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
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
worship God were by the said Judge fined 320 l. Wexford County 1660. Francis Randal with several Friends being met at James Becket's House in New Ross to wait upon the Lord had their Meeting broken up by a Guard of Souldiers who much abused the said Francis knockt him with a Musket tore his Clothes and thrust him violently out of the Town by order of Lt. Col. Jones who bad his Souldiers do any thing to Quakers saying They are worse then Doggs use them as you will 1662. James Becket Thomas West and others for meeting together for the End aforesaid in New-Ross were sent and committed to Wexford Goal and there kept several Weeks Thomas Loe Mary Loe and Sarah Holme for visiting their Friends in Wexford Prison were there detained in Restraint and the said Thomas Loe kept in Prison until the next Sessions 1670. Robbert Cuppage Nathaniel Ruby James Taylour Francis Randal Samuel Grundy Daniel Fossey William Brown John Sottenham Jonas Chamberlin John Haydock and John Edwards being with several other Friends and People peaceably assembled as their manner is no Disturbance nor Breach of the Peace being ever known on their parts at any of their Meetings to wait upon and worship the Lord God at Nathaniel Ruby's house in Wexford the 14th of the 7th Moneth were disturbed by Wil-liam Russel Sub-Sheriff attended with Constables Wardens and a rude Multitude and violently haled out of their Meeting and brought before John Bond Mayor Richard Clifton Governour Fran. Harvey Tho. Hart and Edward Withers called Justices who committed the aforesaid eleaven Persons to the County Goal till deliver'd by due course of Law where they continued until the 13th of the 11th Moneth following and then released by Order from the King's Lievtenant General and Council of Ireland Anne Chamberlin Wife to the aforenamed Jonas Chamberlin was apprehended and committed to Goal by the said Wil. Russell Sub-Sheriff for being at the aforesaid Meeting and continued Prisoner about two Weeks without any Mittimus and then discharged by the Justices who censured her committal to be Illegal Leonard Kerley was by the aforesaid Wil. Russell taken upon a Capias and committed to Goal for being at the said Meeting and there kept about four Weeks and then discharged the Capias being issued against the Order of the Sessions Munster Province Cork City and County 1660. WIlliam Morris William Brimsby Walter Castle and John Exham being with others met at Edward Cook 's House in Bandon-Bridge to wait upon God in his holy Name and Fear were haled thereout and committed to Goal by John Laundon Provost who was so cruel that he was offended with the Goalers Wife for suffering Straw to be brought to the Prisoners that were put in a Nasty Dungeon where they were kept two Weeks during which time they were cruelly used by Robert Stowers the Goaler who did not admit Friends to bring the Prisoners any Food but what was given them through the Grate Some of the Lord's People being met together at Daniel Mossey's House in Bandon-Bridge had their Meeting broken up and committed to Prison by the said Provost who caused Susanna the Wife of Bishop Worth to be haled out of the said Meeting and dragged her to Prison in such a brutish manner that many cryed Shame upon such barbarous Usage to such an Aged and Sober Woman insomuch that some of the Officers said They could raher go to Prison themselves then be Actors of such Cruelty Philip Dymond Alexander Atkins Stephen Harris George Neno Christopher Pennock Geo. White Ananias Kello Wil. Steel Wil. Thorne James Puckridge John Edwards David Williams Richard Jordan and George Pett for meeting together with some other Friends in the City of Cork to worship God were committed to Goal and there detained till the next Assizes by order of Christopher Oliver then Mayor Thomas Cook Richard Brâ—cklsby Tobias Wear and Francis Rogers c. being met together in the City of Cork for the End aforesaid were committed to Prison by William Hodder Deputy Mayor and kept Prisoners until the following Assizes 1661. Alexander Atkins Philip Dymond Tho. Cook Philip Godfrey and several other Friends for meeting together in their usual Place in Cork City to wait upon God were committed to Prison and at the following Assizes Twenty Five of them were fined by Judge Alexander in 1190 l. for their said Meeting and for wearing their Hats before the Judge and so remanded to Prison Christo Pennock Tho. Loe Phil. Dymond