For the King and both houses of Parliament being a short relation of the sad estate and sufferings of the innocent people of God called Quakers for worshipping God and exercising a good conscience towards God and man.

1661

FOR THE KING And both HOUSES of PARLIAMENT. Being A SHORT RELATION OF THE Sad Estate and Sufferings OF THE Innocent People of GOD, CALLED QUAKERS; FOR Worshipping GOD, and Exercising a Good CONSCIENCE towards GOD and MAN.

LONDON, Printed in the Year, 1661.

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For the KING And both HOUSES of PARLIAMENT.

FOR these many years some have been put to Death, and many have dyed in Prisons, some have been beat with Clubs, and shot at with Pistols and Guns, and cut with Swords, and knockt down into Pools, and not long after have dyed; and many have been kept in Prison several dayes, without Straw or Meat, and almost starved; And many have had their Goods spoyled and taken away from them, to the Ruining of Them, their Wives and Families; and above Three Thousand suffered Imprisonments, Stockings and Whippings in the dayes of the Commonwealth, and of Oliver Cromwel; and above Five Thousand have suffered since the King came into England very great Afflictions and Imprisonments; and about Seventy lye in Prison, that were Committed in the dayes of Oliver, and the Commonwealth; and above Five Hundred are at present Prisoners, some in Dungeons, and some lye without Straw, and some are not suffered to have Meat brought to them; and also, divers are Committed every week. And besides, many other are their Cruel Sufferings, some of which are here presented to your Consideration, who have the Power to Remedy these things.

NOttinghamshire, Imprisoned Fifteen, six of whom were taken out of a Meeting at Ʋpton, by Souldiers, with drawn Swords, who much abused them, punching and beating of them; And when they were brought to the Sessions, the Justices said they were not there that Committed them, and so slighted them; and some of them they put in a Pit with Thieves, who pickt their Pockets and took their Money from them, and violently pluckt off their Coats, and forced Drink upon them, and swore, if they would not drink they would throw it in their faces, and threatned to fire their Beds: and this was all tolerated by the Goaler, who (as they said) bid them do it; and this they did night after night. And the other Five are Imprisoned for Conscience sake, and not paying Tythes; where they all remain Prisoners.

Warwickshire, Imprisoned Fourteen; five, because for Conscience sake they could not pay Tythes, who own Christ come in the flesh, the Everlasting Priesthood, who ends the first that takes Tythes: And Two are cast into Prison for meeting together, waiting upon the Lord to worship him; and others suffered for Conscience sake towards God: And one Friend being bound to appear at the Assizes, did appear, and then was bid go back; and he demanded his Bond, so the Judge bad him remember him to the rest of his Brethren, and said, The next Assizes he should have his Bond, with a Halter about his Neck. And thus the Innocent is made a Prey upon: and all is, because their minds and hearts are turned towards God, and for fearing, loving, and obeying him; and through the prejudice of the Magistrates they kept two Friends in Prison, though they were freed by the King's Proclamation. And Four Friends were at a Meeting at Stratford upon Avon, and being of another Town, the men (called Justices) caused them to be Whipt, both men and women, and sent away; and caused Two others that were at the same Meeting, that belonged to the Town, to be Imprisoned.

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Rent, Imprisoned Ten; some taken out of their peaceable Meetings, and some from their Imployments, and are cruelly used; And the Governour of Dover told Friends, they should be kept close, and none should come at them, and that they should take up their Provision at a Hole, and that was all the favour they should have: And one Friend is put in a Hole where there is no Light nor Air, but through three little holes in the Door; and hath nothing to lye on, but a little Straw, which hath lain there several moneths; some of which Friends are Tradesmen, on whom many Families depend to be set to work by.

