Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	speak_v	true_a	word_n	8,834	5	4.4618	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A76750	The Cry of blood. And Herod, Pontius Pilate, and the Jewes reconciled, and in conspiracy with the dragon, to devour the manchild. Being a declaration of the Lord arising in those people, of the city of Bristol, who are scornfully called Quakers, and of the manifold sufferings, and persecutions sustain'd by them from the priests, rulers, professors and rude multitude, contrary to law, liberty, justice, government, the righteous ends of of the wars, and the Scriptures of truth. Together with a true account of the material passages in substance between the rulers and them at their several examinations, and commitments, and at two general sessions of the publick peace: and of the tumults, and insurrections, with other necessary observations, and occurences. Gathered up, written in a roll, and delivered to John Gunning late mayor of that city (being the fruits of his year) for the private admonition, and conviction of himself, and brethren concern'd, and named therein: with a letter declaring the end, and reason of what is so done, (of which a copy followes in the ensuing pages) / Subscribed by Geo: Bishop, Thomas Goldney, Henry Roe, Edw: Pyott, Dennis Hollister. And now after five moneths space of time published, for the reasons hereafter expressed.	Bishop, George, d. 1668.	1656 (1656)	Wing B2990; Thomason E884_3; ESTC R27277	101,853	169

out of the Steeple-house into the street where the boys and other people followed her with dirt stones John Gouning the Mayor was present at the Steeple-house aforesaid to whom Ralph Farmer openly called that course might be taken with her who the next day instead of questioning and punishing the tumult who assaulted the woman and made the disturbance before his face as the Law required sent for her and several days that week to come before him but she was not at home her absence being upon her occasions not to avoid him in the least The same day in the afternoon one Captain Samuel John Worring 10. day 10. month 1654. Speaking to Samuel Grimes Grimes Divining at Philips and affirming to the people many grosse untruths of those whom he reproachfully called Quakers One Henry Gunning reproved him he having said that he committed sin in all the things that he did Whereupon John Worring Apprentice to Peter Hiley said to him If thou were a Minister of Jesus Christ the Law of the spirit of Tumulted life which is in Christ Jesus would make thee free from the Law of sin and death Then the multitude abused and beat worring and Gonning And the Church-warden so called and the Clark laid hands on them the Constables present not keeping the Peace On the fourth day of the week following the Magistrates sent for John Worring before them and demanded Examined of him why he made a disturbance in the publick Congregation aforesaid And why he disturbed the Minister before he had done his Sermon Worring denied that he made any disturbance Whereupon the Magistrates called the Clark in evidence against him who positively swore that he told Grimes that he spoke never a true word and that he kickt at the said Clark All which Worring affirmed to be false Then they called another to testifie against him who swore that Worring called Grimes Devil which Worring affirmed to be false also And Magistrates themselves by their questions seemed to suspect the truth of his testimony Hereupon they asked him what he could say for himself He answered and denyed that he spake such words as they charged him withal They demanded of him what were the words he did say Worring replyed They were these That if he were a Minister of Christ the Law of the spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus would make him free from the Law of sin and of death They told him he was sent to make a disturbance this he denyed or that he was sent by any for such things are not the practice of the servants of the Lord whom they suspected to have sent him and would slaunder with such things And he added that is was not so Whereupon Alderman Joseph Jackson replyed he was like a Cut-purse and that he denyed all things he did Then they asked him why he kickt the Clark He answered that he did neither kick nor strike but was both kickt and struck Alderman Joseph Jackson replyed that if his braines had been knockt out he had had his amends in his his hands And so they committed him to Newgate Committed prison without any Mittimus The 17. day of the same moneth Elizabeth Marshall Eliz Marshal 17. day 10. moneth 1654 speaking to John Knowls was moved of the Lord to speak to John Knowls Priest at the Steeple-house called the Colledge whom she hearing all the time without saying a word after that by what is called his blessing he dismist the people the power of the Lord was upon her and commanded her to warn him to repent And she said This is the word of the Lord to thee Knowls I warn thee to repent and to mind the light of Christ in thy Conscience and was very full to have spoken more unto him But Alderman William Cann a Ruler present and some others commanded the people to lay hands on her who Tumulted c thereupon violently assaulted her giving her many blows in the place with staves and cudgels pushing and haling her but the mighty power of the Lord bore her above it all and moved her to cry out to them The mighty day of the Lord is at hand wherein he will strike terrour on the wicked which she uttered often with a loud voice But the tumult haling her out of the Steeple-house she went her way into the City Hundreds of people following her and as she was going was taken into Custody by a Constable Taken into Custody by order as he said of the aforesaid Alderman and brought before the Mayor that Alderman and another being present The Mayor demanded of Examined her why she went to disturbe the Minister and the Peace She answered she was no disturber of the Peace He replyed she was in that she had caused tumults in the streets whereas the Tumults were made on her She only replyed wo be to me if I obey not the word of the Lord Then the Mayor commanded the Constable to carry her to Newgate prison where Committed she was taken into Custody without a Mittimus The next day about the third hour in the afternoon 18. day 10. moneth 1654. Eliz. Marshal Examined she was sent for from the prison to the Councel house where the Mayor and Aldermen being sat the Mayor charged her with disturbing of the Peace which she denyed and said she offered abuse to none but they disturbed the Peace who tumultuously laid hands on her Then the Magistrates called for the Depositions against her as to her Message to Ralph Farmer as aforesaid They affirming that he had not said his blessing But they urged nothing of what she said to John Knowls upon which she was after examination Committed Then the Mayor caused the Depositions to be read and demanded of her whether she spake the words therein alledged To which she stood silent having owned what she spake aforesaid from the Lord before them and only said in answer I have said You need not urge her said Richard Aldworth she owns it Then they said She must to the Place from whence she came and called Committed for the Keeper to take her away She replyed she hah broken no Law and bad them act according to the Law They commanded again the Keeper to take hir away whereupon she went to the Mayor and again and again required a Mittimus but he refused and said the Keeper was a sufficient Mittimus Then departing with the Keeper she was moved from the Lord to return again which she did and warned them from they Lord in these words You that are Magistrates of this City I warn you from the Lord that you act righteously and that equity run down as a stream and righteousness as a mighty water Whereupon she was returned to prison they not suffering any friend of hers to come in with her into the Councel house to beat witness on her behalf though it was earnestly desired And thus was Elizabeth Marshal only for speaking

