The CRY of BLOOD AND Herod Pontius Pilate and the Jewes reconciled and in conspiracy with the Dragon to devour the Manchild BEING A Declaration of the Lord arising in those people of the City of BRISTOL who are scornfully called Quakers and of the manifold Sufferings and Persecutions sustain'd by them from the Priests Rulers Professors and rude multitude contrary to Law Liberty Justice Government the righteous ends of the Wars and the Scriptures of Truth TOGETHER With a true Account of the material Passages in substance between the Rulers and them at their several Examinations and Commitments and at two general Sessions of the Publick Peace And of the Tumults and insurrections with other necessary Observations and Occurrences Gathered up written in a Roll and delivered to John Gunning late Mayor of that City being the fruits of his Year for the private Admonition and Conviction of himself and Brethren concern'd and named therein with a Letter declaring the end and reason of what is so done of which a Copy followes in the ensuing pages Subscribed by Geo Bishop Thomas Goldney Henry Roe Edw Pyott Dennis Hollister And now after five moneths space of time Published for the Reasons hereafter expressed And they cryed with a loud voyce saying How long O Lord holy and true dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth Rev. 6. 10. And shall not God avenge his own Elect which cry day and night unto him though he bear long with them I tell you that he will avenge them speedily neverthelesse when the Son of man cometh shall be find faith on the earth Luke 18. 7 8. And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together for before they were at Emnity among themselves Luke 23. 12. For of a truth against thy holy Child Jesus whom thou hast anointed both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together Acts 4. 27. And the Dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered to devour her child as soon as it was born and she brought forth a man child who was to rule all Nations with a rod of Iron and her child was caught up to God and to his Throne and the Dragon was wroth with the Woman and went to make war with the remnant of her seed which keep the Commandements of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ Rev. 12. 4 17. And the Devil shall cast some of you into Prison Rev. 2. 10. London Printed for Giles Calvert at the Black-spread-Eagle at the West-End of Pauls 1656. To you John Gunning late Maior Joseph Jackson Richard Vickris Miles Jackson John Lock George Hellier Henry Gibbs William Cann George Knight and Gabriell Sherman Aldermen of the City of Bristoll WEE with the rest of the people of God in this City who are in scorn and derision called Quakers have for many moneths together patiently and in silence born and suffered manifold persecutions from your selves and the people of this Town thorough your encouragement without seeking reparation though with a very high hand and with exceeding hard measure they have been executed upon us waiting when the witnesse of God in every one of your Consciences with which we are One and which one day will witnesse us and our sufferings and the Truth for which we suffer eternally upon you except you repent would have been hearkned unto which would have opened the eye in every one of you which the God of this world hath blinded and have shewn you Jesus whom without a cause in us you persecute and have filled your faces with shame for the evill of your doings and have caused you to mourn over him whom you have pierced with a bitter lamentation even as a man that mourneth for his onely son and have raised up in you the righteous principle of God from whence true Judgement would have proceeded that so the Cruell mockings bitter revilings illegal bonds and imprisonments and other grosse abuses with which we have been by you and thorough your means exercised might have ceased and you led to repentance and the Salvation of your souls which are pretious in this great and notable day of the Lord Jesus After which we long and our Bowels earn the Lord is our witnesse even that you might come to the knowledge of the truth thorough Faith in his blood for which things sake all that we have received from yor hands would have become to us sweet and pleasant But seeing neither the forbearance and long suffering of God nor our patient and long abiding under all your wills and lusts nor the fear of man to the penalty of whose Lawes you lie very obnoxious nor naturall affection nor Common humanity which would lead you to tendernesse and mercy and Justice and to do to others as you would be done unto your selves nor the Consideration of what hath been our carriage especially of some of us to you notwithstanding that we have received alwaies the worst of usages at your hands above what you could think of expect or hope for have not prevailed with you but instead thereof you are become more hard rewarding Evil for Good and Cruelty for Kindnesse declaring your sin as Sodom the shew of your Countenance witnessing it against you and having breathed forth new and fresh persecutions against the witnesses of Jesus in which †Temperance Hignell One of them hath lately suffered to the losse of her life When as wickednesse rageth in the streets And who is there found amongst you that doth it punish We have gathered up much of what the Truth and we and our friends for witnessing thereof have suffered by you into one body and have demonstrated how contrary your actions therein have been to Law and Scripture the Rules by which you pretend to order all your affairs and to Liberty and to Justice And although you can expect no such thing at our hands yet that it may appear that another spirit ruleth in us than the spirit of this world and how desirous we are that you should know and be convinced of the evill of your way and turn unto the Lord We do herewit hin the Close of the year before we publish it present it to you even to that of God which is pure and just in every one of your Consciences to which we speak that as in a glasse with the light of Jesus Christ by whom the world was made wherewith he lightens every one that cometh into the world which convinceth you of sin you abiding still and cool therein may come to see what you have done and the spirit and principle from which it hath proceeded to wit of Darknesse and of the Prince of this world who throughout all Ages as now by you hath raised persecution against the Principle of Light the Seed of God as the Scriptures testifie and that by him you may be delivered out of the snares of the Devil by
and Lords for sending several Merchants of London to Prison with Warrants which contained not the cause of their Commitment To salve which the Petition of Right was then granted which confirmed Magna Charta and the Statute of Westm 1. wherein this fundamental Law is contained And to act contrary hereunto is to subvert the fundamental Law For which the late King Strafford and Canterbury were impeached attainted and executed as Traytors against the fundamental Lawes and Liberties of the Nation And against this fundamental Law no particular usage 25 Edw. 1. Cap. 2. Coke upon Con. c. f. 527. or Custom of any particular place is of force All which as it appears these Magistrates neither accompt nor regard nor their heads nor estates for they commit men to prison without any Warrant or Mittimus and have denyed it to about 20. persons of whom particularly this Treatise makes mention though severall of them earnestly and often demanded it Also freedom of the exercise of the profession of Faith in Christ Jesus though differing in Judgment from the Doctrine worship or discipline publiquely held forth is a fundamental in the present u See the Government Art 37. Constitution And for all to prophesie and when any thing is revealed to another that sitteth by for the first to hold his peace And that all may speak one by one was exercised in the true Church of Christ of which the Scriptures bear Record as aforesaid and is a true profession and exercise of faith in Jesus Christ And for that absolete Act Mary 1. on which the Priests and Magistrates pretend to lay the legality of their proceedings in this case It is well known to have been made in the time of Popery for the defence of the Romish Popish Priests in the time of their Service from the testimony of those Protestants whom then God mightily raised up to bear testimony against their Idolatrous Doctrines and services who witnessed against them thorough flames of fire All which Doctrines and Services being wholly removed the effect must needs cease with the cause and the Defence when that which is defended is taken away And 1 Eliz. c. 2. repeales and makes utterly void and of none effect all Lawes Statutes and Ordinances wherein or whereby any other service than that of the Common-Prayer is limited established or set forth And that Act aforesaid 1 Mar. amounteth to the establishing of the Masse which is another service And yet neither are the Priests ashamed to desire nor do the Magistrates blush to defend them upon colour and pretence of that Statute nay to imprison where there is no offence by that Law were it in force and practicable for it protects the Romish Popish Priests from interruption onely in the time of Service Can those who claim the benefit and priviledges of that Law and are protected thereby otherwise be esteemed of than such as that Law qualifies and makes capable of the priviledges and protection therein provided And so is not the witnesse the same against which the provision is made as aforesaid and that which seeks the same defence of the same root and principle If the Priests will needs have that Law to be in force and to be defended thereby then let them not refuse to be accompted of and denominated as such whom that Law qualifies guardeth and defendeth viz. as Romish Popish Priests of Antichrist not as Protestants or Ministers of Jesus Christ for against the witnesse of God in such was that Law made and provided The great Tumult and Râ—et The Priests and People having understood by these illegal and oppressive proceedings how much these Magistrates had the truth and those who owned it in abomination were greatly encouraged to proceed in their opposition thereunto And resolutions were also had by an insurrection to quit the Town of those Servants of the most high who were so instrumentall in this day of the Lord because according to the way of Justice and the Law of the Land they being innocent it could not be done And such an expedient if it took might gratifie and answer all their opposites Therefore a Conspiracy was entred into and a design laid amongst Continued the Apprentices for that purpose and meetings had in order thereunto And as a Blind or pretext to this continued outrage a Petition was drawn to have been presented the Maior and Aldermen to turn them out of the Town and upon their refusing so to do for they knew that the Law authorized no such Injustice then to rise and not only to do their endeavours on them but on such as should assist them And in this Petition Priest Farmer was consulted to say no more and to execute this Plot goings there were from house to house and Master and man were prepared Mighty were the outgoings of the Lord on the first day of the week being the 17th of the 10th moneth in the publique meetings and mightily was the Dragon enraged thereat seeing his Kingdome shortned And therefore staid not till his Serpent wisdom by a Petition had turnâ—d his design into an insurrection but blowes up the heat of the rash and ungoverned Apprentices and rude multitude to lay hold on the first opportunity to put it by downright tumult into issue And therefore having understood that the third Raised on John Audland and John Camm 18th of the 10th moneth 1654. The first day day of the week following John Camm and John Audland who were of the first that came hither and were great labourers in the work of the Lord in Bristol were to passe over the Bridge to a meeting appointed at Brislington a mile or two from thâ—nce in the County of Somerset Resolutions were had to set upon them And accordingly the third day of the week in the morning being the 19th day of the 10th moneth they two passing peaceably over the Bridge and a friend with them offering no offence or injury to any severall Apprentices of Priest Farmers Parish followed after and passing by them to the South end of the Bridge turned about and giving a sign many other Apprentices came forth and other people and joyned with them who together fell violently on those innocent strangers and assaulted punched pulled and haled them back over the Bridge again towards the High Crosse their numbers being encreased to some Hundreds and their rage heightened that some cryed out Hang them presently others Knock them down and would have dragg'd them thorough Winestreet and so out of the City there to have executed their cruelty upon them but it pleased the Lord that others were hearkened to who spoke to have them brought before the Maior And so the Riot haled them into the Tolzey where their rage had been much upon them were it not that a friend present with much ado got them into his house near at hand and so rescued them About which the Ryot remained for some time threatening to assault it Those two being all that
time as Lambs dumb before their shearers nor did they strive or lift up their voice being quiet in the power of the eternal God nor were they afraid though in such danger of being destroyed for the Masters permitted their servants to go and to act therein before their faces and Richard Newman the Chief Constable of that Ward looked upon it the Ryot passing by his door but kept not the Peace his servant being a chief and those peaceable Citizens who endeavoured to pacifie and stop the Ryot and told the Apprentices the offence and the danger they would not hear and threw out from amongst them And lately arrested one of them a member of the Councel for so doing under the pretence of an Assault This Ryot occasioned a great amazement in the City it being sudden to many and put the Chief Officers of the Garrison who by Commission had Command over the City as well as over the Fort and Castle upon consideration what to do not knowing to what publique mischief such a tumult should it not have been endeavoured presently to be disperst might grow or what design against the Common-wealth under the pretence aforesaid might be brought forth It being a season wherein a generall one was then laid over all parts of the Nation Of which they were sensible and of the affections of those who acted herein and of the Generality of the people to the old enemy which gave them strong ground of suspition and jealousie Neverthelesse being desirous that by the Magistrates the peace of the City might be kept and this Insurrection supprest if it might be whereby all pretence of Clamour against them for interposing the Civill Authority might be taken away They with another peaceable Citizen went to the Maior and some of the Aldermen and signified as much who being very earnest that the Souldiers should not intermeddle and undertaking to still the Town and keep it in peace and to publish an order for the Tumult to depart forbore the putting in execution any thing of the Military power But though the Numbers dispersed of themselves some hours before any order of the Magistrate was published for that purpose yet was not the rage of the multitude allayed but that evening being together and that night in small Companies and the next morning much desperate language was heard from them concerning their resolutions to attempt them again if they came that way and to pay them for all Some of them affirming they should have more Countenance from the Magistrates than those strangers and that they had none of the least men in the Town to countenance them with much more language to this purpose The second dayes Ryot The next morning those friends passed over the Bridge to their meeting at Brislington disappointed the day before by the Tumult And three of the chief of the former dayes Ryot were sent for before the Maior at the Information of the Officers of the Garrison who had witnesses ready and did prove The height of the Tumult at noon it upon them Which drew them to the Tolzey where they were in a high Ryot about three hours together their numbers being esteemed at one time to be above fifteen hundred crying One and all And so heightned were they in their rage that though the Maior and Aldermen with the sword and the Sheriffs required all present whatsoever to depart and published a Proclamation to that purpose and stood there near half an hour and a guard of Musqueteers were drawn up near them to rescue their Officers who they heard were in danger of their lives by the Ryot and therefore marcht thither yet neither master nor man would stirre nay some Masters perswaded some of the Ryoters to stay and to stand their ground and not to budge one foot when they were intending to depart upon the Maiors order in the name of the Lord Protector saying It was a lye the Maior had no such order from the Protector and Charls Stuart was publiquely mentioned by the name of King many of the Ryoters having been Cavaliers And one was named openly among them to be Captain and the Souldiers were dared by them to advance and hats waved at them in defiance not a Constable at this time keeping the peace And this Ryot was so heightned and no marvel if it be onely considered that it was given out that Alderman The Ryot encouraged by Ald. Geo Hellier 's saying to to them as it was given out That he would spend his blood and lose his life before any of the Rioters should go to Prison George Hellier should say at the Tolzie to some of the Ryoters in the time of the Ryot he would spend his blood and lose his life before any of his fellow Apprentices so great it seems was the condescension should go to prison and which was to them a great encouragement caused some of them to stay when they were departing upon report of the commitment of some for the former dayes Ryot that to those who were amongst and observed them impartially it was even a miracle that blood had not proceeded and a great deal too had but one hand been lifted up which the Lord was pleased in great mercy to restrain though so ready and near to have been in execution The very beholding and serious consideration of which and of the persons that made up these Tumults wrought Conviction upon some who now love and are brought in measure into the obedience of the truth But the prevention thereof at that time allayed not the boyling of rancor in their breasts for though after some hours the Ryot dispersed of themselves yet resolutions were had to meet with those strangers as they returned from Brislington and then to execute their wills upon them And for that purpose towards the Evening drew together In the Evening in multitudes on the Bridge and on the other side of the River Avon and to severall of their Masters at the same time appearing at the Tolzey as owning their servants came some of the chief of the Ryoters informing that those Quakers were comming into the City To whom answer was made We are waiting on the Maior to do Justice as he hath promised which if he doth not we will do Justice our selves And the Magistrates were pressed earnestly to assign their power by some who said to the Magistrate if they would grant them it they would order them well enough and go where the proudest of them dared to go And some of them boasted of raising thousands if the Maior would assign them his power What to do is left to be understood for to order two naked men who resisted not and were likely to be torn in pieces by the multitude and none forcibly assisting them needed no such powers The Common-wealth being at that very time deeply and generally designed against through all parts of the Nation and within few weeks of the set time of its Execution viz. 12.
