the_o prisoner_n uindication_n with_o a_o sober_a expostulation_n and_o reprehension_n of_o persecutor_n by_o john_n gratton_n what_o mean_v you_o that_o you_o beat_v my_o people_n to_o piece_n and_o grind_v the_o face_n of_o the_o poor_a say_v the_o lord_n god_n of_o host_n isa._n 3._o 15._o lord_n how_o long_o shall_v the_o wicked_a triumph_n how_o long_o shall_v they_o utter_v and_o speak_v hard_a thing_n they_o break_v in_o piece_n thy_o people_n o_o lord_n and_o afflict_v thy_o heritage_n they_o slay_v the_o widow_n and_o the_o stranger_n and_o murder_v the_o fatherless_a psal._n 94._o 3_o 4_o 5_o 6._o london_n print_v and_o sell_v by_o andrew_n sowle_n at_o the_o crooked-billet_a in_o holloway-lane_n near_o shoreditch_n 1683._o to_o all_o persecutor_n both_o by_o word_n and_o action_n a_o few_o word_n for_o the_o clear_n of_o myself_o and_o the_o truth_n i_o profess_v in_o real_a love_n from_o he_o that_o seek_v the_o good_a of_o all_o mankind_n in_o general_n have_v real_a 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partiality_n and_o without_o hypocrisy_n and_o the_o fruit_n of_o righteousness_n be_v sow_v in_o peace_n in_o they_o that_o make_v peace_n but_o say_v you_o i_o be_o a_o sour_a or_o mover_n of_o sedition_n so_o say_v the_o jew_n by_o paul_n but_o they_o accuse_v he_o false_o and_o so_o do_v you_o i_o for_o i_o fear_v god_n and_o love_v all_o man_n and_o herein_o do_v i_o exercise_v myself_o to_o have_v always_o a_o conscience_n void_a of_o offence_n towards_o god_n and_o man_n and_o as_o much_o as_o in_o i_o lie_v endeavour_v to_o live_v peaceable_a with_o all_o man_n and_o do_v know_v assure_o that_o i_o seduce_v no_o man_n for_o the_o lord_n have_v give_v i_o in_o his_o endless_a mercy_n a_o understanding_n to_o know_v he_o that_o be_v true_a and_o the_o true_a light_n that_o enlighten_v every_o man_n that_o come_v into_o the_o world_n do_v not_o lead_v we_o to_o seduce_v any_o but_o reprove_v and_o condemn_v seducer_n and_o sedition_n and_o make_v all_o thing_n manifest_a of_o 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of_o godliness_n to_o be_v see_v if_o not_o in_o the_o sober_a honest_a quaker_n as_o you_o call_v we_o who_o dare_v not_o speak_v his_o own_o word_n nor_o do_v his_o own_o will_n but_o lay_v down_o all_o to_o follow_v the_o lamb_n in_o true_a obedience_n to_o what_o he_o require_v and_o command_v though_o for_o the_o same_o they_o suffer_v the_o loss_n of_o all_o outward_a thing_n and_o true_o it_o be_v see_v fulfil_v that_o he_o that_o will_v live_v godly_a in_o christ_n jesus_n must_v suffer_v persecution_n and_o he_o that_o depart_v from_o iniquity_n make_v himself_o a_o prey_n but_o the_o end_n of_o the_o commandment_n be_v charity_n out_o of_o a_o pure_a heart_n and_o of_o a_o good_a conscience_n and_o faith_n unfeigned_a and_o say_v he_o thus_o warn_v they_o that_o be_v unruly_a comfort_v the_o feeble-minded_n support_v the_o weak_a be_v patient_n towards_o all_o man_n see_v that_o none_o render_v evil_a for_o evil_n unto_o any_o man_n but_o ever_o follow_v that_o which_o be_v 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though_o i_o have_v all_o faith_n so_o that_o i_o can_v remove_v mountain_n and_o have_v no_o charity_n i_o be_o nothing_o and_o though_o i_o bestow_v all_o my_o good_n to_o feed_v the_o poor_a and_o though_o i_o give_v my_o body_n to_o be_v burn_v and_o have_v not_o charity_n it_o profit_v i_o nothing_o charity_n suffer_v long_o and_o be_v kind_a do_v not_o make_v man_n suffer_v long_o for_o