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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A93230	The Saints testimony finishing through sufferings: or, The proceedings of the court against the servants of Jesus, who were called before them to be tryed at the late assizes (or sessions) held in Banbury in the county of Oxon, the 26 day of the seventh moneth, 1655. Also a relation of Margret Vivers, going to the steeple-house in Banbury, after the assize (or sessions) as aforesaid: and a testimony against false prophets, and false doctrine; ... And the manner of Richard Farnsworth imprisonment at Banbury, with a short examination and answer. And the cause of his detainment. Also, a warning from the spirit of the Lord (in his hand-maid Anne Audland) to the persecuting priest and people, &c. And a letter of Robert Rich to the magistrates of Banbury, ... Likewise a letter of Tho. Curtis to the professed minister called Samuel VVells in Banbury. And a certificate wherein is manifested the diligence that was used to know the causes of the prisoners commitments ... (Anne Audland, Iane VVaugh, Sarah Tims, and Nathaniel VVeston) as wel as Robert Rich, ... With a paper relating the sufferings of the innocent.	Vivers, Margaret.; Audland, Anne, 1626 or 7-1705.; Rich, Robert, d. 1679.; Curtis, Thomas, 17th cent.	1655 (1655)	Wing S365; Thomason E857_7; ESTC R203441	49,745	48

you are found out of the Doctrine of Christ in the steps of the false prophets and amongst the Scribes and pharisees called of men Masters and hath the chiefe place in the Assembly stands praying in the Synagogues and bind heavy burdens upon the people and grievous to be born and as Christ cryed wo to your Fathers the same Woes are to you their off-spring who are found with their Marks and following their steps you are clearly seen with the light and comprehended and with the Light judged and condemned though to some you appear like Graves which men pass over and are not aware wo unto you whited walls and painted Sepulchers ye serpents ye generation of Vipers how shall you escape the damnation of hel as Christ hath said Mat. 23.33 Luk. ●● 44 ver c. Mark 12.38 39 40. A few Observations of the Lords sending his Servants informer dayes c. First THE Lord God of Power in former Ages sent forth his Prophets and Apostles Messengers and Servants his Spirit in the power and life Isa 58.1 Amos 5.10 Isa 3. Isa 8.18 Isa 30.3.3 to deliver his massages and do his service to witness also against the world and the wickedness thereof some to tell the people of their sins and cry aloud spare not and to reprove in the Gate and cry out against pride and oppression and were signes and wonders in Israel and none could believe their report and witness with them where the Arm of the Lord was unrevealed yet they might do it in obedience to the word of the Lord though they became signes and wonders also to the world as Isajah was that went naked and bare-foot three years in obedience to the Word of the Lord as a signe and wonder unto Aegypt and Ethiopia as it is said Isa the 20. Chap. 2. Some went in obedience to the command of the Lord to cry out against preaching for hire and against injustice and judging for rewards and not suffering the cause of the poor and needy to come before them Zeph. 3.1 ● 3 4 Isa 27.1.23 24 c. and so told their Princes were rebellious and companions of or with thieves as wel as their Judges were ravening wolves and some amongst them roaring Lyons as Micah and Zepheniah and the Lords prophets did Isa 5.21 22 23. Mic. 3.8 9 10 11. 3. And some were sent from one place to another in obedience to the word and spirit of the Lord and sometimes knew to whom to go and what to say and other sometimes they knew to whom and whither or where to go and not at that present time what to say yet they did wel for to obey though they sate where those they were sent to sate and remained where they remained if in silence as Ezekiel the Lords Prophet did Ezek. 3.15 16 17 18 19. seven dayes before the word of the Lord came unto him what to say when he was sent to them of the Captivity of Tel-abib that dwelt by the River Chebar and as Ezekiel the true Prophet of the Lord went amongst them in obedience to the word and spirit of the Lord and sate silent amongst them seven dayes before the word of the Lord came unto him what to say it were no delusion nor deceit And if any of the Lords Servants in obedience to the word and spirit of the Lord should be thereby guided so to do they would neither be deluded nor deceived in and by so doing no more then he was though the world know it not who were ever strangers to the Lord therefore let flesh be silent at the work of the Spirit of God and all such as knows not the eternall word and message of God Who are no Vagabonds nor Iesuits and who are the Vagabonds as herein wil appear First THe Ministers of Christ that went up and down preaching the word of eternall life and were sent to turn people from the darkness to the Light and from the power of Satan unto God and though some of them might have no certain dwelling place Act. 8.4 Act. 20.25 26 27. Act. 26.17 to the 22. Mat. 8.20 yet were they neither Jesuits Fugitives nor Vagabond fellows no more are such as in obedience to the power of the Spirit of God that do so now The Son of man though he had not whereon to lay his head yet he were no Fugitive Jesuit nor Vagabond nor such as in obedience to the Lord that wandred sometimes to and fro and were in Sheep-skins and Goat-skins as wel as in dens and caves of the earth of whom the world was not worthy Heb. 11.36.37 38. they were neither Jesuits Fugitives nor Vagabonds no more are such now to do the work of the Lord and work in his Vineyard whose being is in God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ though they may go to and fro to preach the word of life in obedience to the commands of the Lord and doing his wil as he of them requireth though contrary to the will of man who lives in Disobedience to the power and spirit of the Lord as Cain the Fugitive and Vagabond did and as such in the envy who are in that nature contrary to God and walking in Cains way now do Gen. 4.11 12 13. 