That she stood out of her own will in the will of God therefore she should not bring her Conscience to be bound by the will of man To which the Town-Clerk answered That by order of the Court she must return to prison from whence she came Thereupon she was moved of the Lord to speak to him and she said Mind the light of Christ in thy Conscience which will bring condemnation on the man of sin and teach thee to act righteously and holily and see thou act according to the Law and not a tittle beyond the Law as thou wilt answer it before the Lord. Upon which he jeeringly bade her use better language then she was pull'd down but she cryed out Give me leave to clear my Conscience And being moved from the Lord she warned the Magistrates in these words Mind the light of Christ which will teach you to act righteously and charged them in the name of the Lord to act according to the Law and not a tittle beyond Then was she remanded to prison where she was continued about four weeks and released after they had satiated themselves with her oppressions The Paper she delivered to the Magistrates as aforesaid was as followeth Her Letter to the Magistrates Unto you who are the Magistrates of this City I am commanded of the Lord to give you warning that the Mighty day of the Lord of Hosts is at hand that he is arising in his mighty power In which day the strong shall be as towe and the maker of it as a spark And from the Lord I am to warn you that you judge righteous Judgment that then so you be not found some of those which shall imbrue your hands in the blood of the Saints and so cast the righteous Law of God behind your backs and so hate to be reformed for now the Lord is arising in his sons and in his daughters a faithfull witnesse for himself Crying even in the Ears of the Almighty It is time for thee to arise Lord for men have made void thy Law That so you be not found bearing the Sword in vain and so punishing the Innocent and let the guilty go free Therefore from the Lord you are warned to mind that of God in your Consciences which will bring you to see Judgment running down as a stream and equity as a mighty River And this is the word of the Lord to you whether you will hear or forbear And seeing the Just lyeth slain in the streets of the City it even turns the bowells of the righteous within them that so for Sions sake they cannot hold their peace and for Jerusalem's sake I must not be silent And so knowing the Terrours of the Lord for sin and for rebellion I am moved to write in love to your soules who is a Prisoner in Newgate for witnessing against Deceipt and for the Testimony of Jesus Elizabeth Marshall And shortly after she was returned to prison she sent the following paper to the Town-Clerk Her Letter to the Town-Clerk This is the word of the Lord to thee Robert Aldworth who art a Counsellour in the Law I warn thee in the Name and presence of the living God thou knowing the Law that thou act according to the Law as thou wilt answer it before the Lord at the great and terrible day of the Lord when the book of Conscience shall be opened I warn thee that thou mind the Light of Christ in thy conscience loving it and abiding in it it will lead thee up unto God hating it it will be thy condemnation The Law of God is just and is according to that in my Conscience which I own which is a Law against evil doers as man-slayers thieves and adulterers and drunkards and such like In the name of the Lord and by his word I do pronounce woes and plagues from the Lord against all such as scoffe at the Light of Christ and the Language of Christ as thou didst This is the day of thy visitation whether thou wilt hear or forbear Thus was I moved of the Lord to write unto thee who am a Prisoner for witnessing and for the Testimony of Jesus Elizabeth Marshal John Worrings Tryal John Worring was also brought from the prison and called to whom his Charge was read to this effect for making a disturbance in the publick Congregation calling the Minister Devil kicking at the Clark and saying the Minister spake never a true word Worring answered He made no disturbance The Court said he had disturbed the Minister before he had done his Sermon Worring replyed that one Gunning began that he spake after him and that he to whom he spake was no Minister And had denyed both the name and the Office at a meeting At a meeting said Alderman Joseph Jackson what meeting He answered At a meeting before three hundred people as himself said in the Pulpit at Ragcliff Alderman Cann replyed though he had denyed the Name and the Office yet he did represent the Place of the Minister at that time And Joseph Jackson presently said thou didst call him Devil Worring denyed it Joseph Jackson replyed one had sworn it He answered if I had said so which I never said yet I could prove him one by his own words They asked him how Said Worring Out of his own mouth for he said at the meeting that in all things that he did he sinned and if in all things as well in that meaning his preaching as in other things and he that sinneth is of the Devill If you will not believe me belieâ—e the Scriptures Then some of the Court said he kickt the Clark He denyed it but said the Clark gave him a kick So they asked him no more concerning that but demanded of him what he said to the Minister To which he made answer that he said If he were a Minister of Jesus Christ the Law of the spirit of life which is in Jesus would set him free from the Law of sin and death and unlesse he were freed by that Law of life which is in Christ Jesus he was still acting the works of the Devil and was no better in that condition Then the Court told him he had been invited by some turbulent people who had set him on that action and asked him whether he would promise for the future he would do no more such things and finde Sureties for the good behaviour One of the Officers told him A little boy might be surety Worring replyed that he denyed his words and told the Court that he was not sorry And that he stood single and free The Court replyed that he must be sorry He answered them again that he stood single and free that if they would clear him they might if not they might do their pleasures And for being sorry he was not The Court told him he must to prison again He answered again he stood free and so he was to prison returned and continued there till the 19th of the
countenancing and abetting such unlawful assemblies and consequently of all the mischiefs and sad effects which already have or may for the future therefrom proceed Ought you upon any consideration to bear with a Ryot and not to suppress and punish it If others upon pretence of whom it 's raised have offended the Law send for them afterwards and on them let the Law have its course If the instances already produced be not full enough to make this appear as indeed they are those hereafter mentioned will make it up abundantly And yet how are they not ashamed in actions so palpable and grosse carried on by them illegally and by the multitude with Tumults to lay it on those as the occasion who are injured and oppressed and do suffer by them and the multitude contrary to Law and Justice Is any thing done to your Congregations or Priests more than the Scriptures warrant or that consisteth not with the nature freedom which ought to be in publique assemblies about Religious exercises and what was used by the Servants of Christ Cannot the Priests hear or make answer quietly if there be occasion and leave it to those that sit by to judge Cannot you nor your Priests bear a few words spoken in the Name of the Lord but you must call it a disturbance If the Lord speaks by those poor contemptible instruments as he doth and many do witnesse it Then take heed you be not found amongst the proud and scornfull and fighters against God for Jesus Christ is yesterday to day and the same for ever And you are fallen upon such times of the Son of man that ye are not aware of Your Priests may say any thing yet all is well but he that tells a Lyar he lies and a blasphemer that he speaks blasphemy and that the Lord hath pronounced woes to those who say The Lord saith when he never sent them nor spoke to them though the Lord raise up as he hath at this day his witnesses amongst your sonnes and your daughters to testifie against such to their faces and in so doing through beatings prisons fire and blood will it carry them and woe be to them if they obey not the Lord therein that must not be born tumults imprisonments new Lawes where you have no power to enaâ—t any thing to work them sufferings Oh what will become of you that thus strike against the Corner stone that will dash you to pieces that thus limit the holy One of Israel And by your Lawes and actions say that his Spirit shall not testifie now that the true Ministry is come against the false Ministry which stands in the time and will of man and against the false worships and bowings in your houses of Rimmon be they what they will or the deceipt But you will stop the mouthes of his witnesses imprison and permit them to be beaten even in your Synagogues Do ye thus provoke the Lord Are ye stronger than he O ye sons of men that are as a thing of nought that are lesse than the dust of the earth who would set the thorns and the briars against him in battel he will go thorough you and burn you together and consume you as stubble that is fully dry yea verily he will cause all his enemies to be brought and to be slain before him Consider this O ye that forget God lest he tear you in pieces and there be none to deliver you If Priests knew 't was in vain to speak at random others having the same Liberty to object as they have to speak And if the people were assured that they should surely endure the Law in case of Tumults the Pulpits would cease to be the Places of Contention and the giving out of trouble in all the Land England hath paid for these Priests and Pulpits in streams of blood already and they would be more wary what they said there or reported and the people would quickly be still and quiet Nay it may be said Bristol would be the most orderly City in England and most easily governed But being heated by the Priests and encouraged by the Magistrates thence proceed those outrages of which England doth ring And indeed it is not so much the fault of the People as of the other who should instruct and otherwise order them And do ye not blush to put so grosse an untruth as the coming of strangers to this City who you say can render no good accompt of their being here as the other ground of those great tumults and unlawfull assemblies of such evil consequences as you mention and tendencies to future mischiefs and sad effects How do ye know they can render no good accompt of their being here John Camm and John Audland who were thus tumulted were never before you nor examined by you yet have they given a good accompt of their coming amongst many witnesses If to be Englishmen born and living near Kendall in Westmerland where their abode hath been all their time except in the Wars and this Ministry where their outward habitations and Families at present are and estates If to have alwaies lived soberly and unblameably in the world If to have been 6. or 7. years in Arms for the Parliament mostly on their own costs and to have fought and performed eminent service in the field and faithfully to have discharged other places of trust If to have been alwaies constant to the Publique Interest and as active in their places for it as any in those parts If to come to this City in obedience to the Lord from their Habitations Friends and Relations out of love to your soules to preach the everlasting Gospel of Christ Jesus of which he hath made them able Ministers to the turning of many hundreds in this City besides other places from darknesse to light and from the Kingdom of Satan unto God who are the seales of their Ministry and witnesses to the Power and life of God in them If to be here in all Self-denyal Peaceablenesse Long-suffering not chargeable to any not breaking any Law ready to prove by the Scriptures whaâ—soever they hold forth being what they seem and doing what they say pressing obedience to God and Man Relations and Gâ—â—ernors from the obedience of Christ according to the Will of God If the account of these things be the rendring of a good reason of their being here as it is undeniably Then of these things an account hath been already and the Town-Clerk knowes it and can further be given were it requisite or were that indeed the thing you minded And yet how say you they cannot render any good reason of their being here and place that as a cause of the great Tumults aforesaid and unlawfull assemblies Who had cause more greatly to be affrighted though in the power of the Lord they were not at all And whose safety peace and welfare was more endangered either those on whom the outrages aforesaid have been acted or those who raised
him and sends him to the Maior before whom being brought and some of the Aldermen they demanded of him for what he came into the City after that manner He answered he was commanded of the Lord to come and mourn in sackcloth and ashes for them and to warn them to let the Lords people alone as they would answer it at the day of Judgment and not to persecute or imprison his Saints Whereupon they commanded his Coat of hair to be taken off and Henry Gibbs cryed out with great rage Whip him out of Town but said others Let him be gone out of the City now but if he come in again we will whip him out at the Horse-tail so they ordered their Officers to turn him out of the Town who Turn'd out of Town executed their Commands but he by and by returned at the same gate not daring to do otherwise He returning Committed because of the dread and terrour of the Lord that was upon him within which he was no sooner entred but the same Officers who waited for that purpose apprehended him again brought him before the Maior who committed him to prison where after he had been a few houres his hair Coat was brought to him again which he put on the next day on his other Clothes but the third day of his imprisonment he was inwardly required again to strip himself stark naked and to put the hair Coat next his skin and so to abide till he spoke with the Maior so he girded the hair-cloth to his loins and was bare-foot till the second day of the next week on which being released he immediately in that manner went directly to the Maior who commanding his hat to be taken off the ashes on his head flew about which he shaked from him and told the Maior That the Lord of Hosts would stain the Crown and glory of all his pride and strip him naked and bare before him and charged him again in the name of the Lord to let the Lords people alone for they were a righteous holy people whom he had redeemed to himself who were not against Magistrates but owned them in their places as a terrour to evil dâ—eâ—s and a praise to them that do well And thus was he turned out of his Native place imprisoned and oppressed in his person and his property contrary to Law and to that frame of spirit which ought to be in men professing themselves Christians which is to hearken to such unusuall Signs and Admonitions at least not to punish those who are made so to appear unto them upon a Warrant as a suspected Franciscan Fryar though he was born and bred in the Town holds some estate of the City is there well known and hath sometime lately been an Officer therein and a man of an unblameable and professing conversation yet Citizen or stranger guilty or not all is one with this Generation for this is such an offence to them yea the very meeting of those who come together to seâ—k the Lord that Alderman Hellier swore to a Relation of his that if they met at his the said Relations house he would pull them out by the ears As his brother Alderman Lock swore the same oath to a Centry in the Castle because he discharged his duty By this time had the Magistates made such a 1. of the 12th month 1654. John Comberbatch for going along with T. M. to sâ—e that the Rabble whom be heard threaten to hurt him did him no injury progresse in their illegal and unjust proceedings that inferior Officers took the boldnesse to act as if they were Magistrates and to imprison where the Magistrates had discharged as having done nothing contrary to the Law For John Cumberbatch being at his standing of wares in the Fair called Pauls fair and hearing some of tâ—e Rabble threaten to throw Morford into the Horse Pool without Temple gate when he was turned out of the Town as aforesaid lest they should do the man any violence he went after them and when Morford returned came back into the City with him Whereupon William Butts a malignant Constable laid violent hands on Comberbatch and haled him before the Mayor charging him with inviting Morford in again when he urged him to no such thing but out of pitty as aforesaid went after him nor could Butts prove any thing against him whereupon the Maior bad Comberbatch go about his businesse but as he was forth of the Maior's door Butts laid violent hands on him again saying he should go to prison Comberbatch told him he was not Committed â—y the Maior and therefore he would not go Said Butts Drag'd to Prison by W. Butts a Malignant Constable after the Mayor had dismist him thou shalt go and so haled him by force Comberbatch call'd to him for a Mitâ—imus Butts answered he would be his Mittimus and so drag'd him to Newgate not suffering him to speak with any friend by the way and there charged the Prison with him having thrust him in at the door first for Comberbatch said he would not go in unlesse Butts delivered him to the Keeper and so he delivered him to the Keepers son Notwithstanding the Mayor never punisht Butts for so doing though complaint thereof was made unto him by some honest men who were eye witnesses From this new kind of persecution they return Thomas Robertson and Josiah Cole 4th of the 12th moneth to the former of Tumults and unlawful Assemblies for on the fourth day of the twelvth month Thomas Robertson of Grayrigge near Rendal in Westmerland and Josiah Cole of Winterborne near Bristol being at Nicholas Steeple-house in the time of the Divination of Priest Hazzard many people gathered about them and gave them many affronts though they both stood still nor did either of them speak a word But when Thomas Robertson began to utter his voice after Priest Hazzad had Speaking to Priest Hazzard ended all and dismist the people whilest the word was in his mouth unspoken by him he was struck on the head by many as was also Josiah Tumulted c. Cole though he was silent and attempted not to speak which blowes they both received patiently without any resistance Afterwards Thomas began to speak again and said Tremble before the Lord and the words of his holiness Whereupon the Tumult was so great that they permitted him to speak no more but hurried him and Josiah out of the Steeple-house and in great Companies with much rage drew them towards the Maiors and having taken away Thomas his hat they drag'd him under the spouts bar-headed it raining hard the water running down the end of his Locks yet he suffered it and their rage with unmoved chearfulnesse The Tumult having thus btought him and Josiah to the Maiors house he Examined demanded wherefore they were brought thither the Constables replyed for disturbing Mr. Hazzard Thomas desired the Maior to do Justice without respect of persons and told him
