Innocency and conscientiousness of the Quakers asserted and cleared from the evil surmises, false aspersions, and unrighteous suggestions of Judge Keeling expressed in his speech made the seventh of the seventh month at the sessions-house in the Old-Baily ... : wherein also is shewed that this law doth not concern them, they being no seditious sectaries, nor contrivers of insurrections, nor evil-doers, therefore no just law is against them.
         Smith, William, d. 1673.
      
       
         
           1664
        
      
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             Innocency and conscientiousness of the Quakers asserted and cleared from the evil surmises, false aspersions, and unrighteous suggestions of Judge Keeling expressed in his speech made the seventh of the seventh month at the sessions-house in the Old-Baily ... : wherein also is shewed that this law doth not concern them, they being no seditious sectaries, nor contrivers of insurrections, nor evil-doers, therefore no just law is against them.
             Smith, William, d. 1673.
          
           16, [1] p.
           
             Published by a lover of truth and righteousness, W.S.,
             Printed at London :
             1664.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Duke University Library.
             Attributed to William Smith. cf. BM.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Kelyng, John, -- Sir, d. 1671.
           Society of Friends -- Great Britain -- Early works to 1800.
           Law and ethics -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
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           THE
           INNOCENCY
           AND
           Conscientiousness
           OF
           THE
           QUAKERS
           ASSERTED
           and
           CLEARED
           FROM
           The
           
             Evil
             Surmises
             ,
             False
             Aspersions
          
           ,
           and
           
             Unrighteous
             Suggestions
          
           of
           Judge
           KEELING
           ;
           expressed
           in
           his
           Speech
           made
           the
           seventh
           of
           the
           seventh
           Month
           at
           the
           Sessions-House
           in
           the
           Old-Baily
           ,
           being
           the
           day
           appointed
           for
           the
           Tryal
           of
           some
           of
           the
           said
           People
           by
           the
           late
           Act
           made
           to
           Prevent
           and
           Suppress
           
             Seditious
             Conventicles
          
           .
        
         
           Wherein
           also
           is
           shewed
           that
           this
           Law
           doth
           not
           concern
           them
           ,
           they
           being
           no
           seditious
           Sectaries
           ,
           nor
           Contrivers
           of
           Insurrections
           ,
           nor
           Evil-doers
           ;
           therefore
           no
           just
           Law
           is
           against
           them
           .
        
         
           
             He
             that
             justifieth
             the
             Wicked
             ,
             and
             he
             that
             condemneth
             the
             Just
             ,
             even
             they
             both
             are
             an
             Abomination
             to
             the
             Lord.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             17.
             15.
             
          
        
         
           Published
           by
           a
           lover
           of
           Truth
           and
           Righteousness
           ,
           
             W.
             S.
          
           
        
         
           Printed
           at
           London
           ,
           in
           the
           Year
           1664.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           To
           the
           Judicial
           and
           Impartial
           READER
           .
        
         
           EVer
           since
           the
           Devil
           (
           that
           enemy
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           who
           is
           the
           leader
           of
           Nature
           out
           of
           its
           course
           )
           got
           rule
           in
           Man's
           heart
           ,
           his
           work
           and
           way
           hath
           been
           to
           stir
           up
           his
           Instruments
           ,
           first
           ,
           to
           cast
           Ignominious
           reproachful
           names
           upon
           the
           true
           Worshippers
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           New
           Sects
           ,
           
             Turners
             of
             the
             World
             upside
             down
             ,
             Pestilent
             Fellows
             ,
             Sowers
             of
             Sedition
             ,
             Ring-leaders
             of
             Sects
             ,
             Blasphemers
             ,
             Hereticks
             ,
             Seditious
             Sectaries
             ,
             Contrivers
             of
             Plots
             ,
          
           and
           
             Stirrers
             up
             of
             Rebellion
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           Then
           when
           he
           hath
           by
           his
           Emissaries
           cloathed
           them
           in
           this
           mantle
           of
           Reproach
           ,
           he
           can
           the
           easilier
           bring
           his
           designs
           to
           pass
           upon
           them
           ;
           whether
           it
           be
           to
           Imprisoning
           in
           nasty
           infectious
           holes
           ,
           or
           Whipping
           ,
           Banishing
           ,
           Burning
           or
           Hanging
           ,
           which
           hath
           been
           his
           work
           through
           Ages
           ,
           among
           both
           false
           Jews
           and
           false
           Christians
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           among
           those
           called
           Heathen
           ,
           to
           this
           day
           :
           for
           as
           once
           among
           the
           Heathen
           ,
           it
           was
           crime
           enough
           to
           cause
           the
           true
           Christians
           to
           suffer
           ,
           to
           have
           the
           Name
           of
           a
           Christian
           (
           which
           was
           a
           name
           of
           Reproach
           in
           that
           day
           )
           and
           carried
           enough
           with
           it
           to
           be
           guilty
           of
           all
           Crimes
           ,
           in
           the
           judgment
           of
           the
           Heathen
           ,
           who
           
           believed
           all
           that
           was
           spoke
           and
           published
           against
           them
           ,
           though
           they
           saw
           no
           proof
           :
           The
           like
           Parallel
           is
           now
           ;
           we
           have
           the
           name
           Quaker
           given
           us
           in
           reproach
           and
           derision
           ,
           and
           its
           crime
           enough
           to
           cause
           us
           to
           suffer
           (
           before
           and
           among
           some
           )
           to
           have
           that
           name
           ;
           And
           what
           is
           spoke
           and
           published
           ,
           surmised
           and
           evilly
           suggested
           of
           us
           ,
           many
           believe
           without
           any
           manifest
           proof
           :
           but
           the
           Wise
           and
           Judicious
           will
           not
           receive
           and
           believe
           every
           Report
           ,
           nor
           give
           Judgment
           of
           any
           Person
           or
           People
           because
           of
           a
           Name
           ,
           Speech
           ,
           or
           Report
           ,
           though
           it
           be
           from
           the
           mouth
           of
           a
           Judge
           ,
           but
           will
           desire
           to
           know
           the
           Truth
           ;
           therefore
           to
           inform
           such
           is
           this
           Reply
           following
           published
           .
        
         
           And
           we
           may
           truly
           say
           for
           ourselves
           ,
           as
           Tertullian
           in
           his
           Apollogie
           once
           said
           for
           the
           Christians
           ,
           when
           the
           Heathen
           called
           their
           Society
           ,
           Meetings
           or
           Assemblies
           ,
           
             Factious
             ;
             Did
             we
             ever
          
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             assemble
             to
             proclaim
             the
             hurt
             of
             any
             one
             ?
          
           As
           we
           are
           in
           the
           particular
           ,
           so
           we
           are
           in
           the
           general
           ;
           that
           is
           to
           say
           ,
           In
           whatsoever
           state
           we
           are
           found
           ,
           we
           offend
           no
           body
           ,
           we
           injure
           no
           body
           :
           And
           further
           ,
           saith
           he
           ,
           
             when
             any
             vertuous
             or
             godly
             People
             are
             associated
             ,
             when
             any
             pious
             or
             chast
             persons
             assemble
             together
             ;
             their
             Union
             should
             not
             be
             called
             a
             Faction
             ,
             but
             a
             Lawful
             Society
             .
          
           pag.
           142.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           The
           Innocency
           and
           Conscienciousness
           of
           the
           Quakers
           asserted
           and
           cleared
           from
           the
           evil
           Surmises
           ,
           false
           Aspersions
           ,
           and
           unrighteous
           Suggestions
           of
           Judge
           Keiling
           ;
           expressed
           in
           his
           Speech
           made
           the
           7th
           of
           the
           7th
           month
           ,
           at
           the
           Sessions-house
           in
           the
           Old
           Baily
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           
             Judge
             .
          
