testifie against Priest Farmer aforesaid and being at Nicholas Steeple house after he had done his Prayer before his Divination the Lord opened her mouth and she said unto hâ—m Wo unto the Idol shepherds that devour and scatter my flock saith the Lord. And to the people And the people she spake warning them to repent for the Kingdome of Heaven was at hand and that the Lord was coming to look for fruit with much more but the Mayor and some of the Aldermen being present commanded their Officers to carry her to Bridewell Committed to Bridewell some of the people striking her as they drew her out of the Steeple-house where she was continued till the third day of the week following at which time she was removed to Newgate without being called before the Rulers or examined And as deep calleth unto deep so violence called to Tempeâ—ance Higâ—â—ll 23. day 7. monâ—h 1655. speaking to Priest Brent persecution for Temperance Hignell being commanded of the Lord to witness against Jacob Brint Priest at Temple Steeple-house and coming thither on the 23 day of the same month being the first day of the week after he had ended all that he had then to say to the people she beginning to speak to him saying Wo from the Lord God to thou Jacob Brint and was before she could speak another word struck down by some of his hearers to the Struck down ground and therewith astonished till some of them took her up upon which the tumult flockt about her who gave her many blows beat her so in the face that her eyes were swelled and blood came from Tumulted bâ—aâ— Her blood drawn her which she wiping off her face shewed to the people and bid them behold the fruits of their Ministry Her hat was also struck off her head and her handkerchief about her neck torn off and taken Cloaths reâ—t away and being haled out of the Steeple-house some would have dragg'd her to the Pond and have thrown her in there but one present withheld them and brought her into the street into which being come the Tumult about her was very great shouting and whooping and some danger appeared of her * life whereupon she asked whether Since dead being carried out of the Prison dangerously sick of which he dyed three dayes after there were any Constables present he that withheld them from throwing her into the Pond answered he was one To whom she spake If I have broken any Law let me suffer by the Law and let me be defended from the rude multitude Then she was Examined brought to Alderman Knight who having demanded of her what her name was and where she lived to which she answered he asked her what she had to do to disturb the Minister She replyed she was moved of the Lord to speak to Jacob Brint and said she came not there to make a disturbance Then his son asked her what she came there for and whether what the Minister had spoken was not the truth She replyed that he was a Deceiver of the people and of their souls for dishonest gain Then the Alderman aforesaid commanded the Constables to have her away to Bridewell where he said she Committed to Bridewell should be soundly whipt on the morrow She demanded a Mittimus to know what she was committed for he answered his word was a Mittimus so she was had away to Bridwell the tumult of people following of her shouting and making a noyse all the way thither and one plucked â—ff her neck-cloth The next day she was brought before the Major 23. day 7. month 1655. Examined the second time and Aldermen who demanded of her what she had to do to go to Mr. Brint and disturb him the day before She answered she was moved of the Lord but as for making a disturbance that she denyed Then John Knight said that her coming into the Church caused such a disturbance that the people looked after her more than to hear the word of God To which she replyed if I shall have liberty I shall here declare what I spoke which being granted her she said It was Wo from the Lord to thou Jacob Brint and this was the truth of it I declare it to you in the presence of the Lord and unto them she related the passages aforesaid of being beaten and misused by the rude multitude Then they asked her wherefore she pronounced Wo unto him She replyed she spake not her own words but his that sent her They asked her how she knew she was moved of the Lord She answered it was like fire in her bones And after many other questions asked and answered of little consequence she was asked whither she would go again and whether she would be sorry for what she had done She replyed she could say little to that Then the Major asked her whether she would finde good Sureties for the good behaviour She answered she should finde none So he ordered her to be sent to Newgate Prison She desired to Committed to Newgate know for what she was committed and also a Mittimus He replyed his word was a Mittimus The day following she sent a Letter to Jacob Brint in these words Jacob Brint UPon the 23. day of this month I was commanded Her Letter to Jacob Brint of the Lord to come unto thee and say We from the Lord to thee Jacob Brent with much more but before I could deliver that which I had to say to thee I was thrown down by some or one of thy hearers and haled forth of the Steeple house by which means I was prevented to declare unto thee that which I was commanded from the Lord Now for the clearing of my conscience that thou mayst not be ignorant of the minde of the living God concerning thee I am moved now to declare it to thee in writing Therefore hear the word of the Lord Wo from the Lord God unto thee Jacob Brent thou Idol and dumb Shepherd that seekest for the fleece and cloathest thy self with the wool and devourest the souls of the people for dishonest gain verily the Lord God is risen to plead with all flesh by fire and by sword therefore repent and prize the day of thy visitation lest his wrath should be kindled further against thee to cut thee off for ever This is that which I was moved to declare to thee from the Lord and now also I am moved to declare more unto thee All trees which bring not forth good fruit are to be hewen down and cast into the fire Therefore sink down and look into thy self and see what fruit thou hast brought forth that scarce any of thy hearers but what are swearers drunkards strikers fighters and railers persecutors of the Just ye are of the same generation that persecuted the Son of God and now ye persecute him afresh where he is made manifest I warn and command thee in the presence of the
with him the false Prophet that worketh miracles before him and which he deceived and they both shall be cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone And the fowls that flie in the midst of the Heavens shall eat the flesh of Kings and of Captains and of mighty men and of Horses and of them that sit thereon and of all men both free and bond small and great that gather themselves together to make war against him that sits on the white horse and against his Army And all the fowls shall be filled with their flesh Of the rising and progresse of this Sun of righteousnesse and the persecutions raised against it in this City is the intent of this Treatise The particulars whereof shall be set down in order Some of the brethren near Kendale in Westmerland being moved not by man nor the will of man but by the Lord to come to Bristoll to which place they were wholly strangers as they were to every Inhabitant thereof to declare what he should there Command them in obedience thereunto came thither on the 12th day of the fifth moneth called 12th of the 5th moneth 1654 John Audland came first to Bristol July 1654 in the Evening And having the next day delivered the word of the Lord there given them in charge to the Independent and Baptized Churches so called And having testified the things of the Kingdom to a few others who were waiting for the Redemption of Israel The day following being the 14th of the same moneth they passed away towards Plymouth in Devonshire the witnesse being raised though in so short space of time by the power of the Lord and severall both of the Churches so called and others putting their seales to the truth of their testimony Being come to and departed from Plymouth to London one of the Brethren aforesaid to wit John Audland was mightily pressed in spirit to visit Bristoll again and therefore returned thither about the beginning of the 7th moneth following called September Beginning of the 7th month 1654 John Audland came the second time and John Camm with him with whom John Camm being moved of the Lord came also and spake publiquely as the Spirit gave them utterance And truly such a wide door and an effectual was opened which none could shut as hath not been known in any age in this Nation for the people being as Corn ripe for the Harvest pressed in by multitudes in this day of the Lords power and the witnesse which at first was risen but in a few to whom the Word of the Kingdom was communicated like to Elijah's cloud seemed to fill the whole Heaven The places of meeting were too streight the Assemblies thereupon in the fields though in the winter season were multiplyed to two three nay sometimes to near four thousand people And many of all sorts professions Ranks ages and sexes some of whom as eminent as any in that City in that which is called Godlinesse became obedient to the truth whose minds being turned to the Lord witnessed the power and life of Jesuâ— in measure and Redemption within from the fashions and customs of the world and their former vain Conversations and professions and this Ministry through which they were begotten again to a lively hope through the resurrection of the dead to be of the Lord. Persecution begun At this manifestation of Jesus the Priests and Rulers with many professors of all opinions and the worser sort of the City were exceedingly moved And as the joyfull Sound went forth into the Countrey round about whereby many were brought iâ—to the obedience of the truth So the members of the many-headed beast there and the false Prophet joyn in confederacy with them in making war against it And even some who as they have in their time and generation born their testimony to any thing of simplicity and power in Religion or have owned the publique interest have constantly been maligned and opposed by the Magistrates and people fall in and become one with both strengthening their hands and stirring up their hatred against the Truth And although they thereby justifie the oppositions themselves have received and allow the persecuting Principle which when it was their own case they condemned and give Judgment upon and prepare trouble for themselves and weaken the publique interest in which they are concerned and have lost the Crosse which the servants of the living God have alwaies witnessed against the adulterous generation yet so blind are their eyes that though they see they perceive not so gross are their ears that though they hear yet do they not understand yea their hearts are waxen fat lest they should see hear and be converted and healed fulfilling the words of Christ who saith For Judgment am I come into this world that those who are blind may see and those who say they see may John 9. 39. be made blind and their sin may remain And now who Esay 42. 19. is blind but my servant and who is deaf but my messenger seeing many things but he observeth not opening the ear but he heareth not And indeed to those who have known and lived in that City for the space of 18. years last past and do impartially weigh things to have beheld their Episcopacy persecuting Puritanisme so called with reproaches riots imprisonments and accusations of plotting against the Kingdome under pretence of religious meetings which they would make Conventicles Puritanisme in the throne turned into Presbytery opposing Episcopacy as Popish and Independency as Heresie and Schisme Independency got into the Chair trampling under Presbytery as Antichristian and others above them as Notionists Anti-Ordinance men c. Each taking their turn and time and applying themselves unto and making use of the Powers of the earth for the pulling down of the one and setting up of the other And now to see Episcopals Presbyterians Independents Baptists Notionists Ranters and the rude rabble of ignorant and dissolute people the Priests and the Rulers aforesaid reconciled joyned and folded together as Herod Pontius Pilate and the Jews in exercising the very same reproaches and persecutions wherein themselves suffered from each other and from the Priests and Rulers and in a higher manner against those who are called forth to witnesse Jesus now made manifest in them it would be very strange but that this is the portion which the truth hath received from the men and professions of the world throughout all generations and which returns to it as a testimony Neverthelesse as death and hell could not hinder the resurrection of Christ but he arose the third day according to the Scriptures so the confederacy aforesaid with all their policy and power have not been able to extinguish the light that hath shined but the more they have sought to quench it the brighter it hath appeared and so will it encrease to the perfect day for the Lord is risen and the word is gone forth out of his mouth
