A perfect guide for Protestant dissenters in case of prosecution upon any of the penal statutes made against them together with the statutes of 35 Eliz. and 22 Car. 2 at large : to which is added a post-script about ecclesiastical courts and prosecution in them.
         Care, Henry, 1646-1688.
      
       
         
           1682
        
      
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             A perfect guide for Protestant dissenters in case of prosecution upon any of the penal statutes made against them together with the statutes of 35 Eliz. and 22 Car. 2 at large : to which is added a post-script about ecclesiastical courts and prosecution in them.
             Care, Henry, 1646-1688.
          
           [4], 12, 22 p.
           
             Printed for R. Baldwin,
             London :
             1682.
          
           
             Written by Henry Care. Cf. BM.
             Caption title: A guide for Protestant dissenters.
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Dissenters, Religious -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- England -- Early works to 1800.
           Dissenters, Religious -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- Early works to 1800.
           Dissenters, Religious -- England -- Early works to 1800.
           Dissenters, Religious -- Early works to 1800.
           Ecclesiastical law -- England -- Early works to 1800.
           Ecclesiastical law -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           PERFECT
           GUIDE
           FOR
           Protestant
           Dissenters
           ,
           IN
           CASE
           OF
           PROSECUTION
           UPON
           ANY
           OF
           THE
           PENAL
           STATUTES
           Made
           against
           Them.
           TOGETHER
           WITH
           .
           The
           Statutes
           of
           35
           Eliz.
           and
           22
           Car.
           2.
           at
           large
           .
        
         
           To
           which
           is
           added
           ,
           
             A
             POST-SCRIPT
          
           ABOUT
           Ecclesiastical
           Courts
           ,
           And
           PROSECUTION
           in
           Them.
           
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             R.
             Baldwin
          
           .
           1682.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           The
           Preface
           .
        
         
           'T
           Is
           the
           Common
           Practice
           now
           adays
           ,
           for
           base
           and
           mercenary
           Pens
           to
           pass
           the
           worst
           Censures
           upon
           the
           best
           Intentions
           of
           Men.
           The
           Arguments
           that
           follow
           are
           all
           grounded
           either
           upon
           Scripture
           and
           Reason
           ,
           or
           upon
           Equal
           Justice
           and
           Prudent
           Morality
           ;
           and
           those
           not
           enforced
           with
           Heat
           and
           Passion
           ,
           but
           with
           all
           the
           Mildness
           and
           Submission
           imaginable
           ;
           which
           argues
           the
           Fairness
           and
           Honesty
           of
           the
           Design
           ,
           viz.
           to
           procure
           ,
           if
           it
           may
           be
           done
           ,
           a
           happy
           Union
           between
           Protestants
           and
           Protestants
           ;
           whom
           it
           rather
           mainly
           concerns
           to
           joyn
           their
           Forces
           against
           the
           Common
           Enemy
           of
           their
           Profession
           ,
           than
           to
           make
           themselves
           the
           Scorn
           and
           Triumph
           of
           Popish
           Cunning
           ,
           by
           a
           
             needless
             Separation
          
           ;
           which
           ,
           if
           duly
           consider'd
           ,
           would
           soon
           be
           found
           unhappily
           fomented
           and
           encreas'd
           by
           the
           encourag'd
           Emissaries
           and
           
             Scribling
             Bravo's
             of
             Rome
          
           .
           Is
           it
           not
           apparent
           ,
           how
           they
           already
           begin
           to
           undermine
           and
           blow
           up
           the
           Truth
           of
           the
           
             late
             Horrid
             Plot
          
           ,
           so
           miraculously
           discover'd
           ?
           To
           which
           purpose
           ,
           is
           it
           not
           likewise
           apparent
           what
           daily
           Affronts
           they
           put
           upon
           the
           
             King's
             Evidence
          
           ,
           to
           the
           end
           that
           by
           rendring
           their
           Persons
           ,
           and
           whatever
           they
           have
           said
           or
           sworn
           ,
           ridiculous
           ,
           they
           may
           be
           the
           better
           able
           to
           raise
           a
           Mist
           before
           the
           Eyes
           of
           the
           People
           ,
           and
           then
           totally
           withdraw
           the
           Plot
           from
           their
           Belief
           ?
           Is
           it
           not
           apparent
           how
           vigorously
           they
           assail
           the
           whole
           Body
           of
           the
           Dissenters
           ,
           Men
           of
           
             Religious
             ,
             Serious
             ,
             Upright
          
           ,
           and
           most
           Loyal
           Principles
           ,
           under
           the
           scandalous
           Names
           of
           Fanaticks
           and
           Whiggs
           ;
           and
           by
           throwing
           the
           Failings
           and
           Misdemeanours
           of
           some
           few
           upon
           all
           (
           this
           Earth
           not
           affording
           that
           Happiness
           to
           the
           most
           Holy
           Society
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           of
           being
           without
           some
           Hypocrites
           and
           bad
           Men
           )
           to
           cast
           an
           Odium
           upon
           above
           a
           third
           part
           of
           the
           most
           Industrious
           and
           Wealthy
           Part
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           on
           purpose
           to
           enervate
           and
           impoverish
           
           the
           
             Protestant
             Interest
          
           ,
           and
           make
           the
           softer
           and
           more
           easie
           way
           for
           
             Popish
             Intrusion
          
           ?
           Enormities
           much
           more
           deserving
           the
           Punishment
           of
           
             Penal
             Laws
          
           ,
           than
           Publick
           Meetings
           for
           the
           Worship
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           Upon
           which
           Considerations
           ,
           it
           cannot
           be
           look'd
           upon
           certainly
           by
           Persons
           of
           truly
           pious
           and
           cordial
           Affection
           for
           the
           Good
           of
           their
           Country
           ,
           as
           a
           Design
           either
           dishonest
           or
           factious
           ,
           to
           vindicate
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           may
           stand
           with
           Equity
           and
           good
           Conscience
           ,
           the
           
             Protestant
             Dissenters
          
           from
           the
           heavy
           Imputations
           of
           
             Schism
             ,
             Sedition
          
           ,
           and
           Disloyalty
           ,
           every
           day
           cast
           upon
           them
           ,
           though
           most
           undeservedly
           ,
           by
           the
           
             Pope's
             Weekly
             Drudges
          
           here
           in
           this
           City
           .
           To
           which
           end
           ,
           the
           Design
           of
           these
           few
           Sheets
           is
           to
           more
           than
           to
           plead
           their
           Cause
           ,
           with
           all
           modesty
           and
           submission
           ,
           before
           the
           Tribunals
           of
           Justice
           and
           Divine
           Charity
           ;
           to
           rectifie
           the
           Iudgments
           of
           Persons
           misguided
           by
           
             Mercenary
             Scriblers
          
           ,
           by
           setting
           forth
           the
           Nature
           and
           Ends
           of
           
             these
             Meetings
          
           ,
           and
           the
           dangerous
           Consequences
           of
           setting
           up
           a
           
             Protestant
             Persecution
          
           ,
           to
           the
           encouragement
           of
           those
           Pests
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           ignorant
           and
           greedy
           Informers
           .
        
         
           And
           because
           a
           Sight
           of
           the
           Statutes
           themselves
           may
           be
           necessary
           to
           those
           that
           have
           them
           not
           ,
           they
           are
           hereunto
           annex'd
           ;
           there
           being
           nothing
           more
           Moral
           than
           the
           Reason
           of
           Self-Preservation
           in
           a
           Legal
           and
           Orderly
           Way
           ;
           which
           they
           that
           seek
           by
           no
           other
           Means
           than
           by
           those
           of
           Duty
           and
           Allegiance
           ,
           no
           other
           being
           here
           propounded
           ,
           cannot
           be
           thought
           to
           deviate
           from
           the
           Laws
           of
           God
           or
           Nature
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           A
           Guide
           for
           Protestant
           Dissenters
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           THere
           is
           nothing
           that
           seems
           a
           greater
           blemish
           to
           Christianity
           ,
           than
           that
           little
           Differences
           about
           the
           Exercise
           of
           
             Divine
             Worship
          
           ,
           should
           cause
           such
           Heats
           and
           Animosities
           among
           Men
           :
           And
           for
           them
           whose
           Business
           it
           should
           be
           to
           Preach
           Unity
           ,
           Love
           ,
           and
           Charity
           ,
           under
           the
           Notion
           of
           Church-Government
           ,
           to
           instigate
           and
           animate
           the
           Civil
           Magistrate
           to
           make
           rigid
           
             Penal
             Laws
          
           ,
           to
           enforce
           the
           Consciences
           of
           good
           People
           ,
           seems
           in
           some
           measure
           contradictory
           to
           the
           easie
           Yoke
           of
           Christian
           Obedience
           .
           It
           seems
           somewhat
           hard
           ,
           when
           a
           poor
           Man
           has
           by
           his
           Industry
           and
           Frugality
           got
           together
           a
           small
           Subsistence
           for
           himself
           and
           his
           Family
           ,
           that
           because
           he
           is
           dissatisfied
           with
           some
           few
           Indifferent
           Circumstances
           ,
           that
           are
           impos'd
           upon
           their
           Consciences
           ,
           he
           should
           be
           presently
           laid
           at
           the
           mercy
           of
           Rapacious
           Informers
           and
           Officers
           ;
           that
           his
           Goods
           should
           be
           at
           the
           disposal
           of
           Persons
           many
           times
           fuller
           of
           Heat
           and
           Passion
           ,
           than
           of
           true
           Charity
           ;
           that
           he
           should
           be
           excommunicated
           ,
           and
           consequently
           under
           the
           lash
           of
           a
           
             Civil
             Writ
          
           ,
           because
           he
           will
           not
           come
           to
           the
           
             Parochial
             Church
          
           :
           as
           if
           the
           Place
           were
           so
           material
           where
           God
           were
           worshipp'd
           ,
           so
           in
           any
           Place
           he
           be
           ador'd
           in
           Spirit
           and
           Truth
           .
           Nor
           is
           this
           spoken
           in
           the
           least
           in
           reference
           to
           the
           Civil
           Government
           ,
           but
           onely
           in
           point
           of
           Divinity
           .
           It
           is
           apparent
           by
           the
           very
           Prefaces
           of
           the
           Acts
           themselves
           hereby
           intended
           ,
           that
           the
           Civil
           Magistrate
           aims
           at
           nothing
           but
           what
           is
           Right
           and
           Just
           ;
           to
           prevent
           Sedition
           ,
           for
           the
           Good
           and
           Quiet
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           .
           But
           't
           is
           to
           be
           fear'd
           ,
           that
           want
           of
           Charity
           in
           others
           ,
           and
           too
           much
           addictedness
           to
           Opinionated
           Severity
           ,
           sways
           others
           to
           extend
           the
           lawful
           Pretence
           of
           the
           Civil
           Power
           beyond
           the
           Bounds
           and
           Limits
           of
           the
           Legislaters
           Intention
           ;
           in
           regard
           that
           for
           the
           Ministry
           to
           aggravate
           Civil
           Crimes
           upon
           their
           Brethren
           ,
           and
           incence
           the
           Sword
           of
           Justice
           ,
           appears
           no
           where
           in
           Scripture
           agreeable
           to
           Christian
           Doctrine
           .
        
         
           There
           are
           two
           Statutes
           ,
           that
           of
           the
           35th
           of
           Elizabeth
           ,
           and
           the
           22d
           .
           of
           His
           
             present
             Majesty
          
           ,
           that
           create
           the
           loud
           Complaints
           that
           run
           through
           the
           whole
           Nation
           :
           And
           yet
           the
           Proems
           of
           neither
           of
           those
           Acts
           seem
           to
           allow
           that
           Rigour
           which
           is
           at
           this
           time
           meditated
           by
           some
           Persons
           ,
           and
           desended
           perhaps
           with
           too
           much
           heat
           in
           the
           Pulpit
           .
        
         
           The
           Preamble
           of
           35
           Eliz.
           
             runs
             thus
          
           :
           For
           the
           preventing
           of
           such
           great
           Inconveniencies
           and
           Perils
           as
           might
           happen
           and
           grow
           by
           the
           wicked
           and
           dangerous
           Practises
           of
           SEDITIOVS
           SECTARIES
           and
           DISLOYAL
           PERSONS
           .
        
         
           The
           Preamble
           
             of
             the
          
           22d
           .
           of
           His
           present
           Majesty
           
             runs
             thus
          
           :
           For
           providing
           farther
           and
           more
           speedy
           Remedies
           against
           the
           growing
           and
           dangerous
           Practises
           of
           SEDITIOVS
           SECTARIES
           ,
           and
           other
           DISLOYAL
           PERSONS
           ,
           who
           ,
           under
           pretence
           of
           tender
           Consciences
           ,
           have
           or
           may
           at
           their
           Meetings
           contrive
           Insurrections
           ,
           as
           late
           Experience
           hath
           shewn
           .
        
         
           Here
           are
           two
           Statutes
           ,
           by
           which
           most
           Lawful
           and
           most
           Necessary
           Provision
           is
           made
           for
           the
           Preservation
           of
           the
           Peace
           and
           Quiet
           of
           the
           Government
           .
           Now
           ,
           if
           it
           should
           be
           asked
           ,
           What
           the
           Civil
           Magistrate
           requires
           from
           hence
           ?
           It
           is
           to
           be
           answered
           ,
           in
           general
           ,
           Obedience
           ,
           Passive
           and
           Active
           ;
           Tranquillity
           ,
           Publick
           and
           Private
           :
           and
           particularly
           ,
           That
           no
           
             Disloyal
             Persons
          
           ,
           nor
           Sectaries
           ,
           shall
           meet
           ,
           under
           pretence
           of
           Tender
           Consciences
           ,
           to
           contrive
           Insurrections
           .
           Hence
           it
           is
           submissively
           presum'd
           ,
           That
           if
           the
           Subject
           live
           dutifully
           towards
           his
           Prince
           ,
           free
           from
           
           giving
           occasion
           of
           Civil
           Disturbance
           ;
           amicably
           toward
           his
           Neighbour
           ;
           pay
           those
           Duties
           and
           Taxes
           which
           the
           Law
           or
           Custom
           imposes
           ;
           and
           actively
           ,
           if
           he
           be
           always
           ready
           with
           his
           Sword
           in
           his
           hand
           to
           defend
           his
           Prince
           and
           Country
           ;
           the
           Prince
           does
           not
           regard
           the
           inward
           Consciences
           of
           such
           Subjects
           ,
           nor
           their
           inconsiderable
           Differences
           in
           Matters
           of
           Ceremony
           ;
           so
           that
           the
           Religion
           which
           they
           profess
           be
           not
           contrary
           or
           opposite
           to
           the
           
             Establish'd
             Law
          
           and
           Government
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           .
           And
           it
           is
           plain
           ,
           that
           the
           Law
           extends
           it self
           no
           further
           than
           Sectaries
           and
           
             Disloyal
             Persons
          
           ,
           as
           being
           look'd
           upon
           by
           the
           Law
           to
           be
           the
           most
           likely
           Persons
           to
           contrive
           Insurrections
           ,
           and
           disturb
           the
           Peace
           of
           the
           Nation
           .
        
         
           Leaving
           then
           the
           Civil
           Power
           to
           its
           self
           ,
           the
           Question
           is
           between
           the
           Dissenters
           and
           their
           Opposers
           ,
           What
           a
           Sectary
           is
           ?
           For
           it
           is
           suppos'd
           ,
           That
           if
           the
           
             Ecclesiastical
             Wrath
          
           were
           appeas'd
           ,
           the
           Displeasure
           of
           the
           
             Civil
             Power
          
           might
           the
           more
           easily
           be
           atton'd
           .
        
         
           Now
           then
           Sectaries
           must
           either
           be
           Heretics
           or
           
             Schismatics
             .
             Heretics
          
           the
           Dissenters
           cannot
           be
           ;
           for
           they
           do
           not
           err
           in
           Fundamentals
           ;
           for
           such
           a
           one
           is
           a
           Heretic
           .
           The
           next
           Question
           then
           will
           be
           ,
           Whether
           they
           be
           Schismatics
           ?
           What
           is
           a
           Schismatic
           ?
           A
           Schismatick
           is
           one
           that
           holding
           firm
           the
           same
           Foundation
           of
           Faith
           ,
           departs
           from
           some
           Ceremony
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           obstinately
           ,
           and
           out
           of
           ambitious
           Ends.
           Thus
           it
           appears
           ,
           that
           Obstinacy
           and
           
             Ambitious
             Ends
          
           are
           the
           Distinctions
           that
           make
           a
           Schismatic
           .
           From
           whence
           it
           is
           apparent
           ,
           that
           there
           may
           be
           some
           Grounds
           and
           Reasons
           why
           a
           Man
           may
           dissent
           from
           some
           Ceremony
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           yet
           be
           no
           Schismatic
           .
           For
           example
           :
           Obstinacy
           is
           the
           opposite
           to
           
             Constancy
             ;
             Ambitious
             Ends
          
           ,
           or
           Self-Interest
           ,
           as
           being
           a
           Contempt
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           the
           Opposite
           to
           Integrity
           .
           So
           then
           if
           a
           Man
           dissents
           from
           any
           Ceremony
           of
           the
           Church
           out
           of
           Integrity
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           Vertue
           by
           which
           we
           yield
           up
           our
           Obedience
           to
           God
           ,
           though
           imperfect
           ,
           yet
           without
           Hypocrisie
           ;
           or
           out
           of
           Constancy
           ,
           by
           which
           a
           Man
           resolves
           to
           persist
           in
           the
           Knowledge
           of
           God
           and
           his
           Worship
           to
           the
           end
           ,
           he
           can
           be
           no
           Schismatic
           .
           For
           the
           Di●senters
           and
           their
           Opposers
           agree
           in
           the
           same
           
             Knowledge
             of
             God
          
           ,
           in
           the
           same
           Sacraments
           ,
           and
           the
           same
           Worship
           ;
           onely
           the
           Dissenters
           disallow
           some
           outward
           adiaphorous
           Ceremonies
           of
           their
           Church
           .
           Again
           ,
           To
           make
           them
           Schismatics
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           Obstinate
           or
           
             Ambitious
             Dissenters
          
           ,
           there
           must
           be
           
             Conviction
             and
             Contumacy
          
           :
           But
           in
           regard
           that
           neither
           the
           one
           nor
           the
           other
           appears
           against
           them
           ,
           it
           follows
           ,
           That
           they
           dissent
           out
           of
           Integrity
           and
           Constancy
           ,
           and
           consequently
           are
           no
           way
           liable
           to
           the
           Severity
           of
           the
           Statute
           ,
           especially
           if
           the
           Preamble
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           taken
           in
           Law
           ,
           be
           the
           
             Key
             of
             the
             Statute
          
           .
           Seeing
           then
           that
           the
           Dissenters
           ,
           where
           there
           is
           no
           proof
           of
           Petulancy
           or
           Ambitious
           Ends
           ,
           cannot
           be
           said
           to
           be
           Schismatics
           ,
           and
           consequently
           not
           obnoxious
           to
           the
           Law
           ,
           it
           remains
           ,
           that
           they
           must
           be
           Brethren
           ,
           professing
           the
           same
           Fundamentals
           of
           Doctrine
           and
           Worship
           .
           And
           then
           it
           seems
           very
           hard
           ,
           That
           the
           Severity
           of
           Persons
           who
           call
           themselves
           Divines
           ,
           and
           Teachers
           of
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           Charity
           ,
           should
           stretch
           and
           strain
           a
           Law
           to
           encourage
           
             Accusers
             of
             the
             Brethren
          
           ,
           and
           to
           lay
           violent
           hands
           upon
           those
           ,
           to
           whom
           it
           never
           meant
           any
           disturbance
           .
           And
           't
           is
           look'd
           upon
           as
           a
           strange
           and
           unhappy
           disagreement
           between
           the
           
             Common
             Lawyer
          
           and
           the
           Divine
           ,
           that
           the
           one
           should
           take
           it
           for
           a
           Charitable
           Maxim
           ,
           That
           
             Summum
             Ius
             est
             summa
             Injuria
          
           ;
           while
           Men
           that
           pretend
           to
           be
           actuated
           by
           Divinity
           ,
           and
           the
           Example
           of
           Christ
           ,
           pressing
           
             Summum
             Ius
          
           yet
           with
           so
           much
           inveteracy
           ,
           advance
           
             Summam
             Injuriam
          
           ,
           to
           the
           prejudice
           of
           Brethren
           ,
           for
           
             inconsiderable
             Differences
             .
             Blessed
             are
             the
             Peace-makers
             ,
          
           saith
           our
           most
           charitable
           Saviour
           .
           Which
           Sacred
           Truth
           of
           his
           ,
           from
           his
           own
           
           Lips
           ,
           creates
           a
           just
           Appeal
           to
           all
           Rational
           Men
           ,
           how
           far
           dissonant
           from
           this
           Doctrine
           of
           their
           Head
           and
           grand
           Instructer
           those
           Persons
           are
           ,
           who
           avoiding
           the
           healing
           Doctrine
           of
           Unity
           ,
           make
           their
           Pulpits
           ring
           with
           nothing
           but
           corrosive
           Invectives
           and
           Satyrs
           against
           Friend
           and
           Foe
           ,
           Brethren
           and
           Schismatics
           ,
           under
           the
           general
           Notion
           of
           Fanaticism
           ;
           forgetting
           the
           constant
           Rule
           ,
           
             That
             he
             onely
             teaches
             well
             ,
             that
             well
             distinguishes
             .
          
           Certainly
           it
           can
           never
           be
           thought
           that
           it
           should
           proceed
           from
           the
           Dictates
           of
           Reason
           and
           Conscience
           ,
           that
           they
           who
           ought
           to
           come
           with
           Healing
           in
           their
           Doctrine
           ,
           should
           make
           it
           their
           Business
           to
           exasperate
           and
           incence
           the
           Civil
           Power
           ,
           meerly
           to
           establish
           an
           unlawful
           Hierarchie
           over
           the
           Consciences
           of
           their
           Brethren
           .
           They
           that
           first
           shook
           off
           the
           
             Roman
             Toke
          
           ,
           thought
           it
           expedient
           not
           to
           make
           a
           total
           and
           absolute
           Change
           ;
           but
           guided
           by
           Reasons
           of
           State
           ,
           left
           several
           of
           the
           
             Ceremonies
             ,
             Popish
             Ceremonies
          
           ,
           untouch'd
           ,
           which
           remain
           among
           us
           to
           this
           day
           ;
           as
           ,
           the
           Surplice
           ,
           and
           with
           some
           th●
           
             Rail'd
             Altar
             ,
             Second
             Service
             there
             perform'd
             ,
             Tapers
             ,
          
           with
           this
           difference
           ,
           that
           the
           Papists
           are
           lighted
           ,
           and
           ours
           not
           ;
           and
           lastly
           ,
           a
           particular
           Reverence
           to
           the
           East
           ,
           as
           if
           God
           were
           more
           individually
           present
           in
           the
           Chancel
           ,
           than
           in
           the
           Belfry
           .
           But
           now
           that
           the
           State
           has
           no
           occasion
           for
           those
           Fears
           ,
           now
           that
           the
           People
           universally
           desire
           to
           be
           freed
           from
           these
           Relicks
           of
           Superstition
           ,
           for
           some
           Persons
           to
           insist
           upon
           it
           ,
           and
           with
           so
           much
           obstinacy
           impose
           as
           a
           Duty
           ,
           what
           was
           onely
           retain'd
           for
           State-convenience
           ,
           as
           to
           raise
           a
           Persecution
           of
           
             Tender
             Consciences
          
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           
             pure
             Ceremony
          
           ,
           it
           is
           believed
           ,
           that
           were
           those
           
             famous
             Reformers
          
           now
           alive
           ,
           they
           would
           not
           have
           been
           angry
           with
           those
           that
           so
           readily
           sought
           the
           Accomplishment
           of
           what
           they
           left
           imperfect
           .
           The
           Law
           was
           made
           to
           punish
           
             Mutiny
             ,
             Rebellion
          
           ,
           and
           Insurrection
           ,
           against
           the
           State
           and
           
             Civil
             Government
          
           ;
           not
           to
           harrase
           the
           Liberties
           and
           Properties
           of
           Men
           for
           
             not
             conforming
          
           to
           the
           Impositions
           of
           
             Ecclesiastical
             Ambition
          
           .
           What
           tho
           the
           
             Civil
             Magistrate
          
           have
           been
           so
           careful
           to
           make
           Provision
           for
           the
           Repose
           and
           Quiet
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ?
           it
           may
           be
           thought
           a
           hard
           Chapter
           ,
           that
           the
           peevishness
           and
           choler
           of
           some
           Men
           should
           turn
           the
           Stream
           of
           that
           Rigour
           ,
           where
           no
           Proof
           is
           made
           ,
           upon
           pretence
           of
           Breach
           and
           Disobedience
           .
           How
           ill
           will
           it
           sound
           in
           the
           Ears
           of
           Posterity
           ,
           when
           they
           shall
           hear
           of
           Protestants
           being
           so
           severly
           dealt
           with
           for
           
             Trifles
             of
             Difference
          
           ?
           How
           much
           does
           it
           at
           present
           advance
           the
           
             mirth
             of
             Popery
          
           ,
           to
           see
           the
           
             Protestants
             doing
             their
             Business
          
           ,
           and
           by
           some
           ●●ing
           Disunion
           among
           themselves
           ,
           opening
           a
           way
           for
           Self-destruction
           ,
           and
           the
           Inroads
           of
           Superstition
           ,
           which
           otherwise
           the
           Papists
           were
           never
           able
           to
           hope
           for
           .
           Certainly
           the
           Profession
           of
           Divinity
           teaches
           Men
           to
           be
           of
           another
           Temper
           ,
           and
           to
           have
           a
           Chancery
           of
           Charity
           always
           open
           in
           their
           Hearts
           ,
           to
           mitigate
           and
           compose
           ,
           not
           to
           exasperate
           and
           provoke
           the
           Civil
           Magistrate
           ,
           especially
           in
           Concerns
           not
           of
           the
           Government
           ,
           but
           of
           their
           own
           Interest
           .
           Some
           People
           will
           not
           have
           their
           
             Children
             sign'd
             with
             the
             Cross
          
           ;
           others
           
             meet
             about
             five
             together
             in
             a
             place
          
           ;
           and
           therefore
           let
           them
           be
           fin'd
           ,
           let
           their
           
             Goods
             be
             seiz'd
          
           and
           embezel'd
           ,
           and
           their
           
             Persons
             imprison'd
             :
             For
             the
             Law
             is
             of
             our
             side
             ,
             and
             we
             will
             not
             remit
             a
             Tittle
             of
             its
             utmost
             Rigour
             .
          
           A
           severe
           way
           of
           Proceeding
           ,
           that
           can
           never
           be
           thought
           agreeable
           to
           the
           Examples
           or
           Doctrine
           either
           of
           Christ
           or
           his
           Apostles
           .
           If
           such
           Persons
           did
           but
           consider
           how
           much
           more
           fragrant
           the
           Memory
           of
           a
           Cranmer
           smells
           in
           History
           ,
           than
           that
           of
           a
           Bonner
           ,
           they
           would
           surely
           steer
           another
           Course
           .
           Nor
           can
           they
           be
           thought
           well
           to
           weigh
           with
           themselves
           that
           of
           
             Vis
             unita
             est
             fortior
          
           ,
           and
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           
             divided
             House
          
           ,
           while
           by
           a
           
             fatal
             disagreement
          
           with
           their
           Brethren
           about
           
             outward
             Forms
             and
             unnecessary
             Circumstances
          
           ,
           they
           render
           themselves
           less
           able
           to
           withstand
           the
           Impetuosity
           of
           daily
           -
           
             menacing
             Popery
          
           .
           That
           is
           nothing
           ,
           
             the
             Decree
             is
             gone
             forth
             ,
             and
             must
             be
             obey'd
          
           ;
           and
           though
           the
           
             Preamble
             of
             the
             
             Law
          
           may
           be
           avoided
           ,
           the
           
             Body
             of
             it
          
           ,
           more
           explanatory
           of
           it self
           ,
           admits
           ,
           
             no
             Evasion
          
           .
           For
           the
           Law
           positively
           says
           ,
           
             That
             if
             any
             Person
             or
             Persons
             ,
             above
             the
             Age
             of
             Sixteen
             years
             ,
          
           &c.
           
             shall
             be
             present
             at
             any
             Assembly
             ,
             Conventicle
             ,
             or
             Meeting
             ,
             under
             colour
             or
             pretence
             of
             any
             Exercise
             of
             Religion
             ,
             in
             other
             manner
             than
             according
             to
             the
             Liturgie
             and
             Practise
             of
             the
             Church
             of
          
           England
           ,
           &c.
           
           
             Where
             there
             shall
             be
             Five
             or
             more
             Persons
             assembled
             ,
             over
             and
             above
             those
             of
             the
             Houshold
             ,
          
           &c.
           
        
         
           As
           to
           the
           first
           part
           of
           the
           Words
           ,
           
             Whoever
             shall
             be
             present
             at
             any
             Assembly
             or
             Meeting
             ,
             under
             pretence
             or
             colour
             of
             any
             Exercise
             of
             Religion
             ,
          
           &c.
           some
           Questions
           do
           arise
           upon
           the
           fair
           accompt
           of
           
             Reason
             and
             Policy
          
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Whether
           the
           meaning
           of
           the
           Words
           extend
           themselves
           to
           such
           an
           
             Exercise
             of
             Religion
          
           which
           is
           
             truly
             Christian
          
           ,
           and
           according
           to
           the
           direct
           Interpretation
           of
           Scripture
           ?
        
         
           2.
           
           Or
           whether
           onely
           such
           a
           Religion
           as
           carries
           
             onely
             a
             pretence
             and
             colour
          
           ,
           without
           any
           
             truth
             and
             sincerity
          
           ?
        
         
           As
           to
           the
           first
           ,
           it
           is
           most
           certain
           ,
           That
           the
           most
           pure
           and
           Christian
           Exercise
           of
           Devotion
           carries
           with
           it
           a
           
             pretence
             and
             colour
          
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           false
           one
           ,
           though
           it
           be
           onely
           that
           of
           serving
           and
           performing
           our
           Duty
           to
           God.
           
