Selected quad for the lemma: peace_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
peace_n	justice_n	person_n	warrant_n	2,995	5	9.7411	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A39300	A caution to constables and other inferiour officers, concerned in the execution of the Conventicle-Act with some observations thereupon, humbly offered, by way of advice, to such well-meaning and moderate justices of the peace, as would not willingly ruine their peaceable neighbours, but act (in relation to that act) rather by constraint, than by choice / by Thomas Ellwood.	Ellwood, Thomas, 1639-1713.	1683 (1683)	Wing E616; ESTC R19625	15,083	20

hand_n as_o have_v a_o mind_n one_o will_v think_v to_o look_v through_o the_o pillory_n and_o indeed_o scarce_o any_o will_v dare_v to_o swear_v so_o desperate_o that_o have_v not_o deserve_v the_o pillory_n before_o then_o for_o the_o notorious_a evidence_n and_o circumstance_n of_o the_o fact_n the_o only_a remain_a way_n of_o proof_n how_o can_v it_o be_v thereby_o prove_v that_o the_o officer_n do_v wilful_o and_o witting_o omit_v the_o performance_n of_o his_o duty_n when_o so_o many_o just_a excuse_n may_v be_v allege_v as_o of_o absence_n illness_n urgency_n of_o business_n ignorance_n misunderstand_a and_o the_o like_a all_o which_o if_o the_o officer_n fine_v do_v appeal_n a_o jury_n of_o his_o neighbour_n be_v to_o try_v and_o beside_o it_o be_v a_o question_n among_o the_o lawyer_n how_o this_o sine_fw-la or_o forfeiture_n of_o 5_o l._n can_v be_v levy_v upon_o the_o officer_n there_o not_o be_v in_o the_o act_n any_o particular_a and_o express_a direction_n for_o the_o levy_n of_o it_o as_o there_o be_v in_o the_o other_o case_n both_o of_o the_o metre_n and_o of_o the_o justice_n for_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v suppose_v that_o the_o officer_n of_o a_o town_n or_o parish_n shall_v levy_v the_o fine_a upon_o themselves_o and_o it_o they_o do_v not_o none_o else_o be_v require_v or_o impower_v by_o the_o act_n to_o do_v it_o 4._o if_o a_o warrant_n under_o the_o hand_n and_o seal_n of_o a_o justice_n of_o the_o peace_n be_v deliver_v to_o any_o constable_n or_o other_o inferior_a officer_n to_o levy_v any_o fine_n upon_o the_o good_n and_o chattel_n of_o any_o person_n within_o his_o limit_v such_o warrant_n ought_v to_o express_v for_o what_o offence_n the_o conviction_n be_v make_v and_o at_o what_o time_n the_o offence_n be_v commit_v which_o if_o it_o do_v not_o the_o warrant_n be_v not_o formal_a nor_o good_a in_o law_n to_o make_v a_o distress_n by_o 5._o but_o if_o the_o warrant_n be_v formal_a and_o sufficient_a yet_o the_o officer_n can_v thereby_o justify_v the_o break_n open_v any_o dwell_a house_n or_o outhouse_n belong_v thereunto_o to_o take_v distress_n no_o not_o although_o the_o warrant_n shall_v express_o require_v it_o as_o the_o opinion_n of_o able_a lawyer_n be_v for_o a_o man_n house_n be_v to_o he_o as_o a_o castle_n of_o defence_n and_o so_o be_v every_o part_n or_o room_n therein_o and_o therefore_o as_o the_o officer_n may_v not_o break_v or_o force_v open_a any_o door_n or_o lock_n to_o get_v into_o a_o man_n house_n so_o if_o find_v the_o outward_a door_n open_a he_o be_v get_v in_o he_o may_v not_o break_v or_o force_v open_a any_o door_n or_o lock_n to_o get_v into_o any_o other_o part_n or_o room_n in_o the_o house_n that_o be_v lock_v but_o must_v content_v himself_o with_o what_o he_o find_v there_o neither_o may_v he_o climb_v over_o any_o hatch_n or_o in_o at_o any_o window_n whether_o it_o be_v the_o shop-window_n or_o other_o for_o the_o enter_v through_o or_o in_o at_o any_o window_n though_o open_a be_v hold_v by_o lawyer_n to_o be_v a_o breach_n of_o the_o house_n nor_o be_v he_o bind_v to_o lie_v perdue_n and_o wait_v continual_o at_o the_o door_n to_o get_v a_o entrance_n but_o may_v take_v such_o time_n and_o season_n for_o it_o as_o he_o shall_v judge_v most_o fit_a and_o proper_a for_o he_o be_v not_o whole_o to_o neglect_v his_o own_o occasion_n to_o attend_v upon_o this_o that_o be_v a_o way_n to_o ruin_v the_o officer_n as_o well_o as_o their_o neighbour_n only_o to_o enrich_v the_o informer_n but_o if_o as_o often_o as_o the_o officer_n come_v he_o shall_v find_v the_o door_n shut_v and_o entrance_n upon_o demand_n deny_v he_o and_o no_o distress_n to_o be_v take_v without_o door_n he_o need_v not_o fear_v the_o penalty_n of_o forfeit_v 5_o l._n or_o that_o he_o can_v possible_o be_v convict_v of_o wilful_o and_o witting_o omit_v the_o performance_n of_o his_o