IN the year 1664, which was not long after it pleased the Lord to re­veal his truth and way everlasting, unto William Dobson, he was arrested (because he conscientiously refus'd to pay Tythes) at the Suit of R. Whistler, and in the month called October, was had to Redding Goal, and kept 15 weeks, and then some related to him, (without his know­ledge,) paid R. W. his Demands, and so was released for that time.

But the next year he was arrested again at R. W's Suit for Tythes, and had to Redding Goal in the 11 month 1665, and kept there near 15 week [...], and then was removed to Westminster, London, and made a Prisoner at the Fleet, and in a short time after brought before the Court in Westmin­ster; where he was falsly accused with a Debt of 35l. 11s. at the Suit of Ralph Whistler. The Judges ask'd William who was his Attorney? He told them, he had no Attorney, but was there in person to answer what they had to charge him with: and and whereas he was charged with a Debt of 35l. 11s. at the Suit of R. Whistler, he then declared that he owed him nothing: then they said, Here is a Declaration against you, and you must return an answer to it; and VVilliam took the Declaration, and told the Court he would return an Answer to it, and so he was had back again to the Fleet. And the Declaration being in Latin, and Court-hand, he could not read it, so as to understand it but saw his Name was not in it, so he sent it to a Lawyer, who drew up a Plea to this effect: That it could not be understood that he was the person intended in the Declaration, because [...] [Page 4] from his Nativity been known by the name of Dobson, and by no other name; as likewise his Ancestors before him. So his Answer was delivered into the Court by a Serjeant: and some that understood the Law, told William he would be Non-suited the next Term, it being not effectual in Law, for a man to be arrested by one name, and prosecuted by another. But instead thereof, the next Term Ralph Whistler's Attorney brought William a pe­remptory Rule from the Court, that unless he did rejoyn by Saturday next, Judgment should be entred against him; telling some that were Prisoners in the Fleet the same time with William, that he could whisper in the Jud­ges ear, [mark] and tell him what he was, and so carry on his design a­gainst him; whereby he was constrained to put himself upon Tryal by the Country: and obtained leave of the Clark of the Fleet to be at the Assizes which was held at Abingdon for the County of Bucks, in the 5th. month, called July, 1666, where Judge Twisden sate Judge; and the first Tryal that was called was it, where William was called again by a wrong name, and he told the Jury, that was not his name; also one that stood by told the Judge, that William Dobson had pleaded Misnomer; but the Judge re­garded it not, but fell into a passion, and threatned William because of his Hat, often calling him Sirrah, and false Knave; to which VVilliam reply'd, that He was a true man, and denied falshood and deceit. The Judge (instead of hearing his lawful defence) caused the Sheriffs men to hale him out of the Court, and his Adversaries Witness was sworn, and then VVilliam was brought again into the Court, and R. VVhistlers Councellor (Tertullus like) began vehemently to accuse VVilliam, for carrying away several Acres of Wheat, Barly, Beans, and Dills, no less than 13 Acres and a half more than he had, and the most part of such Grain whereof he had none grow­ing (namely Beans) their false Witness (to wit John Smyth of Satwel) not only confirming what had been said by the Councellor, but likewise over­valuing it; said that Every Acre of wheat was worth 4l. and the Tythes 8s. and that every Acre of Barly was worth 2l. and the Tythes 4s. &c. By which means the single value amounted to almost 8l. which at the dearest Rate, when Wheat was at 10s. the Bushel, was valued at but 4l. 10s. the Tythe of VVilliam's Farm by the year. The Judge caused the Clark to cast it up, according as the Witness had falsly sworn, and the treble Damage amounted to 23l. and odd Mony, and then called to the Jury to give in their Verdict, Who they found for, the Plaintiff, or the Defendant? whereupon, William desired that the Jury might go together and consider of the matter, giving them to understand that his Adversaries Witness had sworn very falsly, both as to the number of Acres, and also as to the value of the Corn, and of such Grain of which it was well known to the Neighbours [...] had none growing. Nevertheless, the Judge (being in a Passion) would not [...] from the Bar but must give in their Verdict, and threa­ [...]ed [Page 5] the Defendant to lay him by the heels, telling him he disturb'd the Court, for thus Speaking in his own just defence, denying their Lyes and false Accusations. And the Judge being thus set against the Defendant, the Jury brought in for the Plaintiff, and the next Term they brought forth an Ex­ecution against him, by a wrong name likewise. And the 17th. day of the 9th. month 1666. Richard VVhite, an Ale-house keeper in VVallingford: with two lewd Fellows more of the baser sort, Ralph VVhistler with his Ser­vants assisting them with his Horse, and drew away VVilliam's Cart, and Wheels, and Cart-rope to his own House; they likewise led and drove away all the Cattle VVilliam had, and some Horses and Cows that were none of his (being on his ground) although he told them they