        
         
           Now
           then
           it
           can
           never
           be
           imagin'd
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Intention
             of
             this
             Law
          
           was
           ever
           to
           
             prevent
             the
             Exercise
             of
             Devotion
             and
             true
             Piety
             .
          
           let
           the
           Place
           or
           the
           Number
           be
           more
           or
           less
           ,
           in
           a
           rational
           Proportion
           .
           For
           ,
           if
           so
           ,
           the
           Statute
           would
           be
           void
           in
           it self
           ;
           in
           regard
           that
           all
           unbyass'd
           
             Casuists
             ,
             Lawyers
          
           ,
           and
           Divines
           agree
           ,
           That
           all
           
             Humane
             Laws
          
           made
           against
           the
           Law
           of
           God
           ,
           are
           
             ipso
             facto
          
           annull'd
           as
           to
           any
           Obligation
           upon
           the
           Conscience
           .
        
         
           Seeing
           therefore
           it
           cannot
           be
           thought
           ,
           that
           this
           Law
           intendeth
           the
           Destruction
           of
           it self
           ,
           there
           must
           be
           a
           looking
           backward
           to
           the
           Reason
           and
           Policy
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           which
           from
           the
           Preamble
           is
           apparent
           to
           be
           onely
           the
           prevention
           of
           Disloyalty
           and
           Insurrection
           ,
           for
           the
           Repose
           and
           Tranquillity
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           .
        
         
           Now
           then
           let
           a
           Meeting
           be
           suppos'd
           ,
           
             though
             of
             more
             than
             Five
             or
             Ten
          
           ;
           yet
           if
           at
           this
           Meeting
           there
           be
           nothing
           done
           that
           tends
           to
           
             Disloyalty
             ,
             Insurrection
          
           ,
           or
           
             disturbance
             of
             the
             Publick
             Peace
          
           ,
           the
           Law
           hath
           its
           End
           ,
           and
           can
           take
           no
           farther
           notice
           ,
           there
           being
           no
           
             Breach
             of
             the
             Law
          
           ,
           and
           consequently
           no
           occasion
           of
           Punishment
           .
        
         
           And
           this
           is
           collected
           from
           Reason
           it self
           ;
           for
           ,
           should
           any
           other
           Construction
           be
           put
           upon
           the
           Words
           ,
           it
           would
           be
           contrary
           to
           the
           
             Law
             of
             God
          
           ,
           as
           intended
           to
           prevent
           the
           
             true
             and
             real
             Worship
             of
             God
             ,
          
           under
           pretence
           of
           Innovation
           and
           Disloyalty
           .
           A
           Thought
           ,
           an
           Intention
           ,
           which
           it
           were
           a
           Crime
           to
           imagine
           
             such
             Worthy
             and
             Pious
             Legislators
             ever
             dream'd
             of
             ,
          
           however
           the
           
             meaning
             of
             the
             Law
             may
             be
             strain'd
             in
             the
             absence
             of
             its
             Makers
             .
          
        
         
           Now
           that
           such
           a
           Meaning
           of
           the
           Act
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           inforc'd
           ,
           is
           contrary
           to
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           is
           apparent
           from
           the
           Scripture
           it self
           :
           
             Acts
             28.
             
             And
             Paul
             dwelt
             two
             years
             in
             his
             hired
             house
             ,
             and
             received
             all
             that
             came
             to
             him
             ,
             preaching
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             God
             ,
             no
             man
             forbidding
             him
             .
             1
             Tim.
             2.
             
             I
             will
             therefore
             that
             men
             pray
             every
             where
          
           ;
           with
           several
           others
           .
           Nor
           will
           it
           serve
           as
           an
           Objection
           ,
           to
           say
           ,
           
             That
             the
             Times
             are
             otherwise
             ,
             now
             that
             there
             are
             such
             plenty
             of
             Publick
             Churches
             :
          
           For
           ,
           if
           they
           be
           possess'd
           by
           such
           as
           will
           not
           admit
           their
           fellow-Christians
           to
           come
           together
           ,
           without
           prejudice
           to
           their
           Consciences
           ,
           't
           is
           the
           same
           thing
           to
           them
           ,
           as
           if
           those
           Places
           were
           not
           at
           all
           .
        
         
           Which
           being
           a
           clear
           confirmation
           ,
           that
           God
           may
           be
           Worshipped
           in
           Spirit
           and
           Truth
           in
           any
           Place
           ,
           or
           at
           any
           Time
           ;
           't
           is
           as
           clear
           ,
           that
           the
           Meaning
           of
           this
           Law
           cannot
           reach
           the
           
             Exercise
             of
             Real
             Piety
          
           .
           For
           ,
           if
           the
           Worship
           in
           it self
           be
           Evil
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           to
           be
           endur'd
           
             in
             Four
          
           ;
           if
           consonant
           to
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           Number
           of
           Fourscore
           cannot
           render
           it
           criminal
           .
        
         
         
           But
           here
           in
           regard
           there
           is
           so
           much
           insisting
           and
           stress
           put
           upon
           the
           word
           Conventicle
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           much
           to
           be
           clearing
           the
           meaning
           of
           the
           Act
           ,
           to
           enquire
           in
           to
           the
           Nature
           of
           the
           word
           ,
           and
           whether
           it
           be
           not
           taken
           too
           unwarily
           in
           an
           ill
           sense
           ,
           by
           those
           that
           would
           extend
           the
           
             reason
             and
             meaning
             of
             this
             Act
          
           beyond
           its
           limits
           ?
        
         
           
             A
             Conventicle
             then
             in
             the
             general
             sense
             is
             a
             certain
             place
             appointed
             for
             the
             Assembling
             and
             coming
             together
             of
             People
             to
             some
             purpose
             or
             other
          
           ;
           In
           the
           particular
           sense
           it
           signifies
           the
           
             Assembly
             it self
             there
             met
          
           .
           If
           then
           the
           purpose
           be
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           Divine
           Worship
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           fit
           next
           to
           enquire
           the
           Difference
           between
           a
           Church-Assembly
           and
           a
           Conventicle-Assembly
           .
           That
           which
           constitutes
           a
           Church
           ,
           is
           an
           
             Assembly
             or
             Congregation
             of
             people
             called
             to
             the
             state
             of
             Grace
             by
             Prayer
             ,
             by
             Teaching
             and
             Hearing
             the
             Word
             ,
             and
             the
             due
             administration
             of
             the
             Sacraments
             .
          
           The
           Efficient
           cause
           of
           this
           Assembly
           is
           the
           
             Holy
             Trinity
          
           ,
           in
           general
           ,
           particularly
           Christ
           .
           The
           form
           of
           this
           Assembly
           consists
           in
           a
           
             double
             Communion
             of
             the
             Assembly
             with
             Christ
             as
             the
             Head
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             particular
             Members
             among
             themselves
             .
             The
             matter
             of
             this
             Assembly
             are
             the
             persons
             or
             several
             Members
             called
             to
             the
             Covenant
             of
             Grace
             .
             The
             end
             of
             this
             Assembly
             is
             the
             glory
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             their
             own
             Salvation
             .
             The
             marks
             of
             the
             real
             Christianity
             and
             legality
             of
             this
             Assembly
             are
             the
             true
             Preaching
             the
             Word
             ,
             and
             due
             Administration
             of
             the
             Sacrament
             ?
          
           If
           then
           the
           same
           substantial
           Efficient
           cause
           ,
           the
           same
           substantial
           matter
           ,
           the
           same
           substantial
           Form
           ,
           the
           same
           substantial
           end
           ,
           the
           same
           substantial
           Marks
           of
           a
           truly
           Christian
           Assembly
           be
           
             found
             in
             a
             House
             or
             any
             other
             convenient
             place
             ,
          
           though
           not
           adorned
           with
           Steeples
           or
           
             Stone
             Arches
          
           ,
           call
           them
           Presbyterians
           or
           Dissenters
           ,
           or
           what
           you
           please
           they
           center
           the
           main
           fundamentals
           of
           Faith
           and
           Doctrine
           ,
           differ
           only
           in
           some
           slight
           and
           
             outward
             Ceremonies
          
           ,
           and
           are
           therefore
           an
           Essential
           Body
           of
           the
           
             Protestant
             Religion
          
           .
           And
           if
           there
           be
           any
           
             External
             Circumstances
             in
             dispute
          
           ,
           they
           are
           to
           be
           argued
           and
           determined
           among
           themselves
           ,
           not
           by
           the
           
             Arbitrary
             Power
             of
             a
             Justice
             of
             the
             Peace
             ,
          
           who
           is
           an
           
             Officer
             only
             of
             the
             Peace
             ,
             and
             not
             of
             the
             Conscience
             .
          
           So
           that
           it
           can
           never
           be
           thought
           that
           the
           determination
           of
           Christian
           Prudence
           will
           ever
           grant
           it
           to
           be
           rational
           that
           
             this
             Law
          
           was
           ever
           made
           for
           the
           prevention
           of
           such
           Conventicles
           ,
           which
           must
           prove
           the
           suppression
           of
           much
           true
           Piety
           and
           Devotion
           .
           This
           makes
           some
           people
           think
           that
           
             Ecclesiastical
             Jurisdiction
          
           is
           in
           a
           very
           weak
           condition
           and
           most
           deficient
           of
           it self
           ,
           when
           it
           is
           so
           earnest
           and
           clamarous
           after
           the
           Assistance
           of
           the
           
             Civil
             Magistrate
          
           .
           And
           indeed
           it
           is
           easily
           demonstrable
           in
           Story
           ,
           that
           there
           was
           nothing
           more
           advanced
           the
           beginnings
           of
           the
           Reformation
           of
           England
           than
           the
           weakness
           which
           Henry
           8.
           perceived
           in
           the
           Arguments
           which
           the
           Papists
           brought
           against
           the
           Reformers
           in
           all
           their
           Disputes
           .
           And
           therefore
           a
           
             Convocation
             Dispute
          
           had
           been
           much
           more
           proper
           for
           this
           Controversie
           than
           the
           destructive
           Arguments
           of
           
             Distresses
             and
             Crown
             Office
             Writs
          
           .
           Which
           ,
           if
           it
           were
           put
           to
           the
           Test
           ,
           there
           are
           many
           that
           question
           ,
           whether
           the
           Law-Provokers
           might
           not
           come
           by
           the
           worst
           .
           For
           as
           to
           those
           things
           which
           are
           called
           the
           
             Rites
             and
             Ceremonies
          
           of
           true
           Worship
           ,
           
             true
             Religion
          
           has
           none
           but
           what
           God
           has
           prescribed
           in
           His
           Word
           ;
           and
           they
           are
           looked
           upon
           ,
           either
           as
           parts
           or
           helps
           to
           our
           Devotion
           .
           As
           parts
           of
           Devotion
           ,
           they
           consist
           in
           promulgation
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           the
           Administration
           of
           the
           Sacraments
           and
           Prayer
           ,
           which
           requires
           also
           decent
           composure
           of
           gesture
           and
           posture
           .
           As
           helps
           to
           Devotion
           ,
           they
           are
           divided
           into
           Fasting
           and
           Vows
           .
           And
           these
           are
           all
           the
           
             Rites
             or
             Ceremonies
             of
             true
             Worship
             .
             Ceremonies
             of
             Form
             ,
          
           are
           apt
           to
           wander
           into
           Superstition
           if
           not
           plain
           Idolatry
           .
           And
           therefore
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           some
           unbyassed
           person
           ,
           not
           without
           Reason
           ,
           fear
           ,
           
             That
             the
             Dissenters
             who
             have
             abandoned
             all
             ,
             would
             have
             much
             more
             Argument
             on
             their
             side
             ,
             than
             they
             whoretain
             some
             .
          
        
         
           It
           being
           thus
           apparent
           ,
           that
           the
           Law
           was
           never
           intended
           to
           
             prevent
             such
             Assemblies
          
           ,
           whose
           only
           end
           of
           Meeting
           is
           to
           Worship
           and
           
             Glorifie
             God
          
           ,
           and
           that
           too
           according
           to
           the
           
             same
             Fundamentals
          
           which
           the
           
             Statute
             enforcers
             profess
          
           ,
           it
           now
           remains
           to
           examin
           ,
           whether
           the
           Evidence
           offered
           be
           sufficient
           to
           make
           the
           
             Dissenters
             guilty
             of
             the
             Crimes
             assigned
             by
             the
             Law
             ,
          
           viz.
           
             Disloyalty
             and
             Insurrection
          
           .
           First
           then
           as
           for
           colour
           and
           pretence
           ,
           they
           are
           only
           Non-Appearances
           lodg'd
           in
           the
           Heart
           of
           Man
           ;
           which
           are
           only
           disclosed
           to
           the
           Omniscience
           of
           God
           himself
           .
           And
           therefore
           to
           judge
           of
           colour
           and
           pretence
           appertains
           only
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           any
           Law
           :
           from
           whence
           
           arose
           that
           common
           Maxim
           ,
           that
           
             De
             non
             apperentibus
          
           ,
           the
           
             Law
             takes
             no
             Cognizance
          
           .
           Much
           less
           is
           in
           the
           power
           of
           an
           Informer
           to
           make
           Oath
           of
           colour
           or
           pretence
           ,
           until
           colour
           and
           pretence
           break
           forth
           into
           some
           overt
           and
           
             apparent
             act
          
           which
           may
           afford
           matter
           for
           Testimony
           and
           proof
           .
           From
           whence
           it
           is
           plain
           ,
           that
           unless
           there
           be
           due
           and
           sufficient
           proof
           made
           of
           
             false
             Doctrine
             ,
             seditious
             words
             ,
             or
             contrivances
             tending
             to
             Insurrection
             and
             Disloyalty
             ,
          
           which
           are
           the
           breaches
           of
           the
           Law
           ;
           and
           Law
           can
           never
           punish
           ,
           where
           there
           is
           no
           breach
           committed
           .
           Nor
           does
           the
           Conscience
           of
           any
           
             Magistrate
             oblige
          
           him
           to
           sine
           and
           levy
           upon
           the
           bare
           Information
           of
           colour
           or
           pretence
           .
           As
           for
           the
           addition
           of
           those
           words
           ,
           
             Do
             or
             may
             contrive
          
           ,
           it
           seems
           somewhat
           repugnant
           to
           reason
           ,
           that
           
             Plots
             and
             Contrivances
             should
             ever
             be
             carried
             on
             in
             the
             Publick
             Assemblies
             of
             Women
             and
             Children
          
           ;
           so
           that
           the
           fear
           seems
           only
           to
           be
           of
           the
           Teachers
           moving
           the
           
             people
             to
             Sedition
          
           .
           But
           as
           for
           that
           ,
           one
           would
           think
           it
           should
           be
           an
           Argument
           rather
           for
           the
           permission
           of
           Conventicles
           ,
           it
           being
           a
           thing
           far
           more
           easie
           to
           discover
           a
           man
           that
           Preaches
           open
           Sedition
           ,
           than
           one
           that
           goes
           from
           House
           to
           House
           ,
           clandestinly
           insinuating
           the
           same
           Doctrine
           .
           Nor
           is
           this
           branch
           Independant
           ,
           but
           casts
           its
           influence
           into
           the
           whole
           Crime
           described
           and
           intended
           by
           the
           Act
           thus
           embody'd
           .
        
         
           
             If
             any
             person
             or
             persons
             shall
             be
             present
             at
             any
             Conventicle
             ,
          
           &c.
           
             under
             coulour
             or
             pretence
             of
             any
             exercise
             of
             Religion
             ,
             in
             other
             manner
             than
             according
             to
             the
             Liturgy
             and
             Practice
             of
             the
             Church
             of
          
           England
           .
           Perhaps
           some
           persons
           carry
           away
           with
           the
           present
           torment
           of
           unwary
           Passion
           ,
           may
           from
           hence
           assent
           that
           there
           is
           no
           other
           exercise
           of
           Religion
           ,
           that
           can
           be
           truly
           real
           and
           sincere
           ,
           but
           only
           colourable
           and
           pretended
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           performed
           in
           the
           very
           words
           of
           the
           Liturgy
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Common
           acceptation
           of
           the
           Word
           in
           England
           .
           To
           which
           though
           there
           were
           no
           other
           answer
           to
           be
           given
           ,
           yet
           the
           consequent
           words
           ,
           and
           the
           practise
           of
           the
           Church
           clearly
           contradict
           such
           an
           uncharitable
           Paraphrase
           ,
           for
           that
           in
           all
           Parochial
           Churches
           it
           is
           the
           general
           custom
           to
           Pray
           both
           before
           and
           after
           Sermon
           .
           But
           if
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           word
           Liturgy
           be
           duly
           considered
           ,
           that
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           or
           Liturgy
           is
           not
           more
           than
           the
           Office
           of
           Prayer
           :
           the
           Compilers
           themselves
           call
           the
           English
           Liturgy
           ,
           an
           order
           for
           Morning
           and
           Evening
           Prayer
           ,
           or
           a
           set
           
             Form
             of
             Prayer
          
           ,
           whereby
           it
           becomes
           only
           a
           Species
           of
           the
           Grand
           Genus
           Prayer
           or
           Oration
           ,
           by
           which
           with
           a
           true
           and
           humble
           contrition
           of
           Heart
           ,
           we
           address
           our selves
           to
           God
           ,
           concerning
           such
           things
           as
           are
           consentaneous
           to
           his
           Holy
           Will
           ;
           and
           this
           divided
           into
           two
           parts
           Invocation
           ,
           and
           Thanksgiving
           .
           Now
           suppose
           that
           the
           Liturgy
           of
           England
           ,
           now
           the
           most
           exact
           Liturgy
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           as
           most
           certainly
           it
           is
           not
           ,
           it
           cannot
           be
           thought
           that
           the
           Dissenters
           are
           obliged
           by
           this
           Statute
           to
           use
           no
           other
           Prayers
           than
           what
           are
           set
           down
           in
           the
           
             Liturgy
             ,
             For
             then
             the
             Law
             enforcers
             may
             be
             presum'd
             to
             lie
             under
             the
             Penalties
             of
             the
             Statute
             themselves
             .
          
           Who
           after
           the
           full
           performance
           of
           all
           the
           duties
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           which
           is
           ordered
           in
           the
           Liturgy
           both
           for
           Morning
           and
           Evening
           Service
           ,
           if
           it
           may
           not
           be
           said
           ,
           out
           of
           a
           contempt
           of
           the
           Liturgy
           ,
           yet
           somewhat
           to
           the
           discredit
           of
           the
           Liturgy
           ,
           are
           never
           satisfied
           till
           they
           have
           given
           it
           the
           supplement
           of
           their
           tedious
           and
           vainly
           Ostentatious
           additions
           of
           super-excellent
           and
           super-fine
           :
           which
           after
           a
           full
           performance
           of
           all
           the
           duties
           of
           Innovation
           and
           Thanksgiving
           ,
           seems
           in
           them
           a
           kind
           of
           Tautology
           forbidden
           in
           Scripture
           .
           However
           because
           the
           Dissenters
           using
           the
           same
           form
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           though
           not
           in
           the
           same
           words
           ,
           avoid
           that
           inconvenience
           ,
           therefore
           they
           must
           be
           reduced
           into
           obedience
           to
           something
           not
           well
           considered
           what
           it
           is
           ,
           by
           Constabl●s
           and
           Informers
           .
           But
           there
           is
           a
           more
           exquisite
           Liturgy
           yet
           ,
           the
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           or
           Liturgy
           prescribed
           by
           our
           Saviour
           himself
           ;
           which
           though
           out
           of
           Veneration
           it
           be
           reduced
           into
           one
           Prayer
           for
           general
           use
           ;
           yet
           is
           no
           other
           than
           a
           set
           form
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           teaching
           heedless
           Mortals
           ,
           who
           might
           else
           be
           extravagant
           in
           their
           Petitions
           ,
           the
           true
           matter
           of
           Prayer
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           what
           we
           are
           to
           implore
           from
           God
           ,
           and
           what
           we
           are
           to
           give
           thanks
           for
           ,
           as
           enjoy'd
           .
           Examin
           then
           the
           Prayers
           of
           the
           Dissenters
           ,
           and
           if
           they
           differ
           either
           in
           the
           Cause
           ,
           the
           Matter
           ,
           the
           Form
           ,
           or
           end
           from
           the
           
             English
             Liturgy
             of
             Men
          
           ,
           mentioned
           in
           the
           Act
           ,
           or
           the
           
             Heavenly
             Liturgy
             of
             Christ
          
           ,
           let
           them
           be
           delivered
           over
           to
           all
           deserved
           punishment
           ;
           but
           if
           their
           Prayers
           be
           agreeable
           to
           the
           prescrib'd
           forms
           of
           both
           ;
           nay
           ,
           if
           they
           be
           agreeable
           to
           the
           Coelestial
           Liturgy
           ,
           though
           not
           according
           to
           the
           
           Verbatim
           of
           the
           
             Establish'd
             Liturgy
             of
          
           England
           ;
           't
           is
           a
           hard
           case
           that
           they
           should
           by
           any
           Statute
           be
           adjudged
           not
           to
           exercise
           such
           a
           Religion
           .
           If
           it
           be
           objected
           ,
           that
           the
           Notions
           of
           many
           are
           Abortive
           ,
           and
           through
           weakness
           may
           deserve
           Reprehension
           ,
           there
           is
           an
           easie
           way
           to
           remedy
           those
           Errors
           by
           imposing
           a
           more
           equal
           Injunction
           by
           the
           Authority
           of
           Church
           Discipline
           ,
           that
           no
           person
           should
           presume
           to
           ascend
           the
           Pulpit
           with
           
             ex
             tempore
          
           Raptures
           .
        
         
           For
           confirmation
           then
           that
           there
           is
           no
           need
           of
           using
           of
           Form
           and
           Order
           ,
           so
           the
           matter
           be
           the
           same
           ,
           there
           are
           many
           of
           the
           Disciples
           Prayers
           recorded
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           there
           is
           no
           question
           to
           be
           made
           but
           that
           they
           were
           acceptable
           to
           God
           ;
           and
           yet
           we
           do
           not
           read
           they
           used
           the
           absolute
           Form
           prescribed
           by
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           but
           expressed
           themselves
           in
           other
           words
           ,
           though
           altogether
           agreeing
           for
           matter
           .
        
         
           Upon
           the
           whole
           ,
           suppose
           this
           Question
           should
           be
           put
           ,
           Whether
           the
           Apostles
           did
           use
           any
           other
           Form
           than
           that
           which
           was
           taught
           them
           by
           Christ
           ?
           There
           is
           ,
           no
           doubt
           ,
           but
           the
           Answer
           will
           be
           ,
           They
           did
           not
           .
        
         
           Put
           then
           this
           Question
           to
           the
           Informer
           ;
           Did
           the
           Dissenters
           use
           any
           other
           Prayers
           than
           what
           were
           agreeable
           to
           the
           
             Church
             of
             England
          
           ?
           In
           the
           first
           place
           ,
           't
           is
           ten
           thousand
           to
           one
           ,
           whether
           he
           be
           a
           Competent
           judge
           .
           If
           he
           be
           not
           ,
           he
           stakes
           his
           Conscience
           at
           a
           dreadful
           hazard
           ;
           for
           it
           behoves
           him
           to
           Swear
           positively
           in
           the
           Affirmative
           ,
           or
           else
           in
           justice
           his
           Information
           ,
           and
           all
           his
           hopes
           of
           Gain
           ,
           are
           lost
           .
           And
           thus
           by
           a
           rigid
           Prosecution
           of
           uncharitable
           severity
           ,
           a
           necessitous
           and
           
             greedy
             wretch
          
           is
           brought
           to
           this
           tempting
           Dilemma
           ,
           either
           to
           Perjure
           himself
           ,
           or
           lose
           his
           Expectation
           .
        
         
           Again
           ,
           The
           Liturgy
           it self
           is
           not
           always
           read
           altogether
           ;
           but
           on
           some
           days
           more
           ,
           on
           some
           days
           less
           .
           The
           Dissenters
           perhaps
           use
           least
           of
           all
           ,
           yet
           they
           use
           some
           ,
           for
           they
           read
           the
           
             Reading
             Psalms
             ,
             A
             first
             and
             second
             Lesson
             ,
          
           and
           afterwards
           make
           use
           of
           
             Singing
             Psalms
          
           :
           So
           then
           it
           being
           apparent
           that
           the
           degree
           of
           Comparison
           does
           not
           annihilate
           the
           subject
           of
           the
           Comparison
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           presumed
           that
           the
           Dissenters
           are
           present
           at
           their
           Conventicles
           ,
           positively
           according
           to
           the
           Liturgy
           of
           the
           
             Church
             of
          
           England
           .
           Which
           things
           not
           being
           considered
           ,
           how
           uncharitably
           do
           they
           fall
           under
           the
           censure
           of
           
             Lavish
             and
             Inveterate
             Pulpits
          
           ?
        
         
           In
           the
           last
           place
           ,
           though
           it
           would
           be
           very
           unreasonable
           to
           disallow
           what
           has
           been
           already
           said
           ;
           yet
           should
           it
           be
           contradicted
           ,
           the
           next
           words
           ,
           
             or
             the
             practise
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
          
           will
           certainly
           give
           relief
           .
           For
           it
           is
           the
           
             practice
             of
             the
             Church
             of
          
           England
           ,
           to
           Read
           and
           Sing
           the
           Psalms
           of
           David
           ,
           to
           read
           the
           first
           and
           second
           Lesson
           ,
           and
           so
           
             do
             the
             Dissenters
          
           ;
           many
           of
           them
           also
           militate
           under
           the
           same
           Ordination
           :
           And
           if
           there
           be
           any
           that
           do
           not
           ,
           't
           is
           presumed
           they
           might
           soon
           be
           better
           advised
           ,
           the
           refusal
           deserving
           reproof
           if
           they
           may
           be
           admitted
           ,
           being
           certainly
           to
           be
           look'd
           upon
           as
           an
           obstinate
           piece
           of
           weakness
           .
           But
           which
           is
           more
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           
             Harmony
             of
             practice
          
           ,
           they
           use
           the
           
             same
             Sacraments
          
           ,
           though
           perhaps
           with
           some
           small
           difference
           in
           the
           
             Form
             and
             Ceremony
             of
             Administration
          
           ,
           which
           one
           would
           think
           might
           be
           easily
           reconciled
           without
           all
           this
           Combustion
           .
        
         
           
             There
             is
             one
             thing
             more
             to
             be
             considered
             upon
             the
             account
             of
             Moral
             Equity
             :
             That
             though
             the
          
           Act
           of
           Vniformity
           
             made
             in
             this
          
           His
           Majesties
           Raign
           ,
           
             it
             is
             here
             expresly
             declared
          
           ,
           That
           no
           other
           Form
           or
           Ceremony
           shall
           be
           used
           ,
           but
           what
           is
           prescribed
           in
           that
           Act
           ,
           or
           in
           the
           Book
           of
           Common
           Prayer
           :
           
             Yet
             both
             by
             the
             Act
             and
             the
             Book
             it
             plainly
             appears
             ,
             that
             the
          
           Prosecutors
           of
           the
           Dissenters
           make
           no
           scruple
           to
           dissent
           from
           what
           is
           there
           Enacted
           ,
           while
           they
           use
           several
           Ceremonies
           that
           are
           not
           there
           ,
           and
           omit
           much
           of
           what
           is
           there
           ,
           as
           their
           going
           up
           and
           bowing
           to
           the
           Altar
           ,
           and
           reading
           second
           Service
           there
           .
           Their
           coming
           out
           of
           the
           Pulpit
           ,
           and
           reading
           Part
           of
           the
           Communion
           Service
           in
           their
           Desks
           ,
           or
           at
           the
           Altar
           again
           ,
           and
           giving
           no
           Blessing
           at
           all
           in
           Pulpit
           :
           Their
           setting
           the
           Communion
           Table
           Altar-wise
           ,
           Richly
           adorned
           at
           the
           East
           end
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           whereas
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           placed
           either
           in
           the
           Body
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           or
           in
           some
           convenient
           place
           ,
           Covered
           with
           a
           clean
           Linnen-Cloath
           .
           Their
           Turning
           their
           Faces
           all
           of
           a
           Sudden
           to
           the
           East
           ,
           and
           bowing
           to
           the
           Name
           of
           Jesus
           ,
           and
           not
           at
           the
           Name
           of
           God
           or
           Christ
           .
        
         
           These
           Dispensations
           argue
           an
           apparent
           Non-Conformity
           ,
           or
           Over-Conformity
           ;
           the
           same
           thing
           in
           strickness
           and
           partiality
           one
           among
           another
           :
           So
           that
           it
           seems
           a
           Transgression
           
           not
           only
           against
           Charity
           ,
           but
           against
           Common
           Justice
           ,
           to
           prosecute
           those
           that
           do
           no
           more
           than
           only
           Non-Conform
           to
           those
           very
           Ceremonies
           which
           they
           themselves
           regard
           less
           of
           a
           publick
           Statute
           ,
           either
           neglect
           ,
           or
           over
           act
           at
           their
           own
           will
           and
           pleasure
           .
        
         
           And
           for
           a
           further
           confirmation
           of
           the
           Nonconformity
           of
           our
           most
           Regular
           (
           so
           pretending
           themselves
           )
           Conformists
           ,
           point
           blank
           even
           against
           the
           
             very
             Law
             of
             the
             Land
          
           ;
           let
           them
           that
           please
           but
           consider
           ,
           how
           many
           there
           are
           that
           dispence
           with
           Non-Residence
           ,
           and
           Pluralities
           ,
           to
           the
           deteriment
           of
           many
           deserving
           persons
           that
           want
           ,
           and
           positively
           against
           the
           
             Statute
             of
             the
             21
             of
          
           H.
           8.
           
             and
             yet
             no
             question
             but
             they
             would
             think
             it
             hard
             measure
             to
             be
             prosecuted
             upon
             that
             Law.
          
           So
           Partial
           is
           a
           man
           to
           forgive
           those
           failings
           in
           himself
           ,
           which
           he
           Prosecutes
           in
           others
           .
        
         
           However
           ,
           because
           all
           the
           meekness
           of
           Perswasion
           and
           Argument
           will
           not
           stop
           the
           Career
           of
           some
           mens
           Impetuosity
           in
           the
           
             Prosecution
             of
             this
             Act
          
           ,
           it
           will
           not
           be
           from
           the
           purpose
           to
           cast
           an
           Eye
           upon
           the
           
             Executive
             part
             of
             the
             Statute
          
           .
           In
           order
           to
           which
           the
           most
           considerable
           Instructions
           are
           couched
           in
           the
           first
           and
           eleventh
           Section
           .
           The
           Instructions
           of
           the
           first
           Section
           run
           thus
           .
        