testifie against Priest Farmer aforesaid and being at Nicholas Steeple house after he had done his Prayer before his Divination the Lord opened her mouth and she said unto h●m Wo unto the Idol shepherds that devour and scatter my flock saith the Lord. And to the people And the people she spake warning them to repent for the Kingdome of Heaven was at hand and that the Lord was coming to look for fruit with much more but the Mayor and some of the Aldermen being present commanded their Officers to carry her to Bridewell Committed to Bridewell some of the people striking her as they drew her out of the Steeple-house where she was continued till the third day of the week following at which time she was removed to Newgate without being called before the Rulers or examined And as deep calleth unto deep so violence called to Tempe●ance Hig●●ll 23. day 7. mon●h 1655. speaking to Priest Brent persecution for Temperance Hignell being commanded of the Lord to witness against Jacob Brint Priest at Temple Steeple-house and coming thither on the 23 day of the same month being the first day of the week after he had ended all that he had then to say to the people she beginning to speak to him saying Wo from the Lord God to thou Jacob Brint and was before she could speak another word struck down by some of his hearers to the Struck down ground and therewith astonished till some of them took her up upon which the tumult flockt about her who gave her many blows beat her so in the face that her eyes were swelled and blood came from Tumulted b●a● Her blood drawn her which she wiping off her face shewed to the people and bid them behold the fruits of their Ministry Her hat was also struck off her head and her handkerchief about her neck torn off and taken Cloaths re●t away and being haled out of the Steeple-house some would have dragg'd her to the Pond and have thrown her in there but one present withheld them and brought her into the street into which being come the Tumult about her was very great shouting and whooping and some danger appeared of her * life whereupon she asked whether Since dead being carried out of the Prison dangerously sick of which he dyed three dayes after there were any Constables present he that withheld them from throwing her into the Pond answered he was one To whom she spake If I have broken any Law let me suffer by the Law and let me be defended from the rude multitude Then she was Examined brought to Alderman Knight who having demanded of her what her name was and where she lived to which she answered he asked her what she had to do to disturb the Minister She replyed she was moved of the Lord to speak to Jacob Brint and said she came not there to make a disturbance Then his son asked her what she came there for and whether what the Minister had spoken was not the truth She replyed that he was a Deceiver of the people and of their souls for dishonest gain Then the Alderman aforesaid commanded the Constables to have her away to Bridewell where he said she Committed to Bridewell should be soundly whipt on the morrow She demanded a Mittimus to know what she was committed for he answered his word was a Mittimus so she was had away to Bridwell the tumult of people following of her shouting and making a noyse all the way thither and one plucked ●ff her neck-cloth The next day she was brought before the Major 23. day 7. month 1655. Examined the second time and Aldermen who demanded of her what she had to do to go to Mr. Brint and disturb him the day before She answered she was moved of the Lord but as for making a disturbance that she denyed Then John Knight said that her coming into the Church caused such a disturbance that the people looked after her more than to hear the word of God To which she replyed if I shall have liberty I shall here declare what I spoke which being granted her she said It was Wo from the Lord to thou Jacob Brint and this was the truth of it I declare it to you in the presence of the Lord and unto them she related the passages aforesaid of being beaten and misused by the rude multitude Then they asked her wherefore she pronounced Wo unto him She replyed she spake not her own words but his that sent her They asked her how she knew she was moved of the Lord She answered it was like fire in her bones And after many other questions asked and answered of little consequence she was asked whither she would go again and whether she would be sorry for what she had done She replyed she could say little to that Then the Major asked her whether she would finde good Sureties for the good behaviour She answered she should finde none So he ordered her to be sent to Newgate Prison She desired to Committed to Newgate know for what she was committed and also a Mittimus He replyed his word was a Mittimus The day following she sent a Letter to Jacob Brint in these words Jacob Brint UPon the 23. day of this month I was commanded Her Letter to Jacob Brint of the Lord to come unto thee and say We from the Lord to thee Jacob Brent with much more but before I could deliver that which I had to say to thee I was thrown down by some or one of thy hearers and haled forth of the Steeple house by which means I was prevented to declare unto thee that which I was commanded from the Lord Now for the clearing of my conscience that thou mayst not be ignorant of the minde of the living God concerning thee I am moved now to declare it to thee in writing Therefore hear the word of the Lord Wo from the Lord God unto thee Jacob Brent thou Idol and dumb Shepherd that seekest for the fleece and cloathest thy self with the wool and devourest the souls of the people for dishonest gain verily the Lord God is risen to plead with all flesh by fire and by sword therefore repent and prize the day of thy visitation lest his wrath should be kindled further against thee to cut thee off for ever This is that which I was moved to declare to thee from the Lord and now also I am moved to declare more unto thee All trees which bring not forth good fruit are to be hewen down and cast into the fire Therefore sink down and look into thy self and see what fruit thou hast brought forth that scarce any of thy hearers but what are swearers drunkards strikers fighters and railers persecutors of the Just ye are of the same generation that persecuted the Son of God and now ye persecute him afresh where he is made manifest I warn and command thee in the presence of the

