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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A60436	The fruits of unrighteousnes and injustice Brought forth by John Bulkley, and Thomas Bowrman, and the rest of the rulers in Hampshire, against the innocent people of God called Quakers. Who in words and writings have often declared their unjust sufferings; as also at two sessions, and two general assizes holden at Winchester, requiring justice and equity, and their right and liberty in the nation; of the which being still most unjustly deprived, it is now publiquely declared, that they and others seeing their deeds of darknesse brought to light, may be warned, and learn to do justice, and to relieve the oppressed. Also the sounding voyce of the dread of Gods mighty power to all the judges and rulers of the earth, who rise up aginst the Lamb, and to all the host of powers of darknesse who fight against God. By the servants of Christ ... called Humphry Smith. Anthony Melledg. George Henderson. James Potter. Will: Baily. Daniel Baker. John Day. Winifred Newman.	Smith, Humphrey, d. 1663.	1658 (1658)	Wing S4061; ESTC R216933	45,374	58

released but not us and again any of their complaints would be heard by the Rulers and their papers received and read which was but just but why then should we be deprived of that right every way which they have let the Rulers of Hampshire return me any good reason according to Law for their partiallity herein for we sent a copy of one of the papers before written for some just right and liberty to John Bulkley and a book which I freely gave him in which was some of his own actions which his Clerk said his Master desired it might be printed and if so he might as well desire to have it and he sent his Clark after the messengers who laid his hands on their goods and broke up and read Letters which were of concernment and he also took away from them 7. or 8 books or there abouts which books were as properly the Goods of us called Quakers as the clothes on our backs the which to be violently taken from us is by us esteemed no less then robbery being not restored and so to be punished and not practised by a Magistrate especially by such a zealous out side professor as John Bulkley And so though any vile person might be heard yet I have made it appear but it is to the shame of the Rulers that we sent a messenger to John Hook of Bramshot and his Clark beat the Messenger and we sent another paper by other friends to John Bulkley and did not he send his Clark and rob them and then we sent another paper to that preverse rash tyrannical man who is an evil example to all Rulers and People called Iudge Nicholas at the Assises and he bid the Goaler take that Messenger Therefore now let Gods witness in every Conscience answer whether that which Rules in these and the like men be to be honoured and they flattered or owned to be men ruling for God or to be herein denyed and declared against by all such whose Soules are subject to the higher power which is Gods Ordinance which whosoever resists to please such mens wills shall receive to themselves damnation Pharaoh King of Aegypt of darkness kept the Servants of God in bondadge and would not let them go for which the plagues and Judgements of God came upon him and at last thick darkness which might be felt and when the Judgements of God were upon him he would promise to let them go but it was upon condition that they might leave some thing behind them that he might make a prey upon therefore he bid them go but leave their flocks and heards behind them but Moses was faithfull and said not a hoof should be left behind And so Iohn Bulkley and the rest who sit in darkness and rule with the powers thereof hath imbondaged the Servants of God for which his Judgements hath often come near the heart of him and others even thick darkness which they might feel over-powering their hearts even bringing them down to the Chambers of death and then in their minds and also in words would promise to let us go but it was upon condition that we should leave something behind us for he or they to make a prey upon therefore it was offered we might go if we would leave an ingagement behind us by giving security to go home and when they could not have that then they would have us leave a promise behind us by promising to go home and when they could not have that then they would have some words to that purpose or some desires from us for Iohn Bulkley asked Ann Read what was desired and if any thing was desired it should be done but we did not desire any thing as to beg it of them but vvait for true justice and judgement and vvhen Iohn Bulkley vvith the rest saw that not a hoof nor the least thing should be left behind of ours for him and them to boast of afterwards then he and more of them were tormented and refused to let us go out of their bondage from under their Oppressors and out of their Work-house like Pharaoh who also kept the Servants of God in his bondage under his work therefore was he destroyed for ever as these are in danger to be Thus much at present of the unreasonableness of the Rulers and the bruitishness of the Priests Jer. 10. 