           
             
               BEcause
               this
               day
               was
               appointed
               for
               the
               Tryal
               of
               those
               People
               ,
               And
               in
               as
               much
               as
               many
               are
               come
               hither
               expecting
               what
               will
               be
               done
               ,
               I
               shall
               say
               something
               concerning
               them
               and
               their
               Principles
               ,
               that
               they
               might
               not
               be
               thought
               worthy
               of
               pity
               ,
               as
               suffering
               more
               than
               they
               deserve
               :
               for
               they
               are
               a
               Stubborn
               Sect
               ,
               and
               the
               King
               hath
               been
               very
               merciful
               with
               them
               .
               It
               was
               hoped
               that
               the
               Purity
               of
               the
               Church
               of
            
             England
             
               would
               ere
               this
               have
               convinced
               them
               ,
               but
               they
               will
               not
               be
               reclaimed
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             Answer
             .
          
           
             Our
             Conversation
             for
             these
             many
             years
             ,
             hath
             been
             noted
             ,
             and
             strictly
             observed
             by
             many
             ,
             and
             hitherto
             we
             have
             not
             been
             found
             Transgressors
             of
             any
             Law
             which
             is
             made
             to
             preserve
             mens
             Persons
             or
             Estates
             ,
             or
             for
             the
             punishment
             of
             Evil-doers
             ;
             And
             so
             have
             not
             given
             the
             Magistrates
             occasion
             justly
             to
             appoint
             days
             of
             Tryal
             for
             us
             .
          
           
             For
             the
             Law
             once
             in
             Tables
             of
             Stone
             ,
             and
             all
             other
             just
             Laws
             were
             and
             are
             added
             because
             of
             mans
             degeneration
             from
             the
             Law
             and
             Righteous
             Principle
             of
             Life
             ,
             which
             was
             once
             ,
             or
             at
             the
             beginning
             ,
             placed
             in
             his
             heart
             :
             So
             when
             man
             fell
             from
             his
             obedience
             to
             this
             Righteous
             Law
             (
             which
             we
             say
             was
             not
             in
             a
             Book
             ,
             nor
             in
             Tables
             of
             Stone
             ,
             in
             the
             beginning
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             Heart
             )
             and
             abounded
             in
             Acts
             of
             Cruelty
             ,
             Violence
             ,
             Oppression
             and
             Idolatry
             ,
             Then
             because
             of
             these
             Transgressions
             was
             that
             Outward
             Law
             added
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             limit
             ,
             bridle
             and
             punish
             ,
             and
             also
             to
             bring
             Mankind
             back
             again
             in
             a
             measure
             to
             that
             which
             he
             degenerated
             from
             ,
             as
             Moses
             witnesseth
             
               (
               viz.
            
             )
             to
             the
             Word
             in
             the
             month
             and
             in
             the
             heart
             ,
             that
             they
             might
             hear
             it
             and
             do
             it
             (
             or
             obey
             it
             .
             )
             And
             true
             Christians
             are
             come
             to
             Christ
             Jesus
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             Power
             of
             God
             ;
             and
             are
             created
             anew
             in
             him
             unto
             
               good
               works
            
             ,
             that
             
             they
             should
             walk
             in
             them
             ;
             and
             are
             made
             Witnesses
             of
             that
             
               Glorious
               Promise
               fulfilled
               in
               them
            
             ,
             (
             viz.
             )
             
               as
               to
               have
               the
               Law
               written
               in
               their
               hearts
               ,
               and
               the
               Fear
               of
               the
               Lord
               put
               into
               their
               inward
               parts
            
             ;
             which
             Law
             and
             Fear
             teacheth
             to
             depart
             from
             evil
             ,
             and
             crucifieth
             that
             transgressing
             spirit
             within
             ,
             from
             whence
             all
             manner
             of
             wickedness
             proceeds
             ;
             and
             against
             such
             there
             is
             (
             or
             ought
             to
             be
             )
             no
             Law
             
               they
               being
               a
               Law
               to
               themselves
               ,
            
             as
             it
             is
             written
             ,
             
               The
               Law
               is
               not
               made
               for
               the
               Righteous
               man
               ;
               but
               for
               the
               Lawless
               and
               Disobedient
               ,
               for
               the
               Ungodly
               and
               for
               Sinners
               ,
               for
               Unholy
               and
               Prophane
               ,
               for
               Murderers
               of
               Fathers
               and
               Murderers
               of
               Mothers
               ,
               for
               Manslayers
               ,
               for
               Whoremongers
               and
               Buggerers
               (
               or
               abusers
               of
               themselves
               with
               mankind
               )
               for
               Man-stealers
               ,
               for
               Lyars
               ,
               for
               Perjured
               Persons
               ,
               and
               any
               other
               evils
               which
               are
               contrary
               to
               sound
               Doctrin
               .
            
          
           
             And
             now
             seeing
             we
             are
             preserved
             by
             the
             Power
             of
             the
             living
             God
             ,
             (
             whom
             we
             fear
             and
             serve
             )
             from
             those
             and
             such-like
             evils
             (
             which
             are
             the
             occasion
             of
             Law
             and
             Magistrates
             ,
             otherwise
             there
             would
             be
             no
             need
             of
             either
             )
             and
             yet
             notwithstanding
             are
             persecuted
             and
             thronged
             into
             nasty
             Holes
             and
             Prisons
             ,
             and
             guarded
             with
             a
             great
             many
             Club-men
             and
             Bill-men
             ,
             and
             haled
             before
             Judgment-Seats
             and
             Rulers
             ,
             as
             if
             we
             were
             great
             malefactors
             :
             This
             makes
             People
             slock
             together
             ,
             and
             expect
             ,
             and
             also
             wonder
             what
             will
             be
             the
             end
             of
             these
             things
             ;
             That
             People
             against
             whom
             no
             evil
             can
             be
             justly
             charged
             ,
             should
             be
             the
             greatest
             Sufferers
             in
             this
             Generation
             :
             And
             pity
             and
             compassion
             will
             arise
             in
             thousands
             ,
             who
             shall
             see
             or
             hear
             of
             our
             Sufferings
             for
             Innocency
             and
             Conscience
             towards
             God
             ,
             notwithstanding
             our
             cruel
             Adversaries
             endeavour
             to
             cloath
             us
             in
             Woolf-skins
             ,
             to
             make
             people
             believe
             that
             we
             are
             the
             Beasts
             of
             Prey
             ,
             and
             a
             
               Stubborn
               Sect
               ,
               which
               will
               not
               be
               reclaimed
               by
               the
               Mercy
               of
               the
               King
               ,
               nor
               the
               Purity
               of
               the
               Church
               of
            
             England
             .
             As
             for
             the
             
               Kings
               Mercy
            
             it
             cannot
             save
             us
             ,
             if
             we
             transgress
             against
             God
             ,
             and
             make
             shipwrack
             of
             Faith
             and
             a
             good
             Conscience
             ;
             his
             Righteous
             Judgments
             will
             find
             us
             out
             ,
             and
             we
             must
             give
             an
             account
             to
             him
             ;
             and
             walk
             so
             ,
             as
             we
             may
             partake
             of
             His
             Mercy
             ▪
             which
             the
             King
             as
             well
             as
             the
             Beggar
             hath
             and
             will
             have
             need
             of
             also
             ;
             howbeit
             we
             never
             yet
             forfeited
             our
             Interest
             in
             the
             King's
             Promises
             of
             
               Liberty
               to
               tender
               Consciences
            
             ,
             so
             often
             renewed
             by
             him
             ;
             though
             it
             appears
             by
             this
             Judge's
             so
             much
             inveighing
             against
             us
             ,
             that
             he
             would
             fain
             make
             people
             believe
             we
             do
             not
             deserve
             our
             Liberty
             or
             Interest
             therein
             ;
             but
             that
             will
             not
             clear
             him
             nor
             them
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             God
             concerning
             those
             Promises
             .
          