Smith That I own said he You know wherefore you are brought hither do you not said the Town Clerk He replyed he was not there to accuse himself where were his Accusers and said further that by the Law of Mary which they pretend to act by he should have been examined within six dayes after he was committed to Prison and the Fact ought to be croved by two sufficient Witnesses whereby he had broke the Law but he had been fourteen dayes in Prison and had not been examined nor any thing proved against him and caused a Paper to be delivered to him wherein was contained some of their unjust proceedings against him contrary to Law and desired him to reade it out that they might bring their deeds to the light But he refused for to reade it openly but lookt it over and put it up the substance of which was as followeth Robert Aldworth I spake no word untill Ralph ●is Note delivered to Robert Aldworth to be read in the Court. Farmer and the Clerk had ended and therefore transgressed no Law John Sandford being asked upon his his oath whether he did lay violent hands on me or not he confessed he did it at the command of Alderman Lock so it appears that Alderman Lock so called was the Commander and John Sandford the first Actor in the Riot yet I was imprisoned contrary to Law and they were not Reade the Statute made 1. Mary 12. and 1. Elizab. 17. and see the Penalty for Riots I was sent to Prison without a Mittimus although I demanded it which was a thing accounted unreasonable amongst the Heathens to send a Prisoner and not withall to signifie the Crimes laid against him Acts 25. last That although them called Magistrates saw the Riot and the rude Multitude follow me in the street they sent none to appease the Riot neither have they imprisoned the Rioters according to the Law Reade 2. Henr. 5. 8. Now if these men are sworn to do Justice according to Law to that of God in thine and their Consciences I desire to be made manifest whether they do act according to their Oaths But to this he had no answer Then he demanded what Law he had broken or what they had against him It was answered he had disturbed Mr. Farmer and the Congregation He replyed He that is called Master did not abide in the Doctrine of Christ who commandeth his Disciples not to be called of men Masters and bid them prove in what he disturbed them Then there was an Information read against him to this effect That upon the 23. day of September he came into Saint Nicholas Church with his hat on at or in the time Mr. Farmer was in his prayer which disturbed him and hindred the Congregation from hearkning to the Word of God He answered That which was read against him was false for Ralph Farmer was not in his prayer when he came in for he was preaching So that lye was shuffled over So he bid them prove in what he had disturbed the Congregation To which was replyed That to stand with his hat on in the time of prayer was a disturbance He answered For a man to pray or prophecy with his head covered dishonoureth his head but I said he was silent and did not speak and therefore they could not say I did pray or prophecy but Ralph Farmer did preach and pray with his head covered having a cap on besides another false covering not of the Spirit of the Lord. And said what he spake there he was moved to speak by the Spirit of the Lord for the good of the people and bid them prove what words they were that he spake or wherein he had disturbed them but there was nothing proved Then he asked if any of the People of God ever persecuted or beat or imprisoned indeed the Heathen did so Then it was said that he abused Mr. Farmer as they called him by some words pretended by him to have been spoken to Ralph Farmer at John Youngs Now the said John Young who heard the words was on the Bench and Priest Knowls and Priest Farmer were standing by to whom John Smith said Here is John Young let him speak the truth but he was silent and did not answer John Smith was asked what the words were He replyed I asked Farmer whether he was or did profess himself a Minister of Christ He said he would not answer a Trister Then he asked him whether that was a tristing question Ralph Farmer pointed to the Steeple-house and bid him come there and he should † Yet when he came to the Steeple-house how was he used See the foregoing passages concerning it and thereby understand that what he came to know of Ralph Farmers be●ng a Minister of the Gospel was to be beat dragged haled and followed out with Tumults and his Garment ●ent by his hearers and justice not executed by the Magistrates present though in their sight the things aforesaid were acted and though again and again demanded but in stead thereof himself was by them committed Prisoner the proper effect of coming to Priest Farmers Steeple-house to know whether he be a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Ralph-Farmers tongue and hands did presently manifest what information therein he should receive as appears by the relation When the testimony of the Lord against the Priests comes to the Steeple-house those who bring it thither are beat and abused and say they Why are we not spoken with at our houses when at a house violent hands are laid the tongue abuseth and direction is to the Steeple-house and there beatings and halings and tearing of cloaths and imprisonment in stead of protection and justice is the effect know and called him Puppy and Booby and laid violent hands on him and forced him out of John Young 's door another mans house into the street upon which John Smith said he ought to be no striker Then something was said concerning obeying Magistrates He answered he honoured all men in the Lord and did disrespect no mans person And further added that when he ran into the same excess of riot with men he was accepted amongst them but now he departed from evil he became a prey and that he owed no injury to Farmer but desired he might repent Alderman Lock reproved him for calling the Church a Steeple house he replyed the Church was in in God made all of living Stones elect and pretious Christ Jesus himself being the Chief Corner Stone and bid them shew him one Living Stone in that Steeple-house They asked him whether he desired to be at liberty He answered he desired not to be in bondage but to go to his employment Then they asked whether he would acknowledge his offence and be sorry for what he had done All which he denyed and told them he had broken no Law and suffering for Christ sake he was happy and that for his Conscience he suffered Nevertheless though no

breach of any one Law either of God or the Nation was proved against him yet they sent him back to Newgate Prison where they keep him from his employment which should maintain his family Then William Foord was called being out of Prison William Foord his Triall upon sureties to whom the Town-Clark spake concerning his being bound to the good behaviour which he denyed Wherefore are you here then said the Town-Clark He answered he Came there to Cleere those of their bonds who had bound themselves unknown unto him for his appearance upon which they searched their Papers and were silent Afterwards the Town-Clark asked him for what he was examined at the Tolsey and imprisoned He asked whether they had it not upon R●cord then they called for Richard Goodwin supposing he had been the man that prosecuted against him But that not serving their turn they seeing Thomas Hayter they asked him He told them it was for keeping a stranger at work Then the Town-Clark asked William Foord where the Stranger was He answered He knew not when saw you him said the Town Clark He replyed he had not seene him a great while the Town-Clark asked Thomas Hayter whether he knew where he was He answered he knew not but thought he was out of Town Then the Town-Clark asked him whether he was sorry for what he had done He answered he had committed no evill therefore he had no cause of sorrow nor had he broken any Law which being urged again and again and he still refusing they Commanded the Keeper of Newgate to to take him away And lastly Christopher Birkhead was brought before them from Bridewell where he had been a Prisoner five weeks and three dayes for standing silent in the Steeple-house till the Priest required him to speak as aforesaid To whom he said I stand in obedience to