21. next may be expected to come forth our cruel sufferings in the prison under Em. Hobs whom it is more fit that she her self were kept in a house of correction or in chaines then to be suffered to be a Goaler who hath also suffered other Friends to be much abused that came to visit us who were at first like to suffer to death in this prison and house of correction where the Servant who is not greater then his Lord doth suffer by them of whom I am called Humphry Smith Finished in Winchester common Goal and house of correction the 6. day of the week the 6. day of the 6 month 58. The sounding voice of the dread of Gods mighty power to all the Judges and Rulers of the earth who rise up against the Lamb And to Gog Magog and all their Armys And to the whole host of the powers of darkness and to all men who fight against God who or whatsoever they be or whatsoever they are called BEhold ye Rulers of the earth listen and heare all ye earthly minded men let the blindness of you minds be opened that your dark hearts may be enlightened hear I say and stop not your cares you whose minds are in the earth whose eyes are closed whose hearts are covered with a thick vail by your own iniquity who see not the wonders of the Lord wrought among the living neither perceive the mighty power of the God of the whole earth who are besotted through the sinfulness of your continual transgressions and are groveling as moles in the earth laden with thick clay and covered with the vail that is spread over all flesh that you see not the glory of the God of life neither perceive ye the comliness of the holy one of Jacob to whom the bright morning-star is as a cloud of darkness and the way of the living God as a fierse whirlwind of fire who see not him that dwelt in the Bush neither hear his voice who hath made darkness his habitation and his pavilion round about him thick clouds of the sky Heare I say and let my words have entrance in you and let the sound of my voice take place in your hearts let the opening of my lips give astonishment to the wicked and the inlargement of my heart the confounding of the Heathen let the dread of the Lord take hold upon the Hypocrites and astonishment seaze upon the double minded let the prudent keep silence and heare and let the honourable be quiet and consider let the understanding give audience to my words and let the mouth of the fool be stopt let the sinner

we purchase our liberty by speaking words of promising to go home seeing you hear already that we cannot make such promises knowing no law requiring us thereunto An answer to these things would we willingly receive in writing from some of you that both your ground and your end might from you be knovvn vvherefore vve are deprived of our right and liberty in the Nation and kept in long imprisonment At the Assizes vvhen the Judge vvas about to send us avvay a Justice so called spake to him that vve might be put in the house of Correction And the same day vvhen George and Christopher Darby vvere examined by the Judge the youngest of the Darbies could not then give a ready ansvver then one called a Justice bid him say that he vvas going into the Countrey to see friends and so joyned vvith a high-vvay Robber and before all the Court vvould have taught him to make lyes his refuge who was afterwards with his brother condemned for high way robbing but being reprieved since with others have much abused us and so they neither suffer according to your Law by which they were to dye neither yet do they suffer according to the righteous Law of God which is to restore four fold And moreover they and such as them have liberty to act even almost all manner of desperate wickednesse in the Prison night day by which our souls do suffer and such as these one called a Justice spake as for and we who fear the Lord another called a Justice spake as against whereby we were put into and kept in the house of Correction and so cause us to suffer beyond the extent of any law And is not this according to them who said and did release Barabbas and crucifie the Just Wherefore ye men minde the witnesse of God in all your consciences and come into his fear that you may love mercy do justly and walk humbly that the just in every one of you may have dominion and then the imprisoned members of Christ will not need to cry unto you for justice and equity Your answer to them you may return who certainly are the servants of God in outward bonds but the Darbies are since released Now let all peoples mouths be stopt for ever from saying we that are called Quakers are not subject to Authority nor obedient to the Law for if we for conscience sake cannot actually be obedient to an unjust Law yet if passively we willingly suffer the punishment which that Law saith is to be inflicted upon him that doth not keep it then therein is that Law also by us fulfilled and hath no more power over us who herein are obedient to Authority and submit to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake But our souls are subject to the higher power which rules over all them who are in the persecuting powers of darknesse who though they be set to be Ministers of a Law and acting without a Law contrary to the Law are found themselves transgressors of the Law being out of the feare and Law of God and out of the Law of the Nation And so they are far out and from that of which Authority consistech and indeed out of all power both of God and man in their own wills ruling with cruelty over others in the power of Darkness We having thus endeavoured by using all means which is just in the sight of God for our right and liberty and having remained close Prisoners many weekes without convenient place to worke though we were committed to the work-house we then endeavoured to get room and liberty to work with our hands and therefore one of us did write unto him by whom we were unjustly committed as followeth John Bulkley THou alone art the cause of my imprisonment almost these nine weeks in which I have almost suffered to the death of my body being also sicke when I was brought to prison among those in whose company wert thou but one night it would make thy flesh to tremble and grieve thy soul if thou feared God to hear see the filthy conversation of the wicked from