           
           
             And
             as
             for
             the
             
               Purity
               of
               Englands
               Church
            
             it
             's
             out
             of
             our
             sight
             ,
             except
             it
             consists
             much
             in
             Swearing
             ,
             which
             the
             Judge
             saith
             is
             a
             special
             part
             of
             God's
             Worship
             :
             If
             this
             be
             Purity
             ,
             there
             's
             too
             much
             of
             that
             among
             the
             members
             thereof
             ;
             but
             that
             will
             never
             reclaim
             us
             ,
             for
             we
             can
             see
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             Impurity
             ,
             Corruption
             and
             Soul-sickness
             in
             it
             ;
             And
             as
             much
             the
             members
             of
             it
             confess
             themselves
             ,
             
               That
               they
               are
               full
               of
               putrified
               sores
               ,
               from
               the
               crown
               of
               the
               head
               to
               the
               soal
               of
               the
               feet
               ;
               and
               that
               there
               is
               no
               health
               nor
               soundness
               in
               them
               ;
               And
               that
               they
               do
               those
               things
               they
               should
               not
               do
               ,
               and
               leave
               undone
               those
               things
               they
               should
               do
               ;
               And
               that
               they
               are
               Miserable
               Offenders
               ,
               and
               sin
               in
               their
               Best
               Performances
               :
            
             Indeed
             they
             speak
             enough
             of
             themselves
             to
             cause
             all
             wholsome
             ,
             sound
             ,
             understanding
             People
             to
             shun
             them
             and
             their
             Church
             and
             Worship
             ,
             as
             men
             shun
             a
             Contagious
             Disease
             or
             Infection
             ;
             And
             it
             is
             manifest
             that
             the
             Nature
             and
             Spirit
             of
             Christianity
             is
             wanting
             among
             them
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             spirit
             of
             Cain
             (
             that
             worshipper
             ,
             who
             was
             the
             first
             Murderer
             about
             Religion
             )
             rules
             among
             them
             :
             And
             what
             weapons
             have
             they
             ever
             used
             to
             reclaim
             us
             (
             or
             call
             us
             )
             back
             again
             to
             worship
             as
             they
             do
             ?
             have
             not
             their
             weapons
             been
             Carnal
             ,
             and
             the
             course
             they
             have
             taken
             Force
             and
             Violence
             ,
             by
             stirring
             up
             the
             Magistrates
             to
             make
             cruel
             Laws
             against
             us
             ?
             which
             was
             never
             the
             true
             Christians
             work
             nor
             way
             to
             bring
             people
             to
             believe
             their
             Doctrine
             ,
             and
             to
             worship
             as
             they
             did
             ,
             but
             Cains
             way
             ;
             and
             his
             wages
             will
             all
             Persecutors
             about
             Religion
             receive
             from
             the
             hand
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             as
             a
             just
             recompence
             of
             reward
             .
          
        
         
           
             Judge
             .
          
           
             
               They
               teach
               dangerous
               Principles
               ;
               this
               for
               one
               ,
            
             That
             it
             is
             not
             lawful
             to
             take
             an
             Oath
             .
             
               You
               must
               not
               think
               their
               Leaders
               believe
               this
               Doctrine
               themselves
               ,
               only
               they
               perswade
               these
               poor
               ignorant
               souls
               so
               ;
               but
               they
               have
               an
               Interest
               to
               carry
               on
               against
               the
               Government
               ,
               and
               therefore
               they
               will
               not
               swear
               Subjection
               to
               it
               ;
               and
               their
               end
               is
               Rebellion
               and
               Blood.
               You
               may
               easily
               know
               that
               they
               do
               not
               believe
               themselves
               what
               they
               say
               ,
               when
               they
               say
               it
               is
               not
               lawful
               to
               take
               an
               Oath
               ,
               if
               you
               look
               into
               the
               Scriptures
               ;
               that
               Text
            
             (
             Mat.
             5.
             )
             
               where
               our
               Saviour
               saith
            
             ,
             [
             Swear
             not
             at
             all
             ]
             
               will
               clear
               it self
               from
               such
               a
               meaning
               as
               for
               bids
               Swearing
               ,
               if
               you
               look
               but
               into
               the
               next
               words
               ,
               where
               it
               is
               said
               ,
            
             Let
             your
             communication
             be
             yea
             ,
             yea
             ,
             and
             nay
             ,
             nay
             ;
             
               and
               it
               is
               said
            
             ,
             an
             Oath
             is
             the
             end
             of
             all
             strife
             ;
             
               this
               for
               the
               New
               Testament
               :
               And
               the
               Old
               is
               positive
               for
               Swearing
               .
               And
               they
               that
               deny
               Swearing
               ,
               deny
               God
               a
               special
               part
               of
               his
               Worship
               .
            
          
        
         
           
           
             Answer
             .
          
           
             Our
             Principles
             are
             Truth
             ,
             and
             according
             to
             the
             Scriptures
             of
             Truth
             ;
             but
             that
             great
             Evil
             ,
             to
             call
             
               Light
               darkness
            
             ,
             and
             
               darkness
               Light
               ;
               Good
               evil
            
             ,
             and
             
               evil
               Good
            
             ,
             is
             befaln
             this
             Generation
             ;
             And
             that
             which
             leads
             to
             Unity
             and
             the
             Preservation
             of
             Mankind
             is
             now
             counted
             dangerous
             and
             destructive
             .
          
           
             Swearing
             ,
             or
             taking
             of
             Oaths
             was
             not
             in
             the
             beginning
             ,
             there
             was
             no
             need
             or
             occasion
             for
             it
             ,
             Strife
             was
             not
             begun
             ;
             but
             when
             Man
             broke
             his
             Unity
             with
             God
             ,
             and
             ran
             into
             Disobedience
             ,
             then
             Strife
             ,
             and
             every
             evil
             work
             followed
             among
             men
             :
             Then
             to
             limit
             this
             evil
             spirit
             which
             Man
             followed
             into
             Transgression
             ,
             an
             Outward
             Law
             was
             added
             ,
             and
             Swearing
             and
             Vowing
             under
             a
             Curse
             came
             up
             ;
             and
             such
             as
             vowed
             were
             to
             perform
             their
             Vows
             unto
             the
             Lord
             ;
             and
             those
             that
             swore
             ,
             were
             to
             swear
             by
             ,
             or
             in
             the
             Name
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             not
             in
             or
             by
             the
             name
             of
             an
             Idol
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             creature
             ;
             and
             this
             was
             in
             the
             Fall
             ,
             while
             the
             Wall
             of
             Partition
             stood
             :
             Now
             Christ
             who
             is
             the
             Restorer
             and
             the
             maker
             up
             of
             Breaches
             ,
             (
             who
             was
             with
             the
             Father
             before
             any
             of
             these
             things
             were
             )
             in
             the
             Fulness
             of
             time
             ,
             in
             a
             Body
             prepared
             ,
             he
             appeared
             ,
             to
             fulfill
             the
             Law
             ,
             and
             to
             put
             an
             end
             to
             Sin
             ,
             which
             was
             the
             occasion
             of
             the
             Law
             )
             and
             to
             finish
             Transgression
             ,
             and
             to
             bring
             in
             Everlasting
             Righteousness
             ;
             and
             to
             restore
             and
             bring
             Man
             back
             again
             into
             the
             knowledge
             and
             unity
             of
             his
             Maker
             ,
             from
             whom
             he
             fell
             by
             disobedience
             :
             And
             these
             things
             which
             the
             Father
             sent
             him
             to
             do
             ,
             he
             finished
             and
             finisheth
             ;
             for
             all
             that
             received
             ,
             believed
             ,
             receivet
             and
             believe
             in
             him
             ,
             and
             follow
             him
             in
             the
             Regeneration
             .
          