and will not return again till Judgment and Righteousnesse be set up in the earth and all his enemies be subdued under him As the word of the Kingdom grew and multiplyed so the rage of the Beast and of the false prophet increased against it For having a little recovered the deadly wound at first given them the Priests apply themselves to the Rulers as the false Prophets Priests and Pharisees did of old and pressed they are to turn these servants of the Lord out of Town as men not to be endured who on the 30th day of the eighth moneth following being the 2d day of the week in the morning being assembled in their Councel Chamber and the Priests ready according to their appointment sent an Officer to Francis Howgill and 30th of the 8th moneth 1654 Francis Howgill and Edward Burrough before the Rulers Edward Burrough to desire not to command them to come before them whereupon they immediately went being accompanied with three or four friends of the City against whom there was no just cause of exception whom when the Magistrates saw as they sate about the Councel Boord as in a Judicature they began immediately to be enraged and Richard Aldworth Joseph Jackson and George Hellier Aldermen would not be at rest till the Maior had commanded them forth and caused the door to be kept fast by an Officer that their friends might not come in and be present which was observed all the time the strangers were before them but dealt not so with their opposites who were admitted and present all the time though they were told it was not fair dealing Those two being left alone several of the Priests came in presently and others of their party who were also admitted And the Maior having demanded of them their names and their Countrey and their businesse and the last place from whence they came And they having given plain answers thereunto And that according to the Command of the Everlasting God they came to that place to bear witnesse and testimony unto his Name against all deceipt as they had done many dayes at the City of London from whence they came last The Mayor asked them whether they would discourse fairly of things They answered Yea and exhorted the Rulers to try them by the Scriptures for as unto them by it they would be judged in what they spake The Priests having got this material instead of the sword of the Spirit began to ask them many questions but they replying That what the Magistrate who had Command over them asked they were ready to answer not what the Priests demanded And the Magistrates thereupon assigning their power to the Priests they said they were ready to answer any thing that should be put upon them And to what the Priests demanded gave they answers according to the Scriptures which the Priests were not able to disprove nor prove by the Scriptures what they affirmed As would appear were the particulars rehearsed though Ralph Farmer one of the Priests then present is not ashamed in a book of his stiled The Mysterie of ungodlinesse to affirm the contrary And with meeknesse gave they a reason of the hope that was in them and declared how the Lord had wrought upon them and in them and how he had called them forth to this Ministry and of their former Conversation But the Priests cutting them short in their Declaration of their immediate Call forbearing to ask them more Questions the Magistrates having got no advantage against them by their words and that which one of the Priests present charged them with to have said in his hearing at a publique meeting was disproved by another present to the silencing of the Priest who afterwards confessed before them that twice in the same discourse he exprest himself otherwise charged them with having tumultuous meetings and said they could not suffer it They answered If they were found at any time transgressors of any Law let the Law be shewed them and they would suffer by it for they desired nothing but equity And to the Law of equity they were subject for conscience sake But bade them take heed how they made their own wills a Law And one there present said he had been at their meetings where there were very many honest godly sober people And that their meetings were not tumultuous Then they warned them from the Lord to beware lest they hardened their hearts and so persecuted the innocent without a cause and were found in the steps of the Scribes and Pharisees and Chief Priests which persecuted Christ and his Apostles and so brought innocent blood upon their own heads But their wrath was kindled against them And though they had nothing to lay to their charge as to what they had done as their own consciences will testifie and bear witnesse no breach of any Law being found upon them and what they spake they proved by the Scriptures which bare witnesse to the same Yet in their anger they commanded them to depart E. B. J. H. commanded to depart the City the City and the Liberties thereof at their peril To which they made answer that they came not in the will of man nor stood in the will of man but when he moved them to depart who moved them thither they should obey but their wills they could not obey for their will was not Law And boldly said If they were guilty of the transgression of any Law let them suffer by it but rather than they would transgresse the righteous Law of God written in their hearts by subjecting to their wills and lusts they choose to walk in the Law of God and to suffer under their wills what they could lay upon them for they were free-born Englishmen and had served in faithfulnesse the Common-wealth being free in the presence of God from the transgression of any Law To their commands they could not be obedient and if by violence they would put them out of the City and had power to do it they could not resist and so they departed out of their presence rejoycing in the will of God that they were counted worthy reproach and to be called before Rulers and Councellors for the testimony of Jesus Now let all people Judge whether these proceedings of the Magistrates be not manifestly contrary to the Rights and Liberties of Englishmen who may freely come into and live in any place within the English Jurisdiction giving an accompt of their names former habitations businesse places of birth and last abode and freeing the Parish from charge if it be demanded And to the Lawes of the Nation which requires plain dealing not treachery in Magistrates That places of Justice be open and free to all not to be done privately and in a Chamber or the doores kept fast That witnesses on both sides be present and heard That the Accuser and Prâ—secuter be neither Examiner Witnesse nor Judge That the Magistrates without respect of persons judge according
out of the Steeple-house into the street where the boys and other people followed her with dirt stones John Gouning the Mayor was present at the Steeple-house aforesaid to whom Ralph Farmer openly called that course might be taken with her who the next day instead of questioning and punishing the tumult who assaulted the woman and made the disturbance before his face as the Law required sent for her and several days that week to come before him but she was not at home her absence being upon her occasions not to avoid him in the least The same day in the afternoon one Captain Samuel John Worring 10. day 10. month 1654. Speaking to Samuel Grimes Grimes Divining at Philips and affirming to the people many grosse untruths of those whom he reproachfully called Quakers One Henry Gunning reproved him he having said that he committed sin in all the things that he did Whereupon John Worring Apprentice to Peter Hiley said to him If thou were a Minister of Jesus Christ the Law of the spirit of Tumulted life which is in Christ Jesus would make thee free from the Law of sin and death Then the multitude abused and beat worring and Gonning And the Church-warden so called and the Clark laid hands on them the Constables present not keeping the Peace On the fourth day of the week following the Magistrates sent for John Worring before them and demanded Examined of him why he made a disturbance in the publick Congregation aforesaid And why he disturbed the Minister before he had done his Sermon Worring denied that he made any disturbance Whereupon the Magistrates called the Clark in evidence against him who positively swore that he told Grimes that he spoke never a true word and that he kickt at the said Clark All which Worring affirmed to be false Then they called another to testifie against him who swore that Worring called Grimes Devil which Worring affirmed to be false also And Magistrates themselves by their questions seemed to suspect the truth of his testimony Hereupon they asked him what he could say for himself He answered and denyed that he spake such words as they charged him withal They demanded of him what were the words he did say Worring replyed They were these That if he were a Minister of Christ the Law of the spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus would make him free from the Law of sin and of death They told him he was sent to make a disturbance this he denyed or that he was sent by any for such things are not the practice of the servants of the Lord whom they suspected to have sent him and would slaunder with such things And he added that is was not so Whereupon Alderman Joseph Jackson replyed he was like a Cut-purse and that he denyed all things he did Then they asked him why he kickt the Clark He answered that he did neither kick nor strike but was both kickt and struck Alderman Joseph Jackson replyed that if his braines had been knockt out he had had his amends in his his hands And so they committed him to Newgate Committed prison without any Mittimus The 17. day of the same moneth Elizabeth Marshall Eliz Marshal 17. day 10. moneth 1654 speaking to John Knowls was moved of the Lord to speak to John Knowls Priest at the Steeple-house called the Colledge whom she hearing all the time without saying a word after that by what is called his blessing he dismist the people the power of the Lord was upon her and commanded her to warn him to repent And she said This is the word of the Lord to thee Knowls I warn thee to repent and to mind the light of Christ in thy Conscience and was very full to have spoken more unto him But Alderman William Cann a Ruler present and some others commanded the people to lay hands on her who Tumulted c thereupon violently assaulted her giving her many blows in the place with staves and cudgels pushing and haling her but the mighty power of the Lord bore her above it all and moved her to cry out to them The mighty day of the Lord is at hand wherein he will strike terrour on the wicked which she uttered often with a loud voice But the tumult haling her out of the Steeple-house she went her way into the City Hundreds of people following her and as she was going was taken into Custody by a Constable Taken into Custody by order as he said of the aforesaid Alderman and brought before the Mayor that Alderman and another being present The Mayor demanded of Examined her why she went to disturbe the Minister and the Peace She answered she was no disturber of the Peace He replyed she was in that she had caused tumults in the streets whereas the Tumults were made on her She only replyed wo be to me if I obey not the word of the Lord Then the Mayor commanded the Constable to carry her to Newgate prison where Committed she was taken into Custody without a Mittimus The next day about the third hour in the afternoon 18. day 10. moneth 1654. Eliz. Marshal Examined she was sent for from the prison to the Councel house where the Mayor and Aldermen being sat the Mayor charged her with disturbing of the Peace which she denyed and said she offered abuse to none but they disturbed the Peace who tumultuously laid hands on her Then the Magistrates called for the Depositions against her as to her Message to Ralph Farmer as aforesaid They affirming that he had not said his blessing But they urged nothing of what she said to John Knowls upon which she was after examination Committed Then the Mayor caused the Depositions to be read and demanded of her whether she spake the words therein alledged To which she stood silent having owned what she spake aforesaid from the Lord before them and only said in answer I have said You need not urge her said Richard Aldworth she owns it Then they said She must to the Place from whence she came and called Committed for the Keeper to take her away She replyed she hah broken no Law and bad them act according to the Law They commanded again the Keeper to take hir away whereupon she went to the Mayor and again and again required a Mittimus but he refused and said the Keeper was a sufficient Mittimus Then departing with the Keeper she was moved from the Lord to return again which she did and warned them from they Lord in these words You that are Magistrates of this City I warn you from the Lord that you act righteously and that equity run down as a stream and righteousness as a mighty water Whereupon she was returned to prison they not suffering any friend of hers to come in with her into the Councel house to beat witness on her behalf though it was earnestly desired And thus was Elizabeth Marshal only for speaking
