The continued cry of the oppressed for justice being a farther account of the late unjust and cruel proceedings of unreasonable men against the persons and estates of many of the people call'd Quakers, only for their peaceable meetings to worship God : presented to the serious consideration of the King and both Houses of Parliament : with a postscript of the nature, difference and limits of civil and ecclesiastical authority, and the inconsistency of such severities with both, recommended and submitted to the perusal of Cæsar's true friends / by the author of England's present interest, &c.
         Penn, William, 1644-1718.
      
       
         
           1675
        
      
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             The continued cry of the oppressed for justice being a farther account of the late unjust and cruel proceedings of unreasonable men against the persons and estates of many of the people call'd Quakers, only for their peaceable meetings to worship God : presented to the serious consideration of the King and both Houses of Parliament : with a postscript of the nature, difference and limits of civil and ecclesiastical authority, and the inconsistency of such severities with both, recommended and submitted to the perusal of Cæsar's true friends / by the author of England's present interest, &c.
             Penn, William, 1644-1718.
          
           34 p.
           
             s.n.],
             [London :
             1675.
          
           
             Marginal notes.
             Errata: p. 34.
             A second part was published in 1676. Cf. BM.
             Reproduction of original in Duke University Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Society of Friends -- England.
        
      
    
     
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           THE
           Continued
           Cry
           OF
           THE
           OPPRESSED
           FOR
           JUSTICE
           ,
           Being
           A
           farther
           Account
           of
           the
           late
           Unjust
           and
           Cruel
           Proceedings
           of
           Unreasonable
           Men
           against
           the
           Persons
           and
           Estates
           of
           many
           of
           the
           People
           call'd
           Quakers
           ,
           only
           for
           their
           peaceable
           Meetings
           to
           worship
           God.
           
        
         
           Presented
           to
           the
           Serious
           Consideration
           of
           the
           KING
           and
           both
           Houses
           of
           PARLIAMENT
           .
        
         
           With
           a
           Postscript
           of
           the
           Nature
           Difference
           and
           Limits
           of
           
             Civil
             and
             Ecclesiastical
             Authority
          
           ,
           and
           the
           inconsistency
           of
           such
           Severities
           with
           both
           .
        
         
           Recommmended
           and
           submitted
           to
           the
           Perusal
           of
           
           Caesar's
           True
           Friends
           .
        
         
           By
           the
           Author
           of
           
             England's
             Present
             Interest
             ,
             &c.
          
           
        
         
           Seek
           Judgment
           ,
           Relieve
           the
           Oppressed
           ,
           Judge
           the
           Fatherless
           ,
           and
           Defend
           the
           Widdow
           ,
        
         
           Isa
           .
           1.
           17.
           
        
         
           Printed
           in
           the
           Year
           1675.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           FOR
           THE
           KING
           AND
           Both
           Houses
           OF
           PARLIAMENT
           .
        
         
           FOrasmuch
           as
           the
           Maintenance
           of
           Justice
           ,
           and
           Preservation
           of
           the
           Peace
           of
           
             Civil
             Societies
          
           have
           in
           all
           Ages
           been
           the
           great
           End
           of
           Government
           ;
           and
           since
           it
           hath
           pleased
           Almighty
           God
           to
           cast
           our
           Lot
           in
           a
           Kingdom
           ,
           whose
           Constitution
           is
           more
           then
           ordinarily
           caresil
           of
           the
           Liberty
           and
           Property
           of
           its
           
             free-born
             Inhabitants
          
           :
           And
           because
           several
           Laws
           have
           been
           made
           upon
           Occasion
           of
           Dissent
           in
           Matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           to
           press
           an
           Uniformity
           
           to
           the
           Religion
           now
           established
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           Execution
           of
           them
           have
           generally
           interferred
           with
           those
           Laws
           that
           give
           and
           preserve
           
             English
             Freedoms
          
           ,
           in
           that
           Hundreds
           of
           us
           have
           been
           Imprisoned
           ,
           and
           our
           Goods
           frequently
           spoiled
           ,
           to
           the
           utter
           Ruine
           of
           many
           Families
           ,
           without
           any
           
             Legal
             Process
          
           or
           
             Tryal
             by
             Peers
          
           ;
           and
           This
           not
           for
           refusing
           Conformity
           to
           the
           State
           ,
           or
           denying
           Caesar
           his
           Due
           ,
           or
           being
           chargeable
           to
           Parishes
           ,
           or
           useless
           to
           the
           Government
           but
           only
           because
           of
           our
           conscientious
           Dissent
           from
           the
           present
           Church
           :
           And
           since
           this
           seems
           to
           be
           an
           Alteration
           in
           the
           ancient
           English
           Government
           ,
           by
           making
           an
           
             ECCLESIASTICAL
             CONFORMITY
          
           the
           Grand
           and
           Necessary
           Qualification
           in
           English
           Men
           to
           the
           Peaceable
           Enjoyment
           of
           their
           NATURAL
           and
           CIVIL
           INHERITANCES
           :
           and
           forasmuch
           as
           this
           Course
           tends
           ●o
           a
           manifest
           Decay
           of
           Trade
           (
           the
           Political
           Life
           or
           this
           Island
           )
           
             Discouragement
             of
             Strangers
             ,
             Depopulation
          
           of
           the
           
             Country
             ,
             Impoverishing
          
           of
           many
           Thousand
           
             Vseful
             Inhabitants
          
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           that
           such
           Severities
           about
           Matters
           of
           Conscience
           are
           Inconsistent
           
           with
           the
           Doctrine
           and
           Example
           of
           Christ
           and
           his
           Followers
           in
           all
           Ages
           ,
           and
           repugnant
           ,
           not
           only
           to
           the
           very
           VVay
           of
           true
           Conviction
           ,
           but
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           ancient
           Protestants
           ,
           whose
           Protestation
           at
           the
           Diet
           at
           Spira
           against
           Coertion
           in
           Matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           was
           the
           Occasion
           of
           their
           being
           called
           Protestants
           .
           And
           because
           many
           malicious
           and
           covetous
           Persons
           (
           under
           Pretence
           of
           doing
           God
           ,
           the
           King
           &
           Country
           Service
           )
           have
           taken
           advantage
           by
           these
           Laws
           to
           vent
           their
           Passions
           ,
           act
           their
           Revenge
           ,
           and
           pursue
           their
           VVorldly
           Interest
           ,
           beyond
           all
           Law
           and
           Humanity
           ,
           as
           wofully
           appears
           by
           the
           anexed
           Particulars
           ,
           ready
           to
           be
           proved
           .
        
         
           VVe
           therefore
           intreat
           ;
           First
           ,
           That
           it
           would
           please
           you
           to
           peruse
           the
           anexed
           Particulars
           for
           your
           better
           Information
           of
           the
           Nature
           of
           our
           Case
           and
           Allegations
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           That
           you
           would
           be
           pleased
           ,
           for
           the
           Removal
           and
           Prevention
           of
           the
           like
           Mischiefs
           ,
           to
           repeal
           or
           qualifie
           those
           Laws
           ,
           whereby
           the
           Persons
           and
           Estates
           of
           many
           Thousands
           of
           the
           peaceable
           People
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           are
           hourly
           exposed
           to
           Ruine
           in
           this
           VVorld
           ,
           for
           
           meer
           Conscience
           ,
           about
           Things
           relating
           to
           the
           next
           VVorld
           ,
           that
           being
           assured
           ,
           the
           sweat
           of
           our
           Brows
           ,
           and
           hard-gotten
           Bread
           for
           our
           Families
           shall
           not
           be
           made
           a
           Forfeit
           for
           our
           peaceable
           Consciences
           ,
           we
           may
           be
           better
           encouraged
           ,
           for
           the
           Time
           to
           come
           ,
           to
           all
           virtuous
           and
           industrious
           Living
           under
           the
           present
           Government
           ,
           as
           hath
           hitherto
           been
           ,
           through
           God's
           Grace
           ,
           our
           daily
           Practice
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           A
           few
           Instances
           out
           of
           many
           which
           might
           be
           given
           ,
           of
           the
           great
           OPPRESSIONS
           and
           CRVELTIES
           lately
           acted
           upon
           Innocent
           Persons
           and
           Industrious
           Families
           ,
           chiefly
           in
           Persuance
           (
           as
           is
           pretended
           )
           of
           the
           late
           Act
           against
           Conventicles
           ,
           for
           their
           meeting
           in
           peaceable
           Manner
           to
           worship
           God
           :
           Read
           ,
           Consider
           ,
           and
           Redress
           .
        
         
           
             Leicester-Shire
             .
          
           
             FOR
             a
             Meeting
             at
             
               Long
               Claxton
            
             ,
             or
             Clawson
             four
             persons
             were
             sent
             to
             Prison
             ,
             and
             so
             much
             Goods
             at
             divers
             Times
             taken
             from
             some
             of
             the
             said
             Meeting
             ,
             that
             they
             had
             not
             a
             Cow
             left
             to
             give
             their
             young
             Children
             Milk
             ,
             their
             very
             Bed-Clothe
             ,
             wearing
             Clothes
             and
             working-Tools
             escaped
             not
             the
             Violence
             or
             Avarice
             of
             their
             Persecutors
             ;
             the
             total
             Sum
             amounts
             to
             above
             Two
             Hundred
             thirty
             six
             Pounds
             ,
             nor
             did
             this
             satisfie
             our
             Persecutors
             for
             they
             cruelly
             dragg'd
             some
             Women
             in
             the
             Streets
             by
             the
             Necks
             ,
             till
             they
             were
             neer
             stiffied
             ,
             tearing
             the
             Clothes
             off
             their
             Heads
             and
             Backs
             .
             One
             Woman
             that
             gave
             Suck
             was
             so
             bea●●n
             and
             bruised
             on
             her
             breast
             ▪
             that
             it
             sestered
             and
             broke
             ,
             with
             which
             she
             hath
             end●red
             many
             Weeks
             Misery
             and
             Torture
             ;
             Another
             Woman
             of
             seventy
             five
             Years
             of
             Age
             was
             violently
             ●●rown
             ●own
             ●pon
             the
             Gro●n●
             by
             one
             W
             〈…〉
             Constable
             ;
             the
             Men
             w●●●
             sorely
             beaten
             ,
             drawn
             and
             dra●ged
             out
             of
             the
             Meeti●●
             some
             by
             the
             Heels
             ,
             some
             by
             the
             Hair
             of
             the
             Head
             ,
             and
             〈◊〉
             ,
             so
             br●ised
             ,
             that
             they
             were
             not
             able
             to
             follow
             their
             Day
             〈…〉
             others
             they
             whip●
             on
             the
             Face
             till
             the
             Blood
             ran
             down
             ;
             
             there
             was
             one
             they
             furiously
             trod
             upon
             till
             Blood
             gusht
             out
             of
             his
             Mouth
             and
             Nose
             ;
             To
             compleat
             the
             Matter
             ,
             the
             Informer
             took
             away
             from
             one
             of
             the
             Prisoners
             his
             Purse
             and
             Money
             ,
             as
             if
             he
             had
             not
             been
             a
             quiet
             Neighbour
             ,
             but
             a
             Prisoner
             of
             VVar
             ;
             Nor
             was
             this
             accidental
             ;
             but
             Designs
             no
             short
             Fit
             of
             Cruelty
             ,
             upon
             an
             extraordinary
             Provocation
             ;
             for
             at
             this
             bitter
             Rate
             have
             they
             treated
             them
             for
             several
             Moneths
             .
          
           
             Witnesses
             ,
             
               
                 
                   Edward
                   Hallam
                   ,
                
                 
                   William
                   Marryott
                   ,
                
                 
                   John
                   Wilford
                   ,
                
                 
                   William
                   Smith
                   ,
                
                 
                   Richard
                   Parker
                   .
                
              
            
          
        
         
           
             Nottingham-Shire
             .
          
           
             UNder
             Pretence
             of
             prosecuting
             the
             late
             Act
             against
             Conventicles
             One
             
               Peniston
               Whaley
            
             a
             Justice
             ,
             and
             one
             Colgrave
             a
             Bum-Bayly
             ,
             and
             one
             Walker
             ,
             both
             Informers
             have
             utterly
             ruin'd
             many
             poor
             Families
             in
             this
             County
             in
             their
             Estates
             ,
             having
             taken
             or
             caus'd
             to
             be
             taken
             from
             several
             Persons
             about
             Seven
             Hundred
             Pounds
             ,
             the
             Justice
             bidding
             the
             Officers
             take
             three
             or
             four
             Times
             the
             Value
             of
             the
             Fines
             ,
             that
             they
             mig●t
             sell
             good
             peny-worths
             ,
             never
             returning
             ,
             as
             we
             are
             informed
             ,
             any
             one
             Record
             of
             Conviction
             into
             the
             Sessions
             ,
             except
             forced
             by
             persons
             appealing
             :
             
               John
               Godrick
            
             and
             
               William
               Hudson
            
             of
             
               Little
               G●e●ly
            
             appealing
             to
             the
             Sessions
             ,
             the
             Sessions
             ordered
             them
             their
             Money
             again
             ;
             but
             the
             aforesaid
             
               Peniston
               Whaley
            
             still
             detains
             Sixty
             pounds
             in
             his
             Hands
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             Orders
             of
             the
             Sessions
             ,
             notwithstanding
             it
             ha●
             been
             divers
             Times
             demanded
             .
          
           
             
               T.
               Sampson
            
             by
             Warrant
             from
             
               G.
               Nevil
            
             ,
             Justice
             ,
             for
             two
             Meetings
             had
             taken
             from
             him
             nineteen
             Head
             of
             Beasts
             and
             Goods
             to
             the
             Value
             of
             sixty
             Pounds
             and
             upwards
             ,
             as
             was
             vallued
             by
             the
             Neighbours
             ;
             so
             that
             they
             left
             him
             not
             a
             Cow
             to
             give
             his
             Children
             Milk
             :
             That
             ever
             these
             Things
             should
             be
             done
             by
             such
             as
             count
             themselves
             Christians
             ,
             and
             Followers
             of
             Christ
             Jesus
             ,
             who
             suffered
             ,
             but
             would
             have
             none
             to
             suffer
             for
             his
             Religion
             .
          