duty_n in_o that_o respect_n and_o beside_o it_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o some_o lawyer_n that_o the_o penalty_n of_o 5_o l._n be_v not_o imposeable_a upon_o the_o officer_n for_o not_o levy_v the_o fine_n impose_v upon_o other_o but_o only_o for_o not_o inform_v the_o justice_n and_o endeavour_v the_o conviction_n of_o the_o party_n according_a to_o their_o duty_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o such_o their_o opinion_n be_v this_o that_o in_o that_o part_n of_o the_o act_n where_o the_o say_v officer_n be_v authorize_v and_o require_v to_o levy_v the_o say_a fine_n there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o any_o forfeiture_n on_o their_o part_n for_o not_o do_v it_o and_o in_o this_o part_n of_o the_o act_n where_o the_o 5_o l._n forfeiture_n be_v impose_v there_o be_v no_o express_a mention_n of_o levy_v the_o fine_a upon_o other_o it_o be_v say_v here_o indeed_o if_o he_o shall_v wilful_o and_o witting_o omit_v the_o performance_n of_o his_o duty_n but_o the_o word_n duty_n be_v mention_v just_a before_o with_o particular_a relation_n to_o his_o inform_v the_o justice_n and_o endeavour_v the_o conviction_n of_o the_o party_n that_o wilful_a and_o wit_v omission_n of_o duty_n to_o which_o the_o forfeiture_n of_o 5_o l._n be_v annex_v must_v say_v they_o by_o intendment_n be_v restrain_v or_o apply_v only_o to_o the_o subject_a matter_n of_o that_o branch_n of_o the_o act_n and_o be_v extend_v no_o further_o than_o to_o the_o neglect_n of_o that_o duty_n therein_o particular_o enjoin_v but_o of_o this_o let_v lawyer_n judge_v 6._o if_o the_o constable_n or_o other_o officer_n have_v opportunity_n and_o open_a way_n to_o make_v distress_n yet_o he_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o take_v more_o than_o the_o fine_a come_v to_o but_o he_o may_v and_o indeed_o in_o justice_n ought_v proportion_v the_o distress_n in_o its_o real_a value_n as_o near_o to_o the_o fine_a as_o he_o can_v and_o when_o he_o have_v so_o do_v and_o take_v such_o distress_n into_o his_o custody_n he_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o drive_v or_o carry_v the_o good_n so_o distrain_v to_o any_o fair_a or_o market_n out_o of_o the_o limit_n of_o his_o constableship_n to_o fell_a for_o he_o be_v not_o to_o act_v any_o thing_n in_o relation_n to_o his_o office_n further_o than_o those_o limit_n extend_v save_o only_a in_o some_o especial_a case_n where_o he_o be_v particular_o necessitate_v or_o impower_v by_o act_n of_o parliament_n to_o go_v further_o which_o in_o this_o case_n he_o be_v not_o nor_o may_v he_o imbezil_v any_o of_o the_o good_n for_o he_o be_v accountable_a for_o every_o particular_a of_o what_o he_o have_v so_o distrain_v nor_o be_v he_o bind_v to_o sell_v such_o good_n at_o under_o rate_n and_o below_o the_o real_a worth_n or_o market-price_n of_o such_o commodity_n but_o have_v offer_v they_o to_o public_a sale_n and_o try_v the_o market_n fair_n and_o chapman_n within_o his_o liberty_n if_o none_o will_v give_v a_o reasonable_a price_n for_o they_o he_o be_v not_o bind_v forth_o with_o to_o sell_v they_o but_o may_v keep_v they_o in_o hope_n of_o a_o better_a market_n and_o if_o they_o remain_v unsold_a till_o he_o be_v out_o of_o his_o office_n if_o he_o than_o return_v they_o again_o to_o he_o from_o who_o he_o take_v they_o i_o know_v no_o danger_n he_o can_v incur_v thereby_o i_o be_o sure_a i_o have_v know_v it_o do_v without_o any_o detriment_n to_o he_o that_o do_v it_o but_o if_o he_o be_v not_o willing_a to_o return_v they_o he_o will_v do_v well_o to_o consider_v how_o he_o can_v just_o keep_v they_o be_v out_o of_o his_o office_n and_o then_o but_o a_o private_a man_n or_o safe_o turn_v they_o over_o to_o any_o other_o without_o good_a security_n to_o indempnifie_v he_o in_o case_n he_o from_o who_o they_o be_v take_v shall_v hereafter_o call_v he_o to_o account_v for_o they_o some_o observation_n upon_o the_o conventicle-act_n humble_o offer_v by_o way_n of_o advice_n to_o such_o well-meaning_a and_o moderate_a justice_n of_o the_o peace_n as_o will_v not_o willing_o ruin_v their_o peaceable_a neighbour_n etc._n etc._n when_o i_o consider_v the_o quality_n and_o qualification_n of_o justice_n of_o the_o peace_n how_o many_o of_o they_o be_v profess_v lawyer_n and_o how_o general_o they_o be_v or_o at_o least_o shall_v be_v man_n of_o learning_n and_o knowledge_n in_o those_o law_n especial_o by_o which_o they_o be_v to_o act_v i_o be_o ready_a to_o withdraw_v my_o pen_n and_o desist_v out_o of_o a_o modest_a fear_n lest_o it_o shall_v be_v think_v presumption_n in_o i_o to_o offer_v advice_n to_o they_o who_o be_v so_o much_o better_a able_a to_o give_v it_o but_o when_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n i_o call_v to_o mind_n that_o many_o great_a and_o very_o wise_a man_n have_v not_o disdain_v to_o hear_v what_o some_o as_o mean_v