1 Iohn 3.13 19 ver Rom. 1.27 28. Act. 17.5 and to them is the curse and the wo Iude 11. 2 The Ministers of Christ aforesaids did witness against deceit in streets markets and Synagogues yet were they neither Fugitives nor Vagabonds though for it they were haled out and stoned persecuted by the chiefe Priests consent and abused by their party and Vagabond fellows who in persecuting the truth deny the Lord as such Vagabond fellows that parakes with the chiefe Priests to persecute the Saints and servants of Jesus do now Act. 18.4 5 6. Iude 11. as well as the persecuting Priests and Vagabond fellowes that lived in Cains nature as their forefathers formerly did who persecuted the Servants of Jesus for witnessing the truth and testifying against deceit in Streets Markets and Synagogues or Idolls-Temples as their off spring do now persecute those that do as the servants of Jesus therein did and against them they act and vent forth their envy and cruelty by the chief Priests consent and their pratakers act and thereby they manifest themselves to be of Cains stock and their sacrifices to be rejected as his was who make it appear what a seed of evil doers and a cursed Generation they are An Account of Richard Farnsworth's Commitment to Prison in Banbury the 30th of the 7th Month and his Examination and Answer in brief at the Court before the Mayor and Iustices the day following being the first of the eigth Month 1655. AS he with another friend was walking peacably up the street to a friends house in Banbury meeting in the street Aholiab VVest called mayor VVilliam Allen called a Justice with many other people of the town

to her for judgment and did not dispise the counsell of the Lords spirit in a woman preacher or a Iudge in Israel and a Prophetess of the Lord Iudg. the 4 5 6 7 c. And in the dayes of Iosiah King in Israel there was one Huldah a Prophetess that lived in Ierusalem a woman Preacher or one who by the Spirit of the Lord declared and spoke to the people the word of the Lord and to her the Priest and people went to enquire and hear the word of the Lord according also to the Kings command 2 King 12 13 14 15 16 c. Besides several other Prophetesses as wel as Prophets there was in the time of old among the Lords people Issa 8.3 Nebe 6.14 Luke 2.29 30 31 32. as the prophetess in Isajahs time and in Nehemiahs time so there was in the Apostles time a man in Cesaria had four daughters that were virgins did prophesie Act. 21.8 9. And at the comming of Christ when Simeon that just man spoke of him the light of the Gentiles and the glory of the people Israel there was one woman a widow of above fourscore years of age that had no outward huusband at home to ask who was a preacher or one that spoke of the Lord Iesus to all that looked for Redemption in Ierusalem Luke 2.36 37 38. And Tryphena and Tryphosa and Persis three vertuous godly women did labour much in the Lord which Paul in his Epistle to the Romans did salute and as the wife is in subjection to her husband so is the Church subject unto Christ who is the head thereof as the husband is the head of the wife and Chsist being the Head of his Spouse or husband of his Church the Spouse of Christ united unto him and betrothed in Righteousness both asketh of him and staying at home taketh counsell with him though the Harlot from home and the stranger unto him knoweth it not and saith the Lord ●el 2.28 6. I wil pour out of my spirit that sons and daughters and handmaids also shall prophesie and who are they that are offended hereat now that the Lord doth see but proud covetous self-seeking priests who never knew God and their hearers that are deceived by them and such in their nature who know not the sure word and spirit of prophesie but are ignorant both of the mystery of godliness 2 Pet. 1.19 Col. 1.27 Rev. 19.13 Heb. 17.8 and so of him whose name is called the word of God and knoweth neither the teachings of God not the life of the Scriptures and the work of the Spirit of God who would not have him to be the same now that he was and Christ to be the same yesterday to day and for ever who are such opposers of the work of the Spirit of God and persecutors of the servants of Jesus in whom it is bringing and brought forth as their Generation and seed of evil doers ever was Mat 23.33 34 c. Holy men of God spoke forth the Scriptures The Scriptures or Writings that proceeded from the Spirit of truth were not spoken forth by the seed of evill doers that were haters of God and persecuters of his neither were they spoken forth by such as preached for Hire barerule by their means 2 Pel 1.21 Ier. 26.9 10. Ier 20.2 Ier. 37.16 2 Cor. 6.4 5 6 7 8. nor such as laid heavy burthens upon the people sought for their gain from their quarter like the Priests of England the false prophets and pharisees but Holy men of God who witnessed against such spoke forth the Scriptures as they were moved by the Holy Ghost who were persecuted mocked stoned haled out of the Synagogues set in the Stocks most shamefully abused evilly entreated and sore punished smitten put in the Dungeon and often imprisoned and such a portion from the world and seed of evill doers doth the servants and messengers of God meet withall now that witness against them who make a trade upon their words also denying them and owning the teachings of God and the life of the Scriptures again now as they that spoke them forth who suffered for witnessing the truth in the life and power of them aforetime did A short Relation betwixt the true Prophets and the false and how they may be known a ssunder First THe true Prophets of God had the word of God revealed to and inspired in them and the moving cause of their speaking was from the light life and power of the Holy Ghost within them who dwelt in the light which discovered deceit whereby they know the false Prophets and declared against them and against such as spoke the words of others 2 Pet. 1.19 20 21. 