John Workman Edward Cook and twelve Friends more for meeting in Cork City as aforesaid were committed to Prison by Walter Cooper Mayor where they were kept several Weeks 1662. Geo. Gamble Phil. Dymond James Adamson Alexander Atkins and about sixteen Friends more for their meeting in Cork City for the End aforesaid were committed to Prison by the said Mayor till the following Assizes and then indicted and though not found by the Jury yet by the rule of Court they were to remain in Prison till each of them paid 10 s. a piece to the Judge for Traverse and to the Cryer and other Fees some 14 s. and some 20 s. apiece more And at the same Assize most of the Friends were indicted again for not going to the Church so called and such as said they did not go were presently fined and some that stood silent were re-committed without Bail or Mainprize till the next Assizes and all in general were returned back to Prison where they were kept several Moneths 1667. George Webber Wil. Penn Fran. Rogers John Taylor Philip Dymond Wil. Hawkins Geo. Gamble John Gossage Christo Pennock Thomas Mitchel James Knolls Stephen Harris Henry Bennet James Dennis William Steel James Toghill Richard Pike John Moor and Thomas Robins for meeting together the 3d of the 9th Moneth to worship the Lord God were committed to Prison by Christopher Rye Mayor of Cork Geo. Gamble James Dennis John Smith Arthur Johnson Christopher Pennock Geo. Neno and Philip Godfrey for meeting together the 24th of the 9th Moneth for the End aforesaid were taken out of their Meeting-place and sent to Prison by the said Christopher Rye Mayor Francis Rogers Geo Gamble Philip Dymond William Fletcher Stephen Harris Alexander Atkins Richard Pike Rob. Whetstone and Tho. Godfrey for meeting the 8th of the 10th Moneth were committed to Prison by the said Christo Rye Mayor 1668. Tho. Cook Geo. Webber John Taylor James Knolls Rich. Pike Geo. Neno Tho. Mitchell Tho. Wight Christopher Pennock Arthur Johnson James Dennis Wil. Bigley and Wil. Burchfield being met together at their usual Meeting-place in Cork City to wait upon and worship the Lord were taken thereout and committed to Goal by the said Christo Rye and the Goaler told the Prisoners That he was forbid to give them a Copy of the Mittimus Thomas Cook and several other Friends being met together to worship God the 13th of the 10th Moneth had their Meeting broken up and committed to Prison by the said Christopher Rye and the
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-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
forty nine yards of Stuff taken from him worth 2 l. 3 s. Thomas Cook for thirteen Shillings six Pence had Iron taken from him worth 1 l. 16 s. Limerick City 1661. Thomas Phelps Richard Pearce John Cobb James Craven with other Friends being met together in Limerick to worship the Lord God were haled thereout by Bartholomew Garnet Constable and others with him and committed to Prison by Thomas Miller Mayor and there kept till the next Assizes and then ten of them were fined by Judge Alexander in 40 l. a man and remanded to Prison where they were kept about four Months and then released by order from the chief Rulers called Lord Justices Waterford City 1661. William Blanch William Wright Samuel Mason and Eight Friends more for meeting together in the Fear and Worship of God were imprisoned and at the following Assizes fined by Judge Alexander in 580 l. Secondly These following have suffered who for Conscience sake cannot pay Tythes bearing Testimony to the Everlasting Priesthood which endeth the First that took Tythes by having their Goods spoiled and excessively taken away sometimes Three Six Ten or Twenty times the value besides sometimes their Bodies imprisoned for the same after being sued in temporal Courts contrary to the Law of the Land and though the Statute hath been produced to the Court and Jury yet have the Priests and Court given under their hands to secure the Jury and thereupon near Twenty times the value hath been taken away Also they have suffered for not paying to the Maintenance of the Priests and their Clarks whom they have no need to hear or hire having Jesus Christ for their High Priest who said to his Ministers Freely ye have received Freely give Ulster Province Ardmagh County 1660. MAtthew Horner being sued for Tythes in the Primates Temporal Court at Ardmagh by Thomas Burrell and Henry Wilkinson employed by James Threlfall Priest of Kilmore for the value of about 16 s. 8 d. had taken from him by the Bailiffs two Horses