         
           That
           it
           shall
           and
           may
           be
           lawful
           to
           and
           for
           any
           one
           or
           more
           Iustices
           of
           the
           Peace
           within
           the
           limits
           ,
           &c.
           
           Where
           such
           Offence
           shall
           be
           committed
           ,
           
             or
             for
             the
             Chief
          
           Magistrate
           of
           the
           Place
           or
           Corporation
           ,
           and
           upon
           proof
           of
           such
           Offence
           ,
           either
           by
           the
           Confession
           ,
           or
           Oath
           of
           two
           Witnesses
           ,
           or
           by
           Notorious
           Evidence
           and
           Circumstance
           of
           the
           Fact
           ,
           to
           make
           a
           Record
           under
           their
           Hands
           and
           Seals
           ,
           which
           Record
           shall
           to
           all
           intents
           ,
           &c.
           
             be
             taken
             to
             be
             a
             full
             Conviction
             ,
             that
             thereupon
             ,
             the
             said
             Justices
             ,
          
           &c.
           
             shall
             impose
             the
             sum
             of
          
           ,
           &c.
           
           From
           which
           words
           it
           is
           clear
           ,
           that
           by
           this
           clause
           no
           power
           is
           given
           to
           any
           Magistrate
           to
           make
           out
           any
           general
           Warrant
           upon
           this
           Act
           till
           after
           Conviction
           by
           two
           Witnesses
           ,
           or
           Confession
           of
           the
           Offender
           .
           Neither
           has
           any
           Constable
           to
           do
           with
           any
           such
           general
           Warrant
           in
           reference
           to
           this
           Act
           ,
           unless
           the
           Warrant
           grounded
           upon
           such
           a
           Record
           as
           is
           mention'd
           in
           the
           Act
           ,
           upon
           confession
           or
           proof
           and
           conviction
           of
           the
           Party
           by
           two
           Witnesses
           be
           given
           into
           his
           hands
           .
           
             Whence
             arises
             this
             Question
          
           ,
           Whether
           any
           Constable
           or
           Head-borough
           that
           acts
           in
           relation
           to
           this
           Statute
           ,
           by
           vertue
           of
           a
           Power
           not
           Authorized
           by
           the
           literal
           words
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           do
           not
           act
           at
           his
           own
           peril
           ?
        
         
           2.
           
           Whether
           he
           shall
           incur
           any
           penalty
           for
           not
           doing
           that
           which
           the
           Law
           requires
           not
           at
           his
           Hands
           ?
        
         
           For
           by
           this
           part
           of
           the
           Law
           it
           is
           required
           only
           that
           the
           Witnesses
           should
           be
           the
           Informers
           .
           But
           by
           
             general
             Warrants
          
           the
           Constables
           ,
           &c.
           are
           compelled
           to
           turn
           
             Informers
             themselves
          
           ,
           and
           to
           find
           themselves
           work
           to
           accuse
           their
           Neighbours
           on
           purpose
           to
           find
           themselves
           yet
           more
           work
           to
           disturb
           and
           distrain
           upon
           their
           Goods
           and
           Persons
           :
           A
           duty
           which
           the
           literal
           sense
           of
           this
           Paragraph
           does
           not
           in
           the
           least
           impose
           upon
           them
           .
        
         
           But
           the
           Eleventh
           Section
           is
           more
           particular
           in
           these
           words
           :
        
         
           And
           be
           it
           farther
           Enacted
           ,
           &c.
           
           That
           if
           any
           Constable
           ,
           &c.
           who
           shall
           know
           or
           be
           credibly
           informed
           of
           any
           such
           Meetings
           held
           within
           his
           Precinct
           ,
           and
           shall
           not
           give
           Information
           thereof
           ,
           &c.
           according
           to
           his
           duty
           ,
           and
           endeavour
           the
           Conviction
           of
           the
           Parties
           ,
           but
           shall
           wilfully
           omit
           the
           performance
           of
           his
           duty
           in
           the
           Execution
           of
           the
           Act
           ,
           and
           shall
           be
           convicted
           thereof
           ,
           shall
           forfeit
           the
           sum
           of
           five
           pounds
           .
        
         
           By
           this
           Paragraph
           it
           is
           very
           plain
           indeed
           ,
           that
           if
           the
           Constable
           do
           either
           know
           of
           himself
           ,
           or
           be
           credibly
           informed
           ,
           and
           do
           not
           do
           his
           duty
           he
           forfeiteth
           5
           l.
           but
           still
           if
           he
           neither
           know
           nor
           be
           credibly
           informed
           ,
           he
           is
           not
           bound
           to
           be
           so
           sedulous
           as
           to
           go
           upon
           the
           Hunt.
           But
           suppose
           the
           Constable
           ,
           &c.
           should
           either
           know
           of
           himself
           ,
           and
           be
           credibly
           informed
           ,
           and
           should
           do
           his
           duty
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           give
           Information
           ,
           and
           should
           receive
           a
           Warrant
           to
           break
           open
           the
           House
           and
           enter
           :
           yet
           finding
           nothing
           of
           Resistance
           ,
           he
           is
           still
           but
           where
           he
           was
           ,
           in
           regard
           that
           not
           having
           been
           there
           from
           the
           beginning
           to
           the
           end
           ,
           he
           cannot
           be
           positive
           ,
           whether
           the
           Persons
           there
           Assembled
           did
           exercise
           a
           Religion
           according
           to
           the
           Liturgy
           or
           Practice
           of
           
             the
             Church
             of
          
           England
           
             or
             not
          
           ,
           which
           if
           they
           did
           ,
           he
           has
           no
           power
           either
           to
           take
           their
           Names
           ,
           or
           apprehend
           their
           Persons
           ,
           unless
           they
           should
           be
           so
           imprudent
           as
           to
           make
           resistance
           ,
           and
           give
           an
           occasion
           for
           their
           Military
           Power
           to
           be
           raised
           for
           their
           suppression
           ,
           for
           
           then
           as
           
             Mutineers
             and
             Seditious
             persons
             ,
             they
             break
             their
             own
             peace
             by
             disturbing
             the
             Kings
             ,
          
           and
           by
           making
           it
           appear
           they
           are
           the
           Persons
           intended
           by
           this
           Act
           ,
           render
           themselves
           obnoxi
           us
           not
           only
           to
           the
           Penalties
           of
           this
           but
           of
           much
           more
           
             severe
             Laws
          
           .
           From
           which
           enjoyning
           of
           the
           Military
           Officers
           to
           be
           aiding
           and
           assisting
           to
           the
           Constables
           with
           armed
           Force
           ,
           Reason
           may
           not
           improperly
           collect
           the
           sense
           and
           meaning
           of
           the
           Act
           to
           be
           no
           other
           than
           what
           has
           been
           already
           presum'd
           .
           For
           
             Armed
             Force
             and
             Constabl●s
          
           ,
           could
           never
           be
           intended
           by
           the
           Law
           against
           Passive
           submission
           and
           obedience
           .
           Naked
           Swords
           and
           Constables
           Staves
           could
           never
           be
           intended
           by
           Christian
           Legislators
           to
           compel
           the
           compliance
           of
           sincere
           and
           upright
           Conscience
           ,
           to
           things
           of
           small
           concernment
           in
           respect
           of
           those
           Fundamentals
           wherein
           the
           Prosecutors
           and
           the
           Prosecuted
           both
           agree
           .
           And
           therefore
           while
           the
           
             Civil
             Magistrate
          
           has
           taken
           such
           extraordinary
           care
           for
           the
           
             publick
             safety
          
           and
           tranquility
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           it
           should
           not
           be
           the
           aim
           of
           others
           to
           carve
           out
           for
           them
           their
           Care
           ,
           the
           support
           and
           maintenance
           of
           any
           By
           Interest
           whatever
           :
           An
           aim
           too
           apparent
           ,
           by
           their
           publick
           dissatisfaction
           ,
           and
           open
           exclaiming
           against
           that
           
             noble
             Act
          
           of
           his
           
             Majesties
             most
             Royal
             Goodness
             ,
             His
             Declaration
             for
             Liberty
             of
             Conscience
          
           (
           too
           unhappily
           severe
           those
           Counsels
           that
           removed
           the
           Land-mark
           of
           his
           
             Regal
             Benignity
          
           .
           A
           presumption
           that
           they
           believe
           themselves
           more
           worthy
           or
           more
           able
           to
           manage
           that
           part
           of
           Prerogative
           themselves
           ,
           and
           grutch
           him
           the
           exercise
           of
           his
           Right
           .
           Whereas
           the
           Legislators
           with
           more
           Duty
           provide
           
             that
             nothing
             in
             their
             Act
             shall
             extend
             to
             invalidate
             or
             avoid
             his
             Majesties
             Supermacy
             in
             Ecclesiastical
             Affairs
             .
          
           But
           the
           
             Dissenting
             Protestants
          
           acknowledge
           their
           Soveraign
           to
           be
           both
           
             King
             and
             Priest
          
           :
           A
           King
           as
           he
           is
           the
           
             Supream
             Head
             of
             the
             Government
          
           ;
           a
           Priest
           as
           the
           
             Supream
             Head
             of
             the
             Church
          
           .
           To
           whom
           ,
           as
           their
           
             lawful
             Soveraign
          
           and
           
             Head
             of
             the
             Government
          
           ,
           as
           they
           have
           been
           alwaies
           ready
           to
           yield
           the
           utmost
           of
           their
           obedience
           ,
           so
           shall
           they
           never
           withdraw
           from
           him
           the
           utmost
           of
           their
           Fidelity
           .
           And
           from
           whose
           
             Priestly
             Office
          
           they
           have
           yet
           hopes
           to
           feel
           the
           influences
           
             of
             his
             former
             Grace
             and
             Mercy
             ,
          
           when
           their
           Cause
           shall
           be
           better
           examined
           .
           For
           't
           is
           not
           the
           Exasperation
           of
           the
           
             Pens
             of
             Wicked
             men
          
           continually
           
             scribling
             Division
          
           ,
           nor
           the
           
             Subornations
             of
             Popery
          
           to
           fix
           
             imaginary
             Plots
             ,
             and
             load
             their
             Innocence
             with
             the
             guilt
             and
             Villanies
             of
             others
             ,
          
           but
           the
           Truth
           of
           their
           Profession
           ,
           and
           their
           upright
           walking
           before
           God
           and
           Man
           ,
           which
           they
           hope
           will
           at
           length
           turn
           the
           Reproaches
           and
           Calumnies
           of
           their
           
             Enemies
             upon
             their
             own
             Heads
          
           .
           'T
           is
           Vnion
           which
           all
           
             True
             Protestants
          
           desire
           ,
           which
           they
           daily
           implore
           from
           God.
           There
           is
           nothing
           but
           Vnion
           wanting
           in
           this
           Rich
           and
           Plentiful
           Land.
           Which
           as
           it
           is
           only
           obstructed
           by
           Papists
           ,
           or
           persons
           
             papistically
             affected
          
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           apparent
           by
           their
           
             daily
             Machinations
          
           and
           
             contrivances
             to
             unsetle
             and
             weaken
             the
             true
             Protestant
             Interest
          
           ;
           so
           there
           can
           be
           no
           greater
           Argument
           for
           Protestants
           to
           unite
           with
           Protestants
           against
           the
           
             Common
             Enemy
          
           of
           their
           Religion
           .
           From
           these
           and
           Grounds
           of
           the
           same
           Nature
           ,
           there
           are
           some
           who
           have
           drawn
           this
           general
           Conclusion
           ,
           
             That
             it
             would
             be
             more
             conducing
             to
             the
             good
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             ,
             and
             the
             Benefit
             of
             the
             Protestant
             Religion
             ,
             that
             the
             Penal
             Laws
             against
             Non-Conformists
             ,
          
           in
           reference
           to
           differences
           of
           Religion
           ,
           
             might
             not
             be
             put
             in
             Execution
             ,
             but
             forborn
             ,
             till
             our
             most
             Gracious
             Soveraign
             ,
             and
             his
             great
             Council
             the
             Parliament
             ,
             should
             take
             the
             state
             of
             Divided
             Protestants
             into
             their
             wise
             Consideration
             ,
             and
             reduce
             things
             to
             a
             happier
             Legal
             Establishment
             .
          
        
         
           Eor
           proof
           of
           which
           it
           may
           not
           be
           altogether
           improper
           to
           give
           a
           short
           Recapitulation
           of
           the
           Reasons
           brought
           in
           defence
           of
           the
           Position
           .
        
         
           
             1.
             
             That
             it
             cannot
             be
             good
             to
             execute
             the
             35
             of
             Eliz.
             which
             the
             whole
             Parliament
             thought
             dangerous
             to
             the
             whole
             Protestant
             Interest
             in
             England
             ,
             and
             did
             as
             far
             as
             in
             them
             lay
             disannul
             .
          
           
           
             2.
             
             It
             cannot
             be
             proper
             to
             execute
             that
             Law
             upon
             them
             who
             cannot
             properly
             be
             guilty
             of
             the
             Crime
             at
             which
             the
             Law
             aims
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             It
             cannot
             be
             proper
             to
             execute
             any
             Law
             upon
             Dissenting
             Protestants
             ,
             which
             was
             promoted
             by
             men
             Popishly
             inclined
             ,
             and
             which
             since
             appeared
             to
             be
             Papists
             ,
             as
             was
             the
             Five
             Mile
             Act.
             
          
           
             4.
             
             Because
             it
             seems
             somewhat
             preposterous
             to
             rid
             the
             Land
             of
             Dissenting
             Protestants
             ,
             persons
             professing
             true
             Religion
             and
             Loyalty
             ,
             yet
             leave
             the
             Papists
             the
             Enemies
             of
             the
             King
             and
             Church
             to
             stay
             behind
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             Because
             the
             Penal
             Laws
             are
             to
             be
             inflicted
             upon
             the
             proper
             objects
             ,
             as
             Seditious
             Sectaries
             ,
             disloyal
             persons
             ,
             Hypocrites
             ,
             that
             make
             Religion
             a
             cloak
             and
             pretence
             to
             install
             principles
             of
             Schism
             and
             Sedition
             ,
             not
             upon
             Meetings
             where
             there
             is
             no
             tendency
             to
             any
             such
             Designs
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             A
             sixth
             Argument
             is
             drawn
             from
             the
             Piety
             of
             the
             Non-Conformists
             Principles
             ,
             and
             the
             Peaceableness
             of
             their
             Behaviour
             ,
             found
             so
             to
             be
             from
             the
             Experience
             of
             many
             years
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             Because
             they
             are
             Protestants
             ;
             and
             it
             seems
             not
             so
             well
             done
             to
             use
             Protestants
             ,
             the
             Kingdoms
             Friends
             ,
             and
             Strength
             worse
             than
             Papists
             ,
             the
             Enemies
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             and
             Protestant
             Religion
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             Because
             it
             is
             not
             good
             to
             execute
             the
             Law
             with
             a
             heavy
             Hand
             upon
             all
             and
             every
             Offender
             ,
             without
             making
             a
             difference
             between
             one
             man
             and
             another
             ,
             between
             one
             Offence
             and
             another
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             Because
             by
             their
             publick
             Preaching
             their
             judgments
             and
             practises
             are
             best
             discovered
             ,
             and
             being
             in
             the
             Head
             of
             the
             younger
             Dissenters
             ,
             they
             are
             as
             Directions
             and
             Examples
             to
             them
             ,
             to
             keep
             them
             from
             dangerous
             Excursions
             .
          
           
             10.
             
             Because
             that
             when
             pious
             and
             good
             men
             have
             their
             publick
             Liberty
             ,
             and
             make
             use
             of
             that
             Liberty
             only
             to
             instruct
             the
             People
             in
             their
             Duty
             to
             God
             and
             the
             King
             ,
             &c.
             one
             chief
             end
             of
             the
             Magistrates
             care
             of
             the
             State
             is
             obtained
             ,
             which
             is
             to
             maintain
             sound
             Doctrine
             .
          
           
             11.
             
             Because
             thereby
             they
             will
             be
             better
             enabled
             and
             encouraged
             to
             perform
             other
             good
             Offices
             to
             the
             King
             and
             State.
             
          
        
         
           2.
           
           
             Then
             in
             Reference
             to
             the
             Church
             ,
             these
             Reasons
             are
             added
             :
          
        
         
           
             1.
             
             Because
             agreeing
             in
             Fundamentals
             with
             their
             Prosecutors
             ,
             they
             are
             a
             great
             Addition
             of
             Strength
             against
             the
             force
             and
             subtleties
             of
             Rome
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Because
             thereby
             Schism
             will
             come
             to
             a
             greater
             closure
             ,
             when
             the
             Church
             shall
             be
             satisfied
             in
             their
             profitable
             Doctrine
             and
             peaceable
             Behaviour
             ,
             which
             will
             create
             a
             greater
             desire
             of
             Peace
             and
             Union
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             Because
             by
             this
             publick
             Preaching
             ,
             Multitudes
             of
             poor
             Souls
             that
             will
             go
             no
             where
             else
             ,
             are
             in
             the
             way
             of
             Salvation
             and
             Profession
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             of
             which
             some
             Divines
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             are
             so
             deeply
             sensible
             ,
             that
             they
             Treat
             the
             Non-Conformists
             as
             Friends
             and
             fellow
             Labourers
             .
          
        
         
           All
           which
           Reasons
           are
           more
           at
           large
           discussed
           in
           the
           Conformists
           Plea
           for
           the
           Non-Conformists
           ,
           to
           which
           the
           Reader
           is
           referred
           .
        
         
           There
           remains
           now
           no
           more
           than
           only
           the
           humble
           Proposal
           of
           some
           few
           Queries
           ,
           and
           so
           to
           conclude
           .
           First
           in
           Reference
           to
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Whether
           a
           Dissenter
           may
           be
           lawfully
           prohibited
           from
           Preaching
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           in
           truth
           and
           sincerity
           ,
           at
           any
           time
           ,
           or
           in
           any
           place
           ?
        
         
           2.
           
           Whether
           by
           the
           blessings
           and
           rewards
           that
           are
           promised
           to
           those
           that
           propagate
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           Christ
           ,
           they
           are
           not
           obliged
           to
           do
           it
           ?
        
         
         
           3.
           
           Whether
           the
           Example
           of
           Christ
           and
           his
           Disciples
           does
           not
           admit
           of
           
             Preaching
             in
             Houses
             ,
             Streets
          
           and
           
             Fields
             to
             more
             than
             five
             in
             a
             Company
             ?
          
        
         
           4.
           
           Whether
           it
           be
           not
           something
           Erroneons
           for
           the
           Law
           of
           Man
           to
           contradict
           the
           Law
           —
        
         
           5.
           
           Whether
           the
           Passive
           Obedience
           of
           Persons
           prohibited
           by
           a
           Law
           from
           preaching
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           be
           not
           destructive
           to
           the
           propagation
           and
           maintenance
           of
           the
           Gospel
           of
           Christ
           ?
        
         
           2.
           
           
             In
             reference
             to
             the
             Law
             of
             the
             Land.
             
          
        
         
           1.
           
           Whether
           the
           Opinion
           of
           the
           Commons
           of
           
             England
             ,
             That
             the
             prosecution
             of
          
           Protestant
           Dissenters
           ,
           
             upon
             the
             penal
             Laws
             ,
             is
             at
             this
             time
             grievous
             to
             the
             Subject
             ,
             a
             weakning
             of
             the
             protestant
             Interest
             ,
             and
             an
             encouragement
             to
          
           Popery
           ,
           
             and
             dangerous
             to
             the
             peace
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             ,
          
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           taken
           into
           a
           more
           serious
           Consideration
           ?
        
         
           2.
           
           Whether
           the
           prosecution
           of
           Dissenters
           does
           not
           seem
           a
           little
           strange
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           present
           timing
           of
           it
           ,
           when
           the
           Papists
           lie
           under
           several
           Convictions
           of
           seeking
           the
           Ruin
           of
           the
           
             protestant
             Religion
          
           in
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           and
           when
           the
           Kingdom
           is
           under
           such
           fears
           and
           Jealousies
           of
           the
           Predominancy
           of
           their
           Abettors
           ?
        
         
           3.
           
           Whether
           it
           be
           not
           more
           proper
           to
           begin
           with
           Popery
           before
           they
           go
           about
           to
           extirpate
           Non-Conformity
           ?
        
         
           4.
           
           Whether
           they
           who
           have
           with
           so
           much
           inveteracy
           rak'd
           into
           the
           
             forgotten
             and
             pardon'd
             Miscarriages
             of
             the
          
           Presbyterians
           ,
           had
           not
           better
           have
           spar'd
           their
           pains
           ,
           as
           nothing
           at
           all
           to
           the
           purpose
           ,
           except
           to
           what
           is
           unbecoming
           either
           peaceable
           or
           wise
           men
           ?
        
         
           5.
           
           Fifthly
           ,
           Whether
           a
           Law
           that
           
             creates
             Arbitrary
             Distresses
             and
             Imprisonments
          
           ,
           be
           not
           contrary
           to
           the
           Fundamentals
           of
           
             Magna
             Charta
          
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           
             In
             Reference
             to
             the
             Law
             of
             Scripture
             and
             Nature
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           Whether
           the
           proceedings
           of
           the
           
             Law
             enforcers
          
           be
           not
           contrary
           to
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           Christ
           ,
           
             Whatever
             ye
             would
             that
             men
             should
             do
             unto
             you
             ,
             do
             ye
             even
             the
             same
             unto
             them
             ,
             for
             this
             is
             the
             Law
             and
             the
             Prophets
             ?
          
        
         
           2.
           
           Whether
           it
           be
           according
           to
           Scripture
           ;
           For
           Protestants
           acknowledging
           the
           same
           Jesus
           ,
           the
           same
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           agreeing
           in
           the
           Fundamentals
           of
           
             Religion
             ,
             only
             for
             differences
          
           in
           
             human
             Ceremonies
          
           to
           tear
           and
           devour
           one
           another
           ?
        
         
           3.
           
           Whether
           in
           point
           of
           Appeal
           to
           make
           Parties
           themselves
           Judges
           ,
           be
           a
           thing
           usual
           ?
        
         
           4.
           
           Whether
           in
           the
           prosecution
           of
           Protestants
           by
           Protestants
           ,
           to
           make
           use
           of
           Informers
           and
           Promooters
           ,
           which
           the
           Lord
           Cook
           calls
           ,
           
             Turbiolum
             Hominum
             Genus
          
           ,
           instead
           of
           Christian
           advice
           and
           solid
           Arguments
           ,
           be
           according
           to
           Scripture
           ?
        
         
           4.
           
           
             In
             point
             of
             Policy
          
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Whether
           it
           be
           not
           against
           the
           
             Rules
             of
             Policy
          
           ,
           for
           English-men
           of
           the
           same
           Religion
           ,
           by
           cruelties
           and
           severities
           to
           destroy
           one
           another
           ,
           which
           must
           of
           necessity
           weaken
           the
           Force
           ,
           and
           destroy
           the
           Trade
           of
           the
           Nation
           ?
           It
           being
           one
           of
           the
           Lord
           
           Cook
           's
           Maxims
           ,
           
             That
             a
             King
             can
             never
             be
             poor
             when
             his
             Subjects
             are
             Rich
          
           ;
           And
           therefore
           ,
        
         
           2.
           
           Whether
           it
           be
           not
           against
           the
           
             Rules
             of
             Policy
          
           to
           set
           up
           a
           Law
           for
           the
           encouragement
           of
           
             vexatious
             Informers
             ,
             who
             under
             the
             reverend
             Mantle
             of
             Love
             and
             Justice
          
           (
           to
           use
           the
           Lord
           
           Cook
           's
           own
           words
           )
           
             instituted
             for
             the
             protection
             of
             the
             Innocent
             ,
             and
             the
             good
             of
             the
             Common-wealth
             ,
             vex
             and
             depauperize
             the
             Subject
             for
             malice
             and
             private
             ends
             ,
             never
             for
             love
             of
             Justice
             ?
          
        
         
         
           3.
           
           Whether
           it
           be
           not
           contrary
           to
           the
           Rules
           of
           prudence
           to
           make
           attempts
           in
           fruitless
           undertakings
           ,
           since
           it
           is
           found
           by
           Experience
           ,
           that
           persecution
           rather
           encreases
           than
           appeases
           Enmity
           ,
           and
           the
           common
           Maxim
           is
           ,
           that
           
             Sanguis
             Martyrum
             est
             semen
             Ecclesiae
          
           ?
        
         
           4.
           
           Whether
           forbearance
           and
           mildness
           would
           not
           absolutely
           remove
           the
           scandal
           given
           to
           the
           
             protestant
             Churches
          
           abroad
           ,
           and
           endear
           us
           to
           our
           
             Forraign
             protestant
             Alliances
          
           ?
        
         
           5.
           
           Whether
           it
           be
           prudence
           to
           afflict
           Protestants
           at
           home
           ,
           when
           we
           entertain
           afflicted
           Protestants
           from
           abroad
           ?
        
         
           6.
           
           Whether
           by
           these
           unnatural
           Divisions
           the
           necessary
           Leagues
           and
           Tyes
           of
           Friendship
           and
           acquaintance
           ,
           common
           Trust
           and
           Confidence
           among
           men
           ,
           may
           not
           in
           time
           be
           broken
           ,
           to
           the
           ruin
           of
           all
           Society
           ?
        
         
           7.
           
           Whether
           the
           wicked
           distinctions
           of
           Tory
           and
           Whigg
           ,
           &c.
           were
           not
           set
           on
           foot
           to
           encrease
           the
           Dissentions
           between
           Protestants
           ,
           and
           whether
           the
           Invention
           and
           the
           Malicious
           continuance
           of
           them
           ,
           do
           not
           deserve
           a
           punishment
           equal
           to
           the
           worst
           of
           Felonies
           ?
        
         
           5.
           
           
             In
             Reference
             to
             the
             Executive
             part
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           Whether
           the
           Issuing
           out
           of
           general
           Warrants
           by
           the
           Justices
           of
           the
           Peace
           not
           Authorized
           by
           the
           Statute
           ,
           do
           not
           render
           them
           obnoxious
           to
           other
           Laws
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Whether
           it
           be
           not
           almost
           morally
           impossible
           to
           Swear
           a
           Dissenters
           Meeting
           to
           be
           contrary
           to
           the
           Liturgy
           or
           practice
           of
           the
           
             Church
             of
          
           England
           ,
           where
           there
           is
           no
           
             overt
             act
          
           of
           
             publick
             Disturbance
          
           ,
           or
           
             seditious
             Doctrine
          
           ?
        
         
           3.
           
           Whether
           the
           
             prosecution
             of
             this
             Law
          
           do
           not
           afford
           several
           advantages
           to
           the
           spiteful
           and
           revengeful
           to
           reck
           their
           Spleen
           upon
           their
           Neighbours
           upon
           every
           slight
           disgust
           or
           falling
           out
           ?
        
         
           4.
           
           Whither
           it
           do
           not
           afford
           great
           opportunitis
           of
           Combination
           between
           some
           needy
           Justice
           of
           the
           Peace
           ,
           and
           their
           
             more
             needy
             Associate
             the
             Informer
          
           ,
           to
           prosecute
           unlawful
           Gain
           ;
           
             it
             being
             the
             general
             complaint
             of
             treble
             distresses
             made
             without
             any
             Return
             ?
          
        
         
           5.
           
           Whether
           the
           Constable
           not
           being
           authorized
           to
           break
           open
           any
           door
           ,
           or
           force
           and
           Gate
           or
           Hedge
           ,
           if
           the
           Informer
           be
           so
           fool-hardy
           as
           to
           do
           either
           ,
           and
           the
           Constable
           follow
           him
           ,
           the
           Constable
           and
           the
           Informer
           are
           not
           liable
           to
           the
           Law
           ?
        
         
           6.
           
           Whether
           there
           be
           any
           Penalty
           above
           5
           l.
           (
           directed
           by
           this
           Act
           )
           to
           be
           laid
           upon
           a
           Constable
           that
           shall
           be
           negligent
           in
           making
           Distresses
           pursuant
           to
           his
           Warrants
           ,
           it
           being
           a
           try'd
           Case
           at
           Bury
           Assizes
           in
           Suffolk
           ,
           1678.
           or
           1679.
           before
           the
           
             L.
             C.
             J.
             Scroggs
          
           ,
           where
           no
           more
           was
           recorded
           ,
           although
           the
           Warrants
           were
           for
           some
           hundreds
           of
           pounds
           ?
        
         
           7.
           
           Whether
           it
           be
           not
           positively
           against
           the
           
             Statute
             for
             the
             Observation
             of
             the
             Lords
             Day
             ,
          
           by
           which
           it
           is
           expresly
           Enacted
           ,
           
             That
             no
             Warrants
             shall
             be
             served
             upon
             that
             Day
             ,
             but
             in
             Cases
             of
             Treason
             ,
             Felony
             ,
             or
             Breach
             of
             the
             Peace
             ,
          
           to
           serve
           a
           Warrant
           upon
           a
           
             Religious
             Meeting
          
           ?
        
         
           This
           being
           the
           
             State
             of
             the
             Dissenters
             Case
          
           ,
           there
           nothing
           remains
           behind
           ,
           but
           for
           that
           most
           Sacred
           and
           Heavenly
           vertue
           Charity
           ,
           to
           give
           up
           a
           true
           determination
           ,
           accroding
           to
           the
           Precepts
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           Reason
           and
           Morality
           ,
           and
           the
           Rules
           of
           Christian
           Government
           .
        
         
           Although
           I
           cannot
           think
           but
           that
           most
           men
           are
           satisfied
           ,
           that
           the
           Act
           of
           the
           35
           of
           Eliz.
           is
           expired
           ,
           yet
           I
           thought
           it
           might
           not
           be
           amiss
           to
           subjoin
           hereunto
           the
           said
           Act
           at
           large
           ,
           with
           all
           other
           Statutes
           made
           since
           that
           Act
           that
           have
           any
           Reference
           to
           it
           ;
           there
           have
           been
           so
           many
           solid
           Arguments
           given
           ,
           by
           men
           understanding
           in
           the
           Law
           ,
           to
           prove
           the
           expiration
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           I
           shall
           not
           adventure
           to
           say
           any
           thing
           after
           them
           .
        
         
           The
           most
           material
           Act
           upon
           which
           Dissenters
           ,
           are
           likely
           to
           be
           prosecuted
           ,
           is
           that
           of
           the
           22
           of
           his
           present
           Majesty
           ,
           which
           hath
           been
           the
           Subject
           of
           most
           of
           the
           preceding
           Discourse
           ,
           therefore
           I
           have
           also
           inserted
           that
           at
           laage
           .
        