1 Pet. 1.10 11 12 Isa 48.16 17. Ier. 23. saying thus saith the Lord when the Lord spoke not unto them or by them and so they speak a Divination of their own brain as do the Hireling Priests and Deceivers and not from the mouth of the Lord as to those that dwel in the light as the true Prophets did they now are very wel known and against testified though it be not received by the besotted turned from the light and the deceived who persecutes those that are sent to witness against them contrary to the wil of man as the true Prophets were who were not sent by the wil of man but by the Lord God and his spirit Isa 48.16 17. which the world could not receive nor the wil of man no more than it doth now Iohn 4.17 and therefore do they persecute and put out of their Synagogues for to fil up the measure of their iniquity and to fulfil the prophesie of Christ ye a these things they do because they are in enmity against the living truth and know neither the father nor the Son Iohn 16.2.3 and so manifest what an evil and a wicked Generation they are on 2. The true Prophets of God who were indued with his spirit and dwelt in the light and spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost and were not sent of man contrary to the wil of God but of God contrary to the wil of man and such as are sent by the Lord God and his spirit now have their commander neer them and by his holy Spirit are moved to speak as he pleaseth and as they was who were not sent by the wil of man neither did mans wil receive them that went contrary to it and stood in the counsel of God no more than it doth now but rather persecured and imprisoned as they do now and the true Prophets that were sent of the Lord and stoood in his counsell neither preached for hire nor sought for their gain from their quarter nor sought for the fleece but preached or declared freely the word of the Lord and said come freely without money or price Isa 55. And also declared against the deceit of the false Prophets and hireling Priests and such as sought for their gain from their

they said as such with them and the same spirit being guided thereby so may say Behold what manner of love is this that the father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God And now we are the Sons of God therefore the world knoweth us not because it knew him not as saith the Scripture 1 Iohn 3.1 and to witness with the Scriptures by the Spirit of Truth according to the work of the power and spirit of God according to measure and manifestation is no blasphemy though the Jews said it was and that may be witnessed unto though persecutors and the world know it nor nor receive it yet he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are of him and are of one for which cause he is not ashamed to call them Brethren as it is written and witnessed Heb. 2.10 11. and when he would have disputed the case with them if they would have stood to Dispute according to the Scripture and the work of the spirit of God then Iustice Austine so called said Had he the same spirit that the apostles or Christ had Who answered and said that if any man that had not the spirit of Christ he was none of his as they might read in Romans the 8th and the spirit that the apostles had or received of God was the spirit of the Son Gal. 4.8 and of the Father 1 Iohn 3.23.24 and Christ said it was not them that spoke but the spirit of their Father that spoke in them then the said Iustice Austine so called said to R.F. hold thou thy tongue and see if the spirit will speak to the which answer was given the spirit made use of the tongue to speak forth the praise of the Lord and let Iohn Austine here observe his ignorance of the teachings and work of the spirit of God for the Lord opening the mouth the tongue and lips shews forth his praise and God having sent the spiri of his Son into our hearts we cry abba father and to him return all praiset But to conclude and be short observe this all you that read it and take notice of the actings of the Magistrates here at Banbury who caused Richard Farnsworth to be taken out of the streets as he were passing quietly in them and put him that night in prison and called him the next day before them where they held their Court and after some dispute but the breach of no Law laid to his charge nor any accuser were against him but such as sate to Judge and no Law mentioned though desired that were transgressed and after they had tendred the Oath of Abjuration unto him who denyed what was in it contained and all Popish wayes and Jesuiticall Opinions whatsoever then the mayor others said if that Richard Farnsworth would pay the Sergeant his Fees and go out of the town that night he might go free but if not he should be re-committed or sent to Prison again but Richard Farnsworth could not be a friend to deceit nor pay sees for a nights false imprisonment taken as he were quietly with another friend walking up the street and so they made a Mittimus and gave to the Goaler and both before and after he had it given to him they made a speech and said if he would pay his sees in the Court he might go free and when he could not for conscience sake towards God then do it after that one