worth 4 l. Margery Atkinson being sued for Tythe to the value of about 8 s. 4 d. by the aforesaid Persons and in the same Court had taken from her by the Bailiffs two Cows worth 3 l. 10 s. Edward Towle being sued by the aforesaid Persons and in the same Court for Tythe to the value of about 8 s. had taken from him by the Bailiffs a Mare and two Colts worth 3 l. 5 s. William Williamson sen and William Williamson jun. being sued for Tythes as aforesaid to the value of about 18 s. 9 d. the Bailiffs took from Wil. Williamson jun. four Cowes worth 7 l. 10 s. Thomas Browne for 5 s. demanded for Tythes had taken from him by the Bailiffs Bed-clothes worth 2 l. 10 s. notwithstanding that he was a poor man and had five small children and that all the Bed-clothes that they left him were not worth 1 s. Wil. Brownloe being sued as aforesaid for Tythes to the value of 1 l. 5 s. had taken from him by the Bailiffs six Cows and a webb of Cloth worth 13 l. 5 s. Francis Robson being sued as aforesaid for 2 l. demanded for Tythe had taken from him by the Bailiffs two Horses worth 8 l. 10 s. 1664. Roger Webb for Tythe to the value of 7 s. had taken from him by Patrick o Hagan a Horse worth 3 l. 1665. Wil. Souldon being sued for Tythe to the value of about 2 l. 10 s. in two Actions in the Mannor Court of Legacory by George Walker Priest had taken from him four Cows worth 5 l. Francis Hobson being sued for Tythe in the Primates temporal Court at Ardmagh by the said Priest had five Cows and a Bull taken from him worth 9 l. John Winter being sued for Tythe in the said Court by the said Priest had taken from him two Cows worth 3 l. 1666. Francis Robson for Milk-money of ten Cows had taken from him by Patrick o Hagan a Horse worth 3 l. Archiball Bell for 4 s. demanded for Tythe had taken from him by M. Murrough seven Sheep worth 14 s. Francis Hobson being sued for Tythe in the Primates Temporal Court at Ardmagh by George Walker Priest had as many Cattle taken from him as were worth 7 l. 10 s. John Marsh being sued for Milch-money and Offerings to the value of about 3 l. at the Mannor Court of Loughall by Humphry Pettard Priest had taken from him so many of his Cattel as were worth 18 l. The said John Marsh being sued again in the said Court for five years Tythe of sixty two Sheep by the said Priest had the very whole number of sixty two Sheep taken from him being all he had worth 12 l. John Fletcher being sued for Tythe to the value of 7 s. in the said Court by the said Priest had a Horse and Cow taken from him worth 2 l. 10 s. 1667. Wil. Steer being sued for Tythe to the value of 1 l. 10 s. at the Sheriffs Court by George Walker Priest had as much broad Cloath taken from him as was worth 3 l. 19 s. John Blackburn being sued for Tythe to the value of 2 s. 1 d. 2 q. in the Mannor Court of Laughall by Humphry Pettard Priest the said John produced the Statute against all proceedings in Temporal Courts for Tythe notwithstanding the Jury said to the Seneschal of the Court and the said Priest Pettard that if they would give it under their hands to be Endemnified and saved harmless they would proceed here is like Priest like People both contriving and consenting against the Law and how to make Spoil and havock of the Innocent and accordingly the Seneschal and Priest gave under their hands as followeth June 14th 1667. We do hereby promise to Secure the Jury from what Dammage they shall incur for proceeding in the Action of John Blackburne as witness or hands William Hart Humphrey Pettard Upon this the Jury proceeded and cast the said John in 2 s. 1 d. 2 q. for which the Bailiffs took from him a Horse worth 2 l. 1668. William Kenningham being sued for Tythe and Clark's Wages in the Primates Temporal Court at Ardmagh by Robert Smyth Farmer of the small Tythes had taken from him by the Bailiffs a Horse out of the Plough worth 3 l. George Hall being sued in the said Court for Tythe and Clark's Wages to the value of 4 s. 2 d. by the aforesaid Smyth had taken from him his Wife's Gown and other Good 's worth 1 l. 16 s. 6 d. John Blackburne being sued for Tythe and Clark's Wages in the Sheriffs Court for the value of about 6 s. by the said Smyth had taken from him by the Sub-Sheriffs and Bailiffs as much Yarn as was worth 2 l. John Fletcher being sued for Tythe and Offerings to the value of 2 s. 1 d. at the Manner Court of Loughall by Humphey Pettard Priest and had a Cow taken from him worth 1 l. 10 s. Patrick Robinson being sued at the said
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.