         
           
           
             VESTIGIA
             VERITATIS
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             An
             Act
             to
             retain
             the
             Queens
             Majesties
             Subjects
             in
             their
             due
             obedience
             .
          
           
             FOr
             the
             preventing
             and
             avoiding
             of
             such
             great
             inconveniences
             and
             perils
             
             as
             might
             happen
             and
             grow
             by
             the
             wicked
             and
             dangerous
             practices
             of
             Seditious
             Sectaries
             and
             disloyal
             persons
             ,
             Be
             it
             enacted
             by
             the
             Queens
             most
             excellent
             Majesty
             and
             by
             the
             Lords
             Spiritual
             and
             Temporal
             ,
             and
             the
             Commons
             in
             this
             present
             Parliament
             assembled
             ,
             
             and
             by
             the
             authority
             of
             the
             same
             ,
             That
             if
             any
             person
             or
             persons
             above
             the
             age
             of
             16
             years
             which
             shall
             obstinately
             refuse
             to
             repair
             to
             some
             Church
             ,
             Chappel
             ,
             or
             usual
             place
             of
             Common-Prayer
             ,
             to
             hear
             Divine
             Service
             established
             by
             her
             Majesties
             Laws
             and
             Statutes
             ,
             in
             that
             behalf
             made
             ,
             and
             shall
             forbear
             to
             do
             the
             same
             by
             the
             space
             of
             a
             Month
             next
             after
             ,
             without
             lawful
             Cause
             ,
             shall
             at
             any
             time
             after
             40
             days
             next
             after
             the
             end
             of
             this
             Session
             of
             Parliament
             by
             Printing
             ,
             Writing
             ,
             or
             Express
             Words
             or
             Speeches
             advisedly
             and
             purposely
             practise
             or
             go
             about
             to
             move
             ,
             or
             persuade
             any
             of
             her
             Majesties
             Subjects
             or
             any
             other
             within
             her
             Highness
             Realms
             or
             Dominions
             ,
             to
             deny
             ,
             withstand
             ,
             and
             impugn
             her
             Majesties
             Power
             and
             Authority
             in
             Causes
             Ecclesiastical
             united
             and
             annexed
             to
             the
             Imperial
             Crown
             of
             this
             Realm
             ,
             or
             to
             that
             end
             or
             purpose
             shall
             advisedly
             or
             maliciously
             move
             or
             persuade
             any
             other
             Person
             whatsoever
             to
             forbear
             or
             abstain
             from
             coming
             to
             Church
             to
             hear
             Divine
             Service
             or
             to
             receive
             the
             Communion
             according
             to
             her
             Majesties
             Laws
             and
             Statutes
             aforesaid
             ,
             or
             to
             come
             to
             or
             to
             be
             present
             at
             any
             unlawful
             Assemblies
             ,
             Conventicles
             ,
             or
             Meetings
             ;
             under
             colour
             or
             pretence
             of
             any
             Exercise
             of
             Religion
             ,
             contrary
             to
             her
             Majesties
             said
             Laws
             and
             Statutes
             ,
             or
             if
             any
             person
             or
             persons
             which
             shall
             obstinately
             refuse
             to
             repair
             to
             some
             Church
             ,
             Chappel
             ,
             or
             usual
             place
             of
             Common
             Prayer
             ,
             and
             shall
             forbear
             by
             the
             space
             of
             a
             Month
             to
             hear
             Divine
             Service
             as
             is
             aforesaid
             ,
             shall
             after
             the
             said
             forty
             days
             either
             of
             him
             or
             themselves
             or
             by
             the
             motion
             ,
             persuasion
             ,
             entertainment
             or
             allurement
             of
             any
             other
             ,
             willingly
             joyn
             in
             or
             be
             present
             at
             any
             such
             Assemblies
             ,
             Conventicles
             or
             Meetings
             ,
             under
             colour
             or
             pretence
             of
             any
             such
             Exercise
             of
             Religion
             contrary
             to
             the
             Laws
             and
             Statutes
             of
             this
             Realm
             as
             is
             aforesaid
             ;
             That
             then
             every
             such
             person
             so
             offending
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             and
             being
             thereof
             lawfully
             convicted
             ,
             shall
             be
             committed
             to
             prison
             ,
             there
             to
             remain
             without
             Bayl
             or
             Mainprise
             ,
             until
             they
             shall
             conform
             and
             yield
             themselves
             to
             come
             to
             some
             Church
             ,
             Chappel
             or
             usual
             place
             of
             Common
             Prayer
             and
             hear
             Divine
             Service
             ,
             according
             to
             her
             Majesties
             Laws
             and
             Statutes
             aforesaid
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             such
             open
             Submission
             and
             Declaration
             of
             their
             said
             Conformity
             as
             hereafter
             in
             this
             Act
             is
             declared
             and
             appointed
             .
          
           
             Provided
             always
             and
             be
             it
             further
             enacted
             by
             the
             authority
             aforesaid
             ,
             that
             if
             any
             such
             person
             or
             persons
             which
             shall
             offend
             against
             this
             Act
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             shall
             not
             within
             three
             Months
             next
             after
             they
             shall
             be
             convicted
             for
             their
             said
             offence
             ,
             conform
             themselves
             to
             the
             obedience
             of
             the
             Laws
             and
             Statutes
             of
             this
             Realm
             in
             coming
             to
             the
             Church
             to
             hear
             Divine
             Service
             ,
             and
             in
             making
             such
             Publick
             Confession
             and
             Submission
             as
             hereafter
             in
             this
             Act
             is
             appointed
             and
             expressed
             ,
             being
             thereunto
             required
             by
             the
             Bishop
             of
             the
             Diocess
             or
             any
             Justice
             of
             the
             Peace
             of
             the
             County
             where
             the
             same
             person
             shall
             happen
             to
             be
             ,
             or
             by
             the
             Minister
             or
             Curate
             of
             the
             Parish
             ,
             that
             in
             every
             such
             case
             every
             such
             offender
             being
             thereunto
             warned
             &
             required
             by
             any
             Justice
             of
             the
             Peace
             of
             the
             same
             County
             where
             such
             Offenders
             shall
             then
             be
             ,
             shall
             upon
             his
             and
             their
             corporal
             Oath
             before
             the
             Justices
             of
             the
             Peace
             in
             
             the
             open
             Quarter
             Sessions
             of
             the
             same
             County
             ,
             or
             at
             the
             Assizes
             and
             Gaol-delivery
             of
             the
             same
             County
             before
             the
             Justices
             of
             the
             same
             Assises
             and
             Gaol
             delivery
             ,
             
             Abjure
             this
             Realm
             of
             England
             and
             all
             other
             the
             Queens
             Majesties
             Dominions
             for
             ever
             ,
             unless
             her
             Majesty
             shall
             licence
             the
             party
             to
             return
             ;
             And
             thereupon
             shall
             depart
             out
             of
             this
             Realm
             ,
             at
             such
             Haven
             or
             Port
             ,
             and
             within
             such
             time
             as
             shall
             in
             that
             behalf
             be
             assigned
             and
             appointed
             by
             the
             said
             Justices
             before
             whom
             such
             abjuration
             shall
             be
             made
             ,
             unless
             the
             same
             offender
             be
             letted
             or
             stayed
             by
             such
             lawful
             and
             reasonable
             means
             or
             causes
             as
             by
             the
             Common
             Laws
             of
             this
             Realm
             are
             permitted
             and
             allowed
             in
             cases
             of
             abjuration
             for
             Felony
             .
             And
             in
             such
             Cases
             of
             let
             or
             stay
             ,
             then
             within
             such
             reasonable
             and
             convenient
             time
             after
             as
             the
             Common
             Law
             requireth
             in
             case
             of
             abjuration
             for
             felony
             as
             is
             aforesaid
             .
             And
             that
             the
             Justices
             of
             Peace
             before
             whom
             any
             such
             abjuration
             shall
             happen
             to
             be
             made
             as
             is
             aforesaid
             ,
             shall
             cause
             the
             same
             presently
             to
             be
             entred
             of
             Record
             before
             them
             ,
             and
             shall
             certifie
             the
             same
             to
             the
             Justices
             of
             Assises
             and
             Gaol
             delivery
             of
             the
             said
             County
             ,
             at
             the
             next
             Assises
             or
             Gaol-delivery
             to
             be
             holden
             in
             the
             same
             County
             .
             And
             if
             any
             such
             offenders
             which
             by
             the
             tenour
             and
             intent
             of
             this
             Act
             is
             to
             be
             abjured
             as
             is
             aforesaid
             ,
             shall
             refuse
             to
             make
             such
             abjuration
             as
             is
             aforesaid
             ,
             or
             after
             such
             abjuration
             made
             ,
             shall
             not
             go
             to
             such
             Haven
             and
             within
             such
             time
             as
             is
             before
             appointed
             ,
             and
             from
             thence
             depart
             out
             of
             this
             Realm
             according
             to
             this
             present
             ,
             Act
             ,
             or
             after
             such
             his
             departure
             shall
             return
             or
             come
             again
             into
             any
             her
             Majesties
             Realms
             or
             Dominions
             without
             her
             Majesties
             special
             licence
             in
             that
             behalf
             first
             had
             and
             obtained
             :
             That
             then
             in
             every
             such
             Case
             the
             person
             so
             offending
             shall
             be
             adjudged
             a
             Felon
             ,
             and
             shall
             suffer
             as
             in
             case
             of
             Felony
             without
             benefit
             of
             Clergy
             .
          
           
             And
             furthermore
             be
             it
             enacted
             by
             the
             Authority
             of
             this
             present
             Parliament
             .
             That
             if
             any
             Person
             or
             Persons
             that
             shall
             at
             any
             time
             hereafter
             ,
             offend
             against
             this
             Act
             ,
             shall
             before
             he
             or
             they
             be
             so
             warned
             or
             required
             to
             make
             abjuration
             according
             to
             the
             Tenour
             of
             this
             Act
             ,
             repair
             to
             some
             Parish
             Church
             on
             some
             Sunday
             or
             other
             Festival
             day
             ,
             and
             then
             and
             there
             hear
             Divine
             Service
             ,
             and
             at
             the
             Service
             time
             before
             the
             Sermon
             ,
             or
             reading
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             make
             Publick
             and
             open
             Submission
             and
             Declaration
             of
             his
             and
             their
             Conformity
             to
             her
             Majesties
             Laws
             and
             Statutes
             as
             hereafter
             in
             this
             Act
             is
             declared
             and
             appointed
             ;
             that
             then
             the
             same
             offender
             shall
             thereupon
             be
             clearly
             discharged
             of
             and
             from
             all
             and
             every
             the
             Penalties
             and
             Punishments
             inflicted
             or
             imposed
             by
             this
             Act
             for
             any
             of
             the
             Offences
             aforesaid
             .
             The
             same
             Submission
             to
             be
             made
             as
             hereafter
             followeth
             ,
             That
             is
             to
             say
             :
          
           
             I.
             A.
             B.
             Do
             humbly
             confess
             and
             acknowledg
             ,
             
             that
             I
             have
             greivously
             offended
             God
             in
             contemning
             her
             Majesties
             Godly
             and
             lawful
             Government
             and
             Authority
             ,
             by
             absenting
             my self
             from
             Church
             ,
             and
             from
             hearing
             Divine
             Service
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             Godly
             Laws
             and
             Statutes
             of
             this
             Realm
             ,
             and
             in
             using
             and
             frequenting
             disordered
             and
             unlawful
             Conventicles
             and
             Assemblies
             ,
             under
             pretence
             and
             colour
             of
             exercise
             of
             Religion
             ;
             And
             I
             am
             heartily
             Sorry
             for
             the
             same
             ,
             and
             do
             acknowledg
             and
             testifie
             in
             my
             Conscience
             that
             no
             other
             Person
             hath
             or
             ought
             to
             have
             any
             Power
             or
             Authority
             over
             her
             Majesty
             .
             And
             I
             do
             Promise
             and
             protest
             without
             any
             dissimulation
             or
             any
             colour
             or
             means
             of
             any
             dispensation
             ,
             that
             from
             henceforth
             I
             will
             from
             time
             to
             time
             obey
             and
             perform
             her
             Majesties
             Laws
             and
             Statutes
             ,
             in
             repairing
             to
             the
             Church
             and
             hearing
             Divine
             Service
             ,
             and
             do
             mine
             uttermost
             endeavour
             to
             maintain
             and
             defend
             the
             same
             .
          
           
             And
             that
             every
             Minister
             or
             Curate
             of
             every
             Parish
             where
             such
             Submission
             and
             Declaration
             of
             Conformity
             shall
             hereafter
             be
             so
             made
             by
             any
             such
             Offender
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             shall
             presently
             enter
             the
             same
             into
             a
             Book
             to
             be
             kept
             in
             every
             Parish
             for
             that
             purpose
             ,
             and
             within
             ten
             days
             next
             following
             ,
             shall
             certifie
             the
             same
             in
             Writing
             to
             the
             Bishop
             of
             the
             said
             Diocess
             .
          
           
             Provided
             nevertheless
             ,
             that
             if
             any
             such
             Offender
             after
             such
             Submission
             made
             as
             is
             aforesaid
             ,
             shall
             afterwards
             fall
             into
             Relapse
             ,
             or
             eftsoons
             ,
             obstinately
             refuse
             to
             repair
             to
             some
             Church
             ,
             Chappel
             ,
             or
             usual
             place
             of
             Common
             Prayer
             ,
             to
             hear
             Divine
             Service
             ,
             and
             shall
             forbear
             the
             same
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             or
             shall
             come
             and
             be
             present
             at
             any
             such
             Assemblies
             ,
             Conventicles
             ,
             and
             meetings
             ,
             under
             colour
             or
             pretence
             of
             any
             Exercise
             of
             Religion
             ,
             contrary
             to
             her
             Majesties
             Laws
             and
             Statutes
             .
             That
             then
             every
             such
             Offender
             shall
             lose
             all
             such
             benefit
             as
             he
             or
             she
             might
             otherwise
             by
             vertue
             of
             this
             Act
             ,
             have
             or
             enjoy
             by
             reason
             of
             their
             said
             Submission
             ,
             and
             shall
             thereupon
             stand
             and
             remain
             in
             such
             plight
             ,
             condition
             
             and
             degree
             to
             all
             intents
             ,
             as
             though
             such
             Submission
             had
             never
             been
             made
             .
          
           
             And
             for
             that
             every
             Person
             having
             House
             and
             Family
             ,
             is
             in
             duty
             bounden
             to
             have
             special
             regard
             of
             the
             good
             Government
             and
             ordering
             of
             the
             same
             ;
             Be
             it
             enacted
             by
             the
             Authority
             aforesaid
             ,
             that
             if
             any
             Person
             or
             Persons
             shall
             at
             any
             time
             hereafter
             ,
             relieve
             ,
             maintain
             ,
             retain
             or
             keep
             in
             his
             or
             their
             House
             or
             otherwise
             ,
             any
             person
             which
             shall
             obstinately
             refuse
             to
             come
             to
             some
             Church
             ,
             Chappel
             ,
             or
             usual
             place
             of
             Common
             Prayer
             to
             hear
             Divine
             Service
             ,
             and
             shall
             forbear
             the
             same
             by
             the
             space
             of
             a
             Month
             together
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             Laws
             and
             Statutes
             of
             this
             Realm
             ,
             that
             then
             every
             Person
             which
             shall
             so
             relieve
             ,
             maintain
             ,
             retain
             ,
             or
             keep
             any
             such
             Person
             offending
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             after
             notice
             thereof
             to
             him
             or
             them
             given
             by
             the
             Ordinary
             of
             the
             Diocess
             ,
             or
             any
             Justices
             of
             the
             Assizes
             of
             the
             Circuit
             ,
             or
             any
             Justice
             of
             Peace
             of
             the
             County
             ,
             or
             the
             Minister
             ,
             Curate
             ,
             or
             Church-wardens
             of
             the
             Parish
             where
             such
             person
             shall
             then
             be
             ,
             or
             by
             any
             of
             them
             ,
             shall
             forfeit
             to
             the
             Queens
             Majesty
             for
             every
             person
             so
             relieved
             ,
             maintained
             ,
             retained
             or
             kept
             after
             such
             notice
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             Ten
             Pounds
             for
             every
             Month
             ,
             that
             he
             or
             they
             shall
             so
             relieve
             ,
             maintain
             ,
             retain
             or
             keep
             any
             such
             person
             so
             offending
             .
          
           
             Provided
             nevertheless
             ,
             that
             this
             Act
             shall
             not
             in
             any
             wise
             extend
             to
             Punish
             or
             impeach
             any
             Person
             or
             Persons
             for
             relieving
             ,
             maintaining
             ,
             or
             keeping
             his
             or
             their
             Wive
             ,
             Father
             ,
             Mother
             ,
             Child
             or
             Children
             ,
             Wardes
             ,
             Brother
             or
             Sister
             ,
             or
             his
             Wives
             Father
             or
             Mother
             ,
             not
             having
             any
             certain
             place
             of
             Habitation
             of
             their
             own
             ,
             or
             the
             Husbands
             or
             Wives
             of
             any
             of
             them
             ,
             or
             for
             relieving
             ,
             maintaining
             ,
             or
             keeping
             any
             such
             person
             as
             shall
             be
             Committed
             by
             Authority
             to
             the
             Custody
             of
             any
             by
             whom
             they
             shall
             be
             so
             relieved
             ,
             maintained
             or
             kept
             ,
             any
             thing
             in
             this
             Act
             contained
             to
             the
             contrary
             notwithstanding
             .
          
           
             And
             for
             the
             more
             speedy
             levying
             and
             recovering
             for
             and
             by
             the
             Queens
             Majesty
             of
             all
             and
             Singular
             the
             Pains
             ,
             Duties
             ,
             Forfeitures
             and
             Payments
             ,
             which
             at
             any
             time
             hereafter
             shall
             accrue
             ,
             grow
             or
             be
             payable
             by
             vertue
             of
             this
             Act
             ,
             or
             of
             the
             Statutes
             made
             in
             the
             23th
             .
             year
             of
             her
             Majesties
             Reign
             concerning
             Recusants
             :
             Be
             it
             Enacted
             by
             the
             Authority
             aforesaid
             ,
             that
             all
             and
             every
             the
             said
             Pains
             ,
             Duties
             ,
             Forefeitures
             ,
             and
             Payments
             ,
             shall
             and
             may
             be
             recovered
             and
             levied
             to
             her
             Majesties
             use
             ,
             by
             Action
             of
             Debt
             ,
             Bill
             ,
             Plaint
             ,
             Information
             ,
             or
             otherwise
             in
             any
             of
             the
             Courts
             commonly
             called
             Kings
             Bench
             ,
             Common
             Pleas
             ,
             or
             Exchequer
             ;
             in
             such
             sort
             and
             in
             all
             respects
             as
             by
             the
             ordinary
             Course
             of
             the
             Common
             Laws
             of
             this
             Realm
             ,
             any
             other
             Debt
             due
             by
             any
             such
             Person
             in
             any
             other
             Case
             should
             or
             may
             be
             recovered
             or
             levied
             wherein
             no
             essoign
             ,
             Protection
             or
             Wager
             of
             Law
             shall
             be
             admitted
             or
             allowed
             .
          
           
             Provided
             always
             that
             the
             Third
             Part
             of
             the
             Penalties
             to
             be
             had
             or
             received
             by
             vertue
             of
             this
             Act
             ,
             shall
             be
             imployed
             and
             bestowed
             to
             such
             good
             and
             charitable
             uses
             ,
             and
             in
             such
             manner
             and
             form
             as
             is
             limitted
             and
             appointed
             in
             the
             Statute
             made
             in
             the
             28th
             year
             of
             her
             Majesties
             Reign
             touching
             Recusants
             .
          
           
             Provided
             also
             that
             no
             Popish
             Recusant
             or
             Feme-covert
             shall
             be
             compelled
             or
             bound
             to
             abjure
             by
             vertue
             of
             this
             Act.
             
          
           
             Provided
             also
             that
             every
             person
             that
             shall
             Abjure
             by
             force
             of
             this
             Act
             ,
             or
             refuse
             to
             Abjure
             being
             thereunto
             required
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             shall
             forfeit
             and
             lose
             to
             her
             Majesty
             all
             his
             Goods
             and
             Chattels
             forever
             ,
             and
             shall
             further
             lose
             all
             his
             Lands
             Tenements
             and
             Hereditaments
             ,
             for
             and
             during
             the
             life
             of
             such
             offender
             and
             no
             longer
             ;
             And
             that
             the
             Wife
             of
             any
             offender
             by
             force
             of
             this
             Act
             shall
             not
             lose
             her
             Dower
             ;
             Nor
             that
             any
             Corruption
             of
             Blood
             shall
             grow
             or
             be
             by
             reason
             of
             any
             offence
             mentioned
             in
             this
             Act
             ;
             But
             that
             the
             heir
             of
             every
             such
             offender
             by
             force
             of
             this
             Act
             shall
             and
             may
             after
             the
             Death
             of
             every
             offender
             have
             and
             enjoy
             the
             Lands
             ,
             Tenements
             and
             Hereditaments
             of
             such
             offender
             ,
             as
             if
             this
             Act
             had
             not
             been
             made
             .
             And
             this
             Act
             to
             continue
             no
             longer
             than
             the
             end
             of
             the
             next
             Session
             of
             Parliament
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             Anno
             39
             Eliz.
             cap.
             18.
             
          
           
             An
             Act
             for
             the
             reviving
             ,
             continuance
             ,
             explanation
             ,
             perfecting
             and
             repealing
             of
             divers
             Statutes
             .
             And
             amongst
             others
             it
             is
             there
             thus
             expressed
             ,
             viz.
             
          
           
             ANd
             wherein
             the
             Parliament
             holden
             at
             Westminster
             the
             19.
             
             day
             of
             February
             in
             the
             35th
             year
             of
             the
             Queens
             Majesties
             Reign
             that
             now
             is
             ,
             there
             was
             an
             Act
             made
             ,
             Intituled
             ,
             An
             Act
             to
             retain
             the
             Queens
             Majesties
             Subjects
             in
             their
             due
             Obedience
             ;
             Be
             it
             enacted
             by
             the
             Authority
             of
             this
             present
             Parliament
             that
             this
             Act
             (
             
               viz.
               35
               of
               Eliz.
            
             )
             as
             well
             as
             the
             other
             there
             recited
             Statutes
             and
             Acts
             ,
             shall
             be
             by
             Authority
             of
             this
             present
             Parliament
             revived
             ,
             continued
             ,
             and
             endure
             in
             force
             and
             effect
             until
             the
             end
             of
             the
             next
             Parliament
             next
             ensuing
             .
          
           
             The
             next
             Parliament
             was
             begun
             and
             holden
             at
             Westminister
             the
             27th
             day
             of
             October
             in
             the
             43th
             of
             Eliz.
             
             and
             there
             continued
             until
             the
             Dissolution
             thereof
             ,
             being
             the
             19th
             of
             December
             next
             following
             ,
             Anno
             1601.
             
             And
             there
             in
             the
             9th
             Chapter
             ,
             Sect.
             18.
             this
             35
             Eliz.
             is
             again
             continued
             by
             the
             Statute
             Intituled
             ,
             An
             Act
             for
             continuance
             of
             divers
             Statutes
             ,
             and
             for
             repeal
             of
             some
             others
             .
             As
             the
             27.
             
             Sect.
             
             of
             the
             said
             Act
             does
             make
             to
             appear
             .
             The
             words
             are
             these
             ,
             
               Be
               it
               enacted
               by
               the
               Authority
               of
               this
               present
               Parliament
               that
               the
               same
               shall
               be
               continued
               and
               remain
               in
               force
               until
               the
               end
               of
               the
               first
               Session
               of
               the
               next
               Parliament
               .
            
          
           
             At
             the
             Parliament
             begun
             and
             holden
             at
             Westminster
             the
             19th
             day
             of
             March
             ,
             
             the
             first
             year
             of
             King
             James
             ,
             and
             there
             continued
             until
             the
             7th
             of
             July
             ,
             Anno
             1604
             and
             then
             prorogued
             until
             the
             7th
             of
             February
             next
             following
             ,
             which
             ended
             that
             Session
             .
          
           
             In
             the
             25th
             Chapter
             Intituled
             ,
             An
             Act
             for
             continuing
             and
             reviveing
             of
             divers
             Statutes
             ,
             and
             for
             repealing
             of
             some
             others
             ,
             in
             Sect.
             the
             13th
             and
             the
             24th
             this
             35
             Eliz.
             and
             among
             divers
             Acts
             ,
             is
             again
             continued
             in
             these
             words
             ,
             
               viz.
               Shall
               be
               continued
               and
               remain
               in
               force
               until
               the
               end
               of
               the
               first
               Session
               of
               the
               next
               Parliament
               .
            
          
           
             At
             the
             Second
             Session
             of
             Parliament
             begun
             and
             holden
             by
             Prorogation
             at
             Westminster
             ,
             
             the
             5th
             day
             of
             November
             ,
             in
             the
             Third
             year
             of
             King
             James
             ,
             and
             there
             continued
             until
             the
             27th
             of
             May
             ,
             and
             from
             thence
             Prorogued
             till
             the
             18th
             of
             November
             next
             following
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             mention
             at
             all
             made
             of
             any
             continuance
             of
             this
             35
             Eliz.
             
          
           
             Neither
             was
             there
             any
             mention
             made
             of
             this
             said
             35
             Eliz.
             
             at
             the
             next
             Session
             of
             the
             said
             Parliament
             ,
             begun
             and
             holden
             at
             Westminster
             ,
             by
             Prorogation
             the
             18th
             day
             of
             November
             ,
             in
             the
             4th
             year
             of
             King
             James
             ,
             which
             Session
             ended
             the
             4th
             of
             July
             ,
             Anno
             1607.
             and
             then
             was
             Prorogued
             until
             the
             16th
             day
             of
             November
             next
             following
             .
          
           
             Nor
             during
             all
             the
             Fourth
             Session
             of
             the
             said
             Parliament
             ,
             
             begun
             and
             holden
             by
             Prorogation
             at
             Westmimster
             ,
             the
             19th
             day
             of
             February
             ,
             in
             the
             7th
             of
             King
             James
             ,
             and
             there
             continued
             until
             the
             23th
             day
             of
             July
             ,
             (
             and
             then
             Prorogued
             until
             the
             16th
             day
             of
             October
             next
             following
             .
             Anno
             1610.
             )
             was
             there
             any
             the
             least
             mention
             of
             a
             continuance
             of
             this
             said
             35
             Elizabeth
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             The
             Vacation
             after
             Hil.
             20.
             
             Jac.
             
          
           
             MEmorand
             .
             
             That
             on
             Monday
             the
             17th
             of
             February
             at
             Serjeants-Inn
             ,
             upon
             the
             Assembly
             of
             all
             the
             Justices
             to
             take
             Consideration
             upon
             the
             Statute
             of
             35
             
               Eliz.
               c.
            
             1.
             for
             the
             Abjuration
             of
             Sectaries
             ;
             
             the
             Attorny
             General
             and
             Serjeant
             Crew
             being
             there
             ,
             after
             the
             perusal
             of
             the
             Statute
             ,
             and
             the
             continuances
             thereof
             ,
             it
             was
             first
             upon
             debate
             considered
             ,
             Whether
             this
             Statute
             was
             in
             force
             or
             discontinued
             ,
             and
             upon
             the
             perusal
             of
             the
             Proviso
             in
             the
             Statute
             of
             Subsidy
             ,
             and
             upon
             reasoning
             the
             matter
             ,
             these
             Points
             were
             resolved
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             
             If
             a
             Parliament
             be
             Assembled
             ,
             and
             divers
             Orders
             made
             ,
             and
             a
             Writ
             of
             Error
             brought
             ,
             and
             a
             Record
             delivered
             to
             the
             higher
             House
             ,
             and
             divers
             Bills
             agreed
             ,
             but
             no
             Bills
             Signed
             ;
             That
             this
             is
             but
             a
             Convention
             ,
             and
             no
             Parliament
             or
             Session
             ;
             as
             it
             was
             
               Anno
               12
               Jac.
            
             in
             which
             (
             as
             it
             was
             affirmed
             by
             them
             which
             had
             seen
             the
             Roll
             )
             it
             is
             entred
             that
             it
             is
             not
             any
             Session
             ;
             or
             Parliament
             ,
             because
             that
             no
             Bill
             was
             signed
             ,
             
               vide
               33.
               
               H.
            
             6.
             
             Brook
             Parliament
             .
             86.
             
             Every
             Session
             in
             which
             the
             King
             signs
             Bills
             is
             a
             Parliament
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             It
             was
             agreed
             ,
             that
             if
             divers
             Statutes
             be
             continued
             until
             the
             next
             Parliament
             or
             next
             Session
             ,
             and
             there
             is
             a
             Parliament
             or
             a
             Session
             and
             nothing
             done
             therein
             as
             to
             continuance
             ,
             all
             the
             said
             Statutes
             are
             discontinued
             and
             gone
             .
             And
             then
             it
             was
             moved
             whether
             this
             Statute
             was
             discontinued
             ,
             and
             
               seriatim
               ,
               Jones
               ,
               Chamberlain
               ,
               Hutton
               ,
               Denham
               ,
               Haughton
               ,
               Dodderidge
               ,
               Winch
            
             and
             Bromley
             declared
             their
             Opinions
             ,
             
             that
             this
             Statute
             is
             discontinued
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             statute
             of
             Subsidy
             is
             a
             Parliament
             ,
             and
             that
             every
             Parliament
             is
             a
             Session
             ,
             but
             not
             
               e
               converso
            
             ,
             for
             one
             Parliament
             may
             have
             divers
             Sessions
             as
             the
             Parliament
             1
             Jac.
             had
             four
             ,
             and
             ended
             7
             
               Jac.
               vide
               33.
               
               H.
               6.
               
               Bro.
               Parl.
            
