These following have suffered for meeting and assembling themselves together in their own Houses in the Fear of the Lord and in his Worship and Service and for exhorting one another and praying together to build up one another in the Holy Faith according to the Command of the Apostles and the Example and practice of the Saints and Prophets and the true Christians in the primitive Times and for the same have been much abused endicted greatly fined long imprisoned cruelly used and much of their Goods taken from them Ulster Province Ardmagh County 1661. WIlliam Bowston Simon Harrison and Roger Webb with several other Friends being met together at Roger Webb's House to wait upon god in his holy Fear and Worship in a peaceable way as their manner is were for the same taken thereout and by the Lord Conway Bishop Taylour and Arthur Hill committed to Ardmagh Goal and there kept close Prisoners five Weeks and then the said William Bowston dyed in Prison whose Death must be given account of by those that caused it and the other two Friends were kept there six Weeks longer 1662. Francis Robson for being at the like Peaceable Meeting to worship God was fined by Judge Kenedy in 20 s. for which Fine the Sheriffs Bailiffs took from him a Horse worth 5 l. Henry Furnace for the like cause was fined by the said Judge 5 s. for which the Sheriffs Bailiffs took from him a Horse worth 2 l. 10 s. Roger Webb for the like cause was by the said Judge fined 5 s. and had a Horse taken from him worth 1 l. 10 s. Hugh Stamper for the like cause was fined by the said Judge 5 s. and imprisoned about eight Weeks and had a Kettle taken from him worth 14 s. Peter Boss for the like cause was fined by the said Judge 5 s. and imprisoned about ten Weeks and had three Pewter Dishes taken from him worth 15 s. William Williamson jun. for the like cause was fined by the said Judge 20 s. and had a Mare and Foal taken from him worth 2 l. 10 s. Edward Towle for the like cause was fined by the said Judge 20 s. and had a Horse taken from him worth 3 l. William Nicholson for the like cause was fined by the said Judge 10 s. and had a Mare taken from him worth 1 l. 15 s. Cavan County 1660. Richard Faile William Parker Miles Gray John Hutton Thomas Lunn and Isabel Outon with several other Friends for meeting in Cavan to wait upon the Lord and to worship him were imprisoned by John Holland Deputy Soveraign and some of them kept Prisoners eleaven dayes William Parker Rich. Faile Miles Gray Robert Wardell Thomas Lunn and Thomas Moore with several other Friends being met together for the end aforefaid in Belturbet were haled out and committed to Prison four dayes without Examination by Order of Richard West Provost and because they could not pay Fees having not broken any Law some of them were stripped of their Clothes and then turned out 1661. William Edmonson Tho. Lunn rich Faile Wil. Parker and Thomas Hutchison with others having been at a Meeting near Cavan to worship God were much abused on the Road by George Spicer Sub-Sheriff attended with a company of rude men who beat and cut and abused Friends one Friend set upon a Horse and tyed his Feet under the Horse Belly and another his Hands behind his Back like Fellons and so had them to Cavan Prison and at the following Assize brought before Judge Povey who having nothing against them but on the account of their meeting to serve and worship the Lord left them Prisoners And at the next Assizes Judge Alexander fined them 20 l. a man for the said Meeting and 7 l. a man for not taking off their Hats though he then confessed there was no Law for it but he called them Rogues Doggs c. and so left them Prisoners till the next Assizes And then came he himself Judge again and fined them 5 l. a man more for their Hats and denyed them the benefit of an Order or Proclamation from the chief Ruler of the Nation by which they ought to have been set at Liberty and he further said That they should not have the benefit of the Law And whilst they were thus kept Prisoners the said Geo. Spicer sued them for Fees notwithstanding he had their Bodies in Prison and by vertue or pretence of an Order from the said Judge took from Wil. Parker Tho. Lunn Tho Hutchison and Rich. Faile as much Goods as were worth 30 l. And at the next Assizes after Judge Booth caused the said Prisoners to be proclaimed at Liberty for which the said Geo. Spicer claimed 15 s. a piece Fees and for the same kept them in close Prison And at the next Assizes Judge Alexander being there Judge the said Geo. Spicer caused Walter Brady his Servant to swear serving the Prisoners with Processes which thing as Brady since acknowledged was false upon which the said Judge granted him an Order against the Prisoners which caused to be taken From Richard Faile two Horses worth 4l 10s 0d From Thomas Lunn one Cow and two Heifers worth 3l 10s 0d From William Parker two Cows worth 2l 12s 0d From Tho. Hutchison two Cows worth 3l 10s 0d From Jo. Jay one Horse and Houshold goods worth 4l 17s 6d From Robert Wardel one Cow and Goods worth 4l 09s 0d worth in all 23l 08s 6d supra 30l 00s 0d So that this Geo. Spicer for the Fees of these six Persons hath taken away from them Goods worth 53l 8s 6d 1665. Ricchard Faile Wil. Parker Robert Robinson Tho. Lunn and Tho. Hutchison with several other Friends being at a Meeting of the Lord's People at Nicholas Starkey's House to wait upon God were haled thereout and thirteen of them had before Matthew French Provost of Belturbet who caused some of them to be set in the Stocks and other some to be put in the Cage for several Hours and the next day sent and committed them to Cavan Goal without Examination where several of them were Prisoners above a Year Leinster Province Dublin City 1660 EDward Cook Robert Lodge John Burnyate with several others being met together in their usual Meeting-place to worship the Lord had their Meeting broken up by James Boy and a rude company of people and Souldiers who took away John Burnyate Robert Lodge and about twenty Friends more and imprisoned them in Newgate where they were kept five dayes and then brought before Robert Dee Mayor who after Examination returned Fifteen of them back to Prison where they were kept five dayes longer Samuel Clarridge Robert Turner William Mayne and several other Friends being assembled in their usual Meeting-place to worship God were haled thereout by a rude company of Souldiers and eight of them Imprisoned in Newgate for five Weeks by order of the said Robert Dee Mayor Thomas Holme Robert Wastfield Joseph Cadle Rebecca Rich Elizabeth Gardner and divers other
