The conscientious cause of the sufferers, called Quakers pleaded and expostulated with their oppressors in this nation of England, and particularly in and about the city of London : and those in power that go about to transport, banish, or suppress them for their meetings, innocently informed, and impartially cautioned, from the innocent and oppressed seed of God, which herein calls for justice and equity, and utterly exclaims against severity and persecution for matters of conscience or religion : wherein first and principally is shewed, the use and end of the publick assemblies of the said sufferers, in answer to several objections against them, 1. with respect to their conscientiousness, as it being their duty to meet, 2. with respect to their innocency and peaceable deportment both to the nation and government therein / by G.W.
         Whitehead, George, 1636?-1723.
      
       
         
           1664
        
      
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             The conscientious cause of the sufferers, called Quakers pleaded and expostulated with their oppressors in this nation of England, and particularly in and about the city of London : and those in power that go about to transport, banish, or suppress them for their meetings, innocently informed, and impartially cautioned, from the innocent and oppressed seed of God, which herein calls for justice and equity, and utterly exclaims against severity and persecution for matters of conscience or religion : wherein first and principally is shewed, the use and end of the publick assemblies of the said sufferers, in answer to several objections against them, 1. with respect to their conscientiousness, as it being their duty to meet, 2. with respect to their innocency and peaceable deportment both to the nation and government therein / by G.W.
             Whitehead, George, 1636?-1723.
          
           15 p.
           
             [s.n.],
             London :
             1664.
          
           
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             Attributed to George Whitehead. cf. NUC pre-1956.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           THE
           Conscientious
           Cause
           OF
           THE
           SVFFERERS
           ,
           called
           QUAKERS
           ,
           Pleaded
           and
           Expostulated
           with
           their
           Oppressors
           in
           this
           Nation
           of
           England
           ,
           and
           particularly
           in
           and
           about
           the
           City
           of
           London
           .
        
         
           And
           those
           in
           Power
           that
           go
           about
           to
           Transport
           ,
           Banish
           ,
           or
           suppress
           them
           for
           their
           Meetings
           ,
           Innocently
           informed
           ,
           and
           impartially
           cautioned
           ,
           from
           the
           Innocent
           and
           Oppressed
           Seed
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           herein
           calls
           for
           Justice
           and
           Equity
           ,
           and
           utterly
           exclaims
           against
           Severity
           and
           Persecution
           for
           matters
           of
           Conscience
           or
           Religion
           .
        
         
           Wherein
           first
           and
           principally
           is
           shewed
           ,
           The
           Use
           and
           End
           of
           the
           
             Publick
             Assemblies
          
           of
           the
           said
           Sufferers
           ,
           in
           Answer
           to
           several
           Objections
           against
           them
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           With
           respect
           to
           their
           Conscientiousness
           ,
           as
           it
           being
           their
           duty
           to
           meet
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           With
           respect
           to
           their
           Innocency
           and
           
             peaceable
             deportment
          
           both
           to
           the
           Nation
           and
           Government
           therein
           .
        
         
           By
           
             G.
             W.
          
           
        
         
           London
           ,
           Printed
           in
           the
           year
           1664.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           The
           Consciencious
           Cause
           of
           the
           Sufferers
           (
           called
           Quakers
           )
           pleaded
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           WHereas
           it
           is
           asserted
           by
           some
           in
           Authority
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           have
           a
           hand
           in
           persecuting
           us
           and
           some
           others
           ,
           That
           we
           might
           keep
           our
           Consciences
           clear
           and
           enjoy
           the
           Liberty
           thereof
           ,
           if
           we
           would
           reduce
           our
           Meetings
           into
           small
           numbers
           ,
           as
           to
           meet
           four
           together
           besides
           the
           Families
           ,
           so
           as
           not
           to
           come
           under
           the
           penalty
           of
           the
           late
           Act.
           And
           some
           charge
           it
           upon
           us
           as
           obstinacy
           or
           wilfulnes●
           for
           meeting
           in
           any
           considerable
           or
           great
           numbers
           publickly
           ;
           and
           thereupon
           conclude
           that
           our
           Suffering
           is
           not
           upon
           a
           Consciencious
           account
           in
           this
           Case
           ;
           And
           to
           others
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           question
           whether
           or
           no
           we
           may
           with
           a
           clear
           and
           safe
           Conscience
           reduce
           our
           Meetings
           into
           such
           small
           numbers
           as
           mentioned
           ,
           since
           that
           we
           have
           appeared
           so
           publickly
           to
           hold
           forth
           our
           Testimony
           .
        
         
           To
           which
           I
           answer
           .
           We
           have
           a
           Record
           in
           Heaven
           and
           amongst
           men
           ,
           which
           doth
           clear
           and
           justifie
           us
           in
           this
           Case
           ,
           and
           therein
           our
           Consciences
           bear
           us
           witness
           ,
           as
           to
           our
           intent
           and
           end
           in
           our
           meeting
           and
           assembling
           our selves
           together
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           singly
           in
           tenderness
           ,
           conscienciousness
           and
           obedience
           unto
           the
           living
           God
           in
           the
           leading
           of
           his
           own
           Eternal
           Spirit
           ,
           for
           the
           glory
           and
           advancement
           of
           his
           Name
           and
           Truth
           .
           And
           this
           our
           practice
           of
           
             Assembling
             together
             in
             the
             Worship
             and
             Service
             of
             the
             living
             God
             ,
          
           must
           needs
           be
           a
           matter
           of
           Conscience
           to
           us
           ,
           because
           we
           know
           it
           to
           be
           our
           duty
           as
           he
           requires
           ,
           and
           according
           to
           the
           practice
           of
           the
           former
           Saints
           and
           Christians
           ,
           who
           did
           not
           confine
           or
           limit
           themselves
           to
           meet
           onely
           four
           or
           five
           together
           ;
           because
           the
           Truth
           of
           God
           among
           them
           ,
           and
           his
           Gifts
           were
           free
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           be
           limited
           to
           mans
           will
           ,
           either
           in
           respect
           of
           time
           or
           place
           ;
           and
           the
           Gospel
           was
           not
           to
           be
           bound
           ,
           but
           as
           it
           was
           manifest
           in
           the
           Universal
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           is
           of
           a
           general
           extent
           to
           all
           ,
           so
           it
           was
           not
           to
           be
           stopt
           or
           tyed
           by
           man
           ,
           but
           all
           ought
           to
           be
           left
           free
           to
           have
           the
           benefit
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           this
           we
           know
           is
           manifest
           in
           and
           amongst
           us
           ,
           and
           in
           our
           Meetings
           have
           been
           those
           opportunities
           which
           the
           Lord
           God
           hath
           made
           use
           of
           many
           times
           ,
           to
           publish
           and
           make
           known
           
           his
           Name
           and
           Power
           in
           ;
           which
           hath
           been
           evidently
           known
           and
           experienced
           by
           the
           blessed
           effects
           thereof
           .
           As
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           In
           that
           many
           in
           our
           Assemblies
           have
           been
           effectually
           convinced
           of
           the
           Truth
           as
           it
           is
           in
           Christ
           ,
           by
           the
           Testimony
           of
           God
           held
           forth
           amongst
           us
           ,
           and
           turned
           from
           the
           gross
           pollutions
           and
           wickedness
           which
           formerly
           they
           lived
           in
           ,
           and
           so
           from
           Satans
           power
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           from
           darkness
           to
           Light
           ;
           and
           have
           known
           Repentance
           unto
           Life
           ,
           and
           come
           to
           live
           Godly
           and
           soberly
           in
           this
           present
           world
           ,
           as
           his
           Grace
           teacheth
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           In
           that
           many
           of
           the
           dear
           Children
           of
           God
           and
           Lambs
           of
           Christ
           have
           often
           felt
           the
           Lord's
           Presence
           accompanying
           them
           in
           that
           duty
           of
           
             Assembling
             together
             in
             his
             Worship
          