he was commanded of the Lord for what he did At which the Mayors wife and others present scoft Saying This is all your story Then the Mayor demanded their names and their Countrey which they gave whereupon the Mayor commanded them both to Newgate Thomas told the Mayor at his departure that he had discharged his Conscience and bad him see that he did execute Justice and Judgement without respect of persons for the Lord required it VVhen they came to the Mayors door the Tumult staying there till then hurried them to Newgate some crying Committed out Whip them about the streets others hang them up Newgate is too good for them where they were both secured though Josiah Cole spake not a word in the Steeple-house but standing still received many blows and other abuses without resistance and though Thomas Robertson spake not a word till all was dismist and then but these words Tremble before the Lord and the words of his holynesse But those who struck him in the Steeple-house and made the Tumult there and in Tumultuous Companies hurryed them to the Maiors and staying there till the Mayor had Committed them in tumults haled them to Newgate and struck and took away the hats of some who endeavoured the Peace not a man of whom are enquired after or punished to this day though Complaint was made thereof and though contrary to their own order made at the Sessions aforesaid read in the Steeple-houses Nor did the Constables arrest or apprehend any offender therein then or since though they were so long amongst them and though that Order requires them so to do nor hath the Maior punished any of those Constables for neglect of their duty The next day some Officers came to the prison with Orders as they said from the Maior to release them if they would pay their fees and to turn them out of Town without being further examined or brought before the Magistrates but they refusing to pay any fees were returned in again and shortly after released Thomas Robertson was five or six years in Arms for the Parliament an Officer in Colonel Brigg's Regiment was at Preston Fight at the Engagement at the Bridge in Scotland and Carlisle living on his own estate and bearing his own charge in the Warres except a small Summe which he received after the fight at Preston Josiah Cole was also a Souldier in the Service of the Common-wealth and at Worcester Fight whose Liberties now are not valued at all or regarded by these Magistrates The same day Christopher Birkhead was moved 4th 12th month 1654 Christopher Birkhead speaking to a â— Priest to go to Stephen's Steeple-house where sitting silent Alderman Cann a Ruler present commanded him to be brought to his house from whence he by and by returned and sate saying nothing till all was ended Then he said to the Priest Thou Sonne of Pride and was proceeding further to speak but the same Alderman thrust him down from the place whereon he stood and a young man held him by the Coller till the Constables came and then he saying further The Plagues of God is thy portion the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it they carried him away towards the Mayor's but afterwards brought him to his own house by order of the said Alderman upon his meeting of them in the street The next day 4th 12â—h month 1654. the Mayor and Aldermen sent for him before them from a Ship on which he was at work he being a Shipwright by Calling and a Sâ—aman able to take charge of a Ship And demanded of Examined him whereforâ—â—â— disturbed the Congregation the day before in the Church He answered he disturbed no man and that the Church was in God They asked him why he came thither and why he staid not at home when the Alderman sent him He replyed The fear of the Lord brought him thither and made him to speak God was his witnesse Then came in the Priest and after he had bowed himself to the Magistrates Alderman Joseph Jackson asked the Priest what Christopher had said to him The Priest answered he said something to my Pride the Priest was light and vain laughing and deriding Then said Christopher to him Professest thou thy self a Minister of the Gospel and yet art light and vain and laughing before the Magistrates Oh said the Priest he owneth you to be Magistrates Yea replyed Christopher I own Magistracy that punisheth evil doers and praiseth them that do well Then the Magistrates asked him why he quaked so for the power of the Lord was much upon him whilest he was before them and whether he was acold or afraid He answered he was neither cold nor afraid of any man God was his witnesse he feared the Lord They replyed the Devill shook him He answered the holy men of God shaked and instanced in Daniel and Habakkuck c. Thus did he quake yesterday at Church said one of the Aldermen and said Joseph Jackson deriding him I 'll make thee give over shaking and so looks fierce on him and then said Shake now shake now And asked him how much money he had for going to the Church He answered No man knew of it but himself God was his witnesse Then they asked him how he dared to call the Minister the son of Pride He answered because he saw him so in the light of Christ which discovers him They demanded how he dared to Judge him He replyed All Judgment was given to the Sonne They said that was to Christ He answered unlesse the Spirit of Christ was in them they were none of his And the same Spirit judgeth the same in all Then they asked him whether he knew before-hand that that Minister should preach or Mr. Jones Thereupon he began to give them an accompt and said That upon the third day of the foregoing week about the 11th hour of the night the Lord bade him to go to the Sâ—eeple-house there to bear witnesse for his Name But he knew not whether he should speak to him till he saw his face But they sleighted what he declared and said Whip him send him to Bride-well And Joseph Jackson said that if he had the whipping of him he would make him give over quaking Then the Priest came and stood near him upon whom Christopher looking Joseph Jackson said All thy spight is at the Minister There he is what canst thou say to him To whom he replyed after a little silence Darest thou to own thy self to be a Minister of Christ The Priest answered not but went from him If thou doest said Christopher I am sure thou livest out of his doctrine calling of men Masters and being called of men Master stealing the word from thy neighbour speaking a divination of thine own brain and not from the mouth of the Lord as the false Prophets did with much more to that purpose Then Joseph Jackson asked Christopher whether he did ever pray He answered yea How said he Christopher
whom you are led Captive to do his will And this is that which we wish and long for even your salvation For you must die and if the tree fall towards the South or towards the North in the place where the tree falleth there it shall be and sad will be your portion if it falleth in opposition to Jesus the Judge of all whom we bear witnesse you now persecute Nor Rocks nor mountains will in that day cover you from the wrath of the Lamb And therefore have we laid things plainly and clearly before you But if ye shall still harden your hearts and go on in the perversenesse and stubbornnesse of your spirits in opposition to the truth We call Heaven and Earth yea the Righteous God and Judge of all this day to record against you that we are Clear of your blood and your destruction will be upon your own heads Remember that ye are thus warned in your life-time Witnessed by those who are true Lovers of your Soul 's eternal good though reproachfully called by you and the world Quakers and persecuted as such Geo Bishop Thomas Goldney Henry Roe Edw Pyott Dennis Hollister Bristoll the 12th day of the 9th month 1655. For John Goning late Mayor Joseph Jackson Richard Vickris Miles Jackson John Lock Geo Hillier Henry Gibbs William Cann Geo Knight and Gabriel Sherman Aldermen of the City of Bristoll The foregoing Letter with the following Epistle and Declaration was delivered to John Goning aforesaid the 18th day of the tenth moneth 1655 since which a patient and silent waiting there hath been to see whether upon this gathering up of the wickednesse which from them hath gone forth into the earth and returning it convicted and judged by the light of Jesus Christ and the Lawes of this Nation to that of God in every one of their Consciences shame would cover their faces and they turn unto the Lord But seeing they still resist the witnesse of God and of late have again and do still continue to run on greedily in the way of Cain persecuting and imprisoning the just who witnesse the Sacrifice that is respected of the Lord which testifies against that unto which he hath no respect for their so testifying in obedience to the movings of the Lord neither regarding Justice or Mercy the Law of God or the Nation contrary unto which are their actions as may appear when what they have done therein shall be brought forth and made publick nor having respect to the widow or the fatherlesse whom they afflict and oppresse though the Lord hath said Thou shalt not afflict any Widow or fatherlesse child if thou afflict them in any wise and they cry at all unto me I will surely hear their cry and my wrath shall wax hot and I will kill you with the sword and your wifes shall be widowes and your children fatherlesse Exod. 22. 22 23 24. Nor their own souls but despising the riches of the goodnesse of God and his forbearance and long suffering not knowing the goodnesse of God leading them to repentance are after the hardnesse and impenitency of their hearts still treasuring up unto themselves wrath unto the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous Judgment of God which shall destroy the adversaries who will render to every man according to his deeds That we may stand clear of their blood and leave nothing unattempted to which we are directed of the Lord that may be for the stopping of them in their way and recovering them from the evil thereof that so repenting and being converted their sins may be blotted out and their souls saved in this day of refreshing which is come from the presence of the Lord which is the longing of our souls even that not one of them should dye but rather that he should turn from his iniquity and live Therefore as we have for above a years time patiently endured what their wills have exercised without resisting without seeking any reparation Though after such a manner have been the sufferings as in the following declaration of them is rehearsed waiting when the witnesse of God in every one of them would have been by them minded and they wearied in their manifold persecutions of the innocent And as when we saw after so long forbearance that they neither considered what they had done nor laid it to heart nor said it is Enough We drew up together and set in order before them much of what they had done and shewed how contrary it was to the Law of God and Man and to Justice and Humanity to the end that seeing their nakednesse therewith as in a glasse by the light of Jesus Christ shame might cover them And as we have since waited for the space of five moneths to see whether their iniquities being so laid before them and so testified to their faces they would blush or be ashamed that so their transgressions might be hid and their sins covered and what they have done against the truth be no more remembred by the Lord or be rehearsed before man which was and is the desire of our Souls the Lord is our record and the end both of our forbearance and spreading of what they have done before them So now through a deceived heart which hath led them aside and a rebellious mind which still carries them on against the truth those ends being hitherto frustrated and instead of them a Violent persecution having been and being still prosecuted wherein they have imprisoned divers for the testimony of Jesus whereby that which we drew up together and privately delivered to them and intended for the raising up of shame as a garment to cover their nakednesse being by them thrown aside and that which should be their shame coming to be gloried in which is all we have hitherto heard from them in relation thereunto We have brought forth to publick View at once what hath been done by them at severall times not in secret but before the Sun And thus openly do we reprove those who have thus sinned openly and rejected private admonition if so be shame may yet overtake them and they smite upon their thigh and say What have we done And of their blood are we clear in the presence of the great and terrible God of Heaven and Earth whose witnesse what we have done shall stand for him against them in the day when he shall come to judgment which on them hastens apace And to that of God in every mans Conscience shall we be made manifest that we have not dealt with Them as they have dealt with Us or as men use to deal with an enemy but with another spirit rewarding Them good whereas they have rewarded Us evill To the Reader Reader THou wilt perhaps marvail That in these dayes wherein Religion seems to have ascended the Throne and Justice and Righteousnesse to have sate down on her right hand and on her left as the glorious issue of many bloody wars Wherein Liberty of
Conscience in things of a spiritual nature except to Popery and Prelacy And to such as under the profession of Christ hold forth and practise licentiousnesse seems to be guarded from all persecution by the Fundamental constitution of a new Government Wherein those are Chief in Authority and Rule and possessed of all power whose sword was made successful and victorious to the cutting down of Tyrannous and imposing powers under which themselves amongst others suffered wherein the Gospel is said to shine so glorious as to form the whole Nation into a profession and to the rendring so many thousands of professors clear-sighted in the Mysteries of the Kingdom and earnestly to expect the reign of Christ over all for ever now supposed by them and believed to be on the very threshold Such persecutions and unjust proceedings as are rehearsed in the following Treatise should be presumed to be done in England And that those who are called the Children of the Kingdom and accompt themselves ready to sit down therein with Christ when he shall appear Now that he is begun to be manifested in life and mighty power unto which thousands of his Saints do bear witnesse and have set their seals should all opinions Judgments and forms hitherto in the height of enmity and contention against each other be now reconciled together and joyn in with the powers of the world from whom in their several dayes as they have witnessed any thing of truth they have received opposition And also with the rude multitude in persecuting and afflicting the witnesses of this Kingdom and seeking to murther the Lord of Glory thus beginning in these last times to be revealed But thou wilt cease to admire if in the cool of the day thou doest sit down and consider That as it was of old a Esay 8. 18. Christ Jesus and the Children whom the Lord had given him were for signs and wonders in Israel b Rom. 9. 4 5. to whom pertained the Adoption and the Glory and the Covenants and the giving of the Law and the Service of God and the promises whose were the Fathers and of whom as concerning the flesh himself came who is God over all blessed for ever Even from the Lord of Hosts who dwelleth in Mount Sion And that as the seed of the Serpent and of the Bondwoman which is the same in Ishmael as in Cain who hated and slew his brother c Gal. 4. 29. persecuted the Seed of the Free-woman so it is now d Mal. 3. 1. John 1. 41. 4. 25. Very great were the expectations of the Jews for the coming of the Messiah Of him e Luke 1. 70. 24. 27. Acts 3. 18 21. all the Prophets prophesied from the beginning of the world Him all the f Heb. 8. 1. 5. 10. 1. 5. 7. 10. Levitical services sacrifices the Temple Circumcision and the Jewish Kingdom shadowed and typified Him the g Luke 5. 17. Acts 13. 27. Doctors of the Law and the Pharisees read out of the Prophets every Sabbath day and on him were their hopes fixed for a perfect restauration and redemption from under all their Captivities and servitudes In the h Gal. 4. 4. fulnesse of time in the dayes of i Matth. 2. 1. Herod the King who was not of the race of the Jews but appointed over them by the Romans under whose power they then were when the Scepter was departed from Judah which old Jacob k Gen. 49 10. prophesied should not he nor a Law-giver from between his feet till Shiloh come He came was l Luke 2 4 7. born of a Virgin at Bethlehem in the Tribe of Benjamin of the Seed of David The m Luke 2. 8 9 10 11 12 13 14. Angels signifie his birth to the Shepherds and for joy of it sing together n Luke 1. 17 76. 3. 4 5 6. John prepares the way before him in the spirit and power of Elias o Acts 2. 22. Approved he is of God by miracles wonders and signs by a p Mat. 3. 16 17. voice from Heaven by the descension of a Dove and by q 1 Cor. 15. 4. Acts 17. 31. raising him the third day according to the Scriptures All r Luke 24. 44. Acts 3. 18. Prophecies are fulfilled in him and himself Å¿ John 7. 28. 37. 38. John 8. 12 to the end Luke 4. 21. convinceth the Doctors and the people publiquely that it was so being indeed t 1 Tim. 3. 16. God manifested in the flesh justified in the Spirit seen of Angels preached to the Gentiles believed of in the world and received into glory And yet because He came not with outward observation nor in the Glory of Solomon nor in the dominion or restauration of an earthly Kingdom nor in the way they prescribed him Nor by the discovery of the High Priests Scribes and Pharisees But was u Luke 2. 24. Levit. 12. 8. born of a poor woman w Mat. 13 55. supposed a Carpenters sonne x Luke 2. 7. laid in a manger for there was no room for him in the Inne more marred in his y Esay 52. 14. visage than any man of no z Esay 53. 2 3. form or comelinesse or beauty whereby he should be desired Of no a Mat. 8. 20. abiding place b Mat. 4. 18 21. John 21. 3. Attended by poor Fishermen as his disciples followed by c Matth. 9. 9. 10. 11. 21. 31. 32. 11. 19. Luke 3. 12. 5. 29 30. 15. 1. 7. 29. 19. 2. Publicans and sinners because he opposed their e Matth. 25 3 6. Mark 7. 8 9 15. traditions Reproved their f John 4 20 21 22 23 24. outward commanded worship being all ended in him changed the g Mat. 5. 6. cap. Mat. 12. 1. 2. 6. 7. 8. 10. 12. 13. 14. Mat. 15. 1 15 Joh. 5. 10 11 Acts 6. 14. Laws and Customes h John 8. 44. 15. 22. 16. 8 9. Convinced them of sin was as a i Mal. 3. 1 2. Refiners fire and as Fullers sope k Mat. 2. 3. All Jerusalem as well as Hâ—rod was moved at his birth The l Mat. 2. 4. 5. 6. 16. chief Priest and Scribes advise with Herod whom they hated and tell him who sought to murther Jesus where he was to be born who should be the Governour that should rule the people of Israel His m Joh. 1. 11. own receive him not though he came to them the most n Mat. 12. 14. John 7. 12. Luke 22 2. John 12. 42. Mat. 26. 3. 57. 59. 27. 20 22. strict in the outward observation of the Law which led to him most persecute him His friends when he took to him 12 disciples tell him he was o Mark 3. 21. besides himself The Scribes and Pharisees say he is p Mat. 11. 19. gluttonous a wine-bibber a q Mark 3. 23. Matth. 9. 34. Devill and the Chief of them yea and a