and Lords for sending several Merchants of London to Prison with Warrants which contained not the cause of their Commitment To salve which the Petition of Right was then granted which confirmed Magna Charta and the Statute of Westm 1. wherein this fundamental Law is contained And to act contrary hereunto is to subvert the fundamental Law For which the late King Strafford and Canterbury were impeached attainted and executed as Traytors against the fundamental Lawes and Liberties of the Nation And against this fundamental Law no particular usage 25 Edw. 1. Cap. 2. Coke upon Con. c. f. 527. or Custom of any particular place is of force All which as it appears these Magistrates neither accompt nor regard nor their heads nor estates for they commit men to prison without any Warrant or Mittimus and have denyed it to about 20. persons of whom particularly this Treatise makes mention though severall of them earnestly and often demanded it Also freedom of the exercise of the profession of Faith in Christ Jesus though differing in Judgment from the Doctrine worship or discipline publiquely held forth is a fundamental in the present u See the Government Art 37. Constitution And for all to prophesie and when any thing is revealed to another that sitteth by for the first to hold his peace And that all may speak one by one was exercised in the true Church of Christ of which the Scriptures bear Record as aforesaid and is a true profession and exercise of faith in Jesus Christ And for that absolete Act Mary 1. on which the Priests and Magistrates pretend to lay the legality of their proceedings in this case It is well known to have been made in the time of Popery for the defence of the Romish Popish Priests in the time of their Service from the testimony of those Protestants whom then God mightily raised up to bear testimony against their Idolatrous Doctrines and services who witnessed against them thorough flames of fire All which Doctrines and Services being wholly removed the effect must needs cease with the cause and the Defence when that which is defended is taken away And 1 Eliz. c. 2. repeales and makes utterly void and of none effect all Lawes Statutes and Ordinances wherein or whereby any other service than that of the Common-Prayer is limited established or set forth And that Act aforesaid 1 Mar. amounteth to the establishing of the Masse which is another service And yet neither are the Priests ashamed to desire nor do the Magistrates blush to defend them upon colour and pretence of that Statute nay to imprison where there is no offence by that Law were it in force and practicable for it protects the Romish Popish Priests from interruption onely in the time of Service Can those who claim the benefit and priviledges of that Law and are protected thereby otherwise be esteemed of than such as that Law qualifies and makes capable of the priviledges and protection therein provided And so is not the witnesse the same against which the provision is made as aforesaid and that which seeks the same defence of the same root and principle If the Priests will needs have that Law to be in force and to be defended thereby then let them not refuse to be accompted of and denominated as such whom that Law qualifies guardeth and defendeth viz. as Romish Popish Priests of Antichrist not as Protestants or Ministers of Jesus Christ for against the witnesse of God in such was that Law made and provided The great Tumult and Râ—et The Priests and People having understood by these illegal and oppressive proceedings how much these Magistrates had the truth and those who owned it in abomination were greatly encouraged to proceed in their opposition thereunto And resolutions were also had by an insurrection to quit the Town of those Servants of the most high who were so instrumentall in this day of the Lord because according to the way of Justice and the Law of the Land they being innocent it could not be done And such an expedient if it took might gratifie and answer all their opposites Therefore a Conspiracy was entred into and a design laid amongst Continued the Apprentices for that purpose and meetings had in order thereunto And as a Blind or pretext to this continued outrage a Petition was drawn to have been presented the Maior and Aldermen to turn them out of the Town and upon their refusing so to do for they knew that the Law authorized no such Injustice then to rise and not only to do their endeavours on them but on such as should assist them And in this Petition Priest Farmer was consulted to say no more and to execute this Plot goings there were from house to house and Master and man were prepared Mighty were the outgoings of the Lord on the first day of the week being the 17th of the 10th moneth in the publique meetings and mightily was the Dragon enraged thereat seeing his Kingdome shortned And therefore staid not till his Serpent wisdom by a Petition had turnâ—d his design into an insurrection but blowes up the heat of the rash and ungoverned Apprentices and rude multitude to lay hold on the first opportunity to put it by downright tumult into issue And therefore having understood that the third Raised on John Audland and John Camm 18th of the 10th moneth 1654. The first day day of the week following John Camm and John Audland who were of the first that came hither and were great labourers in the work of the Lord in Bristol were to passe over the Bridge to a meeting appointed at Brislington a mile or two from thâ—nce in the County of Somerset Resolutions were had to set upon them And accordingly the third day of the week in the morning being the 19th day of the 10th moneth they two passing peaceably over the Bridge and a friend with them offering no offence or injury to any severall Apprentices of Priest Farmers Parish followed after and passing by them to the South end of the Bridge turned about and giving a sign many other Apprentices came forth and other people and joyned with them who together fell violently on those innocent strangers and assaulted punched pulled and haled them back over the Bridge again towards the High Crosse their numbers being encreased to some Hundreds and their rage heightened that some cryed out Hang them presently others Knock them down and would have dragg'd them thorough Winestreet and so out of the City there to have executed their cruelty upon them but it pleased the Lord that others were hearkened to who spoke to have them brought before the Maior And so the Riot haled them into the Tolzey where their rage had been much upon them were it not that a friend present with much ado got them into his house near at hand and so rescued them About which the Ryot remained for some time threatening to assault it Those two being all that
either side and without any signification to him to this day wherefore he was sent for or committed where he was continued a prisoner 33 days and a close Prisoner by order of the Major and none to come to him but his servants as said the keeper though he be a shop keeper and as a Wiâ—ower and had one child sick dead and buryed whilest he was thus unjustly imprisoned being kept from seeing it or going to its buriall and had another sick and no body but his servant to look to his shop and trading not knowing of to this day any thing whereby they have cause against him according to Law Have such pieces of tyrannicall injustice and cruelty as these been heard of in this Nation or dared the highest Ministers of State under Charles Stuart so to do was not Strafford to these men a Petty transgressor and his loynes as their little finger And the more they persecuted the more they thirsted after persecution for on the eleventh day of the third moneth the Magistrates sent for William William Foord 11. day 3. monâ—h 1655. Foord to come before them where being come the Company of Milliners complained that he kept a man at work in contempt of the Majors order for on the thirtieth day of the second moneth they had sent for him Concerning the same business upon Complaint of the Milliners for that he kept a stranger at work contrary as they pretended to their Ordinary whereupon the Major charged Foord to turn the stranger away and not to teach him his trade which he refused to do in regard he was none of that Company and had followed the trade of Wooll-combing before they were a Corporation and because the man had been all his youth a Souldier in the Army and in a capacitie by the late Act to set up any where nor was he obliged by any Law either not to teach him his trade or to turn him out of his house he beeing an honest sober man desirous to learn a calling whereby to live And they further alledged that he should say he would keep him in spight of any mans teeth whereupon their witnes was produced and sworne who denyed that he said in spight of any mans teeth but that William â—â—ord had said he intended to teach him then one of the Aldermen affirmed that he promised to turne him away which William Foord denyed to be truth whereupon he called to the Milliners to justify it but they were made to speak the truth which was that he refused to turn the man out of his house and that he could say nothing as to the teaching of him Then they asked the Milliners what fine he had Committed by their Ordinary they answered half a Crown a day for every day he had employed him they asked why they did not levy the fine upon him They replyed if he would turn away the man they would be satisfied He told them he was not of their trade and therefore their Ordinary had no power over him and that the man whom he was teaching might make use of any trade by the Act to which Alderman Joseph Jackson replyed it was no such matter and said Is that your Conscience Then they asked him whether he would keep the man or no to which he replyed he should Then the Major asked him whether he had any sureties there present He asked him what to do The Major told him he should be bound to the good behaviour He answered he had broken no Law therefore he should provide no Sureties then they told him he should go to Newgate he asked them for a Mittimus whereupon Committed they in scorn laughed at him and Shiriff Lawford told him he knew not the Law He replyed whether he knew it or no it was convenient that he might have under their hands wherefore he was committed Then they said the Majors word was a Mittimus He said again he should not go without something under their hand then Shiriff Lawford said hâ— should be carryed in a wheel-barrow and the Officers staying a while for him and seeing â—hat he would not go they commaâ—ded their Officers to carry him away so many of them came about him and did drive him along before them to prison where he was continued for the space of 26. dayes a prisoner from his family and calling both Daniel Wastfield and William Foord being men who hâ—ve been alwayes faithfull and active for the publique interest and have served it in Armes and so hath the stranger because of whom they pretend to have imprisoned William Foord though that and their being such as are reproachfully called Quakers may be understood the true reason wherefore they are thus unjustly dealt withall and occâ—sions sought against them for the Law they have not transgressed After the imprisonment of these for the space of time aforementioned the friends of truth had Christopher Bâ—rkhead 2. day 5. month 16â—5 Standing silent in Nicholas Steeple-house whâ—lst Priest Farmer was worshâ—pping some respite from their bonds till the second day of the 7. month at which time Christopher Birkhead being in the Steeple house called Nicholas unto which he was moved of the Lord he stood there silent whilst Priest Farmer said a few words as a prayer and read some Psalmes which when he had done the Priest stoâ—d still saying nothing But looked towards the Aldermen present with whom his Clarke was talking and took a Psalmes booke of a boy as if he would sing and went to open it but did not but turning two or three times and looking on the Magistrates with whom his Clarke was speaking as aforesaid At length about the time that Miles Jackson Alderman was coming out of his feate towards Christopher Priest Farmer began to speak to Christopher and told him he disturbed the People by standing with his hat on in the time of Prayer and moreover said to him that if he had any thing to say he should speak and tell his business why he came thither for Christopher was silent then and not before Christopher began to speak Thus saith the Lord A wonderfull and horrible thing is Committed in the land and was speaking further but Priest Farmer said he would have none of that or wordâ— to that purpose and spake loud that the people might not hear Christopher By this time Miles Jackson being come from his seat to the place where Christopher stood commanded him to be taken away saying he was a disturber Christopher Struck replied All people take notice whether I have disturbed any man Then the under-Sexton laid hands on him in the place and in the view of the Magistrate and the Priest strooke him on the head with a stick Tumulted c. and the rude multitude came about him some striking some pinching and some thrusting him which caused him to turne his head to the Priest and say see the fruits of thy Ministry then the Rude Multitude haled him towards the