             86.
             and
             that
             this
             Proviso
             is
             not
             to
             any
             other
             purpose
             but
             to
             continue
             their
             proceedings
             in
             the
             same
             estate
             as
             if
             this
             Act
             had
             not
             been
             made
             ,
             and
             if
             this
             Proviso
             had
             not
             been
             ,
             then
             this
             statute
             had
             been
             discontinued
             by
             this
             Act
             of
             subsidy
             ,
             but
             when
             this
             ends
             and
             is
             determined
             ,
             then
             is
             the
             Session
             ended
             ,
             then
             it
             is
             a
             session
             ,
             scil
             .
             a
             Parliament
             ,
             which
             ought
             to
             be
             pleaded
             ,
             at
             the
             Parliament
             holden
             ,
             &c.
             and
             all
             the
             Commissions
             of
             subsidy
             are
             accordingly
             and
             the
             proviso
             call
             it
             a
             session
             ;
             Then
             this
             being
             done
             ,
             the
             Lord
             Chief
             Baron
             did
             not
             deliver
             any
             Opinion
             ,
             for
             he
             said
             ,
             that
             he
             had
             not
             considered
             the
             statute
             ,
             and
             afterwards
             it
             was
             desired
             that
             the
             Lords
             
             would
             deliver
             their
             Opinions
             ,
             and
             thereupon
             the
             Lord
             Hobart
             declared
             his
             Opinion
             accordingly
             ,
             That
             it
             seemed
             to
             him
             that
             it
             was
             a
             Session
             ,
             and
             that
             it
             was
             not
             safe
             to
             meddle
             with
             such
             Law
             ;
             and
             that
             he
             would
             never
             refuse
             to
             declare
             his
             Opinion
             with
             his
             Brethren
             .
             After
             the
             Lord
             Chief
             Justice
             Ley
             made
             a
             long
             discourse
             concerning
             the
             purpose
             and
             intent
             of
             Parliament
             ,
             Scilicet
             ,
             That
             it
             was
             not
             their
             purpose
             to
             destroy
             so
             good
             Laws
             ,
             and
             therefore
             it
             was
             not
             any
             such
             Session
             ,
             as
             was
             within
             the
             intent
             of
             the
             preceding
             Parliament
             ,
             which
             was
             ,
             that
             these
             should
             determine
             when
             it
             is
             a
             Parliament
             or
             Session
             ,
             in
             which
             good
             Laws
             are
             made
             .
          
           
             And
             Doderidge
             said
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             fit
             to
             see
             the
             Commission
             ,
             and
             that
             that
             which
             hath
             been
             said
             ,
             was
             not
             to
             bind
             any
             one
             ,
             but
             every
             one
             spoke
             what
             then
             he
             was
             advised
             of
             ,
             and
             peradventure
             might
             change
             upon
             better
             consideration
             .
             And
             afterwards
             ,
             upon
             Tuesday
             on
             an
             Assembly
             of
             the
             two
             Chief
             Justices
             ,
             the
             Chief
             Baron
             ,
             Justice
             Haughtom
             ,
             Baron
             
               Denham
               ,
               Hutton
               ,
               Chamberlain
            
             ,
             and
             Jones
             the
             Attorney
             General
             brought
             the
             Commission
             
               de
               12
               Eliz.
               June
            
             1.
             and
             that
             had
             these
             words
             ;
             
               Pro
               eo
               quod
               nullus
               Regalis
               assensus
               ,
               nec
               responsio
               per
               nos
               Praestat
               .
               fuit
               nullum
               Parliamentum
               nec
               aliqua
               Sessio
               Parliamenti
               lata
               aut
               tent
               .
               fuit
               .
            
             They
             have
             power
             to
             adjourn
             this
             Parliament
             thus
             begun
             ,
             and
             the
             Commission
             to
             Dissolve
             this
             Parliament
             28
             
               Feb.
               Anno.
               19
               Jac.
            
             had
             the
             same
             words
             ,
             saving
             that
             he
             recite
             that
             he
             had
             given
             his
             Royal
             assent
             to
             an
             Act
             of
             Subsidy
             ,
             by
             which
             was
             intended
             ,
             that
             it
             should
             not
             be
             a
             Session
             ;
             and
             upon
             view
             of
             the
             Commission
             ,
             the
             Lord
             Chief
             Justice
             moved
             that
             the
             King
             was
             mistaken
             in
             this
             ,
             that
             he
             had
             given
             Power
             to
             Dissolve
             this
             Parliament
             ,
             which
             had
             not
             any
             Session
             ,
             and
             if
             it
             be
             a
             Session
             ,
             then
             he
             had
             no
             power
             to
             Dissolve
             it
             ,
             and
             then
             it
             is
             as
             it
             were
             a
             recess
             ,
             and
             a
             Parliament
             cannot
             be
             discontinued
             or
             dissolved
             ,
             but
             by
             matter
             of
             Record
             ,
             and
             that
             by
             the
             King
             alone
             ;
             and
             if
             the
             Parliament
             yet
             continue
             ,
             then
             this
             Statute
             also
             continue
             during
             the
             Parliament
             by
             the
             Proviso
             ;
             but
             that
             would
             not
             serve
             :
             For
             first
             it
             is
             against
             the
             intent
             of
             the
             King
             ,
             and
             against
             his
             Proclamation
             :
             And
             also
             the
             Case
             is
             truly
             put
             in
             the
             Commission
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             matter
             in
             Fact
             ;
             and
             he
             is
             not
             misinformed
             ,
             but
             mistaken
             in
             the
             Law
             ,
             and
             then
             the
             Commission
             for
             the
             Dissolving
             is
             good
             ,
             semblable
             to
             the
             Lord
             Chandois
             Case
             ,
             and
             other
             Cases
             ,
             vide
             in
             Cholmley's
             Case
             ;
             but
             because
             that
             all
             the
             Judges
             were
             not
             at
             this
             Conference
             ,
             therefore
             it
             was
             deferred
             until
             the
             next
             term
             ;
             and
             in
             the
             interim
             the
             Grand
             Secretary
             and
             the
             Attorney
             General
             were
             to
             inform
             the
             King
             ,
             that
             the
             Statute
             is
             obscure
             ,
             and
             had
             not
             been
             put
             in
             ure
             ,
             and
             that
             we
             could
             not
             agree
             .
          
           
           
             
               si
               divers
               Sessions
               sont
               in
               vn
               mesme
               Parlement
               &
               le
               Roy
               ne
               signe
               bille
               tanque
               al
               darren
               ,
               la
               tout
               nest
               que
               un
               mesme
               jour
               ,
               &
               tent
               avera
               relation
               al
               primer
               jour
               del
               primer
               Session
               &
               le
               primer
               jour
               &
               le
               darren
               jour
               nest
               que
               un
               mesme
               Parlement
               &
               un
               mesme
               jour
               in
               ley
               ,
               nisi
               special
               mention
               soit
               fait
               in
               Pact
               quant
               ceo
               prendra
               force
               ;
               mes
               chescun
               Session
               in
               que
               le
               Roy
               signe
               les
               Billes
               est
               un
               jour
               a
               per
               lui
               ,
               &
               un
               Parlement
               a
               per
               luy
               &
               navera
               auter
               relation
               ,
               mes
               a
               mesme
               le
               Session
               :
               quod
               not
               a
               diversitatem
            
             (
             33.
             
             H.
             8.
             )
             
               Bro.
               Tit.
               Parl.
               Fol.
               119.
               b.
               num
               .
            
             86.
             
             That
             is
             in
             English
             ,
             if
             there
             be
             divers
             Sessions
             in
             one
             and
             the
             same
             Parliament
             ,
             and
             the
             King
             Signeth
             no
             Bill
             until
             the
             last
             day
             ,
             there
             all
             is
             but
             one
             and
             the
             same
             day
             ,
             and
             all
             shall
             have
             relation
             to
             the
             first
             day
             of
             the
             first
             Session
             ,
             and
             the
             first
             day
             and
             the
             last
             day
             is
             but
             one
             and
             the
             same
             Parliament
             ,
             and
             one
             and
             the
             same
             day
             in
             Law
             ,
             unless
             there
             be
             special
             mention
             made
             in
             the
             Act
             when
             that
             shall
             take
             its
             force
             ;
             but
             every
             Session
             wherein
             the
             King
             Signeth
             any
             Bills
             ,
             is
             a
             day
             by
             it self
             ,
             and
             a
             Parliament
             by
             it self
             ,
             and
             shall
             have
             no
             other
             relation
             but
             to
             the
             same
             Session
             ;
             wherein
             note
             the
             diversity
             33.
             
             H.
             8.
             
          
           
             When
             a
             Parliament
             is
             called
             and
             doth
             sit
             ,
             and
             is
             Dissolved
             without
             any
             Act
             of
             Parliament
             passed
             ,
             or
             Judgment
             given
             ,
             it
             is
             no
             Session
             of
             Parliament
             ,
             but
             a
             Convention
             ,
             
               Coke
               4.
               
               Inst
               .
               fo
               .
               28.
               vide
            
             also
             2.
             
             
               Bulstr
               .
               fo
            
             .
             237.
             
          
           
             In
             
             Hobart's
             
               Rep.
               p.
            
             78.
             
             
             It
             is
             St.
             
             John's
             Case
             ,
             there
             was
             an
             Action
             brought
             on
             the
             Statute
             21.
             
             H.
             6.
             for
             not
             returning
             one
             
               Burgess
               ,
               &c.
            
             
             And
             there
             it
             is
             said
             ,
             the
             Parliament
             was
             as
             none
             ,
             because
             there
             was
             no
             Act
             nor
             Record
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             And
             in
             
               p.
               111.
               
               Hobart
            
             says
             ,
             the
             12
             Jacobi
             (
             which
             if
             you
             be
             judged
             by
             the
             Journal
             ,
             was
             a
             large
             ,
             and
             well
             occupied
             Parliament
             )
             because
             no
             Act
             Passed
             ,
             nor
             Record
             is
             of
             it
             ,
             was
             resolved
             by
             all
             the
             Judges
             to
             be
             no
             Parliament
             .
          
           
             
               And
               now
               we
               are
               come
               to
               the
               Parliament
               begun
               and
               holden
               at
            
             Westminster
             ,
             the
             19
             of
             February
             ,
             
               in
               the
               21
               Year
               of
               King
            
             James
             ,
             
               which
               was
               there
               continued
               until
               the
               29
               day
               of
            
             May
             
               following
               ,
               and
               then
               Prorogued
               to
               the
               second
               day
               of
            
             November
             ,
             Anno
             1624.
             
             
               and
               there
               ,
               in
               the
            
             28
             Chapter
             ,
             
               is
               an
               Act
               Intituled
            
             ,
             An
             Act
             for
             continuing
             and
             reviving
             of
             divers
             Statutes
             ,
             and
             Repeal
             of
             divers
             others
             .
             
               wherein
               are
               these
               words
            
             ,
             viz.
             
               And
               so
               much
               of
               one
               Act
               made
               in
               the
               35
               Year
               of
               the
               Reign
               of
               the
               said
               late
            
             Q.
             Elizabeth
             ,
             Intituled
             ,
             An
             Act
             to
             retain
             the
             Queens
             Majesties
             Subjects
             in
             their
             due
             Obedience
             ,
             
             as
             hath
             not
             been
             sithence
             Repealed
             by
             any
             other
             Statute
             (
             
               and
               the
               other
               57
               Statutes
               which
               are
               there
               mentioned
            
             )
             shall
             ,
             by
             vertue
             of
             this
             Act
             be
             judged
             ever
             since
             the
             Session
             of
             Parliament
             in
             the
             7th
             .
             Year
             of
             His
             Majesties
             Reign
             of
             England
             to
             have
             been
             of
             such
             force
             and
             effect
             as
             the
             same
             were
             the
             last
             day
             of
             that
             Session
             ,
             and
             from
             thenceforth
             until
             the
             end
             of
             the
             first
             Session
             of
             the
             next
             Parliament
             .
             
          
           
             
               Well
               ,
               in
               the
               next
               Parliament
               begun
               and
               holden
               at
            
             Westminster
             
               the
               18
               day
               of
            
             June
             ,
             Anno
             1625.
             
               in
               the
               first
               Year
               of
               King
            
             Charlis
             the
             I.
             and
             there
             continued
             until
             the
             11th
             .
             
               day
               of
            
             July
             
               following
               ,
               and
               then
               Adjourned
               until
               the
               first
               day
               of
            
             August
             
               following
               unto
            
             Oxford
             ,
             
               several
               Acts
               Passed
               and
               by
               a
               special
               Bill
               then
               Past
               ,
               It
               was
               Enacted
               as
               followeth
               ,
               (
               it
               is
               the
            
             7th
             
               Chapter
               in
            
             Keeble
             )
             viz.
             And
             all
             Statutes
             and
             Acts
             of
             Parliament
             which
             are
             to
             have
             continuance
             unto
             the
             end
             of
             this
             present
             Session
             shall
             be
             of
             full
             force
             after
             the
             said
             Adjournment
             ,
             until
             this
             present
             Session
             be
             fully
             ended
             and
             determined
             ,
             and
             if
             this
             Session
             shall
             determine
             by
             Dissolution
             of
             this
             present
             Parliament
             ,
             then
             all
             the
             Acts
             aforesaid
             ,
             shall
             be
             continued
             until
             the
             end
             of
             the
             first
             Session
             of
             the
             next
             Parliament
             .
          
           
           
             
               At
               the
               next
               Parliament
               begun
               and
               holden
               at
            
             Westminster
             the
             17th
             
               day
               of
            
             March
             ,
             Anno
             1627.
             
             
               in
               the
               3d
               Year
               of
               King
            
             Charles
             
               the
               I.
               there
               is
               an
               Act
               in
               the
               Fourth
               Chapter
               ,
               Intituled
               ,
            
             An
             Act
             for
             repeal
             and
             continuance
             of
             divers
             Statutes
             ,
             
               among
               which
               in
               the
               21
               Section
               this
            
             35
             Eliz.
             
               is
               mentioned
               thus
            
             ,
             viz.
             And
             so
             much
             of
             one
             Act
             made
             in
             tho
             35
             Year
             of
             the
             Reign
             of
             the
             late
             Q.
             Eliz.
             Intituled
             an
             Act
             to
             retain
             the
             Queens
             Majesties
             Subjects
             in
             their
             due
             Obedience
             ,
             as
             hath
             not
             been
             since
             Repealed
             by
             any
             other
             Statute
             ;
             
             
               and
               in
               the
            
             22d
             
               Section
               it
               Enacts
               ,
               that
               this
               35
               of
            
             Eliz
             ,
             by
             vertue
             of
             this
             Act
             shall
             be
             and
             continue
             until
             the
             end
             of
             the
             first
             Session
             of
             the
             next
             Parliament
             ,
             holden
             in
             the
             first
             Year
             of
             the
             Reign
             of
             our
             Sovereign
             Lord
             the
             King
             that
             now
             is
             .
          
           
             From
             that
             3d
             Year
             unto
             the
             16
             there
             is
             no
             mention
             made
             (
             *
             as
             the
             Observer
             has
             truly
             Remark'd
             )
             of
             any
             thing
             relating
             to
             the
             35.
             
             Eliz.
             But
             in
             the
             16
             (
             at
             the
             Parliament
             begun
             at
             Westminster
             the
             3d
             day
             of
             
               November
               ,
               Anno
               1640.
               c.
            
             4.
             )
             it
             is
             Enacted
             as
             followeth
             ,
             viz.
             
          
           
             And
             be
             it
             Enacted
             by
             the
             Authority
             aforesaid
             ,
             
             that
             the
             Passing
             of
             this
             present
             Act
             ,
             or
             of
             any
             other
             Act
             or
             Acts
             ,
             or
             His
             Majesties
             Royal
             Assent
             to
             them
             or
             any
             of
             them
             in
             this
             present
             Session
             of
             Parliament
             ,
             shall
             not
             be
             any
             determination
             of
             the
             said
             Session
             ,
             and
             that
             all
             Statutes
             and
             Acts
             of
             Parliament
             which
             have
             their
             continuance
             ,
             or
             were
             by
             an
             Act
             of
             Parliament
             made
             in
             the
             3d
             Year
             of
             the
             Reign
             of
             His
             Majestie
             that
             now
             is
             ,
             Intituled
             ,
             An
             Act
             for
             the
             Continuance
             and
             Repeal
             of
             divers
             Statutes
             continued
             until
             the
             end
             of
             the
             first
             Session
             of
             the
             then
             next
             Parliament
             ,
             
               shall
               ,
               by
               virtue
               of
               this
               Act
               be
               adjudged
               ever
               since
               the
               Session
               of
               Parliament
               in
               the
               said
               Third
               Year
               to
               have
               been
               of
               such
               force
               and
               effect
               as
               the
               same
               were
               the
               last
               day
               of
               that
               Session
               ,
            
             
             
               and
               from
               thenceforth
               until
               some
               other
               Act
               of
               Parliament
               be
               made
               ,
               touching
               the
               continuance
               or
               discontinuance
               of
               the
               said
               Statutes
               and
               Acts
               in
               the
               said
               Act
               of
               the
               Third
               Year
               of
               His
               Majesties
               Reign
               continued
               ,
               as
               aforesaid
               .
            
          
           
             And
             from
             this
             Statute
             we
             find
             nothing
             of
             the
             35
             
               Eliz.
               cap.
            
             1.
             till
             we
             come
             to
             the
             16
             of
             his
             now
             Majesty
             ,
             and
             that
             Act
             I
             have
             recited
             here
             at
             large
             ,
             as
             followeth
             ,
             Viz.
             
          
        
         
           
             An
             Act
             to
             Suppress
             Seditious
             Conventicles
             .
          
           
             VVHEREAS
             an
             Act
             made
             in
             the
             35th
             .
             
             Year
             of
             the
             Reign
             of
             our
             late
             Sovereign
             Lady
             the
             Queen
             Elizabeth
             ,
             
             Entituled
             ,
             An
             Act
             to
             retain
             the
             Queens
             Majesties
             Subjects
             in
             their
             due
             Obedience
             ,
             hath
             not
             been
             put
             in
             Execution
             by
             reason
             of
             
               some
               doubt
               of
               late
               made
               whether
               the
               said
               Act
               be
               still
               in
               force
               ,
            
             although
             it
             be
             very
             clear
             and
             evident
             ,
             and
             it
             is
             hereby
             declared
             ,
             that
             the
             said
             Act
             is
             still
             in
             force
             ,
             and
             ought
             to
             be
             put
             in
             due
             execution
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             For
             providing
             therefore
             of
             further
             and
             more
             speedy
             Remedies
             against
             the
             growing
             and
             dangerous
             practices
             of
             seditious
             Sectaries
             ,
             and
             other
             disloyal
             persons
             ,
             who
             under
             pretence
             of
             Tender
             Consciences
             do
             at
             their
             Meetings
             contrive
             Insurrections
             ,
             as
             late
             Experience
             hath
             shewed
             :
          
           
           
             3.
             
             Be
             it
             enacted
             by
             the
             Kings
             most
             Excellent
             Majesty
             ,
             
             by
             and
             with
             the
             advice
             and
             consent
             of
             the
             Lords
             Spiritual
             and
             Temporal
             ,
             and
             the
             Commons
             in
             this
             present
             Parliament
             assembled
             ,
             and
             by
             Authority
             of
             the
             same
             ;
             That
             if
             any
             person
             of
             the
             Age
             of
             16
             Years
             or
             upwards
             ,
             being
             a
             Subject
             of
             this
             Realm
             ,
             at
             any
             time
             after
             the
             first
             day
             of
             July
             ,
             which
             shall
             be
             in
             the
             Year
             of
             our
             Lord
             1664
             ,
             shall
             be
             present
             at
             any
             Assembly
             ,
             Conventicle
             ,
             or
             Meeting
             ,
             under
             colour
             or
             pretence
             of
             any
             Exercise
             of
             Religion
             ,
             in
             other
             manner
             than
             is
             allowed
             by
             the
             Liturgy
             or
             Practice
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             in
             any
             place
             within
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             England
             ,
             Dominion
             of
             Wales
             ,
             and
             Town
             of
             
               Berwick
               upon
               Tweed
            
             ;
             at
             which
             Conventicle
             ,
             Meeting
             ,
             or
             Assembly
             ,
             there
             shall
             be
             Five
             Persons
             or
             more
             assembled
             together
             ,
             over
             and
             above
             those
             of
             the
             same
             Houshold
             ;
             then
             it
             shall
             and
             may
             be
             lawful
             to
             and
             for
             any
             two
             Justices
             of
             the
             Peace
             of
             the
             County
             ,
             Limit
             ,
             Division
             ,
             or
             Liberty
             ,
             wherein
             the
             Offence
             aforesaid
             shall
             be
             committed
             ,
             or
             for
             the
             chief
             Magistrate
             of
             the
             place
             where
             such
             Offence
             aforesaid
             shall
             be
             committed
             ,
             (
             if
             it
             be
             within
             a
             Corporation
             where
             there
             are
             not
             two
             Justices
             of
             the
             Peace
             )
             and
             they
             are
             hereby
             required
             and
             enjoyned
             ,
             
             upon
             proof
             to
             them
             or
             him
             respectively
             made
             of
             such
             Offence
             ,
             either
             by
             Confession
             of
             the
             Party
             ,
             or
             Oath
             of
             Witness
             or
             notorious
             Evidence
             of
             the
             Fact
             ,
             (
             which
             Oath
             the
             said
             Justices
             of
             the
             Peace
             and
             chief
             Magistrate
             respectively
             ,
             are
             hereby
             impowered
             and
             required
             to
             administer
             )
             to
             make
             a
             Record
             of
             every
             such
             Offence
             and
             Offences
             ,
             under
             their
             Hands
             and
             Seals
             respectively
             ;
             which
             Record
             so
             made
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             shall
             to
             all
             intents
             and
             purposes
             be
             in
             Law
             taken
             and
             adjudged
             to
             be
             a
             full
             and
             perfect
             Conviction
             of
             every
             such
             Offender
             for
             such
             Offence
             .
             And
             thereupon
             the
             said
             Justices
             and
             chief
             Magistrate
             respectively
             ,
             shall
             commit
             every
             such
             Offender
             so
             convicted
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             to
             the
             Gaol
             or
             House
             of
             Correction
             ,
             there
             to
             remain
             without
             Bail
             or
             Mainprise
             ,
             for
             any
             time
             not
             exceeding
             the
             space
             of
             three
             Moneths
             ,
             unless
             such
             Offender
             shall
             pay
             down
             to
             the
             Justices
             or
             chief
             Magistrate
             such
             Summ
             of
             Money
             ,
             not
             exceeding
             5
             l.
             as
             the
             said
             Justices
             or
             chief
             Magistrate
             ,
             (
             who
             are
             hereby
             thereunto
             authorized
             and
             required
             )
             shall
             fine
             the
             said
             Offender
             at
             ,
             for
             his
             or
             her
             said
             Offence
             ;
             which
             Money
             shall
             be
             paid
             to
             the
             Churchwardens
             ,
             for
             the
             relief
             of
             the
             Poor
             of
             the
             Parish
             where
             such
             Offender
             did
             last
             inhabit
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             
             And
             be
             it
             further
             enacted
             by
             the
             Authority
             aforesaid
             ,
             That
             if
             such
             Offender
             so
             convicted
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             shall
             at
             any
             time
             again
             commit
             the
             like
             Offence
             contrary
             to
             this
             Act
             ,
             and
             be
             thereof
             in
             manner
             aforesaid
             convicted
             ,
             then
             such
             Offender
             so
             convict
             of
             such
             second
             Offence
             shall
             incurr
             the
             penalty
             of
             Imprisonment
             in
             the
             Gaol
             or
             House
             of
             Correction
             ,
             for
             any
             time
             not
             exceeding
             six
             Moneths
             without
             Bail
             or
             Mainprise
             ,
             unless
             such
             Offender
             shall
             pay
             down
             to
             the
             said
             Justices
             or
             chief
             Magistrate
             ,
             such
             Summ
             of
             Money
             ,
             not
             exceeding
             10
             l.
             as
             the
             said
             Justices
             or
             chief
             Magistrate
             (
             who
             are
             thereunto
             authorized
             and
             required
             as
             aforesaid
             )
             shall
             fine
             the
             said
             Offender
             at
             ,
             for
             his
             or
             her
             said
             second
             Offence
             ,
             the
             said
             Fine
             to
             be
             disposed
             in
             manner
             aforesaid
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             
             And
             be
             it
             further
             enacted
             by
             the
             Authority
             aforesaid
             ,
             That
             if
             any
             such
             Offender
             so
             convict
             of
             a
             second
             offence
             ,
             contrary
             to
             this
             Act
             in
             manner
             aforesaid
             ,
             shall
             at
             any
             time
             again
             commit
             the
             like
             offence
             contrary
             to
             this
             Act
             ,
             then
             any
             two
             Justices
             of
             the
             Peace
             ,
             and
             chief
             Magistrate
             as
             aforesaid
             respectively
             ,
             shall
             commit
             every
             such
             Offender
             to
             the
             Gaol
             or
             House
             of
             Correction
             ,
             there
             to
             remain
             without
             Bail
             or
             Mainprise
             ,
             untill
             the
             next
             General
             Quarter
             Sessions
             ,
             Assizes
             ,
             Gaol-delivery
             ,
             Great
             Sessions
             ,
             or
             Sitting
             of
             any
             Commission
             of
             Oyer
             and
             Terminer
             in
             the
             respective
             County
             ,
             Limit
             ,
             Division
             ,
             or
             Liberty
             which
             shall
             first
             happen
             ,
             when
             and
             where
             every
             such
             Offender
             shall
             be
             proceeded
             against
             by
             Indictment
             for
             
             such
             Offence
             ,
             and
             shall
             forthwith
             be
             arraigned
             upon
             such
             Indictment
             ,
             and
             shall
             then
             plead
             the
             General
             Issue
             of
             Not
             Guilty
             ,
             and
             give
             any
             special
             matter
             in
             Evidence
             ,
             or
             confess
             the
             Indictment
             .
             And
             if
             such
             Offender
             proceeded
             against
             shall
             be
             lawfully
             convict
             of
             such
             Offence
             ,
             either
             by
             Confession
             or
             Verdict
             ;
             or
             if
             such
             Offender
             shall
             refuse
             to
             plead
             the
             General
             Issue
             ,
             or
             to
             confess
             the
             Indictment
             ;
             then
             the
             respective
             Justices
             of
             the
             Peace
             at
             their
             General
             Quarter
             Sessions
             ,
             Judges
             of
             Assize
             and
             Gaol-delivery
             ,
             at
             the
             Assizes
             and
             Gaol-delivery
             ,
             Justices
             of
             the
             Great
             Sessions
             at
             the
             Great
             Sessions
             ,
             and
             Commissoners
             of
             Oyer
             and
             Terminer
             at
             their
             Sitting
             ,
             are
             hereby
             enabled
             and
             required
             to
             cause
             Judgment
             to
             be
             entered
             against
             such
             Offender
             ,
             that
             such
             Offender
             shall
             be
             transported
             beyond
             the
             Seas
             to
             any
             of
             His
             Majesty's
             Forein
             Plantations
             ,
             (
             Virginia
             and
             
               New
               Engl.
            
             only
             excepted
             )
             there
             to
             remain
             seven
             Years
             ;
             and
             shall
             forthwith
             under
             their
             Hands
             and
             Seals
             make
             out
             Warrants
             to
             the
             Sheriff
             or
             Sheriffs
             of
             the
             same
             County
             where
             such
             Conviction
             or
             Refusal
             to
             plead
             or
             to
             confess
             as
             aforesaid
             shall
             be
             ,
             safely
             to
             convey
             such
             Offender
             to
             some
             Port
             or
             Haven
             nearest
             or
             most
             commodious
             to
             be
             appointed
             by
             them
             respectively
             ,
             and
             from
             thence
             to
             embarque
             such
             Offender
             ,
             to
             be
             safely
             transported
             to
             any
             of
             His
             Majesty's
             Plantations
             beyond
             the
             Seas
             ,
             as
             shall
             be
             also
             by
             them
             respectively
             appointed
             ,
             (
             Virginia
             and
             
               New
               England
            
             onely
             excepted
             .
             )
             Whereupon
             the
             said
             Sheriff
             shall
             safely
             convey
             and
             embarque
             ,
             or
             cause
             to
             be
             conveyed
             or
             embarqued
             ,
             such
             Offender
             to
             be
             transported
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             under
             pain
             of
             forfeiting
             for
             default
             of
             so
             transporting
             every
             such
             Offender
             the
             Summ
             of
             40
             l.
             of
             lawful
             Money
             ,
             the
             one
             moiety
             thereof
             to
             the
             King
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             moiety
             to
             him
             or
             them
             that
             shall
             sue
             for
             the
             same
             ,
             in
             any
             of
             the
             Kings
             Courts
             of
             Record
             ,
             by
             Bill
             ,
             Plaint
             ,
             Action
             of
             Debt
             ,
             or
             Information
             ;
             in
             any
             of
             which
             no
             Wager
             of
             Law
             ,
             Essoin
             ,
             or
             Protection
             shall
             be
             admitted
             .
             And
             the
             said
             respective
             Court
             shall
             then
             also
             make
             out
             Warrants
             to
             the
             several
             Constables
             ,
             Head-boroughs
             ,
             or
             Tythingmen
             of
             the
             respective
             places
             ,
             where
             the
             Estate
             Real
             or
             Personal
             of
             such
             Offender
             to
             be
             transported
             shall
             happen
             to
             be
             ,
             commanding
             them
             thereby
             to
             sequester
             into
             their
             hands
             the
             Profits
             of
             the
             Lands
             ,
             and
             to
             distrain
             and
             sell
             the
             Goods
             of
             the
             Offender
             so
             to
             be
             transported
             ,
             for
             the
             reimbursing
             of
             the
             said
             Sheriff
             ,
             and
             such
             reasonable
             Charges
             as
             he
             shall
             be
             at
             ,
             and
             shall
             be
             allowed
             him
             by
             the
             said
             respective
             Court
             for
             such
             conveying
             and
             embarquing
             of
             such
             Offender
             so
             to
             be
             transported
             ,
             rendring
             to
             the
             party
             ,
             or
             his
             or
             her
             Assigns
             ,
             the
             Overplus
             of
             the
             same
             if
             any
             be
             ,
             unless
             such
             Offender
             ,
             or
             some
             other
             on
             the
             behalf
             of
             such
             Offender
             so
             to
             be
             transported
             ,
             shall
             give
             the
             Sheriff
             such
             Sureties
             as
             he
             shall
             approve
             of
             for
             the
             paying
             all
             the
             said
             Charges
             unto
             him
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             
             And
             be
             it
             further
             enacted
             by
             the
             Authority
             aforesaid
             ,
             That
             in
             default
             of
             defraying
             such
             Charges
             by
             the
             parties
             to
             be
             transported
             ,
             or
             some
             other
             in
             their
             behalf
             ,
             or
             in
             default
             of
             Security
             given
             to
             the
             Sheriff
             as
             aforesaid
             ;
             it
             shall
             and
             may
             be
             lawful
             for
             every
             such
             Sheriff
             to
             contract
             with
             any
             Master
             of
             a
             Ship
             ,
             Merchant
             ,
             or
             other
             person
             ,
             for
             the
             transporting
             of
             such
             Offender
             at
             the
             best
             rate
             he
             can
             ;
             and
             that
             in
             every
             such
             case
             it
             shall
             and
             may
             be
             lawful
             for
             such
             persons
             so
             contracting
             with
             any
             Sheriff
             for
             transporting
             such
             Offender
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             to
             detain
             and
             imploy
             every
             such
             Offender
             so
             by
             them
             transported
             ,
             as
             a
             Labourer
             to
             them
             or
             their
             Assigns
             ,
             for
             the
             space
             of
             Five
             Years
             to
             all
             intents
             and
             purposes
             ,
             as
             if
             he
             or
             she
             were
             bound
             by
             Indentures
             to
             such
             person
             for
             that
             purpose
             .
             And
             that
             the
             respective
             Sheriffs
             shall
             be
             allowed
             or
             paid
             from
             the
             King
             upon
             their
             respective
             Accounts
             in
             the
             Exchequer
             all
             such
             Charges
             by
             them
             expended
             for
             conveying
             ,
             embarquing
             ,
             and
             transporting
             of
             such
             persons
             ,
             which
             shall
             be
             allowed
             by
             the
             said
             respective
             Courts
             ,
             from
             whence
             they
             received
             their
             respective
             Warrants
             ,
             and
             which
             shall
             not
             have
             been
             by
             any
             of
             the
             ways
             aforementioned
             paid
             ,
             secured
             ,
             or
             reimbursed
             unto
             them
             as
             aforesaid
             .
          