that_o time_n it_o be_v levy_v may_v be_v more_o than_o 100_o l._n damage_n to_o he_o from_o who_o it_o be_v take_v however_o be_v the_o suffer_n great_a or_o less_o the_o wrong_n be_v the_o same_o i_o entreat_v the_o justice_n therefore_o to_o take_v this_o matter_n of_o conceal_v informer_n and_o receive_v the_o deposition_n of_o witness_n against_o man_n in_o private_a and_o condemn_v and_o sentence_v person_n unheard_a into_o their_o serious_a consideration_n and_o do_v herein_o as_o they_o will_v be_v do_v unto_o it_o be_v a_o true_a say_n though_o speak_v by_o a_o heathen_a qui_fw-la statuit_fw-la aliquid_fw-la parte_fw-la inaudita_fw-la altera_fw-la aequum_fw-la licet_fw-la sta●uerit_fw-la haud_fw-la aequus_fw-la fuit_fw-la sen._n in_o medea_n act._n 2._o which_o may_v bear_v this_o english_a he_o that_o but_o one_o part_n hear_v a_o fine_a shall-lay_a not_o hear_v what_o the_o accuse_v have_v to_o say_v although_o his_o sentence_n shall_v prove_v just_a yet_o he_o a_o unjust_a judge_n w●ll_n still_o repute_v be_v 5._o what_o have_v be_v say_v of_o informer_n swear_v have_v be_v speak_v with_o respect_n to_o present_a practice_n only_o for_o otherwise_o it_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o able_a counsel_n that_o no_o informer_n oath_n ought_v to_o be_v take_v in_o this_o case_n and_o therefore_o since_o the_o act_n direct_v that_o if_o the_o party_n accuse_v do_v not_o confess_v the_o charge_n he_o be_v to_o be_v convict_v by_o the_o oath_n of_o two_o witness_n it_o may_v not_o be_v unworthy_a the_o justice_n consideration_n what_o person_n in_o this_o case_n be_v fair_a and_o legal_a witness_n what_o not_o in_o which_o inquiry_n i_o will_v not_o insist_v on_o that_o general_a qualification_n of_o a_o witness_n viz._n that_o he_o must_v be_v probus_n &_o legalis_fw-la homo_fw-la for_o little_a probity_n to_o be_v sure_a whatver_o of_o legality_n in_o that_o large_a sense_n be_v to_o be_v look_v for_o in_o that_o sort_n of_o man_n who_o common_o turn_v informer_n but_o i_o will_v propose_v the_o question_n whether_o any_o man_n can_v be_v a_o fair_a and_o lawful_a witness_n who_o swear_v on_o his_o own_o behalf_n and_o for_o his_o own_o advantage_n if_o he_o can_v which_o i_o suppose_v will_v be_v grant_v then_o be_v the_o informer_n exclude_v from_o be_v a_o witness_n since_o if_o he_o swear_v he_o swear_v clear_o no_o man_n more_o for_o his_o advantage_n and_o he_o be_v not_o put_v upon_o swear_v but_o put_v himself_o upon_o it_o mere_o for_o advantage-sake_n to_o himself_o if_o it_o be_v say_v he_o swear_v for_o the_o king_n the_o answer_n be_v and_o for_o himself_o too_o he_o swear_v no_o more_o for_o the_o king_n than_o he_o do_v for_o himself_o the_o king_n be_v to_o have_v but_o a_o three_o part_n of_o the_o fine_n and_o the_o informer_n himself_o as_o much_o if_o in_o trial_n at_o law_n no_o man_n be_v admit_v for_o a_o witness_n who_o be_v interest_v in_o the_o cause_n and_o be_v to_o reap_v advantage_n by_o it_o there_o be_v then_o great_a reason_n sure_a that_o the_o informer_n shall_v be_v set_v aside_o in_o point_n of_o evidence_n since_o he_o be_v not_o only_o interest_v in_o the_o cause_n and_o to_o reap_v advantage_n by_o it_o but_o be_v spur_v on_o to_o the_o undertake_n mere_o by_o the_o hope_n and_o desire_v he_o have_v of_o gain_v thereby_o if_o in_o a_o trial_n it_o shall_v be_v prove_v that_o a_o witness_n be_v promise_v to_o have_v so_o much_o money_n give_v he_o in_o case_n by_o his_o evidence_n the_o cause_n shall_v be_v gain_v will_v it_o not_o be_v a_o fair_a exception_n against_o that_o witness_n and_o a_o just_a ground_n to_o set_v he_o aside_o the_o informer_n be_v the_o accuser_n and_o be_v it_o reasonable_a that_o he_o shall_v be_v both_o accuser_n and_o witness_n too_o it_o be_v he_o that_o make_v the_o complaint_n and_o shall_v he_o be_v admit_v to_o prove_v his_o own_o complaint_n by_o his_o own_o evidence_n only_o if_o he_o have_v aught_o to_o charge_v any_o man_n with_o let_v he_o in_o this_o as_o in_o all_o other_o case_n make_v good_a his_o charge_n by_o the_o evidence_n of_o such_o witness_n as_o be_v uninteress_v in_o the_o cause_n and_o