Pembrookshire, Eighteen presented, for not going to the Steeple-house, and committed Close Prisoners into a close, narrow, nasty, stinking, cold Place, and the Goaler never once opened the Door for them since they were put in, to have Conveniencies, but what comes in through the hole of the Door. And the Judge gave a strict Charge to the Grand Jury to present all Friends in this County male and female, which accordingly was done, and gave Charge to all Magistrates and Officers to break up their Meetings; and so it's like the Prisons will be filled very soon in that County, with the Innocent and such as fear God: and some of these Friends are Husbandmen, and were taken away just in the time of their Harvest.

Carmarthen, One Committed on the same Account by the same Judge, and was much abused in the Shire Hall.

Shropshire, One Committed for being at a Meeting, and though the Judge gave the Goaler a Charge that he might have the Liberty of the Prison, and to let his Friends Come to him, yet the Goaler hath Cruelly beat him and suffered the Prisoners to beat him, and stopt his Victualls that he hath been glad to pluck them up by a Cord at the Window; and there he remaines a Prisoner.

Hampshire, In Portsmouth three are in Prison; and there Friends were Pluckt out of there Peaceable Meetings, and thrust out of the Towne, and kickt and beat by Souldiers with the great end of their Muskers, and are not suffered to work in Prison, being Handycrafts men; Whereby they are like to be ruined for want of outwards; and often their Wives are denyed to bring them food; and one went to visit one in Prison and they beat him, and cast him into Prison also. And when Friends laid these things before the Officers, one of them said he was resolved to ruine Friends.

Oxfordshire, Four in Prison, because for Conscience sake, they could not Pay Tythes; And at Banbury a peaceable Meeting was broken up by Souldiers under Col. Frettwel, who drew their swords and struck and beat Friends, and run one in the breast; and a Souldier with a legg of a Form beat and bruised severall Friends; and when they had pulled out Men Women and Children out of the Meeting, they beat them, and threatned to Kill some of them.

Wilishire, Eighteen: severall of them very poor Men, Ten of them were taken in a Friends back-side, after a Meeting, by Souldiers, of whom Friends asked to see their Warrant, but they drew their sword, and said, This is our Warrant, and haled them away to one Captain Sharp who sent them to Prison without a Mittimus; where they remain Prisoners this Instant.

Cambridgeshire, Two Imprisoned for not paying Tythes, and Eleven for not going to the Steeple-houses, where they remain.

Glamorganshire, Four Imprisoned, one of them haled out of a Meeting by Souldiers with Swords and Pistols, and three of them because they could not give Money to the Promooters; where they remain.

Merionethshire, Four imprisoned, and had Irons put on them for not Swearing, and the rude people set upon them (when they were apprehended) with drawn Swords, threatning to kill them; and one threatned to knock them on the head with an Ax; the Jaylor took their Meat from them, and beat them, and made them goe in a very tempestuous day 12 Miles with Irons upon them; and there being two Fidlers and a Piper Prisoners, in spight he set them a sidling and Piping between every two that were Chained together with Irons.

Mountgomeryshire, Eight Imprisoned; sometimes they keep Water from them, and often times keep their food from them, because they will not have it of the Jaylor, and they are in a Cold Room in the Common Goale, where they lay six nights on the bare boards without straw, and then had a wadd of straw allowed them; And sometimes are lockt up [Page 5]and not suffered to go to ease themselves, but are forced to do it where they lodge. Two of which were taken as they were travelling on the high way.

Herefordshire. Friends being peaceably met together in Hereford, to wait upon the Lord, the Mayor, Aldermen, and some Officers came into the Meeting-Room, and said he would rouse them up. Some of them said, they were peaceably met together in the Fear of the Lord. He said, he would have no more Meetings in the Fear of the Lord; and so sent both men and women to Prison.

One Friend was taken at Lemster and carried to Hereford, and committed to Prison by the Mayor of the City, where he had bars of Iron kept on his legs (which were about half an hundred weight) two dayes and one night, and was denyed to send to his Friends; and a Letter that he wrote to his Friends, being carried by a Friend to the Mayor, according to his Order; he kept the Letter, and committed the Friend to Prison that brough it.