           
             And
             while
             he
             was
             with
             his
             Disciples
             ,
             in
             that
             prepared
             Body
             in
             which
             he
             came
             to
             do
             the
             Will
             of
             the
             Father
             ,
             he
             gave
             forth
             many
             Precepts
             and
             Commands
             unto
             them
             ,
             among
             which
             this
             is
             one
             ,
             minding
             them
             how
             it
             was
             in
             old
             time
             
               (
               viz.
            
             )
             under
             Moses
             Law
             ,
             how
             that
             they
             were
             to
             swear
             ,
             and
             perform
             their
             Vows
             to
             the
             Lord
             ;
             But
             saith
             he
             
               (
               who
               was
               before
               Moses
               was
               )
               I
               say
               unto
               you
               ,
               Swear
               not
               at
               all
               ,
               neither
               by
               one
               thing
               or
               another
               ;
               but
               let
               your
               communication
               be
               yea
               ,
               yea
               ,
               nay
               ,
               nay
               :
               for
               whatsoever
               is
               more
               than
               this
               cometh
               of
               evil
               .
            
             And
             Moses
             Law
             ,
             and
             the
             Old
             time
             saith
             also
             ,
             
               An
               eye
               for
               an
               eye
            
             ,
             and
             
               a
               tooth
               for
               a
               tooth
               ,
               smiting
               for
               smiting
               ,
            
             and
             that
             they
             should
             
               love
               their
               neighbour
               and
               hate
               their
               enemies
            
             ;
             but
             Christ
             taught
             and
             teacheth
             his
             Disciples
             a
             harder
             lessen
             ,
             of
             Bearing
             and
             Forhearing
             ,
             Love
             ,
             Gentleness
             and
             Heavenly-kindness
             ,
             that
             they
             might
             be
             more
             like
             their
             
             heavenly
             Father
             than
             
             Moses's
             Disciples
             were
             ;
             for
             saith
             he
             ,
             
               if
               you
               love
               them
               that
               love
               you
               ,
            
             and
             if
             you
             are
             friendly
             to
             your
             Brethren
             only
             ,
             
               what
               do
               you
               do
               more
               than
               sinners
               ?
               &c.
               
            
          
           
             So
             he
             that
             was
             before
             the
             Law
             ,
             leads
             to
             the
             End
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             (
             which
             is
             Love
             )
             and
             brings
             those
             that
             follow
             him
             ,
             to
             be
             like-minded
             to
             him
             :
             as
             the
             Christians
             in
             the
             Primitive
             times
             were
             ,
             who
             said
             ,
             they
             had
             the
             mind
             of
             Christ
             ;
             and
             did
             exhort
             one
             another
             to
             the
             same
             .
             And
             that
             this
             Command
             of
             Christ
             forbids
             all
             Swearing
             ,
             is
             not
             only
             clear
             from
             the
             end
             ,
             and
             circumstance
             of
             the
             foregoing
             and
             following
             words
             ,
             but
             also
             from
             the
             Apostle
             James's
             Exhortation
             ;
             who
             said
             
               Above
               all
               things
               ,
               my
               Brethren
               ,
               Swear
               not
               ,
               neither
               by
               Heaven
               nor
               Earth
               ,
               nor
               any
               other
               Oath
               ,
               lest
               ye
               fall
               into
               condemnation
               .
            
             And
             it
             is
             also
             written
             ,
             
               that
               if
               any
               say
               they
               love
               Christ
               ,
               and
               keep
               not
               his
               Commandments
               ,
               they
               are
               Lyars
               .
            
          
           
             So
             who
             ever
             reads
             these
             Scriptures
             
               (
               Mat.
               5.
               
               Jam.
            
             5.
             12.
             
             )
             except
             the
             god
             of
             this
             world
             hath
             blinded
             the
             eye
             of
             their
             minds
             ,
             may
             plainly
             perceive
             ,
             that
             not
             only
             prophane
             swearing
             ,
             but
             all
             manner
             of
             Swearing
             among
             the
             Disciples
             of
             Christ
             ;
             who
             brings
             all
             that
             truly
             follow
             him
             ,
             out
             of
             the
             strife
             which
             is
             among
             men
             ,
             into
             Love
             ,
             Peace
             and
             Unity
             ,
             which
             was
             before
             Oaths
             ,
             and
             where
             there
             is
             no
             need
             of
             any
             .
          
           
             And
             the
             Swearing
             ,
             Strife
             and
             Confusion
             ,
             Rebellion
             and
             Blood-thirstiness
             is
             among
             the
             false
             Christians
             ,
             who
             have
             the
             Name
             of
             Christ
             in
             their
             Mouths
             ,
             but
             want
             his
             Spirit
             and
             Nature
             ,
             being
             inwardly
             ravening
             Wolves
             ,
             and
             by
             their
             fruits
             are
             they
             known
             .
          
           
             And
             it
             is
             true
             which
             a
             Bishop
             of
             Englands
             Church
             
             once
             said
             ;
             that
             
               Among
               false
               Christians
               Oathes
               are
               not
               to
               be
               regarded
               ;
               and
               amongst
               true
               Christians
               there
               was
               no
               need
               of
               them
               .
            
             Our
             Leader
             is
             Christ
             ,
             whose
             Voice
             we
             hear
             and
             follow
             ,
             and
             whose
             Riches
             and
             Wisdom
             we
             partake
             of
             .
             And
             the
             poor
             and
             ignorant
             souls
             are
             such
             as
             creep
             into
             houses
             (
             ignorantly
             called
             Churches
             )
             and
             lead
             silly
             women
             captive
             ,
             who
             are
             laden
             with
             sins
             ,
             and
             led
             aside
             with
             divers
             lusts
             ,
             ever
             learning
             ,
             and
             never
             able
             to
             come
             to
             the
             knowledge
             of
             the
             Truth
             :
             While
             we
             were
             in
             Englands
             Church
             ,
             we
             our selves
             were
             such
             ,
             as
             knew
             not
             the
             Physician
             of
             our
             souls
             ,
             and
             so
             were
             full
             of
             putrified
             sores
             ,
             and
             unsoundness
             ,
             and
             no
             health
             was
             in
             us
             ;
             and
             we
             did
             those
             things
             we
             should
             not
             do
             ,
             and
             left
             undone
             those
             things
             
             we
             should
             do
             ,
             &c.
             which
             is
             the
             states
             of
             Englands
             Church
             still
             as
             the
             Members
             thereof
             confess
             in
             their
             common
             Service
             :
             so
             ,
             doth
             not
             divers
             lusts
             lead
             them
             ?
             and
             are
             they
             not
             ever
             learning
             ,
             and
             ever
             ignorant
             ?
             And
             do
             not
             many
             thousands
             of
             them
             go
             down
             to
             the
             Pit
             without
             the
             knowledge
             of
             that
             precious
             Truth
             which
             makes
             free
             from
             Sin
             ?
             Let
             God's
             Witness
             in
             the
             Consciences
             of
             its
             Members
             answer
             .
          