of_o unsuspected_a credit_n but_o this_o exception_n lie_v not_o against_o informer_n only_o but_o against_o all_o other_o also_o who_o be_v to_o reap_v benefit_n to_o themselves_o by_o the_o conviction_n such_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o poor_a of_o that_o parish_n where_o the_o offence_n be_v allege_v to_o have_v be_v commit_v for_o if_o the_o party_n accuse_v be_v convict_v they_o be_v to_o have_v a_o three_o part_n of_o the_o fine_a so_o that_o they_o like_o the_o informer_n sweat_v for_o their_o own_o immediate_a advantage_n and_o therefore_o by_o a_o parity_n of_o reason_n be_v equal_o to_o be_v exclude_v from_o give_v evidence_n in_o such_o a_o case_n to_o these_o may_v be_v add_v all_o such_o as_o be_v rate_v to_o the_o relief_n of_o the_o poor_a in_o that_o parish_n where_o such_o offence_n be_v allege_v to_o have_v be_v commit_v for_o though_o these_o do_v not_o as_o the_o former_a swear_v for_o their_o own_o immediate_a advantage_n yet_o the_o evidence_n of_o these_o do_v mediate_o and_o in_o the_o consequence_n of_o it_o tend_v to_o their_o own_o advantage_n in_o ease_v themselves_o thereby_o of_o the_o charge_n of_o maintain_v their_o poor_a in_o whole_a or_o in_o part_n i_o can_v instance_n a_o parish_n in_o which_o the_o overseer_n of_o the_o poor_a do_v at_o this_o present_a forbear_v make_v a_o rate_n for_o the_o relief_n of_o the_o poor_a upon_o a_o prospect_n they_o have_v and_o a_o declare_a expectation_n of_o money_n likely_a to_o come_v in_o by_o fine_n and_o forfeiture_n upon_o this_o act_n by_o which_o they_o hope_v and_o propose_v to_o ease_v the_o parish_n of_o that_o charge_n now_o be_v not_o every_o contributer_n to_o the_o poor_n rate_n in_o that_o parish_n just_o to_o except_v against_o as_o a_o evidence_n in_o this_o case_n when_o their_o evidence_n so_o plain_o tend_v to_o their_o own_o advantage_n and_o interest_n if_o a_o man_n offer_v to_o swear_v for_o the_o enlarge_n his_o own_o parish-bound_n he_o be_v not_o allow_v for_o a_o good_a witness_n nor_o will_v his_o evidence_n be_v take_v in_o that_o case_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o by_o the_o enlarge_n his_o parish_n 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v suppose_v some_o profit_n or_o advantage_n may_v accrue_v to_o he_o 〈…〉_z be_v so_o in_o that_o case_n why_o shall_v it_o not_o rather_o be_v so_o in_o this_o the_o same_o reason_n in_o this_o case_n be_v no_o less_o forcible_a and_o more_o obvious_a than_o in_o that_o nor_o be_v the_o constable_n and_o other_o officer_n free_a from_o be_v except_v against_o as_o witness_n in_o this_o case_n for_o the_o act_n give_v a_o three_o part_n of_o the_o penalty_n to_o the_o informer_n and_o to_o such_o person_n and_o person_n as_o the_o justice_n shall_v appoint_v have_v regard_n to_o their_o diligence_n and_o industry_n in_o discover_v disperse_v and_o punish_v of_o the_o say_a conventicle_n it_o can_v well_o be_v understand_v that_o this_o be_v mean_v of_o any_o other_o person_n than_o the_o constable_n and_o those_o other_o officer_n mention_v in_o the_o act_n because_o none_o but_o they_o be_v authorize_v to_o disperse_v and_o punish_v the_o conventicle_n and_o therefore_o since_o they_o be_v by_o this_o clause_n of_o the_o act_n put_v into_o a_o capacity_n of_o share_v with_o the_o informer_n at_o the_o justice_n direction_n and_o consequent_o may_v be_v tempt_v with_o hope_n of_o advantage_n it_o seem_v but_o reasonable_a that_o they_o also_o shall_v be_v set_v aside_o in_o point_n of_o evidence_n and_o that_o the_o proof_n shall_v be_v make_v by_o person_n of_o other_o parish_n to_o who_o no_o profit_n can_v accrue_v thereby_o and_o against_o who_o no_o colour_n of_o exception_n may_v lie_v 6._o although_o the_o act_n do_v require_v every_o justice_n of_o the_o peace_n upon_o proof_n make_v to_o he_o to_o make_v a_o record_n of_o the_o offence_n prove_v and_o thereupon_o to_o impose_v upon_o the_o offender_n so_o convict_v for_o the_o first_o offence_n 5_o s._n and_o for_o every_o after_o 10_o s._n yet_o it_o do_v not_o enjoin_v the_o justice_n to_o prosecute_v he_o be_v not_o by_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o act_n express_o injoyn_v so_o much_o as_o to_o issue_v out_o a_o warrant_n for_o the_o levy_v the_o fine_a much_o less_o be_v he_o oblige_v to_o drive_v on_o the_o officer_n to_o take_v distress_n nay_o it_o be_v doubtful_a to_o some_o profess_a lawyer_n whether_o a_o justice_n of_o the_o peace_n may_v grant_v such_o a_o warrant_n or_o not_o in_o as_o much_o as_o in_o this_o particular_a he_o be_v not_o express_o require_v or_o authorize_v so_o to_o do_v as_o in_o other_o part_n