made in the time of Popery by a Popish Parliament and a Popish Queen at the instigation of the Popish high-Priests and Bishops of that Popish Generation for the defence of Popish Priests and Jesuits in their Preachings for and exercising of their abominable Popish Doctrines and Idolatries of the Masse Transubstantiation Purgatory Worshipping of Images c. against the witness of God then born against them by the Protestants thorough flames of fiâ—e touching the invalidity of which even in point of Law something hath already been offered by which doth not both Priests and Magistrates shew themselves to be of the same generation Those whom the Lord hath moved to beare the same testimony after the Priests have finished their Divination and dismist the people have been inspired in the same manner and some of them knocked down in the Steeple-houses and their blood shed in those Idoll Temples and their garments rent and their lives endangered and much hereof in the presence of the Magistrates who when called to have not relieved them nor caused the tumults before their faces to be supprest nor punished any for making tumults though contrary to their Order of Sessions the 16 day of the 11. month 1654. and to the Law but insteed thereof some of them have commanded violent hands to be laid on them in the Steeple-houses and with others have committed those who have been thus tumulted beaten injured and their blood shed to prison and â—ave kept them for a long time there from their families and relations whose maintenance depend upon their Liberty of which they are not ignorant though there is not so much as any shadow of Law that they can lay to their charge to have broken And Christopher Birkhead being moved of the Lord to come to the Steeple-house and standing silent amongst them in that place which is free for all men not speaking a word till the Priest required him to speak to declare his busines received much of the same in the presence of the Rulers one of whom wheÌ„ the people were quiet came out of his seat and commanded him to be taken away as a Disturber when he disturbed no man and thereby raised a tumult which neither he nor others present appeased but added thereunto the imprisonment of his person as the particulars aforesaid at large mention and yet those who beat and strike and make tumults in the Steeple-houses are neither bound to the good behaviour nor punished according to the Law though on the behalf of the Common-wealth because the Peace is broken such offences ought to be brought to issue at Law should the party beaten and tumulted be silent And though the Law enjoyns the Justices and the Sheriff to enquire of Riots by a Jury and to hear and determine according to the Law within one month upon pain of 100 l. a piece making default as hath been aforesaid And here the Reader hath several more views of this Priest Farmer who calls himself a Minister of the Gospel but whose servant he is the sober may easily judge by the instances aforesaid without any repetition or aggravation And were it not to shew how the Ministers of Satan work now as of old against the Lords Witnesses his name or actions are not worthy the mentioning For the memory of the just is blessed but the name of the wicked shall â—ot The wise in heart will receive commandments but a prating fool shall fall faith the Spirit of the Lord Prov. 10. 7 8. The 27. of the 7. month was the Gaol-delivery held at Bristol for the City and County at which Goal delivery 27. day seventh month 1655. according to Law was expected the trial of all Prisoners and issue which the Murtherers Robbers Theeves and other Offenders had but the Witnesses of Jesus are not thought fit to have the priviledge the Law allows but are kept in custody without being called till the 10. day of the 8. month being the General Sessions of the Peace so called at Sessions 10. dâ—y 8. month 1655. Trial of Prisoners which time the Jaylor having brought them with his Axe through the streets to the Hall where though innocent they stood and were numbred amongst the transgressors And were called as followeth Benjamin Maynard was the first to whom was Benjamin Maynards Trial. read an Information concerning his going to the Steeple-house to John Paul as aforesaid To which he answered What I have spoken I will own The Court asked him whether he would be sorry for what he had done He answered nay I will not be sorry at all for what I have done Then they read some of Queen Maries Law to him against disturbing the Priests To which he answered that Law did uphold the Popes and the Bishops and Popish Priests all whom I deny and said man commandeth to do so and so but the Lord commandeth to do so and so and so contrary to the will of man I am to obey the Lord. Whereupon they caused him to be put by Then Margaret Thomas was called to whom Margaret Thomas her Trial. Robert Aldworth the Town-Clerk said Know you not wherefore you are committed She replyed she had been three weeks in Prison but never brought before them or examined till now Then he read an Information which he said was upon Oath which was to this effect Her going upon Sunday into Nicholas Church to Mr. Farmer and after he had ended his first prayer her speaking Wo unto the Idol Shepherd that devoureth and scatters my flock with much more to that purpose and asked her whether she owned those words She answered yea I own some of the words as being some of the words that I spoke Then he asked her whether she desired her liberty She replyed she desired to be at home with her three Children to work for them Then he asked her whether she would be sorry for what she had done and promise to do so no more She answered I will not He said she must then go to Prison again She replyed content And so she was caused to be put by Next Temperance Hignell was brought to the Temperancâ— Highnell her Trial. Bâ—â— whom the Town Clerk asked whether she did know for what she was committed She answered nay I have no Mittimus to know what I was committed for He bad her take heed of lying She replyed Lying I do deny for I had no Mittimus whereby to know for what I was committed Then he asked her whether she would be sorry for what she had done She answered nay I am not sorry for what I have done Some other questions were asked of small moment to which she made answers Then one of the Court asked her whether she would promise to do so no more She replyed she could not promise that So they put her by John â—mith was the fourth whom the Town-Cleâ—k John Smyth his Triall câ—lled Captain Smith which title he denyed Then he called him John
abode within Therefore who hath believed this report And to whom is the Arm of the Lord revealed Where is there faith to be found on the earth for this coming of the Sonne of Man Though his Coming forth to Us be as the rain as the later and former rain on the earth Who can abide this day of his coming and who can stand now that he thus appeareth as a sanctuary to those who sanctifie him in their hearts and make him their fear and their dread But for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the Houses of Israel for a gin and for a snare to the Inhabitants of Jerusalem And many among them shall stumble and fall and be broken and be snared and be taken and the testimony and the law be bound up and sealed amongst his disciples How are the Priests and the Rulers and the Churches so called and professors of all sorts and this City of Bristol moved thereat What seekings out where he is born What contrivances to murther him What reproaches of Deceivers Witches Sorcerers Jesuits Franciscan Friers Blasphemers Devils are cast upon them in whom he is appeared What false reports of denyers of Ordinances and of Christ dying at Jerusalem and of the Scriptures of disturbers of the peace are raised upon them Yea what abuses incivilities rage madnesse insurrections Tumults riots illegal bonds and imprisonments Oppressions persecutions bloodthirstinesse and murtherous resolutions How are all forms factions and interests in the City reconciled and made friends and united though at enmity with each other from the beginning in this day to Crucifie Jesus in these his Saints Presbytery with Independency Independency with Anabaptisme Anabaptisme with Notionists and professors at large and Ranters and they with the Episcopals and the multitude of prophane and loose livers and all with the Rulers and the Rulers with them and the Priests their leaders in things contrary to Law and Justice against those people who are made offenders in nothing but their obedience to the Lord How have all Forms and opinions lost the Crosse which they received from these Rulers and this people and from other different forms as they in their severall times have witnessed any thing of reformation in letter or spirit in things Civil or Spiritual upon the coming forth hereof which even then was exercising on some of them by the Rulers And how are they all joyned together in one Yea the Priests and other professors out of the Countrey come hither and say also A confederacy to lay the Crosse on these servants of the most High and such a Crosse every way as never knew any before Nay all the professions in this City together and which did not the Lord chain up for his Seeds sake and the Law of the Land restrain would with more fury pour out the blood and more greedily tear the flesh of the people of God than ever was witnessed in the former ages in the most tyrannical and bloody persecutions whereby they bear a Luke 21. 13. testimony to those servants of the Lord that they are the Disciples of Jesus and to themselves that they are not his disciples But are of that b John 1. 3. 11. 12. wicked one who slew his brother because his works were evill and his brothers good And having lost the Crosse they have lost the power and life of truth and the beeing the Disciples of Christ as saith c Luke 14. 26. to the 34. Mat. 10. 37 38 39 40. 16. 24 25. Mark 8. 34. 15. 38. 10 21. Luke 9. 23 to the 27. Christ himself He that taketh not up his Crosse daily and followeth me cannot be my disciple For the Crosse is alwayes what the Truth received of the world and what themselves received of the world when they witnessed the truth Yea it s d Mat. 10. 22. 24. 9. Mark 13. 12 13. John 7. 7. 15. 18 19. 17. 14. 1 John 3. 13. portion is to be hated of the world because it is not of it and the e John 15. 19. world loveth its own The Rulers stand in their old spirit of darknesse enmity and persecution and those who received the Crosse and who were hated of them all along as they were witnesses for the truth are come to them and fallen in with them being indeed now of the same root and principle If the f Luke 14. 34 35. salt hath lost its savour wherewithall shall it be salted it's good for nothing but to be cast on the dunghill saith Christ Let them sit down and sadly consider it Any kind of form or profession any kind of Priests Raylers Covetous proud Lyars Drunkards or others outwardly more strict it 's no matter what or who so this new kind of Religion as they call it though it is what was from the beginning Jesus Christ yesterday and to day and the same for ever may be rooted out of the City Nay though it be to the losing of their Civill interest the price of their blood and sufferings Save Barabbas Crucifie Jesus And he is no friend to Caesar nor the Government of the City that will not have it so And occasions are sought for and haltings looked after and Emissaries sent about to find matter to slander the Lord of life risen in his Saints Though blessed be the Lord who hath g 1 Sam. 2. 9. guided the feet of his Saints so that they have not wherewithall justly to slander their holy Calling But the wicked shall become silent in darknesse And thus hath the Lord who hath been so much defired and expected come in this Ministry of Spirit and life first to the Independent and baptized Churches so called in this City who were offended thereat and stumbled Then to the City But the Priests Rulers and the generality of the people through their means reject and persecute it though many of the Churches so called and divers hundreds in and about the City have received him and do believe in his Name and do bear testimony with many thousands more that the Lord is come and their testimony is true But as it was of old That very Word of the Lord spoken by the Prophets for which they were persecuted and put to death by the Rulers and people of Israel being recorded and transmitted to posterity the Scribes and Pharisees who lived in the dayes of Christ h Mat. 23. 29. to the end received in the letter and owned as the Scriptures and seemed to be so offended at their Fathers for slaying the servants the Prophets that they built their Tombs and garnished their Sepulchres and said If they had lived in their Fathers dayes they would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the Prophets And yet Christ Jesus the Sonne of God the Messiah that holy and just one of whom the Prophets spake they crucified and witnessed themselves as he testified to their faces to be the children of those who
killed the Prophets And therefore he said unto them Woe be unto you ye Serpents ye generation of Vipers how can ye escape the damnation of Hell Wherefore behold I send unto you Prophets and wise men and Scribes and some of them ye shall kill and crucifie And some of them shall ye scourge in your Synagogues and persecute them from City to City that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias the sonne of Barachias whom ye slew between the Temple and the Altar Verily I say unto you All these things shall come upon this generation Matth. 23. from 29. to 37. Even so That i John 1 1 2 3 eternal word of life which the Apostles heard and saw with their eyes and looked upon and handled with their hands and bare witnesse unto with the Saints in their time as that which was with the Father from the beginning and manifested unto them k John 16. 13. Acts 15. 28. leading them into all truth for declaring of which and walking therein as the spirit not the form for there was no letter for much of what they did moved and l Acts 2. 4. gave them utterance they were persecuted put to death as the vilest of men and the off-scowring of all things by those who were called the devout and honourable and the Rulers and the people of the Jews who stood in the letter and in the form of those things which were once commanded of God but then abolished by the coming of Christ whom none of the m 1 Cor. 2. 6 8. Princes of the world knew for if they had they would not have crucified the Lord of glory being at least much of it committed to writing and handed with the rest of the Scriptures of truth to these later times the people of this generation embrace the declaration thereof Crying out against the Jews for persecuting and killing the Prophets and Apostles and crucifying of Christ after whose name they call themselves in whose doctrine and worship and in the fellowship and order of the Apostles and the Churches of the the Saints in their times they pretend to abide and for it and the Scriptures wherein they are recorded are they zealous even to blood though not according to knowledge as these later dayes have sadly witnessed And yet those who in this day of the Lords appearing do witnesse the Prophets and Apostles and their doctrine and Christ Jesus and the Scriptures and what is said therein of the Saints and their conditions in life and power in spirit and letter do receive from those who pretend to them all and to the Scriptures and yet are not so much as in the letter or form of doctrine declared therein the very same measure of reproach and persecution as did the Prophets and Christ Jesus and the Apostles and the Saints of which the Scriptures testifie read the one and compare the other therewith and judge though as to blood they have not as yet reached further than of those in other parts of this Nation who are dead in prison and of the blowes they have received And of others who by beatings have had their blood drawn even in the Steeple-houses as well as other places and mingled with their sacrifices of which this City giveth instances because the Lord who saith unto the raging Sea Hitherto shall thy proud waves go and no further hath bounded them by his power but they who contrary to Law and Justice and to that liberty which hath been allowed themselves and to the Scriptures which they would be understood to own and to be ruled by have proceeded so far and with so high a rage as this following Treatise to say nothing of what hath been acted in other parts of this Nation doth make to appear What cruelties would they not exceed in all former times had they Law for it or power in their hands And how doth this Generation manifest themselves hereby to be in the same spirit with those and in their steps which persecuted and killed the Prophets and Christ Jesus Luke 11. 