           ,
           and
           that
           many
           times
           to
           their
           great
           Refreshment
           and
           mutual
           Joy
           ,
           Comfort
           ,
           and
           Edification
           ;
           and
           therein
           we
           have
           had
           opportunities
           to
           stir
           up
           the
           pure
           minds
           in
           one
           another
           ,
           and
           to
           communicate
           what
           the
           Lord
           hath
           given
           us
           to
           declare
           ,
           to
           the
           building
           up
           of
           each
           other
           in
           the
           most
           holy
           Faith
           ,
           against
           sin
           and
           temptations
           ;
           and
           the
           Life
           and
           Power
           of
           God
           hath
           had
           its
           course
           and
           flowings
           forth
           amongst
           us
           in
           our
           Meetings
           ,
           as
           thorow
           one
           body
           ,
           to
           our
           refreshment
           ,
           enlivening
           ,
           renewing
           and
           rejoycing
           of
           our
           souls
           ,
           both
           when
           the
           ministration
           of
           words
           in
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Holiness
           hath
           been
           publish'd
           amongst
           us
           ;
           and
           when
           we
           have
           waited
           upon
           the
           Lord
           in
           silence
           ,
           and
           so
           the
           Rivers
           of
           living
           Water
           ,
           which
           flow
           out
           of
           his
           belly
           that
           believes
           ,
           as
           the
           Scripture
           saith
           ,
           John
           7.
           38.
           we
           have
           often
           drunk
           together
           of
           ;
           and
           this
           living
           Water
           ,
           which
           our
           God
           hath
           opened
           the
           Fountain
           of
           ,
           must
           run
           in
           its
           own
           course
           and
           channel
           ,
           and
           must
           not
           be
           stopt
           nor
           limited
           ,
           nor
           driven
           back
           ,
           nor
           have
           its
           course
           altered
           by
           man's
           will
           ,
           or
           by
           the
           persecuting
           spirit
           ;
           because
           the
           Lord
           hath
           sent
           it
           forth
           ,
           and
           made
           it
           as
           a
           broad
           River
           .
        
         
           And
           it
           is
           the
           more
           evident
           and
           apparant
           ,
           that
           the
           Lord's
           Power
           and
           Presence
           is
           in
           our
           Assemblies
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           hath
           made
           use
           of
           them
           for
           the
           spreading
           of
           his
           own
           Name
           and
           Truth
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           furtherance
           of
           his
           own
           work
           of
           Righteonsness
           (
           that
           many
           might
           be
           turned
           from
           darkness
           to
           Light
           ,
           and
           from
           Satan's
           power
           to
           God
           )
           because
           that
           the
           enmity
           ,
           wrath
           and
           malice
           of
           Satan
           in
           his
           instruments
           and
           unrighteousness
           among
           them
           ,
           so
           highly
           appears
           against
           them
           ;
           and
           Satan
           is
           so
           strongly
           at
           work
           against
           them
           ,
           whose
           work
           was
           and
           is
           ,
           to
           cast
           the
           Saints
           into
           Prison
           for
           the
           Testimony
           of
           JESUS
           ,
           Rev.
           2.
           10.
           as
           knowing
           ,
           that
           if
           this
           Testimony
           of
           Truth
           go
           on
           (
           which
           greatly
           is
           
           concerned
           in
           our
           Meetings
           )
           it
           will
           weaken
           and
           overthrow
           Satans
           Kingdom
           in
           men
           :
           But
           he
           is
           not
           troubled
           ,
           nor
           disturbed
           at
           the
           many
           prophane
           and
           ungodly
           Meetings
           in
           this
           Nation
           ,
           at
           which
           wickedness
           is
           stirred
           up
           and
           increased
           ,
           such
           as
           Fools
           with
           their
           antick
           and
           bruitish
           postures
           upon
           Stages
           ,
           in
           the
           great
           Fairs
           ,
           and
           other
           places
           ,
           do
           gather
           People
           to
           ;
           where
           they
           have
           their
           foolish
           Playes
           ,
           Sports
           ,
           Fidlings
           ,
           Dancings
           ,
           &c.
           for
           both
           these
           and
           many
           other
           prophane
           Meetings
           and
           Gatherings
           of
           People
           ,
           do
           please
           Satan
           ,
           and
           make
           for
           his
           Kingdom
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           it
           is
           objected
           against
           us
           for
           meeting
           so
           publickly
           ,
           that
           we
           might
           reduce
           our
           Meetings
           into
           
             small
             numbers
          
           ,
           and
           meet
           more
           occultly
           ,
           and
           yet
           be
           clear
           in
           our
           consciences
           ,
           &c.
           
           In
           like
           manner
           it
           might
           as
           well
           be
           objected
           against
           the
           Prophet
           
             Daniel
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             have
             prayed
             more
             privately
             ,
             and
             not
             with
             window
             open
             ,
             and
             three
             times
             a
             day
             as
             before
             ,
             after
             that
             King
          
           Darius
           
             had
             sealed
             a
             Decree
             ,
             that
             none
             should
             ask
             a
             Petition
             of
             any
             God
             or
             man
             for
             thirty
             dayes
             ,
             save
             of
             the
             King
             ,
             upon
             the
             penalty
             of
             being
             cast
             into
             the
             Lions
             Den
          
           ;
           when
           yet
           for
           all
           this
           ,
           Daniel
           in
           obedience
           to
           God
           ,
           prayed
           and
           praised
           God
           as
           before
           ,
           Dan.
           6.
           
           And
           so
           our
           Meetings
           being
           in
           obedience
           to
           the
           Lord
           God
           ,
           and
           according
           to
           that
           Liberty
           which
           he
           hath
           given
           us
           ,
           we
           must
           not
           lose
           our
           Testimony
           which
           is
           for
           God
           therein
           ,
           but
           be
           faithful
           in
           holding
           it
           forth
           as
           he
           requires
           ,
           and
           gives
           us
           Liberty
           ,
           whatever
           we
           suffer
           for
           it
           ;
           it
           being
           neither
           mens
           threatning
           us
           ,
           nor
           inflicting
           their
           Severity
           or
           Cruelty
           upon
           us
           (
           how
           far
           soever
           it
           extends
           )
           that
           must
           make
           us
           deny
           the
           Lord
           herein
           ,
           or
           be
           ashamed
           of
           Christ
           before
           men
           ,
           lest
           he
           be
           ashamed
           of
           us
           before
           his
           heavenly
           Father
           .
           And
           Christ
           Jesus
           in
           the
           dayes
           of
           his
           flesh
           had
           Meetings
           of
           Multitudes
           ,
           that
           he
           preached
           to
           in
           Mountains
           ,
           Desarts
           ,
           and
           such
           like
           places
           ;
           yea
           ,
           of
           
             five
             thousand
          
           at
           one
           time
           ,
           Mat.
           5.
           and
           chap.
           14.
           
           Mark
           6.
           
           Luke
           9.
           which
           appears
           was
           not
           such
           an
           offence
           in
           those
           dayes
           ,
           as
           now
           Meetings
           are
           ,
           which
           are
           for
           the
           same
           end
           :
           for
           though
           the
           Jews
           had
           a
           Temple
           and
           Synagogues
           to
           meet
           in
           then
           ,
           yet
           we
           do
           not
           reade
           ,
           that
           they
           made
           any
           Law
           or
           Statute
           to
           Punish
           ,
           Imprison
           or
           Banish
           Christ
           or
           his
           Followers
           and
           Hearers
           for
           meeting
           above
           the
           number
           of
           four
           ,
           apart
           from
           their
           Assemblies
           ;
           for
           that
           to
           be
           sure
           ,
           would
           not
           have
           admitted
           Christ
           and
           his
           twelve
           Disciples
           to
           meet
           together
           ,
           but
           only
           he
           ,
           and
           three
           of
           them
           [
           for
           now
           ,
           are
           we
           liable
           to
           Suffer
           ,
           if
           we
           meet
           in
           the
           Worship
           of
           God
           to
           the
           number
           of
           five
           ,
           or
           above
           ,
           from
           our
           Habitations
           ]
           Howbeit
           ,
           after
           the
           Apostle
           
           Peter
           had
           preached
           Christ
           to
           such
           a
           great
           number
           of
           People
           ,
           that
           there
           were
           about
           three
           thousand
           souls
           added
           in
           one
           day
           ,
           Act.
           2.
           41.
           