abode within Therefore who hath believed this report And to whom is the Arm of the Lord revealed Where is there faith to be found on the earth for this coming of the Sonne of Man Though his Coming forth to Us be as the rain as the later and former rain on the earth Who can abide this day of his coming and who can stand now that he thus appeareth as a sanctuary to those who sanctifie him in their hearts and make him their fear and their dread But for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the Houses of Israel for a gin and for a snare to the Inhabitants of Jerusalem And many among them shall stumble and fall and be broken and be snared and be taken and the testimony and the law be bound up and sealed amongst his disciples How are the Priests and the Rulers and the Churches so called and professors of all sorts and this City of Bristol moved thereat What seekings out where he is born What contrivances to murther him What reproaches of Deceivers Witches Sorcerers Jesuits Franciscan Friers Blasphemers Devils are cast upon them in whom he is appeared What false reports of denyers of Ordinances and of Christ dying at Jerusalem and of the Scriptures of disturbers of the peace are raised upon them Yea what abuses incivilities rage madnesse insurrections Tumults riots illegal bonds and imprisonments Oppressions persecutions bloodthirstinesse and murtherous resolutions How are all forms factions and interests in the City reconciled and made friends and united though at enmity with each other from the beginning in this day to Crucifie Jesus in these his Saints Presbytery with Independency Independency with Anabaptisme Anabaptisme with Notionists and professors at large and Ranters and they with the Episcopals and the multitude of prophane and loose livers and all with the Rulers and the Rulers with them and the Priests their leaders in things contrary to Law and Justice against those people who are made offenders in nothing but their obedience to the Lord How have all Forms and opinions lost the Crosse which they received from these Rulers and this people and from other different forms as they in their severall times have witnessed any thing of reformation in letter or spirit in things Civil or Spiritual upon the coming forth hereof which even then was exercising on some of them by the Rulers And how are they all joyned together in one Yea the Priests and other professors out of the Countrey come hither and say also A confederacy to lay the Crosse on these servants of the most High and such a Crosse every way as never knew any before Nay all the professions in this City together and which did not the Lord chain up for his Seeds sake and the Law of the Land restrain would with more fury pour out the blood and more greedily tear the flesh of the people of God than ever was witnessed in the former ages in the most tyrannical and bloody persecutions whereby they bear a Luke 21. 13. testimony to those servants of the Lord that they are the Disciples of Jesus and to themselves that they are not his disciples But are of that b John 1. 3. 11. 12. wicked one who slew his brother because his works were evill and his brothers good And having lost the Crosse they have lost the power and life of truth and the beeing the Disciples of Christ as saith c Luke 14. 26. to the 34. Mat. 10. 37 38 39 40. 16. 24 25. Mark 8. 34. 15. 38. 10 21. Luke 9. 23 to the 27. Christ himself He that taketh not up his Crosse daily and followeth me cannot be my disciple For the Crosse is alwayes what the Truth received of the world and what themselves received of the world when they witnessed the truth Yea it s d Mat. 10. 22. 24. 9. Mark 13. 12 13. John 7. 7. 15. 18 19. 17. 14. 1 John 3. 13. portion is to be hated of the world because it is not of it and the e John 15. 19. world loveth its own The Rulers stand in their old spirit of darknesse enmity and persecution and those who received the Crosse and who were hated of them all along as they were witnesses for the truth are come to them and fallen in with them being indeed now of the same root and principle If the f Luke 14. 34 35. salt hath lost its savour wherewithall shall it be salted it's good for nothing but to be cast on the dunghill saith Christ Let them sit down and sadly consider it Any kind of form or profession any kind of Priests Raylers Covetous proud Lyars Drunkards or others outwardly more strict it 's no matter what or who so this new kind of Religion as they call it though it is what was from the beginning Jesus Christ yesterday and to day and the same for ever may be rooted out of the City Nay though it be to the losing of their Civill interest the price of their blood and sufferings Save Barabbas Crucifie Jesus And he is no friend to Caesar nor the Government of the City that will not have it so And occasions are sought for and haltings looked after and Emissaries sent about to find matter to slander the Lord of life risen in his Saints Though blessed be the Lord who hath g 1 Sam. 2. 9. guided the feet of his Saints so that they have not wherewithall justly to slander their holy Calling But the wicked shall become silent in darknesse And thus hath the Lord who hath been so much defired and expected come in this Ministry of Spirit and life first to the Independent and baptized Churches so called in this City who were offended thereat and stumbled Then to the City But the Priests Rulers and the generality of the people through their means reject and persecute it though many of the Churches so called and divers hundreds in and about the City have received him and do believe in his Name and do bear testimony with many thousands more that the Lord is come and their testimony is true But as it was of old That very Word of the Lord spoken by the Prophets for which they were persecuted and put to death by the Rulers and people of Israel being recorded and transmitted to posterity the Scribes and Pharisees who lived in the dayes of Christ h Mat. 23. 29. to the end received in the letter and owned as the Scriptures and seemed to be so offended at their Fathers for slaying the servants the Prophets that they built their Tombs and garnished their Sepulchres and said If they had lived in their Fathers dayes they would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the Prophets And yet Christ Jesus the Sonne of God the Messiah that holy and just one of whom the Prophets spake they crucified and witnessed themselves as he testified to their faces to be the children of those who
killed the Prophets And therefore he said unto them Woe be unto you ye Serpents ye generation of Vipers how can ye escape the damnation of Hell Wherefore behold I send unto you Prophets and wise men and Scribes and some of them ye shall kill and crucifie And some of them shall ye scourge in your Synagogues and persecute them from City to City that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias the sonne of Barachias whom ye slew between the Temple and the Altar Verily I say unto you All these things shall come upon this generation Matth. 23. from 29. to 37. Even so That i John 1 1 2 3 eternal word of life which the Apostles heard and saw with their eyes and looked upon and handled with their hands and bare witnesse unto with the Saints in their time as that which was with the Father from the beginning and manifested unto them k John 16. 13. Acts 15. 28. leading them into all truth for declaring of which and walking therein as the spirit not the form for there was no letter for much of what they did moved and l Acts 2. 4. gave them utterance they were persecuted put to death as the vilest of men and the off-scowring of all things by those who were called the devout and honourable and the Rulers and the people of the Jews who stood in the letter and in the form of those things which were once commanded of God but then abolished by the coming of Christ whom none of the m 1 Cor. 2. 6 8. Princes of the world knew for if they had they would not have crucified the Lord of glory being at least much of it committed to writing and handed with the rest of the Scriptures of truth to these later times the people of this generation embrace the declaration thereof Crying out against the Jews for persecuting and killing the Prophets and Apostles and crucifying of Christ after whose name they call themselves in whose doctrine and worship and in the fellowship and order of the Apostles and the Churches of the the Saints in their times they pretend to abide and for it and the Scriptures wherein they are recorded are they zealous even to blood though not according to knowledge as these later dayes have sadly witnessed And yet those who in this day of the Lords appearing do witnesse the Prophets and Apostles and their doctrine and Christ Jesus and the Scriptures and what is said therein of the Saints and their conditions in life and power in spirit and letter do receive from those who pretend to them all and to the Scriptures and yet are not so much as in the letter or form of doctrine declared therein the very same measure of reproach and persecution as did the Prophets and Christ Jesus and the Apostles and the Saints of which the Scriptures testifie read the one and compare the other therewith and judge though as to blood they have not as yet reached further than of those in other parts of this Nation who are dead in prison and of the blowes they have received And of others who by beatings have had their blood drawn even in the Steeple-houses as well as other places and mingled with their sacrifices of which this City giveth instances because the Lord who saith unto the raging Sea Hitherto shall thy proud waves go and no further hath bounded them by his power but they who contrary to Law and Justice and to that liberty which hath been allowed themselves and to the Scriptures which they would be understood to own and to be ruled by have proceeded so far and with so high a rage as this following Treatise to say nothing of what hath been acted in other parts of this Nation doth make to appear What cruelties would they not exceed in all former times had they Law for it or power in their hands And how doth this Generation manifest themselves hereby to be in the same spirit with those and in their steps which persecuted and killed the Prophets and Christ Jesus Luke 11. 49. and the Apostles and the witnesses of truth to this day filling up the measure of their fathers iniquity Wherefore the wisdom of God hath and will raise up his cloud of witnesses whom they do devise wicked devices against and dig as low as hell and imprison and persecute from City to City and from County to County and execute cruelties upon That all the blood of the Righteous shed since the foundation of the world may come upon them And venily it shall be required of this generation The Cry of Blood c. MAny of the people of God in and about the City of Bristoll as in divers other parts of this Nation having a long time wandred from mountain to hill from one from to another seeking rest but finding none and divers receiving no satisfaction from the Forms in which they walked and wherein they did abide in expectation of the glorious appearing of the Lord Jesus in spirit and power according to the Scriptures It hath pleased the Lord whom they sought at length to hasten to his Temple and out of his tender mercies to visite them with the day-spring from on high and not only them but many others who sate in darknesse and in the shadow of death thorough the everlasting Gospel of his dear Son Which though hid from ages and generations for many hundreds of years yet he hath now begun to make manifest with mighty power in the hearts and by the ministration of many whom he hath raised up to declare and publish the same and to bear witnesse to his great and terrible day approaching upon the Inhabitants of the earth And to the redeeming of his Sion with Judgment and her Converts with righteousnesse Unto which thousands of pretious Saints in this Nation and many hundreds in and about this place who are turned by the power thereof from darknesse to light and from the Kingdom of Satan unto God having born their testimony and set to their seals the Devil is come down with great wrath knowing his time is short and stirs up the beast and the false Prophet the Rulers of the earth and the Merchants of Babylon to make war against it with a rage reaching up to Heaven But the Lamb even him who rides upon the white horse the Word of God who is called Faithful and true and in righteousnesse doth judge and make war out of whose mouth goeth a sharp sword with which he shaâ—â— smite the Nations and rule them with a rod of iron on whose vesture dipt in blood and thigh is written King of Kings and Lord of Lords having all the Armies of Heaven following him on white horses shall overcome and have the victory for his Kingdome is an everlasting Kingdom and his Dominion is for ever and ever And the beast shall be taken and
with him the false Prophet that worketh miracles before him and which he deceived and they both shall be cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone And the fowls that flie in the midst of the Heavens shall eat the flesh of Kings and of Captains and of mighty men and of Horses and of them that sit thereon and of all men both free and bond small and great that gather themselves together to make war against him that sits on the white horse and against his Army And all the fowls shall be filled with their flesh Of the rising and progresse of this Sun of righteousnesse and the persecutions raised against it in this City is the intent of this Treatise The particulars whereof shall be set down in order Some of the brethren near Kendale in Westmerland being moved not by man nor the will of man but by the Lord to come to Bristoll to which place they were wholly strangers as they were to every Inhabitant thereof to declare what he should there Command them in obedience thereunto came thither on the 12th day of the fifth moneth called 12th of the 5th moneth 1654 John Audland came first to Bristol July 1654 in the Evening And having the next day delivered the word of the Lord there given them in charge to the Independent and Baptized Churches so called And having testified the things of the Kingdom to a few others who were waiting for the Redemption of Israel The day following being the 14th of the same moneth they passed away towards Plymouth in Devonshire the witnesse being raised though in so short space of time by the power of the Lord and severall both of the Churches so called and others putting their seales to the truth of their testimony Being come to and departed from Plymouth to London one of the Brethren aforesaid to wit John Audland was mightily pressed in spirit to visit Bristoll again and therefore returned thither about the beginning of the 7th moneth following called September Beginning of the 7th month 1654 John Audland came the second time and John Camm with him with whom John Camm being moved of the Lord came also and spake publiquely as the Spirit gave them utterance And truly such a wide door and an effectual was opened which none could shut as hath not been known in any age in this Nation for the people being as Corn ripe for the Harvest pressed in by multitudes in this day of the Lords power and the witnesse which at first was risen but in a few to whom the Word of the Kingdom was communicated like to Elijah's cloud seemed to fill the whole Heaven The places of meeting were too streight the Assemblies thereupon in the fields though in the winter season were multiplyed to two three nay sometimes to near four thousand people And many of all sorts professions Ranks ages and sexes some of whom as eminent as any in that City in that which is called Godlinesse became obedient to the truth whose minds being turned to the Lord witnessed the power and life of Jesuâ— in measure and Redemption within from the fashions and customs of the world and their former vain Conversations and professions and this Ministry through which they were begotten again to a lively hope through the resurrection of the dead to be of the Lord. Persecution begun At this manifestation of Jesus the Priests and Rulers with many professors of all opinions and the worser sort of the City were exceedingly moved And as the joyfull Sound went forth into the Countrey round about whereby many were brought iâ—to the obedience of the truth So the members of the many-headed beast there and the false Prophet joyn in confederacy with them in making war against it And even some who as they have in their time and generation born their testimony to any thing of simplicity and power in Religion or have owned the publique interest have constantly been maligned and opposed by the Magistrates and people fall in and become one with both strengthening their hands and stirring up their hatred against the Truth And although they thereby justifie the oppositions themselves have received and allow the persecuting Principle which when it was their own case they condemned and give Judgment upon and prepare trouble for themselves and weaken the publique interest in which they are concerned and have lost the Crosse which the servants of the living God have alwaies witnessed against the adulterous generation yet so blind are their eyes that though they see they perceive not so gross are their ears that though they hear yet do they not understand yea their hearts are waxen fat lest they should see hear and be converted and healed fulfilling the words of Christ who saith For Judgment am I come into this world that those who are blind may see and those who say they see may John 9. 39. be made blind and their sin may remain And now who Esay 42. 19. is blind but my servant and who is deaf but my messenger seeing many things but he observeth not opening the ear but he heareth not And indeed to those who have known and lived in that City for the space of 18. years last past and do impartially weigh things to have beheld their Episcopacy persecuting Puritanisme so called with reproaches riots imprisonments and accusations of plotting against the Kingdome under pretence of religious meetings which they would make Conventicles Puritanisme in the throne turned into Presbytery opposing Episcopacy as Popish and Independency as Heresie and Schisme Independency got into the Chair trampling under Presbytery as Antichristian and others above them as Notionists Anti-Ordinance men c. Each taking their turn and time and applying themselves unto and making use of the Powers of the earth for the pulling down of the one and setting up of the other And now to see Episcopals Presbyterians Independents Baptists Notionists Ranters and the rude rabble of ignorant and dissolute people the Priests and the Rulers aforesaid reconciled joyned and folded together as Herod Pontius Pilate and the Jews in exercising the very same reproaches and persecutions wherein themselves suffered from each other and from the Priests and Rulers and in a higher manner against those who are called forth to witnesse Jesus now made manifest in them it would be very strange but that this is the portion which the truth hath received from the men and professions of the world throughout all generations and which returns to it as a testimony Neverthelesse as death and hell could not hinder the resurrection of Christ but he arose the third day according to the Scriptures so the confederacy aforesaid with all their policy and power have not been able to extinguish the light that hath shined but the more they have sought to quench it the brighter it hath appeared and so will it encrease to the perfect day for the Lord is risen and the word is gone forth out of his mouth