that_o be_v unkind_a and_o true_o the_o apostle_n be_v so_o full_a in_o this_o matter_n that_o all_o profession_n or_o religion_n without_o charity_n be_v nothing_o worth_a charity_n say_v he_o envy_v not_o bear_v all_o thing_n compare_v but_o this_o with_o peter_n word_n add_v say_v he_o to_o your_o faith_n virtue_n to_o virtue_n knowledge_n to_o knowledge_n temperance_n to_o temperance_n patience_n to_z patience_z godliness_n and_o to_o godliness_n brotherly_n kindness_n and_o to_o brotherly-kindness_n charity_n if_o these_o thing_n be_v in_o you_o and_o abound_v they_o make_v you_o that_o you_o shall_v neither_o be_v barren_a nor_o vnfruitful_a in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n but_o he_o that_o lack_v these_o thing_n be_v blind_a and_o can_v see_v afar_o off_o and_o now_o if_o you_o will_v judge_v the_o tree_n by_o its_o fruit_n what_o can_v you_o find_v of_o these_o thing_n in_o persecution_n and_o if_o you_o believe_v scripture_n methinks_v you_o may_v see_v the_o very_a current_n of_o it_o run_v continual_o against_o persecution_n violence_n oppression_n cruelty_n uncharitableness_n and_o the_o like_a perhaps_o you_o may_v say_v it_o be_v not_o worthy_a to_o be_v call_v persecution_n that_o be_v do_v to_o a_o heretic_n let_v i_o answer_v you_o once_o more_o suppose_v you_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o and_o the_o precept_n therein_o to_o be_v mind_v then_o see_v what_o it_o say_v a_o man_n that_o be_v a_o heretic_n after_o the_o first_o and_o second_o admonition_n reject_v know_v that_o he_o that_o be_v such_o be_v subvert_v and_o sin_v be_v condemn_v of_o himself_o so_o here_o he_o must_v be_v admonish_v to_o obey_v what_o he_o know_v for_o if_o he_o do_v not_o sin_v know_o he_o will_v not_o condemn_v himself_o but_o if_o he_o persist_v and_o reject_v counsel_n then_o reject_v he_o disow_v he_o and_o have_v no_o society_n with_o he_o etc._n etc._n but_o not_o one_o word_n of_o put_v he_o in_o prison_n fine_a he_o or_o spoil_v his_o good_n but_o though_o i_o thus_o speak_v be_v it_o know_v to_o you_o i_o be_o no_o heretic_n as_o you_o have_v be_v please_v to_o call_v i_o for_o i_o be_o not_o in_o the_o least_o condemn_v of_o myself_o for_o what_o i_o do_v in_o thing_n relate_v to_o faith_n and_o worship_n no_o god_n be_v my_o witness_n i_o do_v what_o i_o do_v in_o obedience_n to_o he_o and_o do_v know_v he_o to_o justify_v i_o and_o comfort_v i_o in_o my_o bond_n for_o the_o same_o and_o it_o be_v a_o light_a matter_n to_o be_v judge_v at_o man_n day_n yet_o i_o for_o truth_n sake_n be_v free_a to_o clear_v myself_o of_o your_o false_a charge_n but_o perhaps_o you_o may_v still_o say_v if_o i_o be_v no_o heretic_n i_o be_o one_o that_o cause_v division_n and_o offence_n contrary_a to_o your_o doctrine_n well_o suppose_v i_o be_v nay_o suppose_v i_o be_v one_o that_o cause_v division_n and_o offence_n contrary_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n yet_o see_v what_o must_v be_v do_v to_o such_o why_o say_v the_o apostle_n i_o beseech_v you_o brethren_n mark_v they_o that_o cause_n division_n and_o offence_n contrary_a to_o our_o doctrine_n which_o you_o have_v learn_v and_o avoid_v they_o avoid_v they_o what_o be_v that_o all_o flee_v their_o company_n but_o let_v i_o tell_v you_o we_o be_v none_o of_o this_o sort_n for_o we_o cause_v no_o division_n from_o the_o truth_n it_o be_v our_o travail_n and_o labour_n in_o the_o lord_n that_o man_n may_v be_v true_o join_v unto_o the_o truth_n and_o live_v in_o it_o