Friends being assembled in their usual Meeting-place for the End aforesaid were violently taken thereout by a Guard of Souldiers and seventeen Men and six Women of them were put into the main Guard and from thence committed to Newgate Prison where they were kept several dayes by Order of the said Mayor 1661. Robert Turner Tho. Holme James Fade and eighteen more of their Friends were taken out of their said usual Meeting place being then and there met to worship God by a Guard of-Souldiers and committed to Newgate where they were kept several dayes by order of Hyberd Adrian Mayor 1662. Edward Cook Robert Turner Samuel Clarridge and four more Friends were taken out of their said usual Meeting-place by some Souldiers and had before John Cranwell Mayor and by the means of Wil. Davis Recorder sent to Bridewel and after several dayes imprisonment there were released by the said Mayor 1669. Mathias Foster John Savage Wil. Steel Wil. Cleaton John Windor Dennis Rochford Joseph Sleigh Wil. Mayne and Samuel Clarridge being with others of the Lord's People assembled in their Meeting place in Bride-street to wait upon God in his Fear and Worship were taken thereout and had before the said Wil. Davis Recorder who committed them to Prison where they were kept five Weeks in which time they were indicted at the Kings-Bench for being at an Unlawful Assembly but the Bill not found by the Grand-Jury they were discharged by the Court. West-Meath County 1660. John Taylor William Slade and several others being met together in the Fear of the Lord at the said Wil. Slade's House in Athlone had their Meeting broken up by order of Cap. St. George who committed Five of them to Prison for one day and the next day released three of them but kept the said John Taylor and W. Slade in Prison seven Week and then they were released by order from the chief Rulers and the Marshal for the 13 s. 4 d. demanded by him for Fees kept and detain'd as much Clothes as were worth 2 l. Nicholas Starkey for speaking to the said Capt. St. George then Soveraign of Athlone in behalf of his Friends that were then Prisoners for meeting as aforesaid was drove and forced out of Town by the Bell-man by order of the said Soveraign 1661. Wil. Slade Jone Burton and several others being met together to worship God in Athlone had their Meeting violently and rudely broken up and the said W. Slade and six Friends committed to Prison and the said Jone Burton was put in the Stocks and afterwards they were turned out of the Town by the Beadle by order of the said Soveraign Henry Fuller Abraham Fuller John Ball John Cleburne Nicholas Starkey James Wasely Anth. Robinson John English John Wilson Tho. Beale and Giles Harrison as they were ready to go and going to their usual Meeting-place to wait upon and worship God were taken up the 22th day of the 10th Moneth by several Troopers some of the Friends being taken out of their Houses some out of the Fields others out of the High-wayes as the Troopers met them and brought to Kilbeggan and committed to Patrick Henry the Marshal for that Night the next day by a Mittimus from Walter Lambert they were sent from Constable to Constable to the County Goal at Mullengar but before the Marshal delivered them to the Constable he demanded 2 s. 6 d. Fees of the said Hen. Fuller which being not paid he took his Hat and toar John Ball 's Coat in striving to strip him he also stripped off a Coat from another of the Prisoners and thrust him out of Doors to the Constable and with the help of some wicked people Men and Women he had with him he threw John Wilson another of the Prisoners upon the Floor griped him by the Throat took his Coat searcht his Pockets for Money and finding none took away some Linnen and his Hat and after he had much hurt and cruelly used him threw him out of the Doors into the Mire and after the said Prisoners had been kept six Weeks in Prison at Mullengar they were released by Order from the chief Rulers of the Nation Henry Fuller being at the High Sheriffs House to speak for his Friends in Prison at Mullengar was very much abused by Walter Lambert called a Justice who threw a Cup with Beer in it at the said Henry's Face which brake his Nose and spilt his Blood for saying That when people met quietly together to worship God they are Haled Abused and sent to Prison but if as many meet in an Ale-house and Sing Drink Swear and Roar there is little or no notice taken of them Abraham Fuller Hen. Fuller John Cleburne John Ball George Castleton Philip England Hugh Smith Eliza. Hunter Edward and Lucretia Cook and four Friends more were taken out of their usual Meetings at three sundry times by several Constables and had to Mullengar Prison and after several days being there the said Abraham and Henry Fuller John Cleburne John Ball Gee Castleton and Edward Cook were sent by Troopers by order of the said Walter Lambert to Dublin as Ring-Leaders of the Quakers where after a few dayes they were released by John Cranwel Mayor And shortly after at the Quarter-Sessions at Mullengar the rest of the Prisoners were set at Liberty after four Weeks Imprisonment Queens County 1660. William Edmonson John Edmonson Wil. Capton Richard Jackson Wil. Archer and several others being met together at Mountmelick to worship the Lord were taken up and made to appear at the following Assizes by Walter Warnford at which Assizes Judge Booth fined six of them 2 l. a man for which they were kept in Prison about fourteen Weeks 1661. Tobias Pledwel Godfry Cantrel John Gee Wil. Capton Wil. Archer Richard Scot Thomas Stalker being with several others met together at Mountmelick to worship God had their Meeting broken up and committed to Prison by the said Walter Warnford and at the next Assizes Judge Alexander fined eleaven of them 40 l. a man for meeting as aforesaid and they were kept in Prison about five Moneths Caterlough County 1660. Thomas Weston Thomas Chauuders Henry Rose and nine more Friends for meeting together in the Fear of the Lord in Caterlough were apprehended by order of John Masters then Portriff and without Examination or Mittimus committed to Prison till the next Sessions and then indicted and by the Jury found Not Guilty yet on pretence of Fees were kept Prisoners several Moneths and an Order was obtained from the chief Rulers called Lord Justices of the Nation for their Enlargement shew'd to the County Justices who refus'd to release Friends And at the following Assizes Friends were brought before Judge Alexander who reviled them calling them Rogues Rascals Villains c. which is well known to their Neighbours that they are no such Persons being Honest and Industrious Men and caus'd a Bill of Indictment to be drawn up against them and for Meeting together as aforesaid to