the Righteous Law of God in my Conscience I have neither offended the Law of God nor the Nation whereupon Alderman Joseph Jackson stood up in fury and asked him whether he would contemne the Court He answered He contemned not those who judged Righteously Then Robert Aldworth asked him whether he was sorry for disturbing the Congregation at Nicholas He answered He disturbed no man where was his accusers Robert Aldworth replyed that must come after Joseph Jackson said take him away untill he find sureties for his good behaviour So they put him from the barre But Christopher stood up again and said first prove me to be of evill behaviour but he heard them make no answer and so he was put by without any examination of the cause of his imprisonment or what he had done Neither was an accuser brought against him though he had been so long in prison as they were swearing the Jury he was moved of the Lord to speak to them and said All these that swear are out of the Doctrine of Christ to which they hearkened not but returned Christopher with the other five aforementioned to Newgate Prison with the transgressors amongst whom they were caused to stand● and were numbred though four of them have families which depended upon their liberty for maintenance as is well known to these Rulers who care not how they oppresse a man and his house and take the Parents from their Children and husbands from their Wives and Wives from their Husbands and Masters from their families not fearing the Lord who hath said Against such he hath devised an evill out of which they shall not remove their necks nor goe haughtily for the time is evill and that he will come neere to Judgement and be a swift witness against such And with them they also returned to prison and continue there Richard Jones who hath always Richard Jones been faithfull to the Parliament and in their service hath often stoutly adventured his life lost his estate and severall times been a Prisoner twice in this City whom they committed the 28. day of the 6. month and kept in durance from his family which depended upon him for maintenance for some evill words which he had spoken above a year since Concerning George Hellier then Major in the time of his Ignorance and Heathenish nature wherein as he Confessed and spake in the Court he ran with the world into the same excesse of riot into evill words wicked wayes and customes of the world which after his Conversion and becoming obedient to the truth were remembred against him though spoken by him so long before and he punished as aforesaid beyond the directions of any known Law in that particular Now all evill speaking is denyed by the Children of the light and by him also as he said to the Court in these words since the day hath appeared of my Convincement and Coversion the grace of God that hath appeared to all men teaching the Saints to deny all ungodlyness and worldly lusts the same grace hath appeared unto me and doth teach me to deny all ungodliness worldly lusts and to live soberly and righteously in this present evill wo●ld But as to all the tumults riots insurrections violences outrages beatings injuries and abuses aforementioned raised acted and committed upon the Innocent servants of the Lord the witnesses of Jesus no enquiry and proceedings according to Law were had either at this Sessions or at the Gaol delivery or at the Sessions 19. day of the Eleventh month 16 4. nor at any other time except as before expressed Nor any one offender therein questioned and proceeded with according to Law to this day though of so unheard of and unsufferable a nature and so contrary to Law Justice Order Government Humility and the Scriptures of Truth On the fift day of the ninth month five of the Prisoners aforesaid viz. John Smith Richard Jones Christopher Birkhead who had been there sick about a fortnight Margaret Thomas and William Foord who also had been sick were turned out of Prison upon two becoming baile unknown to them or any of their friends for their appearance onely at the next Generall Sessions of which they having information after they had notice from the Keepers servants that they might go forth protested against their being freed on that accompt and also for clearing their Consciences and that the truth might not suffer wrote to one of them advising him to take up their Bond least they should bring themselves into trouble and to let them stand to their own Master who would deliver them for that in the will of God they stood and not in their own or in their own time and did not know whether the Lord might carry them to bear witness to his name before the time came and moreover that they did not accept of deliverance at all by any such means who were innocent did suffer for the truth of God according to their measures Notwithstanding they put them forth And Temperance Hignell who was knockt down to the ground to the astonishment of her sences and afterwards sorely beat and bruised and

to the Law not their own wills and lusts And to the righteous ends of the late Wars for Rights Liberties Fundamental Laws and administration of impartial and equal Justice And to the a Exod. 22. 21. 23. 9. 12. Deut. 9. 12. Deut 10. 18 19. Lev. 19. 33 34. Psalm 146. 9. Ezek. 22. 29. Heb. 13. 2. Law of God which requires strangers to be entertained and cherished and loved as thy self not to be vexed or oppressed That His b 2 Chron. 36. 15 16. Isa 44. 26. Matt. 22. 6. Jer. 7. 25 26 27 28. Messengers be well entreated and hearkened to That the c Psal 82. 3 4 5 6 7. Exod. 23. 2. 6. 7. Deut. 16. 18 19 20. 27. 19. Innocent be protected and defended in Judgement That the d Deut. 1. 17. 2 Chro. 19. 6 7. Judgement given be the Lords Yea to Common humanity when men shall leave all that is dear unto them out of love to their souls at the command of God travel many hundreds of miles and freely speak to them the word of God as having known the terrour of the Lord and desiring only to approve themselves in what they deliver to every mans e 2 Cor. 4. 2. Conscience in the sight of God according to the Scripture and being not chargeable to any And a case wherein every Englishman is concerned And whether these Priests be not found out of the Doctrine of Christ Jesus and his Apostles and in the steps of the false Prophets High-Priests Scribes and Pharisees who throughout all their Generations caused the true Prophets and Ministers of Christ to be brought before Kings and Rulers to be f 2 Kings 22. 24. Matt. 26. 67 68. smot on the face to be imprisoned g Jer. 20. 3. Acts 16. 29. stockt h Acts 16. 22 23. 37. 22. 19 2 Cor. 11. 24 25. Acts 5. 40. Heb. 11. 36. whipt i John 9. 22. 24. 35. John 16. 7. cast out of the Synagogues k Matt. 8. 24. Acts 16. 39. Acts 2. 18. 5. 40. 1 Thes 2. 7. 8. commanded to depart their Coast and to speak no more in that Name yea to be l Heb. 11. 37. Acts 7. 58 59 60. Matt. 23. 29 to the end Acts 12. 19. 26. 10. put to death Christ himself to be m Matt. 27. 20. 35. Crucified as n Matt. 27. 63. 2 Cor. 6. 8. deceivers o Acts 21. 28. changers of the Lawes and p Acts 16. 21. Customes q Acts 17. 6. movers of Sedition r Acts 24. 5. turners of the world upside down s Acts 24. 5. pestilent and mad fellows u Luke 23 2. disturbers of the Peace w Luke 5 24. John 10. 37. Matt. 26. 65. Acts 6. 11. 13. perverting the Nation x Luke 7. 33. John 8. 48. blasphemers and y 2 Kings 9. 11. Jer. 29. 26. Jo. 10 20. Acts 26. 24. Luke 23. 2. Devils 'T was Amaziah z Amos 7. 10 11 12 13. that bad Amos depart Bethel and Prophesie no more there for it was the Kings Court 'T was the a Luke 8. 