and_o it_o be_v those_o that_o serve_v not_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n but_o their_o own_o bell_n who_o by_o good_a word_n and_o fair_a speech_n deceive_v the_o heart_n of_o the_o simple_a but_o these_o good_n word_n and_o fair_a speech_n the_o people_n must_v pay_v they_o well_o for_o too_o else_o they_o must_v not_o have_v they_o but_o for_o good_a work_n and_o fair_a conversation_n those_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v among_o the_o belly-servers_a but_o may_v i_o not_o here_o venture_v to_o say_v by_o the_o people_n call_v quaker_n as_o paul_n do_v by_o the_o roman_n your_o obedience_n be_v come_v abroad_o unto_o all_o man_n yea_o and_o i_o believe_v god_n will_v bruise_v satan_n under_o our_o foot_n short_o though_o he_o be_v suffer_v to_o cast_v some_o of_o we_o into_o prison_n now_o for_o the_o trial_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o accuse_v we_o false_o of_o many_o thing_n as_o he_o do_v job_n and_o make_v lie_v his_o refuge_n yet_o his_o time_n be_v short_a and_o god_n even_o our_o god_n will_v over_o all_o exalt_v his_o own_o name_n and_o truth_n to_o the_o joy_n of_o all_o the_o upright-hearted_n write_a in_o derby_n goal_n in_o the_o year_n 1682._o where_o i_o yet_o remain_v a_o prisoner_n john_n gratton_n matth._n 10._o 7._o go_v preach_v say_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v at_o hand_n luke_n 10._o 10_o 11._o but_o into_o whatsoever_o city_n you_o enter_v and_o they_o receive_v you_o not_o go_v your_o way_n into_o the_o street_n of_o the_o same_o and_o say_v even_o the_o dust_n of_o your_o city_n which_o cleave_v on_o we_o we_o do_v wipe_v off_o against_o you_o notwithstanding_o be_v you_o assure_v of_o this_o that_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n be_v come_v nigh_o unto_o you_o the_o end_n
not_o i_o who_o be_o a_o peaceable_a man_n and_o wrong_v no_o man_n but_o love_v all_o man_n have_v my_o liberty_n to_o live_v as_o i_o dare_v die_v see_v i_o must_v answer_v for_o myself_o and_o stand_v or_o fall_v to_o my_o own_o master_n what_o have_v you_o to_o do_v to_o judge_v i_o who_o be_o the_o lord_n servant_n and_o if_o not_o must_v stand_v or_o fall_v to_o he_o i_o serve_v or_o how_o dare_v you_o smite_v your_o fellow_n servant_n and_o fling_v they_o in_o prison_n that_o have_v do_v you_o no_o wrong_n nor_o owe_v you_o nothing_o but_o love_n when_o he_o that_o put_v in_o his_o fellow_n servant_n in_o prison_n that_o owe_v he_o a_o hundred_o penny_n be_v so_o severe_o judge_v of_o his_o lord_n who_o have_v forgive_v he_o a_o great_a debt_n and_o have_v teach_v to_o use_v those_o word_n in_o prayer_n forgive_v we_o our_o trespass_n as_o we_o forgive_v they_o that_o trespass_n against_o we_o and_o will_v you_o not_o have_v god_n answer_v your_o own_o desire_n consider_v these_o thing_n and_o learn_v to_o do_v as_o you_o will_v be_v do_v unto_o for_o with_o the_o same_o measure_n you_o meet_v it_o shall_v be_v measure_v unto_o you_o again_o and_o remember_v what_o our_o saviour_n lay_v down_o as_o great_a offence_n at_o the_o last_o day_n to_o those_o on_o the_o left_a hand_n go_v you_o curse_v into_o everlasting_a torment_n with_o the_o devil_n and_o his_o angel_n or_o depart_v from_o i_o you_o worker_n of_o iniquity_n i_o know_v you_o not_o for_o i_o be_v a_o hungry_a and_o you_o give_v i_o no_o meat_n thirsty_a and_o you_o give_v i_o no_o drink_n naked_a and_o you_o clothe_v i_o not_o sick_a and_o in_o prison_n and_o you_o visit_v i_o not_o and_o when_o