of their party said Who was self will'd now to which he to wit R. F. answered and said Not he that denyeth to pay sees for a nights false imprisonment but such as did so in their wills wilfully persecute and imprison the servants of Jesus contrary to Law and Gospel both and here it is to be observed that Richard Farnsworth's detaining in Prison is because he could not be a friend to deceit and acknowledg a false imprisonment and pay fees for the same being taken out of the high way or street as he were passing quietly on and sent to Prison and to colour over their deceit withall they have added severall lyes in a Mittimus and here is kept in prison for standing faithful to the Lord and cannot have any fellowship with the unfruitfull works of darkness but rather reprove them Eph. 5.11 And their partiallity is to be observed here in this case as wel as the rest for two were committed to Prison in Banbury and kept three dayes and three nights and no fees as it is said were demanded of them but put out of prison and one out at one end of the town and another at the other end and yet though they did so being then they may be ashamed of what they had done but hardning their selves against the truth to act wilfully in their wills they detain one for not paying sees for one nights imprisonment for the breach of no Law then either proved against him or laid to his charge VVritten in Banbury the beginning of the 8th Month in the Year according to the worlds account October the 7th 1655. A TRUE DECLARATION OF The Suffering of the Innocent who is hated and persecuted without a cause Wherein is discovered the zeal of the Magistrates and people of Banbury persecuting and imprisoning them that are sent of the Lord in love to their souls to warm them of the evil of their wayes Declared in a Letter sent to William Allen called Justice of Peace with an Answer to the false accusations charged upon the INNOCENT Also their Proceeeings laid open and proved to bee contrary to the Scriptures By Anne Audland whom the world scornfully calls QUAKER 1 Sam. 2.20 The Adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces out of heaven shall he thunder upon them The Lord shall judge the ends of the earth and he shall give strength unto his King and exalt the horn of his Annointed Acts 2.18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will poure out in those dayes of my Spirit and they shall prophesie WIlliam Allen Justice of Peace so called but little peace I finde in thee We came to the Town of Banbury on the thirteenth day of the eleventh moneth and being strangers we took in at the Lyon The next day being the first day of the week we went to a meeting which we heard of in the Town and when the meeting ended we were moved to go to the Steeplehouse to speak the word of the Lord to Priest and People and in obedience to the Lord we went and stayed till the Priest had done and then my friend spoke to the Priest and the rude multitude came and hurried her forth as the customes of the Heathens is Then I spoke to the Priest Man here see the fruits of thy Ministery and presently the rude people hurried me forth Then came one and took mee by the hand and questioned me what untruths their Minister had spoken and J answered That they that are out of the Doctrine of Christ all

out of the transgression and they do not admire mens persons nor respect mens persons But you that do are convinced to be transgressors and according to that which convinceth will you be judged by the righteous Judge who cometh with ten thousands of his Saints and he will judge all you that respects persons for the Lord regards the rich no more than the poor but this is hee that the Lord regardeth who is of an humble and contrite spirit and trembleth at his word Such you do not regard who are poor and trembleth at the word of the Lord but you that respects persons scoffs at such as they go along the streets But the Lord will plead the cause of the poore who is now despised amongst you that respects persons You admire some mens Persons because of advantage and ye despise others and Persecutes the Poore and goes about to make one an offender for a word which is none indeed and you set a snare for them that reprove in the Gate that so you might catch the innocent and they that are offenders indeed who can lye and sweare and accuse falsely such have liberty and such are set to ensnare the innocent and to be as Iudges against the innocent and yet you profess your selves Christians Oh that you were wise Oh that you would consider your latter end How will you stand before the Judgment seat of God in the day when the secrets of every heart shall be judged by Jesus Christ who hath all judgement committed to him And behold he cometh and all the Saints with him and he rules and reigns in his Saints and sits upon his Throne But how will you stand at that day who now sits as judges upon the Saints and calls them deceivers and persecutes them who are made free by the Son of God and in obedience to him suffers the loss of all things and are killed all the day long and are accounted as sheep for the slaughter and are become a reproach and a by-word and a scorn even among you that profess your selves Christians and so the Scripture is fulfilled They that work wickedness are set up and they that departs from iniquity becomes a prey to the wicked and the Sufferings of the Saints is become a sport amongst you and you can stretch your selves upon your beds of ease and you do not remember the affliction of Ioseph nor you have not known that all who live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution and saith Christ As they have done unto me so will they do unto you And the Servant is not greater then his Lord. Now if you were Christians