37. Gadarens that desired Christ to depart out of their Coasts because the Devils he cast out were got into the Swine And 't was the b Luke 7. 53. Samaritans that would not receive him because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem If any one come in his own name or in the name of a Synod or some Church so called as bred up at the Universities or skill'd in the Tongues such a one is received settled maintained and defended be he what he will as to his qualifications and never so ignorant of the power and life of Jesus or unfit to speak even to men of which this City affords instances but they who come not in their own name or will nor by the will t 1 Kings 18. 20. Acts 16. 20. of man but in the name and power of the eternal God whereby they are made able Ministers of the everlasting Gospel and witnessed to be so in the hearts of thousands though they covet no mans silver nor gold though their conversation be as becometh the Gospel yet they must be charged to depart this City and the Liberties thereof Designing against the Government suggested This their first Attempt proving successess for their command in their own wills contrary to Law was not observed and these waters of the Sanctuary flowing higher and higher and spreading themselves much in the hearts of the people the Priests and Rulers are grieved thereat and new consultations are had concerning them And because that generally those who embraced the Truth were such as had alwaies been faithful to the Interest of the Common-wealth and of unspotted reputation and in that regard were likely to be heard by the chief in Authority should they complain because of their oppressions from these Magistrates the generality of whom are well known to have endeavored the destruction both of the Common-wealth and the friends thereof and that some other ends might be accomplished It was thought requisite therfore Representations were made at White-hall and Westminster that these were disaffected persons to the Government who under the notion of Quakers and under that pretence were suspected to be carrying on some design against the Government That there are thousands at their meetings even in the Fort that the safety of the Garrison was in immediate danger by those tumultuous Assemblies Among whom were many Cavaliers and that the Officers of the Garrison were friends to those people that so being brought under the prejudice and jealousie of Authority will lust might the more freely be acted upon them for the future and and be owned therein whieh suggestions were so far from truth that there was nothing administred that might give a rational ground of colour for any such practices those meetings being in peaceableness and though thousands made them up yet their quiet carriage and diligent attention was such as demonstrated another spirit than that of this world and another Kingdom than an earthly which if the truth was spoken out was that which indeed gave the trouble And to this false and adulterous generation an open charge is hereby given to prove the least title of any thing in design against the present Government in any who are Convinced of the Truth and do truly own this Ministration or any thing in all their meetings of a tumultuous nature or that gave any just suspition of conspiracies on their part or that is indeed criminal before man the Principles of those people tending to the laying down of carnal weapons and to the taking away of the occasion of war and disturbance and to the bringing of people off from that ground of evil doing to which the Magistrates sword is made a terrour It was Haman that suggested to King Ahashuerus that c it was not for the Kings profit to suffer the Jewes Hester 3. 8. 9. scattered

11th moneth at which time a Liberate was sent the Jaylor signed Aldworth and witnessed John Gunning Mayor Dated Jan 19. 1654. requiring him to set at Liberty the body of John Warren in that he had found Sureties f●r his being of the good behaviour Whereupon the Keeper would have put him forth But he perceiving the deceit thereby to confess himself an offender and so to give away the innocency of his cause and to administer matter of reproach to the truth and to himself having neither sought Sureties nor found any denyed to go forth thereupon then the Officer would have put him out by force But he desiring a little time to consider wrote a note to the Town Clark and sent it to him in these words Robert Aldworth A Liberate was delivered me His Letter to the Town Clark just now by John Roach the Jaylor for my enlargment out of prison which when I had read over I found that the cause thereof is expressed in these words For that he hath found Sureties for his being of the good behaviour which I cannot accept of in regard that I have not misbehaved myself but have delivered that Message to one that said he scorned the name of a Minister for which I have a Warrant within And because of the not●rious untruth therein mentioned that I have found Sureties for my being of the good behaviour when as I neither directly or indirectly have sought for or found any Sureties for any such thing nor can I and therefore cannot accept of my freedom upon any such Warrant But do protest against it John Worring Notwithstanding he was the same day turned out of the Prison against which upon account of of the Liberate aforesaid he protested when by force he was put out The meek and sober carriage of these prisoners at the Sessions and their not seeking revenge on those who abused and struck them was such as did tenderly take with many who were present and heard the proceeding● An lastly This Sessions endeth not in enquiring Sessions ending after and punishing exemplarily according to Law those Tumults Ryots and Insurrections and other outrages and breaches of the Publick Peace aforementioned which had Judgement been put to the Line and Righteousnesse to the Plummet and Order and Government been respected would have been executed for not so much as one man hath therefore been punished to this day But in the four Orders following which they appoint to be read in all Churches as they call them Order of Sessions That no person or persons do hereafter presume to molest trouble or otherwise disquiet any Minister or Congregation either before or after the Publick exercises be ended And if any person or persons do so offend that in all such cases the Constables or any other Officers shall apprehend take and arrest the Party and Parties so offending and bring him or them before the Mayor and some other Justice of the Peace who are to take care that such offender or offenders be bound with sufficient Sureties to appear at the next General Sessions And in the mean while to be of the good behaviour and for not sinding some Sureties as aforesaid to commit them to Prison Reply The Statute 1 Mary to which they pretend to Justifie their Imprisonments as aforesaid were it in force or fit to be made practicable onely provides for the defence of the Popish Priest during the time of his Masse and Service but for before and after the Masse and Service makes no provision nor for disturbing or troubling as they call it the Congregation at all But these Magistrates having imprisoned and returned again to prison persons for speaking after the Congregation was dismist to Justifie their proceedings and to oppresse the Servants of the Lord for the future turn Legislators and make a Law where the Nation hath made none And enjoyn one another and all Officers to put it in execution viz. That none presume to molest or trouble or otherwise disquiet the Congregation as well as the Minister before and after as well as