           
           
             VII
             .
             
             
               Provided
               always
               ,
               and
               be
               it
               further
               Enacted
               ,
            
             That
             in
             Case
             the
             Offendor
             so
             indicted
             and
             Convicted
             for
             the
             said
             third
             Offence
             ,
             shall
             pay
             into
             the
             hands
             of
             the
             Register
             or
             Cler
             of
             the
             Coart
             or
             Sessions
             where
             he
             shall
             be
             Conuicted
             (
             before
             the
             said
             Court
             or
             Sessions
             shall
             be
             ended
             )
             the
             sum
             of
             10
             l.
             That
             then
             the
             said
             Offendor
             shall
             be
             discharged
             from
             Transportation
             ,
             and
             the
             Judgment
             for
             the
             same
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             
             
               And
               be
               it
               further
               Enacted
            
             ,
             That
             the
             like
             Imprisonment
             ,
             indictment
             ,
             Arraignment
             and
             Proceedings
             ,
             shall
             be
             against
             every
             such
             Offender
             ,
             as
             often
             as
             he
             shall
             again
             offerd
             ,
             after
             such
             third
             Offence
             ,
             nevertheless
             is
             dischargeable
             and
             discharged
             by
             the
             payment
             of
             the
             like
             sum
             ,
             as
             was
             paid
             by
             such
             Offendor
             for
             his
             or
             her
             said
             Offence
             next
             before
             committed
             together
             with
             the
             Additional
             and
             increased
             sum
             of
             100
             l.
             
             more
             upon
             every
             new
             Offe●ce
             committed
             ,
             the
             said
             respective
             sums
             to
             be
             paid
             as
             aforesaid
             :
             and
             to
             be
             disposed
             of
             as
             followeth
             (
             viz.
             )
             the
             one
             moiety
             for
             the
             Repair
             of
             the
             Parish-Church
             ,
             or
             Churches
             ,
             Chappel
             ,
             or
             Chappels
             of
             such
             Parish
             within
             which
             such
             Conventicle
             ,
             Assembly
             ,
             or
             meeting
             shall
             be
             held
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             moiety
             to
             the
             Repair
             of
             the
             High-ways
             of
             the
             said
             Parish
             ,
             or
             Parishes
             (
             if
             need
             require
             )
             or
             otherwise
             for
             the
             amendment
             of
             such
             High
             ways
             as
             the
             Justices
             of
             the
             Peace
             at
             their
             respective
             Quarter-Sessions
             shall
             direct
             and
             appoint
             .
             And
             if
             any
             Constable
             ,
             Head
             orough
             ,
             or
             Tythingman
             ,
             shall
             neglect
             to
             Execute
             any
             the
             said
             Warrants
             made
             unto
             them
             for
             sequestring
             distraining
             and
             selling
             any
             of
             the
             Goods
             and
             Chattels
             of
             any
             Offendor
             against
             this
             Act
             ,
             for
             the
             levying
             such
             sums
             of
             money
             as
             shall
             be
             imposed
             for
             the
             first
             or
             second
             Offence
             ,
             he
             shall
             forfeit
             for
             every
             such
             neglect
             the
             sum
             of
             5
             l.
             of
             lawful
             money
             of
             England
             ,
             the
             one
             Moiety
             thereof
             to
             the
             King
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             Moiety
             to
             him
             that
             will
             sue
             for
             the
             same
             in
             any
             of
             the
             Kings
             Courts
             of
             Record
             as
             aforesaid
             .
             And
             if
             any
             person
             be
             at
             any
             time
             su●d
             for
             putting
             in
             Execution
             any
             of
             the
             powers
             contained
             in
             this
             Act
             ,
             
             such
             person
             shall
             and
             may
             plead
             the
             General
             Issue
             and
             give
             the
             special
             matter
             in
             Evidence
             .
             And
             if
             the
             Plaintiff
             be
             Non-suit
             .
             or
             a
             Verdict
             pass
             for
             the
             Defendant
             thereupon
             ,
             or
             if
             the
             Plaintiff
             discontinue
             his
             Action
             ,
             or
             if
             upon
             Demurrer
             Judgment
             be
             given
             for
             the
             Defendant
             ,
             every
             such
             Defendant
             shall
             have
             his
             or
             their
             treble
             Costs
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             
               And
               be
               it
               further
               Enacted
            
             ,
             That
             if
             any
             person
             against
             whom
             Judgment
             of
             Transportation
             shall
             be
             given
             in
             manner
             aforesaid
             ,
             shall
             make
             escape
             before
             Transportation
             or
             being
             Transported
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             shall
             return
             unto
             this
             Realm
             of
             England
             Dominion
             of
             Wales
             ,
             and
             Town
             of
             Barwick
             upon
             Tweed
             ,
             without
             the
             special
             Licence
             of
             his
             Majesty
             ,
             his
             Heirs
             ,
             and
             Successors
             ,
             in
             that
             behalf
             first
             had
             and
             obtained
             .
             That
             the
             party
             so
             escaping
             ,
             or
             returning
             ,
             shall
             be
             adjudged
             a
             Fellon
             ,
             and
             shall
             suffer
             Death
             ,
             as
             in
             case
             of
             Fellony
             without
             benefit
             of
             Clergy
             ,
             and
             shall
             forfeit
             and
             loose
             to
             his
             Majesty
             ,
             all
             his
             ,
             or
             her
             Goods
             and
             Chattels
             for
             ever
             ;
             and
             shall
             further
             loose
             to
             his
             Majesty
             all
             his
             ,
             or
             her
             Goods
             and
             Chattels
             ,
             Lands
             ,
             Tenements
             and
             Hereditaments
             ,
             for
             and
             during
             the
             Life
             of
             such
             Offendor
             ,
             and
             no
             longer
             .
             And
             that
             the
             Wife
             of
             any
             such
             Offendor
             by
             force
             of
             this
             Act
             shall
             not
             lose
             her
             Dower
             ,
             nor
             shall
             any
             corruption
             of
             Blood
             grow
             ,
             or
             be
             ,
             by
             reason
             of
             any
             such
             Offence
             mentioned
             in
             this
             Act
             ,
             but
             that
             the
             Heir
             of
             every
             such
             Offendor
             by
             force
             of
             this
             Act
             ,
             shall
             and
             may
             after
             the
             death
             of
             such
             Offendor
             have
             and
             enjoy
             the
             Lands
             ,
             Tenements
             and
             Hereditaments
             of
             such
             Offendors
             as
             if
             this
             Act
             had
             not
             been
             made
             .
          
           
             10.
             
             
             And
             for
             better
             preventing
             of
             the
             mischiefs
             which
             may
             grow
             by
             such
             seditious
             and
             tumultuous
             Meetings
             ,
             under
             pretence
             of
             Religious
             Worship
             .
             
               Be
               it
               further
               Enacted
               by
               the
               Authority
               aforesaid
               ,
            
             That
             the
             Lieutenants
             ,
             or
             Debuty-Lieutenants
             ,
             or
             any
             Commissioned
             Officers
             of
             the
             Militia
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             of
             his
             Majesties
             Forces
             ,
             with
             such
             Troops
             or
             Companies
             of
             Horse
             or
             Foot
             ,
             and
             also
             the
             Sheriffs
             and
             Justices
             of
             Peace
             and
             other
             Magistrates
             and
             Ministers
             of
             Justice
             ,
             or
             any
             of
             them
             jointly
             ,
             or
             severally
             ,
             within
             any
             the
             Counties
             or
             places
             within
             this
             Kingdom
             of
             England
             ,
             Dominion
             of
             Wales
             ,
             or
             Town
             of
             Berwick
             upon
             Tweed
             ,
             with
             such
             other
             Assistance
             as
             they
             shall
             think
             meet
             ,
             or
             can
             get
             in
             readiness
             with
             the
             soonest
             ,
             on
             Certificate
             made
             to
             them
             respectively
             ,
             under
             the
             hand
             and
             Seal
             of
             any
             one
             Justice
             of
             the
             Peace
             ,
             or
             Chief
             Magistrate
             as
             aforesaid
             ;
             of
             his
             particular
             information
             ,
             or
             knowledg
             of
             such
             unlawful
             Meetings
             ,
             or
             Conventicles
             ,
             held
             or
             to
             be
             held
             in
             their
             respective
             Counties
             or
             places
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             (
             with
             such
             Assistance
             as
             he
             can
             get
             together
             ,
             is
             not
             able
             to
             suppress
             or
             dissolve
             the
             same
             )
             shall
             and
             may
             ,
             and
             are
             hereby
             required
             to
             repair
             unto
             the
             place
             where
             they
             are
             so
             held
             ,
             or
             to
             be
             held
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             best
             means
             they
             can
             ,
             to
             dissolve
             and
             dissipate
             or
             prevent
             all
             such
             unlawful
             Meetings
             ;
             and
             take
             into
             their
             Custody
             ,
             such
             of
             those
             persons
             so
             unlawfully
             Assembled
             ,
             as
             they
             shall
             
             judg
             to
             be
             the
             Leaders
             and
             Seducers
             of
             the
             rest
             ;
             and
             such
             others
             ,
             as
             they
             shall
             think
             fit
             to
             be
             proceeded
             against
             ,
             according
             to
             Law
             for
             such
             their
             Offences
             .
          
           
             11.
             
             
               And
               be
               it
               Enacted
               by
               the
               Authority
               aforesaid
               ,
            
             That
             every
             person
             who
             shall
             wittingly
             and
             willingly
             suffer
             any
             such
             Conveticle
             ,
             
             unlawful
             Assembly
             or
             Meeting
             aforesaid
             ,
             to
             be
             held
             in
             his
             or
             her
             House
             ,
             Out-house
             ,
             Barn
             or
             Room
             ,
             Yard
             or
             Backside
             ,
             Woods
             or
             Grounds
             ,
             shall
             incur
             the
             same
             Penalties
             and
             Forfeitures
             as
             any
             other
             Offendor
             against
             this
             Act
             ought
             to
             incur
             and
             be
             proceeded
             against
             in
             all
             points
             in
             such
             manner
             as
             any
             other
             Offendor
             against
             this
             Act
             ought
             to
             be
             proceeded
             agianst
             .
          
           
             12.
             
             
               Provided
               also
               ,
               and
               be
               it
               Enacted
               by
               the
               Authhrity
               aforesaid
               ,
            
             That
             if
             any
             Keeper
             of
             any
             Goal
             or
             House
             of
             Correction
             ,
             
             shall
             suffer
             any
             person
             committed
             to
             his
             Custody
             for
             any
             Ossence
             against
             this
             Act
             ,
             to
             go
             at
             Large
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             Warrant
             of
             his
             Commitments
             ,
             according
             to
             this
             Act
             ,
             or
             shall
             permit
             any
             Person
             who
             is
             at
             Large
             ,
             to
             joyn
             with
             any
             Person
             Committed
             to
             his
             Custody
             ,
             by
             vertue
             of
             this
             Act
             in
             the
             exercise
             of
             Religion
             disfering
             from
             the
             Rites
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             .
             Then
             every
             such
             Keeper
             of
             a
             Goal
             or
             House
             of
             Correction
             ,
             shall
             for
             every
             such
             Offence
             ,
             forfeit
             the
             sum
             of
             10.
             
             l.
             to
             be
             levied
             ,
             raised
             ,
             and
             disposed
             by
             such
             persons
             and
             in
             such
             manner
             as
             the
             Penalties
             for
             the
             first
             and
             second
             Offences
             against
             this
             Act
             are
             to
             be
             Levied
             ,
             Raised
             and
             disposed
             .
          
           
             13.
             
             
               Provided
               always
            
             ,
             That
             no
             person
             shall
             be
             punished
             for
             any
             Offence
             against
             this
             Act
             ,
             
             unless
             such
             Offendor
             be
             prosecuted
             for
             the
             same
             within
             three
             Months
             after
             the
             offence
             committed
             ;
             and
             that
             no
             person
             who
             shall
             be
             punished
             for
             any
             Offence
             by
             vertue
             of
             this
             Act
             shall
             be
             punished
             for
             the
             same
             Offence
             by
             vertue
             of
             any
             other
             Act
             or
             Law
             whatsoever
             .
          
           
             14.
             
             
               Provided
               also
               and
               be
               it
               Enacted
               ,
            
             
             That
             Judgment
             of
             Transportation
             shall
             not
             be
             given
             against
             any
             Feme
             Covert
             unless
             her
             Husband
             be
             at
             the
             same
             time
             under
             the
             like
             Judgment
             ,
             and
             not
             discharged
             by
             the
             payment
             of
             money
             ,
             as
             aforesaid
             ;
             but
             that
             instead
             thereof
             she
             shall
             by
             the
             respective
             Court
             be
             committed
             to
             the
             Goal
             or
             House
             of
             Correction
             ,
             there
             to
             remain
             without
             Bail
             or
             Mainprize
             ,
             for
             any
             time
             not
             exceeding
             12
             Months
             ,
             unless
             her
             Husband
             shall
             pay
             down
             such
             sum
             not
             exceeding
             40
             l.
             to
             redeem
             her
             from
             imprisonment
             ,
             as
             shall
             be
             imposed
             by
             the
             said
             Court
             ,
             the
             said
             sum
             to
             be
             disposed
             by
             such
             persons
             ,
             and
             in
             such
             manner
             ,
             as
             the
             Penalties
             for
             the
             first
             and
             second
             Offence
             against
             this
             Act
             are
             to
             be
             disposed
             .
          
           
             15.
             
             
             
               Provided
               also
               ,
               and
               be
               it
               Enacted
               by
               the
               Authority
               aforesaid
               ,
            
             That
             the
             Justices
             of
             the
             Peace
             ,
             and
             Chief
             Magistrate
             respectively
             ,
             impowered
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             to
             put
             this
             Act
             in
             Execution
             ,
             shall
             and
             may
             with
             what
             Aid
             ,
             Force
             and
             Assistance
             they
             shall
             think
             fit
             for
             the
             better
             Execution
             of
             this
             Act
             ,
             after
             refusal
             or
             denial
             ,
             enter
             into
             any
             House
             or
             other
             place
             ,
             where
             they
             shall
             be
             informed
             any
             such
             Conventicle
             as
             aforesaid
             is
             or
             shall
             be
             held
             .
          
           
             16.
             
             Provided
             ,
             
             That
             no
             Dwelling-house
             of
             any
             Peer
             of
             this
             Realm
             ,
             whilest
             he
             or
             his
             Wife
             shall
             be
             there
             Resident
             ,
             shall
             be
             searched
             ,
             by
             vertue
             of
             this
             Act
             ,
             but
             by
             immediate
             Warrant
             from
             his
             Majesty
             ,
             under
             his
             Sign
             Manual
             ,
             or
             in
             the
             prefence
             of
             the
             Lieutenant
             ,
             or
             one
             of
             the
             Deputy-Lieutenants
             ,
             or
             two
             Justices
             of
             the
             Peace
             ,
             whereof
             one
             to
             be
             of
             the
             Quorum
             of
             the
             same
             County
             or
             Riding
             ,
             nor
             shall
             any
             other
             Dwelling-house
             of
             any
             Peer
             or
             other
             person
             whatsoever
             ,
             be
             entered
             into
             with
             Force
             by
             vertue
             of
             this
             Act
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             presence
             of
             one
             Justice
             of
             the
             Peace
             or
             chief
             Magistrate
             respectively
             ,
             except
             within
             the
             City
             of
             London
             ,
             where
             it
             shall
             be
             lawful
             for
             any
             such
             other
             Dwelling-house
             to
             be
             entred
             into
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             in
             the
             presence
             of
             one
             Justice
             of
             the
             Peace
             ,
             Alderman
             ,
             Deputy-Alderman
             ,
             or
             any
             one
             Commissoner
             for
             the
             Lieutenancy
             for
             the
             City
             of
             London
             .
          
           
             17.
             
             
               Provided
               also
               ,
               and
               be
               it
               Enacted
               by
               the
               Authority
               aforesaid
               ,
            
             
             That
             no
             person
             shall
             by
             vertue
             of
             this
             Act
             ,
             be
             committed
             to
             the
             House
             of
             Correction
             ,
             that
             shall
             satisfie
             the
             said
             Justices
             of
             the
             Peace
             ,
             or
             chief
             Magistrate
             respectively
             ,
             that
             he
             or
             she
             (
             and
             in
             case
             of
             a
             Feme
             Covert
             that
             her
             Husband
             )
             hath
             an
             Estate
             of
             Free-hold
             ,
             or
             Copy-hold
             ,
             to
             the
             value
             of
             5
             
               l.
               per
               Annum
            
             ,
             or
             personal
             Estate
             to
             the
             value
             of
             50
             l.
             any
             thing
             in
             this
             Act
             to
             the
             contrary
             notwithstanding
             .
          
           
             18.
             
             And
             in
             regard
             a
             certain
             Sect
             called
             Quakers
             ,
             and
             other
             Sectaries
             are
             found
             not
             only
             to
             offend
             in
             the
             matters
             provided
             against
             by
             this
             Act
             ,
             
             but
             also
             obstruct
             the
             proceedings
             of
             Justice
             ,
             by
             their
             obstinate
             refusal
             to
             take
             Oaths
             lawfully
             tendered
             unto
             them
             ,
             in
             the
             ordinary
             Course
             of
             Law
             ,
             
               Therefore
               be
               it
               further
               Enacted
               ,
               by
               the
               Authority
               aforesaid
               ,
            
             that
             if
             any
             person
             or
             persons
             ,
             being
             duly
             and
             legally
             served
             with
             Process
             or
             other
             Summons
             ,
             to
             appear
             in
             any
             Court
             of
             Record
             except
             
             Court-Leets
             ,
             as
             a
             Witness
             ,
             or
             returned
             to
             serve
             of
             any
             Jury
             ,
             or
             ordered
             to
             be
             examined
             upon
             Interrogatories
             ,
             or
             being
             present
             in
             Court
             ,
             shall
             refuse
             to
             take
             any
             Judicial
             Oath
             legally
             tendered
             to
             him
             ,
             by
             the
             Judg
             or
             Judges
             of
             the
             same
             Court
             having
             no
             legal
             Plea
             to
             Justifie
             ,
             or
             excuse
             the
             refusal
             of
             the
             same
             Oath
             ,
             or
             if
             any
             Person
             or
             Persons
             being
             duly
             served
             with
             Process
             to
             answer
             any
             Bill
             ,
             exhibited
             against
             him
             or
             them
             in
             any
             Court
             of
             Equity
             ,
             or
             any
             Suit
             in
             any
             Court
             Ecclesiastical
             shall
             refuse
             to
             answer
             such
             Bill
             or
             Suit
             upon
             his
             or
             their
             corporal
             Oath
             ,
             in
             cases
             where
             the
             Law
             requires
             such
             Answer
             to
             be
             put
             in
             upon
             Oath
             ,
             or
             being
             summoned
             to
             be
             a
             Witness
             in
             any
             such
             Court
             ,
             or
             ordered
             to
             be
             examined
             upon
             Interrogatiories
             shall
             for
             any
             Cause
             or
             Reason
             not
             allowed
             by
             Law
             ,
             refuse
             to
             take
             such
             Oath
             ,
             as
             in
             such
             Cases
             is
             required
             by
             Law
             ,
             That
             then
             and
             in
             such
             Case
             the
             several
             and
             respective
             Courts
             wherein
             such
             refusal
             shall
             be
             made
             ,
             shall
             be
             and
             are
             hereby
             enabled
             to
             Record
             ,
             Enter
             ,
             or
             Register
             such
             refusal
             ;
             which
             Record
             or
             Entry
             shall
             be
             and
             is
             hereby
             made
             a
             Conviction
             of
             such
             Offence
             ,
             and
             all
             and
             every
             person
             and
             persons
             ,
             so
             aforesaid
             offending
             ,
             shall
             for
             every
             such
             Offence
             ,
             incur
             the
             judgment
             and
             punishment
             of
             Transportation
             ,
             in
             such
             manner
             as
             is
             appointed
             by
             this
             Act
             for
             other
             Offences
             .
          
           
             19.
             
             
               Provided
               always
            
             ,
             That
             if
             any
             person
             or
             persons
             aforesaid
             ,
             shall
             come
             into
             such
             Court
             ,
             and
             take
             his
             or
             their
             Oath
             in
             these
             words
             .
          
           
             I
             do
             swear
             ,
             
             that
             I
             do
             not
             hold
             the
             taking
             of
             an
             Oath
             to
             be
             unlawful
             ,
             nor
             refuse
             to
             take
             an
             Oath
             on
             that
             Account
             .
          
           
             20.
             
             Which
             Oath
             ,
             the
             respective
             Court
             or
             Courts
             aforesaid
             ,
             are
             hereby
             Authorized
             ,
             and
             required
             ,
             forthwith
             to
             tender
             ,
             administer
             and
             Register
             before
             the
             Entry
             of
             the
             Conviction
             aforesaid
             ,
             or
             shall
             take
             such
             Oath
             before
             some
             Justice
             of
             the
             Peace
             ,
             who
             is
             hereby
             Authorized
             and
             required
             to
             Administer
             the
             same
             to
             be
             returned
             into
             such
             Court
             ,
             such
             Oath
             so
             made
             shall
             acquit
             him
             or
             them
             from
             such
             punishment
             ,
             any
             thing
             herein
             to
             the
             contrary
             notwithstanding
             .
          
           
             21.
             
             
               Provided
               always
            
             ,
             That
             every
             person
             convicted
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             in
             Courts
             aforesaid
             (
             other
             then
             his
             Majesties
             Courts
             of
             Kings-Bench
             ,
             or
             before
             the
             Justices
             of
             Assize
             ,
             or
             General
             Goal-delivery
             )
             shall
             by
             Warrant
             containing
             a
             Certificate
             of
             such
             Conviction
             ,
             under
             the
             Hand
             and
             Seal
             of
             the
             respective
             Judg
             or
             Judges
             ,
             before
             whom
             such
             Conviction
             shall
             be
             had
             ,
             be
             sent
             to
             some
             one
             of
             his
             Majesties
             Goals
             in
             the
             same
             County
             where
             such
             Conviction
             was
             had
             ,
             there
             to
             remain
             without
             Bail
             or
             Mainprize
             ,
             untill
             the
             next
             Assizes
             or
             General-Goal-Delivery
             ,
             where
             ,
             if
             such
             person
             so
             convicted
             ,
             shall
             refuse
             to
             take
             the
             Oath
             aforesaid
             ,
             being
             tendered
             unto
             him
             by
             the
             ●ustice
             or
             Justices
             of
             Assize
             or
             Goal-delivery
             ,
             then
             such
             Justice
             ,
             or
             Justices
             shall
             cause
             Judgment
             of
             Transportation
             to
             be
             executed
             in
             such
             manner
             as
             judgment
             of
             Transportation
             by
             this
             Act
             is
             to
             be
             executed
             ;
             But
             in
             case
             such
             person
             shall
             take
             the
             said
             Oath
             ,
             then
             he
             shall
             thereupon
             be
             discharged
             .
          
           
             22.
             
             
               Provided
               always
            
             ,
             
             
               and
               be
               it
               Enacted
               by
               the
               Authority
               aforesaid
               ,
            
             That
             if
             any
             Peer
             of
             this
             Realm
             ,
             shall
             offend
             against
             this
             Act
             ,
             he
             shall
             pay
             10
             l.
             for
             the
             first
             offence
             ,
             and
             20
             l.
             for
             the
             second
             offence
             ,
             to
             be
             levied
             upon
             his
             Goods
             and
             Chattels
             by
             Warrant
             from
             any
             two
             Justices
             of
             the
             Peace
             ,
             or
             chief
             Magistrate
             of
             the
             place
             ,
             or
             Division
             ,
             where
             such
             Peer
             shall
             dwell
             ;
             and
             that
             every
             Peer
             for
             the
             third
             and
             every
             further
             Offence
             against
             the
             Tenour
             of
             this
             Act
             ,
             shall
             be
             tried
             by
             his
             Peers
             and
             not
             otherwise
             .
          
           
             23.
             
             
               Provided
               also
               and
               be
               it
               further
               Enacted
               by
               the
               Authority
               aforsaid
               ,
            
             That
             this
             Act
             shall
             continue
             in
             force
             for
             three
             years
             after
             the
             end
             of
             this
             present
             Session
             of
             Parliament
             ,
             
             and
             from
             thence
             forward
             to
             the
             end
             of
             the
             next
             Session
             of
             Parliament
             ,
             after
             the
             said
             three
             years
             ,
             and
             no
             longer
             .
          
           
             Since
             this
             was
             finished
             ,
             I
             found
             in
             the
             
               London
               Gazette
            
             Published
             
               Thursday
               April
            
             21.
             1681.
             this
             Paragraph
             ,
             viz.
             
          
           
             To
             undeceive
             the
             Kings
             Loyal
             Subjects
             ,
             who
             may
             be
             misled
             into
             Error
             by
             a
             Pamphlet
             called
             
               The
               History
               of
               the
               Life
               and
               Death
               of
               35
               Eliz.
            
             These
             are
             to
             inform
             them
             ,
             that
             that
             Act
             amongst
             others
             ,
             was
             continued
             1
             Jac.
             until
             the
             end
             of
             the
             first
             Session
             of
             the
             next
             Parliament
             ,
             There
             were
             four
             Sessions
             in
             that
             Parliament
             ,
             the
             last
             whereof
             ended
             7
             Jac.
             but
             the
             Act
             was
             to
             continue
             to
             the
             first
             Session
             of
             the
             next
             Parliament
             ;
             and
             though
             every
             Session
             to
             some
             purposes
             be
             as
             a
             several
             Parliament
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             no
             such
             Parliament
             which
             can
             have
             a
             first
             Session
             ,
             and
             is
             never
             in
             Acts
             of
             Parliament
             stiled
             the
             next
             Parliament
             .
             The
             next
             Parliament
             summoned
             was
             12
             Jac.
             but
             because
             nothing
             was
             done
             therein
             ,
             it
             was
             held
             no
             Parliament
             .
             Then
             a
             Parliament
             was
             summoned
             18
             Jac.
             wherein
             passed
             only
             Subsidies
             Granted
             by
             the
             Spiritualty
             and
             Temporalty
             .
             Hence
             a
             question
             arose
             20
             Jac.
             whether
             
             35
             Eliz.
             was
             not
             discontinued
             upon
             this
             ground
             ,
             that
             18
             Jac.
             was
             a
             Session
             by
             passing
             the
             Subsidy
             Act
             ,
             which
             being
             referr'd
             to
             all
             the
             Judges
             ,
             nine
             of
             them
             were
             of
             Opinion
             ,
             35
             Eliz.
             with
             the
             other
             Laws
             continued
             1
             Jac.
             were
             thereby
             discontinued
             .
             To
             prevent
             which
             mischief
             ,
             The
             Parliament
             21
             Jac.
             not
             only
             revives
             35
             Eliz.
             and
             those
             other
             Laws
             in
             all
             58.
             but
             Enacts
             that
             they
             shall
             be
             ad
             udged
             ever
             since
             the
             Session
             of
             Parliament
             7
             Jac.
             to
             have
             been
             of
             such
             Force
             and
             Effect
             as
             the
             same
             were
             the
             last
             day
             of
             that
             Session
             .
             And
             't
             is
             undoubted
             they
             all
             were
             then
             in
             force
             ,
             by
             Virtue
             of
             1
             Jac.
             and
             the
             latter
             continuance
             run
             clear
             without
             the
             aid
             of
             the
             Declaratory
             Law
             of
             16
             Car.
             2.
             
             And
             though
             this
             Conventicle
             Act
             of
             16
             Car.
             2.
             be
             expired
             ,
             yet
             there
             is
             another
             of
             greater
             Force
             22
             of
             the
             King
             yet
             in
             being
             .
          
           
             And
             having
             therein
             mentioned
             the
             Act
             of
             the
             22
             of
             his
             Present
             Majesty
             ,
             I
             thought
             I
             could
             not
             justly
             acquit
             my self
             of
             what
             I
             had
             undertaken
             (
             viz.
             impartially
             and
             fully
             to
             let
             down
             all
             that
             might
             any
             ways
             have
             Relation
             to
             this
             35.
             
             
               Eliz.
               c.
            
             1.
             )
             without
             giving
             you
             that
             Statute
             at
             Large
             ,
             whereby
             the
             Judicious
             Reader
             may
             fee
             how
             far
             it
             proves
             the
             35
             Eliz.
             still
             to
             be
             in
             force
             .
          
        
         
           
             An
             Act
             to
             Prevent
             and
             Suppress
             Seditious
             Conventicles
             .
          