day to day the like wickednesse I do believe was not found in Sodome nor in the old World whom God destroyed with an utter overthrow Oh! consider a little in the feare of the righteous God who is the righteous Judge of all mankind whether thou hast done unto me as thou wouldst be done unto who am a sufferer under thy hand of oppression for righteousnesse sake both in body and soule being grieved and vexed with the abominations that I daily hear and see and the injustice and unreasonableness of them by whom we suffer where also we are deprived of all outward liberty without cause which in the day of visitation the witnesse of God in thee for me shall witnesse and this action of thine against the innocent in that day will be as a milstone about thy neck and as a fiery flaming worm to eate thy flesh Yea and if thou proceed in the evill that is in thy hands and repent not speedily when thou wilt think peace to thy selfe then will thy sudden destruction come as in a moment from the Lord God who is a swift witnesse against all iniquity and unrighteousnesse of men without respect of persons Therefore once more consider and weigh thy actions in the just ballance even by the light of Christ in thy conscience which will let thee see by what measure thou metest it will be measured to thee again And this is right and according as God will judg and reward every man to which that of God in thy conscience do witnesse though for a time thou mayst strive to hide and vaile it for the honour of the worlds sake and the love of the praise of men but what will this avail or profit thee in the day wherein thou wilt be justly weighed and tryed then to be found by the Judge of all the Earth to be a persecutor of his people and anointed ones for whose sake he will rebuke Kings and will fight our battels and plead our cause in righteousnesse Therefore do we stand still in quietnesse to see his salvation and a freedome from the oppression of all wickednesse and wicked men under whom for a time the just do suffer I do not vvrite to thee as to complain to thee but am contented in my sufferings for my God heares the sighing of his prisoners neither do I expect any thing from thee but equity and justice of vvhich thou bearest the name but actest not in the lifethereof so in the day of try all vvilt be found among the hypocrites bearing the name of that thou neither art nor livest in I must deale plainly vvith thee though under thy povver I should suffer death this I can say I have no envy to thy person nor to any man upon the earth God is my vvitnesse neither dare I give flattering titles to any man for in so doing I should be

of Christ to be so afflicted being sick in prison and the hypocrite might well be affraid least we should be persecuted to death and our innocent blood come upon his head but though thy heart was somewhat judged at the time when thou write thy Letter to that uncleane beastly Woman thou calls Mrs. Hobs● yet soon after thy heart was hardned again like Pharaoh At the Sessions following John Bulkley sent his Clark to us to see if we would promise to goe home and so to release us if we could but onely have spoken some such words to satisfie their wills the which we durst not do And therefore being retained in Prison we writ to them concerning such a promise as followeth WE are not only free-born of England but we have also purchased our freedome in the Nation and the continuation thereof with many years hard service the losse of the lives of many hundreds the spoyling of much goods and the shedding of much blood in the late war by which at last the Lord overturned them who then sought to enslave our persons and infringe our liberty in the Nation in the which liberty now we do expect to worship God in spirit and in truth according to the Scriptures and to speak the word of the Lord as any one of his servants is moved by his spirit we also expect liberty to follow our employments which are honest in the fight of God and all men that fear his Name and the Magistrate to be a praise unto such and by the wholsome Lawes of the Nation us herein to defend England being as an English mans house or home and wherein any of us are deprived of these things we are deprived of our Rights and infringed of our Liberties in the Nation the which done and continued will be an evill example unto other Nations amongst whom also sometimes I had and have businesse I having been much at Sea for almost twenty years and have some occasions at and beyond Sea at this present and I have also severall lawfull occasions in divers parts of the Land about which I now travelling was taken up and sent to Prison and my horse lay at charge by me my goods which I had with me being sent up to London whether I should also go to make sale of it or passe my selfe with it and more over Sea some such businesse at Sea and Land being my present employment for the maintenance of my self and family all which I am now deprived of and kept in Bridewell because I cannot promise to go home and so leave my employment and businesse undone which is the way to ruinate men and their families And as for William Baily he was travelling but to South-hampton upon severall lawfull occasions but before he came there was taken up with me and brought to a Prison which is further off his home then he intended to go and in it kept from his home many weeks longer then he did intend to stay and there yet kept from his businesse because he cannot make a promise to go home and is not this the way to make us servants and slaves to mens wills And as for Humphrey Smith though his Wife came to the Sessions many miles from her habitation and brought two men and a horse for her Husband to ride away with her yet