it_o may_v be_v as_o myself_o have_v have_v to_o say_v i_o be_o thence_o again_o embolden_v to_o go_v on_o hope_v that_o what_o be_v so_o well_o intend_v will_v not_o be_v ill_o take_v they_o that_o have_v suffer_v by_o this_o act_n and_o be_v still_o liable_a to_o suffer_v more_o may_v be_v allow_v to_o have_v look_v more_o narrow_o into_o it_o than_o other_o who_o be_v not_o under_o its_o lash_n and_o if_o upon_o a_o thorough_a search_n any_o thing_n can_v be_v find_v in_o the_o act_n itself_o which_o may_v fair_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o abate_v in_o any_o measure_n the_o force_n of_o the_o blow_n which_o we_o lie_v under_o i_o hope_v none_o will_v blame_v we_o for_o modest_o represent_v it_o to_o those_o by_o who_o hand_n the_o stroke_n be_v appoint_v to_o be_v give_v and_o in_o this_o confidence_n i_o proceed_v obseru._n 1._o since_o the_o title_n of_o the_o act_n which_o be_v not_o unapt_o call_v the_o key_n because_o it_o open_v the_o intention_n and_o purpose_n of_o the_o lawmaker_n therein_o and_o the_o preamble_n of_o the_o act_n also_o describe_v the_o assembly_n and_o meeting_n design_v by_o this_o act_n to_o be_v suppress_v to_o be_v seditious_a conventicle_n and_o the_o person_n against_o who_o this_o act_n be_v make_v to_o be_v seditious_a and_o disloyal_a person_n who_o under_o pretence_n of_o tender_a cons●t●nces_n have_v or_o may_v at_o their_o meeting_n contrive_v insurrection_n it_o seem_v but_o reasonable_a that_o a_o justice_n of_o the_o peace_n when_o informer_n come_v before_o he_o to_o inform_v against_o any_o person_n for_o be_v at_o a_o conventicle_n or_o meeting_n may_v examine_v they_o severally_z and_o apart_z what_o token_n of_o sedion_n they_o see_v or_o hear_v in_o that_o assembly_n which_o they_o inform_v against_o if_o there_o be_v any_o sedition_n there_o it_o must_v appear_v in_o word_n of_o action_n and_o of_o that_o it_o may_v be_v expect_v the_o informer_n shall_v give_v account_n if_o there_o be_v no_o seditious_a word_n speak_v no_o seditious_a cesture_n use_v why_o shall_v it_o be_v take_v for_o a_o seditious_a meeting_n and_o the_o person_n punish_v for_o what_o they_o be_v not_o nay_o for_o what_o they_o most_o abhor_v to_o be_v beside_o it_o rare_o happen_v but_o the_o justice_n himself_o both_o know_v what_o sort_n of_o people_n they_o be_v that_o be_v inform_v against_o and_o be_v more_o or_o less_o acquaint_v with_o some_o of_o they_o now_o if_o he_o be_v so_o and_o upon_o his_o own_o knowledge_n of_o the_o person_n or_o their_o principle_n be_v persuade_v and_o satisfy_v in_o his_o own_o conscience_n that_o they_o be_v not_o seditious_a or_o disloyal_a person_n that_o they_o never_o have_v contrive_v insurrection_n at_o their_o meeting_n nor_o be_v it_o consistent_a with_o their_o principle_n so_o to_o do_v have_v he_o not_o good_a cause_n then_o to_o reject_v such_o information_n and_o let_v such_o peaceable_a meeting_n and_o metre_n alone_o as_o not_o come_v within_o the_o intention_n of_o the_o act_n 2._o since_o that_o which_o the_o act_n call_v a_o offence_n be_v by_o the_o express_a word_n of_o the_o act_n declare_v to_o be_v any_o person_n of_o the_o age_n of_o 16_o year_n and_o more_o in_o number_n than_o four_o beside_o the_o family_n be_v present_a at_o any_o assembly_n etc._n etc._n under_o colour_n or_o pretence_n of_o any_o exercise_n of_o religion_n in_o other_o manner_n than_o according_a to_o the_o liturgy_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o direct_v that_o this_o offence_n must_v be_v prove_v to_o the_o justice_n either_o by_o confession_n of_o the_o party_n or_o oath_n of_o two_o witness_n or_o by_o notorious_a evidence_n and_o circumstance_n of_o the_o fact_n it_o seem_v reasonable_a that_o the_o justice_n may_v put_v the_o informer_n to_o prove_v every_o part_n of_o this_o offence_n for_o the_o offence_n consist_v of_o many_o particular_n the_o offender_n must_v be_v 16_o year_n old_a he_o must_v be_v a_o subject_a of_o this_o realm_n whence_o quere_z whether_o scottish_n and_o irishmen_n though_o live_v in_o england_n be_v not_o exempt_a he_o must_v be_v one_o above_o four_o beside_o the_o family_n he_o must_v be_v meet_v under_o colour_n or_o pretence_n of_o some_o exercise_n of_o religion_n and_o that_o exercise_n of_o religion_n must_v be_v in_o other_o manner_n than_o according_a to_o the_o liturgy_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n