           
             Witnesses
             ,
             
               
                 
                   Abraham
                   Sampson
                   ,
                
                 
                   Francis
                   Hawksmore
                   ,
                
                 
                   Robert
                   Porter
                   .
                
              
            
          
        
         
           
           
             Norfolk
             .
          
           
             FOR
             several
             Meetings
             in
             and
             about
             
               Cockley
               Clay
            
             several
             Persons
             have
             had
             Goods
             taken
             from
             them
             to
             the
             Value
             of
             fifty
             three
             Pounds
             ,
             
               William
               Wat
            
             being
             Informer
             .
             
               John
               Patterson
            
             had
             Two
             Hundred
             Sheep
             taken
             from
             him
             worth
             Eighty
             Pounds
             .
             
               William
               Barber
            
             being
             informed
             against
             by
             
               John
               Gibbs
            
             a
             Priest
             of
             Glissing
             ,
             for
             Meeting
             ,
             had
             Cows
             ,
             Carts
             ,
             a
             Plough
             ,
             Harrows
             and
             Hay
             taken
             from
             him
             to
             the
             Value
             of
             Fifty
             Pounds
             ;
             the
             said
             
             William's
             House
             hath
             been
             rifled
             TEN
             Times
             ,
             and
             he
             is
             now
             a
             Prisoner
             upon
             a
             Writ
             of
             
               Excommunicato
               capiendo
            
             .
             At
             Fakenham
             several
             Persons
             have
             been
             fined
             ,
             Wat
             the
             Informer
             ,
             and
             his
             Wife
             being
             the
             only
             Witnesses
             against
             them
             ,
             &
             Goods
             have
             been
             taken
             to
             a
             great
             Value
             ;
             
             they
             left
             one
             
               Joseph
               Harrison
            
             not
             so
             much
             as
             a
             Bed
             to
             lye
             upon
             ;
             but
             he
             ,
             his
             Wife
             and
             Children
             were
             fain
             to
             lye
             on
             Straw
             .
          
        
         
           
             Cambridge
             .
          
           
             FOR
             a
             peaceable
             Meeting
             at
             the
             House
             of
             
               William
               Brasier
            
             Shoemaker
             in
             Cambridge
             ,
             he
             was
             fined
             Twenty
             Pounds
             by
             
               John
               Hunt
            
             Mayor
             ,
             and
             
               John
               Spencer
            
             Vice-Chancellor
             ,
             upon
             the
             Information
             of
             
               Stephen
               Perry
            
             a
             Tinker
             :
             The
             Officers
             that
             came
             to
             distrein
             for
             this
             Twenty
             Pounds
             said
             ,
             
               They
               had
               Warrants
               for
               Fifty
               Five
               Pounds
               more
            
             ;
             They
             took
             his
             Leather
             ,
             Lasts
             ,
             and
             the
             Seat
             he
             workt
             on
             ,
             wearing-Clothes
             ,
             and
             Sheets
             where
             he
             lay
             ,
             though
             on
             Straw
             ,
             having
             taken
             his
             Bed
             before
             ,
             not
             leaving
             him
             any
             Thing
             to
             cover
             him
             withal
             ;
             
             ;
             so
             that
             he
             was
             fain
             to
             lodge
             abroad
             ,
             till
             he
             could
             get
             some
             old
             Things
             to
             cover
             him
             at
             Home
             .
          
           
             And
             there
             hath
             lately
             been
             taken
             from
             several
             Persons
             ,
             for
             meeting
             in
             and
             about
             Cambridge
             ,
             Goods
             and
             Cattel
             to
             the
             Value
             of
             Sixty
             Three
             Pounds
             and
             upwards
             .
          
           
             At
             
               Littleport
               ,
               Ely
            
             ,
             and
             other
             Places
             in
             the
             Isle
             of
             Ely
             ,
             several
             
             Persons
             were
             fin'd
             ,
             &
             had
             their
             Goods
             taken
             for
             their
             peaceable
             Meetings
             ,
             
               viz.
               Cloth
               ,
               Stuff
               ,
               Houshold-Goods
               and
               Cattel
            
             ;
             from
             one
             Woman
             the
             very
             Bed
             she
             lay
             on
             ;
             
             in
             all
             ,
             to
             the
             Value
             of
             One
             Hundred
             Ninety
             five
             Pounds
             and
             upwards
             .
          
           
             
               Edward
               Partridge
            
             and
             his
             Favorite
             
               Thomas
               Richman
            
             ,
             the
             old
             Informer
             ,
             used
             great
             Violence
             to
             several
             ;
             
               Edw.
               Partridge
            
             struck
             
               Samuel
               Cater
            
             twice
             ,
             and
             being
             at
             Prayer
             ,
             pulled
             him
             down
             by
             the
             Nose
             ,
             beating
             Men
             and
             Women
             till
             he
             broak
             his
             staff
             :
             He
             also
             struck
             one
             Person
             ,
             standing
             quietly
             at
             the
             Meeting-house
             Door
             ,
             and
             felled
             him
             ,
             that
             the
             Standers
             by
             said
             ,
             
               There
               is
               one
               knockt
               on
               the
               Head
            
             ;
             yet
             he
             revived
             in
             a
             little
             Time
             ,
             but
             within
             six
             Moneths
             after
             dyed
             ,
             
             and
             to
             his
             dying
             Day
             complained
             of
             that
             Blow
             .
          
           
             Note
             ,
             
               William
               March
            
             Justice
             ,
             fined
             one
             Man
             (
             no
             Quaker
             )
             Five
             Pounds
             ,
             for
             refusing
             to
             help
             to
             carry
             away
             the
             aforesaid
             Sufferers
             Goods
             ,
             which
             Five
             Pounds
             ,
             the
             poor
             Man
             paid
             ;
             but
             wanting
             but
             Two
             Pence
             thereof
             ,
             the
             said
             Justice
             forced
             him
             to
             borrow
             it
             ,
             to
             make
             up
             the
             sum
             ;
             and
             shortly
             after
             the
             poor
             Man
             dying
             ,
             on
             his
             Death-Bed
             he
             much
             rejoyced
             ,
             
               That
               he
               had
               ▪
               no
               Hand
            
             
               in
               taking
               away
               his
               Neighbour
            
             Adams
             
               his
               Goods
            
             .
             
          
           
             Witnesses
             ,
             
               
                 
                   William
                   Brasier
                   ,
                
                 
                   Samuel
                   Cater
                   .
                
              
            
          
        
         
           
             Oxford-Shire
             .
          
           
             FOR
             a
             Meeting
             at
             Alvskoet
             near
             
               Burford
               (
               Walter
               Powel
            
             Priest
             of
             the
             Town
             ,
             being
             Informer
             ,
             who
             before
             the
             Meeting
             had
             spoak
             to
             the
             Justices
             ,
             at
             their
             Peril
             to
             be
             at
             the
             Meeting
             )
             several
             Persons
             ,
             were
             fined
             ,
             and
             had
             Goods
             taken
             away
             to
             the
             Value
             of
             Forty
             Four
             Pounds
             and
             upwards
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             Sommerset-Shire
             .
          
           
             THirty
             two
             Persons
             were
             fined
             for
             being
             at
             a
             Burial
             ,
             for
             which
             they
             had
             taken
             from
             them
             in
             Cows
             ,
             Corn
             and
             other
             Goods
             ,
             
             to
             the
             Value
             of
             Eighty
             Two
             Pounds
             and
             upwards
             ,
             by
             Warrant
             from
             
               Fra.
               Pawlet
            
             Justice
             ,
             who
             when
             none
             else
             would
             buy
             the
             distreined
             Cattle
             ,
             he
             sent
             Men
             to
             buy
             them
             for
             himself
             .
          
           
             One
             
               Margery
               Osmond
            
             ,
             who
             was
             not
             at
             the
             Buryal
             ,
             and
             yet
             was
             fined
             by
             
               F.
               Paulet
            
             ,
             went
             to
             him
             to
             know
             the
             Names
             of
             them
             that
             had
             sworn
             against
             her
             ,
             and
             desired
             Justice
             of
             him
             ;
             he
             said
             ,
             
               It
               was
               a
               Mistake
            
             ;
             by
             which
             it
             did
             afterwards
             appear
             ,
             he
             was
             willing
             to
             excuse
             the
             Informers
             ;
             howbeit
             ,
             he
             then
             read
             in
             a
             Book
             in
             the
             hearing
             of
             several
             Persons
             ,
             in
             which
             Bayner
             and
             Withey
             were
             recorded
             Informers
             against
             the
             said
             Assembly
             at
             the
             Burial
             ,
             and
             said
             withal
             ,
             
               That
               she
               should
               prosecute
               them
               for
               Perjury
               at
               the
               next
               Sessions
               ,
               and
               that
               the
               Record
               at
               the
               Sessions
               should
               be
               Evidence
               against
               them
               ,
            
             or
             to
             that
             Effect
             ;
             but
             he
             was
             not
             so
             good
             as
             his
             Word
             ;
             for
             at
             the
             Sessions
             Witnesses
             were
             present
             to
             testifie
             ,
             that
             she
             was
             not
             at
             the
             said
             Burial
             ;
             but
             
               Fra.
               Pawlet
            
             (
             in
             Favour
             to
             these
             Informers
             )
             left
             
             Withey's
             Name
             out
             of
             the
             Record
             ,
             
             and
             put
             in
             another's
             Name
             ,
             who
             was
             not
             present
             ,
             and
             also
             left
             out
             her
             Name
             ;
             so
             there
             could
             be
             no
             Proceedings
             against
             the
             Informers
             for
             their
             Perjury
             ,
             albeit
             he
             had
             issued
             out
             his
             Warrant
             to
             levy
             the
             Fine
             imposed
             on
             her
             .
             The
             said
             Justice
             Pawlet
             for
             the
             same
             Burial
             fined
             several
             persons
             Twenty
             Four
             Pounds
             for
             an
             unknown
             Preacher
             ,
             yet
             sent
             a
             Certificate
             to
             the
             Mayor
             of
             Bridgwater
             ,
             to
             distrein
             Twenty
             Pounds
             on
             the
             Goods
             of
             
               John
               Anderton
            
             for
             preaching
             at
             the
             Burial
             that
             Day
             ;
             so
             he
             would
             have
             Forty
             Four
             Pounds
             in
             all
             [
             Note
             ,
             
             this
             is
             Twenty
             Four
             Pounds
             more
             then
             the
             Rigour
             of
             the
             Law
             allows
             of
             ,
             admitting
             it
             had
             been
             a
             Conventicle
             .
             ]
             for
             the
             Preacher
             known
             &
             one
             unknown
             when
             in
             Truth
             there
             was
             none
             spoak
             ,
             but
             
               John
               Anderton
            
             that
             Christianly
             exhorted
             the
             People
             to
             consider
             their
             latter
             End
             :
             And
             when
             
               Mary
               Tyler
            
             ,
             the
             Widdow
             of
             the
             deceased
             (
             who
             was
             fined
             Four
             Pounds
             for
             being
             at
             her
             Husband's
             Burial
             ,
             
             and
             had
             
             Goods
             taken
             for
             it
             )
             spoke
             mildly
             to
             him
             ,
             to
             shew
             him
             his
             Injustice
             ,
             he
             told
             her
             ,
             
               It
               did
               not
               become
               Women
               to
               go
               to
               their
               Husbands
            
             Burials
             .
             
          
           
             And
             several
             Persons
             for
             being
             at
             Meetings
             at
             Glastenbury
             and
             
               Gregory
               Stoake
            
             in
             this
             County
             ,
             have
             lately
             had
             Cattle
             ,
             Corn
             and
             Goods
             taken
             from
             them
             ,
             to
             the
             Value
             of
             One
             Hundred
             Forty
             Five
             Pounds
             and
             upwards
             ,
             by
             Warrant
             from
             two
             Persons
             ,
             called
             ,
             Justice
             Waldron
             and
             Justice
             Cross
             .
          
           
             At
             this
             Day
             there
             remain
             Prisoners
             in
             this
             County
             for
             the
             Testimony
             of
             Jesus
             ,
             Twenty
             one
             Persons
             .
          
           
             And
             there
             hath
             dyed
             in
             Prison
             ,
             
             Sufferers
             for
             good
             Conscience
             sake
             ,
             in
             this
             County
             ,
             since
             the
             Year
             1660.
             
             Eighteen
             Persons
             .
          
           
             Witnesses
             ,
             
               
                 
                   John
                   Cuff
                   ,
                
                 
                   Henry
                   Clothie
                   ,
                
                 
                   George
                   Taylor
                   .
                
              
            
          
        
         
           
             Berk-Shire
             .
          
           
             
               THomas
               Curtis
            
             ,
             fined
             Three
             Pound
             Fifteen
             Shillings
             ,
             had
             a
             Mare
             taken
             from
             him
             worth
             about
             Seven
             Pounds
             ,
             by
             Warrant
             from
             Justice
             Craven
             ;
             and
             though
             an
             Appeal
             was
             tendered
             (
             according
             to
             the
             Act
             )
             it
             was
             refused
             ;
             and
             though
             the
             Officers
             voluntarily
             offered
             the
             Justice
             the
             Fine
             ,
             yet
             he
             would
             not
             take
             it
             ;
             
             but
             had
             the
             Mare
             valued
             at
             Four
             Pounds
             ,
             and
             kept
             her
             .
          
           
             The
             7th
             Day
             of
             the
             8th
             Moneth
             ,
             1675.
             
