them were moved to come into South-Wales where they were received with joy and gladness of heart because the shout of a King was among them and the Mighty power of the Lord did carry them on in great strength and boldness to fight his own battel with the weapons which are not carnal but spiritual and mighty through God to the bringing down of strong holds and immaginations to the obedience of him who is the light of the World and lighteneth every man that cometh into the World John 1 9. John 8.12 the which hath been denied by the chief Priests and false prophâ—ts who are called Ministers of the Gospel in South Wales but are now made manifest in the day of the Lords appearance to be blinde guides and hirelings who do uphold the worship of the Beast in the Idols Temple where God dwelleth not nor is worshipped with the work of mens hands Acts 17.24 25. and for declaring againsâ— such have the servants of the Lord been imprisoned by the complaint of the Priests who could not stand in battel to fight but like hirelings some of them fled before half their Sermons were ended so fear surpized the hearts of the Hypocrites as saith the Scriptures Isa 33.14 Pro. 28. 1 John 10 12 13. The Hypocrite fleeth when none pursueth and the hireling fleeth because he is a hireling And such was the fear of the blinde guides that they prevailed with the Magistrates to have a guard upon their Steeple-house doors that none should be permitted to come in but such as have the mark of the Beast in their foreheads And for declaring against them did some of the Magistrates imprison and chain by the legs the servants of the Lord who in boldnesse did declare the Word of the Lord denying the Kingdom of the Dâ—vil who hath cast many of the children of the Lord into prison in this Nation and thereby the Scripture of truth was fâ—lfiled Rev 2 10. And the imprisonments of many in South-Wales is here laid dâ—wn which is a Record of some Sâ—fferings which hath bâ—en k pt 〈…〉 broâ—ght to puâ—lick view till now and it is not a thing that wâ— have done hastily but long have waited in it and now having opportâ—nity we thoâ—ght it good so to do not in any evil intent againâ—t thâ—â— for we are taught to do goâ—d for evil and the desâ—re of our hearts is that this may be a warning into thâ—m that thâ—y may do so no more and so read this over in the cool of their spirits wherein is laid down the actings they have acted in their rage and heat of their spirits which is condemned by the light which is the condemnation of the World out of which we are redeemed and stands on top of it â—ohn 3 19 and wee count it great joy that wee are found worthy to suffer for the Name of the Lord who sent his Mâ—ssengâ—rs among us to preach the everlasting Gospel freely without money or price as his Servants Mâ—ssengers and Prophets did in former ages as the scriptures of truth doth bear witnesse Jsa 55.12 Luke 10.3 Mat 1â— 8 9. the which is now fulfilled at which the Priests blinde guides and hirelings are tormented whose Gospel is not without a price in the parish where they preach it sixty eighty an hundred more or lesse as they can agree and they that preach it fight strike and pâ—l by the hair of the head such as declare against them And if any deny to pay them their wages to the value of ten pence they cast them into prison and some of their wives have learned of them to do the same as will plainly appear by the reading this Book Written by us who in scorn by the blinde guides and their hearers are called QUAKERS A record of some sufferings in South-Wales c. JOhn ap John being at a meeting in a Cardiff in the County of Clamorgan by the command of Henry Griffith a baptist called Captain Griffith was brought before him in the Castlâ— of Cardiff who having no power to commit him to Prison himself sent some Souldiers with him to Richard Sheares one of the Bailiffs of Cardiff who being a harmlesse man it was thought he kept out of the way then by the Souldiers he was brought before Roger Sheares Bayliff who had but little desire to persecute him but the next day by the perswasion of the Priests the Bayliffs ioyned with George Morgan and committed him to prison with others namely Francis Gawler John Mayo Toby Hodge of Cardiff where they continued a few dayes and afterwards let forth and never brought to tryal Again John ap John for standing in the Steeple house in Swansâ—y in the same County a witnesse against Evan Griffeth called a Minister was haled forth by the hair of the head by J. Roberts a Minister and being brought before the â—ustice was again struck and pulled by the nose by one Moris Bedwel called Minister of Swansey and after this abusing before the Justice the evil doers were let go and John ap John committed to the County Goal in Cardiff by Rowland Dawkins called a Justice and there was detained twenty weeks and after released without any tryal Margaret Thomas and Rebeckah for standing witnesses against the fore-named fighting Priests of Swansey were much abused and imprisoned in Swansey and after were released and never brought to tryal and turned forth of Swansey and William Bâ—van of Swansey went