           
             Our
             Interest
             which
             we
             desire
             to
             cary
             on
             ,
             is
             Truth
             &
             Righteousness
             ;
             and
             we
             shall
             rejoyce
             to
             see
             it
             established
             :
             though
             we
             are
             counted
             as
             the
             filth
             of
             the
             earth
             ,
             and
             the
             off-scouring
             of
             all
             things
             ,
             and
             not
             sit
             to
             live
             in
             this
             the
             Land
             of
             our
             Nativity
             ,
             yet
             we
             have
             and
             do
             approve
             our selves
             friends
             to
             our
             Nation
             ;
             and
             since
             the
             Lord
             hath
             made
             us
             a
             People
             ,
             we
             have
             sought
             and
             endeavoured
             its
             temporal
             and
             Eternal
             Good
             ,
             and
             have
             not
             been
             found
             contriving
             nor
             acting
             evil
             against
             Persons
             or
             Governments
             ,
             since
             we
             were
             brought
             to
             the
             knowledge
             of
             that
             Truth
             we
             profess
             .
          
           
             Therefore
             what
             ground
             of
             suspicion
             have
             we
             given
             to
             our
             cruel
             Persecutors
             ,
             that
             they
             should
             suggest
             and
             surmise
             so
             much
             evil
             of
             us
             ,
             that
             our
             Design
             is
             Rebellion
             and
             Blood
             ?
             But
             what
             cause
             or
             occasion
             did
             harmless
             Abel
             give
             bloody
             Cain
             to
             kill
             him
             ?
             Consider
             and
             see
             the
             same
             is
             now
             .
          
        
         
           
             Judg.
             
          
           
             
               Now
               you
               shall
               see
               how
               this
               Principle
               of
               not
               Swearing
               tends
               to
               the
               Subversion
               of
               the
               Government
               .
            
             First
             ,
             
               It
               denies
               the
               King
               the
               Security
               he
               ought
               to
               have
               of
               his
               Subjects
               for
               their
               Allegiance
               ;
               which
               Oath
               they
               deny
               ;
               and
               security
               by
               bond
               is
               not
               so
               good
               :
               for
               thereby
               they
               are
               not
               engaged
               in
               Conscience
               ,
               and
               they
               will
               only
               wait
               for
               a
               convenient
               season
               to
               forfeit
               their
               Bonds
               without
               hazard
               ,
               and
               make
               sure
               work
               in
               overthrowing
               the
               present
               Government
               ,
               and
               secure
               their
               own
               securities
               ;
               but
               an
               Oath
               binds
               the
               Conscience
               at
               all
               times
               ,
               and
               that
               they
               cannot
               abide
               .
               Again
               ,
               this
               Principle
               tends
               to
               subvert
               the
               Government
               ,
               because
               without
               Swearing
               we
               can
               have
               no
               Justice
               done
               ,
               no
               Law
               executed
               ;
               you
               may
               be
               robbed
               ,
               your
               houses
               broke
               open
               ,
               your
               goods
               taken
               away
               ,
               and
               be
               injured
               in
               your
               persons
               ,
               and
               no
               Justice
               or
               recompence
               can
               be
               had
               ,
               because
               the
               fact
               cannot
               be
               proved
               :
               the
               truth
               is
               ,
               no
               Government
               can
               stand
               without
               Swearing
               ;
               and
               were
               these
               People
               to
               have
               a
               Governmet
               among
               themselves
               ,
               they
               cold
               not
               live
               without
               an
               Oath
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             If
             this
             Judge
             had
             the
             Mind
             of
             Christ
             ,
             he
             would
             not
             speak
             after
             
             this
             manner
             :
             for
             Government
             was
             before
             Swearing
             ,
             and
             may
             be
             without
             it
             ;
             and
             Oaths
             of
             Alleagiance
             are
             but
             a
             novel
             thing
             to
             Government
             ,
             hatched
             and
             imposed
             in
             the
             Apostacy
             ,
             and
             was
             not
             among
             the
             true
             Christians
             ,
             whose
             Yea
             was
             Yea
             ,
             and
             their
             
               Nay
               Nay
            
             in
             all
             things
             ;
             and
             the
             word
             and
             promise
             of
             a
             true
             Christian
             ,
             is
             security
             sufficient
             ,
             and
             their
             Consciences
             are
             bound
             to
             perform
             what
             they
             say
             and
             promise
             ,
             as
             firm
             as
             they
             that
             Swear
             .
             There
             hath
             been
             no
             want
             of
             Swearing
             in
             these
             and
             other
             Nations
             called
             Christian
             ,
             yet
             what
             subversions
             ,
             turnings
             and
             overturnings
             ,
             and
             treacherous
             dealing
             hath
             there
             been
             among
             the
             Princes
             and
             People
             thereof
             ?
             and
             many
             have
             sworn
             to
             one
             Governour
             and
             Government
             ,
             and
             then
             to
             another
             ,
             and
             so
             to
             a
             third
             ,
             and
             may
             be
             ready
             to
             swear
             to
             any
             that
             get
             to
             the
             helm
             of
             Government
             ;
             and
             these
             Swearers
             and
             Conformers
             to
             any
             thing
             that
             is
             uppermost
             ,
             make
             little
             conscience
             of
             Oaths
             ,
             so
             they
             may
             save
             themselves
             from
             suffering
             :
             and
             if
             we
             were
             or
             had
             been
             of
             this
             spirit
             ,
             we
             need
             not
             have
             suffered
             so
             exceeding
             deeply
             in
             our
             persons
             and
             estates
             in
             the
             time
             of
             Oliver
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             Powers
             :
             And
             it
             is
             envy
             which
             blindes
             the
             understanding
             of
             this
             Judge
             ,
             that
             makes
             him
             charge
             us
             ,
             with
             not
             believing
             what
             we
             say
             ,
             when
             we
             say
             ,
             
               It
               is
               not
               lawful
               for
               us
               to
               take
               an
               Oath
            
             ;
             and
             that
             we
             have
             a
             Design
             to
             carry
             on
             ,
             and
             therefore
             will
             not
             Swear
             Allegiance
             to
             the
             King.
             Now
             if
             he
             did
             believe
             what
             he
             saith
             of
             us
             ,
             that
             we
             should
             assert
             what
             we
             do
             not
             believe
             ,
             or
             were
             so
             void
             of
             Conscienciousness
             ;
             then
             how
             can
             he
             in
             reason
             expect
             that
             an
             
               Imposed
               Oath
               should
               be
               so
               much
               binding
               to
               us
               ,
               if
               we
               could
               be
               forced
               to
               take
               it
               ,
            
             especially
             since
             it
             is
             a
             maxime
             of
             their
             own
             ,
             
               that
               forced
               Oaths
               are
               not
               binding
               .
            
             And
             this
             Judge
             and
             all
             such
             would
             do
             well
             to
             consider
             what
             weight
             their
             Oath
             hath
             upon
             their
             Consciences
             ,
             whereby
             they
             are
             enjoyned
             to
             do
             equal
             Law
             and
             Execution
             arightly
             to
             all
             ;
             but
             how
             this
             is
             performed
             ,
             set
             the
             wise
             in
             heart
             judge
             ,
             when
             they
             go
             about
             with
             groundless
             Suggestions
             and
             Suspitions
             against
             an
             Innocent
             People
             ,
             to
             instigate
             both
             Juries
             and
             Country
             against
             them
             .
          