they_o answer_v when_o see_v we_o thou_o a_o hungry_a thirsty_a naked_a etc._n etc._n and_o do_v not_o minister_v unto_o thou_o he_o tell_v they_o inasmuch_o as_o you_o do_v it_o not_o to_o one_o of_o the_o least_o of_o these_o that_o believe_v in_o i_o you_o do_v it_o not_o to_o i_o by_o which_o its_o clear_a he_o take_v that_o which_o be_v do_v to_o his_o follower_n as_o do_v to_o himself_o for_o indeed_o it_o be_v for_o his_o sake_n who_o teach_v we_o to_o live_v righteous_o sober_o and_o godly_o in_o this_o present_a evil_a world_n and_o because_o we_o obey_v he_o and_o keep_v his_o command_n therefore_o be_v we_o hate_v of_o all_o man_n for_o his_o name_n be_v sake_n but_o the_o wicked_a be_v not_o thus_o treat_v by_o you_o the_o swearer_n liar_n drunkard_n proud_a person_n etc._n etc._n be_v set_v at_o liberty_n and_o in_o these_o day_n the_o man_n in_o fashion_n but_o if_o it_o be_v so_o great_a a_o offence_n not_o to_o visit_v the_o servant_n of_o christ_n when_o in_o distress_n what_o will_v it_o be_v to_o those_o that_o lay_v they_o in_o prison_n and_o keep_v they_o there_o which_o be_v a_o mean_n to_o bring_v they_o into_o nakedness_n hunger_n thirst_v and_o sickness_n be_v it_o not_o say_v that_o it_o be_v better_v a_o millstone_n be_v hang_v about_o his_o nick_n and_o he_o cast_v into_o the_o sea_n that_o offend_v one_o of_o those_o little_a one_o that_o believe_v in_o christ_n than_o he_o shall_v have_v do_v so_o if_o so_o then_o what_o will_v his_o portion_n be_v that_o not_o only_o offend_v they_o but_o persecute_v they_o imprison_v they_o spoils_z their_o good_n belie_v and_o slander_v their_o person_n and_o misrepresent_v they_o to_o the_o world_n take_v the_o righteousness_n of_o the_o righteous_a from_o he_o and_o strip_v he_o from_o dear_a wife_n and_o child_n and_o cause_v they_o to_o suffer_v also_o though_o it_o be_v say_v curse_a be_v he_o that_o part_v man_n and_o wife_n oh_o what_o excuse_n can_v you_o make_v at_o the_o last_o day_n for_o these_o thing_n how_o unlike_a be_v you_o to_o he_o that_o be_v good_a to_o all_o man_n and_o lay_v down_o his_o life_n a_o ransom_n for_o all_o and_o do_v cause_v his_o sun_n to_o shine_v upon_o all_o and_o his_o rain_n to_o descend_v upon_o all_o and_o his_o grace_n that_o bring_v salvation_n appear_v in_o all_o and_o strive_v with_o all_o and_o this_o also_o you_o may_v consider_v that_o it_o have_v never_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o any_o prophet_n or_o apostle_n or_o servant_n of_o jesus_n christ_n to_o persecute_v any_o man_n for_o conscience_n sake_n or_o for_o his_o faith_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a it_o have_v ever_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o false_a prophet_n that_o run_v on_o in_o the_o way_n of_o balaam_n for_o gift_n and_o reward_n greedy_a dog_n that_o can_v never_o have_v enough_o blind_a guide_n that_o love_n darkness_n and_o hate_v the_o light_n serpent_n that_o have_v perfect_a enmity_n against_o the_o child_n of_o god_n and_o so_o be_v enemy_n to_o christ_n jesus_n babylon_n merchant_n who_o come_v in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o beast_n these_o in_o all_o age_n persecute_v the_o lamb_n follower_n and_o hate_v the_o appearance_n of_o he_o wherever_o it_o be_v so_o that_o the_o apostle_n say_v he_o that_o be_v bear_v after_o the_o flesh_n persecute_v he_o that_o be_v bear_v after_o the_o spirit_n even_o so_o it_o be_v now_o and_o have_v be_v in_o all_o age_n ever_o since_o cain_n time_n who_o slay_v