as you profess your selves to be then would persecution cease and not be found amongst you for Christians doth not persecute but you that live in such things are made manifest to all the children of Light whose servants you are and you that are Magistrates who should punish evil Doers such have liberty in the Streets to scoffe and scorn to swear and lie and be drunk and you pass by these things but if any come amongst you to declare the word of the Lord against such things then the innocent are accused by them who live in such things and the innocent are persecuted and sent to prison and may not know from you who prisons them what they are accused of nor see their accusers face to face Is this according to the Law of God or is this as you would be done unto Consider of it and lay it to heart for the Lord wil visit for these things I speak what I know and find amongst you for I was accused and committed to Prison but I did not know what the accusers swore against me neither could I see my accusers but you took an oath in secret and so I was accused and committed for that which I never spoke and had not liberty to answer for my self nor others had no liberty nor could be heard on my behalf who was by when they say I spoke these words for which I am accused which would bear testimony that they heard no such things spoken by me as I am accused of and so the innocent suffers innocently and in the mean time wickedness is at liberty and not onely in a corner but in your streets men lie and swear and are drunk and the innocent is a prey unto them and yet you do not lay it to heart woe is me for you that you should so slight the day of your visiitation and so wickedly requite the Lord for all his goodness as to persecute his servants who are sent to warn you and despise his Witnesses and shamefully intreat his Messengers and them that comes to you in their owne names such you receive but them that come to you in the name of the Lord such are a reproach amongst you and the Lord is highly displeased with you for these things and he wil make enquiry for blood you know that the blood of the innocent hath been shed in your Streets one that came amongst you and offered violence to none was beat and abused and lost much blood amongst you and yet you are not ashamed to profess your selves Christians when as these actions proceeds from you and your care is how to wound the innocent secretly that so your deeds might not be brought to the light but it is in vain for you to dig deep to hide your counsel from the Lord VVoe unto you that deviseth to work mischief in the dark and say who seeth us and consults together to shoot your arrowes secretly against the poor The Lord sees you knows your hearts your very thoughts which you think against the King in your bed-chamber there is a bird of the ayre that carries the voyce And the Lord will bring every work to judgement with every secret thing whether it be good or evill and the oath in secret shall be tryed and the Lord wil sit as Judge amongst the Judges and you shall all be weighed and those of you that are found wanting the Lord will cast you by though you be as high and mighty as Belshazzar was and if you be angry with mee for telling you so and forewarning you in your life-time the Lord will judge you for it for he is tender over his little ones and in as much as you persecute one of them ye do it unto him and you that imprison the innocent and they may not see their accusers is this according to the Law of God or is this to judge for God and not for man nor self-ends without respect of persons They that were set over the people to judge them according to the Law of God were just men fearing God and hating covetousness just men were to judge the unjust for the unjust cannot judge true judgment See what charge Ichoshaphat gave unto them he set over the people 2 Chron. 19.6 7 9 Saying to the Iudges take heed what you do for you judge not for

according to Law Equity and good conscience what the Law of the Land requireth and what you are sworn to do yea or no If so consider then and let mee know what Law I have transgressed and wherefore you have committed me to prison which thing if then you had done I should not now need to have required of you so if with the true Light of Christ Jesus wherewithall you are enlightned which light opens the blind eye you weigh and duly consider your actions that day you will see they were not wrought in God Iohn 1.9 Iohn 3.20 21. Heb. 6.8 Iohn 3.19 ● but proceeded from that ground and tree which God hath cursed and brings forth the same evil fruit which the chief Priests and Elders did that crucified CHRIST JESUS and hath persecuted the Saints in all ages as may be seen in the writings of the Apostles and in the Histories of the Books of Martyrs which light of Christ Jesus if you love and bring your deeds to it it wil cause you to repent and to forsake your evill deeds Eph. 5.11 Isa 35.8 Gal. 5.24 Eph. 2.10 Act. 10.35 Mat. 25.23 Iohn 8 12. Eph. 5.13 Iohn 16.8 Mal. 25.15 Rom. 1.19 Mat. 25.29 30. Rom 1.28 and for to testifie against the like evil wayes in others it will lead you in a new way which is called Holy and will crucifie and change your nature that was accustomed to sin 't will bring you to the New Birth and the New Man you wil know which is treated in Christ Iesus to walk in good works which New Man will love God and do his will and work righteousness such as he therein accepteth and all this by his spirit will he work in all them that believe and follow him who is the Light of the world and this is the measure of light that comes from him which reproves you of sin and is your Talent which God hath given you which Talent or measure of Light if you improve not but hide it under your earthly minds cover