           
             We
             are
             such
             as
             desire
             the
             good
             of
             all
             that
             are
             in
             Authority
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             lead
             a
             quiet
             and
             peaceable
             life
             in
             all
             Godliness
             and
             honesty
             under
             them
             ;
             and
             have
             never
             yet
             been
             found
             Designers
             or
             Contrivers
             of
             their
             Destruction
             :
             Therefore
             the
             greater
             is
             this
             Judges
             evil
             ,
             to
             endeavour
             to
             make
             us
             odious
             among
             the
             People
             ;
             and
             the
             unfiter
             he
             appears
             to
             be
             our
             Judge
             ,
             being
             full
             fraighted
             with
             enmity
             against
             us
             without
             cause
             :
             and
             a
             Judge
             ought
             to
             be
             impartial
             ,
             a
             man
             fearing
             
             God
             ,
             and
             judging
             for
             him
             ,
             and
             not
             for
             men
             ;
             such
             Judges
             Judgement
             will
             answer
             the
             righteous
             Principle
             of
             God
             in
             all
             Men
             ,
             and
             such
             are
             a
             terror
             to
             the
             evil
             doers
             ,
             and
             a
             praise
             to
             those
             that
             do
             well
             ;
             and
             the
             Lord
             is
             with
             such
             in
             Judgement
             .
          
           
             That
             which
             subverts
             ,
             undermines
             and
             destroys
             Governours
             ,
             Governments
             ,
             and
             People
             ,
             is
             Cruelty
             ,
             Oppression
             ,
             Tyranny
             ,
             Sin
             and
             Rebellion
             against
             the
             God
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             who
             hath
             power
             to
             give
             the
             Kingdoms
             of
             this
             World
             to
             whom
             he
             pleaseth
             :
             and
             who
             so
             rules
             in
             Righteousness
             ,
             and
             answers
             the
             just
             and
             righteous
             Principle
             of
             God
             in
             all
             men
             ,
             needs
             not
             fear
             subversion
             or
             undermining
             ;
             't
             is
             the
             evil
             doer
             that
             is
             filled
             with
             fear
             and
             terrour
             round
             about
             .
          
           
             We
             are
             not
             the
             Obstructers
             of
             Justice
             ,
             nor
             the
             Cause
             of
             it
             ,
             our
             witness
             against
             any
             evil
             doer
             ,
             shall
             be
             as
             true
             as
             any
             that
             take
             Oaths
             ;
             and
             if
             false
             ,
             our
             penalty
             the
             sawe
             with
             false
             Swearers
             .
          
           
             And
             further
             ,
             Witnesses
             under
             
             Moses's
             Law
             ,
             had
             no
             Oath
             administred
             to
             them
             ,
             though
             the
             crime
             bore
             witness
             of
             ,
             reached
             life
             ;
             but
             if
             any
             bore
             false
             witness
             ,
             the
             same
             punishment
             which
             should
             have
             been
             inflicted
             upon
             the
             person
             witnessed
             against
             ,
             should
             be
             insticted
             upon
             the
             false
             witness
             and
             witnesses
             :
             which
             thing
             we
             desire
             may
             be
             done
             unto
             us
             :
             So
             then
             the
             fault
             is
             in
             the
             Law
             ,
             and
             the
             Judges
             of
             it
             ,
             which
             denies
             true
             and
             faithful
             Evidence
             ,
             (
             which
             in
             conscience
             they
             can
             believe
             )
             except
             it
             be
             under
             the
             Ceremony
             of
             an
             Oath
             .
             It
             is
             a
             shame
             for
             Christians
             to
             have
             a
             jealousie
             of
             each
             others
             testimony
             ,
             except
             they
             Swear
             :
             it
             was
             enough
             in
             the
             first
             age
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             to
             confirm
             any
             testimony
             without
             an
             Oath
             ,
             to
             say
             
               [
               Christianus
               sum
               ,
            
             ]
             or
             ,
             I
             am
             a
             Christian.
             
          
           
             And
             if
             no
             Government
             could
             have
             been
             without
             taking
             of
             Oaths
             ,
             the
             Author
             of
             all
             
               true
               Government
            
             and
             Rule
             ,
             would
             not
             have
             said
             ,
             
               Swear
               not
               at
               all
            
             ;
             but
             swearing
             Oaths
             and
             Strife
             ,
             is
             among
             men
             in
             the
             fall
             and
             degeneration
             (
             and
             not
             among
             true
             Christians
             )
             where
             it
             will
             remain
             ,
             till
             they
             know
             the
             Restorer
             of
             all
             things
             take
             away
             the
             cause
             of
             it
             ;
             which
             is
             sin
             .
          
        
         
           
             Judge
             .
          
           
             
               Whereas
               they
               pretend
               in
               their
               scibbles
               ,
               that
               this
               Act
               against
               Conventicles
               doth
               not
               concern
               them
               ;
               but
               such
               as
               under
               pretence
               of
               worshipping
               God
               ,
               do
               at
               their
               Meetings
               conspire
               against
               the
               Government
               .
               This
               is
               a
               mistake
               ;
               for
               if
               they
               should
               conspire
               ,
               they
               should
               then
               be
               guilty
               of
               Treason
               ,
               and
               we
               should
               try
               them
               by
               other
               Laws
               ;
               but
               this
               Act
               is
               against
               Meetings
               
               to
               prevent
               them
               of
               such
               Conspiracy
               ;
               for
               they
               meet
               to
               consult
               ,
               to
               know
               their
               numbers
               ,
               and
               to
               hold
               correspondency
               ,
               that
               they
               may
               in
               a
               short
               time
               be
               up
               in
               Arms.
               
            
          
        
         
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Our
             Writings
             which
             he
             calls
             Scribbles
             ,
             are
             words
             of
             Truth
             ,
             and
             pretend
             no
             more
             than
             is
             true
             :
             for
             we
             are
             not
             the
             persons
             committing
             those
             Crimes
             the
             Act
             expresly
             provides
             against
             ,
             except
             we
             ,
             under
             pretence
             of
             Tender
             Consciences
             ,
             do
             at
             our
             Meetings
             contrive
             Insurrection
             ,
             as
             late
             experience
             hath
             shewed
             ,
             and
             meet
             also
             under
             coulour
             and
             pretence
             of
             Religious
             exercise
             ,
             and
             so
             make
             this
             Pretence
             of
             Religion
             ,
             a
             Cloak
             to
             carry
             on
             and
             cover
             so
             me
             other
             Design
             ,
             which
             we
             never
             did
             ;
             (
             for
             we
             meet
             indeed
             and
             in
             truth
             to
             wait
             upon
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             worship
             him
             ;
             )
             Therefore
             this
             Law
             concerns
             us
             not
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             not
             strained
             beyond
             the
             expressed
             Reason
             of
             it
             ,
             in
             the
             preamble
             ,
             by
             our
             cruel
             Judges
             ;
             who
             may
             be
             compared
             to
             evening
             Wolves
             ,
             which
             are
             greedy
             to
             devour
             :
             and
             it
             is
             time
             enough
             to
             try
             us
             by
             this
             Act
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             Law
             ,
             when
             we
             do
             and
             commit
             the
             fact
             the
             Law
             hath
             expresly
             provided
             against
             .
          
           
             We
             meet
             not
             to
             consult
             and
             to
             know
             our
             numbers
             ,
             and
             to
             hold
             correspondencies
             ,
             nor
             to
             be
             up
             in
             arms
             in
             a
             short
             time
             ;
             for
             so
             to
             do
             is
             Conspiracy
             ;
             which
             he
             as
             good
             as
             confesseth
             and
             acknowledgeth
             that
             we
             are
             not
             guilty
             of
             ;
             for
             he
             saith
             if
             we
             were
             ,
             
               he
               would
               try
               us
               by
               some
               other
               Law.
            
             But
             these
             are
             evil
             suggestions
             ,
             and
             wickedly
             imagined
             against
             us
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             destroy
             us
             :
             this
             is
             unrighteous
             Judgement
             ,
             and
             God
             will
             plead
             our
             Cause
             in
             the
             consciences
             of
             our
             Adversaries
             .
          
        
         
           
             Judg.
             