in his Province whose Laws were divers from all people neither kept they the Kings Laws because Mordecai bowed not to him in the gate It was the d Dan. 6. 4 5 ◠7. 12. 13. Governours of Provinces that suggested This Daniel will not obey thy Command O King and these e Dan. 3. 12. Children of the captivity regard not thee O King nor the Decree which thou hast signed they serve not thy God nor worship the Image thou hast set up And it was the f John 9. 12 Chief Priests Scribes and Pharisees who told Pilate if he Crucified not Jesus the King of the Jewes he was no friend to Caesar and that they had no King but Caesar And we have found this g Luke 23. 2. fellow perverting the Nation and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar saying that he himself is Christ a King though he pretended to no other Kingdom than a spiritual one neither entrenched he upon Herod or Pilate And it was the Bishops who in latter times reproached the meetings of the people of God who were scornfully called Puritans with the brand of Conventicles against the Kingdom for which they would needs pretend a Law which neither was made for nor intended any such thing and possessed the Kings against them as their onely enemies Priests in their Pulpits and elsewhere incensing stirring up and enraging the People Whilest this ground-work of Dissavour was laying in the Chief in Authority the Priests were not idle to disaffect and enrage the City by their Raylings and lyes in their Pulpits their reading of Books there and perverting the sence of them and falsly representing the people of God as Deceivers Denyers of Christ that dyed at Jerusalem Scriptures Ordinances Magistracy Ministry Justification by Christ as Blasphemers Jesuites Witches yea what not And endeavoring to possess the people therewith Gathering repeating what lyes false stories how improbable soever they could learn abroad for that purpose a Ring-leader and Chief of whom was Ralph Farmer Priest and hereunto many of the Independents and Baptized Judgement and others added their reports And upon occasions private and publick manifested their dislike and opposition to those people and their Doctrine and Principles whereby both the Magistrates and the multitude were so hightened and incensed that there was nothing too bad for them to wish to nor too cru◠for them to execute upon the innocent yea they stoo◠ready to draw their blood and manifested such a spirit that had the Supreme disposer of all things and the Laws given leave it was casie to conclude they would more greedily have led them to execution and murthered them with torments then the Bishops did the Martyrs in Queen Maryes days to burn whom they had a Law or the Heathen the poor Christians under the Romane persecution and thought therein they should do God service As Just as innocent as Disciples as Christians no persecutions were managed against Christ and his Apostles upon record in Scripture but as †Luke 23. 2. Perverters of the Nation Forbidders of Tribute to be given to Caesar Teachers that the a Acts 6. 14. Acts 21. 21. 18. 12 13. Law of Moses was not to be observed Christ the end thereof being come as b John 7. 19 20. 8. 48. 52 59. Acts 21. 28. Devils as c John 19. 7. Mark 14. 64. Blasphemers of God the Holy place and the Law as d Acts 6. 11. 13. Acts 6. 14. 16. 21. Changers of the Laws and Customes as e Acts 16. 20 21. turbulent and f Acts 24. 5. 18. 13. pestilent fellows Movers of Sedition g Acts 26. 6. Prophaners of the Temple h Acts 21. 2◠29 30 31. Polluters of the Holy place i Acts 19. 26. Affirmers that those are not Gods which are made with hands and so to the Prison and to the Crosse to the Stocks and to the Whip to the Torments and to the Devourings of wild Beasts to the Saws and to Death it self And the same seed of the Serpent in this Generation with a greater rage according to its power persecutes the righteous seed first paints them out as the vilest of men not fit to live and then stirs up the beastly nature of the multitude to devour and destroy them as the Romans of old clothed Christians in wilde beasts skins and then threw them to the dogs to be torn to pieces With these things the City was as it were set on fire and the minds of the people fully prepared for mischief and as opportunities were administred their tongues were exercised and their hands stretched out against those who bore testimony to the Truth For now no friends whatsoever could passe up and down the streets upon their occasions nor to a friends house nor to or from their meetings to wait upon the Lord but by boys servants Porters Priests and other people who would be esteemed of rank and quality were they openly abused reproached dirted stoned pincht kickt and otherwise grosly injured without check or controle Insomuch as there appeared not the face of civility in the Town And a stranger would have doubted whether any such thing as Government were in it or Religion And as the Trumpet gives the alarm to the battel so the tongues of people being thus freely exercised whetted on their rage and kindled their fury further to lay hands on the Innocent as what is hereafter mentioned will abundantly manifest For on the tenth day of the tenth moneth in the Eliz. Marshal 10. day 10. month 1654. speaking the word of the Lord to Priest Farmer morning Elizabeth Marshal being moved of the Lord to deliver a Message to Ralph Farmer and the people hearing of him at Nicholas Steeple-house went thither and sitting over against him and waiting in the power of the Lord all the while he was speaking but spake nothing till he had ended his Sermon and prayer of it and seemed to be going out of the Pulpit to give that they call the Sacrament to the people at which times the thing called the blessing is not usually given till that be ended Cryed out This is the word of the Lord to thee Farmer Wo wo wo from the Lord to them who take the word of the Lord in their mouths and the Lord never sent them And was proceeding to speak further but Tumulted c. the multitude prevented her by laying on her violent hands crushing her Arms pinching and thuisting her the first that laid hands on her and crushed her Arms being one of the Rulers Sons notwithstanding she got a little respit and turning about was moved to speak to the people for her bowels were turned within her for them to them she said from the Lord This is the mighty day of the Lord the Lord is comming to pull his people out of the mouths of all dumb shepherds But she was hindred by the tumult from speaking any further who drew her
out of the Steeple-house into the street where the boys and other people followed her with dirt stones John Gouning the Mayor was present at the Steeple-house aforesaid to whom Ralph Farmer openly called that course might be taken with her who the next day instead of questioning and punishing the tumult who assaulted the woman and made the disturbance before his face as the Law required sent for her and several days that week to come before him but she was not at home her absence being upon her occasions not to avoid him in the least The same day in the afternoon one Captain Samuel John Worring 10. day 10. month 1654. Speaking to Samuel Grimes Grimes Divining at Philips and affirming to the people many grosse untruths of those whom he reproachfully called Quakers One Henry Gunning reproved him he having said that he committed sin in all the things that he did Whereupon John Worring Apprentice to Peter Hiley said to him If thou were a Minister of Jesus Christ the Law of the spirit of Tumulted life which is in Christ Jesus would make thee free from the Law of sin and death Then the multitude abused and beat worring and Gonning And the Church-warden so called and the Clark laid hands on them the Constables present not keeping the Peace On the fourth day of the week following the Magistrates sent for John Worring before them and demanded Examined of him why he made a disturbance in the publick Congregation aforesaid And why he disturbed the Minister before he had done his Sermon Worring denied that he made any disturbance Whereupon the Magistrates called the Clark in evidence against him who positively swore that he told Grimes that he spoke never a true word and that he kickt at the said Clark All which Worring affirmed to be false Then they called another to testifie against him who swore that Worring called Grimes Devil which Worring affirmed to be false also And Magistrates themselves by their questions seemed to suspect the truth of his testimony Hereupon they asked him what he could say for himself He answered and denyed that he spake such words as they charged him withal They demanded of him what were the words he did say Worring replyed They were these That if he were a Minister of Christ the Law of the spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus would make him free from the Law of sin and of death They told him he was sent to make a disturbance this he denyed or that he was sent by any for such things are not the practice of the servants of the Lord whom they suspected to have sent him and would slaunder with such things And he added that is was not so Whereupon Alderman Joseph Jackson replyed he was like a Cut-purse and that he denyed all things he did Then they asked him why he kickt the Clark He answered that he did neither kick nor strike but was both kickt and struck Alderman Joseph Jackson replyed that if his braines had been knockt out he had had his amends in his his hands And so they committed him to Newgate Committed prison without any Mittimus The 17. day of the same moneth Elizabeth Marshall Eliz Marshal 17. day 10. moneth 1654 speaking to John Knowls was moved of the Lord to speak to John Knowls Priest at the Steeple-house called the Colledge whom she hearing all the time without saying a word after that by what is called his blessing he dismist the people the power of the Lord was upon her and commanded her to warn him to repent And she said This is the word of the Lord to thee Knowls I warn thee to repent and to mind the light of Christ in thy Conscience and was very full to have spoken more unto him But Alderman William Cann a Ruler present and some others commanded the people to lay hands on her who Tumulted c thereupon violently assaulted her giving her many blows in the place with staves and cudgels pushing and haling her but the mighty power of the Lord bore her above it all and moved her to cry out to them The mighty day of the Lord is at hand wherein he will strike terrour on the wicked which she uttered often with a loud voice But the tumult haling her out of the Steeple-house she went her way into the City Hundreds of people following her and as she was going was taken into Custody by a Constable Taken into Custody by order as he said of the aforesaid Alderman and brought before the Mayor that Alderman and another being present The Mayor demanded of Examined her why she went to disturbe the Minister and the Peace She answered she was no disturber of the Peace He replyed she was in that she had caused tumults in the streets whereas the Tumults were made on her She only replyed wo be to me if I obey not the word of the Lord Then the Mayor commanded the Constable to carry her to Newgate prison where Committed she was taken into Custody without a Mittimus The next day about the third hour in the afternoon 18. day 10. moneth 1654. Eliz. Marshal Examined she was sent for from the prison to the Councel house where the Mayor and Aldermen being sat the Mayor charged her with disturbing of the Peace which she denyed and said she offered abuse to none but they disturbed the Peace who tumultuously laid hands on her Then the Magistrates called for the Depositions against her as to her Message to Ralph Farmer as aforesaid They affirming that he had not said his blessing But they urged nothing of what she said to John Knowls upon which she was after examination Committed Then the Mayor caused the Depositions to be read and demanded of her whether she spake the words therein alledged To which she stood silent having owned what she spake aforesaid from the Lord before them and only said in answer I have said You need not urge her said Richard Aldworth she owns it Then they said She must to the Place from whence she came and called Committed for the Keeper to take her away She replyed she hah broken no Law and bad them act according to the Law They commanded again the Keeper to take hir away whereupon she went to the Mayor and again and again required a Mittimus but he refused and said the Keeper was a sufficient Mittimus Then departing with the Keeper she was moved from the Lord to return again which she did and warned them from they Lord in these words You that are Magistrates of this City I warn you from the Lord that you act righteously and that equity run down as a stream and righteousness as a mighty water Whereupon she was returned to prison they not suffering any friend of hers to come in with her into the Councel house to beat witness on her behalf though it was earnestly desired And thus was Elizabeth Marshal only for speaking
Feb. ensuing Yea it was manifest that most men were either acted in or pleased with these tumultuous proceedings such language also passed and threatenings tending to the shedding of blood that even the Rulers themselves at length were in great fear thereof Rulers afraid that blood would be shed and therefore send to those Friends that they could not secure them and therefore sent their Sword-Bearer to diverâ— those friends from passing into the Town for thaâ— they could not undertake to secure them who through the Providence of the Lord were preserved with a very great deliverance the spirits of the multitude being that night so full of fury and such mutterings At night of the listings of hundreds of men that the whole City was in a great affrightment Had Order and Government the discharge of their Duty and their Reputation been regarded by these Magistrates or the freeing themselves from the suspition of having given secret Countenance and approbation to the Ryots aforesaid they would have made their Insurrections as exemplary in punishment as they exceeded in outrage breach of the Peace any thing of that nature that this Nation hath afforded But to this day neither hath any one person of the Ryoters been punished or called to an accompt except the three aforesaid through occasion of the Officers who were not committed or punished but rather encouraged by what Joseph Jackson said in their hearing in the Councel Chamber to the Officers of the Garrison in the height of the Tumult nor any Constables for not discharging their duties as they were required according to Law Nay as men concerned in the Tumults and the guilt thereof writing there is to have it extenuated and excused with those in chiefest Authority being not ashamed falsely to charge those as the cause and the Designers upon whom the Tumults were raised and whose lives were thereby endangered And two of the Councell were appointed to ride to White-Hall And a Petition of those Ryoters to O. P. was prepared hastened and subscribed And so far were they from protecting the Innocent aforesaid that they met together and sent to John Audland and John Cam who the seventh day of that week being moved of the Lord came boldly into the City going in the chief parts thereof and from house to house without the least disturbance to desire them to depart the City though the Town was quiet without signifying any Law that they had broken which deserved such a violation of their just Liberty in answer to their desires in their letter to that purpose sent the Magistrates the 22. of the tenth moneth Now for Tumults and Insurrections to take upon them to make Lawes And in a ryotous manner for more than one dayes continuance to seek to put them in execution on innocent and peaceable freeborn Englishmen who had fought for the Liberties of their Countrey and had broken no Law nor were charged with any such things to the hazard of their lives which were sought after and the endangering of the setting a whole City into blood contrary to and in contempt of Law Liberty and Justice and tending to the subversion of all order and Government And for Magistrates not to make enquiry into or to punish one offender though hundreds sometimes acted highly therein before their faces according to the * 13 Hen. 4. c. 2. Law which require the Justices of the Peace with the Sheriff to suppresse a Ryot in their view and to Record the same which record amounteth to a Conviction on which the offenders may be punished And if the Ryoters are departed requires the Justices and Sheriff within one moneth to enquire by a Jury and to hear and determine according to Law upon pain of 100 l. a piece every one making default But to endeavour to excuse it to the chief in Authority pleading the part of the guilty and falsly to suggest the cause and design of those Tumults on the Innocent upon whom the Tumults were raised And to send to and resolve the turning the Innocent so injured out of the City instead of protecting and doing them Justice is such a shamelesse President of abominable injustice and misgovernment as outstrips Sodom it self who drew together about Lot's house to abuse two strangers come into their City whom they took to be men but indeed were Angels sent to execute the Judgment of God upon them in fire and brimstone for their wickednesse And that wherein every man is concerned for who is certain of his Liberty and who can judge himself safe if the rude multitude have a mind to infringe the one or endamage the other and the Magistrates instead of doing Justice on such offenders shall make up wherein they miscarry and if it be lawful to do thus to one they may do it unto all for One would think that Masters should never let loose cherish and uphold the unbridled youth of their servants not knowing how soon it may turn on themselves And that Magistrates should blush to bear the name of Governours where the multitude command not themselves much more to countenance and encourage such But are they ashamed who commit Jer. 6. 15. such abominations as these Nay they are not at all ashamed neither they nor the Priests nor the People Is this the Justice and the Rule of Bristol for equity against which and Judgment whosoever pleadeth and for Just Liberty and righteousnesse he must be accounted an Enemy to the Government and the Town and so be represented understood and prosecuted Is this the quiet and peaceable City of which the Magistrates do so loudly boast And are not See Ralph Farmers mystery of Ungodlinesse pag. 22 94. these the horse-heels of Priest Farmer with which he answered his adversaries whom he calls Quakers as his other businesse to dispatch then to confute this doctrine though he published a book for that purpose Whilest those friends aforesaid were in the City Friends of the City abused c. when Friends of the Country were departed they were made the pretence of all the miscarriages hitherto particularized but if they were once departed the Citizens it was said shall find no disturbance But the enmity being at the Seed it ceased not after they were out thereof in order to a meeting before appointed in Leicestershire For the 25th of the 10th moneth they were up in Tumults 25th 10th month 1654. again severall hundreds attempted a friends house at the Tolzey but were dispersed by some Troopers and as friends were found in the streets they were kickt by them dirted and otherwise abused And not onely in the streets but in the steeple-houses were these outrages committed and the Magistrates adde thereunto their injustice and oppression For On the first day of the 11th moneth Henry Warren First of the 11th month 1654. Henry Warren speaking to Priest Longman being moved of the Lord went to Thomas's steeple-house where one Longman a malignant formerly Chaplain