in the time of publique Exercise And if any do so offend that in all such cases the Officers shall apprehend take and arrest them and bring them before the Maior or some other Justice of the Peace who are to bind them with sufficient Sureties to appear at the next general Sessions and in the mean while to be of the good behaviour And for not finding such Sureties to commit them to prison When as all Lawes made by any Corporation for imprisonment of any mans person are invalid because against the Fundamentall Lawes of this Nation which also provideth That no Law be made or of force or binding but by the common consent of the People in Parliament which is so absolute and an essentiall a right that the encroachments of the late King and his Ministers of State thereupon occasioned the levying of the late defensive Wars by the Parliament And the late King with others his Ministers were therefore executed and abundance of blood shed and miseries sustained not yet to be forgotten And now that the Wars are ended and this Fundamental Right fully vindicated in the behalf of the Nation And the present Government hath provided the same with the Fundamentall Lawes Art 6. Except in some cases See the Government Art 6. Art 30. in point of Necessity expressed Art 30. till the sitting of the then next Parliament In which the single Person and his Councell have power to make Ordinances These Magistrates who endeavoured what lay in them to subvert and destroy it in behalf of the late King for whom the generality of them were in principle affection and action and are not afraid to presume to take upon them this Supream Legislative Authority over the Citizens and Inhabitants of Bristol who have been active for and faithfull to that Interest as any in that City and have adventured their bloods and their all in its behalf and who are of as godly peaceable and unblameable Conversation as any within that Jurisdiction And not onely over them do they thus usurp it but over all Englishmen who come in that City Nor is it in things of a triviall nature that they are thus bold to Legislate it but in matters relating to Conscience and Religion and to the Commands of God In which to have freedom and Liberty hath been a principall end in those honest men who have engaged in the late Wars and which hath been carried thorough the many and high Contests thereabouts in the late Parliaments And is provided for in the present Government And that they may be sure to hit those honest people against whom their malice rageth both upon the accompt of Civill and Spirituall interests they not onely make Law as aforesaid but become Judges of the Law themselves make Whereas the Administrators of Justice are sworn to execute the Lawes made by the Supream Legislative Authority not to make any Those who are

up the Prophets of Baal to be cut off by the people whom they have deceived And the Lord will Malach. 2. 9 1. 2 2. make them contemptible and base before all the people according as they have not kept his wayes but have been partiall in the Law And now O ye Priests this Commandment is for you If you will not hear and if you will not lay it to heart to give glory unto my Name saith the Lord of Hosts I will even send a Curse upon you and I will curse your blessings yea I have cursed them already because ye do not lay them to heart Behold I will corrupt your seed and spread dung upon your faces even the dung of your solemn feasts and one shall take you away with it And ye shall know that I have sent this Commandment unto you Order of Sessions That the Constables do once in every fortnight make diligent search within their severall Wards for all strangers Inmates and suspitious persons and to present their names and those who entertain them within two dayes following to the Mayor and Justices to the end such course may be taken with them as is agreeable to Law Reply Had what the Law requires of them in this particular been effectually executed the Town had not been so full of persons who ought to be enquired after as it is at this day But all lyes asleep in this particular till the hopes to catch the Messengers of truth and to keep the Town clear of such awakened their blind zeal as another expedient to effect their ends upon those servants of the Lord But it s fallen asleep again since it hath not proved a snare to catch the Innocent Order of Sessions That all people do take special notice and be hereby forwarned not to be present at any tumult or other unlawfull Assembly or on any pretence to assemble or gather into Companies or multitudes into the streets or elsewhere or to conduct and follow offenders either to the Magistrates houses or other places of Justice unlesse they be thereunto lawfully called And the Constables and all other publique Officers are hereby required to apprehend and arrest all such boyes and Apprentices and other people that shall assemble or gather together as aforesaid And to bring them before the Magistrates to be punished according to the Law Reply Lesse then this they could not do in colour of Justice but whether they meant any such thing will appear in that they never to this day have punished one offender although Hundreds at a time have transgressed therein and that before their faces and at their very doors as the instances hereafter to be mentioned will demonstrate Nor hath a Constable discharged his duty therein required But it seems these Magistrates Constables and people know one anothers minds well enough in this thing and can agree together in injuring the Innocent though their orders seem to speak the contrary Preamble to the Orders of Sessions aforementioned And the ground of all these Orders is premised to be several great Tumults and unlawfull Assemblies lately hapned and arisen within this City as well on the Lords dayes as at other times and as the Court is informed upon pretence or occasions that some disturbed the Congregations and Ministers both before and after the Publique Exercises in the Churches have been fully concluded And likewise by the comming of strangers to the City who can render no good accompt of their being here whereby the Lords day hath been much prophaned the Inhabitants greatly affrighted and the Publick Peace safety and welfare of the City very much endangered to be broken and disturbed which the Court taking into serious consideration and well weighing the manifold mischiefs and sad effects which may grow thereupon did Order c. Signed Aldworth And Ordered by John Gunning Mayor John Lock Richard Vickers William Cann Joseph Jackson Henry Gibbs and George Hellier Aldermen Reply 'T is well we have got the Confession of the Bench under hands that those afore mentioned were great Tumults and unlawful Assemblies prophaning the Lords day greatly affrighting the Inhabitants endangering the disturbance of the Publick Peace safety and welfare of the City whereupon manifold mischiefs may grow and sad effects And ought not such a great Tumult and unlawful Assemblies to have been strictly enquired after and severely punished Ought they not to have been discountenanced and supprest Hath any Master or Servant Officer or Inhabitant been called to accompt and punished for them according to the Law to this day though hundreds have oft times appeared and acted them before their eys When a friend of the Common-wealth was called before the Mayor and Aldermen upon information of some words which was said he should hear one of the Apprentices to say and sworn before them to speak the truth was what he informed them upon his Oath to this effect viz. That the said Apprentice being asked how the Apprentices could be so bold to rise as they had done and be so long from their Masters businesse unless they had leave from their Masters or some other encouragement He heard him say they had leave from their Masters and were encouraged for that Alderman Hellier came into them whilest they were at the Tolzey and said that he would dye rather then any of the Apprentices should go to Prison which he offered to prove further by two of his servants Committed to writing and prosecuted according to the concernment every way of a thing of that nature Or did not the Mayor forbid the Clark to write and took he not under his hand only what he could not say viz. That he heard the said Apprentice to speak that they had 400 horse in the Town ready for the King Hath it not lay husht to this day But Henry Davis a friend to the Common-wealth he and his brethren Committed to Newgate and continued him a Prisoner from the 20th of the 10th month 1654. to the 16th of the 11th month following being the next Sessions for that upon his hearing in his shop in the High street at the hight of the Ryot Decemb. 