           The
           Priests
           and
           Rulers
           among
           the
           Jews
           were
           offended
           ,
           and
           commanded
           Peter
           and
           John
           that
           in
           no
           wise
           ,
           
             they
             should
             speak
             or
             teach
             in
             the
             Name
             of
             JESUS
          
           ;
           but
           they
           chused
           rather
           to
           obey
           God
           than
           men
           ,
           and
           said
           ,
           
             We
             cannot
             but
             speake
             the
             things
             that
             we
             have
             both
             seen
             and
             heard
             :
          
           And
           the
           Apostles
           and
           Primitive
           Christians
           met
           often
           in
           houses
           and
           other
           places
           :
           And
           the
           Hebrews
           were
           exhorted
           
             not
             to
             forsake
             the
             assembling
             of
             themselves
             together
             ,
             as
             the
             manner
             of
             some
             was
             ,
             but
             to
             exhort
             one
             another
          
           ;
           and
           these
           
             sought
             a
             City
             to
             come
          
           ,
           Heb.
           10.
           25.
           and
           13.
           14.
           
           And
           in
           the
           same
           case
           with
           the
           Saints
           of
           old
           are
           we
           engaged
           in
           the
           same
           Spirit
           ,
           both
           in
           our
           meeting
           together
           in
           the
           Name
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           in
           owning
           and
           bearing
           witness
           to
           his
           Name
           and
           Testimony
           therein
           ;
           which
           they
           that
           would
           debar
           us
           of
           our
           liberty
           in
           the
           one
           ,
           do
           thereby
           endeavour
           to
           stop
           us
           from
           the
           other
           ,
           that
           we
           might
           not
           witness
           forth
           the
           Name
           of
           Jesus
           in
           that
           duty
           
             of
             meeting
             together
          
           ;
           which
           how
           contrary
           this
           is
           to
           the
           very
           mind
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           opposite
           to
           his
           and
           his
           Followers
           practice
           ,
           is
           very
           apparent
           ;
           and
           the
           endeavouring
           by
           Persecution
           and
           carnal
           Force
           to
           reduce
           our
           Meetings
           into
           such
           narrowness
           and
           small
           numbers
           ,
           how
           contrary
           and
           oppugnant
           it
           is
           to
           the
           very
           nature
           of
           that
           Universal
           Spirit
           ,
           Testimony
           ,
           and
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           is
           of
           a
           general
           extent
           ,
           and
           which
           we
           bear
           witness
           of
           ,
           is
           also
           evident
           :
           As
           also
           ,
           how
           doth
           it
           infringe
           the
           liberty
           of
           the
           True
           Church
           ,
           which
           desires
           the
           good
           of
           all
           ?
           (
           and
           is
           not
           a
           persecuting
           Church
           against
           any
           for
           their
           Cousciences
           )
           the
           state
           of
           which
           Church
           (
           after
           the
           Apostacy
           )
           is
           truly
           represented
           in
           the
           
             New
             Jerusalem
          
           ,
           whose
           Gates
           are
           open
           continually
           ,
           and
           shall
           not
           be
           shut
           neither
           by
           day
           ,
           nor
           by
           night
           ,
           Rev.
           21.
           25.
           
           Isa.
           60.
           11.
           so
           as
           both
           the
           City
           and
           Church
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           his
           Light
           and
           Truth
           which
           shines
           in
           it
           ,
           are
           free
           ;
           and
           this
           Truth
           ought
           publickly
           to
           be
           held
           forth
           ,
           and
           appear
           without
           being
           limitted
           by
           man's
           will
           ,
           who
           by
           Persecution
           and
           Compulsion
           would
           shut
           up
           the
           Gates
           of
           Sion
           and
           Jerusalem
           ,
           which
           the
           Lord
           God
           in
           his
           Free
           and
           Universal
           Love
           hath
           set
           open
           ;
           and
           it
           was
           promised
           that
           
             In
             the
             last
             dayes
             the
             Mountain
             of
             the
             House
             of
             the
             Lord
             should
             be
             prepared
             in
             the
             tops
             of
             the
             Mountains
             ,
             and
             exalted
             above
             the
             Hills
             ;
             and
             Nations
             should
             flow
             unto
             it
             ,
          
           Isa.
           2.
           
           Micah
           4.
           
           Now
           who
           shall
           attempt
           to
           put
           a
           stop
           to
           the
           Work
           of
           God
           (
           which
           he
           is
           now
           bringing
           to
           pass
           as
           he
           hath
           determined
           )
           or
           to
           hinder
           multitudes
           from
           flowing
           
           to
           his
           Mountain
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           be
           found
           striving
           against
           God
           ?
        
         
           So
           that
           would
           you
           Rulers
           ,
           Magistrates
           and
           Officers
           ,
           who
           persecute
           us
           for
           this
           our
           consciencious
           duty
           of
           meeting
           together
           ,
           seriously
           consider
           your
           wayes
           ,
           and
           what
           you
           do
           in
           this
           case
           ;
           and
           how
           that
           it
           is
           evidently
           for
           our
           consciences
           that
           so
           many
           of
           us
           are
           imprisoned
           ,
           and
           cast
           into
           nasty
           holes
           ,
           only
           for
           our
           performing
           that
           duty
           which
           God
           requires
           .
        
         
           Herein
           you
           might
           see
           ,
           that
           you
           are
           striving
           against
           God
           and
           his
           Work
           which
           he
           is
           bringing
           to
           pass
           amongst
           us
           in
           this
           Nation
           ,
           whatever
           colour
           ,
           pretence
           or
           gloss
           you
           put
           upon
           your
           proceedings
           to
           the
           contrary
           ,
           though
           you
           may
           pretend
           it
           for
           the
           preventing
           of
           dangerous
           growing
           mischiefs
           that
           you
           seem
           to
           suppose
           or
           imagine
           ,
           may
           arise
           or
           follow
           from
           them
           ;
           which
           you
           never
           yet
           had
           any
           real
           ground
           to
           surmise
           of
           us
           ;
           so
           that
           it
           were
           more
           prudence
           and
           Equity
           in
           you
           ,
           to
           examin
           what
           evil
           or
           unlawful
           Act
           we
           ever
           did
           or
           contrived
           in
           our
           Meetings
           ?
           or
           what
           evil
           consequence
           they
           have
           ever
           been
           of
           ,
           either
           to
           the
           Nation
           or
           Govrenment
           ?
           rather
           then
           to
           cast
           Innocent
           men
           and
           women
           into
           Prisons
           and
           nasty
           Holes
           ,
           and
           prosecute
           them
           in
           order
           to
           Banishment
           upon
           a
           meer
           groundless
           surmise
           ,
           and
           supposition
           of
           what
           danger
           or
           mischiefs
           may
           arise
           from
           them
           .
        