          
           
             
               I
               had
               the
               honour
               to
               serve
               the
               King
               at
            
             York
             ,
             
               upon
               the
               Tryal
               of
               those
               wicked
               Plotters
               ;
               and
               we
               found
               that
               those
               Plots
               was
               hatched
               and
               carried
               on
               in
               these
               meetings
               ;
               and
               we
               hanged
               up
               four
               or
               five
               of
               the
               Speakers
               or
               Praters
               ;
               whom
               we
               found
               to
               be
               chief
               Leaders
               in
               that
               Rebellion
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             It
             is
             and
             hath
             been
             our
             portion
             and
             lot
             to
             be
             numbred
             among
             Transgressors
             ,
             by
             that
             envious
             spirit
             which
             seeks
             our
             ruine
             ;
             though
             we
             have
             been
             found
             no
             hatchers
             or
             carriers
             on
             of
             trecherous
             Designs
             against
             any
             at
             our
             Meetings
             :
             and
             he
             might
             as
             well
             have
             compared
             us
             to
             those
             Members
             of
             
               Englands
               Church
            
             hanged
             monthly
             at
             Tyburn
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             Judg.
             
          
           
             
               I
               warrant
               you
               their
               Leaders
               will
               keep
               themselves
               from
               the
               Third
               Offence
               ,
               we
               shall
               not
               take
               them
               ;
               if
               we
               could
               catch
               their
               Leaders
               ,
               we
               should
               try
               them
               by
               some
               other
               Law
               ,
               which
               ,
               if
               executed
               ,
               will
               take
               away
               their
               lives
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             We
             have
             no
             Leader
             but
             Christ
             Jesus
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             Captain
             of
             our
             Salvation
             ,
             and
             he
             is
             our
             Shepherd
             ,
             and
             we
             hear
             his
             Voice
             ,
             and
             learn
             of
             him
             ,
             and
             are
             the
             Sheep
             of
             his
             Pasture
             ,
             and
             in
             our
             Consciences
             we
             are
             bound
             and
             ingaged
             ,
             because
             we
             love
             Him
             and
             his
             Paths
             of
             Purity
             ,
             to
             follow
             Him
             ,
             who
             leads
             our
             Souls
             to
             rest
             .
          
           
             But
             for
             such
             which
             the
             Judge
             means
             by
             Leaders
             ,
             who
             have
             been
             made
             instruments
             to
             turn
             our
             minds
             from
             Darkness
             to
             Light
             ,
             and
             from
             the
             power
             of
             Satan
             to
             God
             ,
             they
             ,
             together
             with
             us
             ,
             are
             resolved
             to
             keep
             to
             the
             Grace
             of
             God
             ,
             (
             the
             true
             Teacher
             )
             which
             teacheth
             to
             deny
             Ungodliness
             and
             worldly
             Lusts
             ,
             and
             to
             live
             soberly
             ,
             righteously
             and
             Godly
             in
             this
             present
             world
             ;
             and
             by
             this
             Grace
             (
             which
             appears
             to
             all
             men
             )
             are
             we
             taught
             and
             preserved
             from
             offending
             against
             any
             Just
             Laws
             once
             ;
             and
             so
             he
             may
             well
             warrant
             himself
             and
             others
             ,
             that
             they
             will
             not
             offend
             three
             times
             :
             And
             his
             blemishing
             those
             he
             calls
             Leaders
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             put
             on
             others
             to
             suffer
             ,
             and
             slee
             themselves
             ,
             is
             altogether
             false
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             well-known
             in
             the
             Nation
             ,
             that
             many
             of
             them
             are
             in
             prison
             ,
             where
             some
             of
             them
             have
             long
             remained
             for
             refusing
             to
             take
             the
             Oath
             of
             Allegiance
             ;
             upon
             which
             account
             divers
             of
             them
             are
             permunired
             ,
             and
             many
             suffer
             for
             meeting
             :
             howbeit
             ,
             if
             you
             should
             be
             suffered
             to
             take
             away
             some
             of
             their
             lives
             ,
             which
             they
             can
             freely
             give
             up
             ,
             if
             called
             to
             it
             ;
             yet
             know
             that
             the
             God
             whom
             we
             serve
             is
             unlimitted
             ,
             and
             will
             open
             the
             mouths
             of
             thousands
             to
             bear
             witness
             against
             Unrighteousness
             :
             So
             when
             you
             do
             take
             and
             catch
             more
             of
             them
             ,
             you
             will
             have
             no
             evil
             to
             lay
             to
             their
             charge
             ,
             nor
             nothing
             to
             accuse
             them
             for
             ,
             but
             about
             matters
             appertaining
             to
             God's
             Kingdom
             ;
             as
             Conscience
             ,
             Faith
             ,
             Worship
             and
             Religion
             ;
             which
             the
             Civil
             Magistrate
             ought
             not
             to
             intermeddle
             withall
             ,
             it
             belonging
             to
             God
             alone
             ,
             to
             whom
             all
             must
             give
             an
             account
             for
             such
             things
             :
             and
             people
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             imprisoned
             and
             persecuted
             ,
             and
             their
             lives
             taken
             away
             about
             Matters
             of
             Religion
             ;
             for
             if
             a
             People
             have
             a
             false
             faith
             ,
             and
             a
             misguided
             conscience
             ,
             and
             are
             by
             reason
             of
             this
             faith
             and
             misguided
             conscience
             ,
             exercised
             in
             a
             false
             
             worship
             and
             Religion
             ;
             these
             People
             deserve
             the
             more
             to
             be
             pittied
             ,
             informed
             and
             dealt
             lovingly
             and
             tenderly
             with
             ,
             than
             to
             be
             persecuted
             ,
             imprisoned
             ,
             and
             destroyed
             ,
             and
             so
             sent
             quick
             to
             Hell
             :
             this
             is
             no
             Christian
             Love
             ,
             nor
             the
             way
             to
             Restore
             .
          
        
         
           
             Judge
             .
          
           
             
               This
               is
               a
               Merciful
               Law
               ;
               it
               takes
               not
               away
               their
               Estates
               ,
               it
               leaves
               them
               intire
               ;
               only
               banisheth
               them
               for
               seven
               years
               ,
               if
               they
               will
               not
               pay
               an
               hundred
               pounds
               :
               and
               this
               is
               not
               for
               worshipping
               of
               God
               according
               to
               their
               Consciences
               ,
               for
               that
               they
               may
               do
               in
               their
               own
               Families
               ;
               but
               forsooth
               they
               cannot
               do
               that
               ,
               but
               they
               must
               have
               thirty
               ,
               forty
               ,
               or
               an
               hundred
               others
               to
               contrive
               their
               designs
               withal
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             Answer
             .
          