reproaching and some casting water and durt on them others pinching and striking them haling off their cloths and kicking them and after this manner followed them up the streets toward their homes And that night between the ninth and tenth hours came Robert Willet to a friends house whose dores being fast A friend violently entred at night he with violence entred the Entry being full of Riotous followers though he was denyed entrance by the man of the house because he attempted it by force as aforesaid but being in he walked up and down staring and looking as one over filled with some mischievous intent notwithstanding the man of the house spake nothing to him but in a milde manner said that he wondred that he who in a civil way and with his leave might come at any time into his house should violently and against his leave enter his house and continue so And he very much abused therein and desired a friend by to take notice what he said and how the other behaved himself And on a sudden after being about a quarter of an hour in the house without any occasion or provocation with much passion and rage stamping with his feet and beating the boards abused him with most scurrilous and opprobious language and with much threatning said He should dye like a dog that his head And his life threatned should go off that his life should go forth as a moth out of a cloth and for his liberty he was certain it was gone for eâ—er the Language of the Plot which was to have been executed thorough the Nation the twelvth of February following but providentially discovered and prevented To which the man of the house made him no return or reply but desired his friend to take notice of proceedings though had he sought to have revenged himself he could easily haâ—e made him an example to all who should for the future attempt the like During the time aforesaid there was none in his house but a friend or two besides his own family and this man is made Ensigne to Robert Aldworths own Company in the new Militia Sessions Hitherto proceedings were had by the Magistrates in a more private way against the seed though so notorious as they became the example and encouragement to those outrages afore mentioned Now the more publick proceedings drew nigh being the General Sessions for the Publick Peace of the City and County held the 16. day of the 11. moneth At which Sessions as of what hath 16. of the 11th month 1654. hath been before rehearsed were very small things and of too private a cognizance The Magistrates came now to sit in publick Judgement and what they had done as aforesaid pleasing the people they stretcht forth their hands publickly to add persecutions where before they had not reached and to decree unrighteous Decrees and to write down grievances which themselves not the Law prescribed to turn aside the Needy from Judgement and to take away the right from the Poor that Widdowes may be their Prey and that they may rob the fatherlesse as those did of old against whom the wo is pronounced Isa 10. 1. and to whom the Lord said What will you do in the day of visitation and in the desolation that will come from far to whom will you flock for help and where then will you leave your glory ver 3. At which Sessions in the first place Robert Aldworth The Town-â—larks Charge to the Grand-Jury Town Clark in his charge to the Grand Jury who were upon their Oaths amongst other things signified to this effect That the Law did protect those who met together to perform some Religious duty as to sing pray read or expound the Scriptures but for people to meet together though in a private house and to be silent was no part of Religion and therefore out of the verdge of the Law and to be enquired after by them and where such were found to present them This is such an interpretation and conclusion as that Law will not bear nor hath the like been heard of from any man besides himself pretending to Religion and Reason or to learning in the Laws for first It is well known being an Act but of few years standing And both the titles viz. An Act for relief of Religious and peaceable people from †See Act of Parliament Sept. 27. 50 the rigour of former Acts of Parliament And the whole body of it doth demonstrate That that Law was made purposely for the protection of different Judgements in matters of Religion from any thing of an imposition punishment or other trouble by reason or pretence of any Law whatsoever And 't is strange Logick to assign matter of molestation and punishment by a Law upon that which to defend from any trouble that very Law was made and is an interpretation against the reason of the Act which the learned in the Law account absurd and invalid Wherein doth the sence of the Law lye according to which Judgement is to be given whether in its own words or in expositions thereupon Again Is a silent waiting upon the Lord no part of Religion Did not the Scriptures hold this forth and the holy practice of the men of God there on Record Or were it a Doctrine that those who pretend to Religion have or would deny a little time would be spent in demonstrating it to be so But being undeniable and that which every one who truly have fellowship with the Lord do witnesse how is he not ashamed to endeavour to strike it out of the numâ—er of religious exercises and so out of the protection of the Act But were it so Is there any Law that punisheth people that are together neither saying nor doing any thing Is quietnesse and silence transgression of the Law It seems nor he nor the Magistrates for vvhom he judgeth can finde a Law at least Conscience to put it in execution by which to enquire after and punish such Ryot and Insurrections as hath been mentioned But for the quiet the silent the peaceable though the Law is a praise and commendation to such yet rather than they shall go unmolested a sense contrary to the very ground of the Law of vvhich it is given shall be stampt a Law and charged upon a Grand-Jury on their Oaths to enquire after but the Grand-Jury have shevvn more Conscience to their Oaths hitherto in not observing than the Tovvn-Clark had understanding in Lavv or tendernesse in Religion or Conscience to give it Had he not bent his Bow and made his Arrow ready to shoot at those who are upright in heart and sought vvhereby to persecute them these things had been plain before his eyes And so vvould have been the 37. Article of the present Government vvhich saith expresly in these vvords †See Government Art 37. That such as professe faith in God by Jesus Christ though differing in Judgement from the Doctrine Worship and
up the Prophets of Baal to be cut off by the people whom they have deceived And the Lord will Malach. 2. 9 1. 2 2. make them contemptible and base before all the people according as they have not kept his wayes but have been partiall in the Law And now O ye Priests this Commandment is for you If you will not hear and if you will not lay it to heart to give glory unto my Name saith the Lord of Hosts I will even send a Curse upon you and I will curse your blessings yea I have cursed them already because ye do not lay them to heart Behold I will corrupt your seed and spread dung upon your faces even the dung of your solemn feasts and one shall take you away with it And ye shall know that I have sent this Commandment unto you Order of Sessions That the Constables do once in every fortnight make diligent search within their severall Wards for all strangers Inmates and suspitious persons and to present their names and those who entertain them within two dayes following to the Mayor and Justices to the end such course may be taken with them as is agreeable to Law Reply Had what the Law requires of them in this particular been effectually executed the Town had not been so full of persons who ought to be enquired after as it is at this day But all lyes asleep in this particular till the hopes to catch the Messengers of truth and to keep the Town clear of such awakened their blind zeal as another expedient to effect their ends upon those servants of the Lord But it s fallen asleep again since it hath not proved a snare to catch the Innocent Order of Sessions That all people do take special notice and be hereby forwarned not to be present at any tumult or other unlawfull Assembly or on any pretence to assemble or gather into Companies or multitudes into the streets or elsewhere or to conduct and follow offenders either to the Magistrates houses or other places of Justice unlesse they be thereunto lawfully called And the Constables and all other publique Officers are hereby required to apprehend and arrest all such boyes and Apprentices and other people that shall assemble or gather together as aforesaid And to bring them before the Magistrates to be punished according to the Law Reply Lesse then this they could not do in colour of Justice but whether they meant any such thing will appear in that they never to this day have punished one offender although Hundreds at a time have transgressed therein and that before their faces and at their very doors as the instances hereafter to be mentioned will demonstrate Nor hath a Constable discharged his duty therein required But it seems these Magistrates Constables and people know one anothers minds well enough in this thing and can agree together in injuring the Innocent though their orders seem to speak the contrary Preamble to the Orders of Sessions aforementioned And the ground of all these Orders is premised to be several great Tumults and unlawfull Assemblies lately hapned and arisen within this City as well on the Lords dayes as at other times and as the Court is informed upon pretence or occasions that some disturbed the Congregations and Ministers both before and after the Publique Exercises in the Churches have been fully concluded And likewise by the comming of strangers to the City who can render no good accompt of their being here whereby the Lords day hath been much prophaned the Inhabitants greatly affrighted and the Publick Peace safety and welfare of the City very much endangered to be broken and disturbed which the Court taking into serious consideration and well weighing the manifold mischiefs and sad effects which may grow thereupon did Order c. Signed Aldworth And Ordered by John Gunning Mayor John Lock Richard Vickers William Cann Joseph Jackson Henry Gibbs and George Hellier Aldermen Reply 'T is well we have got the Confession of the Bench under hands that those afore mentioned were great Tumults and unlawful Assemblies prophaning the Lords day greatly affrighting the Inhabitants endangering the disturbance of the Publick Peace safety and welfare of the City whereupon manifold mischiefs may grow and sad effects And ought not such a great Tumult and unlawful Assemblies to have been strictly enquired after and severely punished Ought they not to have been discountenanced and supprest Hath any Master or Servant Officer or Inhabitant been called to accompt and punished for them according to the Law to this day though hundreds have oft times appeared and acted them before their eys When a friend of the Common-wealth was called before the Mayor and Aldermen upon information of some words which was said he should hear one of the Apprentices to say and sworn before them to speak the truth was what he informed them upon his Oath to this effect viz. That the said Apprentice being asked how the Apprentices could be so bold to rise as they had done and be so long from their Masters businesse unless they had leave from their Masters or some other encouragement He heard him say they had leave from their Masters and were encouraged for that Alderman Hellier came into them whilest they were at the Tolzey and said that he would dye rather then any of the Apprentices should go to Prison which he offered to prove further by two of his servants Committed to writing and prosecuted according to the concernment every way of a thing of that nature Or did not the Mayor forbid the Clark to write and took he not under his hand only what he could not say viz. That he heard the said Apprentice to speak that they had 400 horse in the Town ready for the King Hath it not lay husht to this day But Henry Davis a friend to the Common-wealth he and his brethren Committed to Newgate and continued him a Prisoner from the 20th of the 10th month 1654. to the 16th of the 11th month following being the next Sessions for that upon his hearing in his shop in the High street at the hight of the Ryot Decemb. 20. aforesaid when the Proclamation was read at the High Crosse in the name of the Lord Protector requiring every one to depart these words spoken by some of the Royters who then filled that part of the street viz. What do you tell us of a Protector tell us of King Charls He immediatly gave notice thereof to the Officers of the Garrison and not to them some of them telling him he had committed Treason in so doing And James Hill another friend to the Common-wealth they bound over at the same time to answer at the Sessions for speaking the words so heard as aforesaid Do ye not stand guilty O ye Rulers of the tumults disorders aforesaid in the eye of the Law and amongst all wise men shall it be said in not enquiring after in not suppressing in not correcting nay in encouraging
replyed In the Spirit Canst thou pray said Joseph Jackson that Prayer in the 11th of Luke He answered yea according to the measure of the Grace of God given him Then he demanded what was his name though he knew it well enough Christopher replyed A Servant of the Lord according to the measure of the grace of God given me What 's thy name said he again He answered in the flesh Christopher Birkhead Then they bade him promise the Mayor that he would go to the Church no more and then they would set him free He answered The Church is in God But the Steeple-house you mean Well the Steeple-house said one of them let him have it in his own terms He answered he would promise as much as he could keep with a good Conscience towards God As to my own will as far as I know said he I shall not go But if I am moved of the Lord I shall obey God and not man They asked him why he went now He replyed Against his will Then they said Take him away to Bridewell Committed to Bridewell Whereupon he told the Maâ—or he was no vagrant or runnagate But the Maior sleighted what he said and sent him thither where they continued him for the space of 9. or 10. dayes though Bridewell is no prison and he ought not therefore to have been committed thither had he mis-behaved himself as to the breach of any Law but a house of Correction for rogues and for idle persons who will not work And Christopher Birkhead is one born and bred in the City being about the age of fourty years diligent in his calling an able Seaman and alwaies living in the City except when at Sea as was his father before him and of good reputation as to the world But it seems Joseph Jackson had a great mind to have him fast in Bridewell and to have the place of whipping of him there to make him leave his quaking What rule they bear and what spirit they are of rationall men will Judge Who instead of taking heed what they do for the Judgment ought to be the Lords and not man's and instead of executing Justice according to Law without respect of persons are upon sleight occasions drunk with fury and passion on the Seat of Judgment and in their rage and lusts imprison and oppresse the Innocent contrary to the Law and let offenders go free Alderman Joseph Jackson will one day sadly know except he repent what it is to do so of which the Light in his Conscience hath given him many a Remembrance and what it is prophanely to scoffe at the power of the Lord in his Servants who stand in dread of his presence trembling shaking and quaking of whom the Scriptures bear record as did a Gen. 27. 33. Isaac who trembled exceedingly and b Heb. 12. 22. Exod. 33. 11. Act. 2. 37. Moses who spake with God face to face as a man to his friend and did exceedingly quake and fear the whole c Exod. 19. 6. Camp of Israel d Job 37. 1. 16. 12. 21. 6. Job the f Ezra 10. 3 4 9. Children of the Captivity under Ezra and Nehemiah the g Isa 66. 5. 66. 2. people of the Lord in Isaiah's dayes the humble and contrite ones in whom God dwelt h Ezek. 12. 18. Ezekiel and the i Ezek. 37. 7. 38. 19. Camp of dry bones to which he prophesied k Psal 119. 120. 1 Sam. 13. 14. David a man after Gods own heart l Jerem. 23. 9. 5. 22. Jeremiah whose bones shook like a drunken man m Dan. 10. 11. Daniel n Habac. 3. 16. Habakkuk o 1 Cor. 2. 3. Paul and the p 2 Cor. 7. 