is he also kept in prison because he cannot promise to go home and which of you is it that can promise what to do on the morrow Therefore out of all these promises we stand in submission to the will of the Lord Knowing that they who will live godly must sufler persecution And seeing we have broke no Law nor intend any evill against any man or woman but abide in all watchfulnesse to keep a conscience void of offence towards God and man c. Anthony Mellidge This Paper being little regarded by them that are set to do Justice for they still kept us in prison because we durst not make a promise wch is more then they themselves can wel do if they stood in the feare of God as may appear by him who was called Justice Cobb who sate as Judge at the Sessions whose heart was then and there and afterwards hardned against us like Pharaoh refusing to let us go but suddenly in a moment not long after the Lord cut him off and then what promise could he himselfe perform Oh! that this might be a warning to all oppressing Rulers who are as grasse A Copie of another Paper You who are set to do Justice and to be Ministers of known Laws and are to relieve the oppressed and do that which is just in the sight of God and all men that feare his name and should be a terrour to such as do evill and a praise to such as do well which is according to that of God in all consciences THis we say unto you that since we have been taken from our Callings and Imployments and imprisoned and also caused to be kept in outward bonds by some of you we have seen such as have been accused of divers manners of Theft Witchcraft and Murther receive their sentence or punishment according to your Law or otherwise quit released and freed out of outward bonds And we have seen a man whom we have known to be an idle person and a drunkard and so a transgressor of the Law committed to the house of Correction for wandring or idleness and received his punishment and released Likewise a Tinker committed to the house of Correction received his punishment and released Also two men and a boy that came out of Ireland who appeared to be wanderers and suspective persons who said they had no money and were transgressors also of the Law by fighting if they were not Papists and these also as the other were committed since we and released in short time though we still kept prisoners And this also we say unto you that if we have broken or transgressed any Law or if any evill is or can be proved against us then our bodies are ready and we are willing to suffer the punishment according to the Law for any such offence if charged upon us that the Law being satisfied we might have our liberty again as others to travell about our lawfull occasions And this would we know of you First by what Law of God or man we are herein deprived of that right and liberty which Theeves Murtherers Witches Wanderers and other known transgressors have Secondly what Law you have to keep us in the house of Correction untill we engage or promise to go home If you have any such law let us know it that we might submit thereunto for we are ready to submit unto all your Laws either actively by obedience thereunto or passively by suffering under it for a testimony against that which is unjust but where there is no law there is no transgression Thirdly whether you do intend to keep our bodies in prison untill death unlesse

you think you have done your duty I shall do mine said he and so the Devil by his Ministers to wit the false Prophet and the beast who cast us into prison where we found the same unclean spirit but could not bow to it in submitting to extortion oppression and cruelty and therefore were cast into a stinking dungeon among thieves fellons and transgressors dung piss fleas and lice in abundance and without straw to lie upon but the servant is not greater then his Lord who had not where on to lay his head though the foxes have holes And let such who fear the Lord consider if it be not the unclean spirit of the Devil which rules in these blind hired Priests who take councel together in the darkness with the beast reviling threatning preaching against and persecuting even unto bonds and imprisonments whipping stocking and stoning thrusting into holes and dungeons the innocent servants of the Lord whose pure consciences are exercised toward him in love to all people for the seeds sake for wch they suffer all things and love not their lives unto the death who follow the Lamb the Light of the World in this mighty day of battel between the two seeds and let all such who love Truth and honestly desire to come to the knowledge thereof in the inward parts for that which may be known of God is manifest within the people may feel alter him and finde him who saves from sin and reconciles to God in the Light Consider I say wether ever any of the holy men of God Christ his Apostles or Ministers did persecute rule threaten or murther the innocent in them or cast any into prison as Robert Dingley and Thomas Bowrman hath done but on the contrary suffered under such an evil adulterous gainsaying and persecuting generation the seed of the Serpent even as the servants of the most high his Children of Light have and doth grievously suffer at this day for bearing testimony for the Lord and against the beast and false Prophet wicked Rulers Priests and People without respect of persons who with their cruel tyranny and oppression smite the guiltles with the fist of wickedness to uphold the Devils dark Dominion and Babylons Marchants the unclean Hireling Priests Sermons and Prayer-sellers who raven like Wolves have wearied the Lord of hosts with their words speaking peace to the wicked who put into their mouths and such who dare not for Conscience sake they prepare war in their hearts and cast them into prisons where sundry have suffered until death * * Read a Book titled a Record of sufferings for tythes a testimony against them for ever who have robbed spoyld and made a Prey of mens goods so that the Scripture is fulfilled upon their heads which said Hosea 6. 