were none of his: The goods they took away were valued at 40l. whereupon VVil­liam gave the Under-Sheriff an account of the value of Goods which they had took from him, and that some of the Goods were not his: the Under-Sheriff promised to rectifie the business, but was not as good as his Word. And although Ralph Whistler had taken nine times the value of the Tythe demanded; yet he wisht he had had so much more; and that William had nothing left him, and that it should not be long before he would have him in Prison again; and also in a Neighbours House laid violent Hands on William, and wrapt one of his Fists in the Hair of his Head, and Struck him on the Head and Face, &c. Insomuch that the Constable could hardly get him off from abusing him: which ma­nifested great envie as well as unreasonablness. That nothing but the Ruine of this poor Man could be expected; had not the Lords power upheld him. But R. W: Was as good as his word in what he before threatned, viz. that it should not be long before he would have him in Prison again, for having taken away his Goods as before-mentioned, he soon caused his Body to be taken up again, thereby endeavouring what in them lay (as appears by their actions) to hinder him in his [...] Imployment in manuring his Land for another Crop, towards the maintinance of his Family. About the middle of the 9th. Month 1667. William Dobson was Arrested again for Tythes at Ralph Whistlers Suit, to which he gave an Appearance, and thereby had liberty to follow his Imployment till the Assizes, which was about the middle of the 12th. Month following, holden at Reding, where it came to be Tryed, and (the same) Judge Twisdon sate Judge; who spying William in the Court with his Hat on, gave him such another Salutation as he did before, at the Assizes at Abington the last year, viz. Come Sirrah, will you not put off your Hat yet? threatning to lay him by th'Heels, before William had spoken any thing whereby to make him so Angry. R. W s. Councellor began to Plead against William after their usual manner, for Carrying away his Hay and Corn without paying Tythe; which they valued (as they said) [Page 6] at 12l. and odd Mony, which with treble Damages amounted to 36l. and odd Mony: and for proof thereof R. VV. brought his former False Witness John Smith of Satwel; against whose Evidence VVilliam made exception, signifying to the Judge, that that was the Man who at the Assizes held at Abingdon the year before had Sworn falsly against him, and therefore his Evidence ought not to be received. The Judge asked whether he had Indicted him for Perjury? VVilliam said no; but I can prove it against him; then the Judge said he must receive his Evidence, until he be In­dicted; so Smith was Sworn, who took Oath that every Acre of Wheat was worth 50s. Which was very false, for Wheat was then at a very [...]ow rate; and the Judge also said he could not see how it could be so much worth: however the Clark cast it up according to what Smith had Sworn, and the single value (they said) did amount to 12l. (with tre­ble Damges to 36l.) But the Judge was so moderate that he left it to the Jury, and bid them to withdraw; and so they did; and abated one third part of that which the Witness had Sworn it was worth, (which [...]gnifieth they gave not much Credit to his Evidence.) The Jury brought in the single value at 8l. With treble Damages at 24l. and thereupon Ralph Whistler brought an Execution: and the 20th. day of the 3 Month 1668. Moses Slade then Under-Sherriff, and Thomas Skeats of Redding, Bayliff, Seized on, and took away from William Dobson a Gelding, and [...] Cows, (all he had) and drove them to Wallingford, and Sold them [...] 14l. and which were well worth 17l. And when they had taken away the Goods without Doors, R. VV. not being satisfied therewith, [...]irred up the Under-Sherriff to go again to take away more Goods; who [...]t two very bad Fellows (as by their actions appeared,) namely, William [...]ild, and Henry Weston, Bayliffs; who went into William Dobson's House the 29th. day of the same month, and took away all the Pewter and Brass they could find, as Kettle, Skillet, Platters, and Skimmer. One Bed and Bolster, one pair of Blankets, two pair of Sheets, four Sacks and a Win­nowing-sheet: also of wearing-cloths, a Doublet, two pair of Breeches, and a great Coat of William's, and two Wastcoats, four Petticoats, and a Searge Hood of his Wives. And when they had loaded upon the Horse what they had got within doors, they went about to drive away the Hoggs that were left; but the Swine ran away, and would not be drove by them; and so they had not the Hoggs that time. But the other Goods they carried to the George Inn in Wallingford, which Goods and Cloaths were worth about 11l. but what they sold it for we have not heard. Yet, notwithstanding, Ralph Whistler was not satisfied, as if indeed he were re­ [...]olved to ruine, or at least to weary out this poor man. Having heard that [...]e had bought some more Cows to yield some Milk for his Children, sent Child the Bayliff again, and his Brother, in the 11th. month, 1668, to [Page 7] William's House, and then they took away three Cows, which was all he had, and were worth 10l. So that the Goods taken away on this Execution as before is mentioned, for 8l. the single value demanded: in Cattle and Houshold-goods, and wearing-cloths, was valued to be worth thirty eight Pounds.