Radnorshire. Imprisoned Eight, being taken (as they were parting from a Meeting) by men who came with Swords and Staves, and threatned to drag some Friends at their Horse tails; and because they were asked to shew their Orders, one Price drew out his Sword, and said, there was his Order; and struck one Friend upon his Head, and cut his Hat almost thorow: and several others they beat very cruelly, without mercy; and being brought before a Justice, they were committed to Prison, until they should take the Oath of Allegiance.

Suffolk. Twenty Imprisoned: many of them committed for not going to the Publick Worship.

Cornwel. Above Twenty Friends were taken (as they were going from a Meeting) by Souldiers; and they put the men (being Eighteen) into a Dungeon, which was so little that half of them could not sit at a time, and had no Straw nor any thing to lye on: and the women were put into a little Room in Pendennis Castle, and had not so much as Straw allowed them to lye on: And by a Warrant from two Justices, as much Goods was taken from them as was worth 25 l. 18 s. for driving them from Prison to Prison.

Here followeth a Relation of some part of the Lamentable Sufferings and Havock, that is and hath been made of the People of God, by the oppressing Ministers of England.

ESsex.] John Adams of Hadstock renting a Farm of Twenty seven pounds a year, the Priest of Hadstock demanded Tythes for the said Farm for the year, 1659. and because John Adams could not for Conscience sake pay them, the Priest caused to be taken away from him in Goods, Cattel, and Horses, to the value of Thirty eight pounds, and returned nothing again: And this was testified under the hands of several Witnesses.

In the same County, John Pollard of Steeple, renting a Farm of about 200 l. a year Rent, according to former Custom, Tythes were paid but for three parts of the same, One Armiger claimed Tythes for three years for the said Farm, which amounted to 45 l. for three parts; which John Pollard for Conscience sake denying to pay, the said Armiger caused to be taken away from him Cows, Bullocks, and one Bull to the number of Eighty two in all; all which are valued to be worth 322 l. and returned nothing again: and hath kept the said John Pollard and his Brother in Prison, in the Fleet and other Prisons, several years, besides.

Sussex.] Nicholas Beard had taken from him by Robert Baker, Priest of Rottingdean, for Fifty two pounds demanded for Tythes for two years, fourteen Oxen, six Cows, and a Bull, worth 137 l. and nothing returned again: And in the year, 1660. the said Baker came into Nicholas his Corn Fields, and took away whole Loads of Wheat and Barley, without setting out either Ninths or Tenths, and choosed as he went, and sometimes left none behind, but took all as if it had been his own: And because Nicholas reproved him, he struck him over the head with his Cane, in so much that his head was sore seven or eight weeks after; and he kept the said Nicholas a close Prisoner in the year 1661, Twelve weeks, and since removed him to the Kings Bench, and demands Two hundred Pounds more for Tythes.

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Rent.] Edward Noaks of Word, farmed Land at the rate of Eighty pounds a year, for one years Tythe had Goods taken from him to the value of an hundred pounds, and was kept two years and an half in Prison besides.

And for about 706 l. 08 s. 11 d. demanded for Tythes of several other Friends, the Priest and others have taken Goods worth 3000 l. 03 s. 08 d. and have often taken ten times more than their pretended due.

And there hath suffered Imprisonments, Stockings, Whippings, Loss of Goods, and other abuses; for keeping a good Conscience towards God and man, before the King came into England—	3170 Persons.
And there remain yet Prisoners, that were committed in the dayes of the Commonwealth, and of Oliver and Richard Cromwel —	0079 Persons.
And there hath dyed in Prison in their dayes, through hard usage —	0032 Persons.
And there hath suffered Imprisonments, for Refusing to Swear, and for Meeting together, and Refusing to go to the Publick Worship, and keeping a good Conscience towards God and man, since the King came into England	5400 Persons.
And there hath dyed in Prison (since the King came in) through hard and cruel usage—	0014 Persons.