           
             FOR
             providing
             further
             and
             more
             speedy
             remedies
             against
             the
             growing
             and
             dangerous
             practises
             of
             Seditious
             Sectaries
             and
             other
             disloyal
             persons
             ,
             
             who
             under
             pretence
             of
             Tender
             Consciences
             ,
             
             have
             or
             may
             at
             their
             Meetings
             contrive
             Insurrections
             (
             as
             late
             experience
             hath
             shown
             )
             Be
             it
             Enacted
             by
             the
             Kings
             most
             Excellent
             Majesty
             ,
             by
             and
             with
             the
             advice
             and
             consent
             of
             the
             Lords
             Spiritual
             and
             Temporal
             and
             Commons
             in
             this
             present
             Parliament
             Assembled
             ,
             
             and
             by
             Authority
             of
             the
             same
             ,
             That
             if
             any
             Person
             of
             the
             age
             of
             16
             years
             or
             upwards
             ,
             being
             a
             Subject
             of
             this
             Realm
             ,
             at
             any
             time
             after
             the
             Tenth
             day
             of
             May
             next
             ,
             shall
             be
             present
             at
             any
             Assembly
             ,
             Conventicle
             or
             Meeting
             ,
             under
             colour
             or
             pretence
             of
             any
             exercise
             of
             Religion
             in
             other
             manner
             then
             according
             to
             the
             Liturgy
             and
             practise
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             in
             any
             place
             within
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             England
             ,
             Dominion
             of
             Wales
             ,
             or
             Town
             of
             Berwick
             upon
             Tweed
             ,
             at
             which
             Conventicle
             ,
             Meeting
             or
             Assembly
             ,
             there
             shall
             be
             five
             Persons
             or
             more
             assembled
             together
             ,
             over
             and
             besides
             those
             of
             the
             same
             houshold
             ;
             if
             it
             be
             in
             a
             house
             where
             there
             is
             a
             family
             inhabiting
             ,
             or
             if
             it
             be
             in
             a
             house
             ,
             field
             ;
             or
             place
             where
             there
             is
             no
             family
             inhabiting
             :
             Then
             where
             any
             five
             persons
             or
             more
             are
             so
             assembled
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             It
             shall
             and
             may
             be
             lawfull
             to
             and
             for
             any
             one
             or
             more
             Justices
             of
             the
             Peace
             of
             the
             County
             ,
             
             Limit
             ,
             Division
             ,
             Corporation
             or
             Liberty
             ,
             wherein
             the
             offence
             aforesaid
             shall
             be
             committed
             ,
             or
             for
             the
             chief
             Magistrate
             of
             the
             Place
             where
             the
             offence
             aforesaid
             shall
             be
             committed
             .
             And
             he
             and
             they
             are
             hereby
             required
             and
             enjoyned
             ,
             upon
             proof
             to
             him
             or
             them
             respectively
             made
             of
             such
             offence
             ,
             either
             by
             confession
             of
             the
             party
             ,
             or
             Oath
             of
             two
             Witnesses
             (
             which
             Oath
             ,
             the
             said
             Justice
             and
             Justices
             of
             the
             Peace
             and
             chief
             Magistrate
             respectively
             are
             hereby
             impowred
             and
             required
             to
             Administer
             )
             or
             by
             notorious
             Evidence
             and
             circumstance
             of
             the
             Fact
             ,
             to
             make
             A
             Record
             of
             every
             such
             offence
             under
             his
             or
             their
             Hands
             and
             Seals
             respectively
             ;
             which
             Record
             so
             made
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             shall
             to
             all
             intents
             and
             purposes
             be
             in
             Law
             taken
             and
             adjudged
             to
             be
             a
             full
             and
             perfect
             Conviction
             of
             every
             such
             Offender
             for
             such
             offence
             ;
             and
             thereupon
             the
             said
             Justice
             ,
             
             Justices
             ,
             and
             chief
             Magistrate
             respectively
             ,
             shall
             impose
             on
             every
             such
             Offender
             so
             Convict
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             a
             Fine
             of
             5
             s.
             for
             such
             first
             Offence
             ,
             which
             Record
             and
             Conviction
             shall
             be
             Certified
             by
             the
             said
             Justice
             ,
             Justices
             ,
             or
             chief
             Magistrate
             ,
             at
             the
             next
             Quarter
             Sessions
             of
             the
             Peace
             for
             the
             County
             or
             Place
             where
             the
             Offence
             was
             Committed
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             
               And
               be
               it
               further
               Enacted
               by
               the
               Authority
               aforesaid
               ,
            
             That
             if
             such
             Offender
             so
             convicted
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             shall
             at
             any
             time
             again
             commit
             the
             like
             Offence
             or
             Offences
             contrary
             to
             this
             Act
             ,
             and
             be
             thereof
             in
             manner
             aforesaid
             Convicted
             :
             Then
             such
             offender
             so
             convict
             of
             such
             like
             offence
             or
             offences
             ,
             shall
             for
             every
             such
             offence
             incur
             the
             penalty
             of
             10
             s.
             which
             Fine
             and
             Fines
             for
             the
             first
             ,
             and
             every
             other
             offence
             shall
             be
             levied
             by
             distress
             and
             Sale
             of
             the
             Offenders
             Goods
             and
             Chattels
             ;
             or
             in
             case
             of
             the
             poverty
             of
             such
             Offender
             ,
             
             upon
             the
             Goods
             and
             Chattels
             of
             any
             other
             person
             or
             persons
             who
             shall
             then
             be
             Convicted
             in
             manner
             aforesaid
             of
             the
             like
             Offence
             at
             the
             same
             Conventicle
             ,
             at
             the
             discretion
             of
             the
             said
             Justice
             ,
             Justices
             or
             chief
             Magistrate
             respectively
             ,
             so
             as
             the
             sum
             to
             be
             levied
             ,
             or
             any
             one
             person
             in
             case
             of
             the
             poverty
             
             of
             other
             Offenders
             amount
             not
             in
             the
             whole
             to
             above
             the
             Sum
             of
             10
             l.
             upon
             occasion
             of
             any
             one
             meeting
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             
             and
             every
             Constable
             ,
             Headborough
             ,
             Tythingman
             ,
             Church-wardens
             ,
             and
             Overseers
             of
             the
             Poor
             ,
             respectively
             ,
             are
             hereby
             authorised
             and
             required
             to
             levy
             the
             same
             accordingly
             ,
             having
             first
             received
             a
             Warrant
             under
             the
             Hands
             and
             Seals
             of
             the
             said
             Justice
             ,
             Justices
             ,
             or
             chief
             Magistrate
             ,
             respectively
             so
             to
             do
             ;
             the
             said
             Moneys
             so
             to
             be
             levied
             ,
             to
             be
             forthwith
             delivered
             to
             the
             same
             Justice
             ,
             Justices
             ,
             or
             chief
             Magistrate
             ,
             and
             by
             him
             or
             them
             to
             be
             distributed
             .
             The
             one
             third
             part
             thereof
             to
             the
             use
             of
             the
             Kings
             Majesty
             ,
             his
             Heirs
             and
             Succssors
             ,
             
             to
             be
             paid
             to
             the
             High-Sheriff
             of
             the
             County
             for
             the
             time
             being
             ,
             in
             manner
             following
             ,
             That
             is
             to
             say
             ,
             the
             Justice
             or
             Justices
             of
             the
             Peace
             ,
             shall
             pay
             the
             same
             into
             the
             Court
             of
             the
             respective
             Quarter
             Sessions
             ,
             which
             said
             Court
             shall
             deliver
             the
             same
             to
             the
             Sheriff
             ,
             and
             make
             a
             memorial
             on
             Record
             of
             the
             payment
             ,
             and
             delivery
             thereof
             ,
             which
             said
             memorial
             shall
             be
             a
             fufficient
             and
             final
             discharge
             to
             the
             said
             Justice
             and
             Justices
             ,
             and
             a
             charge
             to
             the
             Sheriff
             ,
             which
             said
             discharge
             and
             charge
             shall
             be
             certified
             into
             the
             Exchequer
             together
             ,
             
             and
             not
             one
             without
             tho
             other
             .
             And
             no
             Justice
             shall
             or
             may
             be
             questioned
             or
             accomptable
             for
             the
             same
             in
             the
             Exchequer
             or
             else
             where
             ,
             then
             in
             Quarter
             Sessions
             .
             And
             other
             third
             part
             thereof
             to
             and
             for
             the
             use
             of
             the
             Poor
             of
             the
             Parish
             where
             such
             Offence
             shall
             be
             Committed
             .
             And
             the
             other
             third
             part
             thereof
             to
             the
             Informer
             and
             Informers
             ,
             and
             to
             such
             person
             and
             persons
             as
             the
             said
             Justice
             ,
             Justices
             ,
             or
             Chief
             Magistrate
             respectively
             shall
             appoint
             ,
             having
             regard
             to
             their
             diligence
             and
             industry
             in
             the
             discovery
             ,
             dispersing
             ,
             and
             punishing
             of
             the
             said
             Conventicles
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             
               And
               be
               it
               further
               Enacted
               by
               the
               Authority
               aforesaid
               ,
            
             
             That
             every
             person
             who
             shall
             take
             upon
             him
             to
             Preach
             or
             Teach
             in
             any
             such
             Meeting
             ,
             Assembly
             ,
             or
             Conventicle
             ,
             and
             shall
             thereof
             be
             Convicted
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             shall
             forfeit
             for
             every
             such
             first
             offence
             ,
             the
             sum
             of
             20
             l.
             to
             be
             levied
             in
             manner
             aforesaid
             ,
             upon
             his
             Goods
             and
             Chattels
             .
             And
             if
             the
             said
             Preacher
             or
             Teacher
             so
             Convicted
             be
             a
             stranger
             ,
             and
             his
             Name
             and
             Habitation
             not
             known
             ,
             or
             is
             fled
             and
             cannot
             be
             found
             ,
             or
             in
             the
             judgment
             of
             the
             Justice
             .
             Justices
             ,
             or
             chief
             Magistrate
             before
             whom
             he
             shall
             be
             Convicted
             ,
             shall
             be
             thought
             unable
             to
             pay
             the
             same
             ;
             the
             said
             Justice
             ,
             Justices
             ,
             or
             chief
             Magistrate
             respectively
             are
             hereby
             impowred
             and
             required
             to
             levy
             the
             same
             by
             Warrant
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             upon
             the
             Goods
             and
             Chattels
             of
             any
             such
             persons
             who
             shall
             be
             present
             at
             the
             same
             Conventicle
             ;
             Any
             thing
             in
             this
             or
             any
             other
             .
             Act
             Law
             or
             Statute
             to
             the
             contrary
             notwithstanding
             .
             And
             the
             Money
             so
             levied
             ,
             to
             be
             disposed
             of
             in
             manner
             aforesaid
             :
             And
             if
             such
             Offendor
             so
             convicted
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             shall
             at
             any
             time
             again
             commit
             the
             like
             offence
             or
             offences
             ,
             contrary
             to
             this
             Act
             ,
             and
             be
             thereof
             convicted
             in
             manner
             aforesaid
             ,
             then
             such
             Offendor
             convicted
             of
             such
             like
             offence
             or
             offences
             ,
             shall
             for
             every
             such
             offence
             incurr
             the
             penalty
             of
             40
             l.
             to
             be
             levied
             and
             disposed
             as
             aforesaid
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             
               And
               be
               it
               further
               Enacted
               by
               the
               Authority
               aforesaid
               ,
            
             
             That
             every
             person
             who
             shall
             wittingly
             and
             willingly
             suffer
             any
             such
             Conventicle
             ,
             Meeting
             or
             unlawful
             Assembly
             aforesaid
             ,
             to
             be
             held
             in
             his
             or
             her
             House
             ,
             Outhouse
             ,
             Barn
             ,
             Yard
             or
             Backside
             ,
             and
             be
             convicted
             thereof
             in
             manner
             aforesaid
             ,
             shall
             forseit
             the
             sum
             of
             20
             l.
             to
             be
             levied
             in
             manner
             aforesaid
             upon
             his
             or
             her
             Goods
             and
             Chattels
             ;
             or
             in
             case
             of
             his
             or
             her
             povetry
             or
             inability
             as
             aforesaid
             upon
             the
             Goods
             and
             Chattels
             of
             such
             persous
             who
             shall
             be
             convicted
             in
             manner
             aforesaid
             of
             being
             present
             at
             the
             same
             conventicle
             ,
             and
             the
             money
             so
             levied
             to
             be
             disposed
             of
             in
             manner
             aforesaid
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             
               Provided
               always
            
             ,
             
             
               And
               be
               it
               Enacted
               by
               the
               Authority
               aforesaid
               ,
            
             That
             no
             person
             shall
             by
             any
             Clause
             of
             this
             Act
             ,
             be
             liable
             to
             pay
             above
             10
             l.
             for
             any
             one
             Meeting
             in
             regard
             of
             the
             Poverty
             of
             any
             other
             person
             or
             persons
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             
               Provided
               also
               ,
               And
               be
               it
               further
               Enacted
               ,
            
             That
             in
             all
             Cases
             of
             this
             Act
             where
             the
             Penalty
             or
             sum
             charged
             upon
             any
             Offender
             exceed
             the
             sum
             of
             10
             s.
             
             and
             such
             Offender
             shall
             find
             himself
             agrieved
             ,
             it
             shall
             and
             may
             be
             lawfull
             for
             him
             within
             one
             week
             after
             the
             said
             penalty
             or
             money
             charged
             shall
             be
             paid
             or
             levied
             ,
             to
             appeals
             in
             writing
             from
             the
             person
             or
             persons
             convicted
             to
             the
             Judgment
             of
             the
             Justices
             of
             the
             Peace
             in
             their
             next
             Quarter
             Sessions
             ,
             to
             whom
             the
             Justice
             or
             Justices
             of
             Peace
             chief
             Magistrate
             or
             Alderman
             that
             first
             convicted
             such
             Offendor
             ,
             shall
             return
             the
             money
             levied
             upon
             the
             Appellant
             ,
             and
             shall
             certifie
             under
             his
             and
             their
             Hands
             and
             Seals
             ,
             the
             Evidence
             upon
             which
             the
             Conviction
             past
             ,
             with
             the
             whole
             Record
             thereof
             and
             the
             said
             Appeal
             ;
             whereupon
             such
             Offendor
             may
             plead
             and
             make
             defence
             ,
             and
             have
             his
             Tryal
             by
             a
             Jury
             thereupon
             .
             And
             in
             cafe
             such
             Appellant
             shall
             not
             prosecute
             with
             effect
             ;
             or
             if
             upon
             such
             Tryal
             he
             shall
             not
             be
             acquitted
             ,
             or
             Judgment
             pass
             
             not
             for
             him
             upon
             his
             said
             Appeal
             ,
             the
             said
             Justices
             at
             the
             Sessions
             shall
             give
             treble
             Costs
             again
             such
             Offendor
             for
             his
             unjust
             Appeal
             ;
             And
             no
             other
             Court
             whatsoever
             shall
             intermedle
             with
             any
             Cause
             or
             Causes
             of
             Appeal
             upon
             this
             Act
             ,
             but
             they
             shall
             be
             finally
             determined
             in
             the
             Quarter
             Sessions
             only
             .
             
          
           
             7.
             
             
               Provided
               always
               ,
               And
               be
               it
               further
               Enacted
               ,
            
             That
             upon
             the
             delivery
             of
             such
             Appeal
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             the
             person
             or
             persons
             Appellant
             shall
             enter
             before
             the
             person
             or
             persons
             convicting
             into
             a
             Recognizance
             to
             present
             the
             said
             Appeal
             with
             effect
             ,
             which
             said
             Recognizance
             the
             person
             or
             persons
             convicting
             is
             hereby
             impowred
             to
             take
             ,
             and
             required
             to
             certifie
             the
             same
             to
             the
             next
             Quarter
             Sessions
             ;
             and
             in
             case
             no
             such
             Recognizance
             be
             entred
             into
             ,
             the
             said
             Appeal
             to
             be
             null
             and
             void
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             
               Provided
               always
            
             ,
             That
             every
             such
             Appeal
             shall
             be
             left
             with
             the
             person
             or
             persons
             so
             convicting
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             at
             the
             time
             of
             the
             making
             thereof
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             
               And
               be
               it
               further
               Enacted
               by
               the
               Authority
               aforesaid
               ,
            
             
             That
             the
             Justice
             ,
             Justices
             of
             the
             Peace
             ,
             and
             chief
             Magistrate
             respectively
             ,
             or
             the
             respective
             Constables
             ,
             Head-boroughs
             ,
             and
             Tything
             men
             ,
             by
             Warrant
             from
             the
             said
             Justice
             ,
             Justices
             ,
             or
             chief
             Magistrate
             respectively
             ,
             shall
             and
             may
             with
             what
             aid
             ,
             force
             and
             assistance
             they
             shall
             think
             fit
             ,
             for
             the
             better
             Execution
             of
             this
             Act
             ,
             after
             refusal
             or
             denyal
             to
             enter
             ,
             break
             open
             and
             enter
             into
             any
             house
             ,
             or
             other
             place
             ,
             where
             they
             shall
             be
             informed
             any
             such
             Conventicle
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             is
             or
             shall
             be
             held
             ,
             as
             well
             within
             Liberties
             as
             without
             ,
             and
             take
             into
             their
             Custody
             the
             persons
             there
             unlawfully
             assembled
             ,
             to
             the
             intent
             they
             may
             be
             proceeded
             against
             according
             to
             this
             Act.
             And
             that
             the
             Lieutenants
             or
             Deputy-Licutenants
             or
             any
             Commissionated
             Officer
             of
             the
             Militia
             ,
             or
             other
             of
             his
             Majesties
             Forces
             with
             such
             Troops
             or
             Companies
             of
             Horse
             and
             Foot
             ,
             and
             also
             the
             Sheriffs
             and
             other
             Magistrates
             and
             Ministers
             of
             Justice
             ,
             
             or
             any
             of
             them
             ,
             jointly
             or
             severally
             within
             any
             the
             Counties
             or
             places
             within
             this
             Kingdom
             of
             England
             ,
             Dominion
             of
             Wales
             or
             Town
             of
             Barwick
             upon
             Tweed
             ,
             with
             such
             other
             assistance
             made
             to
             them
             respectively
             under
             the
             hand
             and
             Seal
             of
             any
             one
             Justice
             of
             Peace
             ,
             or
             chief
             Magistrate
             of
             his
             particular
             information
             or
             knowledg
             of
             such
             unlawful
             Meeting
             or
             Conventicle
             held
             ,
             or
             to
             be
             held
             in
             their
             respective
             Counties
             or
             places
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             with
             such
             assistance
             as
             he
             can
             get
             together
             ,
             is
             not
             able
             to
             suppress
             and
             dissolve
             the
             same
             ,
             shall
             and
             may
             and
             are
             hereby
             required
             and
             enjoyned
             to
             repair
             unto
             the
             place
             where
             they
             are
             so
             held
             ,
             or
             to
             be
             held
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             best
             means
             they
             can
             to
             dissolve
             ,
             dissipate
             or
             prevent
             all
             such
             unlawful
             Meetings
             ,
             and
             take
             into
             their
             Custody
             ,
             such
             and
             so
             many
             of
             the
             said
             persons
             so
             unlawfully
             assembled
             as
             they
             shall
             think
             fit
             ,
             to
             the
             intent
             they
             may
             be
             proceeded
             against
             according
             to
             this
             Act.
             
          
           
             10.
             
             
               Provided
               always
            
             ,
             
             That
             no
             dwelling
             House
             of
             any
             Peer
             of
             this
             Realm
             where
             he
             or
             his
             wife
             shall
             then
             be
             resident
             ,
             shall
             be
             searched
             by
             Virtue
             of
             this
             Act
             ,
             but
             by
             immediate
             warrant
             from
             his
             Majessiy
             under
             his
             sign
             Manual
             ,
             or
             in
             the
             presence
             of
             the
             Lieutenant
             ,
             or
             one
             Deputy-Lieutenant
             or
             two
             Justices
             of
             the
             Peace
             ,
             whereof
             one
             to
             be
             of
             the
             Quorum
             of
             the
             same
             County
             or
             Riding
             .
          
           
             11.
             
             
               And
               be
               it
               further
               Enacted
               by
               the
               Authority
               aforesaid
               ,
            
             
             That
             if
             any
             Constable
             ,
             Headborough
             ,
             Tythingman
             ,
             Church-wardon
             ,
             or
             Overfeer
             of
             the
             Poor
             ,
             who
             shall
             know
             ●r
             be
             credibly
             informed
             of
             any
             such
             Meetings
             or
             Conventicles
             ,
             held
             within
             his
             Precincts
             ,
             Parishes
             or
             Limits
             ,
             and
             shall
             not
             give
             information
             thereof
             to
             some
             Justice
             of
             the
             Peace
             ,
             or
             the
             chief
             Magistrate
             ,
             and
             endeavour
             the
             Conviction
             of
             the
             parties
             ,
             according
             to
             his
             Duty
             ,
             but
             such
             Constable
             ,
             Headborough
             ,
             Tythingman
             ,
             Churchwarden
             ,
             Overseers
             of
             the
             Poor
             or
             any
             person
             lawfully
             called
             in
             aid
             of
             the
             Constable
             ,
             Headborough
             ,
             or
             Tything-man
             shall
             wilfully
             and
             wittingly
             omit
             the
             performance
             of
             his
             duty
             in
             the
             execution
             of
             this
             Act
             ,
             and
             be
             thereof
             convicted
             in
             manner
             aforesaid
             ,
             he
             shall
             forfeit
             for
             every
             such
             offence
             the
             sum
             of
             5
             l.
             to
             be
             levied
             upon
             his
             Goods
             and
             Chattels
             ,
             and
             disposed
             in
             manner
             aforesaid
             .
             And
             that
             if
             any
             Justice
             of
             the
             Peace
             or
             chief
             Magistrate
             shall
             wilfully
             and
             wittingly
             omit
             the
             performance
             of
             his
             duty
             in
             the
             execution
             of
             this
             Act
             ,
             he
             shall
             forfeit
             the
             sum
             of
             100
             l.
             the
             one
             moiety
             to
             the
             use
             of
             the
             Informer
             to
             be
             recovered
             by
             Action
             ,
             Suit
             ,
             Bill
             ,
             or
             Plaint
             in
             any
             of
             his
             Majesties
             Courts
             at
             Westminster
             ,
             wherein
             no
             Essoin
             ,
             Protection
             ,
             or
             Wager
             of
             Law
             shall
             lie
             .
          
           
             12
             ,
             
               And
               be
               it
               further
               Enacted
               by
               the
               Authority
               aforesaid
               ,
            
             
             That
             if
             any
             person
             be
             at
             any
             time
             sued
             for
             putting
             in
             execution
             any
             of
             the
             Power
             contained
             in
             this
             Act
             ,
             otherwise
             than
             upon
             Appeal
             allowed
             by
             this
             Act
             ,
             such
             person
             shall
             and
             may
             plead
             the
             general
             issue
             and
             give
             the
             special
             matter
             in
             Evidence
             :
             and
             if
             the
             Plaintiff
             be
             Nonsuit
             ,
             or
             a
             Vordict
             pass
             for
             the
             Defendant
             ,
             or
             if
             the
             Plaintiff
             discontinue
             his
             Action
             ,
             
             or
             if
             upon
             demur
             Judgment
             be
             given
             for
             the
             Desendant
             ,
             every
             such
             Desendant
             shall
             have
             his
             full
             treble
             Costs
             .
          
           
             13.
             
             
               And
               be
               it
               further
               Enacted
               by
               the
               Authority
               aforesaid
               ,
            
             That
             this
             Act
             and
             all
             clauses
             therein
             contained
             ,
             
             shall
             be
             construed
             most
             largely
             and
             beneficially
             for
             the
             suppressing
             of
             Conventicles
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             justification
             and
             encouragement
             of
             all
             persons
             to
             be
             employed
             in
             the
             execution
             thereof
             :
             and
             that
             no
             Record
             ,
             Warrant
             ,
             or
             Mittimus
             to
             be
             made
             by
             vertue
             of
             this
             Act
             or
             any
             proceedings
             thereupon
             shall
             be
             reversed
             ,
             avoided
             ,
             or
             any
             way
             impeached
             by
             reason
             of
             any
             default
             in
             form
             .
             And
             in
             case
             any
             person
             offending
             against
             this
             Act
             shall
             be
             an
             Inhabitant
             in
             any
             other
             County
             or
             Corporation
             ,
             or
             flie
             into
             any
             other
             County
             or
             Corporation
             after
             the
             offence
             committed
             ,
             the
             Justice
             of
             Peace
             or
             chief
             Magistrate
             before
             whom
             he
             shall
             be
             convicted
             ,
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             shall
             certifie
             the
             same
             under
             his
             hand
             and
             seal
             to
             any
             Justice
             of
             Peace
             or
             chief
             Magistrate
             of
             such
             County
             or
             Corporation
             wherein
             the
             said
             person
             or
             persons
             are
             Inhabitants
             ,
             or
             are
             fled
             into
             ;
             which
             said
             Justice
             or
             chief
             Magistrate
             respectively
             is
             hereby
             authorized
             and
             required
             to
             levy
             the
             penalty
             or
             penalties
             in
             this
             Act
             mentioned
             ,
             upon
             the
             Goods
             and
             Chattels
             of
             such
             person
             or
             persons
             ,
             as
             fully
             as
             the
             said
             other
             Justice
             of
             Peace
             might
             have
             done
             in
             case
             he
             or
             they
             had
             been
             Inhabitants
             in
             the
             place
             wlfere
             the
             offence
             was
             committed
             .
          
           
             14.
             
             
               Provided
               also
            
             ,
             
             That
             no
             person
             shall
             be
             punished
             for
             any
             offence
             against
             this
             Act
             ,
             unless
             such
             offender
             be
             profecuted
             for
             the
             same
             within
             three
             months
             after
             the
             offence
             committed
             ;
             and
             that
             no
             person
             who
             shall
             be
             punished
             for
             any
             offence
             by
             vertue
             of
             this
             Act
             ,
             shall
             be
             punished
             for
             the
             same
             offence
             by
             vertue
             of
             any
             other
             Act
             or
             Law
             whatsoever
             .
          
           
             15.
             
             
               Provided
               ,
               and
               be
               it
               further
               Enacted
               by
               the
               Authority
               aforesaid
               ,
            
             That
             every
             Alderman
             of
             London
             ,
             for
             the
             time
             being
             ,
             within
             the
             City
             of
             London
             and
             the
             Liberties
             thereof
             ,
             shall
             have
             (
             and
             they
             and
             every
             of
             them
             are
             hereby
             impowered
             and
             required
             to
             execute
             )
             the
             fame
             power
             and
             authority
             within
             London
             and
             the
             Liberties
             thereof
             for
             the
             examining
             ,
             convicting
             ,
             and
             punishing
             of
             all
             offences
             within
             this
             Act
             ,
             committed
             within
             London
             and
             the
             Liberties
             thereof
             ,
             which
             any
             Justice
             of
             Peace
             hath
             by
             this
             Act
             in
             any
             County
             of
             England
             ;
             and
             shall
             be
             subject
             to
             the
             same
             penalties
             and
             punishments
             for
             not
             doing
             that
             which
             by
             this
             Act
             is
             directed
             to
             be
             done
             by
             any
             Justice
             of
             Peace
             in
             any
             County
             of
             England
             .
          
           
             16.
             
             Provided
             ,
             
             
               and
               be
               it
               Enacted
               by
               the
               Authority
               aforesaid
               ,
            
             That
             if
             the
             person
             offending
             and
             convicted
             as
             aforesaid
             be
             a
             Feme-Covert
             cohabiting
             with
             her
             Husband
             ,
             the
             penalty
             of
             5
             s.
             or
             10
             s.
             so
             as
             aforesaid
             incurred
             ,
             shall
             be
             levied
             by
             Warrant
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             upon
             the
             Goods
             and
             Chattels
             of
             the
             Husband
             of
             such
             Feme-Covert
             .
          
           
             17.
             
             
               Provided
               also
            
             .
             
             That
             no
             Peer
             of
             this
             Realm
             shall
             be
             attached
             or
             imprisoned
             by
             vertue
             or
             force
             of
             this
             Act
             ,
             any
             thing
             ,
             matter
             ,
             or
             clause
             therein
             to
             the
             contrary
             notwithstanding
             .
          
           
             18.
             
             
               Provided
               also
            
             ,
             
             That
             neither
             this
             Act
             nor
             any
             thing
             therein
             contained
             ,
             shall
             extend
             to
             invalidate
             or
             avoid
             his
             Majesties
             Supremacy
             in
             Ecclesiastical
             affairs
             ;
             but
             that
             his
             Majesty
             and
             his
             Heirs
             and
             Successors
             ,
             may
             from
             time
             to
             time
             ,
             and
             at
             all
             times
             hereafter
             ,
             exercise
             and
             enjoy
             all
             Powers
             and
             Authority
             in
             Ecclesiastical
             affairs
             as
             fully
             and
             as
             amply
             as
             himself
             or
             any
             of
             his
             Predecessors
             have
             or
             might
             have
             done
             the
             same
             ,
             any
             thing
             in
             this
             Act
             notwithstanding
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
       
         
         
         
           A
           Postscript
           touching
           Prosecutions
           in
           the
           Ecclesiastical
           Courts
           .
        