same Faith Worship Church and Gospel-Order of the antient true Christians for which we are now persecuted as they were in former dayes And indeed it hath been our Portion to suffer ever since the Lord God first raised us up to bear Testimony to his Everlasting Truth the Light Christ Jesus that lighteth every Man that cometh into the World that through it they might believe and to own his true and living Worship which is in Spirit and in Truth and to endure not only Reproaches bitter Taunts Mockings and Revilings but also Cruel and Vnchristian-like Vsages by Halings Tearings Beatings Whippings Woundings long Imprisonments great Fines excessive Loss and Havock of our Goods and sometimes Loss of Life occasioned mostly by the Priests whose Merchandize we can no longer buy and their incensing the Magistrates against us falsly accusing us as the Jews did Paul to Faelix to be Movers of Sedition and raising new Sects so that as it was accounted a Crime then with the Jews to be called a Christian a Follower of Jesus of Nazareth even so now is made matter enough against us by some sometimes to be called a Quaker a tearm given us in Derision first by an Independant Justice at Derby about 20 years ago and for no other cause have several suffer'd Neither have we in this Realm suffered for these last 11 Years only but before even in the former Powers time the which hath been already published and we have found that the most and worst of our Sufferings since the King's Restauration have bin by such of the Professing Priests and Magistrates that were in Favour or at leastwise made use of in Oliver and his Son Richard's dayes and are now wheeled about and for Profit or Honour have cringed and conformed to these Times though we cannot but own and acknowledge that upon Applications and Addresses made by us to the chief Rulers of this Land in behalf of our suffering Friends they have divers times been pleased to grant us Remedy and Redress And seeing we hold or maintain no Principle of Religion or Practice of Worship or Doctrine of the Gospel but what is according to the Scriptures of Truth why will any professing Christianity persecute us And we can truly appeal to God the Searcher of all Hearts that according to our Principles so our Practises have alwayes been even to seek Peace and ensue it and to follow after the Knowledge of God and to desire the Good and Welfare of all Where have we wronged any mans Person or Possession or been found in Plots or guilty of Sedition or Have we made Resistance when men yea unreasonable men with Clubs Swords and Staves and other illegal wayes have wronged beat cut and abused us which was no Honour to Manhood to exercise such severity and Cruelty upon such an Innocent and Harmless People that will not lift up a hand against them and wherein we could not actively obey for Conscience sake in matters relating to Religion and our Principles there we have passively suffered and patiently born it Have we not all along been a Suffering People and yet not for any Cause of Evil doing that could justly be laid to our charge but for things pertaining to our Principles and the Worship of God and in Obedience to his Requirings of us for which Cause we can more freely give up our Bodies a Sacrifice then to disobey the Lord God of Heaven and Earth who having kept us Innocent will plead for us against our Causless Persecutors who have no more against us then was against Daniel Hath not long Experience of us under several Governments and distinct Powers since we were a People to God fully and to any moderate man sufficiently evidenced our Innocency and that our Deportment notwithstanding the many and great Provocations have been peaceable and harmless in the exercise of our Consciences in Religion and the Worship of God touching which we our selves and none else for us must give an account to God let our Neighbours and the whole Nation bare testimony and the just Witness of God in men judge and Conscience speak whether our Principles have produced any other Practice then as aforesaid or our Practices any other Effects in our Conversation then such as become an in-offensive and well-minded People professing Truth and Honesty Well then What man as a man much more as a good man professing Christianity will have a hand in persecuting the Innocent People of God or who will joyn with cursed Cain the first Persecutor on Earth to persecute his Righteous Brother Abel about Worship Is it not contrary to the Character of a good Christian and against the Royal Law of God to impose upon another in the things of Religion and worship of God contrary to the Faith of the Imposed or would the Imposer be imposed upon contrary to his own Vnderstanding and Conscience in the spiritual concernments of his soul seeing that every man must answer for himself that none can give to God a Ransom for his Brothers soul therefore we warn all in love to take heed what they do herein for its a tender Cause and its the Jurisdiction of the Lord his Sovereignty and proper Dominion and alone belongs to him to rule in the Consciences of people in order to be served and worshipped acceptably And to the end Reader thou mayst be inform'd of the manner of our Sufferings and the cause thereof we have collected some part of what we have suffered for these last 11 years that thou mayst see how where and for what sometimes without and contrary to Law and sometimes under colour of Law much Havock hath bin made of our Goods which we here put to publick view in a plain way and manner for we are a plain people we have no need to use Arguments to perswade thee to credit the truth of this ensuing Relation it being so obvious and generally known in Cities Towns Countries where we are conversant And though some of them may seem small in thine eyes yet we would not have thee too sleightly disesteem thereof in regard the least of them is for matter of Conscience and therefore ought to be tendred by all professing Christianity in Truth and Sincerity of which number we wish thee no worse then to be one and then thou canst not but reckon us two thy Friends Thomas Holme Abraham Fuller THE CONTENTS I. FOr Meeting together to wait upon God in his Fear Service and Worship II. For not paying Tythes and Maintenance to the Priests and their Clarks III. For not paying to the building and repair of the Parish Worship-Houses called Churches IV. For not going to the publick Worship at the Church so called and for Exhorting and Reproving people in the Fear of the Lord in the said publick Houses of Worship Markets and Streets V. For not Swearing not taking off the Hat and working on Holy-dayes so called VI. An Occasional Treatise relating to the aforesaid Sufferings First