         
           And
           you
           that
           sit
           to
           judge
           any
           of
           us
           ,
           called
           Quakers
           ,
           in
           this
           matter
           (
           who
           should
           by
           your
           own
           Oath
           do
           equal
           Law
           ,
           and
           execution
           of
           Right
           to
           all
           )
           ought
           not
           upon
           such
           groundless
           suppositions
           or
           surmisings
           against
           our
           Meetings
           ,
           to
           go
           about
           to
           incense
           Juries
           ,
           or
           the
           Countries
           against
           us
           ,
           when
           they
           have
           no
           evidence
           nor
           proof
           of
           any
           evil
           or
           injury
           done
           by
           us
           against
           any
           man
           whatsoever
           [
           as
           some
           have
           done
           ]
           for
           if
           you
           do
           ,
           God
           will
           call
           you
           to
           an
           account
           for
           it
           :
           Therefore
           beware
           how
           you
           either
           entertain
           prejudice
           ,
           or
           breath
           forth
           threatning
           ,
           or
           such
           evil
           surmisings
           against
           us
           who
           are
           Innocent
           ,
           or
           pass
           Judgment
           upon
           Innocent
           men
           for
           matter
           of
           Conscience
           or
           Worship
           (
           which
           is
           the
           very
           thing
           we
           are
           concerned
           in
           ,
           and
           suffer
           for
           )
           as
           you
           will
           answer
           it
           before
           
             the
             Righteous
             God
             of
             Heaven
             and
             Earth
          
           in
           the
           day
           of
           Account
           ;
           for
           you
           should
           judge
           for
           God
           ,
           and
           not
           for
           man
           ,
           and
           mind
           his
           just
           and
           righteous
           Principle
           of
           
             Light
             in
             you
          
           ,
           to
           direct
           you
           ;
           which
           calls
           for
           Equity
           and
           Righteousness
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           be
           byassed
           by
           any
           man
           whatsoever
           ,
           to
           act
           
             as
             men
             pleasers
          
           ,
           nor
           to
           gratifie
           the
           prejudiced
           spirits
           of
           such
           as
           are
           in
           emnity
           against
           us
           ,
           though
           they
           be
           never
           so
           high
           or
           great
           ,
           Nor
           to
           punish
           the
           Righteous
           ,
           but
           the
           wicked
           :
           
             for
             the
             
             Law
             was
             not
             made
             for
             the
             Righteous
             ,
             but
             for
             the
             Wicked
             ;
             neither
             are
             Magistrates
             to
             be
             a
             terror
             to
             good
             works
             ,
             but
             to
             evil
             .
          
           And
           to
           be
           sure
           ,
           if
           you
           knew
           ,
           or
           could
           prove
           our
           Meetings
           seditious
           ,
           or
           for
           any
           evil
           intent
           or
           design
           ;
           as
           either
           to
           contrive
           Insurrections
           ,
           or
           to
           conspire
           against
           the
           Government
           or
           Peace
           of
           the
           Nation
           (
           as
           some
           have
           seemed
           to
           surmise
           )
           you
           would
           not
           admit
           of
           four
           besides
           the
           respective
           Families
           to
           meet
           ;
           seeing
           that
           if
           but
           three
           meet
           upon
           an
           unlawful
           design
           ,
           or
           to
           do
           an
           unlawful
           act
           ,
           it
           is
           an
           unlawful
           Meeting
           :
           but
           thanks
           be
           to
           God
           ,
           you
           have
           no
           such
           thing
           of
           any
           criminal
           matter
           against
           us
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           whatever
           you
           pretend
           ;
           for
           't
           is
           evident
           we
           suffer
           for
           a
           matter
           of
           
             Conscience
             towards
             God
          
           ,
           and
           
             for
             his
             Worship
          
           ,
           though
           you
           would
           not
           be
           seen
           to
           persecute
           us
           upon
           that
           account
           ;
           but
           some
           of
           you
           would
           surmise
           some
           criminal
           matter
           ,
           or
           heineous
           things
           against
           us
           ,
           which
           you
           had
           never
           any
           proof
           or
           evidence
           of
           ,
           but
           only
           your
           suppositions
           of
           what
           may
           be
           ;
           So
           let
           the
           Righteous
           God
           and
           his
           Witness
           in
           your
           consciences
           judge
           between
           you
           and
           us
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           [
           but
           we
           see
           that
           such
           as
           persecute
           tender
           consciences
           are
           no
           competent
           judges
           in
           consciencious
           matters
           .
           ]
        
         
           And
           it
           will
           neither
           be
           the
           pretence
           of
           Law
           ,
           or
           of
           Order
           from
           the
           King
           ,
           or
           of
           doing
           his
           Service
           ,
           (
           as
           some
           have
           pretended
           )
           that
           will
           excuse
           you
           in
           Persecuting
           ,
           or
           going
           about
           to
           Exile
           an
           Innocent
           People
           :
           For
           as
           you
           ought
           to
           do
           Justice
           ,
           equal
           Law
           and
           Right
           ,
           and
           to
           judge
           for
           God
           ,
           and
           not
           for
           man
           ,
           so
           not
           to
           impugn
           the
           Law
           of
           God
           by
           any
           Law
           or
           Order
           from
           man
           ,
           whatsoever
           ;
           for
           Gods
           Law
           hath
           no
           man
           ,
           of
           what
           estate
           or
           degree
           soever
           ,
           power
           to
           dispense
           withal
           ,
           nor
           ought
           any
           Law
           (
           or
           proceedings
           )
           of
           man
           to
           oppose
           or
           contradict
           the
           Law
           of
           God
           (
           which
           we
           own
           )
           and
           this
           hath
           been
           owned
           as
           a
           maxim
           both
           in
           Law
           and
           Divinity
           ,
           that
           whatsoever
           Laws
           are
           
             Contra
             Verbum
             Dei
          
           ,
           be
           void
           .
        
         
           As
           also
           the
           Judges
           ,
           or
           King's
           Justices
           (
           so
           called
           )
           ought
           not
           to
           proceed
           against
           Innocent
           men
           ,
           either
           to
           banish
           or
           otherwise
           to
           oppress
           them
           ,
           either
           under
           pretence
           of
           obedience
           to
           him
           ,
           or
           otherwise
           ,
           but
           truly
           to
           counsel
           and
           warn
           the
           King
           for
           the
           best
           ,
           both
           for
           his
           own
           and
           the
           Nations
           good
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           joyn
           or
           assent
           to
           him
           in
           any
           thing
           or
           commandment
           ,
           which
           may
           turn
           to
           his
           damage
           ,
           or
           debar
           the
           Subjects
           of
           having
           Justice
           or
           Right
           done
           them
           ,
           but
           lawfully
           to
           counsel
           him
           to
           the
           contrary
           ,
           (
           if
           they
           shall
           have
           occasion
           therein
           from
           him
           )
           and
           this
           is
           according
           to
           their
           own
           Law
           ,
           see
           the
           King's
           
           Judges
           Oath
           ,
           
             Anno.
             18.
             
             Edw.
             3.
             
             Stat.
          
           3.
           viz.
           
             Ye
             shall
             swear
             ,
             That
             well
             and
             lawfully
             ye
             shall
             serve
             our
             Sovereign
             Lord
             the
             King
             ,
             and
             his
             People
             in
             the
             Office
             of
             Justice
             ,
             and
             that
             lawfully
             ye
             shall
             counsel
             the
             King
             in
             his
             business
             ;
             and
             that
             ye
             shall
             not
             counsel
             nor
             assent
             to
             any
             thing
             which
             may
             turn
             him
             to
             damage
             or
             disherison
             by
             any
             manner
             ,
             way
             or
             colour
             —
             And
             that
             ye
             shall
             not
             know
             the
             damage
             or
             disherison
             of
             him
             whereof
             ye
             shall
             not
             do
             him
             to
             be
             warned
             by
             your self
             or
             by
             other
             :
             And
             that
             ye
             shall
             do
             even
             Law
             ,
             and
             execution
             of
             Right
             to
             all
             his
             Subjects
             ,
             Rich
             and
             Poor
             ,
             without
             having
             regard
             to
             any
             person
             .
          
        
         
           And
           Stat.
           20.
           
           Edw.
           3.
           c.
           1.
           