         
           HAving
           thus
           done
           with
           the
           Temporal
           Prosecutions
           ,
           it
           may
           not
           be
           amiss
           to
           add
           a
           word
           concerning
           the
           Spiritual
           Persecutions
           now
           on
           foot
           ,
           by
           Citations
           and
           Excommunications
           ,
           not
           only
           to
           the
           great
           perplexity
           and
           trouble
           ,
           but
           to
           the
           great
           expence
           of
           the
           people
           .
           In
           reference
           to
           which
           ,
           Men
           are
           to
           consider
           whether
           the
           present
           Ecclesiastical
           severity
           be
           according
           to
           Law
           or
           no
           :
           For
           what
           ever
           is
           done
           to
           disturb
           the
           quiet
           and
           repose
           of
           particular
           Subjects
           ,
           contrary
           to
           Law
           ,
           is
           down
           right
           Oppression
           .
           That
           the
           exercise
           of
           the
           Punishments
           of
           Excommunication
           and
           an
           Anathema
           is
           allowable
           against
           obdurate
           Hereticks
           and
           Schismaticks
           ,
           is
           apparent
           from
           Scripture
           ;
           and
           the
           same
           Scriptute
           directs
           both
           by
           whom
           ,
           how
           ,
           and
           upon
           whom
           these
           Sentences
           ought
           to
           be
           pronounced
           .
           On
           the
           other
           side
           ,
           as
           there
           is
           no
           part
           of
           Scripture
           that
           erects
           any
           Ecclesiastical
           Courts
           of
           Judicature
           ,
           or
           Warrants
           the
           formal
           Processes
           of
           Citations
           ,
           Pleas
           and
           Answers
           ,
           or
           the
           extravagant
           Fees
           of
           Proctors
           ,
           Apparitors
           and
           Promooters
           ;
           so
           it
           appears
           ,
           that
           since
           the
           Reformation
           ,
           they
           have
           been
           abrogated
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           as
           being
           look'd
           upon
           meerly
           to
           be
           the
           effects
           of
           Popish
           Usurpation
           :
           For
           Episcopal
           Authority
           consists
           not
           so
           much
           in
           keeping
           Courts
           ,
           as
           in
           a
           true
           Inspection
           and
           Care
           over
           the
           Flock
           of
           Christ
           ;
           the
           Weapons
           of
           their
           Authory
           are
           only
           Admonition
           and
           Reprehension
           ,
           and
           then
           Excommunication
           comes
           of
           course
           ,
           a
           more
           Regular
           aud
           Apostolick
           way
           ,
           than
           by
           Processes
           and
           Citations
           As
           to
           all
           other
           Jurisdiction
           comprehending
           Force
           and
           Compulsion
           ,
           it
           is
           vested
           solely
           in
           the
           King
           ,
           who
           is
           by
           all
           true
           Protestants
           accounted
           the
           Defender
           of
           the
           Faith
           ,
           and
           the
           supream
           Head
           of
           the
           Church
           .
           The
           Law
           it self
           runs
           thus
           .
        
         
           
             And
             whereas
             the
             Arch-Bishops
             ,
             and
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             other
             Spiritual
             persons
             in
             this
             Realm
             ,
             do
             use
             to
             make
             and
             send
             out
             their
             Summons
             ,
             Citations
             and
             other
             Processes
             ,
             in
             their
             own
             names
             ,
             and
             in
             such
             form
             and
             manner
             as
             was
             used
             in
             the
             time
             of
             the
             usurped
             power
             of
             the
             Bishop
             of
             Rome
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             form
             and
             order
             of
             the
             Summons
             and
             Process
             of
             the
             Common
             Law
             used
             in
             this
             Realm
             (
             seeing
             that
             all
             Authority
             of
             Jurisdiction
             ,
             Spiritual
             and
             Temporal
             ,
             is
             derived
             and
             deducted
             from
             the
             Kings
             Majesty
             as
             supreme
             head
             of
             these
             Churches
             ,
             and
             Realms
             of
             England
             and
             Ireland
             ,
             so
             justly
             acknowledged
             by
             the
             Clergy
             of
             the
             said
             Realm
             ,
             that
             all
             Courts
             Ecclesiastical
             within
             the
             said
             two
             Realms
             )
             be
             kept
             by
             no
             other
             power
             or
             authority
             ,
             either
             forreign
             or
             within
             the
             Realm
             ,
             but
             by
             the
             authority
             of
             his
             most
             excellent
             Majesty
             .
             Be
             it
             therefore
             further
             enacted
             by
             the
             Authority
             aforesaid
             ,
             that
             all
             Summons
             and
             Citations
             ,
             or
             other
             Process
             Ecclesiastical
             ,
             in
             all
             suits
             and
             causes
             of
             Instance
             betwixt
             party
             and
             party
             ,
             and
             all
             causes
             of
             Correction
             ,
             and
             all
             causes
             of
             Bastardy
             or
             Bigamy
             ,
             or
             enquiry
             ,
             
               de
               jure
               patronatus
            
             ,
             Probates
             of
             Testaments
             ,
             and
             Commissions
             of
             Administartions
             of
             persons
             deceased
             ,
             and
             all
             Acquittances
             of
             ,
             and
             upon
             account
             made
             by
             the
             Executor
             ,
             Administrators
             ,
             or
             Collectors
             of
             goods
             of
             any
             dead
             person
             ,
             be
             from
             the
             first
             day
             of
             July
             next
             following
             ,
             made
             in
             the
             name
             ,
             and
             with
             the
             style
             of
             the
             King
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             in
             Writs
             Original
             or
             Judicial
             at
             the
             Common
             Law
             :
             And
             that
             the
             Test
             thereof
             be
             in
             the
             name
             of
             the
             Arch-Bishop
             or
             Bishop
             ,
             or
             other
             ,
             having
             Excclesiastical
             Jurisdiction
             ,
             who
             hath
             the
             Commission
             and
             grant
             of
             the
             Authority
             Ecclesiastical
             immediately
             from
             the
             Kings
             Highness
             ,
             and
             that
             his
             Commissary
             ,
             Official
             or
             Substitute
             ,
             exercising
             Jurisdiction
             under
             him
             ,
             shall
             put
             his
             name
             in
             the
             Citation
             or
             Process
             ,
             after
             the
             Test
             .
          
           
           
             Further
             be
             it
             enacted
             by
             the
             Authority
             aforesaid
             ,
             That
             all
             manner
             of
             person
             or
             persons
             ,
             who
             have
             the
             exercise
             of
             Ecclesiastical
             Jurisdiction
             ,
             shall
             have
             from
             the
             first
             day
             of
             July
             before
             expressed
             ,
             in
             their
             Seals
             of
             Office
             ,
             the
             Kings
             Highness
             Arms
             decently
             set
             ,
             with
             certain
             Characters
             under
             the
             Arms
             ,
             for
             the
             knowledge
             of
             the
             Diocess
             ,
             and
             shall
             use
             no
             other
             Seal
             of
             Jurisdiction
             ,
             but
             where
             His
             Mejesties
             Arms
             be
             ingraven
             ,
             upon
             pain
             ,
             that
             if
             any
             person
             shall
             use
             Ecclesiastical
             Jurisdiction
             (
             after
             the
             day
             before
             expressed
             )
             in
             this
             Realm
             of
             
               England
               ,
               Wales
            
             ,
             or
             other
             his
             Dominions
             or
             Territories
             ,
             and
             not
             send
             or
             make
             out
             the
             Citation
             of
             Process
             in
             the
             Kings
             name
             ,
             or
             use
             any
             Seal
             of
             Jurisdiction
             other
             than
             before
             limited
             ;
             that
             every
             such
             Offender
             shall
             incur
             ,
             and
             run
             in
             the
             Kings
             Majesties
             displeasure
             and
             indignation
             ,
             and
             suffer
             Imprisonment
             at
             his
             Higness
             will
             and
             pleasure
             .
          
           
             Provided
             that
             no
             more
             ,
             nor
             other
             Fees
             be
             taken
             or
             paid
             for
             the
             Seal
             and
             Writing
             of
             any
             Citations
             or
             other
             Process
             than
             was
             heretofore
             accustomed
             .
          
        
         
           Which
           being
           true
           ,
           what
           power
           the
           Bishops
           have
           to
           hold
           their
           Spiritual
           Courts
           ,
           and
           send
           out
           Process
           in
           their
           own
           Names
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           Citations
           and
           Executions
           of
           Judgements
           under
           their
           own
           Seals
           ,
           is
           an
           enquiry
           not
           improper
           for
           them
           that
           believed
           themselves
           wronged
           .
        
         
           This
           Act
           is
           said
           to
           have
           been
           repeal'd
           by
           the
           1.
           and
           2.
           of
           Philip
           ,
           and
           
             Mary
             ,
             c.
          
           8.
           though
           no
           mention
           be
           made
           of
           it
           among
           the
           repeal'd
           Acts
           of
           that
           time
           .
           However
           ,
           though
           it
           were
           ,
           it
           was
           again
           reviv'd
           by
           the
           1.
           of
           
             Eliz.
             c.
          
           1.
           in
           these
           words
           ,
        
         
           
             Most
             humbly
             beseech
             your
             most
             Excellent
             Majesty
             ,
             
             your
             faithful
             and
             obedient
             Subjects
             ,
             the
             Lords
             Spiritual
             and
             Temporal
             ,
             and
             the
             Commons
             in
             this
             your
             present
             Parliament
             assembled
             ,
             That
             where
             in
             the
             time
             of
             the
             Reign
             of
             your
             most
             dear
             Father
             of
             Worthy
             Memory
             ,
             King
             Henry
             the
             8th
             .
             divers
             good
             Laws
             and
             Statutes
             were
             made
             and
             Established
             ,
             as
             well
             for
             the
             utter
             extinguishment
             and
             putting
             away
             of
             all
             Usurped
             and
             Forreign
             Powers
             and
             Authorities
             out
             of
             this
             your
             Realm
             ,
             and
             other
             your
             Highness
             Dominions
             and
             Countries
             ,
             as
             also
             for
             the
             restoring
             and
             uniting
             to
             the
             Imperial
             Crown
             of
             this
             Realm
             ,
             the
             Ancient
             Jurisdictions
             ,
             Authorities
             ,
             Superiorities
             and
             Preheminencies
             to
             the
             same
             of
             right
             belonging
             and
             appertaining
             ,
             by
             reason
             whereof
             ,
             we
             your
             most
             humble
             and
             obedient
             Subjects
             ,
             from
             the
             Five
             and
             twentieth
             year
             of
             the
             Reign
             of
             your
             said
             dear
             Father
             ,
             were
             continually
             kept
             in
             good
             order
             ,
             and
             were
             disburdened
             of
             divers
             great
             and
             intollerable
             Charges
             and
             Exactions
             before
             that
             time
             unlawfully
             taken
             and
             exacted
             by
             such
             Forreign
             power
             and
             authority
             as
             before
             that
             was
             usurped
             ,
             until
             such
             time
             as
             all
             the
             said
             good
             Laws
             and
             Statutes
             ,
             by
             one
             Act
             of
             Parliament
             made
             in
             the
             first
             and
             second
             years
             of
             the
             Reigns
             of
             the
             late
             King
             Philip
             ,
             and
             Queen
             Mary
             your
             Highness
             Sister
             ,
             intituled
             an
             Act
             Repealing
             all
             Statues
             ,
             Articles
             and
             Provisions
             made
             against
             the
             See
             Apostolick
             of
             Rome
             ,
             since
             the
             Twentieth
             year
             of
             King
             Henry
             the
             eight
             ;
             and
             also
             for
             the
             Establishment
             of
             all
             Spiritual
             and
             Ecclesiastical
             Possessions
             and
             Hereditaments
             conveyed
             to
             the
             Laity
             ,
             were
             all
             clearly
             repealed
             and
             made
             void
             ,
             as
             by
             the
             same
             Act
             of
             Repeal
             more
             at
             large
             doth
             and
             may
             appear
             ;
             by
             reason
             of
             which
             Act
             of
             Repeal
             ,
             your
             said
             humble
             Subjects
             were
             eftsoons
             brought
             under
             an
             usurped
             Forreign
             Power
             and
             Authority
             ,
             and
             yet
             do
             remain
             in
             that
             bondage
             ,
             to
             the
             intollerable
             charges
             of
             your
             loving
             Subjects
             ,
             if
             some
             redress
             (
             by
             Authority
             of
             this
             your
             High
             Court
             of
             Parliament
             ,
             with
             the
             assent
             of
             your
             Highness
             )
             be
             not
             had
             and
             provided
             .
          
           
           
             May
             it
             therefore
             please
             your
             Highness
             ,
             
             for
             the
             repressing
             of
             the
             said
             usurped
             Forreign
             Power
             ,
             and
             the
             restoring
             of
             the
             Rites
             ,
             Jurisdictions
             and
             Preheminencies
             appertaining
             to
             the
             Imperial
             Crown
             of
             this
             your
             Realm
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             be
             Enacted
             by
             Authority
             of
             this
             present
             Parliament
             ,
             That
             the
             said
             Act.
             made
             in
             the
             first
             and
             second
             years
             of
             the
             Reign
             of
             the
             said
             late
             King
             Philip
             and
             Queen
             Mary
             ,
             and
             all
             and
             every
             branches
             ,
             Clauses
             and
             Articles
             therein
             contained
             (
             other
             than
             such
             branches
             ,
             Clauses
             and
             Sentences
             ,
             as
             hereafter
             shall
             be
             excepted
             )
             may
             from
             the
             last
             day
             of
             this
             Session
             of
             Parliament
             ,
             by
             Authority
             of
             this
             present
             Parliament
             ,
             be
             repealed
             ,
             and
             shall
             from
             thenceforth
             be
             utterly
             void
             and
             of
             none
             effect
             .
          
           
             And
             to
             the
             intent
             that
             all
             Usurped
             and
             Forreign
             Power
             and
             Authority
             Spiritual
             and
             Temporal
             ,
             
             may
             for
             ever
             be
             clearly
             extinguished
             ,
             and
             never
             be
             used
             or
             obeyed
             within
             this
             Realm
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             your
             Majesties
             Dominions
             or
             Countries
             ,
             May
             it
             please
             your
             Highness
             that
             it
             may
             be
             further
             enacted
             by
             the
             Authority
             aforesaid
             ,
             That
             no
             Forreign
             Prince
             ,
             Person
             ,
             Prelate
             ,
             State
             or
             Potentate
             ,
             Spiritual
             or
             Temporal
             ,
             shall
             at
             any
             time
             after
             the
             last
             day
             of
             this
             Session
             of
             Parliament
             ,
             use
             ,
             enjoy
             or
             exercise
             any
             manner
             of
             Power
             ,
             Jurisdiction
             ,
             Superiority
             ,
             Authority
             ,
             Preheminence
             ,
             or
             Priviledg
             Spiritual
             or
             Ecclesiastical
             ,
             within
             this
             Realm
             ,
             or
             within
             any
             other
             your
             Majesties
             Dominions
             or
             Countries
             that
             now
             be
             ,
             or
             hereafter
             shall
             be
             ,
             but
             from
             thenceforth
             the
             same
             shall
             be
             clearly
             abolished
             out
             of
             this
             Realm
             ,
             and
             all
             other
             your
             Highness
             Dominions
             for
             ever
             ;
             any
             Statute
             ,
             Ordinance
             ,
             Custom
             ,
             Constitutions
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             matter
             or
             cause
             whatsoever
             to
             the
             contrary
             in
             any
             wise
             notwithstanding
             .
          
           
             And
             that
             also
             it
             may
             please
             your
             Highness
             that
             it
             may
             be
             established
             and
             enacted
             by
             the
             Authority
             aforesaid
             ,
             
             that
             such
             Jurisdictions
             ,
             Priviledges
             ,
             Superiorities
             and
             Preheminencies
             Spiritual
             and
             Ecclesiastical
             ,
             as
             by
             any
             Spiritual
             or
             Ecclesiastical
             Power
             or
             Authority
             hath
             heretofore
             been
             ,
             or
             may
             lawfully
             be
             exercised
             or
             used
             for
             the
             Visitation
             of
             the
             Ecclesiastical
             State
             and
             Persons
             ,
             and
             for
             Reformation
             ,
             Order
             and
             Correction
             of
             the
             same
             and
             of
             all
             manner
             of
             Errors
             ,
             Heresies
             ,
             Scismes
             ,
             Abuses
             ,
             Offences
             ,
             Contempts
             and
             Enormities
             ,
             shall
             for
             ever
             ,
             by
             Authority
             of
             this
             present
             Parliament
             ,
             be
             united
             and
             annexed
             to
             the
             Imperial
             Crown
             of
             this
             Realm
             .
          
           
             And
             that
             your
             Highness
             ,
             
             your
             Heirs
             and
             Successors
             ,
             Kings
             or
             Queens
             of
             this
             Realm
             ,
             shall
             have
             full
             Power
             and
             Authority
             by
             vertue
             of
             this
             Act
             ,
             by
             Letters
             Patents
             under
             the
             Great
             Seal
             of
             England
             ,
             to
             Assign
             ,
             Name
             and
             Authorize
             ,
             when
             ,
             and
             as
             often
             as
             your
             Highness
             ,
             your
             Heirs
             or
             Successors
             shall
             think
             meet
             and
             Convenient
             ,
             and
             for
             such
             and
             so
             long
             time
             as
             shall
             please
             your
             Highness
             ,
             your
             Heirs
             or
             Successors
             ,
             such
             Person
             or
             Persons
             being
             natural
             born
             Subjects
             to
             your
             Highness
             your
             Heirs
             and
             Successors
             ,
             as
             your
             Majesty
             ,
             your
             Heirs
             or
             Successors
             shall
             think
             meet
             to
             exercise
             ,
             use
             ,
             occupy
             ,
             and
             execute
             under
             your
             Highness
             ,
             your
             Heirs
             and
             Successors
             ,
             all
             manner
             of
             Jurisdictions
             ,
             Priviledges
             ,
             and
             Preheminencies
             in
             any
             wise
             touching
             or
             concerning
             any
             Spiritual
             or
             Ecclesiastical
             Jurisdiction
             within
             these
             your
             Realms
             of
             England
             and
             Ireland
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             your
             Highness
             Dominions
             and
             Countries
             ,
             and
             to
             visit
             ,
             reform
             ,
             redress
             ,
             order
             ,
             correct
             and
             amend
             all
             such
             errors
             ,
             heresies
             ,
             schismes
             ,
             abuses
             ,
             offences
             ,
             contempts
             and
             enormities
             whatsoever
             ,
             which
             by
             any
             manner
             of
             Spiritual
             or
             Ecclesiastical
             Power
             ,
             Authority
             or
             Jurisdiction
             ,
             can
             ,
             or
             may
             lawfully
             be
             reformed
             ,
             ordered
             ,
             redressed
             ,
             corrected
             ,
             restrained
             ,
             or
             amended
             to
             the
             pleasure
             of
             Almighty
             God
             ,
             the
             increase
             of
             Vertue
             ,
             and
             the
             conservation
             of
             the
             Peace
             and
             Unity
             of
             this
             Realm
             .
             And
             that
             such
             person
             or
             persons
             so
             to
             be
             named
             ,
             assigned
             ,
             authorised
             and
             appointed
             by
             your
             Highness
             ,
             your
             Heirs
             
             or
             Successors
             ,
             after
             the
             said
             Letters
             Patents
             to
             him
             or
             them
             made
             and
             delivered
             ,
             as
             is
             aforesaid
             ,
             shall
             have
             full
             power
             and
             authority
             ,
             by
             vertue
             of
             this
             Act
             and
             of
             the
             said
             Letters
             Patents
             under
             your
             Highness
             ,
             your
             Heirs
             and
             Successors
             ,
             to
             exercise
             ,
             use
             and
             execute
             all
             the
             premises
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Tenor
             and
             effect
             of
             the
             said
             Letters
             Patents
             ;
             any
             matter
             or
             cause
             to
             the
             contrary
             in
             any
             wise
             notwithstanding
             .
          
        
         
           By
           which
           branches
           of
           this
           Statute
           ,
           it
           seems
           to
           be
           most
           demonstrable
           ,
           that
           all
           manner
           of
           Jurisdiction
           in
           Causes
           Spiritual
           and
           Ecclesiastical
           is
           invested
           in
           the
           Crown
           ,
           and
           that
           no
           Spiritual
           Courts
           may
           be
           holden
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           Kings
           Commission
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           By
           the
           16.
           
           
             Car.
             primi
          
           ,
           the
           very
           branch
           of
           the
           Statute
           for
           granting
           Commissions
           is
           also
           repealed
           ,
           which
           left
           the
           Ecclesiastical
           Courts
           no
           power
           at
           all
           .
        
         
           Seeing
           then
           that
           all
           Power
           both
           Temporal
           and
           Ecclesiastical
           is
           vested
           in
           the
           King
           ,
           it
           seems
           to
           be
           a
           high
           point
           of
           disobedience
           ,
           for
           Subjects
           to
           hold
           Courts
           of
           Judicature
           to
           disturb
           and
           punish
           the
           Kings
           Liege
           People
           ,
           without
           any
           Legal
           Authority
           .
        
         
           From
           whence
           may
           arise
           these
           few
           short
           Quaeries
           .
        
         
           Qu.
           1.
           
           Whither
           it
           be
           not
           proper
           for
           the
           persons
           cited
           ,
           to
           demand
           the
           sight
           and
           hearing
           of
           the
           Commission
           ,
           by
           which
           the
           Judges
           claim
           their
           Jurisdiction
           ?
           1st
           .
           for
           their
           own
           safety
           ?
           2dly
           ,
           In
           point
           of
           Loyalty
           to
           the
           King
           ?
           3dly
           ,
           As
           being
           obliged
           by
           the
           Oath
           of
           Supremacy
           to
           renounce
           ●●l
           Forreign
           Jurisdictions
           ?
        
         
           Qu.
           2.
           
           Supposing
           the
           said
           Judges
           produce
           no
           Authority
           from
           the
           King
           ,
           yet
           proceed
           to
           Excommunication
           ,
           whether
           the
           said
           Excommunication
           be
           not
           void
           ?
        
         
           Qu.
           3.
           
           Whether
           the
           said
           Judges
           be
           not
           Indictable
           upon
           a
           Pramunire
           ?
           or
           liable
           to
           an
           Action
           ,
           as
           Counsel
           shall
           direct
           ?
        
         
           For
           what
           remains
           ,
           the
           parties
           concerned
           may
           take
           their
           measures
           as
           they
           find
           most
           necessary
           for
           self
           preservation
           ,
           from
           Mr.
           
             Cary's
             True
             Guide
          
           for
           all
           persons
           concern'd
           in
           
             Ecclesiastick
             Courts
          
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A33959-e540
           
             Rast
             .
             Stat.
             vol.
             2.
             c.
             1.
             fo
             .
             397.
             
          
           
             This
             Parliament
             began
             the
             19
             of
             February
             ,
             in
             the
             35th
             of
             the
             Queen
             ,
             and
             was
             dissolved
             the
             10th
             of
             April
             following
             .
          
           
             Abjure
             .
          
           
             The
             form
             of
             the
             Submission
             .
          
           
             39
             Eliz.
             c.
             18.
             
          
           
             43.
             
             Eliz.
             c.
             9.
             
             Sect.
             18.
             
          
           
             Sect.
             27.
             
          
           
             King
             James
             began
             his
             Reign
             
               Anno
               1602
               March
            
             the
             
               24th
               .
               1.
               
               Jacobi
            
             .
             ca.
             25.
             
             Sect.
             13.
             and
             24.
             
          
           
             Sessio
             .
             2.
             3.
             
             Jacob.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             Session
             .
             4.
             
             Jacobi
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             Session
             .
             7
             Jacobi
             .
          
           
             Huttons
             Rep.
             fol.
             61.
             
          
           
             Resolutions
             upon
             the
             Statute
             of
             35
             
               Eliz.
               c.
            
             1.
             concerning
             Sectaries
             .
          
           
             What
             shall
             be
             said
             a
             Session
             of
             Parliament
             .
          
           
             This
             Statute
             was
             
               Anno
               18
               Jacobi
            
             ,
             and
             Printed
             ,
             but
             is
             not
             in
             any
             of
             the
             Statute
             Books
             .
          
           
             Saint-John
             versus
             Saint-John
             .
          
           
             21
             Jac.
             c.
             28
             
          
           
             58
             Statutes
             in
             this
             Act
             revived
             and
             continued
             .
          
           
             1
             Car.
             1.
             cap.
             7.
             
             This
             Session
             of
             Parliament
             (
             by
             reason
             of
             the
             increase
             of
             the
             Sickness
             and
             other
             inconveniences
             of
             the
             Season
             requiring
             a
             speedy
             Adjournment
             nevertheless
             )
             shall
             not
             determine
             by
             His
             Majesties
             Royal
             Assent
             to
             this
             &
             some
             other
             Acts.
             
          
           
             3
             Car.
             1.
             cap.
             4.
             
             Sect.
             21.
             
          
           
             Sect.
             22.
             
          
           
             *
             in
             his
             History
             of
             the
             Life
             and
             Death
             of
             the
             35.
             
             
               Eliz.
               c.
            
             1.
             
          
           
             An.
             16.
             
             Car.
             1.
             cap.
             4.
             
          
           
             An.
             16.
             
             Car.
             2.
             
             This
             35.
             
             Eliz.
             c.
             1.
             was
             continued
             ,
             but
             that
             Act
             (
             it
             seems
             )
             is
             since
             expired
             .
          
           
             Keeble
             St●
             .
             fo
             .
             1293.
             c.
             4.
             
          
           
             35.
             
             
               Eliz.
               c.
            
             1.
             declared
             to
             be
             in
             force
             .
             Statutes
             are
             of
             two
             sorts
             .
             Those
             that
             are
             introductory
             of
             a
             New
             ,
             and
             those
             that
             are
             declaratory
             of
             an
             old
             Law.
             Further
             remedy
             against
             Seditious
             Sectaries
             .
          
           
             Unlawful
             Conventicles
             and
             Meetings
             under
             pretence
             of
             Exercise
             of
             Religion
             forbidden
             .
          
           
             The
             punishment
             and
             manner
             of
             proceeding
             against
             them
             for
             the
             first
             Offence
             .
          
           
             Second
             Offence
             .
          
           
             Third
             Offence
             .
          
           
             How
             seditious
             Sectaries
             being
             convicted
             may
             be
             transported
             .
          
           
             How
             the
             Offend●r
             〈…〉
             discharged
             ●p●n
             payment
             of
             ●f
             〈◊〉
             p●und
             
          
           
             Punish
             〈◊〉
             of
             Offend●rs
             〈◊〉
             the
             t●ird
             Offence
             
          
           
             How
             the
             s●id
             Penalty
             of
             〈◊〉
             po●●d
             shall
             be
             dispos●d
             .
          
           
             Pers●n
             sued
             f●r
             exec●ting
             this
             Act
             may
             plead
             the
             gene●●ral
             Issue
             ▪
             a●d
             recover
             ●reble
             C●sts
             .
             Felony
             to
             esc●pe
             after
             Convictim
             ,
             or
             to
             ret●rn
             after
             Transportation
             .
          
           
             Seditious
             and
             tum●ltuous
             Mettings
             and
             Conve●ticles
             .
          
           
             The
             penalty
             of
             suffering
             Conventieles
             in
             private
             houses
             .
          
           
             Goalers
             may
             not
             let
             Prisoners
             committed
             upon
             this
             Act
             to
             go
             at
             large
             .
          
           
             The
             Penalty
             .
          
           
             Within
             what
             time
             Offend●rs
             must
             be
             pr●s●cuted
             .
          
           
             Married
             women
             how
             to
             be
             punished
             .
          
           
             How
             Justices
             of
             the
             Peace
             may
             enter
             into
             houses
             suspected
             for
             Conventicles
             .
          
           
             The
             houses
             of
             Peers
             .
          
           
             What
             persons
             may
             not
             be
             commited
             to
             the
             house
             of
             Correction
             .
          
           
             Persons
             served
             with
             Process
             Refusing
             to
             take
             au
             Oath
             .
             14.
             
             C.
             2.
             ca.
             
          
           
             How
             such
             persons
             may
             be
             acquited
             .
          
           
             Peers
             offending
             how
             to
             be
             proceeded
             against
             
          
           
             The
             continuance
             of
             this
             Act
             
          
           
             Keeble
             St.
             A.
             12.
             
             Car
             2.
             c.
             1.
             fol.
             1.
             61.
             
          
           
             The
             Preamble
             16
             Car.
             2.
             c.
             4.
             
          
           
             Conventicles
             ▪
             &c.
             forbidden
             after
             the
             Tenth
             of
             May
             1670.
             
          
           
             How
             the
             Offendors
             must
             be
             Convicted
             .
          
           
             The
             penalty
             for
             the
             first
             Offence
             .
             The
             Record
             and
             Conviction
             to
             be
             returned
             to
             the
             next
             Quarter
             Sessions
             The
             Penalty
             for
             the
             second
             offence
             
          
           
             The
             Penalti●s
             how
             to
             be
             levied
             .
          
           
             Constablet
             ,
             &
             c.
             to
             levy
             the
             same
             and
             pay
             it
             to
             ●he
             Justice
             immediately
             .
          
           
             How
             the
             penalties
             are
             to
             be
             devided
             .
          
           
             Certificate
             into
             the
             Exchequer
             
          
           
             The
             penalty
             of
             such
             as
             Preach
             or
             teach
             in
             a
             Conventicle
             how
             to
             be
             levied
             and
             disp●sed
             .
          
           
             The
             forfeit
             re
             of
             such
             as
             suffer
             Conventicles
             i●
             their
             Houses
             .
          
           
             Prov●so
             .
          
           
             Appe●●s
             way
             be
             and
             to
             whom
             and
             in
             wh●t
             Cases
             .
          
           
             Appellant
             to
             enter
             into
             a
             Rec●gniza●ce
             .
          
           
             Justices
             of
             Peace
             C●●stab●es
             ,
             &c
             〈◊〉
             refusal
             ,
             may
             break
             upon
             do●rs
             .
          
           
             Lieutenants
             ,
             &
             Deputy
             Lieutenan●s
             ,
             and
             〈◊〉
             Officers
             ●f
             the
             Mili●ia
             ,
             ●ust
             .
             disperse
             Conventicles
             either
             with
             Horse
             or
             Foot.
             
          
           
             Proviso
             for
             Peers
             of
             the
             Realm
             .
          
           
             The
             penalty
             of
             all
             Justices
             of
             Peace
             ,
             Constables
             and
             oth●r
             Officers
             Civil
             a●d
             Military
             ,
             that
             omit
             their
             duty
             in
             p●rfor●i●g
             this
             Act.
             
          
           
             All
             persons
             inde●pri●ied
             that
             put
             this
             Act
             in
             execution
             .
          
           
             This
             Act
             to
             be
             interpreted
             ●ost
             beneficially
             for
             the
             suppressing
             Conventicles
             .
          
           
             Offe●d●rs
             to
             be
             pr●secuted
             within
             three
             months
             after
             the
             offence
             .
             Aldermen
             within
             London
             have
             the
             same
             power
             there
             ,
             as
             Justices
             of
             Peace
             elsewhere
             .
          
           
             Feme-Covert
             .
          
           
             Peers
             of
             the
             Realm
             .
          
           
             Proviso
             f●r
             the
             Kings
             Supremacy
             .
          
        
         
           Notes for div A33959-e12320
           
             Sect.
             1.
             
          
           
             Sect.
             2.
             
          
           
             Sect.
             16.
             
          
           
             Sect.
             17.
             
          
           
             Sect.
             18.