loves money which is the root of all evil and F.G. his Castor is not brought home yet therefore the Lawyer and Laylie stands guilty at the Ear. Again Alice Burkat and Francis Gawlar being moved by the Spirit of truth to go to Landaff neer Cardiff where Benjamin Flower the aforenamed Priest was being the day they call Easter Monday where many people were with this day-observing Priest to keep up the Idol-day and they coming to one part of the Steeple-house the door was fastened and John Jones the Constable would not let him go in but those who had the mark of the Beast in their fore-heads who would fight for the Priest and the Idol-day were willingly let in but very watchful was the Constable fearing Francis Gawlar Alice Burkat should come in among them but after the Priest had ended the Idol-day 〈◊〉 Sermon Alice Bâ—rkat met the Priest in the yard and some of his hearers did exceedingly abuse her and beat her with stones in the Priests sight and tore her cloathes from about her and this is the fruit of Priest Flower at his first coming who hath made a very good bargain at Cardiff where he hath a Tithing barn and that would not serve his turn but about 80 l. he must have from another place yearly and if it should fail it is to be feared the Priest would be gone to England again where such wages as he hath in Wales he could not have and for providing such great wages for him the children of the Drunkards Swearers and Devourers of the Creation are washed in the Steeple-house with water in a filthy popish manner and for these Jesuitical practises which he doth contrary to Scripture is this man cryed up by the enemies of the Common-wealth and his house is inlarged for him thinking his Trade will hold And his Clerk Thomas Wells one who sings Idle songs got out of Ballads saith Amen to his evil way and he saith he must have his due from the Devil and for asking this Priest Was he not ashamed to come from England into Wales to covet peoples goods His wife said they came from England into Wales among Devils and violently came with the Key of her husbands Tithing-barn in his fight and struck Francis Gawlar which he felt a long time after It is a just reward for them to be called Devils for maintaining of him who of late began to gather a Church and to help him in the work his Brethren fighters takers of Oxen Cowes and Sheep are called some of his Church-members namely I.M. I.F. E.E. who are such Again Thomas John and Toby Hodges of Cardiff were committed to prison for calling Richard Simmons and Edmund Ellis dumb doggs and hirelings as their commitment expressed and there they were deteined about six weeks by George Morgan Bailiff of Cardiff but his Brother Bailiff one Jenkin Williams had no hand in it which he did well knowing that they were such men and Edmund Ellis is found guilty for taking two Oxen worth about twelve pounds which is set down in this Book more at large Again Toby Hodges and Dorcas Erberry of Cardiff were committed to prison and there detained many months for speaking to B njamin Flower Priest in Cardiff and they were once released and brought in again by the order of Reece David Bailiff and after released and never brought to Tryal in the year 1658. Again Thomas John Rensham of the Parish of Lavishion in the County of Glamorgan for standing a witness in the Steeple-house of Whitchurch against Lewis Roger called a Minister formerly a journyman to Henry Walter who learned him his trade and now he receiveth great wages about Monmouth for which he was imprisoned and sent to the County Goal in Cardiff and there detained a few dayes by Robert Thomas Henry Morgan and Reece Powel called Justices who released him and was never brought to Tryal in the year 1658. Again Merridith Edward being moved went into a Steeple-house called Trevening in Monmouth-shire where he stood a witness against Henry Morgan called Minister for which he was apprehended by Thomas Jones who abused him much and strook him athwart the face and commanded him to be brought to Aberguenyâ— before Henry Baker called Justice who committed him to the County Gaol at Vske where he was detained about five weeks and at the quarter Sessions was released in the year 1658. Again Merridith Edward being moved to go to a Steeple-house called the Vayâ—or in Brecknock-shire where Jenkin Jones who is accounted a high Priest was and by his hearers he was haled forth of the Steeple-house and was much abused by Jenkin Jones himself who enviously did accuse him falsly but could not prove it therefore he is a false accuser Matthew Gibbon of Molton in the County of Glamorgan formerly a Captain in the service of the Common-wealth to the haâ—ard of his life with the loss of the use of one of his Armes for the Good Old Cause the â—iberty of Conscience and for the clearing of his Conscience was moved to go into the Steeple-house at Pâ—nmark neer Molton where Edward Morgan was a time-serving greedy Priest for which he was apprehended and brought before Robert Thomas called Justice who commanded his hat to be taken off his head before him and committed him to the County Goal in Cardiff where he was detained about five dayes and after let forth and never brought to Tryal No Law of the Nation had he broken Again By a Warrant from the said Robert Thomas called Justice was Merridith Edward brought before him who endeavoured to stop his mouth with 〈◊〉 handkerchief and took him by the throat and one in the room endeavoured to hinder him in so doing the justice struck him and committed him to Bridewell the foresaid M. E. for calling Griffith David called Minister of the Gospel Thief and Hireling and denying the Lords Supper as it is expressed in the commitment for which he was released once but the Priest being tormented got him again to Bridewell by the same commitment where he was whipped and it is like he had been dealt more cruelly with had not Major Golar called Justice preventedâ—t who was a means for his releasement and as for the Priest Griffith David whom they call Minister of the Gospel â—e is well known to many to be a greedy hireling and 〈◊〉 marking his Neighbours sheep hath been brought before the Justices where he was found faulty but least the rest of the Trade should come to shame it was let pass Therefore this man is not fit to be called a Minister of the Gospel and his Brother Henry Nichols called Minister went to Bridewell it is like he went to give evil Councel to the Keeper who is one of his Church And Evan Morgan late Bailiff of Cowebridge being there visiting the prisoner some words passed between him and Priest Nichols who violently strook him twice in the Bridewell for which he gave just cause to be corrected and