             
               William
               Armourer
            
             and
             
               George
               Goswel
            
             ,
             Mayor
             of
             Reading
             ,
             came
             to
             the
             Meeting
             ,
             and
             because
             the
             Women
             came
             not
             forth
             so
             soon
             as
             they
             would
             have
             them
             ,
             
               W.
               Armourer
            
             pluckt
             out
             of
             his
             Pocket
             a
             sharp
             Instrument
             ,
             and
             prickt
             several
             of
             them
             in
             a
             Shameful
             Manner
             ,
             
             till
             it
             fetcht
             Blood
             ;
             and
             afterwards
             tendered
             the
             
               Oath
               of
               Allegiance
            
             to
             seven
             of
             them
             ,
             on
             purpose
             to
             ensnare
             them
             ;
             and
             because
             for
             Conscience
             sake
             they
             could
             not
             swear
             at
             all
             ,
             they
             were
             sent
             to
             Goal
             ,
             where
             they
             now
             remain
             .
          
           
             And
             the
             Mayor
             Thrust
             some
             Women
             in
             a
             very
             Abusive
             Manner
             ,
             perticularly
             an
             Antient
             Woman
             ,
             without
             regard
             to
             Age
             or
             Sex.
             
          
           
           
             Of
             which
             Cruelty
             ,
             and
             much
             more
             ,
             many
             in
             Reading
             are
             Witnesses
             .
          
        
         
           
             Cheshire
             .
          
           
             JUstice
             Daniel
             of
             Daresbury
             hath
             fined
             one
             Meeting
             near
             him
             several
             times
             over
             ,
             and
             hath
             taken
             from
             
               T.
               Briggs
            
             and
             other
             the
             Value
             of
             One
             Hundred
             and
             Sixteen
             Pounds
             ,
             Fifteen
             Shillings
             and
             Ten
             Pence
             ,
             in
             Kine
             and
             Horses
             (
             which
             the
             Justice
             keeps
             to
             his
             Own
             Use
             and
             Work
             ,
             as
             his
             own
             )
             also
             Corn
             ,
             Brass
             ,
             Pewter
             ,
             Bedding
             ,
             and
             such
             like
             Goods
             .
          
           
             
               William
               Hall
            
             of
             
               Congleton
               ,
               Shoemaker
            
             ,
             was
             fined
             Twenty
             Pounds
             ,
             by
             
               Will.
               Knight
            
             ,
             Mayor
             ,
             and
             two
             Justices
             ,
             for
             having
             a
             Meeting
             at
             his
             House
             ;
             for
             which
             his
             Mare
             was
             distrained
             ,
             when
             his
             Wife
             was
             riding
             on
             her
             .
             And
             some
             time
             after
             ,
             they
             seized
             on
             his
             Shoes
             in
             his
             Shop
             .
             And
             another
             time
             ,
             in
             his
             Absence
             ,
             with
             Mathooks
             brake
             open
             the
             Doors
             of
             his
             Dwelling
             House
             ,
             and
             took
             away
             Two
             Cart-Loads
             of
             Goods
             ,
             whereupon
             William
             tendered
             an
             Appeal
             ,
             
             but
             the
             said
             Magistrates
             denyed
             it
             :
             Sometime
             after
             ,
             the
             Mare
             ,
             of
             her
             own
             accord
             ,
             came
             Home
             ,
             in
             his
             Absence
             ,
             his
             Wife
             let
             her
             in
             ;
             now
             ,
             notwithstanding
             that
             upon
             their
             Crying
             the
             Mare
             ,
             he
             went
             with
             two
             of
             his
             Neighbours
             ,
             and
             acquainted
             the
             Chief
             Magistrate
             ,
             that
             he
             had
             the
             Mare
             ,
             and
             she
             was
             in
             the
             Field
             ,
             without
             any
             Lock
             to
             hinder
             them
             from
             her
             ,
             and
             if
             they
             had
             more
             Right
             to
             her
             then
             he
             ,
             they
             might
             fetch
             her
             ;
             otherwise
             ,
             if
             they
             pleased
             ,
             he
             would
             joyn
             Issue
             with
             them
             ,
             to
             try
             whose
             the
             Mare
             was
             ;
             which
             they
             refused
             ,
             and
             committed
             him
             to
             the
             Goal
             ,
             and
             Arraigned
             him
             for
             his
             Life
             ,
             
             as
             a
             Fellon
             ;
             but
             was
             acquitted
             by
             the
             Judge
             and
             Jury
             .
          
           
             Taken
             from
             several
             in
             and
             about
             Nantwich
             ,
             by
             Warrant
             from
             Justice
             Manwaring
             ,
             for
             Eighty
             Seven
             Pound
             in
             Fines
             ,
             Goods
             to
             the
             Value
             of
             One
             Hundred
             and
             One
             Pounds
             ,
             in
             Kine
             ,
             Bacon
             ,
             Bedding
             ,
             Brass
             ,
             Pewter
             ,
             Corn
             ,
             Cloth
             ,
             Shoes
             and
             Cheese
             :
             And
             from
             one
             Man
             was
             taken
             ,
             
             the
             very
             Beds
             they
             lay
             on
             to
             
             the
             Dunghil
             ,
             which
             they
             also
             carryed
             away
             .
             Some
             of
             the
             Sufferers
             appealing
             ,
             the
             Jury
             acquitted
             them
             ,
             but
             the
             Justices
             would
             not
             receive
             their
             Verdict
             ;
             but
             at
             the
             next
             Sessions
             the
             Justices
             gave
             Judgment
             for
             the
             Informers
             ;
             and
             not
             contented
             with
             this
             ,
             they
             gave
             them
             TREBLE
             Cost
             .
          
           
             Note
             the
             Cheif
             Informer
             in
             these
             Sufferings
             ,
             was
             one
             
               John
               Widdowbury
            
             of
             Hanklow
             ,
             called
             an
             Esquire
             ,
             who
             did
             it
             to
             be
             revenged
             on
             
               Thomas
               Braisey
            
             (
             one
             of
             the
             Meeting
             )
             for
             demanding
             Forty
             Pounds
             of
             him
             ,
             which
             he
             owed
             unto
             
               Thomas
               Braisey
            
             upon
             Bond
             ,
             which
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             (
             as
             appears
             )
             defraud
             the
             said
             
               Thomas
               Braisey
            
             of
             ,
             he
             hath
             since
             (
             by
             reviving
             an
             old
             Excommunication
             )
             sent
             him
             to
             Prison
             ,
             and
             swears
             he
             will
             send
             his
             Wife
             after
             him
             from
             her
             four
             SMALL
             Children
             .
          
           
             Witnesses
             ,
             
               
                 
                   Henry
                   Fletcher
                   ,
                
                 
                   Jonathan
                   Fletcher
                   ,
                
                 
                   Samuel
                   Ellis
                   .
                
              
            
          
        
         
           
             York-Shire
             .
          
           
             HAving
             in
             a
             former
             Narrative
             acquainted
             you
             ,
             that
             Goods
             to
             the
             Value
             of
             Two
             Thousand
             Three
             Hundred
             Eighty
             one
             Pounds
             ,
             Ten
             Shillings
             ,
             by
             the
             late
             Act
             against
             Conventicles
             ,
             have
             been
             taken
             from
             us
             ,
             with
             some
             other
             of
             our
             heavy
             Pressures
             and
             Sufferings
             in
             the
             County
             of
             York
             ,
             for
             the
             Exercise
             of
             our
             Consciences
             towards
             God
             ;
             and
             having
             yet
             obtained
             no
             Redress
             ,
             but
             rather
             an
             Increase
             of
             our
             Sufferings
             ,
             One
             having
             since
             dyed
             in
             Prison
             at
             York
             ,
             where
             Twenty
             four
             yet
             remain
             Prisoners
             ,
             and
             some
             Hundreds
             of
             Families
             like
             to
             be
             ruin'd
             by
             Prosecutions
             ,
             both
             in
             Temporal
             and
             Ecclesiastical
             Courts
             ,
             because
             for
             Conscience
             sake
             we
             cannot
             conform
             to
             the
             Religion
             and
             Worship
             imposed
             on
             us
             ,
             nor
             deny
             the
             Religion
             and
             Worship
             which
             we
             have
             been
             taught
             by
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Holy
             Scriptures
             ;
             and
             our
             constant
             adhering
             to
             the
             Religion
             and
             Worship
             in
             Spirit
             ,
             
             which
             we
             believe
             God
             requires
             of
             us
             ,
             can
             injure
             no
             Man
             ;
             but
             the
             Denyal
             of
             it
             would
             greatly
             injure
             us
             ,
             because
             every
             Man
             must
             give
             an
             Account
             to
             God
             for
             himself
             :
             
             Oh
             why
             then
             should
             we
             by
             Law
             be
             exposed
             to
             Ruin
             and
             Destruction
             for
             the
             Exercise
             of
             our
             Consciences
             towards
             God
             ,
             since
             by
             our
             Ruines
             none
             are
             like
             to
             be
             raised
             ,
             unless
             it
             be
             a
             few
             Informers
             ,
             
             Paritors
             and
             other
             inferior
             Officers
             in
             the
             said
             Courts
             ;
             but
             the
             Dammage
             that
             may
             come
             to
             the
             King
             ,
             and
             the
             whole
             Nation
             ,
             by
             Discouraging
             ,
             Persecuting
             or
             Ruining
             an
             industrious
             innocent
             People
             ,
             is
             like
             to
             be
             very
             great
             :
             Therefore
             we
             desire
             ,
             that
             you
             would
             be
             pleased
             to
             put
             a
             Stop
             to
             the
             vexatious
             Proceedings
             of
             the
             said
             Informers
             and
             Courts
             ,
             and
             confirm
             to
             us
             ,
             your selves
             and
             Posterities
             the
             Liberty
             of
             our
             Consciences
             towards
             God
             ,
             that
             we
             all
             may
             worship
             and
             serve
             him
             ,
             as
             we
             believe
             he
             requires
             us
             ;
             so
             shall
             we
             be
             accepted
             of
             him
             ,
             and
             receive
             his
             Blessing
             ,
             and
             Peace
             ,
             and
             Tranquility
             in
             the
             whole
             Nation
             .
          
           
             Witnesses
             
               
                 
                   John
                   Whitehead
                   ,
                
                 
                   John
                   Hall.
                   
                
              
            
          
           
             
               In
               divers
               other
               Counties
               in
               this
               Nation
               ,
               there
               are
               many
               more
               Instances
               ,
               both
               of
               great
               Havock
               and
               Spoil
               of
               Goods
               ,
               impoverishing
               and
               ruining
               many
               innocent
               Families
               in
               their
               Trades
               and
               Livelihoods
               ,
               which
               for
               Brevity
               sake
               ,
               is
               at
               present
               here
               omitted
               .
            
          
        
      
       
         
         
           A
           Postscript
           ,
           Wherein
           The
           CIVIL
           and
           ECCLESIASTICAL
           AVTHORITY
           is
           briefly
           considered
           in
           their
           Natures
           ,
           Difference
           and
           Extents
           ,
           not
           Vnseasonably
           to
           the
           present
           Posture
           of
           Affairs
           .
        
         
           OUR
           Blessed
           Lord
           and
           Saviour
           Jesus
           Christ
           did
           long
           since
           distinguish
           the
           
             Things
             of
          
           Caesar
           from
           
             the
             Things
             of
             God
          
           in
           his
           plain
           and
           notable
           Answer
           unto
           that
           ensnaring
           Question
           of
           the
           
             Jews
             ,
             about
             paying
             Tribute
             to
          
           Caesar
           ;
           Render
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           unto
           Caesar
           
             the
             Things
             that
             are
          
           Caesar
           
             's
             ,
             and
             to
          
           God
           
             the
             Things
             that
             are
          
           God's
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           
             Divine
             Worship
          
           ,
           and
           all
           Things
           relating
           to
           it
           belong
           unto
           God
           ,
           
             Civil
             Obedience
          
           to
           Caesar
           :
           God
           can
           only
           be
           the
           Author
           of
           right
           Acts
           of
           Worship
           in
           the
           Mind
           ,
           this
           is
           granted
           by
           all
           ;
           therefore
           it
           is
           not
           in
           the
           Power
           of
           any
           Man
           or
           Men
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           to
           sway
           or
           compel
           the
           Mind
           in
           Matters
           of
           Worship
           to
           God
           ;
           where
           this
           is
           attempted
           ,
           God's
           Prerogative
           is
           invaded
           ,
           and
           Caesar
           (
           by
           which
           VVord
           I
           understand
           the
           
             Civil
             Government
          
           )
           hath
           all
           ;
           for
           he
           doth
           not
           only
           take
           his
           own
           Things
           ,
           but
           the
           Things
           appertaining
           to
           God
           also
           .
        
         
         
           If
           any
           should
           ask
           me
           ,
           
             What
             are
             the
             Things
             properly
             belonging
             to
          
           Caesar
           ?
           I
           answer
           in
           Scripture-Language
           ,
           
             To
             love
             Justice
             ,
             as
             Judgment
             ,
             relieve
             the
             Oppressed
             ,
             right
             the
             Fatherless
             ,
             be
             a
             Terror
             unto
             Evil-doers
             ,
             and
             a
             Praise
             to
             them
             that
             do
             well
          
           ;
           for
           this
           is
           the
           great
           End
           of
           Magistracy
           ;
           but
           perhaps
           my
           Answer
           shall
           be
           reckoned
           too
           general
           and
           ambiguous
           ,
           and
           a
           fresh
           Question
           started
           ,
           
             Who
             are
             the
             Evil-doers
             ,
             to
             whom
             the
             Civil
             Authority
             ought
             to
             be
             terrible
             ?
          