all_o these_o must_v go_v to_o the_o make_v up_o of_o the_o offence_n and_o the_o offence_n so_o make_v up_o must_v be_v prove_v and_o if_o any_o of_o these_o be_v want_v or_o the_o proof_n fail_v in_o any_o of_o these_o it_o be_v then_o no_o offence_n within_o this_o statute_n now_o the_o onus_fw-la probandi_fw-la the_o burden_n of_o prove_v this_o lie_v upon_o the_o informer_n and_o that_o with_o great_a reason_n and_o justice_n according_a to_o the_o know_a maxim_n affirmanti_fw-la incumbit_fw-la probatio_fw-la he_o that_o affirm_v must_v prove_v and_o he_o must_v prove_v all_o that_o he_o affirm_v but_o the_o informer_n must_v affirm_v every_o one_o of_o these_o particular_n in_o order_n to_o make_v it_o a_o offence_n within_o the_o act_n and_o therefore_o they_o must_v prove_v every_o one_o of_o they_o also_o it_o be_v true_a the_o party_n inform_v against_o may_v be_v confession_n convict_v himself_o if_o he_o please_v but_o it_o be_v at_o his_o own_o pleasure_n whether_o he_o will_v or_o no_o and_o if_o he_o do_v not_o the_o next_o way_n of_o proof_n be_v the_o oath_n of_o two_o witness_n and_o i_o conceive_v that_o if_o the_o party_n shall_v confess_v he_o be_v at_o a_o meeting_n and_o that_o there_o be_v more_o there_o present_a than_o four_o beside_o the_o family_n yet_o this_o will_v not_o subject_v he_o to_o the_o penalty_n of_o the_o act_n for_o this_o he_o may_v be_v justifiable_o enough_o unless_o he_o will_v also_o confess_v the_o other_o part_n essential_a to_o a_o offence_n within_o the_o act_n viz._n that_o he_o meet_v there_o under_o colour_n or_o pretence_n of_o some_o exercise_n of_o religion_n and_o that_o it_o be_v in_o other_o manner_n than_o according_a to_o the_o liturgy_n etc._n etc._n now_o as_o the_o party_n confess_v some_o part_n only_o and_o not_o every_o part_n of_o the_o offence_n will_v not_o convict_v he_o of_o the_o offence_n nor_o subject_a he_o to_o the_o penalty_n of_o the_o act_n so_o neither_o will_v the_o informer_n swear_v some_o part_n only_o and_o not_o every_o part_n of_o the_o offence_n convict_v the_o party_n against_o who_o they_o so_o swear_v or_o subject_v he_o to_o the_o penalty_n of_o the_o act._n as_o therefore_o it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a that_o the_o justice_n shall_v see_v due_a and_o full_a proof_n make_v against_o the_o party_n in_o every_o particular_a branch_n of_o the_o offence_n before_o he_o make_v record_n of_o it_o as_o a_o offence_n in_o order_n to_o convict_v the_o party_n thereof_o so_o it_o may_v reasonable_o be_v suppose_v that_o if_o the_o justice_n will_v hold_v the_o informer_n close_o to_o their_o evidence_n and_o examine_v they_o strict_o and_o punctual_o concern_v their_o knowledge_n in_o every_o particular_a of_o the_o offence_n they_o complain_v of_o they_o may_v ease_v themselves_o of_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o trouble_n and_o their_o honest_a neighbour_n of_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o wrong_n for_o how_o can_v informer_n dare_v to_o swear_v that_o the_o party_n inform_v against_o do_v meet_v under_o colour_n of_o pretence_n of_o some_o exercise_n of_o religion_n and_o not_o real_o and_o sincere_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o religion_n or_o how_o can_v informer_n take_v upon_o they_o to_o swear_v that_o that_o exercise_n of_o religion_n be_v in_o other_o manner_n than_o according_a to_o the_o liturgy_n etc._n etc._n unless_o they_o be_v present_v the_o whole_a time_n of_o the_o meeting_n from_o the_o very_a beginning_n to_o the_o very_a end_n thereof_o which_o they_o rare_o if_o ever_o be_v and_o hear_v and_o see_v whatsoever_o be_v say_v or_o do_v there_o and_o unless_o they_o themselves_o also_o better_a understand_v than_o they_o common_o do_v what_o be_v according_a to_o the_o liturgy_n what_o not_o 3._o since_o by_o the_o stat._n 18._o eliz._n 5._o it_o be_v provide_v that_o informer_n for_o certain_a offence_n therein_o express_v shall_v not_o only_o stand_v on_o the_o pillory_n and_o be_v for_o ever_o disable_v from_o be_v informer_n more_o but_o also_o in_o some_o case_n shall_v pay_v unto_o the_o defendant_n his_o cost_v charge_n and_o damage_n and_o in_o other_o case_n shall_v forfeit_v the_o sum_n of_o 10_o l._n it_o seem_v reasonable_a that_o a_o justice_n may_v demand_v a_o account_n of_o the_o habitation_n and_o ability_n of_o any_o person_n that_o offer_v himself_o as_o a_o informer_n that_o so_o he_o may_v be_v satisfy_v