9. as troopes of robbers wait for a man so a Company of Priests murther in the way by consent see Micha 3. 11. Jerem 23. Ezek. 34. Esa 56. Math. 23. So that the holy men of God Christ and his Apostles and Ministers did witnesse and pronounced woes against such who did profess and preach the good words who were strangers and persecuted the life from whence the good word came forth freely even as Robert Dingley Thomas Bowrman and the rest of their generation do and have done who walk in the very foot steps of the Scribes and Pharisees and of the false Prophets in Cain Cores and Balaams way Cursed Children that cannot cease from sin 2 Pet. 2. 14. Let such who desire to fear the Lord our God be faithful to the eternal witness the Light of Christ in their Consciences and with a single eye search the Scriptures and see if it be not even so Thus far have I cleard my Conscience for the simples sake as a testimony against the seed of evil doers by whom I suffer with the rest of my Brethren by them known in that which is hid from the eyes which are full of Adultery and cannot cease from sin and to such my flesh is known by the name of Daniel Baker Winchester Bridewel this 2. of the 6. Moneth 58. BY what was last written it may appear who was in the Truth he that was willing to have all things proved and brought to the Light in publick before the people in soberness and plainess or Priest Dingly who unto a reasonable offer did not give a reasonable but an unreasonable answer saying I shall send thee to Prison and then whether he was in the Truth that did cast into Prison without any offence or he that was imprisoned And moreover the fruits of their fasts doth appear who live in pride envy and coveteousness in haling two of the Servants of Christ the same day out of their Synagague and before a Magistrate and cast them into prison and so fulfil the Scripture not knowing the Father nor the Son John 16. 2. 3. and so it 's plain their dayes of fasting is for strife and debate and to smite with the fist of wickedness and such God heareth not for they are according to their fathers of old Esa 58. Again those Priests in the dayes of the King did keep dayes of fasting and praying for their King but was not their murther in their hearts and their sacrifice like Cains for did not they stir up the people to rise and if possible cut off all them that then sought for Truth and liberty and do not the same Priests now even upon their dayes of humiliation stir up the people against us they then called Round heads and now called Quakers if possible to have us all cut off from being a people among them to bear witness against their tyranny and coveteousness and John Hodder Priest of Haychurch in Dorsetshire whose most bloody persecution against me and others have exceeded many he said if his Lord Protector would raise an Army to cut off all the Quakers he would be the first man that would draw the sword Oh! when did ever any man thirst more for blood and are not the Priests always stiring up strife and did not they still pray for the upholding of that which they saw was going down and that which indeed the Lord was overturning looke back and see what an out-cry there was amongst them for their Fathers the Bishops and for their King and see if God did not overturn those that they prayed for and set up those that they prayed against as Hereticks and Rebels to their King and breakers of their Laws and see whether they that prayed for the King and for the King of Scots do not now pray for their Protector who with others was instrumental for the overturning of their Bishops and their King the hand of God being then with him who now hath turned his hand for the Priests whom God is against and hath made a Law for them far exeeding any that was made for them by any King or Queen and therefore now they boast much of their Protector and pray

any examination not having that liberty as to appear before them to answer for my selfe against those false accusations which through envy and from the wickednesse of the hearts of Edward Bentall Priest and others was laid to my charge but was had away to the common Gaol at Winchester where I was kept a close Prisoner untill the Affizes following at which time I was had up to the Bar amongst Thieves and Murtherers And although nothing of what I was accused nor any evill was there proved against me yet was I by the Order of Judge Nicholas returned back again to the Gaol there to be kept a Prisoner unlesse I would pay a fine of five pounds because I did not put off my hat according to their Heathenish custome which there is no law in the Nation for And as for the Law of God he that respecteth persons or preferreth him that weareth the gay cloathing gold Ring before him that is in vile rayment maketh himselfe a transgressor Now thus I declare that I owe no man any thing but love yet am I ordered to continue in Prison untill I pay the said fine of 5 l. where I have been already kept before and since the aforesaid Assize about 63 weeks amongst Thieves Murtherers Drunkards Swearers Blasphemers and almost all manner of wicked persons by whose wickednesse and ungodly practices my soule hath been daily grieved and my life often burthened and pressed down yea what I have in this place suffered is not herein to be named but woe unto them by whom the occasion cometh by which the just doth suffer Thus I who am free-born of the Nation am not onely deprived of my right and liberty in the Nation which hath been so much contended about and so much blood shed for but also kept in long and cruell bondage contrary to any Law either of God or man by most unjust and unreasonable men and that not for any evil or with-holding from any man his right or the honour that is due to any who do honour all men in the Lord though the worlds honour with all their customes fashions and traditions I deny for ever but if humility be before honour as the Scripture doth witness Prov. 15. 