it under the love of the World as pleasures profits and respects and honours from man and love these things more than it you hate Christ who rejects his light and are the unprofitable servant whose Talent will be taken away and you cast into darkness and there you are in the transgression in the fall in the old man in Cain and Esau's nature which is the first breach which God hates Eph. 2.3 Rom. 8 7 8. and his curse is to and his wrath abides upon which nature can never please God but is the envious nature that slew Abell released Barrabas and crucified Christ Iesus and as it was then so it is now they that are after the flesh and abide in that nature which is turned from the Light persecute them that are guided by the Light into the new life and walk after the spirit Gal. 4.29 And they in the first nature turned from the Light although they have eyes yet see not have ears Iohn 12.40 but hear not and have a heart but cannot contain aright of the things of God therefore they in it call evill good and good evill And although those that be in this first nature talk of the things of God Isa 5. ●0 1 Cor. 2.14 and saih the Lord lives yet surely do they swear falsely Ier. 5.2 although he lives for ever for the life of God was ever hid from that nature and although they who live in that first nature that obey not the Light pray or perform any other duty which God had commanded yet it is an abomination to him whose ear is turned from the Law by the light written in the heart Pro. 28.9 And as in the Scriptures may be read Ier. 31. ●3 Rom. 10.8 Isa 66.3 They who choose their own way that delighteth in abomination if they kil an Ox it is as if they slew a Man if they sacrifice a lamb as if they cut off a dogs neck if they offer an oblation as if thy offered Swines blood So you and your Priests who are still in the old nature in the works of darkness which hate the Light and know not the new birth as your fruits makes manifest may see what your preachings and prayers fasting and Ordinances will avail you Isa 1.10 11 12 13 14 15 16. while you live in envy and persecution in pride and love of the world they are Cains sacrifice not accepted and will stand you but in little stead no more than they did your forefathers the Scribes and Pharisees who talked of the Scriptures and knew many things outwardly from them and spoke of a Saviour that was to come and made their brags of Abraham Moses Iohn 8.39 Isa 29.13 Ezek. 33.31 of the Law and the Prophets and could cry Lord Lord and drew neer him with their lips when their hearts were awhoring after their covetousness pride love of the world and praise of men and while they were crying up the Temple and outward Ordinances of God Rom. 10.4 Mat. 5.17 they crucified Christ Jesus who was the end or substance of the Law and the Prophets and of all those outward Types and Figures as you do now who talk of the Scriptures and of faith and love in Christ Jesus whenas you hate his light and persecute them that follow it and with it are led out of the worlds wayes fashions and traditions into the life and practise of those which writ the Scriptures 1 Iohn 2.15 16. 1 Pet. 1.14.15 Iohn 15.16 Iohn 7.7 Rev. 2.9 10. who were not of this world but were chosen out of it to testifie against it that the works thereof are evill so whilest your bodies are the Synagogue of Satan and by him you are acted into envy and persecution and do not those things which Christ Jesus calls for by his pure light in your consciences all your talk and profession being in the nature hating and turned from the light is in vain and you still remain in your sine therefore to the Light of Christ Jesus which makes the tree good that makes the fruit good I direct you which Light if you love believe in and follow it will reach you to deny all ungodliness worldly lusts and to live soberly Mat. 12.33 34 35. Tit. 2.14 1● Mat. 11.29 Prov. 20.27 Ier. 17.10 and righteously in this present world to be meek and to be humble and to do unto all as you would be done unto so in love to your souls have I writ this that with the Light of Christ Jesus in your consciences which searcheth the heart and tryeth the Reins you may see your selves and what it is that guides you and whose servants you are and from what root and ground the off-spring your words actions and thoughts do proceed there being only two roots from whence all words actions and thoughts do come good and evil his servants you are to whom you yeild obedience whether of

sin unto death or of obedience unto righteousness Rom. 6.16 Therefore friends and people be not deceived with a vain talk Mat. 12.35 Rom. 11.16 and an outside procession your lives being contrary and ye cannot serve two Masters God wil be no longer mocked by you for such as you so sowe such shall you reap and what measure you meet shall be measured to you again wel heapped pressed down Mat. 6.34 Gal. 6.7 8 and running over wherefore while you have time prise it and reject not the day of Gods visitation neither harden your hearts against him as he calleth you to repentance and so you continue in your evil practises Heb. 3.7 8. and you be destroyed by his just hand And now seeing the Lord God is risen in his Servants to testifie against your evill wayes beware you are not found fighters against him he wil be too hard for you to kick against So I have cleared my conscience unto you Iude 14.17 and remember that in your life time you have bin warned By a Servant of the Lord known by the name of Robert Rich. A Copie of a Letter sent from Thomas Curtis who had been a Captain in the Parliaments Army to Samuell VVells professed Minister of the Town of Banbury and sent to him into the Court or Sessions then holden in Banbury the 27. day of the 7 th Month 1655. Friend I Am not a stranger