           
             We
             have
             commanded
             all
             our
             Justices
             ,
             that
             they
             shall
             from
             henceforth
             do
             even
             Law
             ,
             and
             execution
             of
             Right
             to
             all
             our
             Subjects
             ,
             rich
             and
             poor
             ,
             without
             having
             regard
             to
             any
             person
             ;
             and
             without
             letting
             to
             do
             Right
             for
             any
             Letters
             or
             Commandment
             which
             may
             come
             to
             them
             from
             us
             ,
             or
             from
             any
             other
             ,
             or
             by
             any
             other
             cause
             .
          
        
         
           As
           also
           according
           to
           the
           
             Petition
             of
             Right
          
           which
           K.
           Charles
           the
           first
           Anno
           3.
           fully
           assented
           to
           the
           Parliament
           (
           or
           Nations
           )
           Request
           ,
           
             for
             Right
             to
             be
             done
          
           (
           upon
           their
           complaint
           of
           some
           violation
           done
           against
           the
           Fundamental
           Laws
           of
           the
           Land
           )
           Is
           it
           not
           apparent
           therein
           ,
           that
           according
           to
           
             Magna
             Charta
          
           ,
           or
           the
           great
           Charter
           of
           the
           Liberties
           of
           England
           ,
           provision
           is
           made
           ,
           
             That
             no
             Free-man
             shall
             be
             taken
             or
             Imprisoned
             ,
             or
             Disseised
             of
             his
             Free-hold
             ,
             Liberties
             or
             Free-Customes
             ,
             or
             be
             Out-law'd
             ,
             or
             Exiled
             ,
             or
             in
             any
             manner
             destroyed
             ,
             but
             by
             the
             lawful
             judgment
             of
             his
             Peers
             ,
             or
             by
             the
             Law
             of
             the
             Land
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           As
           also
           in
           the
           said
           Petition
           ,
           mention
           is
           made
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           28th
           year
           of
           King
           
             Edw.
             3d.
          
           it
           was
           declared
           and
           enacted
           by
           Authority
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           
             That
             no
             man
             of
             what
             Estate
             or
             condition
             that
             he
             be
             ,
             should
             be
             put
             out
             of
             Land
             or
             Tenements
             ,
             nor
             taken
             ,
             nor
             Imprisoned
             ,
             nor
             disherited
             ,
             nor
             put
             to
             death
             ,
             without
             being
             brought
             to
             answer
             by
             due
             Process
             of
             Law
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           Complaint
           hereupon
           was
           ,
           
             That
             divers
             of
             his
             Subject
             were
             Imprisoned
             without
             any
             cause
             shewed
             ,
             but
             when
             they
             were
             brought
             before
             his
             Justices
             ,
             to
             undergo
             as
             the
             Court
             should
             order
             ,
             no
             cause
             was
             certified
             of
             their
             detainer
             by
             the
             Keepers
             ,
             but
             that
             they
             were
             detained
             by
             his
             Majesties
             special
             command
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           And
           now
           but
           compare
           the
           present
           proceedings
           against
           us
           ,
           with
           
             Magna
             Charta
          
           ,
           the
           
             Petition
             of
             Right
          
           ,
           and
           the
           Fundamental
           Laws
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           and
           the
           Reason
           thereof
           (
           which
           they
           are
           said
           to
           be
           grounded
           upon
           )
           and
           see
           how
           they
           'l
           hold
           parallel
           .
        
         
         
           For
           how
           many
           of
           the
           harmless
           Innocent
           People
           of
           God
           ,
           particularly
           in
           and
           about
           this
           City
           of
           London
           ,
           are
           haled
           by
           violence
           out
           of
           their
           peaceable
           Meetings
           ,
           and
           sent
           to
           Prison
           for
           certain
           dayes
           ,
           many
           times
           without
           any
           further
           Tryal
           ,
           till
           they
           be
           tried
           for
           the
           third
           supposed
           Offence
           that
           they
           are
           accounted
           to
           deserve
           Exilement
           or
           Transportation
           without
           any
           just
           cause
           or
           criminal
           matter
           being
           shewed
           against
           them
           ,
           of
           any
           injury
           or
           offence
           done
           by
           them
           ,
           or
           proof
           of
           any
           transgression
           of
           any
           Just
           or
           Righteous
           Law
           whatsoever
           ;
           but
           a
           late
           Act
           which
           is
           said
           in
           the
           Title
           and
           Preamble
           ,
           to
           be
           made
           
             to
             prevent
             and
             suppress
             Seditious
             Conventicles
             ;
             and
             for
             the
             providing
             speedy
             remedies
             against
             the
             growing
             ,
             and
             dangerous
             practises
             of
             such
             ,
             who
             under
             pretence
             of
             tender
             consciences
             ,
             do
             at
             their
             Meetings
             ,
             contrive
             Insurrections
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           Which
           doth
           not
           at
           all
           reach
           us
           ,
           nor
           ought
           ,
           in
           either
           Equity
           or
           Reason
           to
           be
           prosecuted
           against
           us
           ;
           for
           seeing
           the
           Law
           of
           the
           Land
           is
           said
           to
           be
           grounded
           upon
           Reason
           ,
           and
           to
           receive
           principally
           its
           grounds
           from
           the
           Laws
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           Law
           of
           Reason
           ,
           and
           Reason
           the
           life
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           
             [
             See
             28.
             
             Hen.
             8.
             ch
             .
             7.
             
             &
             Prisot
             .
             Doct.
             &
             St.
             :
             lib.
             1.
             ch
             .
             6.
             
             Co.
             3.
             46.
             
             Fi.
             3.
             
             &
             Dalt
             .
             Just.
             Pas.
             ]
          
           and
           
             nihil
             quod
             est
             inconveniens
             est
             licitum
             ,
          
           [
           as
           also
           ]
           
             nihil
             quod
             est
             contra
             rationem
             est
             licitum
             .
          
           See
           Cooks
           Commentaries
           upon
           
             Littleton
             ,
             p.
          
           106.
           
           Confider
           ,
           can
           that
           be
           truly
           said
           to
           be
           the
           Law
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           which
           in
           the
           prosecution
           contradicteth
           both
           Reason
           and
           Law
           ,
           and
           [
           on
           that
           consideration
           especially
           ]
           is
           repugnant
           to
           the
           Fundamental
           Laws
           (
           and
           debars
           the
           Subject
           of
           having
           due
           Process
           according
           to
           the
           Ancient
           Law
           )
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           which
           requires
           ,
           that
           
             No
             Free-man
             shall
             be
             Imprisoned
             ,
             Exiled
             ,
             &c.
             without
             due
             Process
             ,
             fair
             and
             legal
             Examination
             and
             Tryal
             ,
             and
             lawful
             Judgment
             of
             his
             Equals
             ,
             (
             or
             Verdict
             of
             twelve
             lawful
             ,
             honest
             and
             competent
             men
             ,
             &c.
             )
          
           See
           37.
           
           Ed.
           3.
           ch
           .
           8.
           and
           28.
           
           Ed.
           3.
           chap.
           3.
           and
           42.
           
           Ed.
           3.
           ch
           .
           3.
           and
           
             Cook
             2d
          
           part
           Inst.
           pag.
           49.
           and
           50.
           