20. aforesaid when the Proclamation was read at the High Crosse in the name of the Lord Protector requiring every one to depart these words spoken by some of the Royters who then filled that part of the street viz. What do you tell us of a Protector tell us of King Charls He immediatly gave notice thereof to the Officers of the Garrison and not to them some of them telling him he had committed Treason in so doing And James Hill another friend to the Common-wealth they bound over at the same time to answer at the Sessions for speaking the words so heard as aforesaid Do ye not stand guilty O ye Rulers of the tumults disorders aforesaid in the eye of the Law and amongst all wise men shall it be said in not enquiring after in not suppressing in not correcting nay in encouraging

and also of his Brethren he and they are yet to reckon to the easing somewhat of the charge of the Common-wealth What the Information of Coolishaw is upon which this Warrant is grounded may be seen in a scandalous Paper published by William Prin stiled The Quakers unmasked and clearly detected and in the answer thereunto by John Audland one of those mentioned in the fore-recited Warrant in his book entituled The Innocent delivered out of the snare and the blind guide fallen into the Pit and likewise in his book entituled The Schoolmaster disciplined In all of which it is word for word rehearsed to which the Reader is referred who in the two latter may see the Information found a Lye and so the foundation of the Warrant fallen to the ground And yet on this Information of apparent lyes and confusion have the Magistrates grounded their Warrant aforesaid and William Prinn his Paper against them It is very strange reasoning and even rational men will judge it so Because such and such an evil person might come amongst a Company and Society therefore all that Company must be suspected to be such and so understood apprehended and prosecuted Upon this foot what society of men in England would be free What would become of and how clothed with all the ignominy and offences imaginable would the Priests and their Steeple houses appear whose Assemblies are made up of the worst of men should this stand for a good argument In drawing it upon others and that † See The Innocent delivered out of the snare p. 40. affirmed by 10 witnesses that no such persons as Franciscan Fryars spake amongst them and that they know the names of such as have spoken at their meetings falsly too for no such Franciscan Fryars were speakers amongst those whom they in reproach call Quakers how do they bring the Conclusion on themselves So blind doth envy and malice render men that so it may hit whom they maligne they mind not though the same dart strike thorough their own Liver The Informant saith that Coppinger told him he had been at all the Churches and meetings publick and privat that he could hear of in London besides th●se whom he calls Quakers Why are there not Warrants issued out upon the suspition aforesaid to apprehend such strangers as have spoke at the Independent Anabaptist Presbyterian and other Churches so called and meetings in Bristol as well as for those whom they call Quakers for of all these there are Assemblies in London and Coppinger as the Informant saith was at all he could hear of and strangers have and do speak at each of these Churches so called and meetings prerending to be of each of their opinions And those Assemblies are made up of great numbers Coppinger spake in London what is that to Bristol were the matter of the information in that particular to be credited But it seems the blind zeal of Bristol Magistrates as Priest Farmer hath effected it can raise matter for persecuting the truth as it is in Jesus out of that which the Magistrates of London whom it properly concerns as the Informer hath laid it have seen neither cause nor Warrant sufficient for so doing As it hath caused them so to assign a lye in their VVarrant aforesaid viz. George Fox and James Nayler amongst others have lately resorted to this City and in like manner under the same notion of Quakers d●awn multitudes of people after them and occasioned very great disturbances amongst us when as George Fox and James Nayler were never in Bristol nor did ever any of those others mentioned in this VVarrant give any occasion of disturbance on their part that the Law calls so Now the partiality of the Magistrates in the Warrant aforesaid is apparant for had they indeed intended the searching for and apprehension of Franciscan Fryars and such Jesuits as to deceive form themselves into a Converse with all opinions and the discharge of the duty the Law layes upon them they would have secured the Informant Coolishaw aforesaid according to Law for concealing Coppinger who he swears told him he was of the Franciscan Order and such a person as his deposition rehearseth with Confiscation of his whole estate and perpetuall imprisonment as guilty of misprision of Treason in concealing a Traytor till he was departed instead of issuing out such a Warrant for the securing the Innocent upon such groundlesse suspition Whereby it appears that the indignation of the Dragon lay not at the Jesuits but at the Ministers of the everlasting Gospel to trouble whom cause is sought when those against whom there is reall cause are let free and unmolested And it is further manifest in that when some of the Constables being sent for to execute the Warrant aforesaid informed the Magistrates that Masse was said in Backstreet and for that desired No Masse without a Priest in Orders a Warrant they all refused so to do though one of them viz. Alder. Joseph Jackson confessed he believed it to be true 'T is hard William Prinn could not see this flaw in his quick perspective thorough which he pretends to have clearly detected the Quakers and so have given notice thereof to his good friends the Magistrates to keep close the Information for their Credits sake instead of publishing his erring expositions thereupon And thereby recording their transgression as well as his malice and weak understanding But how otherwise should his and their folly have been made manifest and those whom he and they maligne and slander be befriended with the Copy of the Information upon which the Warrant aforesaid is said to be grounded It is an honour for a man to cease from strife but every fool will be medling saith the Wiseman Prov. 20. 3. But as they conceived iniquity so they brought forth a Lye and their birth proved as the untimely fruit of a woman for John Audland at that time was out of Town and John Camm who was onely here sick and a friend of the City having before enquired and informed himself concerning them all gave an accompt under his hand to the Town-Clerk Jan. 29. of their birth habitations and Conversations and that they had never been out of this Island whereby that suspition was taken off and the Net was broken and the Innocent escaped as a bird out of the snare of the Fowler though it walk'd from Ward to Ward and diligently sought to have taken them Yet something must be done with this Warrant Thomas Murford first of the 12th month 1654. and George Salter a Malignant Constable will make the experiment And therefore having an information of a meeting in Redcliffe-street he hasteth thither therewith but being a little too early there were but a few come together out of which he took Thomas Murford as a taken out of a Meeting as a suspected Franciscan Fryar for having on a Hair Coat Examined suspitious person and brings him before Alderman Hellier who examines