Yet the next Year Ralph Whistler caused William to be Arrested again, and in the 8 Month 1669. Or in a short time after was sent to Reading Goal, from his poor Wife and Children; and the latter end of the 9th: Month following, he was removed by Habias Corpus to Westminster; and returned over in Court, and at the rising of the Court was called to the Barr, and Charged and asked who was his Atturney, whereupon he nominated William Church Clark of the Fleet, and gave him his Fee, and appointed him to put in a Plea of Nell debet parpatriam to the Declara­tion, which he promised to do, and William expected a Tryal at the next Assizes holden at Reding in the first Month 1670. Bu [...] so it was, that he had no Tryal, nevertheless upon the 16th. day of the same Month William Childe the Bayliffe, and Robert Hopkings took away all the Cattel that William had, viz. Horses, Cows, and Hoges, and drove them all to an Inn in Wallingford, and Sold them the next Market day for 19l. But the Goods were valved to be well worth 80l. they using to Sell large Penniworths of his Goods, or else they might have wan­ted Chapmen to take it off their hands. Indeed it is to be admired, how great the Lords Love and Mercy was to this William Dobson, by which he was preserved in patience to undergo so great exercises, and to look with an outward eye, it might seem strange how the man could subsist, and carry on his business to maintain such a Familie, when no sooner he can make shift to buy a few Cattle, but on a sudden they are had away by Droves, and that at such times in which it is most to his disadvantage, and to more than the yearly value of what the Farm was worth by the year, besides the loss of time by Imprisonment, and tossings of his Body from place to place into Confinements. But, to return again to the mat­ter, this is not all, neither would all this before-related satisfie William's unwearied Adversaries. But after Ralph VVhistler had thus cruelly dealt with him, the Priest of the Parish will needs have one fling at him; (and we say 'tis well if he did not encourage R. VV. in his eager prosecution, and unreasonable proceedings) and now VVilliam's Goods are gone, his Body must to Prison again upon Excommunication, and the 29th. day of the first month before mentioned, in which R. VV. had caused all his Cattle to be fetch away, VVilliam was to visit his Friends (who at that time were many) close Prisoners, upon a consciencious account, in Reding Goal, the Goaler seeing him there, told him, if he had not come he must have fetcht him, and pull'd out a Warrant and shewed it to him, which came [Page 8] from the Sheriff, for the apprehending VVilliam Dobson, by virtue of a Writ of Excomunicat' capiendo: for not going to their Worships, and not receiving the Sacrament (as they called) when as he was so little out of Prison, and so tumbled and tossed up and down, that he was hardly in a capacity to go if he had been minded. But he did not only bear Testi­mony against the maintainance (viz. Tyths) but that Ministry which Preach for Hire, and Divine for Mony, and that Worship which is in the VVorld out of the Leadings of God's holy and blessed Spirit. So John Thorp the Goaler stopp'd him, and kept him a Prisoner with the rest of his Friends, whom he came in kindness to visit, and continued a Prisoner two years and a half, and then it pleased the Lord so to order it, contrary to expectation, that VVilliam was released with the rest of his Friends, from their long Imprisonments, by the King's Letters Patents in the 8th. monh called October, 1672.