Plea of the Transmutation of the property of Tythes from jus divinum to jus humanum will not serve in sound reason nor by Scripture to exact Tythes from true Christians nor yet for them to pay Tythes either to the Clergy or Lay-men And the Apostles continued in Christ's Doctrine and preached the Gospel freely coveting no mans Silver Gold or Apparel but laboured with their hands that neither they nor their Gospel might be chargeable 1 Cor. 9. 18. And Paul layes down in his Epistle 1 Tim. 3. the Quallification of Ministers and Bishops That they must not be Strikers nor Covetous nor greedy of filthy Lucre nor Proud c. and against such as preach for Lucre and make Merchandize of the Word both he and several of the Apostles bore Testimony as may be seen in the Scriptures And there having been so many Volumns published of late by several of our Friends against Tythes enough to satisfie a moderate and rational man against the use of them whether by payment or reception in these our Gospel dayes that we need not enlarge hereon and besides the Understandings of people in our Nations are so enlightened that very few do pay Tythes on the account of Conscience or Scripture Authority but as being constrained thereunto against their Wills for as peoples eyes are opened by believing in and embracing the true Light Christ Jesus they will easily see over the Apostacy unto the primitive true Christians times and so to discern the true Gospel-Ministers and their Allowances by Christ from the now National parochal hired Priests and their Maintenance by Tythes and forced wayes set up by men and that by the Scriptures of Truth Tythes and forced means is not a Maintenance for Gospel Ministers and that he that takes and he that pays Tythes now do both deny Christ come in the Flesh Thirdly Touching our not paying to the repair of the Parish or publick Houses of Worship called Churches we have good Ground First BEcause there is no Example for this from the Antient People of God the Jews either in building or re-edifying and repairing of the Temple of Jerusalem a Place Appointed and expresly Commanded of God to be built For neither did David that prepaired aboundance for the Building of it nor yet Solomen his Son that built it nor yet Zerubbabel and the Jews that Re-built and repaired it would admit of any of the Gentiles or strange Nations to help or assist them therein for when their Adversaries proffered help they refused acceptance saying You have nothing to do with us to build a House unto our God we our selves together will build it unto the Lord God of Israel Ezra 4. 1 2 3. So that the Jews for the love and zeal they bore to God and his Worship denied those that were not of their Religion that joyned not with them in their Worship to help them to rebuild or repair the Temple which was the Place for the Jews to worship at and this is contrary to you that call your selves Christians that compel others not of you to build mend your Places of worship Secondly Because there is no Example from the Primitive true Christians for after Christ came who ended the Temple Worship c. there were many thousands both of the Jews and Gentiles converted to the Faith and met in several Places and Houses to worship God Acts 11. 26. 20. 20. 28. 30. yet we do not read that they either imposed upon one another or compelled the Jews or Gentiles from whom they were turned to build up Places of Worship nor yet that the unconverted Jews and Gentiles compelled the Christians either to build or repair the Jews Synagogues or Diana's Temple Thirdly There is no equity or reason for us to pay to the building or repairing of those now Places of Worship called Churches for God hath so perswaded our hearts that we cannot joyn with them that go to worship there we having good Scripture ground both against the Worship it self the manner of worshipping and the Worshippers and therefore we refuse to go to the Place And can we do less then appeal to the equal Principle of God in men Whether it is not repugnant to right Reason and Equity for the Priests and others to ask much more to assess and compel by taking away our Goods excessively to pay to the building or repair of their Places of Worship called Churches which they themselves and not we make use of for we disown them in their Will-worship 2 Tim. 3. 5. where is taught for Doctrine the Commandments of men Mat. 15. 9. and where Prescriptions and Traditions of men form out a compuisive way of worship for Time Place Manner and Matter as being contrary to Christ's Speech to the Woman of Samaria Neither in this Mountain where the Patriachs worshipped nor yet at Jerusalem the place commanded by God to be built for him once to be worshipped in but the Hour cometh and now is said he that the true Worshippers shall worship God in Spirit and in Truth for such the Father seeks to Worship him and he is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship in the Spirit Joh. 4. 