13 and 18 12. then a proud man is not to be honoured and he that honoreth the proud whom the Lord resists he honoreth the Devil who is king over all the children of pride Job 41. 34. who is their head and ruleth in them and so the honour which proud flesh doth love and lust after who are angry and seek revenge by casting into prison or otherwise persecuting where its not given them is to be denyed by all them that fear the Lord and this I know that those that witness the flesh crucified with the affections and lusts they cannot feed nor satisfie the lusts in others where it ruleth by giving them honour according to their corrupt wills though they suffer by them as I do at this day under their mercilesse cruelty and tyranny Oh! how hath the Devill blinded the minds of people who are so foolish vain and corrupt in their carriages one towards another with bowing bending cringing putting off hats with foolish gestures and deceitfull words as Your humble servant and such like being proud haughty high-minded and will scoffe and mock despise one another when they are apart and seek one anothers hurt when anger ariseth in them one against another And at the Assizes will not Thieves and Murtherers put off their hats to the Judge and give him the titile of your Honour and call him their Lord and down upon their knees to him as at the aforesaid Affizes And wherefore is it to honour him when as perhaps if so be they had him in another place with opportunity they would make him bow to them and take away his money if not his life What cursed flattery and deceit is used among people who know not God nor feare before him and how is proud flesh bewitched with it How common is it for the poor man to stand uncovered to the rich giving deceitfull Titles as Your Worship your Honour and such like whereby God is robbed to whom all honour glory and worship is to be given and he that is rich and great in the earth giving the plain language of Thee and Thou and is not here respect of persons by which the law of God is transgressed And when the poor man is gone from the rich he will speak plainly of him and say he is proud covetous and the like and this I have often seen and heard and aske them wherefore they use such deceit in their carriage towards them they will many of them acknowledge and say they must do it the great men look for it and their causes else they will not heare nor do any thing for them and this deceit and flattery is of the Devill and so the Devill in them is pleased with it but such who cannot bow to his pride but stand witnesses against it who can bow to none but the Lord alone such he persecutes and casts into prison He that boweth to the will of man to please or have the favour of proud flesh he is an idolater and a transgressor of the Law which saith Thou shalt not bow down nor worship any and such bow not to the Son of God to whom every knee shall bow and such who call themselves Christians and are seeking their own honour are hypocrites mockers and diffemblers with God the Son of God who came to do the will of his Father and did the works that none could do besides said I receive not honour from man John 5. 41. And said to such who were seeking their own honour how can ye believe which receive honour one of another and seek not the honour that cometh from God only John 5. 44. And so such who are seeking and receiving honour one of another are not believers nor come to the faith which respects no mans person and so are Infidels and without God in the world And these are they that would have the servants of God how dovvn and become servants to their corrupt wills who know not God neither are of him but are enemies to him in all their ways and are of the generation fo proud Haman who Mordecai refused to bow unto although it was the command of the King and therefore did Haman build a Gallows fifty cubits high to hang him thereon Esther 7. 9. And also did seek to destroy all the Jewes that were in the Kings Provinces and the same spirit is it that now ruleth in all such who persecute the servants of God by casting them into prison where their wills is not obeyed nor bowed unto by giving the honour of the world unto them Wherefore all people minde the light of Christ in your consciences that reproveth for sin and evill and of all your pride deceit hypocrisie and respecting of persons and of all unrighteousnesse