to thy former conversation and now am witness of thy unjust actions thy deeds make manifest of what Generation thou art and on what foundation thou standest Call to mind thy former Prayers when we were in the Army driven from our Homes persecuted by Cavaliers put to fight for our Freedoms and our Religion as then thou told'st us of is it all come to this Hast thou forgotten thy Vowes Protestations and Promises then made in thy Prayers How that if God would deliver us how we would walk in newness of life and now the Lord hath delivered How art thou turned persecutor if the righteous seed of God Call to mind how thou wouldst cry out against Parents that did not breed up their Children in wisdom and soberness Now thou hast gotten a great living and no place that ever I came in as I can remember so vile as this Town of Banbury under thy teaching Oh see the fruits of thy ministry children scoffing haling stoning and evill speaking and their Parents looking on and countenancing them laughing at them so doing it is a sad sight to see such a reformation and will not the Lord visit for these things Hos 4.9 what may we look at but that it is like people like priest Call to mind thy persecuting of the innocent and causing the Peace to be broken by thy own self and casting it on the innocent making them to suffer for it Canst thou behold these things and not blush How durst thou call thy selfe a minister of Christ and persecute VVas ever any of the true Prophets Apostles or Iesus Christ a persecutor Did ever they when one came into their meeting and stand silent there call to the magistrate to take him away and out him in prison and say they could not go on in their prayer and then after a long imprisonment see him arraigned at the Bar for breaking the peace whenas thou was the cause Was it not thy selfe that caused the people to be breakers of the peace and then make the innocent suffer for it Is this according to Scripture Did the Lord send his Prophets to cry against them that made men offenders for a word set snares for them that reproved in the Gate And canst thou escape who makest a man an offender before he spake a word The just God wil surely finde thee out al Deceivers for wo to them saith the Lord God that hath caused my people to err daub with untempred Morter and cry peace to them to whom God hath not spoken peace Isa 9.16 Ezek 13.10 and so strengthen the hands of the wicked just as it was with the false Prophets so is it now The Prophets prophesie false things the Priests bear rule by their means and the people love to have it so But read thy portion what wilt thou do in the end thereof See again thy subtill dealing with Anne Audland Ier. 5.27 28 29 30 31. that when all the persecution that wit could invent to take away her life for blasphemy would not reach but she was acquitted by the Jury There must be brought her calling the false Prophet and this must be called scandall when by the Scripture it is soon proved and to thy shame remember I know thee Scandalous How often hast thou sate night after night at Cards and sometimes whole nights playing and sometimes compelling me to play with thee for mony then wast thou called of the world a Minister and now art thou turned persecutor in the close see thy unjust dealing when thou hast gotten what the uttermost will of man can do then thou in thy deceit puttest off thy hat and desirest that she may have as much favour as the Law wil afford her thou art content to commit thy cause to God Oh cruel deceit to cover withall But thy covering is too narrow it wil not hide thee Friend to the pure Light of God in thy conscience do I speak and that witness in thee knows these things to be true and that an account thou must give to the great God of all these things in love to thee do I write that thou maist be warned and repentance witness lest the indignation of the Lord be poured out upon thee I have not much more to say at present but desire the Lord that he will open thine eyes that thou maist see the evill of thy heart and live which is the desire of him how ever thou esteemest is a lover of thy eternall peace and one that suffers with the righteous seed called of the World The 27th day of the 7th Month 1655. Tho. Curtis A Certificate of the endeavours or certain Friends which went to the Magistrates of Banbury to have had Copies of the Causes of the Prisoners Commitment at their late Sessions and pretended Goale-Delivery c. VVE whose names are hereunto subscribed do hereby declare to all unto whom this Presents shal come that there being a Sessions pretended Goal-Delivery appointed to be holden for the Burrough of Banbury in the County of Oxon upon the 26 day of the 7th month 1655. Within which Burrough severall servants of the most High God whom the world in scorn call Quakers were imprisoned and at the same Sessions to be brought to tryall We repaired to the said Town of Banbury and went unto Tymothy Harris the Town Clerk thereof and in a civill manner desired Copyes of the causes of their Commitments who absolutely denyed to give any whereupon we went to Iohn Griffith Deputy-Recorder the Mayor and others celled Justices of