           
             As
             he
             began
             his
             Speech
             in
             falshood
             and
             enmity
             ,
             so
             it
             ends
             in
             the
             same
             :
             for
             if
             this
             be
             a
             
               Merciful
               Law
            
             ,
             as
             those
             that
             are
             Judges
             of
             it
             intend
             to
             execute
             it
             ,
             then
             we
             may
             truly
             say
             as
             it
             is
             written
             ,
             
               That
               the
               very
               Mercies
               of
               the
               wicked
               are
               Cruelty
            
             ;
             for
             some
             Felons
             and
             Murderers
             chuse
             rather
             to
             be
             Hanged
             than
             to
             be
             Transported
             ,
             Sold
             ,
             and
             Banished
             ;
             all
             which
             are
             threatned
             to
             be
             executed
             upon
             us
             ,
             and
             for
             no
             other
             cause
             but
             for
             worshipping
             God
             in
             such
             manner
             and
             way
             as
             we
             are
             perswaded
             in
             our
             Consciences
             ,
             which
             are
             made
             
               truly
               tender
            
             ;
             And
             we
             dare
             not
             make
             shipwrack
             of
             Faith
             and
             a
             good
             Conscience
             ,
             to
             save
             our
             Persons
             and
             Estates
             from
             the
             mouth
             of
             the
             Devourer
             ;
             For
             
               it
               is
               a
               fearful
               thing
               to
               fall
               into
               the
               hands
               of
               the
               living
               God
            
             for
             Disobedience
             ;
             and
             Conscience
             is
             as
             a
             thousand
             Witnesses
             ,
             either
             to
             excuse
             or
             accuse
             ;
             but
             fearedness
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             as
             with
             an
             hot
             Iron
             ,
             and
             deadness
             and
             blindness
             of
             heart
             is
             befaln
             many
             in
             this
             Generation
             :
             And
             from
             this
             state
             ariseth
             all
             such
             merciful
             Laws
             as
             this
             the
             Judge
             speaks
             of
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             bring
             others
             (
             who
             are
             tender
             and
             fearful
             to
             offend
             God
             )
             into
             the
             same
             state
             they
             are
             in
             themselves
             ;
             but
             we
             are
             in
             Conscience
             constrained
             (
             if
             the
             God
             whom
             we
             serve
             so
             far
             permit
             )
             to
             suffer
             the
             Whore
             (
             the
             false
             Church
             )
             to
             drink
             more
             of
             our
             Blood
             ,
             but
             of
             her
             Cup
             of
             Fornic●●ion
             wherewith
             she
             hath
             made
             the
             Kings
             of
             the
             Earth
             and
             Nations
             drunk
             ,
             we
             cannot
             drink
             ;
             And
             we
             are
             of
             the
             Houshold
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             of
             one
             Family
             ,
             and
             Members
             of
             one
             Body
             ;
             and
             though
             thirty
             ,
             forty
             ,
             or
             an
             hundred
             ,
             or
             a
             thousand
             meet
             in
             one
             place
             or
             another
             together
             ,
             for
             no
             evil
             design
             ,
             why
             should
             we
             be
             banished
             for
             that
             ?
             If
             this
             be
             Mercifulness
             ,
             what
             is
             Cruelty
             ?
             The
             Heathenish
             Romans
             shewed
             more
             mercy
             &
             manhood
             to
             Paul
             ,
             in
             allowing
             him
             to
             have
             a
             Meeting
             in
             his
             own
             
               hired
               house
            
             ,
             where
             he
             preached
             ,
             
             and
             taught
             All
             that
             came
             unto
             him
             ,
             without
             let
             or
             any
             limit
             as
             to
             number
             ,
             two
             full
             years
             ,
             though
             he
             was
             a
             Prisoner
             .
             O
             that
             ever
             a
             People
             called
             Christians
             should
             be
             found
             more
             inhumane
             than
             Heathen
             ,
             more
             merciless
             than
             bruit
             beasts
             ,
             to
             banish
             Fathers
             and
             Mothers
             from
             their
             young
             and
             tender
             Children
             ,
             and
             Children
             from
             their
             Parents
             ,
             and
             Husbands
             from
             their
             Wives
             !
             and
             all
             this
             for
             no
             evil
             or
             wrong
             done
             to
             any
             mans
             Person
             ,
             Estate
             or
             Goverment
             ,
             but
             onely
             for
             endeavouring
             to
             keep
             their
             Consciences
             pure
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             void
             of
             offence
             to
             him
             and
             all
             men
             .
          
        
      
       
         
           POSTSCRIPT
           .
        
         
           
             It
             is
             to
             be
             noted
             ,
             that
             though
             the
             Judge
             at
             the
             beginning
             of
             his
             Speech
             said
             ,
             that
             that
             day
             was
             appointed
             for
             their
             Tryal
             ,
             yet
             they
             were
             not
             tryed
             ;
             for
             one
             only
             ,
             which
             he
             intended
             to
             begin
             withal
             ,
             was
             brought
             from
          
           Newgate
           
             to
             the
             Bar
             ,
             being
             but
             a
             Boy
             and
             lately
             convinced
             of
             the
             evil
             of
             sin
             ,
             and
             but
             as
             it
             were
             turning
             from
             it
             ,
             into
             a
             conscientious
             fear
             and
             obedience
             to
             God
             :
             When
             he
             had
             ended
             his
             Speech
             ,
             he
             asked
             if
             he
             were
             not
             at
             the
          
           Bull
           &
           Mouth
           
             on
             such
             a
             day
             ?
             he
             said
             he
             was
             not
             .
             Then
             the
             Judge
             took
             occasion
             to
             vilifte
             and
             reproach
             the
             Profession
             of
             the
          
           Quakers
           ,
           
             to
             the
             Jury
             and
             People
             ,
             and
             said
             ,
          
           For
           all
           their
           pretentions
           to
           Truth
           and
           Plainness
           ,
           could
           lie
           for
           their
           Interest
           ,
           &
           to
           avoid
           suffering
           :
           
             then
             asked
             him
             the
             same
             question
             again
             ,
             and
             he
             answered
             as
             before
             (
             for
             he
             was
             not
             there
             that
             day
             )
             then
             saith
             he
             ,
          
           we
           shall
           prove
           that
           you
           were
           there
           ;
           Will
           you
           stand
           to
           your
           Profession
           ,
           
             said
             the
             Judge
          
           ?
           Yes
           ,
           
             said
             the
             Lad
          
           ,
           and
           seal
           it
           with
           my
           Blood.
           
             Then
             were
             Witnesses
             called
             in
             to
             prove
             that
             he
             was
             at
             the
          
           Bull
           and
           Mouth
           
             such
             a
             day
             ,
             but
             none
             could
             appear
             :
             Then
             the
             Judge
             soon
             perceived
             that
             no
             Witnesses
             would
             be
             found
             to
             serve
             his
             turn
             against
             this
             Lad
             ,
             nor
             the
             rest
             .
             Then
             said
             he
             ,
          
           There
           is
           a
           Disappointment
           faln
           out
           ,
           
             but
             threatned
             some
             should
             suffer
             for
             it
             to
             their
             cost
             ,
             and
             so
             dismist
             the
             Jury
             ;
             This
             Disappointment
             being
             only
             want
             of
             Witnesses
             to
             bring
             about
             the
             designed
             purpose
             of
             the
             Court.
             They
             have
             ordered
             since
             ,
             that
             some
             of
             the
             Jaylors
             of
          
           Newgate
           ,
           
             together
             with
             the
             Marshal
             and
             his
             men
             ,
             shall
             be
             at
             our
             Meetings
             ,
             and
             be
             their
             Witnesses
             against
             us
             at
             the
             next
             Sessions
             :
             so
             our
             Persecutors
             Cruelty
             is
             further
             manifested
             in
             this
             ,
             that
             they
             should
          
           (
           Jezebel
           -
           
             like
             )
             hire
             ,
             force
             ,
             or
             command
             a
             company
             of
             hard-hearted
             men
             ,
             who
             are
             daily
             exercised
             in
             Cruelty
             ,
             and
             who
             have
             not
             the
             true
             fear
             of
             God
             in
             their
             hearts
             ,
             to
             be
             our
             only
             Accusers
             :
             but
             the
             Righteous
             God
             ,
             which
             seeth
             the
             plots
             and
             designs
             of
             the
             wicked
             (
             against
             the
             Innocent
             and
             harmless
             )
             will
             reward
             them
             according
             to
             their
             doings
             .
          
        
         
           THE
           END
           .
        
         
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A60636-e370
           
             Bishop
             Gauden
             his
             Book
             concerning
             Publick
             Oaths
             .