said Tho. Cook was then much abused by William Sexton Constable who struck the said Thomas with the Staff of his Office with his full strength as he himself hath since said on the side of his Head which for a time deprived him of his Sences Thomas Wight George Gamble Alexander Atkins Geo. Webber Thomas Cook John Gossage and Geo. Neno for meeting together as aforesaid were haled thereout and committed to Prison by order of the said Christo Rye Mayor Geo. Webber Geo. Gamble Fran. Rogers Alex Atkins Thomas Cook Jo. Gossage Christo Pennock James Dennis John Workman Thomas Wight Tho. Ridge Charles Sinderby and James Toghil for meeting together to worship the Lord at their usual Place in Cork City on the 28th of the 12th Moneth were sent to Prison by order of the said Christo Rye eleaven Seats or Forms carried then away and still detained worth about 50 s. by the said Mayor's Order 1669. Philip Dymond John Stubbs George Gamble c. for meeting together the 15th of the 4th Moneth in Cork City to wait upon God were committed to Goal by the said Christo Rye Mayor Geo. Gamble Alexander Atkins Thomas Cook Christo Pennock James Dennis Steph. Harris Jo. Gossage Rich. Brocklsby William Steel Phil. Godfrey Martha Webber Susanna Michel Lucretia Cook Jone Cook Thomasin Gossage Elizabeth Erbery Hannah Wear and Jane Morris for meeting together in the Fear of the Lord and to worship him were committed to Goal by the said Christo Rye Mayor where some of them were kept a long season in which time Susanna falling exceeding sick in the Prison Eliz. Erbery went to the said Mayor and desired his leave to remove her said sick Friend if her strength would bear it and he not only refused but much abused her calling her The Old Witch of Endor with other opprobrious words much unbeseeming a Magistrate He also caused some of the Friends Children that were at the said Meeting to be carried to the Stocks and there kept a while by the Whipping-Beadle About this time Richard Pike through Cold and Distemper got in his Imprisonment Dyed a Prisoner James Taylor and James Knolls for being at a Meeting of the Lord's People in Cork City were committed to Prison by the said Christopher Rye Mayor and kept several dayes before their Mittimus was made and afterwards detained long in Prison and almost every First-day towards the end of his Mayorality having been Mayor two years he caused such of the men Friends as were at the Meetings to be imprisoned Samuel Thornton being visited by several Friends at his Lodging at Elizabeth Erbery's in Cork City being newly come thither on a Journey and after Supper he spent some time in Prayer for which he was taken thence by the Constable and had before Matthew Dean then Mayor who committed him to Goal where he was kept close Prisoner about Eight Weeks Geo. Webber Steph. Harris and several other Friends being at their usual Meeting-place to wait on the Lord were taken thereout and committed to Prison by the said Matthew Dean Mayor who would not suffer Meat Drink or Bedding to be brought them causing a Maid Servant of Stephen Harris that was carrying a Bed to her sickly Master in the Prison to be set in the Stocks and the Bed to be taken away from her and Geo. Webber's Maid-Servant carrying Food to her said Master in Prison the said Mayor commanded his Sergeants to take away the Food and to set her in the Stocks but got to the Prison before the Sergeant over-took her While Samuel Thornton was Prisoner in Cork divers Men and Women Friends and others of the City went one first-First-day to sit together with him to wait upon the Lord who is worthy to be feared and worshipped at all times and in all places and Quinnall the Goaler shut the Doors and lockt them all in being about Eighty Persons and carryed away the Key as it was said to Matthew Dean Mayor a suitable Successor to Christopher Rye for Persecution who gave Command That the said Prisoners should not be admitted to have Meat or Drink as the Goaler alledged neither had they any in at the Door being forced to draw it up with Ropes and take it through the Grate and some thrown in to them at a Hole And that Night the Souldiers who kept Guard under the said Prisoners made so great a Smoak that it was like to have smoothered the Prisoners And notwithstanding that Application was made to the Mayor in behalf of the Prisoners and their Conditions yet as a man without Pitty and Mercy forgetting Humanity or the Bounds of common Civility and without any regard to Age or Sick as to Women with Child and Women Nurses not suffering the one to come at the other with Scoffing Language ill-becoming him said They are all Brethren and Sisters let them lie one upon another and if they are choaked it s their own Faults and thus were they kept together about Twenty Four Hours John Hull William Bigley and some others going on a First-day to visit Friends in Prison and to spend some time with them in waiting upon God the said Matthew Dean Mayor charged the Goaler not to suffer them to go out again and so they were kept Prisoners several Weeks and then released by an Order from the King's Lievtenant General and Council of Ireland 1670. Thomas Wight for being at a Meeting with the People of God was committed to Prison by Order of the said Matthew Dean Mayor and there kept close Prisoner Fifteen Weeks until the next Assizes and then for Fees claimed by Robert Fletcher as Clark of the Crown c. was sued and Execution got against his Body being then a Prisoner by means whereof he was kept in close Restraint about Six Moneths And the said Matthew Dean Mayor of Cork generally every First-day broke up Friends Meetings and imprisoned most of the Men Friends in the City and would not suffer poor Men that were Tradesmen to work in Prison that had no other way to get Bread for themselves Wives and Children but by their daily Labour giving Order to the Goaler to take away their Tools from them And to add to his Cruelty as one that would out-do his Predecessor in Persecution and to make Havock as it were as much as in him lay he took account of Friends Names how oft they were at Meetings and thereby made occasion of multiplying Indictments against Friends at the Assizes where some had two others three six or more Indictments drawn up and framed against them the effects whereof through Fines and Fees c. proved very prejudicial to them These following Distresses were taken for Fees claimed by Rob. Fletcher as Clark of the Crown and Town-Clark occasioned originally for Meetings besides what he got by the many Indictments last before mentioned Alexander Atkins for Fifteen shillings demanded had taken from him a piece of Stuff worth 1 l. 12 s. Christopher Pennock for the like had