either side and without any signification to him to this day wherefore he was sent for or committed where he was continued a prisoner 33 days and a close Prisoner by order of the Major and none to come to him but his servants as said the keeper though he be a shop keeper and as a Wi●ower and had one child sick dead and buryed whilest he was thus unjustly imprisoned being kept from seeing it or going to its buriall and had another sick and no body but his servant to look to his shop and trading not knowing of to this day any thing whereby they have cause against him according to Law Have such pieces of tyrannicall injustice and cruelty as these been heard of in this Nation or dared the highest Ministers of State under Charles Stuart so to do was not Strafford to these men a Petty transgressor and his loynes as their little finger And the more they persecuted the more they thirsted after persecution for on the eleventh day of the third moneth the Magistrates sent for William William Foord 11. day 3. mon●h 1655. Foord to come before them where being come the Company of Milliners complained that he kept a man at work in contempt of the Majors order for on the thirtieth day of the second moneth they had sent for him Concerning the same business upon Complaint of the Milliners for that he kept a stranger at work contrary as they pretended to their Ordinary whereupon the Major charged Foord to turn the stranger away and not to teach him his trade which he refused to do in regard he was none of that Company and had followed the trade of Wooll-combing before they were a Corporation and because the man had been all his youth a Souldier in the Army and in a capacitie by the late Act to set up any where nor was he obliged by any Law either not to teach him his trade or to turn him out of his house he beeing an honest sober man desirous to learn a calling whereby to live And they further alledged that he should say he would keep him in spight of any mans teeth whereupon their witnes was produced and sworne who denyed that he said in spight of any mans teeth but that William ●●ord had said he intended to teach him then one of the Aldermen affirmed that he promised to turne him away which William Foord denyed to be truth whereupon he called to the Milliners to justify it but they were made to speak the truth which was that he refused to turn the man out of his house and that he could say nothing as to the teaching of him Then they asked the Milliners what fine he had Committed by their Ordinary they answered half a Crown a day for every day he had employed him they asked why they did not levy the fine upon him They replyed if he would turn away the man they would be satisfied He told them he was not of their trade and therefore their Ordinary had no power over him and that the man whom he was teaching might make use of any trade by the Act to which Alderman Joseph Jackson replyed it was no such matter and said Is that your Conscience Then they asked him whether he would keep the man or no to which he replyed he should Then the Major asked him whether he had any sureties there present He asked him what to do The Major told him he should be bound to the good behaviour He answered he had broken no Law therefore he should provide no Sureties then they told him he should go to Newgate he asked them for a Mittimus whereupon Committed they in scorn laughed at him and Shiriff Lawford told him he knew not the Law He replyed whether he knew it or no it was convenient that he might have under their hands wherefore he was committed Then they said the Majors word was a Mittimus He said again he should not go without something under their hand then Shiriff Lawford said h● should be carryed in a wheel-barrow and the Officers staying a while for him and seeing ●hat he would not go they comma●ded their Officers to carry him away so many of them came about him and did drive him along before them to prison where he was continued for the space of 26. dayes a prisoner from his family and calling both Daniel Wastfield and William Foord being men who h●ve been alwayes faithfull and active for the publique interest and have served it in Armes and so hath the stranger because of whom they pretend to have imprisoned William Foord though that and their being such as are reproachfully called Quakers may be understood the true reason wherefore they are thus unjustly dealt withall and occ●sions sought against them for the Law they have not transgressed After the imprisonment of these for the space of time aforementioned the friends of truth had Christopher B●rkhead 2. day 5. month 16●5 Standing silent in Nicholas Steeple-house wh●lst Priest Farmer was worsh●pping some respite from their bonds till the second day of the 7. month at which time Christopher Birkhead being in the Steeple house called Nicholas unto which he was moved of the Lord he stood there silent whilst Priest Farmer said a few words as a prayer and read some Psalmes which when he had done the Priest sto●d still saying nothing But looked towards the Aldermen present with whom his Clarke was talking and took a Psalmes booke of a boy as if he would sing and went to open it but did not but turning two or three times and looking on the Magistrates with whom his Clarke was speaking as aforesaid At length about the time that Miles Jackson Alderman was coming out of his feate towards Christopher Priest Farmer began to speak to Christopher and told him he disturbed the People by standing with his hat on in the time of Prayer and moreover said to him that if he had any thing to say he should speak and tell his business why he came thither for Christopher was silent then and not before Christopher began to speak Thus saith the Lord A wonderfull and horrible thing is Committed in the land and was speaking further but Priest Farmer said he would have none of that or word● to that purpose and spake loud that the people might not hear Christopher By this time Miles Jackson being come from his seat to the place where Christopher stood commanded him to be taken away saying he was a disturber Christopher Struck replied All people take notice whether I have disturbed any man Then the under-Sexton laid hands on him in the place and in the view of the Magistrate and the Priest strooke him on the head with a stick Tumulted c. and the rude multitude came about him some striking some pinching and some thrusting him which caused him to turne his head to the Priest and say see the fruits of thy Ministry then the Rude Multitude haled him towards the