thing to his charge yet he might be re-committed to VVard or Prison again and if that be not contrary both to the Law of God and to the Law of the Land what is Consider of it And was it not unreasonable and contrary to Law to commit to Prison and after long imprisonment being called to the Bar and then to demand sureties for good-behaviour and no misdemeanour proved nor any one came against the prisoner either to accuse or prosecute Ought not that to have been according to Law before the other was or ought to be demanded And was it not an unjust thing to commit to prison again for the same when no breach of law was proved against the prisoner neither at his first commitment nor after long imprisonment when he were arraigned or called to the Barr Is these actings either according to Scripture Law Equity or Reason Are you not beside Scripture Law Equity and reason as wel as true Justice herein or do not such as so act bear the Sword in vain the Lord help you to consider of it that you may learn wisdome that the heathen may not laugh you to scorn Ought not the Prisoner by law have been acquitted in the Court after long imprisonment when none came either to accuse or prosecute against him there and likewise Iane VVaugh and Sarah Tims who had been long imprisoned and called to the Bar neither accuser came against them there nor one prosecutor and yet they must be re-committed to prison again except they would finde sureties to be of good-behaviour when none appeared against them to accuse them or prove against them any mis-behaviour and neither any breach of Law either proved against them or laid to their charge is these actings either according to Scripture Justice Law Equity or Reason are they not beside all these in their actings herein and can they be said to be reasonable men that so act against the innocent sufferers and servants of Jesus as they at Banbuoy have done consider wel of it and keep passion and malice down and the Lord deliver me saith Paul from unreasonable men Act. 25.27 2 Thess 3.2 Isa 57.1 2 3 4. and it is a true saying of the Prophet the righteous suffer and no man in his unrighteous nature layeth it to heart yet blessed are they as Christ hath said that suffers for righteousness sake for the Lord Jesus doth take their parts and so the spirit of grace and glory resteth upon them as is written and witnessed Mat. 5.10 11 12. 1 Pet. 4 13 14. Now consider if all these prisoners and innocent sufferers would not have been freed by dew course of Law if it had been executed aright and if any had transgressed the Law ought not they then to have been proceeded against according to Law and so have had the punishment inflicted according to the transgression and have been acquitted or if no Law could be proved against them that they had transgressed ought not by Law their accusers instead of them to have had the punishment which they should have had upon them inflicted and they by the Law released or remedied Do you know what use the Law is of or how to act according to it have you done what you did out of malice or ignorance consider of it and lay these things to heart for be sure the Lord wil call you to an account for your proceedings against the innocent as wel as for all your evill deeds and then what account wil you give and how will you answer before his Judgement seat And withall consider of this Was or is there any Law either of God or the Nation that commandeth a man to put off his Hat and if he do not to fine him five pounds and commit him to prison till he pay the same as one Thomas Cole an inhabitant in Banbuoy was and was it not partiall and contrary to Law if it had been so for to fine and imprison one for the same and perswade other two to the like even in the Court to put on their hats was not here both partiality and malice made manifest and is not that contrary to the Law of God and a contempt to the higher power and Authority Lev. 19.15 Iam. 2.1 9. Isa 1.24 25 2● c. which forbids such things but be sure you wil nor go unpunished of him who bears not the sword in vain for thus saith the Lord by his servant the Prophet Oh! I will ease me of my adversaries and avenge me of my enemies and restore Judges as at the first and counsells as at the beginning when no such things were by them neither acted nor done which can be anywhere proved by Scriptures which stands a witness against them that profess God in words but in works deny him as it is written and witnessed Tit. 1.16 Likewise when one Robert Rich was moved of the Lord to speak something unto you about the proceedings in your Court did not you that sate as judges bid him come up and speak and presently changed your minds or else your words crying out Pul him down and have him to Prison before eyer he had said to you what he had to speak was that according either to christianity truth equity or reason could heathens have done any more Or would not reasonable men have regarden their word The Lord set these things home to your hearts that you may a little better consider and lament as wel as repent least the evil day come upon you al● unawares Did not you at Banbury pretend a Goal-Delivery that day the Prisoners were called but did you intend any such thing do not your proceedings declare the contrary and doth not the witness of God in your consciences witness against you for it as wel as your actions Was not the servants of Jesus that were called before you at the Bar the greatest cause at your size or Sessions held in Banbury that day and was there any Law proved against them which they had in any one point transgressed or broke or had they proceedings according to Law and was there one of than freed by you nay but more added to them and afterward one taken out or the highway or street and haled to prison and no breach of Law laid to his charge though it were desired and also the Fact as wel as the Law by vertue whereof it became a crime yet it were denyed and they kept close under the Earth shut up in a hole or dungeon in Banbury as if they were some great Malefactors and no Law yet laid to their charge that hath been either broken or transgressed by them but such as are friends to Christianity and Equity Truth and Iustice and all such as truly fears God will consider of the sufferings of the Innocent and lay these things to heart though the wicked and such as are without the fear of God regard it not