           But
           this
           ought
           in
           my
           Judgment
           to
           be
           no
           Question
           with
           Men
           that
           understand
           the
           Nature
           of
           Civil
           Authority
           ;
           for
           those
           are
           the
           Evil-Doers
           ,
           that
           violate
           those
           Laws
           which
           are
           necessary
           to
           the
           Preservation
           of
           Civil
           Society
           ,
           as
           
             Thieves
             ,
             Murderers
             ,
             Adulterers
             ,
             Traytors
             ,
             Drunkards
             ,
             Cheats
             ,
             Vagabonds
             ,
          
           and
           the
           like
           mischievous
           and
           dissolute
           Persons
           ,
           Men
           void
           of
           Virtue
           ,
           Truth
           and
           Sincerity
           ,
           the
           Foundation
           of
           all
           good
           Government
           ,
           and
           only
           firm
           Bond
           of
           human
           Society
           ;
           whoever
           denies
           me
           this
           ,
           must
           at
           the
           same
           Time
           say
           ,
           that
           Virtue
           is
           less
           necessary
           to
           Government
           then
           Opinion
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           most
           Vitiated
           Men
           ,
           professing
           but
           
           Caesar's
           Religion
           ,
           are
           the
           best
           Subjects
           to
           
           Caesar's
           Authority
           ,
           consequently
           ,
           that
           other
           Men
           ,
           living
           never
           so
           honestly
           and
           industriously
           ,
           &
           having
           else
           as
           good
           a
           Claim
           to
           Civil
           Protection
           and
           Preferment
           ,
           shall
           meerly
           for
           their
           Dissent
           from
           that
           Religion
           (
           a
           Thing
           they
           can't
           help
           ;
           
             for
             Faith
             is
             the
             Gift
             of
             God
             )
          
           be
           reputed
           the
           worst
           of
           Evil-doers
           ,
           which
           is
           followed
           with
           exposing
           their
           Names
           to
           Obloquie
           ,
           their
           Estates
           to
           Ruin
           ,
           and
           their
           Persons
           to
           Goals
           ,
           Exiles
           ,
           and
           Abundance
           of
           other
           Cruelties
           :
           What
           is
           this
           ,
           but
           to
           confound
           the
           
             Things
             of
             Caesar
          
           with
           the
           
             Things
             of
             God
          
           ;
           Divine
           Worship
           with
           Civil
           Obedience
           ;
           the
           Church
           with
           the
           State
           ,
           and
           perplex
           human
           Societies
           with
           endless
           Debates
           about
           Religious
           Differences
           ?
           nay
           ,
           is
           not
           this
           to
           erect
           new
           Measures
           to
           try
           the
           Members
           of
           Worldly
           Societies
           by
           ,
           and
           give
           an
           Accession
           to
           another
           Power
           ,
           then
           that
           which
           is
           necessary
           to
           the
           Constitution
           of
           Civil
           Government
           ?
           But
           that
           which
           ought
           to
           deter
           wise
           Rulers
           from
           assuming
           and
           exercising
           such
           an
           Authority
           ,
           is
           the
           Consideration
           of
           the
           pernicious
           Consequences
           of
           doing
           so
           .
        
         
           For
           ,
           First
           ,
           It
           makes
           PROPERTY
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           first
           
           and
           most
           fixt
           part
           of
           English
           Government
           ,
           floating
           and
           uncertain
           ;
           no
           Conformity
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           no
           Property
           in
           the
           State
           ;
           and
           doubtless
           ,
           the
           Insecurity
           of
           Property
           can
           be
           no
           Security
           to
           the
           Government
           .
        
         
           2dly
           ,
           It
           makes
           me
           owe
           more
           to
           the
           Church
           then
           to
           the
           State
           ;
           for
           in
           this
           Case
           ,
           the
           Anchor
           I
           ride
           by
           ,
           is
           not
           my
           Obedience
           to
           Laws
           ,
           relating
           to
           the
           Preservation
           of
           
             Civil
             Society
          
           ,
           but
           Conformity
           to
           certain
           Things
           belonging
           to
           the
           Doctrine
           and
           Discipline
           of
           the
           Church
           ;
           to
           that
           though
           I
           may
           be
           an
           honest
           ,
           industrious
           
             English
             man
          
           ,
           a
           great
           Lover
           of
           my
           Country
           ,
           and
           an
           Admirer
           of
           the
           Government
           I
           live
           under
           ,
           yet
           if
           I
           refuse
           to
           profess
           the
           Religion
           that
           either
           now
           is
           ,
           or
           hereafter
           may
           be
           imposed
           ,
           I
           must
           neither
           enjoy
           the
           Liberty
           of
           my
           Person
           ,
           nor
           the
           
             quiet
             Possesion
          
           of
           my
           Estate
           .
        
         
           3dly
           ,
           This
           not
           only
           alters
           the
           Government
           ,
           by
           sacrificing
           Mens
           Properties
           for
           that
           which
           cannot
           be
           called
           a
           Sin
           against
           Property
           ,
           nor
           an
           Offence
           to
           the
           Nature
           of
           
             Civil
             Government
          
           ,
           if
           any
           Transgression
           at
           all
           ;
           but
           it
           narrows
           the
           Interest
           and
           Power
           of
           the
           Governours
           ;
           for
           proportionably
           ,
           what
           Number
           they
           cut
           off
           from
           their
           Protection
           ,
           they
           cut
           off
           from
           themselves
           and
           the
           Government
           ,
           not
           only
           rendering
           a
           great
           Body
           of
           People
           Vseless
           ,
           but
           provoaking
           them
           to
           be
           Dangerous
           ;
           to
           be
           sure
           it
           clogs
           the
           
             Civil
             Magistrate
          
           in
           his
           Administration
           of
           Government
           ,
           making
           that
           necessary
           which
           is
           not
           at
           all
           necessary
           to
           him
           as
           Caesar
           ;
           It
           is
           a
           Sort
           of
           DVVMVIRATESHIP
           in
           Power
           ▪
           by
           which
           the
           
             Civil
             Monarchy
          
           is
           broken
           ;
           for
           as
           that
           was
           a
           Plurality
           of
           Men
           ,
           
             so
             this
             is
             a
             Plurality
             of
             Powers
          
           ;
           and
           to
           speak
           freely
           ,
           the
           
             Civil
             Power
          
           is
           but
           Lackey
           ,
           to
           run
           of
           all
           the
           unpleasant
           Errands
           the
           froward
           Zeal
           of
           the
           other
           sends
           it
           upon
           ,
           and
           the
           best
           Preferment
           it
           receives
           for
           its
           Pains
           ,
           is
           to
           be
           
             Informer
             ,
             Goaler
          
           or
           Executioner
           to
           some
           of
           the
           best
           Livers
           ,
           and
           therefore
           the
           best
           Subjects
           in
           the
           Kingdom
           :
           Oh
           what
           greater
           Injustice
           to
           Caesar
           !
           then
           to
           make
           his
           Government
           vary
           by
           such
           Modes
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           him
           to
           hold
           his
           Obedience
           from
           his
           People
           ,
           not
           by
           their
           Conformity
           to
           Him
           ,
           but
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
         
           4thly
           ,
           This
           is
           so
           far
           from
           resembling
           the
           Universal
           Goodness
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           dispenses
           his
           Light
           ,
           Air
           ,
           Showres
           ,
           and
           comfortable
           Seasons
           to
           all
           (
           and
           whom
           Caesar
           ought
           alwayes
           to
           imitate
           )
           and
           remote
           from
           increasing
           the
           
             Trade
             ,
             Populacy
          
           and
           Wealth
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           that
           it
           evidently
           tends
           to
           the
           utter
           Ruin
           of
           Thousands
           of
           
             Traders
             ,
             Artificers
          
           and
           Husband-men
           and
           their
           Families
           ,
           thereby
           increasing
           the
           Charges
           ,
           by
           increasing
           the
           poor
           of
           the
           Nation
           .
        
         
           5thly
           ,
           This
           must
           needs
           be
           a
           great
           Discouragement
           to
           Strangers
           ,
           from
           coming
           in
           ,
           and
           setling
           themselves
           amongst
           us
           ,
           when
           they
           have
           Reason
           to
           apprehend
           ,
           that
           they
           ,
           and
           their
           Children
           after
           them
           can
           be
           no
           longer
           secured
           in
           the
           Enjoyment
           of
           their
           Properties
           ,
           then
           they
           shall
           be
           able
           to
           prevail
           with
           their
           Consciences
           ,
           to
           believe
           that
           the
           Religion
           which
           our
           Laws
           do
           now
           ,
           or
           shall
           at
           any
           Time
           approve
           and
           impose
           ,
           is
           undoubtedly
           true
           ;
           and
           the
           Way
           of
           worshipping
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           shall
           at
           any
           Time
           be
           by
           our
           Laws
           enjoyned
           ,
           is
           ,
           and
           shall
           be
           more
           agreeable
           to
           the
           Will
           of
           God
           then
           any
           other
           Way
           in
           which
           God
           is
           worshipped
           in
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           6thly
           ,
           The
           Religion
           we
           are
           commanded
           Conformity
           to
           ,
           doth
           not
           make
           better
           Livers
           (
           that
           's
           a
           Demonstrative
           )
           nor
           better
           Artists
           ;
           for
           it
           cannot
           be
           thought
           ,
           that
           going
           to
           Church
           ,
           hearing
           Common-Prayer
           or
           believing
           in
           the
           present
           Episcopacy
           ,
           learns
           Men
           to
           build
           Ships
           or
           Houses
           ,
           to
           make
           
             Clothes
             ,
             Shoes
             ,
             Dials
          
           or
           
             Watches
             ,
             Buy
             ,
             Sell
             ,
             Trade
          
           or
           Commerce
           ,
           better
           then
           any
           that
           are
           of
           another
           Perswasion
           ;
           and
           since
           these
           Things
           are
           Vseful
           ,
           if
           not
           Requisite
           in
           
             Civil
             Society
          
           ,
           is
           not
           prohibiting
           ,
           nay
           ,
           ruining
           such
           Men
           ,
           because
           they
           will
           not
           come
           to
           hear
           Common-Prayer
           ,
           &c.
           distructive
           of
           
             Civil
             Society
          
           ;
           nor
           more
           obedient
           Subjects
           .
           If
           any
           object
           ,
           
             Dissenters
             have
             not
             alwayes
             been
             so
          
           ;
           the
           Answer
           is
           ready
           ,
           do
           not
           expose
           them
           ,
           protect
           them
           in
           their
           
             Lives
             ,
             Liberties
          
           and
           Estates
           ;
           for
           in
           their
           present
           Posture
           they
           think
           they
           can
           call
           nothing
           their
           own
           ,
           and
           that
           all
           the
           Comforts
           they
           have
           in
           this
           World
           are
           hourly
           lyable
           to
           Forfeiture
           ,
           for
           their
           
           
             Faith
             ,
             Nope
          
           and
           Practice
           concerning
           the
           other
           World
           :
           Is
           not
           this
           to
           destroy
           Nature
           and
           Civil
           Government
           ,
           when
           People
           are
           ruined
           in
           their
           Natural
           and
           Civil
           Capacity
           ,
           not
           for
           Things
           relating
           to
           either
           ,
           but
           what
           are
           of
           a
           Super-natural
           Import
           .
        
         
           7thly
           ,
           This
           deprives
           them
           of
           Protection
           that
           protect
           the
           Government
           ;
           Dissenters
           have
           a
           great
           Share
           in
           the
           Trade
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           Greatness
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           ;
           and
           they
           make
           a
           large
           Proportion
           of
           the
           Taxes
           that
           maintain
           the
           Government
           ;
           and
           is
           it
           reasonable
           ,
           or
           can
           it
           be
           Christian
           ,
           when
           they
           pay
           Tribute
           to
           Caesar
           ,
           to
           be
           preserved
           in
           an
           
             Vndisturbed
             Poss●ssion
          
           of
           the
           rest
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           rest
           should
           be
           continually
           exposed
           for
           the
           peaceable
           Exercise
           of
           their
           Consciences
           to
           God
           ?
        
         
           8thly
           ,
           Neither
           is
           this
           a
           Conformity
           to
           True
           and
           Solid
           Religion
           ,
           such
           as
           is
           necessary
           to
           Eternal
           Salvation
           ,
           wherein
           most
           Parties
           verbally
           agree
           ,
           but
           for
           a
           Modification
           of
           Religion
           ,
           
             some
             peculiar
             Way
          
           of
           Worship
           and
           Discipline
           :
           
             All
             confess
             One
             God
             ,
             One
             Christ
             ,
             One
             Holy
             Chest
             ,
             and
             that
             it
             is
             indispensably
             requisite
             to
             live
             Soberly
             ,
             Righteously
             and
             Godlikely
             in
             this
             present
             evil
             World
          
           ;
           yet
           is
           one
           prosecuting
           the
           other
           for
           his
           Conscience
           ,
           
             seizing
             Corn
             ,
             driving
             away
             Cattel
             ,
             breaking
             open
             Doors
             ,
             taking
             away
             and
             spoiling
             of
             Goods
          
           ;
           in
           some
           Places
           not
           leaving
           a
           
             Cow
             to
             give
             poor
             Orphans
             Milk
             ,
          
           nor
           a
           
             B●d
             to
             lye
             on
          
           ;
           in
           other
           Places
           Houses
           have
           been
           swept
           so
           clean
           ,
           that
           a
           Stool
           hath
           not
           been
           left
           to
           fit
           on
           ,
           nor
           so
           much
           as
           working
           Tools
           to
           labour
           for
           Bread.
           To
           say
           nothing
           of
           the
           
             Opprobrious
             Speeches
             ,
             Bloody
             Blows
          
           and
           
             Tedious
             Imprisonments
          
           ,
           even
           to
           Death
           it self
           ,
           through
           Nastiness
           of
           Dungeous
           ,
           that
           many
           Innocent
           People
           have
           suffered
           for
           their
           peaceable
           Conscience
           only
           .
        