           But
           this
           manner
           of
           proceeding
           (
           as
           is
           now
           )
           against
           Innocent
           men
           and
           persons
           ,
           to
           imprisoning
           and
           banishing
           them
           out
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           is
           both
           inconvenient
           and
           prejudicial
           to
           the
           Nation
           many
           wayes
           ,
           though
           they
           whose
           hearts
           are
           hardened
           in
           sin
           and
           emnity
           ,
           will
           not
           see
           it
           ;
           but
           whilst
           our
           Plea
           for
           Right
           by
           the
           Law
           ,
           as
           Subjects
           ,
           may
           not
           be
           heard
           ,
           I
           shall
           say
           the
           less
           upon
           that
           account
           ,
           and
           refer
           our
           Case
           to
           mens
           Consciences
           in
           the
           sight
           of
           God.
           And
           we
           find
           ,
           that
           those
           chiefly
           set
           themselves
           against
           us
           (
           as
           to
           profecute
           and
           sentence
           us
           )
           are
           so
           far
           from
           being
           impartial
           and
           competent
           in
           their
           proceedings
           ,
           
           or
           our
           Peers
           or
           Equals
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           both
           in
           prejudice
           and
           emnity
           against
           us
           ,
           and
           want
           the
           Moderation
           and
           Reason
           as
           to
           suffer
           us
           to
           have
           a
           fair
           tryal
           according
           to
           the
           very
           reason
           ,
           form
           and
           letter
           of
           their
           own
           Law
           :
           who
           reckon
           they
           have
           enough
           proved
           against
           us
           for
           conviction
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           proved
           that
           there
           was
           any
           Religious
           Exercise
           in
           our
           Meeting
           ,
           as
           Preaching
           ,
           Praying
           ,
           &c.
           (
           not
           questioning
           whether
           the
           Exercise
           was
           true
           according
           to
           the
           Scripture
           or
           Saints
           practices
           in
           it self
           ,
           Yea
           ,
           or
           Nay
           )
           and
           yet
           when
           it
           is
           laid
           home
           upon
           them
           ,
           that
           
             we
             suffer
             for
             worshipping
             God
             according
             to
             our
             consciences
             ,
             and
             his
             requirings
             ,
          
           they
           would
           not
           hear
           of
           that
           ,
           but
           charge
           us
           with
           Obstinacy
           ,
           Sedition
           ,
           Rebellion
           ,
           or
           the
           like
           ,
           in
           our
           Meeting
           ,
           wherein
           we
           are
           apparently
           injured
           ;
           as
           also
           ,
           sometimes
           when
           there
           can
           be
           no
           proof
           made
           of
           any
           exercise
           of
           Religion
           ,
           nor
           colour
           or
           pretence
           thereof
           in
           our
           Meetings
           ,
           but
           we
           are
           taken
           in
           silence
           (
           wherein
           our
           minds
           are
           often
           exercised
           towards
           God
           ,
           simply
           without
           any
           such
           outward
           colour
           or
           pretence
           ,
           as
           they
           would
           accuse
           us
           of
           ;
           )
           Thus
           our
           being
           taken
           simply
           in
           a
           Meeting
           in
           silence
           ,
           they
           proceed
           against
           us
           for
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           Banishment
           .
           Let
           the
           Prudent
           judge
           of
           these
           things
           .
        
         
           And
           whereas
           sometimes
           the
           Soldiers
           (
           or
           Red-coats
           )
           and
           sometimes
           Halbert-men
           and
           other
           persons
           (
           who
           have
           violently
           haled
           us
           out
           of
           our
           Meetings
           ,
           and
           guarded
           us
           with
           Musquets
           and
           Halberts
           ,
           &c.
           to
           Prisons
           )
           and
           of
           late
           some
           of
           
             Newgate
             Goalers
          
           are
           made
           use
           of
           to
           inform
           and
           give
           Evidence
           against
           us
           .
           These
           ,
           and
           such
           
             mercenary
             men
          
           ,
           we
           cannot
           look
           upon
           to
           be
           any
           competent
           or
           impartial
           Witnesses
           :
           And
           some
           of
           the
           Magistrates
           so
           far
           debase
           themselves
           ,
           as
           to
           come
           in
           person
           to
           Meetings
           (
           as
           the
           Mayor
           ,
           
             R.
             Brown
             ,
             &c.
          
           )
           to
           break
           them
           up
           ,
           from
           thence
           supposing
           their
           seeing
           us
           met
           ,
           to
           be
           the
           notorious
           Evidence
           of
           the
           Fact
           ;
           and
           thereupon
           causing
           Innocent
           persons
           to
           be
           driven
           ,
           both
           men
           and
           women
           ,
           to
           Newgate
           ,
           or
           other
           Prisons
           ,
           like
           Sheep
           to
           the
           slaughter
           ,
           when
           no
           evil
           ,
           harm
           ,
           or
           prejudice
           they
           could
           ever
           yet
           prove
           by
           our
           Meetings
           that
           ever
           they
           produced
           ;
           yet
           notwithstanding
           they
           hasten
           their
           work
           to
           rid
           the
           Nation
           of
           us
           ;
           and
           so
           bring
           peaceable
           honest
           men
           into
           competition
           with
           Thieves
           ,
           Felons
           or
           such
           like
           ,
           who
           sometimes
           after
           they
           are
           condemned
           ,
           are
           reprieved
           to
           be
           sent
           over
           Sea
           to
           save
           them
           from
           hanging
           .
           And
           many
           others
           of
           our
           Friends
           upon
           their
           Imprisonment
           ,
           being
           crouded
           up
           so
           many
           together
           in
           a
           noysome
           Prison
           ,
           have
           been
           so
           stifled
           and
           oppressed
           in
           their
           natural
           spirits
           and
           vitals
           ,
           not
           having
           room
           enough
           to
           lye
           down
           
           in
           ,
           [
           and
           many
           have
           been
           forced
           to
           walk
           all
           night
           without
           upon
           Newgate
           on
           the
           Leads
           divers
           times
           ,
           the
           Prison
           being
           crowded
           so
           full
           ]
           that
           presently
           after
           they
           have
           been
           let
           out
           of
           Prison
           ,
           have
           sickened
           and
           dyed
           ,
           as
           did
           many
           ,
           both
           men
           and
           women
           in
           this
           year
           ,
           1664.
           (
           and
           some
           in
           Prison
           )
           besides
           many
           that
           died
           Prisoners
           in
           the
           year
           1662.
           
           And
           now
           you
           that
           are
           so
           eager
           or
           forward
           in
           sending
           so
           many
           innocent
           persons
           to
           Prisons
           ,
           without
           either
           respect
           to
           sex
           ,
           or
           shewing
           so
           much
           as
           natural
           affection
           ;
           Is
           it
           not
           high
           time
           to
           lay
           this
           Oppression
           to
           heart
           ?
           Is
           this
           the
           Priviledge
           of
           Free-born
           Englishmen
           and
           women
           that
           fear
           and
           worship
           God
           ,
           thus
           to
           be
           oppressed
           ,
           stifled
           or
           destroyed
           ,
           or
           any
           of
           them
           exiled
           or
           banished
           ?
           Do
           you
           do
           as
           you
           would
           be
           done
           by
           ?
           What
           ,
           is
           all
           Tenderness
           ,
           Compassion
           ,
           and
           bowels
           of
           Mercy
           lost
           amongst
           you
           ,
           that
           such
           inhumanity
           ,
           and
           cruelty
           it self
           appears
           against
           your
           fellow
           creatures
           ,
           who
           when
           you
           have
           cast
           them
           into
           Holes
           and
           Prisons
           ,
           into
           the
           hands
           of
           hard-hearted
           men
           (
           who
           can
           cast
           them
           into
           what
           holes
           they
           please
           ,
           either
           among
           the
           rude
           Felons
           to
           be
           abused
           ,
           or
           into
           as
           bad
           as
           they
           can
           find
           to
           put
           men
           into
           ,
           as
           some
           of
           us
           have
           sometime
           been
           used
           ,
           when
           we
           could
           not
           gratifie
           the
           Goalers
           covetous
           and
           unreasonable
           demands
           )
           then
           some
           of
           you
           care
           not
           ,
           or
           take
           no
           notice
           what
           becomes
           of
           these
           innocent
           Sufferers
           ;
           though
           some
           others
           in
           Authority
           that
           are
           more
           moderate
           may
           be
           a
           little
           touched
           sometime
           when
           these
           things
           are
           laid
           before
           them
           :
           O!
           what
           a
           blemish
           is
           this
           Cruelty
           to
           this
           Nation
           ,
           and
           this
           Persecution
           ,
           and
           greivous
           Oppression
           to
           the
           profession
           of
           Christianity
           !
           Oh!
           the
           Righteous
           God
           takes
           notice
           ,
           and
           will
           visit
           for
           these
           proceedings
           :
           O
           you
           that
           persecute
           the
           Innocent
           (
           in
           this
           wise
           )
           whom
           you
           have
           nothing
           against
           
             but
             what
             concerns
             the
             Law
             of
             their
             God
             ,
          