And in the time of his Imprisonment on Excomunicat' capiendo, Ralph VVhistler and his Servants, in the Harvest time took away VVilliam's Corn in the Field, what they pleased, somtimes a whole Land of Corn together, after it was cut down, upon the account of Tyths, and at several times after a scambling manner, so that the value thereof, which in that two years and a halfs time was taken away in Corn, could not easily be computed.

But VVilliam being again out of Prison, and through the blessing of Almighty God had a little increased his Stock, Ralph VVhistler preten­ding that the former Execution was not yet Levied; upon the 24th. day of the 1st. month, 1673/4 he sent John Button a Bayliff, and VVilliam Robins Assistant of VVallingford, who seized on and drove away 4 Cows, and 3 Horses, which were valued to be worth 27l.

And the 28 [...] day of the same month, VVilliam having borrowed a Horse (for he could not keep any of his own) his Man was drawing a Cart and Wheels with the Horse, in VVallingford street, where Moses Slade the under Sheriff, laid violent hands on the man, and took the Cart and Wheels away from him, which were judged to be worth four Pound.

Again, VVilliam having bought some more Horses to Plow withal, it being about or in the Seed-time, could not well be without, supposing by that time surely Ralph VVhistler was satisfied; but the 13th. day of the 3d. month, 1674, John Button the Bayliff took away from VVilliam's Servant, out of his Team, two Colts with their Harness on, which were judged to be worth 9l. upon the former Execution, as they pretended.

So that for two years Tyth demanded, at 4l. 10s. a year, which came to 9l. these cruel and unreasonable men (for so they have made [Page 9] their actions to render them to all that shall take a view thereof) took away and sold as much Cattle, (viz.) Cows, Horses, Hoggs, and other good and wearing-cloaths from VVilliam Dobson, as was worth 78l. which was about eight times the single value that Ralph VVhistler deman­ded, which is very unreasonable, and will surely be a blot, and bring a line of reflection (and that justly too) upon him and his Posterity, though thereby he might think to increase his Riches, 'tis well if it prove not as a Canker in his Estate (as to some others such gain has proved) which by Oppression is heaped together. And the memory of such un­neighbourly proceedings will remain upon Record, when Ralph VVhistler is gone to his Grave: and the Lord, if it be his Will forgive him, and lay not this to his charge, in that day when God shall open the Book of every mans Conscience, and give righteous Judgment to every man according to their Deeds done in these Bodies, whether they are Good or Evil.