a_o caution_n to_o constable_n and_o other_o inferior_a officer_n concern_v in_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o conventicle-act_n with_o some_o observation_n thereupon_o humble_o offer_v by_o way_n of_o advice_n to_o such_o wellmeaning_n and_o moderate_a justice_n of_o the_o peace_n as_o will_v not_o willing_o ruin_v their_o peaceable_a neighbour_n but_o act_n in_o relation_n to_o that_o act_n rather_o by_o constraint_n than_o by_o choice_n by_o thomas_n ellwood_n prov._n 21._o 21._o he_o that_o follow_v after_o righteousness_n and_o mercy_n find_v life_n righteousness_n and_o honour_n cat._n de_fw-fr mor._n lib._n 3._o dist._n 15._o judicis_fw-la auxilium_fw-la sub_fw-la iniqua_fw-la lege_fw-la rogato_fw-la ipsae_fw-la etiam_fw-la leges_fw-la cupiunt_fw-la ut_fw-la jure_fw-la regantur_fw-la london_n print_v for_o william_n skeat_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v in_o george-yard_n in_o lombardstreet_n 1683._o a_o caution_n to_o constable_n etc._n etc._n have_v observe_v of_o late_a that_o divers_a constable_n and_o other_o inferior_a officer_n have_v either_o run_v themselves_o within_o the_o danger_n of_o the_o law_n or_o bring_v upon_o themselves_o trouble_v of_o mind_n by_o act_v too_o officious_o against_o their_o honest_a neighbour_n upon_o the_o conventicle-act_n at_o the_o instigation_n of_o that_o shame_n of_o christianity_n and_o pest_n of_o mankind_n informer_n and_o consider_v with_o myself_o that_o this_o mischief_n for_o the_o most_o part_n happen_v through_o fear_n occasion_v by_o want_n of_o a_o right_a understanding_n what_o be_v positive_o require_v of_o they_o by_o that_o act_n what_o not_o i_o think_v i_o shall_v do_v no_o unacceptable_a work_n in_o present_v the_o follow_a observation_n upon_o that_o act_n by_o way_n of_o cautionary_a information_n to_o the_o view_n and_o consideration_n of_o such_o of_o those_o officer_n as_o be_v willing_a to_o act_v wary_o with_o respect_n to_o themselves_o and_o yet_o favourable_o with_o respect_n to_o their_o peaceable_a neighbour_n first_o then_o be_v please_v to_o observe_v that_o no_o constable_n or_o other_o officer_n be_v bind_v to_o be_v a_o attendant_n upon_o a_o informer_n to_o be_v at_o his_o reck_v and_o run_v like_o a_o lackey_n after_o he_o whensoever_o or_o whethersoever_o he_o shall_v think_v fit_a to_o call_v he_o the_o officer_n be_v not_o oblige_v to_o stay_v at_o home_n to_o wait_v the_o informer_n come_v but_o be_v at_o liberty_n to_o follow_v his_o own_o affair_n and_o to_o go_v whithersoever_o his_o own_o occasion_n draw_v or_o his_o inclination_n lead_v he_o and_o if_o casual_o the_o informer_n light_n upon_o he_o either_o at_o home_n or_o abroad_o and_o inform_v he_o of_o a_o meeting_n or_o conventicle_n within_o his_o parish_n or_o precinct_n he_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o unless_o he_o take_v the_o information_n to_o be_v credible_a for_o that_o be_v the_o word_n use_v in_o the_o act_n in_o this_o very_a case_n viz._n be_v it_o further_o enact_v etc._n etc._n that_o be_v any_o constable_n etc._n etc._n who_o shall_v know_v or_o be_v credible_o inform_v of_o any_o such_o meeting_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o every_o idle_a and_o groundless_a information_n from_o sorry_a fellow_n of_o no_o repute_n nor_o credit_n the_o officer_n be_v oblige_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o but_o such_o information_n only_o as_o be_v credible_a or_o his_o own_o knowledge_n upon_o which_o he_o be_v require_v to_o act_v and_o by_o his_o own_o knowledge_n here_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v a_o certain_a knowledge_n a_o personal_a knowledge_n not_o a_o knowledge_n by_o heresay_n report_n or_o common_a fame_n only_o for_o that_o may_v be_v as_o little_a credible_a as_o the_o least_o credible_a information_n the_o officer_n than_o it_o seem_v must_v have_v either_o a_o personal_a and_o certain_a knowledge_n or_o such_o a_o information_n as_o he_o shall_v judge_v credible_a that_o there_o be_v a_o unlawful_a assembly_n or_o meeting_n in_o his_o parish_n before_o he_o be_v oblige_v to_o stir_v 2._o and_o if_o the_o officer_n shall_v receive_v a_o credible_a information_n of_o such_o a_o meeting_n yet_o he_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o wait_v upon_o the_o informer_n to_o the_o place_n where_o he_o inform_v the_o meeting_n be_v but_o the_o first_o thing_n that_o be_v require_v of_o the_o officer_n by_o this_o act_n be_v to_o give_v in_o information_n thereof_o some_o justice_n of_o the_o peace_n and_o have_v do_v