49. and the Apostles and the witnesses of truth to this day filling up the measure of their fathers iniquity Wherefore the wisdom of God hath and will raise up his cloud of witnesses whom they do devise wicked devices against and dig as low as hell and imprison and persecute from City to City and from County to County and execute cruelties upon That all the blood of the Righteous shed since the foundation of the world may come upon them And venily it shall be required of this generation The Cry of Blood c. MAny of the people of God in and about the City of Bristoll as in divers other parts of this Nation having a long time wandred from mountain to hill from one from to another seeking rest but finding none and divers receiving no satisfaction from the Forms in which they walked and wherein they did abide in expectation of the glorious appearing of the Lord Jesus in spirit and power according to the Scriptures It hath pleased the Lord whom they sought at length to hasten to his Temple and out of his tender mercies to visite them with the day-spring from on high and not only them but many others who sate in darknesse and in the shadow of death thorough the everlasting Gospel of his dear Son Which though hid from ages and generations for many hundreds of years yet he hath now begun to make manifest with mighty power in the hearts and by the ministration of many whom he hath raised up to declare and publish the same and to bear witnesse to his great and terrible day approaching upon the Inhabitants of the earth And to the redeeming of his Sion with Judgment and her Converts with righteousnesse Unto which thousands of pretious Saints in this Nation and many hundreds in and about this place who are turned by the power thereof from darknesse to light and from the Kingdom of Satan unto God having born their testimony and set to their seals the Devil is come down with great wrath knowing his time is short and stirs up the beast and the false Prophet the Rulers of the earth and the Merchants of Babylon to make war against it with a rage reaching up to Heaven But the Lamb even him who rides upon the white horse the Word of God who is called Faithful and true and in righteousnesse doth judge and make war out of whose mouth goeth a sharp sword with which he shaâ—â— smite the Nations and rule them with a rod of iron on whose vesture dipt in blood and thigh is written King of Kings and Lord of Lords having all the Armies of Heaven following him on white horses shall overcome and have the victory for his Kingdome is an everlasting Kingdom and his Dominion is for ever and ever And the beast shall be taken and
in his Province whose Laws were divers from all people neither kept they the Kings Laws because Mordecai bowed not to him in the gate It was the d Dan. 6. 4 5 ◠7. 12. 13. Governours of Provinces that suggested This Daniel will not obey thy Command O King and these e Dan. 3. 12. Children of the captivity regard not thee O King nor the Decree which thou hast signed they serve not thy God nor worship the Image thou hast set up And it was the f John 9. 12 Chief Priests Scribes and Pharisees who told Pilate if he Crucified not Jesus the King of the Jewes he was no friend to Caesar and that they had no King but Caesar And we have found this g Luke 23. 2. fellow perverting the Nation and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar saying that he himself is Christ a King though he pretended to no other Kingdom than a spiritual one neither entrenched he upon Herod or Pilate And it was the Bishops who in latter times reproached the meetings of the people of God who were scornfully called Puritans with the brand of Conventicles against the Kingdom for which they would needs pretend a Law which neither was made for nor intended any such thing and possessed the Kings against them as their onely enemies Priests in their Pulpits and elsewhere incensing stirring up and enraging the People Whilest this ground-work of Dissavour was laying in the Chief in Authority the Priests were not idle to disaffect and enrage the City by their Raylings and lyes in their Pulpits their reading of Books there and perverting the sence of them and falsly representing the people of God as Deceivers Denyers of Christ that dyed at Jerusalem Scriptures Ordinances Magistracy Ministry Justification by Christ as Blasphemers Jesuites Witches yea what not And endeavoring to possess the people therewith Gathering repeating what lyes false stories how improbable soever they could learn abroad for that purpose a Ring-leader and Chief of whom was Ralph Farmer Priest and hereunto many of the Independents and Baptized Judgement and others added their reports And upon occasions private and publick manifested their dislike and opposition to those people and their Doctrine and Principles whereby both the Magistrates and the multitude were so hightened and incensed that there was nothing too bad for them to wish to nor too cru◠for them to execute upon the innocent yea they stoo◠ready to draw their blood and manifested such a spirit that had the Supreme disposer of all things and the Laws given leave it was casie to conclude they would more greedily have led them to execution and murthered them with torments then the Bishops did the Martyrs in Queen Maryes days to burn whom they had a Law or the Heathen the poor Christians under the Romane persecution and thought therein they should do God service As Just as innocent as Disciples as Christians no persecutions were managed against Christ and his Apostles upon record in Scripture but as †Luke 23. 2. Perverters of the Nation Forbidders of Tribute to be given to Caesar Teachers that the a Acts 6. 14. Acts 21. 21. 18. 12 13. Law of Moses was not to be observed Christ the end thereof being come as b John 7. 19 20. 8. 48. 52 59. Acts 21. 28. Devils as c John 19. 7. Mark 14. 64. Blasphemers of God the Holy place and the Law as d Acts 6. 11. 13. Acts 6. 14. 16. 21. Changers of the Laws and Customes as e Acts 16. 20 21. turbulent and f Acts 24. 5. 18. 13. pestilent fellows Movers of Sedition g Acts 26. 6. Prophaners of the Temple h Acts 21. 2◠29 30 31. Polluters of the Holy place i Acts 19. 26. Affirmers that those are not Gods which are made with hands and so to the Prison and to the Crosse to the Stocks and to the Whip to the Torments and to the Devourings of wild Beasts to the Saws and to Death it self And the same seed of the Serpent in this Generation with a greater rage according to its power persecutes the righteous seed first paints them out as the vilest of men not fit to live and then stirs up the beastly nature of the multitude to devour and destroy them as the Romans of old clothed Christians in wilde beasts skins and then threw them to the dogs to be torn to pieces With these things the City was as it were set on fire and the minds of the people fully prepared for mischief and as opportunities were administred their tongues were exercised and their hands stretched out against those who bore testimony to the Truth For now no friends whatsoever could passe up and down the streets upon their occasions nor to a friends house nor to or from their meetings to wait upon the Lord but by boys servants Porters Priests and other people who would be esteemed of rank and quality were they openly abused reproached dirted stoned pincht kickt and otherwise grosly injured without check or controle Insomuch as there appeared not the face of civility in the Town And a stranger would have doubted whether any such thing as Government were in it or Religion And as the Trumpet gives the alarm to the battel so the tongues of people being thus freely exercised whetted on their rage and kindled their fury further to lay hands on the Innocent as what is hereafter mentioned will abundantly manifest For on the tenth day of the tenth moneth in the Eliz. Marshal 10. day 10. month 1654. speaking the word of the Lord to Priest Farmer morning Elizabeth Marshal being moved of the Lord to deliver a Message to Ralph Farmer and the people hearing of him at Nicholas Steeple-house went thither and sitting over against him and waiting in the power of the Lord all the while he was speaking but spake nothing till he had ended his Sermon and prayer of it and seemed to be going out of the Pulpit to give that they call the Sacrament to the people at which times the thing called the blessing is not usually given till that be ended Cryed out This is the word of the Lord to thee Farmer Wo wo wo from the Lord to them who take the word of the Lord in their mouths and the Lord never sent them And was proceeding to speak further but Tumulted c. the multitude prevented her by laying on her violent hands crushing her Arms pinching and thuisting her the first that laid hands on her and crushed her Arms being one of the Rulers Sons notwithstanding she got a little respit and turning about was moved to speak to the people for her bowels were turned within her for them to them she said from the Lord This is the mighty day of the Lord the Lord is comming to pull his people out of the mouths of all dumb shepherds But she was hindred by the tumult from speaking any further who drew her
That she stood out of her own will in the will of God therefore she should not bring her Conscience to be bound by the will of man To which the Town-Clerk answered That by order of the Court she must return to prison from whence she came Thereupon she was moved of the Lord to speak to him and she said Mind the light of Christ in thy Conscience which will bring condemnation on the man of sin and teach thee to act righteously and holily and see thou act according to the Law and not a tittle beyond the Law as thou wilt answer it before the Lord. Upon which he jeeringly bade her use better language then she was pull'd down but she cryed out Give me leave to clear my Conscience And being moved from the Lord she warned the Magistrates in these words Mind the light of Christ which will teach you to act righteously and charged them in the name of the Lord to act according to the Law and not a tittle beyond Then was she remanded to prison where she was continued about four weeks and released after they had satiated themselves with her oppressions The Paper she delivered to the Magistrates as aforesaid was as followeth Her Letter to the Magistrates Unto you who are the Magistrates of this City I am commanded of the Lord to give you warning that the Mighty day of the Lord of Hosts is at hand that he is arising in his mighty power In which day the strong shall be as towe and the maker of it as a spark And from the Lord I am to warn you that you judge righteous Judgment that then so you be not found some of those which shall imbrue your hands in the blood of the Saints and so cast the righteous Law of God behind your backs and so hate to be reformed for now the Lord is arising in his sons and in his daughters a faithfull witnesse for himself Crying even in the Ears of the Almighty It is time for thee to arise Lord for men have made void thy Law That so you be not found bearing the Sword in vain and so punishing the Innocent and let the guilty go free Therefore from the Lord you are warned to mind that of God in your Consciences which will bring you to see Judgment running down as a stream and equity as a mighty River And this is the word of the Lord to you whether you will hear or forbear And seeing the Just lyeth slain in the streets of the City it even turns the bowells of the righteous within them that so for Sions sake they cannot hold their peace and for Jerusalem's sake I must not be silent And so knowing the Terrours of the Lord for sin and for rebellion I am moved to write in love to your soules who is a Prisoner in Newgate for witnessing against Deceipt and for the Testimony of Jesus Elizabeth Marshall And shortly after she was returned to prison she sent the following paper to the Town-Clerk Her Letter to the Town-Clerk This is the word of the Lord to thee Robert Aldworth who art a Counsellour in the Law I warn thee in the Name and presence of the living God thou knowing the Law that thou act according to the Law as thou wilt answer it before the Lord at the great and terrible day of the Lord when the book of Conscience shall be opened I warn thee that thou mind the Light of Christ in thy conscience loving it and abiding in it it will lead thee up unto God hating it it will be thy condemnation The Law of God is just and is according to that in my Conscience which I own which is a Law against evil doers as man-slayers thieves and adulterers and drunkards and such like In the name of the Lord and by his word I do pronounce woes and plagues from the Lord against all such as scoffe at the Light of Christ and the Language of Christ as thou didst This is the day of thy visitation whether thou wilt hear or forbear Thus was I moved of the Lord to write unto thee who am a Prisoner for witnessing and for the Testimony of Jesus Elizabeth Marshal John Worrings Tryal John Worring was also