worth 17s From John Wilson a Cow worth 28s Queens County 1669. John Edwards for warning the people unto Repentance in the Parish Worship-house at Ballinekill was cruelly beaten by Jam. Dunn Soveraign with a Staff until it brake in pieces and with the remaining part in his hand struck him on the bare head and then haled him to the Stocks and there set him for Two Hours in a cold Winter day Wexford County Tho. Murford for speaking in the Fear of the Lord to the People in a publick Place of Worship in Wexford was cruelly beaten and his Body sorely bruised and so committed to Prison 1662. James Taylor and John Blair for not going to the publick Worship-house called the Church were taken up by a Capias and imprisoned in Wexford Goal about twelve Weeks 1670. Jonas Chamberlin and Wil. Chamberlin for speaking a few words of Soberness and Truth to Edw. Withers called a Justice as he was passing to his Worship on the 25th of the 10th Moneth were committed to Prison Munster Province Cork County and City 1660. LVcretia Cook for exhorting the people in Bandonbridge to take heed and beware of false Prophets c. was committed to the Marshals and thence to Bridewel by John Laundon Provost and there kept twenty dayes And another Friend only for looking on Priest Nycholets in the publick Worship-house at Bandon was violently pulled and haled the Priest calling to the Magistrate saying Take him away take him away though the Friend spake not one word and it made such an uproar that the Friend had like to have bin smother'd in the worship-house 1669. Susanna Mitchell for bearing Testimony against Priest Cross's false Doctrine in the publick House of Worship in Cork City he being then teaching the Lawfulness of Swearing which is contrary to the Command of Christ and the Apostle was committed to Goal and there kept Prisoner a long time 1670. Solomon Eccles for going to the Cathedral at Cork the 16th of the 8th Moneth in Obedience to the Lord 's Requiring and for saying these words after Ben. Crosse the Priest had ended his Sermon and Prayer That the Prayer of the Wicked was Abomination to the Lord whereupon the said Priest said Let me Crave a Blessing so when he had done the said Friend was about to speak and the Souldiers began to pull and hale him but the Priest said Let him alone then the said Friend spake and said What shall be done to the man that makes Shiprack of a good Conscience though then it was not known to him that the said Priest Crosse had formerly been a Presbyterian Priest in Dorsetshire and had said ut ferunt That he had rather go to a Stake and be Burned then to put on a Surplice yet now preacht with a Surplice on So the Friend was laid hold on and had before the Mayor who committed him to Prison where he was kept ten dayes and then the Bishop and Peter Colthrop the Governour like Ananias and Pilate accused the said Solomon Eccles to the Earl of Orrery President of the Province of Munster for a Vagabond Quaker c. and so without any Examination of the said Person who by Law could not be proved a Vagabond obtained Order to whip him through Cork City which was accordingly executed with great severity the said Solomon being whipt all along the Streets of the City of Cork from North-Gate to South-Gate and in that time received at least Eighty Seven Lashes or Stripes and so expelled Waterford City 1660. Elinor Tatlock for going to the publick Worship-house in Waterford and there bearing Testimony against their Will-worship was put into Bridewel by John Horton Recorder and after several dayes she and her Husband were turned out of the City from their Children and Family Margret Blanch for exhorting the people to the Fear of the Lord c. at a time when she was at a Burial of one of her Relations was imprisoned six Moneths and in that time Excommunicated by Bishop Gore of Waterford and thereupon kept close Prisoner a long time and though often very sick and Weak of Body whilst in Prison and divers Entreaties made to the said Bishop for her Enlargement or going Home a while for Refreshment yet was generally refused by the said Hard-hearted Bishop And during her said long Imprisonment at Waterford the same Bishop Excommunicated her Husband William Blanch and as the said William Blanch was riding upon his lawful Occasions in Tiperary another County was there follow'd and watched and by Clonmell Town seized upon and committed to the Prison there where he was kept above a Year being there twenty Miles distant from his Wife in Prison at Waterford and his Family there so that neither the Husband and Wife could come to one another as being Prisoners nor yet either of them to their Family Conaught Province Galoway City 1669. SOlomon Eccles being moved of the Lord to go a Sign on the 14th of the 7th Moneth and that Naked with Fire and Brimstone burning on his Head without the Gates of the City unto a Papists Mass-Meeting and the Fryar and People being upon their Knees he in the Spirit of the Lord said Wo to these Idolatrous Worshippers God hath sent me this day to warn you and to let you see that if you Repent not what shall be your Reward and so he went over the Bridge into the City warning them also to Repentance and when done he was had to Prison with his three Friends Randal Consins Nicho. Grible and Henry Bloodworth who accompanied him in his Service and Eliza. Harper visiting them in Prison was also there detained and after several dayes Imprisonment were all released Fifthly and Lastly And these following for not Swearing for Conscience sake keeping to Yea and Nay according to Christ's Command who said Swear not at all for not taking off their Hats and giving men the Honour below for opening Shops and Working on dayes by the World called Holy Dayes which the Pope set up and for owning the Truth Christ Jesus the Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the World have been Fined Imprisoned Abused and their Goods taken from them Ulster Province Ardmagh County 1662. ROger Webb being Constable was called at the Sessions at Ardmagh to give in Presentments and because for Conscience sake he could not Swear was fined by Sir George Atkinson in 40 s. for which the Sheriffs Bailiffs took from him a Horse worth 45 s. 1665. Henry Furnace sen because for Conscience sake he could not Swear was fined 20 s. in the Manner Court for which the Bailiffs took from his Son a Horse worth 30 s. 1669. James Bradshaw being summoned to the Manner Court of Lurgan was fined 5 s. by John Relly Seneschal for not taking off his Hat and the Bailiffs took Goods from him worth 7 s. 1670. Christopher Hillary of Shankill Parish being one of the Militia under Captain Draper and afterwards convinced of Truth which leads out of all