But to return again to the matter that's yet behind. In the begin­ning of the 3d. month, 1675, VVilliam being then at Liberty, was ser­ved with a Subpoena to appear before the Barons of the Exchecquer, at the Suit of Ralph VVhistler; and about the middle of the month follow­ing, he was arrested by VVilliam Child Bayliff, with the Sheriff's Warrant but through the Sheriff's means was not sent to Goal until the begin­ning of the 7th. month, called September; at which time the Goaler sent for him to Prison; and after a little time VVilliam, with 20 mor [...] of his Friends that were then Prisoners, were by the Goaler (Joh [...] Tharp) shut up in two very close Wards over the Dungeon, where th [...] Felons lay sick of the Small-pox; and one of them dying in the Dungeo [...] with that Distemper, John Thorp caused the Muckle and nausty Straw whereon the Felon dyed (which was in a very sad and loathsom con­dition to look upon) to be burnt there in the Dungeon, underneath those Rooms where William and his Friends were shut up; and th [...] Smoak and infectious Dain thereof was so offensive, as is hard to expres [...] the same; which seized on several besides William, and the same day he and several of the others grew ill and had the Distemper, and some [...] died in a short time after; and William was so nigh death, that few tha [...] saw him could think him a man likely to continue, and was given up by those that were about him as a dying man. And at that season the living Power of God, as a spring of Love and Life, fill'd his heart, and burst ou [...] as a Stream, in uttering forth many heavenly Expressions, and wholso [...] Exhortations to his Friends and Brethren; to prize the Love of God, an [...] to be faithful unto him; signifying how good the Lord had been unto him▪ And much more to the same effect he spoke, with fervent zeal and clearness, as if he had been in perfect strength, to the comforting his Fellow [Page 10] prisoners. And speaking so loud, some of the Goaler's Family (viz. Walter Cowdry and the Maid-servant) came up into the Wards, to hear and see what was the matter, and when he had fixt his eyes on them, he spoke very sensibly to them, and also concerning John Thorp and Walter Cow­dry (the then Turn-key) their cruelty towards him and his Friends, and with great zeal he thunder'd out God's dreadful Judgments, that (he said) would suddenly be poured out, against the Goaler and his Confederates, in that barbarous proceeding against the Innocent, in such Wickedness and Cruelty: Also signifying that the day of their visitation was near at an end. And much more he spoke to that effect, to the admiration of all that were present. And the Goaler and his Wife are since both dead—

But it pleased Almighty God, with whom all things are possible, that after a long time of weakness, William Dobson recovered a little strength of body, and had a little Liberty to take the Air, and somtimes to go to see his Family, and be there to look a little over his outward concerns, but remained weakly in Body, and never recovered his former strength from that time. And, notwithstanding the Priest of the Parish, of whom Ralph Whistler rented the Tyth, was dead, and Whistler off from the Bar­gain of renting it, and had counted with the Priest before he dyed, and abated to the Priest what he valued the Tyth of William's Farm to be worth: Yet Ralph Whistler kept him a Prisoner for non-payment thereof to [...]is dying day; though he owed him nothing; which (said William in his [...]ife-time) is a further manifestation of Ralph Whistler's cruelty and un­ [...]easonableness in his actinggs towards him for the space of thirteen years, because for the space of thirteen years he could not for Conscience-sake pay Tyths. And the Lord in these troubles which he permitted him to be exercised withal, did wonderfully uphold and preserve him, and blessed his endeavours; that notwithstanding all the endeavours of his Adversaries, which might tend to his ruine, yet he thrived in his outward Estate, which hath ben taken notice of by many; and that the eminent hand of the Al­mighty God was manifested greatly for his good every way, which is matter of encouragement unto all that are or hereafter may be called by the Lord [...]o suffer for the same Testimony. Now, William Dobson, having thus by the as­ [...]istance of the Lord's Power fought the good Fight of Faith, and kept the Word of his Patience, laid down his head in Peace, and finished his course, and upon the last day of the 3d. month, called May, 1677. he died a Priso­ner for the Truth, and his name is recorded in the Book of Life amongst [...]e faithfull Sufferers and Martyrs, for the ancient Testimony of Jesus [...]hrist, against that great Oppression of Tyths.