brought from the prison and called to whom his Charge was read to this effect for making a disturbance in the publick Congregation calling the Minister Devil kicking at the Clark and saying the Minister spake never a true word Worring answered He made no disturbance The Court said he had disturbed the Minister before he had done his Sermon Worring replyed that one Gunning began that he spake after him and that he to whom he spake was no Minister And had denyed both the name and the Office at a meeting At a meeting said Alderman Joseph Jackson what meeting He answered At a meeting before three hundred people as himself said in the Pulpit at Ragcliff Alderman Cann replyed though he had denyed the Name and the Office yet he did represent the Place of the Minister at that time And Joseph Jackson presently said thou didst call him Devil Worring denyed it Joseph Jackson replyed one had sworn it He answered if I had said so which I never said yet I could prove him one by his own words They asked him how Said Worring Out of his own mouth for he said at the meeting that in all things that he did he sinned and if in all things as well in that meaning his preaching as in other things and he that sinneth is of the Devill If you will not believe me belieâ—e the Scriptures Then some of the Court said he kickt the Clark He denyed it but said the Clark gave him a kick So they asked him no more concerning that but demanded of him what he said to the Minister To which he made answer that he said If he were a Minister of Jesus Christ the Law of the spirit of life which is in Jesus would set him free from the Law of sin and death and unlesse he were freed by that Law of life which is in Christ Jesus he was still acting the works of the Devil and was no better in that condition Then the Court told him he had been invited by some turbulent people who had set him on that action and asked him whether he would promise for the future he would do no more such things and finde Sureties for the good behaviour One of the Officers told him A little boy might be surety Worring replyed that he denyed his words and told the Court that he was not sorry And that he stood single and free The Court replyed that he must be sorry He answered them again that he stood single and free that if they would clear him they might if not they might do their pleasures And for being sorry he was not The Court told him he must to prison again He answered again he stood free and so he was to prison returned and continued there till the 19th of the
11th moneth at which time a Liberate was sent the Jaylor signed Aldworth and witnessed John Gunning Mayor Dated Jan 19. 1654. requiring him to set at Liberty the body of John Warren in that he had found Sureties fâ—r his being of the good behaviour Whereupon the Keeper would have put him forth But he perceiving the deceit thereby to confess himself an offender and so to give away the innocency of his cause and to administer matter of reproach to the truth and to himself having neither sought Sureties nor found any denyed to go forth thereupon then the Officer would have put him out by force But he desiring a little time to consider wrote a note to the Town Clark and sent it to him in these words Robert Aldworth A Liberate was delivered me His Letter to the Town Clark just now by John Roach the Jaylor for my enlargment out of prison which when I had read over I found that the cause thereof is expressed in these words For that he hath found Sureties for his being of the good behaviour which I cannot accept of in regard that I have not misbehaved myself but have delivered that Message to one that said he scorned the name of a Minister for which I have a Warrant within And because of the notâ—rious untruth therein mentioned that I have found Sureties for my being of the good behaviour when as I neither directly or indirectly have sought for or found any Sureties for any such thing nor can I and therefore cannot accept of my freedom upon any such Warrant But do protest against it John Worring Notwithstanding he was the same day turned out of the Prison against which upon account of of the Liberate aforesaid he protested when by force he was put out The meek and sober carriage of these prisoners at the Sessions and their not seeking revenge on those who abused and struck them was such as did tenderly take with many who were present and heard the proceedingâ— An lastly This Sessions endeth not in enquiring Sessions ending after and punishing exemplarily according to Law those Tumults Ryots and Insurrections and other outrages and breaches of the Publick Peace aforementioned which had Judgement been put to the Line and Righteousnesse to the Plummet and Order and Government been respected would have been executed for not so much as one man hath therefore been punished to this day But in the four Orders following which they appoint to be read in all Churches as they call them Order of Sessions That no person or persons do hereafter presume to molest trouble or otherwise disquiet any Minister or Congregation either before or after the Publick exercises be ended And if any person or persons do so offend that in all such cases the Constables or any other Officers shall apprehend take and arrest the Party and Parties so offending and bring him or them before the Mayor and some other Justice of the Peace who are to take care that such offender or offenders be bound with sufficient Sureties to appear at the next General Sessions And in the mean while to be of the good behaviour and for not sinding some Sureties as aforesaid to commit them to Prison Reply The Statute 1 Mary to which they pretend to Justifie their Imprisonments as aforesaid were it in force or fit to be made practicable onely provides for the defence of the Popish Priest during the time of his Masse and Service but for before and after the Masse and Service makes no provision nor for disturbing or troubling as they call it the Congregation at all But these Magistrates having imprisoned and returned again to prison persons for speaking after the Congregation was dismist to Justifie their proceedings and to oppresse the Servants of the Lord for the future turn Legislators and make a Law where the Nation hath made none And enjoyn one another and all Officers to put it in execution viz. That none presume to molest or trouble or otherwise disquiet the Congregation as well as the Minister before and after as well as in the time of publique Exercise And if any do so offend that in all such cases the Officers shall apprehend take and arrest them and bring them before the Maior or some other Justice of the Peace who are to bind them with sufficient Sureties to appear at the next general Sessions and in the mean while to be of the good behaviour And for not finding such Sureties to commit them to prison When as all Lawes made by any Corporation for imprisonment of any mans person are invalid because against the Fundamentall Lawes of this Nation which also provideth That no Law be made or of force or binding but by the common consent of the People in Parliament which is so absolute and an essentiall a right that the encroachments of the late King and his Ministers of State thereupon occasioned the levying of the late defensive Wars by the Parliament And the late King with others his Ministers were therefore executed and abundance of blood shed and miseries sustained not yet to be forgotten And now that the Wars are ended and this Fundamental Right fully vindicated in the behalf of the Nation And the present Government hath provided the same with the Fundamentall Lawes Art 6. Except in some cases See the Government Art 6. Art 30. in point of Necessity expressed Art 30. till the sitting of the then next Parliament In which the single Person and his Councell have power to make Ordinances These Magistrates who endeavoured what lay in them to subvert and destroy it in behalf of the late King for whom the generality of them were in principle affection and action and are not afraid to presume to take upon them this Supream Legislative Authority over the Citizens and Inhabitants of Bristol who have been active for and faithfull to that Interest as any in that City and have adventured their bloods and their all in its behalf and who are of as godly peaceable and unblameable Conversation as any within that Jurisdiction And not onely over them do they thus usurp it but over all Englishmen who come in that City Nor is it in things of a triviall nature that they are thus bold to Legislate it but in matters relating to Conscience and Religion and to the Commands of God In which to have freedom and Liberty hath been a principall end in those honest men who have engaged in the late Wars and which hath been carried thorough the many and high Contests thereabouts in the late Parliaments And is provided for in the present Government And that they may be sure to hit those honest people against whom their malice rageth both upon the accompt of Civill and Spirituall interests they not onely make Law as aforesaid but become Judges of the Law themselves make Whereas the Administrators of Justice are sworn to execute the Lawes made by the Supream Legislative Authority not to make any Those who are
countenancing and abetting such unlawful assemblies and consequently of all the mischiefs and sad effects which already have or may for the future therefrom proceed Ought you upon any consideration to bear with a Ryot and not to suppress and punish it If others upon pretence of whom it 's raised have offended the Law send for them afterwards and on them let the Law have its course If the instances already produced be not full enough to make this appear as indeed they are those hereafter mentioned will make it up abundantly And yet how are they not ashamed in actions so palpable and grosse carried on by them illegally and by the multitude with Tumults to lay it on those as the occasion who are injured and oppressed and do suffer by them and the multitude contrary to Law and Justice Is any thing done to your Congregations or Priests more than the Scriptures warrant or that consisteth not with the nature freedom which ought to be in publique assemblies about Religious exercises and what was used by the Servants of Christ Cannot the Priests hear or make answer quietly if there be occasion and leave it to those that sit by to judge Cannot you nor your Priests bear a few words spoken in the Name of the Lord but you must call it a disturbance If the Lord speaks by those poor contemptible instruments as he doth and many do witnesse it Then take heed you be not found amongst the proud and scornfull and fighters against God for Jesus Christ is yesterday to day and the same for ever And you are fallen upon such times of the Son of man that ye are not aware of Your Priests may say any thing yet all is well but he that tells a Lyar he lies and a blasphemer that he speaks blasphemy and that the Lord hath pronounced woes to those who say The Lord saith when he never sent them nor spoke to them though the Lord raise up as he hath at this day his witnesses amongst your sonnes and your daughters to testifie against such to their faces and in so doing through beatings prisons fire and blood will it carry them and woe be to them if they obey not the Lord therein that must not be born tumults imprisonments new Lawes where you have no power to enaâ—t any thing to work them sufferings Oh what will become of you that thus strike against the Corner stone that will dash you to pieces that thus limit the holy One of Israel And by your Lawes and actions say that his Spirit shall not testifie now that the true Ministry is come against the false Ministry which stands in the time and will of man and against the false worships and bowings in your houses of Rimmon be they what they will or the deceipt But you will stop the mouthes of his witnesses imprison and permit them to be beaten even in your Synagogues Do ye thus provoke the Lord Are ye stronger than he O ye sons of men that are as a thing of nought that are lesse than the dust of the earth who would set the thorns and the briars against him in battel he will go thorough you and burn you together and consume you as stubble that is fully dry yea verily he will cause all his enemies to be brought and to be slain before him Consider this O ye that forget God lest he tear you in pieces and there be none to deliver you If Priests knew 't was in vain to speak at random others having the same Liberty to object as they have to speak And if the people were assured that they should surely endure the Law in case of Tumults the Pulpits would cease to be the Places of Contention and the giving out of trouble in all the Land England hath paid for these Priests and Pulpits in streams of blood already and they would be more wary what they said there or reported and the people would quickly be still and quiet Nay it may be said Bristol would be the most orderly City in England and most easily governed But being heated by the Priests and encouraged by the Magistrates thence proceed those outrages of which England doth ring And indeed it is not so much the fault of the People as of the other who should instruct and otherwise order them And do ye not blush to put so grosse an untruth as the coming of strangers to this City who you say can render no good accompt of their being here as the other ground of those great tumults and unlawfull assemblies of such evil consequences as you mention and tendencies to future mischiefs and sad effects How do ye know they can render no good accompt of their being here John Camm and John Audland who were thus tumulted were never before you nor examined by you yet have they given a good accompt of their coming amongst many witnesses If to be Englishmen born and living near Kendall in Westmerland where their abode hath been all their time except in the Wars and this Ministry where their outward habitations and Families at present are and estates If to have alwaies lived soberly and unblameably in the world If to have been 6. or 7. years in Arms for the Parliament mostly on their own costs and to have fought and performed eminent service in the field and faithfully to have discharged other places of trust If to have been alwaies constant to the Publique Interest and as active in their places for it as any in those parts If to come to this City in obedience to the Lord from their Habitations Friends and Relations out of love to your soules to preach the everlasting Gospel of Christ Jesus of which he hath made them able Ministers to the turning of many hundreds in this City besides other places from darknesse to light and from the Kingdom of Satan unto God who are the seales of their Ministry and witnesses to the Power and life of God in them If to be here in all Self-denyal Peaceablenesse Long-suffering not chargeable to any not breaking any Law ready to prove by the Scriptures whaâ—soever they hold forth being what they seem and doing what they say pressing obedience to God and Man Relations and Gâ—â—ernors from the obedience of Christ according to the Will of God If the account of these things be the rendring of a good reason of their being here as it is undeniably Then of these things an account hath been already and the Town-Clerk knowes it and can further be given were it requisite or were that indeed the thing you minded And yet how say you they cannot render any good reason of their being here and place that as a cause of the great Tumults aforesaid and unlawfull assemblies Who had cause more greatly to be affrighted though in the power of the Lord they were not at all And whose safety peace and welfare was more endangered either those on whom the outrages aforesaid have been acted or those who raised