21 22 23 24. And further doth not this manifest that the litteral Professors of Christianity in this Age are grown very cold much below God's ancient People the Jews who for all they had been banished out of their own Country and been Captives in a strange Land in Caldea and Persia 77 Years yet at their return to Judea would not suffer any that were not of their Religion and came not to their Worship to help them to re-edifie repair the Temple commanded of God to be built is not this much unlike this Generation of men that by force make havock of us and out Goods for not helping them to build and repair their now places of Parish-Worship called Churches for which they have no Command from God to build or repair So now this may serve to inform people how innocently and that for Conscience sake we suffer in this thing and that our Persecutors have neither Example of God's Antient People nor of the primitive true Christians nor yet Reason or Equity on their sides for what they have done against us herein Fourthly For not going to the publick Worship and not joyning with them in their Worship at their said places called Churches and for Reproving and Exhorting them to fear God in the said Places and in Streets and Markets as we are commanded of the Lord we have good Ground though we have or may suffer for the same First For it appears by the Scriptures of Truth that in the Infancy of the World even before there was any written Law or outward Rule commanded or prescribed by God that People then offered or worshipped God each of them according to the perswasion of their own hearts and minds as is hinted at in the first Branch For Abel did not joyn with
Cain in offering Sacrifices nor did either of them seek to compel the other to worship or offer after his way or manner but each of them and so of the succeeding People and Generations until the Law offered and worshipped in divers Places Manners according as they were led and guided in their respective Understandings and such of them as offered in the true Faith of the promised Seed Christ were accepted in their performances and those that did not so offer were rejected Thus Abel offer'd where what and when he pleased offering of the Firstlings of his Flock and the Fat thereof unto which being in the true Faith the Lord had respect And Cain he likewise offered how when and what he pleased viz. Of the Fruit of the Ground which was not accepted with God and so he persecuted and killed his innocent Brother Righteous Abel And Enoch walked with God and not after the manner of mens Wickedness then and thereby pleased God and was translated Noah a just man a Preacher of Righteousness who also walked with God and not after the manner of or with the wicked World then found Grace with the Lord and he and his Family were saved from the Deluge of the World and he built an Altar unto the Lord and thereon offered Burnt-Offerings of every clean Fowl and every clean Beast which was a sweet Savour unto the Lord. Abraham God's Friend believing in God that appeared unto him obtained Favour and was called The Father of the Faithful the Lord called him out of his own Country and from his Kindred and Father's House and he obeyed and went with his Family into Canaan a Land Promised to his Seed where he dwelt and built an Alter unto the Lord at Sichem and Bethel thence he sojourned into Egypt and returned into Canaan and built an Alter at Mamre and the Word of the Lord came unto him and God appeared unto him and made himself known by his Name The Almighty God unto Abraham and said Walk before me walk in my Wayes and not as the Nations walk amongst whom thou livest and be thou perfect he also dwelt in the Land of the Philistines but walked not after their wayes for he planted a Grove in Beersheba and there worshipped the Lord and in Moriah he offered a Ram instead of his Son and as he could not walk as the Nations did who walked not in the Fear of God nor joyn with them in their Worship so neither could he so much as joyn with them in the burying of the dead Body of Sarah but purchased the Cave of Machpelah of Ephron the Hittite for a Burying place And Isaac in whom the Seed was called dwelt under Abimelech amongst the Philistines and joyned not with them in their Worship nor yet in Marrying with them but obeyed his Father Abraham who had streighly charged him not to Marry any of the Daughters of the Cananites and also charged his Son Jacob not to mingle in Marriage with the Cananites which he also observed and the Lord appeared unto him at Beersheba and he there built an Alter to the Lord and called on his Name And Jacob or Israel the prevailing Prince with God in his sojourning in Padan-Aran and in Canaan also he dwelt and followed not the Worships of the Nations amongst whom he lived neither in their Worship as we read of nor in Marriage but erected an Alter at Shalem in Sichem and he built an Alter at Bethel and set up a