         
           9thly
           ,
           But
           this
           Way
           of
           proceeding
           for
           Maintenance
           of
           the
           National
           Religion
           ,
           is
           of
           an
           ill
           Consequence
           upon
           this
           Account
           ;
           Heaven
           is
           barr'd
           from
           all
           further
           Illuminations
           ,
           let
           God
           send
           what
           Light
           he
           pleaseth
           ,
           it
           must
           not
           be
           received
           by
           
           Caesar's
           People
           ,
           without
           
           Caesar's
           Licence
           ;
           and
           if
           it
           happen
           that
           Caesar
           be
           not
           presently
           convinced
           it
           is
           of
           God
           ,
           at
           this
           Rate
           I
           must
           either
           
           renounce
           my
           Conv●ct●ons
           ,
           and
           loose
           my
           Soul
           to
           please
           Caesar
           or
           profess
           and
           persevere
           in
           my
           Perswassion
           ,
           and
           loo●e
           my
           
             Life
             ,
             Liberty
             or
             Estate
          
           to
           please
           God
           ;
           this
           hath
           frequently
           oc●urr'd
           ,
           and
           may
           again
           ;
           therefore
           I
           would
           entreat
           Caesar
           to
           consider
           the
           sad
           Conseq●ence
           of
           Imp●sition
           ,
           and
           remember
           ,
           both
           that
           God
           did
           never
           ask
           Man
           Leave
           to
           
             Introduce
             Truth
          
           ,
           or
           make
           further
           Discoveries
           of
           ●is
           Mind
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           hath
           been
           a
           wof●l
           Snare
           to
           those
           Governments
           that
           have
           been
           drawn
           to
           employ
           their
           Power
           against
           his
           Work
           and
           People
           .
        
         
           10thly
           ,
           This
           Way
           of
           Proceedure
           endeavours
           to
           stiffle
           ,
           or
           else
           to
           punish
           Sincerity
           ;
           for
           Fear
           or
           
             Hopes
             ,
             Frowns
          
           or
           Favour
           prevail
           only
           with
           base
           Minds
           ,
           So●ls
           degenerated
           to
           the
           third
           and
           fourth
           Generation
           ;
           every
           
             Spark
             of
             Integrity
          
           must
           be
           extinguisht
           ,
           where
           Conscience
           is
           sacrificed
           to
           
             Worldly
             Saf●ty
          
           and
           Preferment
           ;
           so
           that
           t●is
           Net
           holds
           no
           
             Temporizers
             ,
             Honest
             Men
          
           are
           all
           the
           Fish
           it
           catches
           ;
           but
           one
           would
           t●ink
           they
           should
           make
           but
           an
           ill
           Treat
           to
           such
           as
           reckon
           themselves
           
             generous
             Men
          
           ,
           and
           what
           is
           more
           Christians
           too
           ;
           but
           that
           which
           renders
           the
           Matter
           more
           unjustifiable
           ,
           is
           ,
           the
           Temptation
           such
           Severity
           puts
           upon
           Men
           ,
           not
           hardy
           enough
           to
           
             suffer
             for
             Conscience
          
           ,
           yet
           strongly
           perswaded
           they
           have
           Truth
           on
           their
           Side
           ,
           to
           desert
           their
           Principles
           ,
           and
           smo●her
           their
           Convictions
           ,
           which
           in
           plain
           Terms
           is
           to
           make
           of
           sincere
           Men
           Hypocrites
           ,
           whereas
           it
           is
           one
           great
           End
           of
           Government
           ,
           by
           all
           laudable
           Means
           to
           pre●erve
           Sincerity
           ;
           for
           without
           it
           there
           can
           be
           no
           Faith
           or
           Truth
           in
           
             Civ●l
             Society
          
           :
           nor
           is
           this
           all
           ;
           for
           it
           is
           a
           Maxim
           worthy
           of
           
           Caesar's
           Notice
           ,
           NEVER
           TO
           THINK
           HIM
           TRUE
           TO
           CAESAR
           THAT
           IS
           FALSE
           TO
           HIS
           OWN
           CONSCIENCE
           ;
           besides
           ,
           raped
           Consciences
           treasure
           up
           Revenge
           ,
           and
           such
           Persons
           are
           not
           likely
           to
           be
           longer
           Friends
           to
           Caesar
           ,
           then
           he
           hath
           Preferm●●ts
           to
           a●lure
           them
           ,
           or
           Power
           to
           deter
           them
           from
           being
           his
           most
           implacable
           Enemies
           .
        
         
           11thly
           ,
           There
           is
           not
           so
           ready
           a
           Way
           to
           
             〈…〉
             eism
          
           ,
           as
           this
           of
           extinguishing
           the
           Sense
           of
           Conscience
           for
           Worldly
           Ends
           ;
           destroy
           that
           Internal
           Rule
           of
           
             Faith
             ,
             Worship
          
           and
           Pract
           〈…〉
           t●wards
           
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           Reason
           of
           my
           Religion
           will
           be
           
             Civil
             Injunctions
          
           ,
           and
           not
           
             Divine
             Convictions
          
           ;
           consequently
           ,
           I
           am
           to
           be
           of
           as
           many
           Religions
           as
           the
           Civil
           Authority
           shall
           impose
           ,
           however
           untrue
           or
           contradictory
           ;
           this
           
             Sacred
             Tye
          
           of
           Conscience
           thus
           broken
           ,
           farewell
           to
           all
           
             ●eavenly
             Obligations
          
           in
           the
           Soul
           ,
           Scripture-Authority
           and
           ancient
           
             Protesta●t
             Principles
          
           ;
           Christ
           may
           at
           this
           Rate
           become
           what
           the
           Jews
           would
           have
           had
           him
           ,
           and
           his
           Apostles
           be
           reputed
           Turners
           of
           the
           World
           upside
           down
           ,
           as
           their
           Enemies
           represented
           them
           ,
           and
           the
           godly
           Martyrs
           of
           all
           Ages
           so
           many
           Self-Murderers
           ;
           for
           they
           might
           justly
           be
           esteemed
           Resisters
           of
           
             Worldly
             Authority
          
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           that
           Authority
           concerns
           it self
           with
           the
           Imposition
           of
           Religion
           ,
           because
           they
           refused
           the
           Conformity
           commanded
           ,
           even
           to
           Death
           .
           And
           it
           may
           not
           be
           unworthy
           of
           
           Caesar's
           Consideration
           ,
           if
           from
           these
           Proceedings
           People
           are
           tempted
           to
           infer
           ,
           there
           is
           nothing
           in
           Religion
           but
           
             Worldly
             Aims
          
           and
           Ends
           ,
           because
           so
           much
           Power
           is
           abus'd
           under
           the
           Name
           of
           Religion
           ,
           to
           vex
           and
           destroy
           Men
           for
           being
           of
           another
           Religion
           ,
           that
           he
           hazards
           the
           best
           Hold
           and
           Obligation
           he
           hath
           to
           Obedience
           ,
           which
           is
           Conscience
           ;
           for
           where
           they
           are
           taught
           to
           obey
           for
           
             Interest
             ,
             Duty
          
           and
           Conviction
           are
           out
           of
           Doors
           :
           By
           all
           Means
           let
           Conscience
           be
           sacred
           ,
           and
           Virtue
           and
           Integrity
           (
           the
           under
           dissenting
           Principles
           )
           cherisht
           ;
           Charity
           is
           more
           powerful
           then
           
             Severity
             ,
             Perswasion
          
           then
           
             Penal
             Laws
          
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           To
           the
           Reproach
           of
           this
           Course
           with
           wise
           Men
           it
           hath
           never
           yet
           obtain'd
           the
           End
           desired
           ;
           for
           instead
           of
           Compliance
           ,
           the
           Difference
           is
           widened
           ,
           the
           Sufferers
           are
           pitied
           by
           Spectators
           which
           only
           helps
           to
           increase
           the
           Number
           of
           Dissenters
           ;
           for
           whoever
           is
           in
           the
           wrong
           ,
           few
           think
           the
           Persecutor
           in
           the
           Right
           .
           This
           in
           all
           Ages
           having
           been
           the
           Issue
           of
           severe
           Prosecution
           of
           Dissenters
           for
           Matters
           of
           Religion
           ;
           what
           a
           Cruel
           ,
           Troublesom
           ,
           Thankless
           ,
           Succesless
           Office
           is
           it
           for
           Caesar
           to
           be
           employed
           in
           ;
           may
           he
           take
           better
           Measure
           of
           his
           Authority
           ,
           and
           use
           his
           Power
           to
           the
           Encouragement
           of
           all
           the
           Virtuous
           and
           Industrious
           ,
           and
           Just
           Punishment
           of
           the
           Lazy
           and
           Vicious
           in
           all
           Perswasions
           ;
           so
           shall
           the
           Kingdom
           Florish
           ,
           and
           the
           Government
           Prosper
           .
        
         
           
           
             For
             Ecclesiastical
             Authori●y
             or
             in
             plainer
             English
             Church-Power
             ,
             which
             makes
             up
             the
             other
             Pa●t
             of
             this
             Postscript
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             requisite
             to
             consult
             Holy
             Scripture
             ,
             wh●re
             we
             shall
             be
             informed
             of
             the
             Institution
             and
             Practice
             of
             it
             among
             the
             Ancient
             Ch●istians
             ;
             and
             by
             that
             Canon
             all
             People
             professing
             Christianity
             ,
             pretend
             a
             Willingness
             to
             be
             concluded
             .
          
           
             CHurch-Power
             supposeth
             a
             Church
             first
             ;
             It
             will
             not
             be
             improper
             therefore
             to
             examine
             ,
             first
             ,
             What
             a
             Scripture-New-Testament-Church
             is
             ;
             and
             next
             ,
             what
             is
             the
             Scripture
             Power
             belonging
             to
             such
             a
             Church
             :
             A
             Scripture-Church
             is
             
               a
               Company
               or
               Society
               of
               People
               ,
               believing
               ,
               professing
               and
               practising
               according
               to
               the
               Doctrine
               and
               Example
               of
               Christ
               Jesus
               and
               his
               Apostles
               ,
            
             and
             not
             according
             to
             the
             Scribes
             &
             Pharisees
             ,
             that
             
               taught
               for
               Doctrine
               the
               Traditions
               of
               Men
               :
            
             They
             are
             such
             as
             are
             Meek
             in
             Heart
             ,
             Lowly
             in
             Spirit
             ,
             a
             Chast
             in
             Life
             ,
             b
             Virtuous
             in
             all
             Conversation
             ,
             c
             full
             of
             Self-Denyal
             ,
             d
             Long-Suffering
             and
             Patience
             ,
             e
             not
             only
             for
             giving
             ,
             f
             but
             loving
             their
             very
             Enemies
             ;
             g
             a
             People
             so
             effectually
             redeemed
             from
             the
             Impieties
             and
             Vanities
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             h
             he
             that
             thought
             it
             no
             Robbery
             to
             be
             equal
             with
             God
             ,
             i
             thought
             it
             no
             Disparagement
             to
             be
             Head
             to
             ,
             and
             account
             as
             his
             own
             Body
             :
             k
             It
             was
             upon
             a
             Society
             thus
             qualified
             ,
             that
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             bestows
             these
             excellent
             Names
             ,
             
             
               Disciples
               and
               Friends
               of
               Christ
            
             ;
             l
             
               Heirs
               and
               〈◊〉
               with
               Christ
            
             m
             
               Christ's
               Brethren
               and
               Ki●d●●●
            
             n
             
               A
               peculiar
               People
            
             o
             
               The
               p●r
               〈…〉
               as
               most
               p●●ci●us
               Blood
            
             p
             
               the
               Redeemed
               from
               〈◊〉
               Earth
            
             q
             
               A
               Royal
               Priesthood
               ,
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               Nation
            
             ;
             r
             
               The
               Church
               of
               the
               First
               Born
               ;
               s
               (
               Christ's
               Body
               ,
            
             t
             
               and
               the
               Lamb's
               Brid
               ▪
            
             u
             which
             answers
             but
             Christ's
             own
             Character
             of
             himself
             ,
             Religion
             and
             Kingdom
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             most
             apt
             Distinction
             that
             ever
             can
             be
             given
             of
             the
             Nature
             of
             his
             Church
             and
             her
             Authority
             ,
             viz
             w
             MY
             KINGDOM
             IS
             NOT
             OF
             THIS
             WORLD
             .
             which
             well
             connects
             with
             
               Render
               unto
            
             Caesar
             
               the
               things
               that
               are
            
             Caesar
             's
             ,
             
             
               and
               unto
            
             God
             
               the
               things
               that
               are
            
             God
             's
             ,
          
           
             
               It
               was
               an
               Answer
               to
               a
               very
               suspitious
               Question
               ;
               for
               it
               was
               familiarly
               bruited
               ,
            
             that
             he
             was
             a
             King
             ,
             and
             came
             to
             poss●ss
             his
             Kingdom
             ,
             
             and
             was
             by
             some
             called
             the
             King
             of
             the
             Jews
             .
          