           (
           as
           the
           more
           it
           will
           appear
           and
           be
           sounded
           out
           ,
           the
           more
           we
           suffer
           for
           the
           same
           ,
           and
           the
           lowder
           will
           the
           cry
           of
           this
           greivous
           Oppression
           be
           )
           
             Repent
             ,
             Repent
             ,
             and
             remember
             your
             latter
             end
             ,
             who
             have
             a
             hand
             in
             this
             work
             against
             us
             ;
             for
             you
             must
             dye
             like
             men
             ,
             and
             your
             Pomp
             must
             come
             to
             the
             grave
             ,
             you
             being
             but
             men
             ,
             and
             not
             God
             ,
             who
             ought
             not
             to
             assume
             his
             Prerogative
             upon
             you
             ,
             as
             to
             seek
             to
             lord
             and
             rule
             over
             mens
             Consciences
             by
             carnal
             Force
             or
             Impositions
             ,
             by
             pretence
             of
             penal
             Laws
             or
             otherwise
             .
          
           And
           this
           Hard-heartedness
           ,
           Cruelty
           ,
           Persecution
           ,
           Oppression
           and
           inhumane
           proceeding
           ,
           and
           going
           about
           to
           exile
           or
           destroy
           a
           People
           or
           Persons
           for
           their
           Religion
           and
           Conscience
           ,
           is
           never
           the
           way
           to
           perswade
           or
           make
           us
           believe
           that
           you
           are
           Members
           of
           the
           True
           Church
           ,
           nor
           to
           induce
           any
           
           that
           are
           rational
           to
           comply
           with
           you
           ,
           or
           conform
           to
           you
           in
           your
           way
           or
           worship
           ;
           neither
           will
           Violence
           ,
           Oppression
           ,
           
             Take
             him
             away
             Goaler
          
           ,
           Banishing
           ,
           or
           threatning
           Hanging
           against
           men
           that
           are
           conscientious
           towards
           God
           ,
           ever
           prove
           any
           effectual
           Argument
           for
           you
           to
           end
           the
           Controversie
           that
           's
           now
           in
           hand
           ;
           nor
           ever
           to
           make
           your
           Church
           glorious
           or
           renowned
           :
           for
           we
           cannot
           believe
           that
           a
           Persecuting-Church
           is
           a
           
             True
             Church
          
           ;
           for
           from
           whence
           sprung
           and
           broke
           forth
           this
           Imprisoning
           ,
           Persecution
           and
           Hatred
           for
           matters
           of
           Religion
           and
           Conscience
           ,
           but
           from
           
             Devil
             ,
             Cain
             ,
             false
             Prophet
             ,
             Antichrist
             ,
             Whore
             ,
             Beast
          
           and
           Dragon
           ,
           and
           not
           from
           the
           Christian
           Spirit
           in
           the
           
             true
             Church
          
           and
           Saints
           .
           And
           the
           like
           proceedings
           as
           are
           now
           we
           find
           mentioned
           in
           the
           large
           Volumn
           of
           the
           Book
           of
           Martyrs
           ,
           pag.
           431.
           in
           King
           Richard
           the
           2d's
           time
           ,
           from
           Pope
           Gregory
           in
           his
           Bull
           against
           
             John
             Wickliff
          
           (
           where
           ,
           in
           several
           things
           ,
           he
           dissented
           from
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           )
           where
           the
           Pope
           in
           his
           Bull
           ,
           directed
           to
           his
           Sons
           ,
           the
           Chancellor
           and
           University
           of
           Oxford
           ,
           
             Commanding
             them
             that
             they
             should
             not
             suffer
             his
             pestilent
             Heresies
             ,
             and
             subtil
             and
             false
             Conclusions
             and
             Propositions
             (
             as
             he
             called
             them
             )
             any
             longer
             to
             be
             disputed
             or
             brought
             in
             question
             ,
             and
             that
             they
             apprehend
             immediately
             the
             said
             
               John
               Wickliff
            
             ,
             and
             deliver
             him
             to
             be
             detained
             in
             the
             safe
             custody
             of
             the
             Pope's
             welbeloved
             brethren
             ,
             the
             Archbishop
             of
             Canterbury
             and
             the
             Bishop
             of
             London
             ,
             or
             either
             of
             them
             ,
             &c.
             and
             in
             like
             manner
             to
             apprehend
             those
             that
             were
             corrupted
             with
             his
             Errors
             ,
             that
             should
             obstinately
             stand
             in
             them
             (
             as
             he
             said
             .
             )
          
        
         
           And
           is
           not
           this
           the
           manner
           of
           the
           present
           proceedings
           against
           us
           ,
           or
           such
           as
           are
           reckoned
           to
           be
           in
           Error
           and
           Heresie
           ,
           that
           instead
           of
           suffering
           them
           to
           dispute
           ,
           or
           to
           have
           those
           things
           fairly
           discust
           ,
           wherein
           they
           are
           by
           the
           Bishops
           and
           Clergy
           deemed
           erroneous
           and
           Hereticks
           from
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           their
           mouths
           must
           be
           stopt
           ,
           and
           they
           cast
           into
           Holes
           and
           Prisons
           ;
           some
           from
           their
           Ecclesiastical
           censures
           and
           proceedings
           in
           their
           Spiritual
           Courts
           (
           so
           called
           )
           against
           them
           ,
           after
           they
           have
           excommunicated
           men
           ,
           and
           procured
           those
           called
           Significavier's
           and
           Writs
           of
           Capias
           against'them
           ;
           And
           others
           are
           imprisoned
           and
           proceeded
           against
           in
           their
           Temporal
           Courts
           ,
           some
           to
           a
           Praemunire
           ,
           others
           sentenced
           to
           Transportation
           or
           Banishment
           (
           as
           if
           they
           were
           Thieves
           or
           Felons
           that
           deserved
           death
           )
           and
           not
           to
           return
           within
           the
           time
           limited
           ,
           upon
           pain
           of
           being
           proceeded
           against
           as
           Felons
           and
           Murderers
           ;
           and
           many
           of
           them
           taken
           by
           Souldiers
           and
           Armed-men
           
           out
           of
           their
           Peaceable
           Meetings
           and
           haled
           to
           Prisons
           ;
           and
           thus
           the
           Innocent
           are
           made
           a
           prey
           upon
           .
           And
           what
           do
           such
           severe
           and
           unchristian-like
           proceedings
           against
           us
           tend
           to
           ,
           where
           both
           Bishops
           ,
           Priests
           ,
           Rulers
           ,
           Officers
           ,
           [
           and
           so
           both
           the
           Spiritual
           and
           Temporal
           ,
           Ecclesiastical
           and
           Civil
           (
           so
           called
           )
           and
           the
           Military
           Forces
           also
           ]
           are
           thus
           severely
           at
           work
           against
           us
           ,
           but
           to
           destroy
           us
           ,
           if
           the
           Lord
           did
           not
           sustain
           us
           ?
        
         
           
             And
             moreover
             ,
             It
             was
             said
             in
             the
             Law
             of
             God
             to
          
           Israel
           
             of
             old
          
           ,
           Thou
           shalt
           not
           do
           injury
           to
           a
           stranger
           ,
           neither
           oppress
           him
           ;
           ye
           shall
           not
           trouble
           any
           Widow
           nor
           Fatherless-Child
           :
           if
           thou
           vex
           or
           trouble
           such
           ,
           and
           so
           he
           call
           and
           cry
           unto
           me
           ,
           I
           will
           surely
           hear
           his
           cry
           ,
           saith
           the
           Lord
           ;
           then
           shall
           my
           Wrath
           be
           kindled
           ,
           and
           I
           will
           kill
           you
           ,
           &c.
           See
           Exod.
           22.
           21
           ,
           22
           ,
           23
           ,
           24.
           