Unchristian-like spirit of our Persecutors And forasmuch as there is not only a great Difference betwixt us and the literal Professors of Christianity touching the Worship and Service of the True and Living God but that the greatest part of all our Sufferings is generally for and on the account of our Worship to God for that God was and is to be worshipped is owned by all called Christians but how and by what few do understand and that God had a People that truly worshipped him in all Ages is recorded in the holy Scriptures of Truth and though they differed in Manner and Place yet however all that worshipped acceptably 't was by Faith in the Seed therefore we shall begin with that Branch of our meeting together to wait upon and worship the Lord. First As for our meeting frequently together to seek the Lord by waiting upon him in his holy Fear and to Worship him in the Spirit and in the Truth which is the only acceptable Worship with God we have amongst many more these brief ensuing Grounds and Reasons First BEcause the Lord hath thus prrswaded our Hearts by his good Spirit to meet often together to have our minds exercised in his Fear and Worship to wait upon him for more Light to know and understand more of his Heavenly Will which is revealed by his holy Spirit as well what is our Duty towards him and all men as to know his Will towards us and by the Light or Manifestation of himself by his Spirit we come to know and believe that he is a Spirit and is to be worshipped in his own Nature in the Spirit and in the Truth it being mans Duty to wait upon God in and by that of himself made manifest in man which only and truly shews him how when where and after what manner God will be worshipped For if God who is invisible be a Spirit and therein to be worshipped then nothing less then of the same Nature will reveal God to man and shew him how to serve and worship God aright and therefore of necessity for all that intend either to know the Mind of God or their Duty to him to be very serious and weighty in their approachings to worship God in order to conduct the mind of man to seek after and know the Will of God it being a weighty Work to worship the Lord God aright and to the end we may perform a Worship which may be acceptable in his sight therefore it is we thus meet together to seek his Face with our minds waiting and stayed in his Light and measure of his Spirit to open our Understandings in the Mysteries of his Heavenly Kingdom that we may know how to live and walk in this Life as becometh true Christians to answer the End for which we were created that is To glorifie God and to keep our selves unspotted of the Word which is pure Religion Ja. 1. 27. And thus by Faith was God worshipp'd before the Law from Adam till Moses for God having made man in his own Image capable to serve and obey him and to enjoy his blessed Presence but man by Transgression lost his Place and happy Estate and so was drove out from God yet not without a Promise of the Seed Christ to bruise the Serpent's head and though thus expelled yet was it his Duty to Serve Fear and Worship the Lord God his Creator as apppears by the practice of Adam's first Sons who worshipped God by offering Sacrifices each of them according to the perswasion of their Hearts and Understandings Gen. 3. 3 4 5. Cain the first Birth offered the Fruit of the Ground Abel the second Birth offered the Firstlings of his Flock and the Fat thereof and he and his Offering or Worship was accepted but unto Cain God had no respect as offering from that which was cursed and he not finding Acceptance with God in his said Service then Envy and Wrath arose in him and he Murthered his Innocent Brother Mark Here is the first Persecution about Religion here are the two Seeds and the two Births of which and from whence springs all the Natures and Lines and Worships of all Men in the World ever since and from hence its easie to know of what Race every Worship is of Persecutors are of and from envious Cain And is it not below a man or at least as a good man to be ranked of the Race of cursed Cain for shame then let all men forbare to persecute about Religion for you see who is the Father and whosoever persecutes it s a manifest token that he finds no Acceptance with God in his own Worship and so seeks to be revenged on his Brother on him that finds Peace with God in his Offering or Worshipping even on Righteous Abel And by Faith in the promised Seed Christ not only Abel but even all the rest of the holy Patriarchs Noah Abraham Isaac and Jacob c. performed their acceptable Services and Worships to God offering and worshipping in divers Places and Manners and yet without Scripture or written Rules and though they had not a written Law or outward Rule to direct them how to worship God yet had they the Everlasting Rule God's Spirit which was before Writings were by which they were surely acted and truly guided how to live and walk towards God and towards man and how to perform a Worship to God that might be acceptable in his sight as the Scriptures testifie And thus by Faith through all these Types Figures and Sacrifices under the Law was God truly worshipped a contrite Heart being more esteemed by God then Burnt-Offerings and Sacrifices Psal 51. 16 17. 1 Sam. 15. 22. Secondly Because it s our Duty so to meet to seek and worship God who is worthy to be sought unto and waited on by all that make Profession of him as tending to the Honour of his holy Name and Advancement of his Blessed Truth and to the Benefit and Comfort of our own Souls as appears by the Practice of the Saints of old who feared the Lord and spake often one to another and the Lord hearkened and heard and a Book of Remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and thought upon his Name And they shall be mine in that day saith the Lord when I make up my Jewels Mal. 3. 16 17. So that in consideration of the Omnipotency of God who as we are his Creatures much more his People that fear him and his Children that believe in him doth expect our continual dependance on him as being ready to hear and answer our breathing Desires and to supply us with every Good Thing needful for us Lam. 3. 25 26. We have good Grounds thus to wait and meet 1st From the Promise of Christ Jesus who said Mat. 18. 20. Where two or three are gathered together in my Name there will I be in the midst of them and we have found him faithful that hath promised read Mat.