In IRELAND.
For speaking the Truth in Steeple-houses and Markets, and for not Swearing, and for keeping a good Conscience; there have been Whipt, Stockt, Imprisoned, Fined, and suffered loss of their Goods—	0200 Persons.
And there is at present in Prison in Ireland, being taken out of a peaceable Meeting in Cork, and one other Meeting —	0029 Persons.

In SCOTLAND.
For speaking the Truth, and denying the Priests practices, and for not Swearing, have been Imprisoned, Stockt, Whipt, and some Banished, to the number of —	0091 Persons.

And there are many in Prison at present in Scotland, and Necessaries denied them, and their Friends denied to visit them; but the certain number we know not at present.

Here followeth an Account of Five hundred and fifty two Persons at present Prisoners in England, for good Conscience sake.

VVIltshire — 21
Cornwel—04
Warwickshire —14
Somersetshire— 26
Dorsetshire—07
Gloucestershire—23
Essex — 15
Bedfordshire— 18
Oxfordshire —02
Yorkshire —13
Northamptonshire— 31
Lincoln—04
Merioneth-shire —04
Devonshire — 03
Buckinghamshire — 18
Shropshire —01
Lancashire—58
Leicestershire—05
Darbyshire — 03
Cambridgeshire — 13
Nottinghamshire—15
Suffolk—20
Cheshire — 02
Norfolk — 08
Sussex—02
Rent—12
Staffordshire— 34
Worcestershire — 07
Hertfordshire—50
Herefordshire —15
Hampshire —04
Middlesex — 16
Radnorshire—08
Pembrookshire—18
Glamorganshire—16
Carmarthen —01
Mountgomery—08
Cumberland—08
Huntingdonshire —10
Isle of Man—20

Here followeth a short Account of the sad Sufferings of the People of God in the Forreign Plantations.

[Page 7]IN New England, Twenty six Friends have been banished on Pain of death.
Four have been Martyred.
Three have had their Eares Cut.
One hath been burned in the hand with the Letter H.
Thirty one Persons have received six hundred and fifty stripes.
One was beat while his body was like a Jelly.
Five Appeales made to England, were denyed by Boston Rulers.
One thousand Forty five pounds worth of Goods hath been taken from them (being poor men) for Meeting together in the fear of the Lord, and for keeping the Commands of Christ.

Late Sufferings in New England.

John Curryer, an Inhabitant in Boston, having a Wife and five Children, was Whipt throw three Townes, having ten stripes in a Town, with a three-fold Cord-whip, with knots at the end of it; and for returning back to his Wife and Children, was Whipt through three Townes againe, and is now in Prison, and is to be burned in the shoulder with the Letter R.
And six Inhabitants are now Prisoners in Boston.
And one is to lye in Prison as long as he lives, by their Law.
Anne Needham, an Inhabitant, a woman of good report, a Mother of Children, was whipt with ten stripes.
Thomas Harris, was whipt in Boston with Ten stripes.
George Wilson was Whipt at a Carts taile through three Towns, Ten stripes at a Town, with a Horse Whip.
Anne Barker was Whipt in Boston Patent with many stripes, and she and two more were put in the stocks.
Peter Pearson, and Judith Brown, Innocent People, had both of them Forty stripes, Twenty stripes apiece.
Twenty-Eight Forced out of their Jurisdiction; Some of them Whipt and were not suffered Husband and Wives to go to their Families and Children; and if they did they were to be whipt out again at the Carts tayl.
And they drove Friends out of their Jurisdiction into Plymouth Jurisdiction, and there they had a Law to whip them also, where George Wilson and John Bristow were whipt soon after with rods, having Ten or a Eleven stripes a piece in Plymouth Patent.
Robert Hodgshon, was whipt also in the same Patent with Nine stripes.
Mary Parker was taken out of her own House, and where Friends were met together, and six more, and put in the stocks, and they were much abused, punched and halled; and they threw them in holes of water, in so much that the very Indians Cryed shame of them.
And when Friends shewed the Governours, the Kings Proclamation Concerning setting Friends at liberty, the Kings Subjects; he said in open Court to Robert Hodgshon, that we were None of the Kings Subjects; which Robert said he would prove it by the Kings Proclamation; and then Daniel Dennison, another Magistrate said, that if the King sent over any thing that we should have our Liberty, he would Consider of it, but he would die at the Point of the Sword, he said, before we should have our Liberty.
A cruel Marshal took out of a Friends house, Cloathes worth Four pound, and afterward he took a Man out of his field in a rage, and set him in the stocks all night.