           
             The
             Jews
             being
             then
             subjected
             to
             the
             Roman
             Empire
             ,
             it
             concerned
             Pilate
             ,
             Caesar's
             Deputy
             to
             understand
             his
             pretentions
             ,
             which
             upon
             better
             information
             he
             found
             to
             center
             in
             this
             ,
             
               My
               Kingdome
               is
               not
               of
               this
               World
               ,
            
             
             
               else
               would
               my
               Subjects
               fight
               for
               me
               :
            
             As
             if
             he
             had
             said
             ,
             these
             Reports
             are
             a
             meer
             perversion
             of
             my
             Peaceable
             and
             Self-denying
             Intentions
             ,
             an
             Infamy
             invented
             by
             malicious
             Scribes
             and
             Pharisees
             that
             they
             might
             the
             better
             prevaile
             with
             Caesar
             to
             sacrifice
             me
             to
             their
             hatred
             and
             revenge
             :
             I
             am
             
             Caesar's
             Friend
             ,
             I
             seek
             none
             of
             his
             Kingdom
             from
             him
             ,
             nor
             will
             I
             sow
             Sedition
             ,
             plot
             or
             conspire
             his
             Ruin
             ;
             no
             ,
             
               let
               all
               Men
               render
               unto
            
             Caesar
             
               the
               Things
               that
               are
            
             Caesar
             's
             that
             's
             my
             Doctrine
             ;
             for
             I
             am
             come
             to
             erect
             a
             Kingdom
             of
             another
             Nature
             then
             that
             of
             this
             World
             ,
             to
             wit
             ,
             a
             Spiritual
             Kingdom
             to
             be
             set
             up
             in
             the
             Heart
             :
             
             And
             Conscience
             is
             my
             Throne
             ,
             upon
             that
             will
             I
             sit
             ,
             and
             rule
             the
             Children
             of
             Men
             in
             Righteousness
             ;
             
             and
             who
             ever
             
               lives
               soberly
               ,
               righteously
               and
               godlily
               in
               this
               World
               ,
            
             
             shall
             be
             my
             good
             and
             〈…〉
             s
             ,
             and
             they
             will
             certainly
             make
             no
             ill
             ones
             for
             C
             〈…〉
             Virtue
             is
             the
             end
             of
             Government
             ,
             and
             renders
             hi●
             S
             〈…〉
             more
             easie
             &
             safe
             then
             before
             .
             Had
             I
             any
             other
             Des●g●
             then
             ●●is
             ,
             would
             I
             suffer
             my Self
             to
             be
             reproached
             ,
             traduced
             and
             per●ecuted
             by
             a
             conquered
             people
             ?
             were
             it
             not
             more
             my
             〈◊〉
             to
             suffer
             then
             revenge
             ,
             would
             not
             their
             many
             provocation
             have
             drawn
             from
             me
             some
             instance
             of
             another
             Nature
             then
             the
             Forbearance
             and
             Forgiveness
             I
             teach
             ?
             Certainly
             were
             I
             animated
             by
             another
             principle
             then
             the
             perfection
             of
             Meekness
             and
             Divine
             Sweetness
             ,
             I
             should
             not
             have
             forbiden
             Peter
             fighting
             ,
             
             
               〈…〉
               ing
               ,
               put
               up
               thy
               Sword
               ,
            
             or
             endoctrinated
             my
             Followers
             to
             bear
             Wrongs
             ,
             but
             revenge
             all
             Affronts
             ,
             and
             by
             Plots
             and
             other
             Stratagems
             have
             attempted
             Ruin
             to
             my
             Enemies
             ,
             and
             the
             Acquest
             of
             worldly
             Empire
             ;
             and
             no
             doubt
             but
             they
             would
             have
             fought
             for
             me
             :
             Nay
             I
             am
             not
             only
             patiently
             (
             and
             with
             Pitty
             to
             Enemies
             )
             sensible
             of
             their
             barbarous
             Carriage
             towards
             me
             for
             my
             Good
             Will
             to
             them
             (
             for
             their
             Eternal
             Happiness
             I
             only
             seek
             )
             but
             I
             foresee
             what
             they
             further
             intend
             against
             me
             ,
             they
             design
             to
             crucifie
             me
             ,
             and
             to
             do
             it
             ,
             will
             rather
             free
             a
             Murderer
             then
             save
             their
             Saviour
             ,
             
             they
             will
             perform
             that
             Cruelty
             with
             all
             the
             Agravation
             and
             Contempt
             they
             can
             ,
             
             deriding
             me
             themselves
             ,
             and
             exposing
             me
             to
             the
             Derision
             of
             others
             ,
             for
             they
             will
             mock
             my
             Divine
             Kingship
             with
             a
             Crown
             of
             Thorns
             ,
             
             and
             in
             my
             Agonies
             of
             Soul
             and
             Body
             for
             a
             Cordial
             ,
             
             give
             me
             Gall
             and
             Vineger
             to
             drink
             ;
             but
             notwithstanding
             all
             this
             ,
             to
             satisfie
             the
             World
             that
             my
             Religion
             is
             above
             Wrath
             and
             Revenge
             ,
             
             I
             can
             forgive
             them
             ;
             
             and
             to
             secure
             Caesar
             and
             his
             People
             from
             all
             Fears
             of
             Imposition
             ,
             whatever
             Authority
             I
             have
             ,
             and
             how
             many
             Legions
             of
             Angels
             ,
             soever
             ,
             I
             might
             command
             both
             to
             my
             Deliverance
             ,
             and
             the
             Enforcement
             of
             my
             Message
             up●n
             Mankind
             ;
             I
             resolve
             to
             promote
             neither
             with
             worldly
             Power
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             not
             of
             the
             Nature
             of
             my
             Religion
             and
             Kingdom
             :
             and
             as
             I
             neither
             assume
             nor
             practise
             any
             such
             thing
             my Self
             that
             am
             the
             great
             Author
             ,
             Promoter
             and
             Example
             of
             this
             Holy
             Way
             ;
             so
             have
             I
             not
             only
             never
             taught
             my
             Disciples
             to
             live
             or
             act
             otherwise
             
             or
             given
             them
             a
             Power
             I
             refuse
             to
             use
             my Self
             ;
             but
             expresly
             forbad
             them
             ,
             and
             warn'd
             them
             in
             my
             Instructions
             of
             exercising
             any
             the
             least
             Revenge
             ,
             Imposition
             or
             Coertion
             towards
             any
             :
             This
             is
             evident
             in
             my
             Sermon
             preached
             upon
             the
             Mount
             ,
             where
             I
             freely
             ,
             publickly
             and
             with
             much
             Plainness
             ,
             not
             only
             
               prohibited
               Revenge
            
             ,
             but
             
               ●njoyned
               Love
               to
               Enemies
            
             making
             it
             to
             be
             a
             great
             Token
             of
             true
             Discipleship
             to
             suffer
             Wrongs
             ,
             
             and
             conquer
             Cruelty
             by
             Patience
             and
             Forgiveness
             ,
             which
             is
             certainly
             a
             great
             Way
             off
             Imposition
             or
             Compulsion
             upon
             other
             Men.
             And
             when
             I
             was
             strongly
             bent
             for
             Jerusalem
             ,
             and
             sent
             Messengers
             before
             to
             prepare
             some
             Entertainment
             for
             me
             and
             my
             Company
             in
             a
             Village
             ,
             belonging
             to
             the
             Samaritans
             ,
             
             and
             it
             seems
             the
             People
             refused
             ,
             because
             they
             apprehended
             I
             was
             going
             to
             Jerusalem
             ;
             this
             provoakt
             some
             of
             my
             Disciples
             ,
             particularly
             James
             and
             John
             to
             that
             Degree
             ,
             that
             they
             asked
             me
             ,
             if
             I
             were
             willing
             that
             they
             should
             command
             Fire
             from
             Heaven
             to
             destroy
             those
             Samaritans
             ,
             as
             Elias
             in
             another
             Case
             had
             done
             ;
             I
             turned
             about
             ,
             and
             rebuked
             them
             ,
             saying
             ,
             
               Ye
               know
               not
               what
               Manner
               of
               Spirit
               ye
               are
               of
               ;
               for
               I
               am
               not
               come
               into
               the
               World
               to
               destroy
               Mens
               Lives
               ,
               but
            
             by
             my
             peaceable
             Doctrine
             and
             Example
             
               to
               save
               them
            
             .
          
           
             At
             another
             Time
             one
             of
             my
             Disciples
             ,
             relating
             to
             me
             some
             Passages
             of
             their
             Travails
             ,
             told
             me
             of
             a
             certain
             Man
             they
             saw
             ,
             
             that
             cast
             out
             Devils
             in
             my
             Name
             ,
             and
             because
             he
             was
             not
             of
             their
             Company
             ,
             nor
             followed
             them
             ,
             said
             he
             ,
             
               we
               forbad
               him
            
             ;
             as
             if
             they
             had
             thereby
             served
             and
             pleased
             me
             ;
             but
             I
             presently
             testified
             my
             Dislike
             of
             the
             Ignorance
             and
             Narrowness
             of
             their
             Zeal
             ,
             and
             to
             inform
             them
             better
             told
             them
             ,
             they
             should
             not
             have
             forbid
             him
             ;
             
               for
               he
               that
               is
               not
               against
               us
               is
               for
               us
            
             ;
             my
             Drift
             is
             not
             Opinion
             ,
             but
             Piety
             ;
             they
             that
             cast
             out
             Devils
             ,
             convert
             Sinners
             ,
             and
             turn
             Men
             to
             Righteousness
             ,
             are
             not
             against
             me
             ,
             nor
             the
             Nature
             and
             Religion
             of
             my
             Kingdom
             ,
             and
             therefore
             ought
             to
             be
             cherisht
             rather
             then
             forbid
             .
             That
             I
             might
             sufficiently
             declare
             and
             inculcate
             my
             Mind
             in
             this
             Matter
             ,
             I
             did
             at
             an
             other
             Time
             ,
             and
             upon
             a
             different
             Occasion
             ,
             preach
             against
             all
             Coertion
             and
             Persecution
             for
             Matters
             of
             Faith
             and
             Practice
             towards
             God
             ,
             in
             my
             Parable
             of
             the
             Sower
             ,
             as
             my
             
             Words
             manifest
             ,
             which
             were
             these
             ;
             
               The
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               is
               likened
               unto
               a
               Man
               which
               sowed
               good
               Seed
               in
               his
               Field
               ;
               but
               while
               Men
               slept
               ,
               his
               Enemy
               came
               ,
               and
               sowed
               Tares
               among
               the
               Wheat
               ,
               and
               went
               his
               Way
               ;
               but
               when
               the
               Blade
               sprung
               up
               ,
               and
               brought
               forth
               Fruit
               ,
               there
               appeared
               the
               Tares
               also
               ;
               so
               the
               Serv●nts
               of
               the
               House-houlder
               came
               and
               said
               ,
               didst
               thou
               not
               sow
               good
               Seed
               in
               thy
               Field
               ?
            
             
             
               from
               whence
               then
               hath
               it
               Tares
               ?
               he
               answered
               ,
               an
               Enemy
               hath
               done
               this
               ;
               the
               Servants
               said
               unto
               him
               ,
               wilt
               thou
               then
               that
               we
               go
               and
               gather
               them
               up
               ?
               but
               he
               said
               NAY
               ,
               lest
               while
               ye
               gather
               up
               the
               Tares
               ,
               ye
               root
               up
               also
               the
               Wheat
               with
               them
               ,
               let
               both
               grow
               together
               till
               the
               Harvest
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               Time
               of
               Harvest
               I
               will
               joy
               to
               the
               Reapers
               ,
               gather
               ye
               together
               first
               the
               Tares
               ,
               and
               bind
               them
               in
               Bundles
               to
               burn
               them
               ,
               but
               gather
               the
               Wheat
               into
               my
               Barn.
               
            
          
           
             And
             that
             I
             might
             not
             leave
             so
             necessary
             a
             Truth
             mis
             apprehended
             of
             my
             dear
             Followers
             ,
             or
             liable
             to
             any
             Mis-constructions
             ,
             my
             Disciples
             ,
             when
             together
             ,
             desiring
             an
             Explanation
             ,
             I
             interpreted
             my
             Words
             thus
             ;
          
           
             He
             that
             soweth
             the
             good
             Seed
             is
             the
             Son
             of
             Man
             ;
             the
             Field
             is
             the
             World
             ;
             
             the
             good
             Seed
             are
             the
             Children
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             ;
             but
             the
             Tares
             are
             the
             Children
             of
             the
             Wicked
             One
             ;
             the
             Enemy
             that
             sowed
             them
             is
             the
             Devil
             ;
             the
             Harvest
             is
             the
             End
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             and
             the
             Reapers
             are
             the
             Angels
             .
          
           
             This
             Patience
             ,
             this
             Long-Suffering
             and
             great
             Forbearance
             belong
             to
             my
             Kingdom
             and
             the
             Subjects
             of
             it
             ,
             my
             Doctrine
             speaks
             it
             ,
             and
             my
             Example
             confirms
             it
             ,
             and
             this
             can
             have
             no
             possible
             Agreement
             with
             Imposition
             and
             Persecution
             for
             Conscience
             :
             And
             that
             I
             might
             sufficiently
             deter
             my
             Followers
             from
             any
             such
             Thing
             ,
             as
             I
             profess
             my self
             to
             be
             their
             Lord
             and
             Master
             ,
             
             so
             have
             I
             commanded
             them
             to
             love
             one
             another
             in
             a
             more
             especial
             Manner
             ;
             but
             if
             instead
             therof
             any
             grow
             proud
             ,
             high
             minded
             ,
             and
             beat
             or
             abuse
             their
             Fellow
             Servants
             in
             my
             religious
             Family
             ,
             when
             I
             come
             to
             take
             account
             of
             my
             Houshold
             ,
             he
             shall
             be
             cut
             asunder
             ,
             and
             appointed
             his
             Po●●tion
             among
             the
             Unbelievers
             ;
             behold
             the
             Recompence
             I
             appoint
             to
             Imposing
             Lordly
             Persons
             ,
             such
             as
             count
             others
             Infidels
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             them
             such
             Believers
             as
             themselves
             ,
             will
             exercise
             Violence
             
             towards
             them
             ,
             and
             if
             they
             prevail
             not
             ,
             will
             call
             for
             Fire
             from
             Heaven
             to
             devour
             them
             ,
             and
             if
             Heaven
             refuse
             them
             ,
             will
             fall
             a
             beating
             and
             killing
             ,
             and
             think
             (
             it
             may
             be
             they
             do
             God
             good
             Service
             )
             b●t
             their
             Lot
             shall
             be
             with
             Unbelievers
             forever
             :
             Nay
             ,
             I
             have
             so
             effe●●ua●●y
             provided
             against
             all
             Mastery
             ,
             that
             I
             expresly
             charged
             them
             ,
             
               not
               to
               be
               many
               Masters
               ;
               for
               one
               was
               their
               Master
            
             ;
             I
             told
             them
             ,
             that
             
               the
               greatest
               amongst
               them
               was
               to
               be
               Servant
               to
               the
               rest
               ,
            
             not
             to
             impose
             upon
             the
             rest
             ;
             nay
             ,
             that
             to
             be
             great
             in
             my
             Kingdom
             ,
             they
             must
             become
             as
             gentle
             and
             harmless
             as
             little
             Children
             ,
             and
             such
             cannot
             force
             and
             punish
             in
             Matters
             of
             Religion
             .
             In
             fine
             ,
             I
             strictly
             commanded
             them
             ,
             to
             love
             one
             another
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             loved
             them
             ,
             who
             am
             ready
             to
             lay
             down
             my
             Life
             for
             the
             Ungodly
             ,
             instead
             of
             taking
             away
             Godly
             Mens
             Lives
             for
             Opinions
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             the
             great
             Maxim
             of
             my
             holy
             Religion
             ,
             
               He
               that
               would
               be
               my
               Disciple
               ,
               must
            
             not
             crucifie
             other
             Men
             ,
             but
             
               take
               up
               his
               Cross
               ,
               and
               follow
               me
               ,
               who
               am
               meek
               and
               lowly
               ,
            
             and
             such
             so
             enduring
             shall
             find
             Eternal
             Rest
             to
             their
             Souls
             ,
             this
             is
             the
             Power
             I
             use
             ,
             and
             this
             is
             the
             Power
             I
             give
             .
          