Pharisees John 8. 59. a great professing people even by such as professed the Messiah to come Thus was the Just and Holy One the Messiah Christ Jesus the Seed the Son of God and Saviour of the World put to Death by Wicked and Ungodly Men who are of the Line of Cain's spirit the seed of the Serpent the Devil Peter and John went into the Temple Acts 3. 4. 1. the place of Worship at the time of Prayer and preached Christ which the Temple-Worshippers could not bear but laid hands on them whipt them and put them in Prison strictly charging them To Preach no more in the Name of Jesus the Priests being the chief Instruments as also at the killing of Christ Stephen a true Worshipper of God Acts 6. was accused of many Falshoods by men subborned and false Witnesses and brought before the Council of the Jews false Worshippers and he being full of Faith and Power preached Christ unto them and withal told them Acts 7. That God dwelled not in Temples made with hands further charging them and their Fathers with persecuting the Prophets and murdering of Jesus for which he was stoned and put to Death by the National Worshippers Paul preached Christ in the Synagogues Acts 9. 20 23. for which the Jews took Counsel against him waiting and watching at the Gate day and night so great was their Envy to kill him And he and Barnabas preached in the Jews Synagogues at Cyprus Antioch c. and the Jews persecuted them and Banished them their Coasts Acts 13. as many of God's Servants are served in these dayes And at Iconium they were also persecuted and Paul stoned near unto Death by the professing Jews and false Worshippers for going into their Synagogues and preaching Christ Acts 14. And at Thessalonica Paul as his manner was went into the Synagogues on the Sabboth dayes and reasoned with them out of the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ c. Acts 17. and the Unbelievers and base people set the City on an Uproar against them as such do now against God's Servants for preaching the same Christ accusing them with turning the World upside down and doing contrary to the Decrees of Caesar and troubled the City and the Rulers even as the Priests and worst of People in our Age do concerning us whom the Lord hath redeemed from their Mouthes And when Paul came to Athens he did not joyn to the publick Worship but his Spirit was stirred in him seeing them given to Idolatry he disputed in the Synagogues with the Jews and in the Market daily with them that met with him there certain Philosophers of the Epicureans and Stoicks encountred him some calling him a Babbler others a Setter forth of strange Godds because he preached Jesus and the Resurrection and yet they themselves knew not the Living God Thus Peter and several of the Apostles Disciples the true Worshippers for bearing the like Testimony were also persecuted and some to Death Many more Examples might be mentioned of the true Worshippers of the Lord even through Ages and Generations recorded in the Scriptures who knew God whom they worshipped and could not joyn with the false Worshippers yea if National Worshippers in their day that knew not the Lord but reasoned with them and testified against them in their publick places and else-where as the Lord required them and they were alwayes persecuted by the false birth of Religion the false Worshippers and seed of Evil-doers that knew not God according to the Saying of the Apostle Gal. 4. 29. He that is born of the Flesh persecutes him that is born of the Spirit And also It may be seen in Histories and Books of Martyrs that many have suffered Martyrdom because they could not joyn to and with the National and established Worships then set up by men and so forsake the Spiritual Worship set up by Jesus Christ And as in former times so in these dayes the true Worshippers who worshipped God in Spirit and in Truth Jo. 4. 23 24. which is the Gospel-Worship set up by Christ Jesus cannot joyn contrary to their Consciences and Understandings with the National publick Worship for which there is neither Command nor Example in the Scriptures of Truth for their Practice Discipline Manner of Worship and Worship it self And seeing it is of necessity to know God before he can be worshipped aright and that none know the Father but the Son and him to whom the Son will reveal him Mat. 11. 27. if none then know God but by the Revelation of Christ Jesus and that the national Worshippers say Revelation which it seems is the only way to know God is ceased then by their Doctrine it follows That the Knowledge of God is ceased and then in vain do men worship for they worship they know not what How then can we joyn with them in such a Worship whilst they deny Revelation so worship an Unknown Godd But we come to know God by the Revelation of Jesus Christ 1 John 4. 13 14 15 16. and therefore we worship him and fear his holy Name and for thus worshipping we ought not to be persecuted especially not by those that profess Christianity Fifthly Concerning our not Swearing not taking off our Hats and for Working on dayes by some called Holy-days we have also good Ground and Scripture Authority First AND first for our refusing to Swear we have plain and undeniable Scripture Proofs 1st from Christ Jesus the Son of God in whom we believe Joh. 14. 1. who in his Sermon to his Disciples preached and opened the glorious Work and Worth of the Gospel above the Law though he came not to destroy the Law but to fulfil it You have heard said he that it hath been said by them of old time Thou shalt not Forswear thy self but shalt perform unto the Lord thine Oaths but I say unto you Swear not at all neither by Heaven c. but let your Communication be Yea yea Nay nay for whatsoever is more then these cometh of Evil Mat. 5. 17 33 35 36 37. And if men were not wilfully bind and hardned against Truth how could a Mouth be opened much less a Hand lifted up against us by the Professors of Christianity for our Principles herein seeing Christ the Gospel-Law giver bids us not Swear at all and him we are to hear and obey And as they under the Law were to Swear truly so we under the Gospel are to speak truly for true Christians are as far to exceed the Jews as the Gospel doth the Law because of that Noble and Just Principle in them which is to lead them and guide them into all Truth John 16. 13. to speak and act truly altogether at all times and in all places and then a Testimony to speak the Truth answereth unto and is in the Ground as valid as Swearing truly that which might be sworn unto in the time of the Law is now only to be confirmed by Confession Yea