Pillar of Stone and poured Drink-Offerings and Oyl thereon and he and his twelve Sons and their Families dwelt in Egypt under King Pharoah and after he had been there seventeen Years he dyed but charged his Son Joseph To bury him in Machpelah with Abraham and Sarah Isaac and Rebecca and Leah And we do not find that although he lived in several Countries that he worshipped with the National People nor could he give his dead Body to be buried amongst them And the like did Joseph his Son So as they could not joyn with the strange Nations or Nations that worship or serve strange godds that walked not in the Fear of God in their Life time so they could not give their dead Bodies to lay amongst them Secondly Moses the meek and great Prophet of God worshipped the Lord on an Altar in Rephidem and at Mount Sinai was the Law given forth then the Altar of the Tabernacle was prescribed in the Mount which was a moveable Altar to go along with Israel in their Travels and in the Law is mention made of several Altars for several uses an Altar of Earth for Burnt-Offerings and Peace-Offerings an Altar of Shittim Wood for Burnt-Offerings an Altar of Incense c. And after the Lord had brought the Children of Israel out of Egypt into the Land of Canaan which he promised to Abraham and his Seed they were not to joyn with the National Worshippers or serve other Godds but worship and serve the Living God only whom they knew and whilst they continued obedient unto the Lord in the separation from the false Worshippers and kept the Laws Statutes and Ordinances given by Moses the Lord was with them and amongst them in Moses Josua and the Elders time Judg. 2. 7 8 9 to the end And when there arose a new Generation that turned from the Lord and so lost the knowledge of him and turned to the false Worships of the Nations and took them Wives of their Daughters and followed other Godds then the Anger of the Lord waxed hot against them and he gave them into the hands of their Enemies oftentimes Judg. 3. and when they cryed unto the Lord he heard and answered and sent a Prophet to reprove them for their Back-slidings Judg. 6. 8. and afterwards Solomon built the Temple at Jerusalem for the People to worship in 1 King 6 38. and because of the great Idolatry of other Nations about and amongst them whereby Israel were often drawn away to serve their Godds they were confined to the Temple-Worship and there the Lord promised his Presence if they continued in his Statutes but Solomon went after other Godds and took Wives of the Idolatrous Nations and turned to their Godds and Worships and then the Lord stirred up Adversaries against him and was angry with him and he rent the Kingdom from him and gave Ten parts thereof to his Servant Jeroboam and the rest to his Son Rehoboam 1 King 11. thus was Israel divided and it was then the Duty of all Israel to worship at Jerusalem But Jeroboam after he was King would not observe what the Lord said to him by the Prophet Ahijah 1 King 12. 38. but disobeyed and set up his false National Worship at Samaria for his own ends in order to draw the Peoples minds from the Temple Worship at Jerusalem and to fortifie himself in his new acquired or rather given Kingdom for he for fear the People should worship there as
indeed they and he too ought he made two Calves of Gold and set up one at Betbel the other at Dan and falsly called them the Godds which brought Israel out of Egypt and it became a great Sin for the people worshipped them and went not to the Temple as they were commanded of God And he made an House of High-Places and Priests of the lowest of the people such as he knew being raised so by him would serve his Ends and call the dead Images Godds and his invented ways and worships the True Worship that were not of the Sons of Levi and therefore false Priests and not of God's appointing or making And he ordained Feasts Offerings Sacrifices Altars c. in some resemblance of the Worship at Jerusalem thereby to please the People and feed their Fancies with a doing something in imitation of the Worship at Jerusalem and by offering upon the Altar there Burnt-incense c. and feasting the people that it became a great Snare and Sin of Idolatry and turned away their Hearts from serving the Living God to serve Godds or rather more properly no Gods of Gold and the Works of mens hands and this very much provoked the Lord insomuch that whilst Jeroboam the King and the People were at their invented Worship at the Altar at Bethel there came a Man of God a Prophet out of Judah and cryed against the Altar the false Worship and the King put forth his Hand and said Lay hold on him as many do in our dayes and his Hand withered or dryed which by the Prayer of the Man of God was healed and restored again 1 King 13. 1 to 10. Neither did Jeroboam set up this his Worship as judging it in his Conscience to be the true Worship of God for he knew it was his own invented Worship and devised Way as is plain in 1 King 12. 