           
             How
             much
             this
             agrees
             with
             the
             Language
             ,
             Doctrine
             and
             Example
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             I
             shall
             leave
             them
             to
             consider
             ,
             that
             read
             and
             believe
             Scripture
             ;
             but
             some
             affected
             to
             present
             Church
             Power
             ,
             and
             desiring
             their
             Ruine
             that
             conform
             not
             to
             her
             Worship
             and
             Discipline
             ,
             will
             object
             ,
             That
             Christ
             did
             give
             his
             Church
             Power
             to
             bind
             and
             loose
             ,
             and
             bid
             any
             Person
             agrieved
             tell
             the
             Church
             .
          
           
             I
             grant
             it
             ;
             but
             what
             Binding
             was
             that
             ?
             with
             outward
             Chains
             and
             Fetters
             ,
             in
             nasty
             Holes
             and
             Dungeous
             ?
             nothing
             less
             :
             Or
             was
             it
             ,
             that
             his
             Church
             had
             that
             true
             Discerning
             in
             her
             ,
             and
             Power
             with
             him
             ,
             that
             what
             she
             bound
             ,
             that
             is
             condemned
             ,
             or
             loosed
             ,
             that
             is
             remitted
             ,
             should
             stand
             so
             in
             God's
             Sight
             and
             Christ's
             Account
             .
          
           
             But
             tell
             the
             Church
             ;
             and
             what
             then
             ?
             observe
             Christ's
             Extent
             in
             the
             Punishment
             of
             the
             Offender
             ;
             
               If
               the
               Offender
               will
               neither
               receive
               private
               Admonition
               ,
               nor
               hear
               the
               Church
               ,
               then
            
             (
             sayes
             Christ
             )
             
               let
               him
               be
               to
               thee
               as
               an
            
             Heathen
             ,
             &c.
             
             Here
             's
             no
             Fines
             ,
             Whips
             ,
             Stocks
             ,
             Pillories
             ,
             Goals
             ,
             and
             the
             like
             Instruments
             
             of
             Cruelty
             ,
             to
             punish
             the
             Heretick
             ;
             for
             the
             Purport
             of
             his
             Words
             seems
             to
             be
             no
             more
             then
             this
             ;
             If
             any
             Member
             of
             the
             Church
             refuse
             thy
             private
             Exhortation
             and
             the
             Church's
             Admonition
             ,
             look
             upon
             such
             a
             Person
             to
             be
             no
             more
             of
             you
             ;
             let
             him
             take
             his
             Course
             ,
             thou
             hast
             done
             well
             ,
             and
             the
             Church
             is
             clear
             of
             him
             .
          
           
             
               Well
               ,
               but
               say
               the
            
             Church-Fighters
             
               of
               our
               Age
            
             ,
             Did
             not
             
               St.
               Paul
            
             wish
             them
             cut
             off
             that
             troubled
             the
             Church
             in
             his
             Time
             ?
             
               Yes
               :
               But
               with
               what
               Sword
               think
               you
               ?
               Such
               as
               Christ
               bid
            
             Peter
             
               put
               up
               ,
               or
               the
               Sword
               of
               the
               Spirit
               which
               is
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               ?
               Give
               him
               leave
               to
               explain
               his
               own
               Words
            
             ;
             For
             the
             WE
             APONS
             of
             our
             Warfare
             are
             NOT
             CARNAL
             ,
             but
             mighty
             through
             God
             ,
             to
             the
             pulling
             down
             of
             strong
             Holds
             ,
             casting
             down
             Imaginations
             ,
             and
             every
             high
             Thing
             that
             ex●lteth
             it self
             against
             the
             Knowledge
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             bringing
             every
             Thought
             into
             Obedience
             to
             Christ
             .
          
           
             What
             think
             you
             of
             this
             ?
             Here
             are
             Warfares
             ,
             Weapons
             ,
             Oppositions
             and
             Conformity
             ,
             and
             not
             only
             no
             external
             Force
             about
             Matters
             of
             Religion
             us'd
             or
             countenanced
             ,
             but
             the
             most
             express
             and
             pathetical
             Exclusion
             and
             Rejection
             of
             any
             such
             Thing
             that
             could
             be
             given
             .
          
           
             
               Now
               observe
               what
               Sort
               of
               Church-Government
               he
               recommends
               to
               his
               beloved
            
             Timothy
             ;
             Avoid
             foolish
             Questions
             ,
             and
             Genealogies
             ,
             and
             Contentions
             ,
             and
             striving
             about
             the
             Law
             ,
             for
             they
             are
             unprofitable
             and
             vain
             :
             A
             Man
             that
             is
             an
             Heretick
             ,
             after
             the
             first
             and
             second
             Admonition
             ,
             reject
             ,
             knowing
             that
             he
             that
             is
             such
             is
             subverted
             and
             sinneth
             ,
             being
             
               CONDEMNED
               OF
               HIMSELF
            
             ,
             or
             self-condemned
             .
          
           
             It
             's
             very
             remarkable
             ;
             first
             ,
             That
             t●is
             is
             great
             Apostle
             ,
             instead
             of
             exhorting
             Timothy
             to
             stand
             upon
             Niceties
             ,
             and
             sacrifice
             Mens
             Natural
             Comforts
             and
             Enjoyments
             for
             Opinions
             of
             Religion
             ,
             injoyns
             him
             to
             shun
             Disputes
             about
             them
             ,
             leaving
             People
             to
             their
             own
             Thoughts
             and
             Aprehensions
             in
             those
             Matters
             ,
             which
             excellently
             well
             coheres
             with
             another
             Passage
             of
             his
             .
             
               Let
               us
               therefore
            
             ,
             
             
               as
               many
               as
               be
               perfect
               ,
               be
               thus
               minded
               ,
               and
               if
               in
               any
               Thing
               ye
               be
               otherwise
               minded
               ,
               
               God
               shall
            
             REVEAL
             
               even
               this
               unto
               you
            
             ;
             he
             did
             not
             say
             ,
             you
             shall
             be
             FINED
             ,
             PILLAGED
             ,
             EXCOMMUNICATED
             and
             FLUNG
             into
             Prison
             ,
             if
             ye
             be
             not
             of
             our
             Mind
             .
          
           
             2dly
             ,
             That
             ,
             in
             the
             Apostles
             Definition
             ,
             an
             Heretick
             is
             a
             self-condemned
             Person
             ,
             one
             conscious
             to
             himself
             of
             Error
             ,
             and
             Obstinacy
             in
             it
             ;
             but
             that
             are
             not
             conscientious
             Dissenters
             ;
             for
             many
             Ten
             Thousands
             in
             this
             Nation
             act
             as
             they
             believe
             ,
             and
             dissent
             from
             the
             National
             Religion
             ,
             purely
             upon
             a
             Principle
             of
             Conscience
             to
             Almighty
             God
             ;
             and
             with
             Men
             of
             any
             Tenderness
             or
             common
             Sense
             ,
             their
             continual
             great
             Sufferings
             in
             Person
             and
             Estate
             ,
             and
             their
             Patience
             under
             them
             ,
             are
             a
             Demonstration
             ,
             or
             there
             can
             be
             none
             in
             the
             World
             :
             Nor
             can
             their
             Persecutors
             disprove
             them
             ,
             unless
             they
             could
             search
             Hearts
             ,
             and
             that
             is
             a
             little
             too
             far
             for
             a
             Fallible
             Spirit
             to
             reach
             ,
             and
             an
             infallible
             One
             they
             deny
             :
             So
             that
             the
             Apostle
             makes
             not
             the
             Heretick
             to
             lye
             upon
             the
             Side
             of
             misbelieving
             ,
             or
             not
             coming
             up
             to
             his
             Degree
             of
             Faith
             &
             Knowledge
             ,
             but
             upon
             the
             Side
             of
             Wilfully
             ,
             Turbulently
             ,
             Obstinately
             and
             Self
             condemnedly
             maintaining
             inconsisting
             Things
             with
             the
             Faith
             ,
             Peace
             and
             ,
             Prosperity
             of
             the
             Church
             .
          
           
             Granting
             us
             then
             not
             to
             be
             obstinate
             and
             self
             condemned
             Dissenters
             (
             and
             you
             cannot
             reasonably
             refuse
             it
             us
             )
             how
             do
             you
             prove
             us
             Erroneous
             in
             the
             other
             Part
             ?
             All
             Parties
             plead
             Scripture
             ,
             and
             that
             for
             the
             most
             opposite
             Principles
             ;
             Homousians
             and
             
               Arrians
               ,
               Calvinists
            
             and
             
               Arminians
               ,
               Papists
               ,
               Jansenists
            
             and
             Protestants
             ;
             The
             Scripture
             ,
             you
             see
             ,
             cannot
             determine
             the
             Sense
             of
             it self
             ;
             it
             must
             have
             an
             Interpreter
             ;
             he
             must
             either
             be
             Fallible
             or
             Infallible
             ;
             If
             the
             first
             ,
             we
             are
             worse
             then
             before
             ;
             for
             Men
             are
             apt
             to
             be
             more
             confident
             ,
             and
             yet
             are
             still
             upon
             as
             uncertain
             Grounds
             ;
             If
             the
             last
             ,
             this
             must
             either
             be
             an
             external
             or
             an
             Internal
             Judge
             ;
             If
             an
             External
             ,
             you
             know
             where
             you
             are
             without
             pointing
             ;
             for
             there
             stands
             nothing
             between
             you
             and
             Popery
             in
             that
             Principle
             ;
             If
             an
             Internal
             Judge
             ,
             either
             it
             is
             our selves
             ,
             or
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             dwelling
             in
             us
             ;
             Not
             our selves
             ;
             for
             then
             the
             Rule
             is
             the
             Thing
             ruled
             ,
             which
             cannot
             be
             ;
             and
             if
             it
             be
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             Jesus
             (
             and
             the
             Apostle
             tells
             us
             ,
             
               That
               unless
               we
               have
               the
               Spirit
               we
               are
               none
               of
               Christ's
               )
            
             then
             is
             the
             
             Neck
             of
             Imposition
             broken
             ,
             and
             what
             hast
             thou
             to
             do
             to
             judge
             me
             ?
             let
             me
             stand
             or
             fall
             to
             my
             own
             Master
             ;
             And
             upon
             this
             Foot
             went
             
               Luther
               ,
               Calvin
               ,
               Melancthon
               ,
               Beza
            
             abroad
             ;
             And
             
               Cranmer
               ,
               Ridly
               ,
               Hooper
               ,
               Jewel
               ,
               Bradford
               ,
               Philpot
               ,
               &c.
            
             at
             home
             ,
             and
             as
             good
             Men
             ,
             and
             constant
             Martyrs
             in
             Ages
             before
             them
             .
          
           
             But
             suppose
             Conscientious
             Dissenters
             as
             ill
             Men
             as
             the
             Apostle
             describes
             an
             Heretick
             to
             be
             ;
             what
             is
             the
             Punishment
             ?
          
           
             
               3dly
               ,
               A
               Man
               that
               is
               an
               Heretick
               ,
               after
               the
               first
               and
               second
               Admonision
               reject
               ,
            
             that
             is
             ,
             deny
             his
             Communion
             ,
             declare
             he
             is
             none
             of
             you
             ,
             condemn
             his
             Proceedings
             by
             a
             publick
             Censure
             among
             your selves
             ;
             what
             more
             can
             be
             strain'd
             by
             the
             fiercest
             Prosecutors
             of
             Men
             for
             Religion
             out
             of
             these
             Words
             .
          
           
             But
             was
             this
             the
             Evangelical
             Rule
             and
             Practice
             ?
             Yes
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             ;
             Oh
             then
             whence
             comes
             Imposition
             Force
             Cruelty
             ,
             Spoil
             of
             Goods
             ,
             Imprisonments
             ,
             Knocking
             's
             ,
             Beatings
             ,
             Bruisings
             ,
             Stockins
             ,
             Whippings
             ,
             and
             Spilling
             of
             Blood
             for
             Religion
             ?
             What
             Church
             is
             that
             ,
             whose
             Officers
             are
             so
             far
             from
             cloathing
             the
             naked
             ,
             as
             to
             strip
             the
             clothed
             ,
             from
             feeding
             the
             hungry
             ,
             that
             they
             take
             their
             Bread
             from
             them
             ,
             and
             those
             poor
             Widdows
             and
             helpless
             Orphans
             too
             ;
             and
             so
             remote
             from
             visiting
             the
             sick
             and
             imprisoned
             ,
             that
             they
             drag
             away
             their
             Bed
             from
             under
             them
             ,
             and
             cast
             People
             into
             Prison
             for
             Conscience
             sake
             ;
             Nay
             they
             haled
             away
             an
             Honest
             Man
             from
             a
             Meeting
             to
             Goal
             at
             Reading
             ,
             (
             but
             the
             other
             Day
             )
             not
             permitting
             him
             to
             TAKE
             LEAVE
             of
             his
             poor
             Wife
             ,
             newly
             delivered
             ,
             and
             in
             a
             DYING
             Condition
             ,
             though
             she
             also
             desired
             it
             ,
             and
             liv'd
             but
             just
             by
             the
             Meeting-House
             where
             they
             took
             him
             .
             In
             fine
             ,
             what
             are
             they
             that
             for
             no
             other
             Cause
             pass
             such
             dreadful
             Excommunications
             ,
             as
             render
             the
             Excommunicants
             little
             better
             then
             outlawed
             Persons
             ,
             subjecting
             their
             Civil
             and
             Natural
             Rights
             to
             their
             Pride
             ,
             Passion
             ,
             Interest
             or
             Revenge
             ,
             unless
             they
             will
             purchase
             their
             Enjoyment
             at
             the
             dear
             Rate
             of
             loosing
             their
             own
             Souls
             ?
             For
             what
             else
             can
             be
             the
             Conseq●ence
             
             of
             conforming
             to
             that
             I
             do
             not
             believe
             ?
             Is
             not
             this
             to
             destroy
             sincere
             Men
             ,
             and
             make
             and
             save
             Hypocrites
             .
          