15. Church of Corinth who received the Gospel in much fear and trembling and he was with them in fear and much trembling And what it is to wish to have the whipping of such and to call it of the Devill Let him be warned lest he witnesse q Dan. 5 6 25. Belshazzar's condition whose countenance was changed and his thoughts troubled so that the Joynts of his loynes were loosened and his knees smote one against another when the fingers of the mans hand came forth and wrote over against the Candlestick And let him and all others who scoffe at and persecute the power of the Lord now risen in his Saints and call it of the Devill read and consider what Christ saith Mark 3. 28 29 30. Verily I say unto you All sins shall be forgiven unto the sonnes of men and blasphemies wherewithall soever they shall blaspheme but he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgivenesse but is in danger of eternal damnation because they said He hath an unclean spirit They who built the Sepulchres of the Prophets and said if they had lived in their r Luke 11. 47 48 49 50 51. fathers dayes they would not have killed the servants the Prophets they told Christ he had an unclean spirit and cast out Devills by the Prince of Devills and Christ said to them They bore witnesse to themselves that they were the chilâ—ren of those who killed the Prophets and that all the righteous blood shed from Abel should fall on them and these murthered the Lord of glory and persecuted to the death his Apostles and Disciples though he Å¿ Mat. 18. 6. said It were better for a man to have a millstone tyed about his neck and he cast into the middle of the Sea than to offend one of these little ones who believed in him This is said to him out of much love to his soul for he is seen and comprehended in the eternall light which never changeth and he will find it a hard matter much longer to kick against the pricks For the Lord will stirre up Jealousie ere long like a man of War because of the persecution of his sonnes and of his daughters and when he is angry who shall be able to deliver out of his hands Now the Serpent who is more subtile than all the beasts of the field that he might indeed bruise the heel of the seed of the woman and reach those with his floods whom his tail hath not touched suggesteth yet new wayes to molest and wear out the servants of the Most High by seeking occasion against and sending for before them such of the people aforesaid as they knew could not bow to any image or respect mens persons and to execute their oppressions and injustice on such Jeremy Hignell on the 15th of the first month Jeremy Hignell 15th first month 1654. 1654. being in his shop attending his calling was sent for by the Maior and Aldermen to come before them which he presently obeying the Maior commanded him to draw near and asked him whether he knew where he was Hignell said he did Then the Maior asked him where He replyed In the presence of the Lord. Are you not in the presence of the
nor permitted he friends to stand without to call to them and see them out of the windows but caused such to be turned from the walls of the house and a Court-door in the street which usually stands open to be made fast to keep them out and very fierce he was to them and to any that asked for them and so were his people and great doggs were set on some who came to see them by the rude people who dwelt near with other abuses unpunisht to this day though complaint was presently made by some who were in danger And thus was her friend Margaret Wood who onely was with her in her usual habit and Anne Gannycliffe who seeing the tumult about her came from her occasions out of love to see she had no injury sent to Bridewell together a place for Rogues and were there kept close prisoners and used as aforesaid till the 11th day of the third moneth and Sara till the 16th though it is every ones Liberty to wear what Garments they please and to accompany and see their friends especially where they are no transgressors of the Law And though the Law gives not power to any Judges or Justices to Commit any one * The Stat. Westminst 2. with other Laws provide for a safe imprisonment but for a close imprisonment there is not any but it is directly contrary to the 28. Hen. 8. c. 2. which saith Prisons shall be in the most eminent and populous Towns where there is most resort of people that they may be the more often visited and relieved close prisoner and keep him so be the Crime what it will but not one of the Tumult is to this day called to account or punished though it stood so long before their faces Had Sara Goldsmith appeared in the fantastick dress of this vain wanton age or in a spirit of lightnesse haughtiness she had received enough of friendship from this Generation but being through the cross to her own will made obedient for their sakes to pass through the City in aircloth next her and ashes as a testimony against their pride which never was at that hight as at this day she hath received that hard measure aforementioned instead of laying it to heart and being humbled before the Lord Verily the men of Nineveh shall rise up in Judgment against this Generation Mat. 11. 41. and shall condemn it for they repented at the saying of Jonah the Prophet in sackcloth and ashes To Jer. 6. 40. 20. 7. 8. Isay 8. 18. the Prophets of old the word of the Lord was a reproach and a burthen they were made a derision and mocked daily and were for signs and wonders and they were put into Prisons and into Stocks some of them to death nor was what they said or that wherein they were made signs unto them minded or regarded as it is at this day though it cost them hard to bear it in behalf of the people as a Ezek. 4. 5. Ezekiel 390. dayes lying on his left side and b Ezek. 4. 6. 40 on his right side And to c Ezek. 4. 9 10 11 12. 15. eat his bread mingled with beasts dung during that time by weight and his water by measure And Isaiah to goe naked and bare-foot d Isay 20. 2 3 4 5 6. 3. yeares for a signe and wonder upon Aegypt And how e Ezek. 12. 3 4 5 6. ridiculous was it for Ezekiel to digge through a Wall in the middle of the day and to carry out his stuffe in the sight of the people 〈◊〉 â—ut off his f Ezek 5 2 3 4. haire off his Head and off his Beard and to weigh tt openly with a ballance and to burne one third in the fire another third to cut with a Knife to pieces and a third to throw in the Aire To g Ezek. 4. 1 2 3. pourtray Jerusalem on a tilestone and to lay siege against it And to cast up Mounts and raise battering Rams and to put an iron pan between him and the City to h Ezek. 7. 23. make a chain And for Jeremiah to hide a i Jer. 13. 4 5 6. girdle in the bank of the River Euphrates till it be quite marred to carry a k Jer. 25. 15 16 17 to the 30. Cup for the Nations to drink thereat As the Word of the Lord and his signs wherein he makes his servants to appear are at this day And though he l Amos 2. 11 12. raised up of their sons for Prophets and their young men for Nazarites yet they gave the Nazarites wine to drink and m Isa 30. 10 11. Jer. 11. 21. commanded tht Prophets saying Prophesie not and to the false Prophets they hearkened who prophesied smooth things and n Jer. 28. 15. 29. 31. caused them to trust in a lye and evil entreated his o 2 Chron. 36. 16. Messengers till there was no remedy and those things they prophesied and wherein they were signs were fulfilled upon them in their destruction Why hast thou not reproved Jeremiah of Anathoth which maketh himself a Prophet since the Lord hath made thee Priest in the room ef Jehojadah the Priest that ye should be Officers for the house of the Lord for every man that is mad and maketh himself a Prophet that thou shouldst put him in the prison and the stocks Did Shemaiah the false Prophet write from Babylon in the Captivity to Zephaniah and all the Priests and to all the People in Jerusalem concerning Jeremiah Jer. 29. 24 25 26 27. Oh Bristol Bristol that thus evill entreatest those who are sent unto thee how hath the Lord soug◠〈◊〉 doth seek to gather thee as a hen doth her Chicken Be warned in time to know the things that belong to thy Peace Lest hereafter they be hid from thine eyes and thy habitation be left to thee desolate Nor were they satisfied with what they had done to those aforementioned but as men restless in their persecutions on the eight day of the third month Daniel Wastfield 8. day 3. month 1655. the Major sent for Daniel Wastfield before him who coming with his Officer the Major and Aldermen Vickris sate down and the Major said to him Wastfield come hither whereupon he drew neer then the Major asked him three severall times what art thou Though he knew him well enough calling him by his name as aforesaid He answered I am a man What 's thy name said the Major My name is Daniel Committed Wastfield said he Take him and carry him to Newgate said the Major to one of his officers further adding that he came thither to contemne Justice To which he replied nay he came thither in obedience to his order So being committed he demanded a Mittimus that so he might know for what he was committed to which the Major answered his word was a Mittimus and so he was carried away without any more words used on
either side and without any signification to him to this day wherefore he was sent for or committed where he was continued a prisoner 33 days and a close Prisoner by order of the Major and none to come to him but his servants as said the keeper though he be a shop keeper and as a Wiâ—ower and had one child sick dead and buryed whilest he was thus unjustly imprisoned being kept from seeing it or going to its buriall and had another sick and no body but his servant to look to his shop and trading not knowing of to this day any thing whereby they have cause against him according to Law Have such pieces of tyrannicall injustice and cruelty as these been heard of in this Nation or dared the highest Ministers of State under Charles Stuart so to do was not Strafford to these men a Petty transgressor and his loynes as their little finger And the more they persecuted the more they thirsted after persecution for on the eleventh day of the third moneth the Magistrates sent for William William Foord 11. day 3. monâ—h 1655. Foord to come before them where being come the Company of Milliners complained that he kept a man at work in contempt of the Majors order for on the thirtieth day of the second moneth they had sent for him Concerning the same business upon Complaint of the Milliners for that he kept a stranger at work contrary as they pretended to their Ordinary whereupon the Major charged Foord to turn the stranger away and not to teach him his trade which he refused to do in regard he was none of that Company and had followed the trade of Wooll-combing before they were a Corporation and because the man had been all his youth a Souldier in the Army and in a capacitie by the late Act to set up any where nor was he obliged by any Law either not to teach him his trade or to turn him out of his house he beeing an honest sober man desirous to learn a calling whereby to live And they further alledged that he should say he would keep him in spight of any mans teeth whereupon their witnes was produced and sworne who denyed that he said in spight of any mans teeth but that William â—â—ord had said he intended to teach him then one of the Aldermen affirmed that he promised to turne him away which William Foord denyed to be truth whereupon he called to the Milliners to justify it but they were made to speak the truth which was that he refused to turn the man out of his house and that he could say nothing as to the teaching of him Then they asked the Milliners what fine he had Committed by their Ordinary they answered half a Crown a day for every day he had employed him they asked why they did not levy the fine upon him They replyed if he would turn away the man they would be satisfied He told them he was not of their trade and therefore their Ordinary had no power over him and that the man whom he was teaching might make use of any trade by the Act to which Alderman Joseph Jackson replyed it was no such matter and said Is that your Conscience Then they asked him whether he would keep the man or no to which he replyed he should Then the Major asked him whether he had any sureties there present He asked him what to do The Major told him he should be bound to the good behaviour He answered he had broken no Law therefore he should provide no Sureties then they told him he should go to Newgate he asked them for a Mittimus whereupon Committed they in scorn laughed at him and Shiriff Lawford told him he knew not the Law He replyed whether he knew it or no it was convenient that he might have under their hands wherefore he was committed Then they said the Majors word was a Mittimus He said again he should not go without something under their hand then Shiriff Lawford said hâ— should be carryed in a wheel-barrow and the Officers staying a while for him and seeing â—hat he would not go they commaâ—ded their Officers to carry him away so many of them came about him and did drive him along before them to prison where he was continued for the space of 26. dayes a prisoner from his family and calling both Daniel Wastfield and William Foord being men who hâ—ve been alwayes faithfull and active for the publique interest and have served it in Armes and so hath the stranger because of whom they pretend to have imprisoned William Foord though that and their being such as are reproachfully called Quakers may be understood the true reason wherefore they are thus unjustly dealt withall and occâ—sions sought against them for the Law they have not transgressed After the imprisonment of these for the space of time aforementioned the friends of truth had Christopher Bâ—rkhead 2. day 5. month 16â—5 Standing silent in Nicholas Steeple-house whâ—lst Priest Farmer was worshâ—pping some respite from their bonds till the second day of the 7. month at which time Christopher Birkhead being in the Steeple house called Nicholas unto which he was moved of the Lord he stood there silent whilst Priest Farmer said a few words as a prayer and read some Psalmes which when he had done the Priest stoâ—d still saying nothing But looked towards the Aldermen present with whom his Clarke was talking and took a Psalmes booke of a boy as if he would sing and went to open it but did not but turning two or three times and looking on the Magistrates with whom his Clarke was speaking as aforesaid At length about the time that Miles Jackson Alderman was coming out of his feate towards Christopher Priest Farmer began to speak to Christopher and told him he disturbed the People by standing with his hat on in the time of Prayer and moreover said to him that if he had any thing to say he should speak and tell his business why he came thither for Christopher was silent then and not before Christopher began to speak Thus saith the Lord A wonderfull and horrible thing is Committed in the land and was speaking further but Priest Farmer said he would have none of that or wordâ— to that purpose and spake loud that the people might not hear Christopher By this time Miles Jackson being come from his seat to the place where Christopher stood commanded him to be taken away saying he was a disturber Christopher Struck replied All people take notice whether I have disturbed any man Then the under-Sexton laid hands on him in the place and in the view of the Magistrate and the Priest strooke him on the head with a stick Tumulted c. and the rude multitude came about him some striking some pinching and some thrusting him which caused him to turne his head to the Priest and say see the fruits of thy Ministry then the Rude Multitude haled him towards the
Steeple-house door and Miles Jackson followed them and commanded Committed him to be carried to Bridewell So Priest Farmers Clarke took him by one arme and his under Sexton by the other and had him away the Sexton Pinching and haling him forwards with much earnestness and using very bitter words to him saying why doest not thou come faster whilest the Clerk held him by the other arme keeping him back At length the Sexton got him to himself so haled him to Bridewell the tumult following him thither and charged Bridewell with him a Constable being then come to them the Cleâ—k saying to the Officer that Alderman Miles Jackson and Alderman Vickris commanded them to bring him thither where he was moved to write to Priest Farmer in these words Ralph Farmer THou that pretendest thy self to be a Minister His Letter to Priest Farmer of Christ but art found in the stepâ— of the false Prophets and Scribes and Pharisees which were Hypocrites as thou art to whom the Wo was and the same Wo is thy portion who hast the chief place in the Assemblyes and standest praying in the Synagogue or Idols Temple where I found thee when I was moved from the Lord there to go to bear witness against thy deceit and abominable worship which the Lord abhors for thy hands are full of blood who goest in the way of Cain to envy and runnest greedily after the errour of Balaam for gifts and rewards though thou coverest thy self with the Prophets words and the Apostles words which lived the life of what they spake which thou dost not I have a sure witness in thy Conscience bearing me testimony if thou wilt hearken unto it thou stolest the words of David's Psalms 17. 