27 33. but rather politickly prescribing a Way and Worship like in some things to that at Jerusalem to keep the People from the true Worship and to busie their minds in an active way of Worship by Priests of his own making who would say or do any thing he would have them their Places and Maintenance depending on him and also to strengthen himself in his Kingdom rather seeking his own Greatness and Preservation then the Honour and Glory of God that had bestowed such a Kingdom and Dignity unexpectedly on him and as the Authorâ— of so fair and gilded a Way of Worship thereby wholy to allure and engage them to him and his Idolatrous Worship who having so sinned against God knew no other safety or strength then the good will and number of the People and several of the Kings of Judah and Israel were false Worshippers and against them and their said false Worships several Prophets of the Lord bore Testimony and reproved them as did Zechariah Michaiah Isaiah Jeremiah Ezekiel Malachi and several other Servants of the Lord which kept the Law of God then as we do now the Gospel and served the Lord in their Generations and knew him whom they served and could not forsake him and his Laws to joyn with the Idolaters and false Worshippers that knew not the Living God and for bearing Testimony against the false Worshippers and reproving them for their Will-worship Idolatry Sin and Wickedness were Persecuted imprisoned and some of them put to Death And it is to be well observed That not in all the time under the Law when Sacrifices Offerings Temple-worship c. as Types and Figures were set up by the Command of God none were lyable or compelled as we read of to worship there but the Jews and them that were of their Religion So that the true Worshippers were never Persecutors in any Age but false Worshippers have ever persecuted them that truly serve and worship God in sincerity of Heart therefore let not Persecutors think or look on themselves to be true Worshippers true Christians whilst they are in that Nature and let them but seriously examine their Hearts in the Light and Spirit of Christ Jesus and they will know that they find not acceptance with God in their own Services nor Peace of Conscience and true Satisfaction of Soul in their Worshippings and that 's the very Cause why they malign others and Caiu like envy and persecute sometimes to Death them that are more Innocent and that find Peace with God and Acceptance in their worshipping Thirdly The Lord having been thus worshipped before and under the Law and having a further and another Way of Worship in and by manifesting of the promised Seed to be clothed with Flesh John 1. 17. For the Law was given by Moses but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ who was the Substance of the Law of all the Offerings Sacrifices Altar and Temple-Worship which could not make perfect as pertaining to the Conscience all which he ended by his Coming and being offered up a Body being prepared him to do the Will of the Father and then Sacrifices of Righteousness and worshipping God in Spirit and in Truth ordained of God and declared by Christ for when Christ came he did not joyn with the publick Worship but reproved them that drew nigh with their Tongues and honoured God with their Lips and their Hearts far from him Mat. 15. 8 9. as many do now adayes and told them In vain they worshipped that taught for Doctrine the Commandments of Men and called them Blind Leaders John 7. 28. 4. 23. and he often went into the Temple the publick Place of Worship for the Jews and reproved them and set up the true Worship of God over all false worships in the Spirit and in the Truth which differed from the National Worships and as many as came to the Gospel Worship to worship God in Spirit were separated from the Jews and Gentiles Publick and National Worships and did often testifie against them in their publick Places and reproved them in the Streets and other Places for which they were persecuted by Unbelievers and false Worshippers that knew not God And Christ Jesus being come of whom Moses prophesied and said Acts 3. 22. He must be heard in all things and he being Head of his Church it s his Prerogative alone to establish the Worship and Order thereof and he only hath Power in all Spiritual Matters over his Body his Church and People who are oblieged in point of Duty to obey and observe his Commands and Institutions and not the Prescriptions of any other for God never was is or will be worshipped acceptably any otherwayes then in his own Will and Way And Christ Jesus for publishing the Everlasting Gospel and setting up his Father's Worship in Spirit and in Truth by ending the Law with its Ordinances and Temple-worship c. and for testifying against Sin and Wickedness the works of the Devil and for all other his good Words and Works he was persecuted and put to Death by the chief Priests Elders Scribes and