sin and evill which also doth appear by their envy and persecution which is of the Devill James Pottar Imprisoned without the breach of any law and fined at the following Assizes 5 l. because he could not transgresse the Law of God by respecting of persons to satisfie the lusts and corrupt wills of men in not putting off his hat when he was brought to the said Assizes of whom also is demanded 3 l. for fees who have been kept a close prisoner under these cruell oppressions 59 weeks and some dayes From them who are not onely ready to suffer bonds and long unjust imprisonments but also death it self if the Lord require it of us in testimony against all Deceivers and all manner of unrighteousnesse and oppressions and we are friends to the Common-wealth and to equity and true judgement having true love to the souls of all mankinde who for the testimony of a pure conscience are Prisoners by the corrupt wills of men in the Common Gaol and house of Correction at Winton At this last Sessions D. B. G. H. I. D. were committed to the House of Correction being prisoners before the which them set to do justice would not have done if they had not looked out more at the unrighteous hireling Priests vain customes and the glory of the world which shall all perish then to the light of Christ which endureth for ever in their consciences which did then much judge them for what they did against the servants of God and let them see their evill therein the which Light they are to love obey and follow From the servant of God in Prison to the Judge of the Assize at Winchester A Copie of a Paper to the Assizes THe righteous Judge of heaven and earth who respecteth not the persons of the mighty who tryeth the hearts of Kings who is the mighty God of Abraham Isaac Jacob and their seed who wandred up and down some having no certain dwelling place even he who seeth the secret intents of the hearts of the sons of men whose judgements are just and true who rewardeth the proud in his judgements and heareth the cry of the oppressed who will reprove Kings for the sake of the simple and forsaketh not his faithfull afflicted ones who by the man Christ Jesus will judge the secrets of all mens hearts according to his light in them whereby every man shall receive a just recompence of reward according to all their words and actions whether for or against him and his people Wherefore this O man thou art to know that true ●ight and sound judgement is to be by thee performed according to the righteous Law of God which is written in the heart that corrupt judgement cruelty persecution nor receiving of gifts nor entertaining false witness may not be found in thee nor in any of them that Joine with thee whether they are called Sheriffs Justices Jury men Clarks or any other but that according to the Law of God in his fear thou may perform that which the Lord God of hosts certainly will require of thee in the day when all the arme of flesh and honour of the world will not prevent the true everlasting judgments of the most high with fierce wrath and indignation upon all them who pervert true judgment and transgress the righteous Law of God written in the heart The which that thou may not do nor see done before thine eys when thou may prevent it and that thou may escape the wrath of the Almighty which will certainly come upon all who pervert judgment and that in the councell of God thou may come to stand in meeknesse and godly fear to judge for God not for man that his will by thee may be performed that when thou come to stand before the Throne of his eternal judgments thou may not be turned to the left hand with them that forget God and turn his Law behind their backs and oppress his servants and neither visit relieve nor set at liberty the members of Christ in Prison who in these your dayes are in most Prisons where thou come and in Prison have been sick and deprived of that liberty which Thieves and Murtherers have that thou may come to be joyned to Gods witness with it in thee to see rightly to understand the ground and cause of things of which thou art to judge Therefore art thou to be guided by the light in thee which comes from Christ who is the sure foundation and was before-transgression by which the transgression is seen and with it is to be judged which light in thee will let thee see the ground of all transgression by the same out of transgression thou art to be led and then to judge over that which is in the transgression that so those who dare not transgress the righteous law of God thou mayst be a praise unto and all such who reprove sin in the gate market places publick assemblies or els-where and that all who transgress the law of God with that of God in thy conscience thou may be a terrour unto executing true judgment upon that head wch goeth forth from the light into the transgression for that is it for which the Law is added which by the Law which is perfect is to be judged that out of the transgression man may be kept Therefore hear with meekness and in patience understand and consider my words for all the holy men of God who ruled for God and not for men were therein guided by that which is holy pure just and right whereby they were guided in his fear to execute his judgments only upon the transgressor according to the will of him by whom otherwise they themselves were to be judged and they were guided by that spirit in them which gave forth the Law and with that joyned to execute the Law upon them that did transgress the law of God with whom in so doing they were said to be a help-government and such were called Gods who bore not the sword in vain standing in the higher power to which their souls were subject to bring the transgressor in obedience thereunto but such who did not transgress the righteous law of God their souls were already subject to that higher power but when man who should rule for God stood not in his councel but went themselves into the transgression out of the power and judged for reward such the light in them was darkned that they could not see the transgressor but let him go free and punish the just as Pilate and many others did even in the dayes of the Prophets who then cryed out against them because they were become as ravening wolves and then of such it is written I said ye were gods but ye shall dye like men and fall as one of the Princes and because of wrong judgment and the want of true exercise in the perfect law of God have many fallen and been overturned even Kings Princes Parliaments Bishops