        
         
           Now
           (
           mark
           )
           if
           God
           would
           hear
           the
           cry
           of
           the
           Stranger
           ,
           Widdow
           and
           Fatherless
           that
           were
           wronged
           and
           oppressed
           ,
           and
           be
           avenged
           on
           their
           Oppressors
           ;
           what
           will
           become
           of
           you
           that
           have
           a
           hand
           against
           us
           ,
           if
           you
           go
           on
           oppressing
           your
           Neighbours
           ,
           or
           those
           of
           your
           own
           Nation
           ,
           who
           are
           Free-born
           English-people
           ?
           And
           if
           you
           go
           on
           to
           separate
           and
           and
           banish
           Innocent
           men
           from
           their
           Wives
           and
           Children
           ,
           and
           so
           by
           that
           means
           you
           make
           them
           Widdows
           and
           Fatherless
           ,
           and
           expose
           them
           to
           ruine
           outwardly
           ;
           How
           will
           you
           answer
           this
           before
           the
           Righteous
           God
           of
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           ,
           who
           will
           assuredly
           hear
           their
           Cry
           against
           you
           ;
           (
           yea
           God
           will
           hear
           them
           ,
           even
           as
           they
           are
           his
           creatures
           ,
           that
           cry
           and
           groan
           under
           the
           Oppression
           and
           Injury
           done
           them
           )
           for
           Justice
           at
           his
           hand
           ,
           being
           that
           they
           ought
           to
           have
           their
           liberty
           and
           interest
           in
           the
           Creation
           as
           well
           as
           your selves
           ,
           or
           others
           of
           their
           fellow
           creatures
           ;
           and
           then
           will
           the
           Just
           God
           bring
           Wo
           upon
           all
           that
           decree
           or
           act
           unrighteously
           ,
           
             to
             keep
             back
             the
             poor
             from
             Judgment
             ,
          
           and
           
             to
             take
             away
             Judgment
             or
             Right
             from
             his
             People
             ;
             that
             Widdows
             may
             be
             their
             prey
             ,
             and
             that
             they
             may
             spoile
             the
             Fatherless
             ,
          
           Isa.
           10.
           
           
             And
             then
             ,
             what
             will
             ye
             do
             in
             the
             day
             of
             Visitation
             and
             Destruction
             ?
             to
             whom
             will
             ye
             flee
             for
             help
             ?
             and
             where
             will
             ye
             leave
             your
             glory
             ?
          
           ver
           .
           3.
           
           Will
           your
           joyning
           hand
           in
           hand
           ,
           or
           your
           forces
           together
           ,
           secure
           you
           from
           the
           stroak
           of
           Gods
           Justice
           ?
           No
           sure
           ;
           for
           if
           you
           go
           on
           without
           Repentance
           ,
           mark
           the
           end
           of
           these
           harsh
           ,
           severe
           ,
           &
           cruel
           proceedings
           .
        
         
           And
           mark
           the
           end
           of
           Oppressors
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Wicked
           whose
           Rod
           and
           Scepter
           the
           Lord
           will
           break
           ,
           See
           Isa.
           14.
           as
           that
           of
           the
           King
           of
           Babel
           the
           Oppressor
           ,
           for
           whom
           Hell
           beneath
           was
           moved
           to
           meet
           
           him
           ,
           and
           whose
           Pomp
           and
           sound
           of
           his
           Viols
           was
           brought
           down
           to
           the
           grave
           ,
           that
           worms
           might
           cover
           him
           :
           Or
           that
           Lucifer
           ,
           who
           said
           ,
           
             he
             would
             ascend
             into
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             exalt
             his
             Throne
             above
             the
             Stars
             of
             God
             ,
          
           [
           as
           such
           now
           in
           effect
           say
           ,
           who
           in
           a
           
           Lucifer-like
           spirit
           ;
           would
           rule
           over
           the
           Consciences
           of
           God's
           People
           ,
           and
           so
           set
           themselves
           above
           them
           ,
           who
           are
           his
           Stars
           which
           he
           hath
           fixed
           in
           the
           Firmament
           of
           his
           Power
           ]
           but
           he
           who
           thus
           exalted
           and
           presumed
           ,
           was
           to
           be
           brought
           down
           to
           the
           Grave
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           sides
           of
           the
           Pit
           ;
           who
           opened
           not
           the
           house
           of
           his
           Prisoners
           ;
           and
           he
           was
           to
           be
           cast
           out
           as
           an
           abominable
           branch
           ,
           for
           he
           had
           destroyed
           his
           Land
           and
           slain
           his
           People
           ;
           he
           was
           of
           the
           seed
           of
           the
           wicked
           which
           was
           never
           to
           be
           renowned
           .
           Mark
           these
           things
           ,
           and
           consider
           your
           wayes
           and
           actions
           and
           what
           they
           tend
           to
           .
        
         
           And
           if
           they
           who
           did
           not
           visit
           nor
           minister
           to
           Christ
           in
           Prison
           (
           in
           that
           they
           did
           not
           visit
           those
           that
           believed
           in
           him
           )
           were
           to
           depart
           into
           everlasting
           fire
           ,
           Mat.
           25.
           
           What
           will
           become
           of
           you
           that
           imprison
           Christ
           (
           in
           his
           Members
           )
           inasmuch
           as
           you
           do
           it
           to
           his
           little
           ones
           that
           believe
           in
           him
           ,
           which
           he
           that
           shall
           offend
           any
           of
           them
           ,
           he
           had
           better
           never
           have
           been
           born
           ?
        
         
           And
           where
           will
           you
           hide
           your selves
           ,
           or
           flee
           for
           refuge
           in
           the
           great
           day
           of
           the
           Lamb's
           Wrath
           ?
           (
           which
           assuredly
           will
           come
           upon
           them
           that
           make
           War
           against
           him
           and
           his
           Followers
           )
           
             When
             the
             Kings
             of
             the
             Earth
             ,
             and
             the
             Great
             men
             ,
             and
             Rich
             men
             ,
             and
             the
             chief
             Captains
             and
             Mighty
             Men
             ,
             and
             every
             Bond-man
             ,
             and
             every
             Free-man
             shall
             hide
             themselves
             in
             Dens
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             Rocks
             of
             the
             Mountains
             ;
             and
             say
             to
             the
             Mountains
             and
             Rocks
             ,
             Fall
             on
             us
             ,
             and
             hide
             us
             from
             the
             presence
             of
             him
             that
             sits
             on
             the
             Throne
             ,
          
           Rev.
           6.
           
           Then
           both
           the
           Masters
           ,
           and
           Servants
           or
           Bond-men
           in
           this
           work
           of
           Persecution
           ,
           and
           oppressing
           and
           injuring
           their-fellow
           creatures
           ,
           will
           not
           be
           able
           to
           clear
           nor
           excuse
           themselves
           before
           the
           Lord
           God
           ;
           nor
           the
           subordinate
           Ministers
           or
           Officers
           ,
           saying
           ,
           
             they
             do
             their
             Superiors
             or
             Kings
             service
          
           in
           what
           they
           do
           ,
           acquit
           them
           from
           the
           reward
           which
           they
           must
           have
           from
           the
           Righteous
           God
           according
           to
           their
           deeds
           ;
           who
           have
           had
           many
           Informations
           and
           Warnings
           ,
           in
           which
           the
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           God
           hath
           striven
           with
           this
           Nation
           ,
           but
           will
           not
           alwaies
           ;
           Which
           had
           not
           these
           things
           been
           laid
           upon
           me
           thereby
           ,
           I
           had
           not
           sent
           them
           forth
           .
        
         
           
             Part
             of
             this
             was
             written
             in
             
               the
               7th
               month
               ,
               1664.
               
            
             in
             Southwark
             .
          
        
         
           THE
           END
           .