           
             Oh
             ,
             that
             such
             as
             are
             concern'd
             would
             soberly
             consider
             ,
             if
             any
             Thing
             is
             so
             Scandalous
             to
             True
             Religion
             as
             FORCE
             ;
             who
             can
             think
             that
             evidence
             Good
             that
             is
             extorted
             ?
             And
             what
             a
             Church
             is
             that
             ,
             which
             is
             made
             up
             of
             such
             Proselites
             ,
             or
             that
             employes
             such
             Means
             to
             make
             them
             ?
             O
             where
             is
             that
             Christian
             Meekness
             ,
             Patience
             and
             Forbearance
             ?
             How
             many
             have
             been
             ruined
             ,
             that
             were
             never
             exhorted
             ,
             and
             excomunicated
             before
             they
             were
             once
             admonished
             ?
             This
             is
             not
             to
             serve
             God
             ,
             but
             Worldly
             Interest
             :
             it
             s
             quite
             contrary
             to
             Christ's
             Counsel
             and
             Doctrine
             :
             He
             came
             to
             save
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             destroy
             Nature
             to
             magnifie
             his
             Grace
             .
             You
             pretend
             to
             hate
             J.
             Calvin's
             unconditional
             Reprobation
             ,
             yet
             practise
             it
             ;
             If
             you
             say
             no
             ,
             Conformity
             is
             your
             Condition
             :
             I
             answer
             ,
             that
             it
             s
             as
             unreasonable
             to
             require
             an
             impossibillity
             ,
             as
             cruel
             to
             damn
             Men
             for
             not
             doing
             it
             ;
             For
             as
             you
             say
             ,
             his
             Doctrine
             makes
             God
             to
             command
             them
             to
             repent
             ,
             that
             cannot
             repent
             ,
             and
             yet
             damn
             them
             if
             they
             repent
             not
             ;
             So
             you
             injoyn
             Men
             to
             relinquish
             their
             present
             Faith
             and
             Worship
             ,
             and
             conform
             to
             yours
             ,
             which
             is
             not
             in
             their
             Power
             to
             do
             ,
             yet
             damn
             them
             in
             a
             temporal
             Respect
             if
             they
             refuse
             it
             ;
             For
             you
             make
             such
             an
             unavoidable
             Dissent
             ,
             punishable
             with
             the
             Destruction
             of
             Mens
             Liberties
             and
             Estates
             :
             You
             had
             better
             leave
             off
             valuing
             your selves
             upon
             the
             Mercy
             and
             Well-Natur'dness
             of
             that
             Tenet
             of
             the
             universal
             Love
             of
             God
             to
             Mankind
             ,
             till
             you
             love
             more
             then
             your selves
             ,
             and
             abominate
             the
             Church
             of
             England's
             being
             ,
             such
             an
             Elect
             to
             the
             Civil
             Government
             as
             utterly
             reprobates
             the
             rest
             ,
             as
             you
             pretend
             to
             detest
             the
             like
             Injustice
             in
             J.
             Calvin's
             Notion
             of
             Election
             and
             Reprobation
             .
          
           
             And
             the
             Truth
             of
             it
             is
             ,
             this
             helps
             on
             Atheism
             as
             much
             as
             any
             Enormity
             in
             the
             Land
             ,
             when
             Witty
             Men
             ,
             not
             willing
             to
             take
             Pains
             to
             examine
             after
             the
             Truth
             and
             Excellency
             of
             Religion
             ,
             behold
             Men
             that
             call
             themselves
             Christ's
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             the
             Apostles
             Successors
             and
             Followers
             ,
             to
             affect
             and
             seek
             Government
             ,
             and
             yet
             twice
             deny
             it
             ,
             when
             they
             go
             to
             receive
             it
             ,
             that
             some
             others
             grow
             Lordly
             ,
             live
             Voluptuously
             ,
             and
             watch
             
             after
             the
             biggest
             Preferments
             ,
             not
             being
             excited
             by
             most
             Service
             for
             God
             ,
             but
             Earthly
             Power
             and
             Wealth
             for
             themselves
             ,
             and
             at
             the
             same
             Time
             persecuting
             Men
             of
             more
             Self-Denyal
             ,
             for
             Matters
             of
             Opinion
             about
             Faith
             and
             Worship
             towards
             God
             ;
             so
             that
             
               No
               Conformity
            
             to
             this
             Church
             ,
             
               No
               Protection
            
             from
             the
             State.
             Which
             among
             Protestants
             is
             so
             much
             the
             more
             unreasonable
             ,
             because
             they
             by
             these
             Courses
             implicitely
             own
             and
             assume
             the
             highest
             Infallibility
             and
             Perfection
             ,
             and
             yet
             deny
             any
             such
             Thing
             ;
             for
             it
             supposes
             that
             nothing
             is
             Truer
             ,
             nothing
             Perfecter
             ,
             or
             else
             they
             both
             persecute
             Men
             to
             embrace
             a
             Fallible
             and
             Imperfect
             Religion
             ,
             and
             with
             cruel
             Penalties
             provide
             against
             any
             Thing
             more
             True
             or
             Infallible
             ;
             the
             greatest
             Injury
             to
             the
             World
             that
             can
             be
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             a
             plain
             Endeavour
             to
             frustrate
             all
             those
             excellent
             Prophesies
             and
             gracious
             Promises
             God
             has
             given
             ,
             and
             the
             holy
             Scriptures
             declare
             of
             the
             latter
             Dayes
             .
             To
             conclude
             ,
             I
             shall
             desire
             Men
             of
             this
             Unnatural
             ,
             Unreasonable
             and
             Unchristian
             Spirit
             to
             consider
             :
          
           
             1.
             
             What
             Church
             was
             that
             which
             John
             saw
             ,
             riding
             upon
             the
             Powers
             of
             the
             Earth
             ,
             employing
             their
             Authority
             to
             force
             CONFESSION
             ,
             TRIBUTE
             and
             SUBJECTION
             to
             her
             ?
          
           
             2.
             
             What
             that
             Church
             was
             which
             dyed
             her self
             in
             the
             BLOOD
             of
             them
             that
             believed
             not
             in
             her
             ,
             against
             whom
             the
             poor
             Souls
             under
             the
             Altar
             (
             whose
             Bodies
             had
             been
             beheaded
             by
             her
             )
             cryed
             to
             God
             ?
          
           
             3.
             
             What
             Church
             it
             was
             that
             would
             suffer
             none
             to
             Buy
             ,
             Sell
             or
             Traffick
             without
             having
             her
             Mark
             (
             CONFORMITY
             to
             her
             )
             in
             their
             Forehead
             or
             right
             Hand
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             either
             those
             that
             heartily
             and
             openly
             confest
             her
             ,
             or
             those
             that
             basely
             complyed
             for
             Fear
             ?
          
           
             4.
             
             What
             Church
             is
             that
             which
             Trades
             in
             the
             Souls
             of
             Men
             ?
             Read
             
               Revelations
               ,
               Chap.
               13.
               18.
               
               &
            
             20.
             
          
           
             5.
             
             Whether
             this
             Church
             reigns
             not
             ,
             wherever
             Mens
             .
             
             LIBERTIES
             and
             PROPERTIES
             ,
             with
             all
             the
             Comforts
             of
             this
             Life
             are
             exposed
             and
             sacrificed
             for
             Matters
             of
             FAITH
             and
             WORSHIP
             to
             Almighty
             ▪
             God.
             
          
           
             Weigh
             these
             Things
             ,
             you
             great
             Church-Men
             of
             the
             Age
             ,
             in
             the
             Fear
             of
             that
             God
             who
             made
             Heaven
             and
             Earth
             ,
             and
             think
             not
             to
             make
             thus
             cheap
             of
             the
             Lives
             ,
             Liberties
             and
             Estates
             of
             
               Free-born
               English
               People
               ,
               and
               Harmless
               Christians
               for
               their
               peaceable
               Conscience
               ,
            
             without
             being
             accountable
             to
             that
             Great
             Lord
             in
             the
             Terrible
             Day
             of
             his
             Judgment
             ,
             that
             draws
             on
             upon
             the
             World
             :
             No
             Plea
             you
             have
             shall
             be
             able
             to
             justifie
             these
             things
             ,
             or
             fence
             off
             the
             heavy
             Stroak
             of
             that
             Just
             Judge
             ,
             unless
             you
             repent
             :
             'T
             is
             not
             Succession
             in
             Name
             ,
             but
             Nature
             ,
             that
             makes
             the
             true
             Christian
             Minister
             and
             Bishop
             :
             And
             where
             the
             Divine
             Life
             and
             Holy
             Qualifications
             of
             Christ
             and
             his
             Apostles
             are
             wanting
             ,
             there
             can
             be
             no
             Succession
             ,
             but
             what
             is
             as
             proper
             to
             the
             false
             Church
             as
             the
             true
             ,
             the
             Counterfeit
             as
             the
             Christian
             :
             
               Be
               not
               deceived
               ,
               God
               will
               not
               be
               mocked
               ,
               such
               as
               you
               Sow
               ,
               such
               shall
               you
               Reap
               .
            
             Remember
             Christ's
             Words
             ;
             
               Blessed
               are
               the
               Poor
               in
               Spirit
               ;
               for
               theirs
               is
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               God.
               Blessed
               are
               they
               that
               mourn
               ,
               for
               they
               shall
               be
               comforted
               .
               Blessed
               are
               the
               Pure
               in
               Heart
               ;
               for
               they
               shall
               see
               God.
               Blessed
               are
               the
               Meek
               ;
               for
               they
               shall
               inherit
               the
               Earth
               .
               Blessed
               are
               the
               MERCIFVL
               ;
               for
               they
               shall
               obtain
               Mercy
               .
            
             Therefore
             Reform
             ,
             and
             let
             your
             Moderation
             be
             known
             unto
             all
             Men
             ,
             for
             the
             Lord
             is
             at
             hand
             :
             
               Even
               so
               come
               Lord
               Jesus
            
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
           ERRATA
        
         
           Pag.
           18.
           
           Line
           33.
           for
           Injustice
           read
           Injury
           .
           p.
           20.
           l.
           11.
           dele
           and.
           p.
           20.
           31.
           read
           
             Heaven
             is
             hereby
             barr'd
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             in
             Men
             lyes
             ,
             from
             .
          
           p.
           22.
           l.
           22.
           for
           the
           read
           though
           .
           p.
           25.
           l.
           15.
           read
           revenged
           .
           p.
           28.
           l.
           25.
           read
           Chains
           .
        
         
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A54125-e530
           
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             ☜
             
          
           
             ☞
             
          
           
             ☞
             
          
           
             ☞
             
          
           
             ☜
             
          
           
             ☜
             
          
           
             ☜
             
          
           
             ☜
             
          
           
             ☞
             
          
           
             ☞
             
          
           
             ☞
             
          
           
             ☞
             
          
           
             ☜
             
          
           
             ☜
             
          
           
             ☜
             
          
           
             ☞
             
          
           
             ☜
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A54125-e2470
           
             a
             Mat.
             11.
             29
             
          
           
             b
             1
             Pet.
             3.
             2.
             2
             
             Cor.
             11.
             2.
             
          
           
             c
             Phil.
             4.
             8.
             1
             
             Pet.
             1.
             15.
             
          
           
             d
             Mat.
             16.
             24
             
          
           
             e
             2
             Cor.
             4.
             6.
             
          
           
             f
             Luke
             6.
             37.
             
          
           
             g
             Mat.
             5
             44.
             
          
           
             h
             Rev.
             14.
             4.
             
          
           
             i
             Phil.
             2.
             6.
             
          
           
             k
             Eph.
             1.
             22.
             
             Col.
             1.
             118.
             
          
           
             l
             Job
             .
             19.
             14
             ,
             15.
             
          
           
             m
             Rom
             8.
             17.
             
          
           
             n
             Heb
             2.
             11.
             
          
           
             o
             Tit.
             2.
             14.
             
          
           
             p
             Acts
             20
             28.
             
          
           
             q
             Rev.
             14.
             3.
             
          
           
             r
             1
             Pet.
             2.
             9.
             
          
           
             s
             Heb.
             12
             ,
             23.
             
          
           
             t
             Col.
             1.
             24.
             
          
           
             u
             Rev.
             21.
             9.
             
          
           
             w
             Joh.
             18.
             36.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             22.
             2.
             
          
           
             Luke
             13.
             2.
             
          
           
             Joh.
             18.
             36.
             
          
           
             Luke
             17.
             21.
             
          
           
             Tit.
             2.
             12.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             26.
             52.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             27.
             20.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             27.
             &c.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             29.
             
          
           
             ver
             .
             48.
             
          
           
             Luke
             23.
             34.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             26.
             53.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             5.
             44.
             45
             ,
             46
             ,
             47.
             
          
           
             Luke
             9.
             53
             ,
             54
             ,
             55
             ,
             56.
             
          
           
             Luke
             9.
             49
             ,
             50.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             13.
             24
             ,
             25
             ,
             26
             ,
             27
             ,
             28
             ,
             29
             ,
             30
             
          
           
             Ver.
             36
             ,
             37
             ,
             38
             ,
             39.
             
          
           
             Joh.
             15.
             12.
             
          
           
             Phil.
             3.
             15.