18. and readest to the people to fill the time of thy lying Divination and there thou readest Hear the right O Lord attend unto my cry Give ear unto my prayer that goeth not out of feigned lips O thou full of all subtilty in the light of the Lord thou art seen and let that in thy Conscience witness against thee whether thy prayers are any thing else but what thou hast feigned and made up in thy imagination and sellest them to the people for money the Lord hath proved thy heart and weighed thee and thou art found lacking and thy Kingdome is falling and must down by the mighty power of the Lord plot thou never so subtilly against the Lord and his Anointed thinkest thou to cover thy self with reading David's words who did love the Lord and he was his strength and his rock and his fortress c. But thou Deceiver was it or is it so with thee who when I stood silent and peaceable before thee thou couldest not stand nor go on in thy Witchcraft but thy looks made manifest who was thy God and where thy strength lay even in the powers of the earth by whom I was there commanded to be taken out of thy presence and there thy people with whom thou withall pretendest to serve the living God beat me before thy face and in that thou callest the Church too and so haled me out and cast me into Prison and called me a Disturber who disturbed no man but the man of sin in thee was disturbed and feared to have thy deeds come to the light Now consider what thou hast done and art doing and repent for else the Judgements of the Lord will overtake thee and his heavy hand will be upon thee and there shall be none to deliver thee This was I moved of the Lord to write to thee that thou mightest see thy deceit and know that his Judgements will be just upon thee in the day when he will plead with thee and there shall be none to deliver thee From him who is a lover of righteousness known to the men of the world by the name of From Bridewell in Bristoll the 4. day of the 7. month 1655. Christopher Birkhead The fury of their persecution beginning thus to Benjamin Maynard 9 day 7. month 1655. speaking to Priest Paul break forth afresh on Christopher â—irkhead it ceased not there but on the ninth day of the seventh month 1655. Benjamin Maynard being moved of the Lord to go unto John Paul Priest and coming into the Steeple-house where he was speaking out of his high place to the people the Lord moved him powerfully to say John Paul in the presence of the Lord be silent And as he was speaking further one of the Priests hearers clapt his hand on Benjamin 's mouth not suffering him to speak and many others came about him two of whom brought him to Bridewell where he was continued a Prisoner till the Tumulted Imprisoned in Bridewell 10. day 7. month 1655. Examined next day at which time he was sent for before the Mayor and Aldermen who demanded of him wherehence he had the command to go to John Paul He replyed from the Lord and that he was to obey his command rather than the will of man To which Henry Gibbs Alderman returned that he knew of no such command Then after some other questions not worth the rehearsing to which he made answer one of them told him he must suffer and asked he was whether he had any Sureties or would finde any He replyed nay Then they commanded the Committed Keeper to take him away He demanded a Mittimus but the Mayor said his word was a Mittimus so they sent him to Newgate Prison The next day after which he sent a Letter to John Paul in these words TO thee John Paul I was moved of the Lord His Letter to John Paul Priest to write I do charge thee from the presence of the living God to cease from thy deceit for thou takest the Saints words and makest a trade of them the Lord did send his Prophets to cry Wo against such as thou art thou and such as thou art say and cry peace to the wicked where there is no peace by the Light of Christ you are all seen to be out of the Doctrine of Christ therefore turn into that of God in thy Conscience which sheweth thee sin and evil if thou actest contrary to it it will be thy condemnation for you are all such as feed upon the fat and feed not the flock therefore the hand of the Lord is against you all Wo be to you that are covered with a covering but not with my spirit saith Christ for you that are covered with any other covering your beds are too short and your coverings too narrow for they will not hide you from the presence of the Lord. From him who is a Prisoner for the Truths sake known to the World by the name of From Newgate Prison the 11. day of the 7. month 1655. Benjamin Maynard Nor did their persecution end here but on the sixteenth Margaret Thomas 16. day 7. month 1655. spâ—aking to Priest Farmer day of the same month Margaret Thomas being moved of the Lord to
testifie against Priest Farmer aforesaid and being at Nicholas Steeple house after he had done his Prayer before his Divination the Lord opened her mouth and she said unto hâ—m Wo unto the Idol shepherds that devour and scatter my flock saith the Lord. And to the people And the people she spake warning them to repent for the Kingdome of Heaven was at hand and that the Lord was coming to look for fruit with much more but the Mayor and some of the Aldermen being present commanded their Officers to carry her to Bridewell Committed to Bridewell some of the people striking her as they drew her out of the Steeple-house where she was continued till the third day of the week following at which time she was removed to Newgate without being called before the Rulers or examined And as deep calleth unto deep so violence called to Tempeâ—ance Higâ—â—ll 23. day 7. monâ—h 1655. speaking to Priest Brent persecution for Temperance Hignell being commanded of the Lord to witness against Jacob Brint Priest at Temple Steeple-house and coming thither on the 23 day of the same month being the first day of the week after he had ended all that he had then to say to the people she beginning to speak to him saying Wo from the Lord God to thou Jacob Brint and was before she could speak another word struck down by some of his hearers to the Struck down ground and therewith astonished till some of them took her up upon which the tumult flockt about her who gave her many blows beat her so in the face that her eyes were swelled and blood came from Tumulted bâ—aâ— Her blood drawn her which she wiping off her face shewed to the people and bid them behold the fruits of their Ministry Her hat was also struck off her head and her handkerchief about her neck torn off and taken Cloaths reâ—t away and being haled out of the Steeple-house some would have dragg'd her to the Pond and have thrown her in there but one present withheld them and brought her into the street into which being come the Tumult about her was very great shouting and whooping and some danger appeared of her * life whereupon she asked whether Since dead being carried out of the Prison dangerously sick of which he dyed three dayes after there were any Constables present he that withheld them from throwing her into the Pond answered he was one To whom she spake If I have broken any Law let me suffer by the Law and let me be defended from the rude multitude Then she was Examined brought to Alderman Knight who having demanded of her what her name was and where she lived to which she answered he asked her what she had to do to disturb the Minister She replyed she was moved of the Lord to speak to Jacob Brint and said she came not there to make a disturbance Then his son asked her what she came there for and whether what the Minister had spoken was not the truth She replyed that he was a Deceiver of the people and of their souls for dishonest gain Then the Alderman aforesaid commanded the Constables to have her away to Bridewell where he said she Committed to Bridewell should be soundly whipt on the morrow She demanded a Mittimus to know what she was committed for he answered his word was a Mittimus so she was had away to Bridwell the tumult of people following of her shouting and making a noyse all the way thither and one plucked â—ff her neck-cloth The next day she was brought before the Major 23. day 7. month 1655. Examined the second time and Aldermen who demanded of her what she had to do to go to Mr. Brint and disturb him the day before She answered she was moved of the Lord but as for making a disturbance that she denyed Then John Knight said that her coming into the Church caused such a disturbance that the people looked after her more than to hear the word of God To which she replyed if I shall have liberty I shall here declare what I spoke which being granted her she said It was Wo from the Lord to thou Jacob Brint and this was the truth of it I declare it to you in the presence of the Lord and unto them she related the passages aforesaid of being beaten and misused by the rude multitude Then they asked her wherefore she pronounced Wo unto him She replyed she spake not her own words but his that sent her They asked her how she knew she was moved of the Lord She answered it was like fire in her bones And after many other questions asked and answered of little consequence she was asked whither she would go again and whether she would be sorry for what she had done She replyed she could say little to that Then the Major asked her whether she would finde good Sureties for the good behaviour She answered she should finde none So he ordered her to be sent to Newgate Prison She desired to Committed to Newgate know for what she was committed and also a Mittimus He replyed his word was a Mittimus The day following she sent a Letter to Jacob Brint in these words Jacob Brint UPon the 23. day of this month I was commanded Her Letter to Jacob Brint of the Lord to come unto thee and say We from the Lord to thee Jacob Brent with much more but before I could deliver that which I had to say to thee I was thrown down by some or one of thy hearers and haled forth of the Steeple house by which means I was prevented to declare unto thee that which I was commanded from the Lord Now for the clearing of my conscience that thou mayst not be ignorant of the minde of the living God concerning thee I am moved now to declare it to thee in writing Therefore hear the word of the Lord Wo from the Lord God unto thee Jacob Brent thou Idol and dumb Shepherd that seekest for the fleece and cloathest thy self with the wool and devourest the souls of the people for dishonest gain verily the Lord God is risen to plead with all flesh by fire and by sword therefore repent and prize the day of thy visitation lest his wrath should be kindled further against thee to cut thee off for ever This is that which I was moved to declare to thee from the Lord and now also I am moved to declare more unto thee All trees which bring not forth good fruit are to be hewen down and cast into the fire Therefore sink down and look into thy self and see what fruit thou hast brought forth that scarce any of thy hearers but what are swearers drunkards strikers fighters and railers persecutors of the Just ye are of the same generation that persecuted the Son of God and now ye persecute him afresh where he is made manifest I warn and command thee in the presence of the
her blood drawn and some of her Cloathes torne off her back in the Steeple-house for speaking to Jacob Brint Priest of Temple after all was ended as aforesaid and after in the street by the rude multitude by whom she saw her life was in danger having not been well in her body from that very time that she was so beaten and misused was carryed out of the Prison in a basket very dangerously sick of which in Temperance Hignells death three dayes after she was carryed dangerously sick out of Prison three dayes after she dyed being turned out with the rest upon the Baile aforesaid leaving her blood for the testimony of Jesus on the heads of her Persecuters who thirsted so much after hers and her fellow witnesses of the Truth For whom to be thus beaten by the Tumult was not punishment enough in the eyes of these Magistrates though she informed them thereof but to prison they send and continue her notwithstanding that she had broken no Law of which they have her life in issue and her bones being laid in the same Steeple-house yard where her body was bruised and her blood drawn Instead of calling to accompt and punishing according to Law those by whom she thus suffered not one of whom hath been questioned and punished as the Law requires to this day But Benjamin Maynard against whom only of the seven as is said Judgement was given at the Sessions as an offendor of Maries Act is still continued a Prisoner Thus are we the People of the Lord trampled underfoot and persecuted as a thing of nought Thus are the Liberties of those who have stood for the Liberties of their Countrey and have kept close to the Publique sleighted and violated Thus are the Innocent and Peaceable whose principles lead out of transgression and from that which is the occasion of the Magistrates sword tumulted imprisoned and abused when transgressours are let go unpunished Thus is Judgement turned into gall and wormwood and the fruit of righteousness into Hemlock so that Justice stands afarre off Truth is fallen in the streets and Equity cannot enter By a generation of men who have alwayes been enemies to Reformation and to the life and power of Godliness as it hath been witnessed in its severall dayes who have endeavoured what in them lay the destruction of the Liberties of their Countrey and of those whom they persecute for owning the same who have and do strengthen the hands of evill doers and are wrath and fury to those who do well who cause Injustice to run down as a streame and unrighteousness as a mighty water and neither regard the Law or their oathes And yet nevertheless are called and call themselves Christians and require that honour which God never gave to any in authority Of whose Malignancy misgovernement and other qualifications a particular accompt could now be given were it the intent of this discourse in which nothing of reflection hath been intended or used but where their own injustice hath given necessary occasion and therein but a little of what might be mentioned though it they may expect if they administer further necessity That so all people may know aswell what are the men under whose lusts and wills these people do suffer as their sufferings and the manner of them And to these things these men have been and are encouraged because they suppose the people whom they oppresse in so high a manner are bound up in their Consciences from prosecuting their remedy in the Law and have experienced them quietly to abide under their Cruelties and injustice till themselves being weary of oppressing them have caused their release otherwise it s not unlikely especially being innocent but they had passed untoucht as have severall who have taken the boldness to ruffle it with them and whose resolutions to try it out they have well understood of whom particular instances could be given it being well known how little Courage they have to deale with such though in the discharge of their oathes and duty and how fearefull to engage where they know men will not receive wrong at their hands especially in such cases as these whereby they are so obnoxious to the penalties of the Lawes And amongst those who indeed have the spirit of men in them to injure and oppresse because they thinke those whom they so cause to suffer will not return again nothing is accompted more base and unworthy being that of which the nature even of many brute beast is not guilty But much more is it in Magistrates whose Judgements should be the Lords not their own and who ought to execute Justice without respect of persons according to the Law and not otherwise and indeed were there no such thing as Law for the rule of those in power but all things Arbitrary had Law and Liberty been never the subjects of Contest by the sword had Liberty and Law fallen in the Contest or been necessitated to termes of composition or been betrayed therein by the treachery of their opposites it had been a great mitigation to the outward sense of these peoples sufferings and reasonable matter of bearing and silence But now that of late Liberty and the Fundamentall Lawes have been not onely in deep and perillous contests by the sword but have through the presence of the Lord been throughly vindiâ—ated and the enemyes thereof destroyed and totally subdued and the Captain Generall of their forces possessed of all power Military and Civill and the constitution of the present Government protecting such as professe faith in God by Jesus Christ in the profession of the faith and exercise of their Religion from which it saith it shall not be restrained except in the cases of Popery and Prelacy and such as under the profession of Christ hold forth and practice Licentiousness for those who have borne the heate of the day the misery of war the hazard of their lives in the field and other where for and with the Publicque interest aforesaid to which they have been firmely faithfull active and unmoveable throughout all changes and particularly against these very men who have sought to destroy See the Act of Parliament dated the 8 of Octob. 1655. and O. P. his Proclamation 21. Sept. 1655. prohibiting delinquâ—nts to beare office or to have voyce or vote in Election of any publick officer it and them and all friends thereof and who ought neither to be in Office nor to choose any one into Office to be trodden under foot scorned and persecuted by such generation in the violation of Law Liberty and Justice and Governement as hath been demonstrated as the issue of all these wars and blood Let the impartiall judge whether all things considered there were ever such high sufferings and intollerable oppressions and whether the case of these people be not their own for what is done Arbitrarily to the violation of one mans Liberty is done unto all Though as to their inward man they are still quiet in the will of God in this houre of his Patience Rejoycing that they are counted worthy to suffer any thing for the sake of Christ And knowing that thorough great tribulation they must enter into the Kingdom of God And these things are rehearsed for no other end than the manifesting of Deceit and declaring of the manifold unjust cruell persecutions of the Innocent for the Testimony of Jesus in that City Hearken unto me yee stout hearted that are far from Righteousness I will bring neer my Righteousness it shall not be farre of and my salvation shall not tarry And I will place Salvation in Sion for Israel my Glory Isa 46. 12 13. That which is seen in thee O Bristoll upon the Earth out of which growes the Briars and Thorns which is covered with darkness which is Foggy whose trees scarce bear leaves whose Winter is appeared and come who is Judged not with the hearing of the eaâ— nor with the seeing of the eye whose tree scarce bears its own seed on whom the rod must come and whose trees must be broken down and bundled up for the fire and gathered up of the Earth before it be drest and it be brought into order who are as dry trees when the Sap is in the root husky and bald which the wind clutters together which blowes up many by the root The Lord is hedging up together and bringing the wilderness into a narrow place and plucking it up and making it fit for himself and burn up the wood with fire The night is gone the day is come rejoyce ye Children that be at work whilst it is day labour for with fire and Judgment will the Lord rule which cleanseth away the dark aire which fire take away the venome as the fire through the Wildernes goes Read and Consider Ye whose eyes are open for the Lord is dressing the earth and his husband-men are at labour who reign above bryers and dry trees That crawle one among another but many dead briars and wood lyeth upon the ground that bears not fruit to men much less to the Lord which must be plucked up and burnt that the earth may be clean that it may come to enjoy her Sabaoth it hath layne long undrest and rough and thorny and briary and that which cumbreth it hath reigned but now the Lord of the Harvest and Vineyard is risen to cleanse that which plowes up is enterd and turnes over goes on and overthrowes that the ground may be fit for the seed He that hath an ear to hear let him hear the Lord is hedging up that wherein lodgeth the darkness the bryers and thorns and coverings and shutting it up and bringing to the unquenchable fire and making the earth fit for his seed who will gather it into his garner Thus bryers and Thornes and Trees stand in battell against the Lord whose fire is coming upon them The End