he was commanded of the Lord for what he did At which the Mayors wife and others present scoft Saying This is all your story Then the Mayor demanded their names and their Countrey which they gave whereupon the Mayor commanded them both to Newgate Thomas told the Mayor at his departure that he had discharged his Conscience and bad him see that he did execute Justice and Judgement without respect of persons for the Lord required it VVhen they came to the Mayors door the Tumult staying there till then hurried them to Newgate some crying Committed out Whip them about the streets others hang them up Newgate is too good for them where they were both secured though Josiah Cole spake not a word in the Steeple-house but standing still received many blows and other abuses without resistance and though Thomas Robertson spake not a word till all was dismist and then but these words Tremble before the Lord and the words of his holynesse But those who struck him in the Steeple-house and made the Tumult there and in Tumultuous Companies hurryed them to the Maiors and staying there till the Mayor had Committed them in tumults haled them to Newgate and struck and took away the hats of some who endeavoured the Peace not a man of whom are enquired after or punished to this day though Complaint was made thereof and though contrary to their own order made at the Sessions aforesaid read in the Steeple-houses Nor did the Constables arrest or apprehend any offender therein then or since though they were so long amongst them and though that Order requires them so to do nor hath the Maior punished any of those Constables for neglect of their duty The next day some Officers came to the prison with Orders as they said from the Maior to release them if they would pay their fees and to turn them out of Town without being further examined or brought before the Magistrates but they refusing to pay any fees were returned in again and shortly after released Thomas Robertson was five or six years in Arms for the Parliament an Officer in Colonel Brigg's Regiment was at Preston Fight at the Engagement at the Bridge in Scotland and Carlisle living on his own estate and bearing his own charge in the Warres except a small Summe which he received after the fight at Preston Josiah Cole was also a Souldier in the Service of the Common-wealth and at Worcester Fight whose Liberties now are not valued at all or regarded by these Magistrates The same day Christopher Birkhead was moved 4th 12th month 1654 Christopher Birkhead speaking to a â— Priest to go to Stephen's Steeple-house where sitting silent Alderman Cann a Ruler present commanded him to be brought to his house from whence he by and by returned and sate saying nothing till all was ended Then he said to the Priest Thou Sonne of Pride and was proceeding further to speak but the same Alderman thrust him down from the place whereon he stood and a young man held him by the Coller till the Constables came and then he saying further The Plagues of God is thy portion the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it they carried him away towards the Mayor's but afterwards brought him to his own house by order of the said Alderman upon his meeting of them in the street The next day 4th 12â—h month 1654. the Mayor and Aldermen sent for him before them from a Ship on which he was at work he being a Shipwright by Calling and a Sâ—aman able to take charge of a Ship And demanded of Examined him whereforâ—â—â— disturbed the Congregation the day before in the Church He answered he disturbed no man and that the Church was in God They asked him why he came thither and why he staid not at home when the Alderman sent him He replyed The fear of the Lord brought him thither and made him to speak God was his witnesse Then came in the Priest and after he had bowed himself to the Magistrates Alderman Joseph Jackson asked the Priest what Christopher had said to him The Priest answered he said something to my Pride the Priest was light and vain laughing and deriding Then said Christopher to him Professest thou thy self a Minister of the Gospel and yet art light and vain and laughing before the Magistrates Oh said the Priest he owneth you to be Magistrates Yea replyed Christopher I own Magistracy that punisheth evil doers and praiseth them that do well Then the Magistrates asked him why he quaked so for the power of the Lord was much upon him whilest he was before them and whether he was acold or afraid He answered he was neither cold nor afraid of any man God was his witnesse he feared the Lord They replyed the Devill shook him He answered the holy men of God shaked and instanced in Daniel and Habakkuck c. Thus did he quake yesterday at Church said one of the Aldermen and said Joseph Jackson deriding him I 'll make thee give over shaking and so looks fierce on him and then said Shake now shake now And asked him how much money he had for going to the Church He answered No man knew of it but himself God was his witnesse Then they asked him how he dared to call the Minister the son of Pride He answered because he saw him so in the light of Christ which discovers him They demanded how he dared to Judge him He replyed All Judgment was given to the Sonne They said that was to Christ He answered unlesse the Spirit of Christ was in them they were none of his And the same Spirit judgeth the same in all Then they asked him whether he knew before-hand that that Minister should preach or Mr. Jones Thereupon he began to give them an accompt and said That upon the third day of the foregoing week about the 11th hour of the night the Lord bade him to go to the Sâ—eeple-house there to bear witnesse for his Name But he knew not whether he should speak to him till he saw his face But they sleighted what he declared and said Whip him send him to Bride-well And Joseph Jackson said that if he had the whipping of him he would make him give over quaking Then the Priest came and stood near him upon whom Christopher looking Joseph Jackson said All thy spight is at the Minister There he is what canst thou say to him To whom he replyed after a little silence Darest thou to own thy self to be a Minister of Christ The Priest answered not but went from him If thou doest said Christopher I am sure thou livest out of his doctrine calling of men Masters and being called of men Master stealing the word from thy neighbour speaking a divination of thine own brain and not from the mouth of the Lord as the false Prophets did with much more to that purpose Then Joseph Jackson asked Christopher whether he did ever pray He answered yea How said he Christopher
Steeple-house door and Miles Jackson followed them and commanded Committed him to be carried to Bridewell So Priest Farmers Clarke took him by one arme and his under Sexton by the other and had him away the Sexton Pinching and haling him forwards with much earnestness and using very bitter words to him saying why doest not thou come faster whilest the Clerk held him by the other arme keeping him back At length the Sexton got him to himself so haled him to Bridewell the tumult following him thither and charged Bridewell with him a Constable being then come to them the Cleâ—k saying to the Officer that Alderman Miles Jackson and Alderman Vickris commanded them to bring him thither where he was moved to write to Priest Farmer in these words Ralph Farmer THou that pretendest thy self to be a Minister His Letter to Priest Farmer of Christ but art found in the stepâ— of the false Prophets and Scribes and Pharisees which were Hypocrites as thou art to whom the Wo was and the same Wo is thy portion who hast the chief place in the Assemblyes and standest praying in the Synagogue or Idols Temple where I found thee when I was moved from the Lord there to go to bear witness against thy deceit and abominable worship which the Lord abhors for thy hands are full of blood who goest in the way of Cain to envy and runnest greedily after the errour of Balaam for gifts and rewards though thou coverest thy self with the Prophets words and the Apostles words which lived the life of what they spake which thou dost not I have a sure witness in thy Conscience bearing me testimony if thou wilt hearken unto it thou stolest the words of David's Psalms 17. 18. and readest to the people to fill the time of thy lying Divination and there thou readest Hear the right O Lord attend unto my cry Give ear unto my prayer that goeth not out of feigned lips O thou full of all subtilty in the light of the Lord thou art seen and let that in thy Conscience witness against thee whether thy prayers are any thing else but what thou hast feigned and made up in thy imagination and sellest them to the people for money the Lord hath proved thy heart and weighed thee and thou art found lacking and thy Kingdome is falling and must down by the mighty power of the Lord plot thou never so subtilly against the Lord and his Anointed thinkest thou to cover thy self with reading David's words who did love the Lord and he was his strength and his rock and his fortress c. But thou Deceiver was it or is it so with thee who when I stood silent and peaceable before thee thou couldest not stand nor go on in thy Witchcraft but thy looks made manifest who was thy God and where thy strength lay even in the powers of the earth by whom I was there commanded to be taken out of thy presence and there thy people with whom thou withall pretendest to serve the living God beat me before thy face and in that thou callest the Church too and so haled me out and cast me into Prison and called me a Disturber who disturbed no man but the man of sin in thee was disturbed and feared to have thy deeds come to the light Now consider what thou hast done and art doing and repent for else the Judgements of the Lord will overtake thee and his heavy hand will be upon thee and there shall be none to deliver thee This was I moved of the Lord to write to thee that thou mightest see thy deceit and know that his Judgements will be just upon thee in the day when he will plead with thee and there shall be none to deliver thee From him who is a lover of righteousness known to the men of the world by the name of From Bridewell in Bristoll the 4. day of the 7. month 1655. Christopher Birkhead The fury of their persecution beginning thus to Benjamin Maynard 9 day 7. month 1655. speaking to Priest Paul break forth afresh on Christopher â—irkhead it ceased not there but on the ninth day of the seventh month 1655. Benjamin Maynard being moved of the Lord to go unto John Paul Priest and coming into the Steeple-house where he was speaking out of his high place to the people the Lord moved him powerfully to say John Paul in the presence of the Lord be silent And as he was speaking further one of the Priests hearers clapt his hand on Benjamin 's mouth not suffering him to speak and many others came about him two of whom brought him to Bridewell where he was continued a Prisoner till the Tumulted Imprisoned in Bridewell 10. day 7. month 1655. Examined next day at which time he was sent for before the Mayor and Aldermen who demanded of him wherehence he had the command to go to John Paul He replyed from the Lord and that he was to obey his command rather than the will of man To which Henry Gibbs Alderman returned that he knew of no such command Then after some other questions not worth the rehearsing to which he made answer one of them told him he must suffer and asked he was whether he had any Sureties or would finde any He replyed nay Then they commanded the Committed Keeper to take him away He demanded a Mittimus but the Mayor said his word was a Mittimus so they sent him to Newgate Prison The next day after which he sent a Letter to John Paul in these words TO thee John Paul I was moved of the Lord His Letter to John Paul Priest to write I do charge thee from the presence of the living God to cease from thy deceit for thou takest the Saints words and makest a trade of them the Lord did send his Prophets to cry Wo against such as thou art thou and such as thou art say and cry peace to the wicked where there is no peace by the Light of Christ you are all seen to be out of the Doctrine of Christ therefore turn into that of God in thy Conscience which sheweth thee sin and evil if thou actest contrary to it it will be thy condemnation for you are all such as feed upon the fat and feed not the flock therefore the hand of the Lord is against you all Wo be to you that are covered with a covering but not with my spirit saith Christ for you that are covered with any other covering your beds are too short and your coverings too narrow for they will not hide you from the presence of the Lord. From him who is a Prisoner for the Truths sake known to the World by the name of From Newgate Prison the 11. day of the 7. month 1655. Benjamin Maynard Nor did their persecution end here but on the sixteenth Margaret Thomas 16. day 7. month 1655. spâ—aking to Priest Farmer day of the same month Margaret Thomas being moved of the Lord to