his_o brother_n abel_n because_o abel_n work_n be_v righteous_a and_o his_o own_o be_v evil_a so_o cain_n be_v the_o first_o persecutor_n and_o the_o lord_n be_v displease_v with_o and_o avenge_v the_o blood_n of_o abel_n upon_o he_o in_o righteousness_n now_o i_o may_v mention_v many_o after_o cain_n that_o be_v persecutor_n as_o the_o sodomite_n who_o say_v concern_v lot_n this_o one_o fellow_n come_v in_o to_o sojourn_v and_o he_o will_v needs_o be_v a_o judge_n because_o he_o entertain_v the_o angel_n of_o the_o lord_n they_o press_v sore_o upon_o he_o but_o the_o lord_n deliver_v he_o who_o righteous_a soul_n be_v grieve_v with_o the_o filthy_a conversation_n of_o the_o wicked_a sodomite_n and_o bring_v down_o his_o righteous_a judgement_n upon_o their_o head_n in_o a_o dreadful_a manner_n and_o the_o egyptian_n who_o refuse_v to_o let_v israel_n have_v liberty_n to_o go_v and_o serve_v the_o lord_n persecute_v they_o very_o sore_o but_o the_o lord_n wrought_v their_o deliverance_n and_o render_v unto_o pharaoh_n and_o his_o people_n according_a to_o their_o deed_n as_o you_o may_v read_v at_o large_a in_o exodus_fw-la likewise_o jezabel_n that_o persecute_v they_o that_o will_v not_o worship_n baal_n god_n almighty_n bring_v down_o his_o heavy_a judgement_n upon_o she_o and_o the_o false_a prophet_n of_o baal_n that_o feed_v at_o her_o table_n remember_v proud_a haman_n that_o be_v full_a of_o indignation_n against_o mordecai_n because_o he_o stand_v not_o up_o nor_o move_v for_o he_o and_o how_o hot_a he_o be_v in_o his_o mind_n to_o have_v mordecai_n and_o all_o the_o jew_n young_a and_o old_a destroy_v and_o kill_v in_o one_o day_n charge_v they_o to_o the_o king_n to_o who_o they_o be_v very_o good_a subject_n as_o appear_v by_o mordecai_n who_o discover_v the_o treason_n of_o two_o of_o the_o king_n chamberlain_n keeper_n of_o the_o door_n who_o seek_v to_o lay_v hand_n on_o the_o king_n that_o there_o be_v a_o certain_a people_n scatter_v and_o disperse_v among_o the_o people_n in_o all_o the_o provines_n of_o his_o kingdom_n and_o their_o law_n say_v he_o be_v divers_a from_o all_o people_n neither_o keep_v they_o the_o king_n law_n therefore_o it_o be_v not_o say_v he_o for_o the_o king_n profit_n to_o suffer_v they_o though_o we_o do_v not_o hear_v but_o they_o be_v all_o peaceable_a and_o hurt_v no_o man_n only_o in_o matter_n of_o worship_n and_o conscience_n they_o differ_v from_o the_o people_n of_o the_o land_n that_o can_v bow_v to_o proud_a haman_n who_o dig_v a_o pit_n for_o another_o and_o fall_v into_o it_o himself_o and_o be_v take_v in_o the_o net_n which_o he_o spread_v for_o other_o glory_n unto_o god_n forever_o who_o eye_n be_v over_o the_o righteous_a and_o his_o ear_n open_a to_o their_o prayer_n remember_v it_o be_v pashur_n the_o son_n of_o imer_n the_o priest_n that_o smite_v jeremiah_n the_o prophet_n and_o put_v he_o in_o the_o stock_n jer._n 20._o 12._o for_o what_o for_o obey_v the_o lord_n also_o in_o chap._n 26._o when_o he_o speak_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o the_o hear_n of_o the_o priest_n and_o of_o the_o prophet_n and_o people_n than_o the_o priest_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o all_o the_o people_n take_v he_o say_v thou_o shall_v sure_o die_v and_o the_o priest_n and_o prophet_n speak_v unto_o the_o prince_n and_o to_o all_o the_o people_n say_v this_o man_n be_v worthy_a to_o die_v for_o he_o have_v prophesy_v against_o this_o city_n what_o priest_n and_o prophet_n be_v these_o such_o