that_o then_o in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o endeavour_v the_o conviction_n of_o the_o party_n according_a to_o his_o duty_n for_o so_o be_v the_o word_n of_o the_o act_n viz._n be_v it_o enact_v etc._n etc._n that_o if_o any_o constable_n etc._n etc._n who_o shall_v know_v or_o be_v credible_a inform_v of_o any_o such_o meeting_n or_o conventicle_n hold_v within_o his_o precinct_n parish_n or_o limit_n and_o shall_v not_o give_v information_n thereof_o to_o some_o justice_n of_o the_o peace_n or_o the_o chief_a magistrate_n and_o endeavour_v the_o conviction_n of_o the_o party_n according_a to_o his_o duty_n but_o etc._n etc._n instead_o of_o which_o many_o constable_n and_o other_o officer_n be_v trick_v in_o by_o cunning_a and_o swagger_a informer_n to_o go_v along_o with_o they_o to_o meeting_n and_o there_o take_v observation_n of_o the_o person_n present_a yea_o and_o sometime_o also_o to_o inform_v the_o informer_n who_o the_o person_n be_v and_o where_o they_o live_v and_o from_o thence_o wait_v on_o the_o informer_n to_o the_o justice_n and_o so_o be_v unaware_o draw_v in_o by_o the_o informer_n to_o join_v with_o he_o in_o swear_v against_o their_o neighbour_n thereby_o unadvised_o bring_v their_o quiet_a neighbour_n into_o needless_a trouble_n and_o themselves_o under_o the_o foul_a brand_n and_o hate_a name_n of_o be_v themselves_o informer_n also_o now_o all_o this_o be_v more_o than_o the_o officer_n be_v oblige_v to_o do_v 1._o they_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o go_v with_o the_o informer_n to_o the_o place_n where_o he_o shall_v tell_v they_o there_o be_v a_o meeting_n 2._o neither_o if_o they_o do_v go_v with_o he_o be_v they_o bind_v to_o tell_v he_o the_o name_n or_o place_n of_o abode_n of_o any_o person_n that_o they_o shall_v see_v there_o 3._o neither_o be_v they_o bind_v to_o go_v with_o he_o to_o a_o justice_n nor_o yet_o without_o he_o to_o the_o same_o justice_n that_o he_o go_v to_o but_o when_o they_o have_v receive_v the_o informer_n information_n leave_v he_o to_o pursue_v his_o own_o project_n they_o be_v to_o repair_v to_o some_o justice_n or_o chief_a magistrate_n and_o it_o be_v in_o their_o own_o choice_n to_o what_o justice_n they_o will_v go_v and_o give_v he_o information_n thereof_o if_o they_o think_v it_o credible_a and_o although_o they_o be_v further_o require_v after_o such_o information_n give_v to_o the_o justice_n to_o endeavour_v the_o conviction_n of_o the_o party_n yet_o that_o be_v to_o be_v do_v but_o according_a to_o their_o duty_n and_o sure_o it_o be_v not_o the_o duty_n of_o officer_n to_o turn_v informer_n they_o will_v be_v very_o troublesome_a and_o thankless_a officer_n indeed_o if_o all_o constable_n headborough_n tithingman_n churchwarden_n and_o overseer_n of_o the_o poor_a shall_v be_v bind_v by_o the_o duty_n of_o their_o office_n to_o turn_v informer_n 3._o these_o officer_n will_v not_o be_v so_o scare_v by_o informer_n nor_o terrify_v with_o the_o talk_n of_o forfeit_v 51._o if_o they_o do_v right_o understand_v and_o well_o consider_v how_o hard_o a_o thing_n it_o be_v for_o they_o to_o be_v convict_v by_o this_o act._n the_o word_n of_o the_o act_n be_v these_o viz._n but_o such_o constable_n etc._n etc._n shall_v wilful_o and_o witting_o omit_v the_o performance_n of_o his_o duty_n in_o the_o execution_n of_o this_o act_n and_o be_v thereof_o convict_v in_o manner_n aforesaid_a he_o shall_v forfeit_v for_o every_o such_o offence_n the_o sum_n of_o 5_o l._n observe_v here_o the_o officer_n do_v not_o forfeit_v 5_o l._n unless_o he_o be_v convict_v of_o omit_v the_o performance_n of_o his_o duty_n wilful_o and_o witting_o and_o this_o conviction_n must_v be_v make_v either_o by_o the_o confession_n of_o the_o party_n or_o oath_n of_o two_o witness_n or_o by_o notorious_a evidence_n and_o circumstance_n of_o the_o fact_n as_o to_o the_o confession_n of_o the_o party_n that_o need_v not_o be_v for_o no_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o accuse_v himself_o and_o he_o have_v not_o much_o wit_n sure_a that_o will_v especial_o in_o such_o a_o case_n as_o this_o the_o second_o way_n of_o conviction_n be_v by_o the_o oath_n of_o two_o witness_n but_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o two_o witness_n to_o swear_v unless_o they_o be_v such_o as_o regard_v not_o what_o they_o swear_v that_o the_o officer_n do_v wilful_o and_o witting_o omit_v the_o performance_n of_o his_o duty_n such_o witness_n put_v their_o ear_n in_o the_o officer_n