Lord to silence flesh and stop thy mouth and be ashamed of what thou hast done and let the time be sufficient that thou hast spent in vain lâ—st the blood of the Innocent be required at thy hands for I bear testimony that my blood was spilt amongst thy hâ—arer whereby thou mayst clearly see the fruits of thy Ministry so thou art now left without excuse From a Prisoner for the Truths sake known to the World by the name of Temperance Hignell From Newgate Prison this 25. of the seventh month 1655. The same 23. day of the seventh month John John Smith 23 day 7. month standing silent whilest Priest Farmer divined Smith being moved went to Nicholas Steeple-house there to declare against all false wayes and worships and all hypocrisie and deceit in Priest and People But Ralph Farmer the Priest having ended his Sermon bâ—fore he began to pray spake to the people that John Smith should be uncovered who pull'd off his hat and all being ended and the Clerk having published something he had to say John Smith perceiving the people to be enraged said Why do the Heathen rage He that doth break one of the least of the Commands and doth teach men so to do shall be called least in the Kingdome of God And told Priest Farmer that he was covered with a covering but not of the Spirit of the Lord and that as many as were led by the Spirit of God were the sons of God But thou wast not led by the Spirit of God when thou saidst thou wouldst bring one to swear which he offered to prove and further said that because of swearing Jerem. 23. 10. Mat. 5 33 34 35 36. James 5. 12. the Land mourns and Christ saith I say unto you swear not at all and the Apostle saith Above all things my brethren swear not at all neither by the heaven neither by the earth nor by any other oath lest ye fall into condemnation And told him that the Scriptures were fulfilled upon him which saith the Leaders of my people cause them to erre and that he said that he the said John Smith was a Puppy and asked him whether he did not sin in likening a man which God created after his own Image unto a dog but the rude multitude fell upon him striking Tumulted beat him on the face and kicking of him and one Sandsford dragged him by the Cloak with much violence Dragg'd And whil'st these things were acting John Gunning the Mayor Alderman Lock Sheriff Lawford and others of the Councel passed by whom he asked whether any of the People of God did ever beat or abuse any and said that he spake not to upbraid or condemn any thing that was good but to reprove that which was evil and that if he had transgressed any Law let him be tryed by the Law But they heeded not nor did they cauâ—e their Officers to appease the rude multitude yea so far were they from doing it that Walter Sandie one of the Councel laid violent hands on him himself and as he was passing to go out of the Steepâ—e-house door his Cloak was rent in twain Garment rent in twain and the greatest part taken away the other piece whereof he shewed to the Rulers aforesaid and asked them whether that were the fruits of their Ministry and whether they did Justice To which Sheriff Lawford said he had no call or command to be there He replyed that he came to declare the truth and said he let your blood be on your own heads the wicked shall be turned into Hell and all those that forget God And passing up the High street he said to the Mayor and those of the Rulers with him that the Law was made for fighters drunkards swearers and perjured persons But nevertheless and though they saw the rude multitude following him they did not send any Officer to appease the tumult but the multitude followed him to his lodging and broke his glasse-windowes and would have forced his door upon him The next day the Major and Aldermen sent their 24. day 7. Month 1655. Officers who finding him upon his employment for the State brought him before them viz. the Major Apprehended Joseph Jackson Richard Vickris George Hellier John Lock and George Knight Aldermen with others who commanded him to Come neere them and asked him whether he knew whom he was before Examined and whether he saw not the sword and his hat was taken off at their command He replyed he honored all men in the Lord and out of him he honored none and those who ruled for him ought to be men fearing God and hating Covetousness and such bore not the sword in vain but were a terror to evill doers a praise to them that do well and that he stood in the presence of the Lord and further that Christ said How can ye believe that receive honour one of another and asked them whether that were Scripture and whether they would own it At which Joseph Jackson scoffed and Alderman Knight called him Rascall and another said he was led by the Devill and he was charged by them with words which they said he spake at John Youngs against Priest Farmer viz. that he the said Farmer should swear or forswear or words to that purpose whereupon he asked Ralph Farmer who was there present whether he could say that he spake those words But he could not so say nor was any such thing made to appear Then they asked him what he did say at John Youngs to him he answered that he asked Ralph Farmer whether he was or professed himself to be a Minister of the Gospell of Jesus Christ but he did not say he was and that he told him the hireling did not abide in the Doctrine of Christ and asked him if he did And said that the Priests that preached for hire and the Prophets that Divined for money were them that did build Sion with blood and Jerusalem with iniquity All which he offered to the Magistrates to prove by Scriptures but they admitted him not Then they charged him with making a disturbance in the Church he answered he was peaceable they replyed he had his hat on or was covered he asked whether many of them had not their hats on They answered not at prayer He bad them prove by Scripture that it was unlawfull but that was not done and said that Ralph Farmer was covered with a Cap besides another false Covering not of the spirit of the Lord. And with Caps were some of the Rulers covered also And Ralph Farmer stood with his hat off saying he came to their worships for Christ and spake to them to send for one to make oath before them John Smith replyed that swearing was out of the Doctrine of Christ and alledged that Jeremiah said Because of oathes the Land mourned and Zachary This is the curse that goâ—th over the face of the whole earth every one that sweareth
Smith That I own said he You know wherefore you are brought hither do you not said the Town Clerk He replyed he was not there to accuse himself where were his Accusers and said further that by the Law of Mary which they pretend to act by he should have been examined within six dayes after he was committed to Prison and the Fact ought to be croved by two sufficient Witnesses whereby he had broke the Law but he had been fourteen dayes in Prison and had not been examined nor any thing proved against him and caused a Paper to be delivered to him wherein was contained some of their unjust proceedings against him contrary to Law and desired him to reade it out that they might bring their deeds to the light But he refused for to reade it openly but lookt it over and put it up the substance of which was as followeth Robert Aldworth I spake no word untill Ralph â—is Note delivered to Robert Aldworth to be read in the Court. Farmer and the Clerk had ended and therefore transgressed no Law John Sandford being asked upon his his oath whether he did lay violent hands on me or not he confessed he did it at the command of Alderman Lock so it appears that Alderman Lock so called was the Commander and John Sandford the first Actor in the Riot yet I was imprisoned contrary to Law and they were not Reade the Statute made 1. Mary 12. and 1. Elizab. 17. and see the Penalty for Riots I was sent to Prison without a Mittimus although I demanded it which was a thing accounted unreasonable amongst the Heathens to send a Prisoner and not withall to signifie the Crimes laid against him Acts 25. last That although them called Magistrates saw the Riot and the rude Multitude follow me in the street they sent none to appease the Riot neither have they imprisoned the Rioters according to the Law Reade 2. Henr. 5. 8. Now if these men are sworn to do Justice according to Law to that of God in thine and their Consciences I desire to be made manifest whether they do act according to their Oaths But to this he had no answer Then he demanded what Law he had broken or what they had against him It was answered he had disturbed Mr. Farmer and the Congregation He replyed He that is called Master did not abide in the Doctrine of Christ who commandeth his Disciples not to be called of men Masters and bid them prove in what he disturbed them Then there was an Information read against him to this effect That upon the 23. day of September he came into Saint Nicholas Church with his hat on at or in the time Mr. Farmer was in his prayer which disturbed him and hindred the Congregation from hearkning to the Word of God He answered That which was read against him was false for Ralph Farmer was not in his prayer when he came in for he was preaching So that lye was shuffled over So he bid them prove in what he had disturbed the Congregation To which was replyed That to stand with his hat on in the time of prayer was a disturbance He answered For a man to pray or prophecy with his head covered dishonoureth his head but I said he was silent and did not speak and therefore they could not say I did pray or prophecy but Ralph Farmer did preach and pray with his head covered having a cap on besides another false covering not of the Spirit of the Lord. And said what he spake there he was moved to speak by the Spirit of the Lord for the good of the people and bid them prove what words they were that he spake or wherein he had disturbed them but there was nothing proved Then he asked if any of the People of God ever persecuted or beat or imprisoned indeed the Heathen did so Then it was said that he abused Mr. Farmer as they called him by some words pretended by him to have been spoken to Ralph Farmer at John Youngs Now the said John Young who heard the words was on the Bench and Priest Knowls and Priest Farmer were standing by to whom John Smith said Here is John Young let him speak the truth but he was silent and did not answer John Smith was asked what the words were He replyed I asked Farmer whether he was or did profess himself a Minister of Christ He said he would not answer a Trister Then he asked him whether that was a tristing question Ralph Farmer pointed to the Steeple-house and bid him come there and he should †Yet when he came to the Steeple-house how was he used See the foregoing passages concerning it and thereby understand that what he came to know of Ralph Farmers beâ—ng a Minister of the Gospel was to be beat dragged haled and followed out with Tumults and his Garment â—ent by his hearers and justice not executed by the Magistrates present though in their sight the things aforesaid were acted and though again and again demanded but in stead thereof himself was by them committed Prisoner the proper effect of coming to Priest Farmers Steeple-house to know whether he be a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Ralph-Farmers tongue and hands did presently manifest what information therein he should receive as appears by the relation When the testimony of the Lord against the Priests comes to the Steeple-house those who bring it thither are beat and abused and say they Why are we not spoken with at our houses when at a house violent hands are laid the tongue abuseth and direction is to the Steeple-house and there beatings and halings and tearing of cloaths and imprisonment in stead of protection and justice is the effect know and called him Puppy and Booby and laid violent hands on him and forced him out of John Young 's door another mans house into the street upon which John Smith said he ought to be no striker Then something was said concerning obeying Magistrates He answered he honoured all men in the Lord and did disrespect no mans person And further added that when he ran into the same excess of riot with men he was accepted amongst them but now he departed from evil he became a prey and that he owed no injury to Farmer but desired he might repent Alderman Lock reproved him for calling the Church a Steeple house he replyed the Church was in in God made all of living Stones elect and pretious Christ Jesus himself being the Chief Corner Stone and bid them shew him one Living Stone in that Steeple-house They asked him whether he desired to be at liberty He answered he desired not to be in bondage but to go to his employment Then they asked whether he would acknowledge his offence and be sorry for what he had done All which he denyed and told them he had broken no Law and suffering for Christ sake he was happy and that for his Conscience he suffered Nevertheless though no