a further Testimony of our Sincerity herein we further say and declare That we are content to suffer as much for not Serving truly and for not Speaking and Evidencing truly as those that are Perjured or Forsworn for we hold our selves as much yes more oblieged by affirming or speaking Truth by our word Yea and Nay as others do by Swearing truly or performing their Places by an Oath And if this sufficeth not then we must needs say It s hard to perswade men of a contrary mind to us herein until they come to own and believe in the Truth Christ the Light and then they will with us be like-minded with us that what we say affirm and witness is really Truth or truly said and done seeing they themselves are often doubtful of the verity of what is sworn or testified upon Oath by such as worship with them and are of the same Opinion with them and hold it as they do lawful to Swear for several times neither the Swearers nor the Matter sworn is believed by the Magistrate for men of good Fame are called and depended on for the truest Evidence So that it appeareth That it s not the taking of a bare Oath simply considered as an Oath which oblieges to perform or evidence and swear truly but rather the Honesty and good Conscience of the Party which proves the Performance from a Principle within and not from a formal Oath then we say Why should not a man as well be believ'd in speaking truly as swearing truly seeing all that swear cannot be believed there being so many Perjured False-sworn Secondly For not taking off our Hats which are part of our Bodily Garments and put and placed upon our Heads to keep them warm and dry as the rest of our Garments are for the other parts of our Bodies and so not Honouring mens Persons with pulling them off which it seems troubleth and distasteth the minds of some men that seek the Honour below in order to content and satisfie the Pride and Ambition for curreous and good-natured men contemn and disregard it looking upon it at best but an Alamode Complement of a late Edition and rather become a Fashion in our Country a National or general Custom then any absolute matter of Duty or Necessity And besides it would be no hard thing to prove the use of National or general Customs to be incongtuous with and dissonant unto the Life of a true Christian who is not to be fashionedunto the World 1 Pet. 1. 14. so that the not putting them off to answer the Will a lofty part in man is also Matter of Conscience to us for God knows our hearts that it s done in the Cross of Christ Jesus and not in Contempt of Authority or mens Persons bearing Rule For we dare not Respect Persons act contrary to the Apostles Doctrine who said Jam. 2. 1 to 11. If ye have Respect to Persons ye commit Sin and are convinced of the Law as Transgressors to this agrees Christ's Saying to his Hearers John 5. 41 44. How can ye believe which receive Honour one of another and seek not the Honour that comes down from God only and we do not read in the Scriptures that of all that were brought or voluntarily went before Kings Dukes Governours and Magistrates that any were commanded to put off their Hats or Bonnets nay Nebuchadnezar was not offended as we read with the three Children for their Hats Dan. 3. 21. for they were cast into the Fire with their Hosen and Hats Doth not the Turk mock it Christians for putting off their Hats shewing their bare Heads Is not this a Reproof to Christians that Persecute Fine and Imprison for not putting off the Hat to them because they have not the Hat-Honour and Hat-Respect which they cannot say is the Honour from above which Christ commendeth to seek Thirdly For Working or Opening our Shops on the Week-dayes called Holy-dayes we have this to say which though little yet may suffice a moderate man and will a true Christian We find Exod. 20. 6. the Law allowed Six Dayes in the Week to Work or Labour on and neither Christ nor his Apostles did ever forbid it nor yet ordained any such dayes as Holy-days to be kept and observed by the Churches in the Primitive Times And the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Romans saith Rom. 41. 5 6. One Man esteemeth one Day above another another esteemeth every Day alike let every man be fully perswaded in his own Mind he that regards a Day regards it unto the Lord and he that regards not the Day to the Lord he doth not regard it And he also said They should not judge one another about such things And seeing that neither the Apostles nor the Councils in their dayes made any such Decree or Law for observing such dayes have not therefore these Decrees and Laws been made by the Pope and his Councils since the Apostles dayes And who shall be observed the Apostles or the Pope judge ye So that there being no Institution of such dayes by Christ his Apostles or Primitive Councils why should we suffer or be persecuted for following our lawful Labours and Callings thereon especially by such as are called Christians AND thus Reader in this foregoing occasioned Treatise of the several Branches of our beforementioned Sufferings we have used brevity in regard divers of our Friends have published much already to the same purpuse yet we cannot be altogether silent at this time Prudence prompting us to put thus much to publick view for no other Cause and End then so far to vindicate our Principles and Practices by the holy Scriptures of Truth Practice of Primitive true Christians and other good Grounds and Reasons as that thereby it may plainly appear to any Sober and Moderate Man that we suffer Innocently not for Evil-doing and that our Persecutors are the more culpable and so much the more for that they profess the Scriptures And notwithstanding their thus Vnjust Vnchristian-like Vsage and Persecuting of us we purpose and resolve in the Lord God That the Powers and chief Rulers of the Nations as hitherto so hereafter also shall never have more against us then Nebuchadnezar had against Shadrach Meshach and Abednego Dan. 3. and Darius against Daniel Dan. 6. 4 to the end for Daniel and the Three Children were Faithful to the Kings of Babylon and Medea as their Accusers acknowledged who sought Occasion against Daniel but confessed they could find none except concerning the Law of his God which was his Worship and Religion THE END Dr. Taylor late Bishop of Down Derry Chrysost Tertul. Haywardus K. James K. Car. 1. Isa 42. 4. Phil. 3. 15. Gal. 1. 15. 1 Cor. 2. 10. Mat. 11. 25. Luke 4. 23. Mat. 5. 16. Joh. 15. 8. 1 Cor. 6. 20. Mat. 20. 26. and 23. 10. 1 Pet. 5. 2 3. Luke 22. 24 25 26. 2 Cor. 4. 5. Da. 5 27 Act. Mon. Thorp Huss G. Clapham Priest of Mountmelick and Geo. Walker Priest of Kilmore Gen. 4. 4. Heb. 11. 4. Gen. 4. 3 5 6 7 8. Gen. 5. 24. Gen. 6. 9 18. Gen. 8. 20 21. Gen. 12. 1 5 6 7 8. Gen. 13. 18. Gen. 15. 1. Gen. 17. 1. 18. 1. Ge. 20. 1 2. 21. 33 34. 22. 9 13 14. Genesis 23. 19 20. Genesis 24. 3 4. Genesis 26. 25. Genesis 28. 1. 2 Genesis 32. 28. Gen. 33 18 19 20. Genesis 35. 7 14 15. Genesis 47. 28 29 30 31. Genesis 50. 24 25 26. Ex. 17. 15. 19. 20. 27. 1. 30. 1. Jerom Chrysoft Ambr. Origen Act. and Mon. Bish Gawden Wil. Thorp Wil. Brute Acts 5. 29.