Goods taken for Fines, layd upon Friends for not going to the publick Worship.

From Iohn Small of Salem, a labouring man, when he was about to go to Plow, being fined Five shillings a day, had Goods taken worth sixteen pound.
Taken from Robert Buffan on the same Account, 10 l.
[Page 8]A Horse from George Gardner, worth Ten pounds.
From John Southwick, for his Wife, Thirteen pounds.
And from his Sister (Provided) in Cloaths from her back, and one Cow, worth Eight pounds: and would have sold her for a Bondslave, if any would have bought her.
Daniel Southwick they would have sold for a Bondslave, but no body would buy him; so they attached his House and Land, and threatned to put in a Tenant of their own.
William Parker, for entertaining a Stranger, had a Cow taken from him worth 5 l.
John Rogers, his Son and his Daughter, being found in a Neighbours house on the First Day, had a Cow took from them, worth 4 l.
Henry Holland, for having a Friend in his House, and a Meeting, was fined 7 l. and for that he had three Cows taken from him worth 12 l.
Arthur Howland, having a Meeting in his House, had an Ox taken from him, worth 8 l.
John Smith, for entertaining some of his Neighbors, was fined & had taken from him 2 l.
Taken from Will. Newland, for entertaining of Peter Pearson, two Cows, worth about 10 l.
Taken from Peter Gaunt, for receiving George VVilson only so long a time while he did refresh himself, two Cows, worth 10 l.
Taken from Ralph Allen one Cow, worth 5 l.
Taken from Edward Perry one Ox, worth 7 l.
Taken from VVilliam Gifford one Ox, worth 8 l.

Goods taken from Friends at Hampton in New-England, for Fines.

From William Marst [...], for lodging of Winlock Christison and Joseph Allen, he had taken in dry Ginger and green Ginger, 5 l.
And from Eliakim Wardal, for lodging Winlock Christison and Joseph Allen, taken away a Gelding, worth 17 l.
And they paid him part of the Overplus in the Ginger they stole from William Marston, and promised to pay him the rest in Land somewhere in the Wilderness.
And afterwards came again and took away that Ginger, and a Frying-pan besides.
Josiah Cockshall of Rhoad Island, for going into Plymouth Jurisdiction to visit some Friends, had his Horse took from him, worth 13 l.
Mary Dyar was put to death, for speaking to the Rulers of Boston to repeal their unrighteous Laws.

BARBADO'S.

About Sixty were Imprisoned, and some Imprisoned in Cyrinan, and banished into the Woods, among the Wild Beasts, to be devoured: but the Lord preserved them.

MARY-LAND.

Two hundred ninety nine pounds twelve shillings and two pence worth of Goods was taken from Friends, for worshipping of God, and Friends were cruelly abused, and some whipt besides.

VIRGINIA.

One Thomas Owen was Imprisoned for having a Meeting of Friends in his House, and was put in a close place, and not suffered to go forth to ease himself.

John Cox, a Factor for some Merchants in Bristol, and a Trader for himself, for not putting off his Hat was imprisoned in the same place: and in his Mittimus they called him A Lude Dissolute Person; and the Governour caused to be taken from him for the cause aforesaid, Two thousand weight of Tobacco, all that he had both of his own and others; and he, and the aforesaid Thomas Owen, were kept in such a stinking Hole in the Winter season, and not suffered to go forth to ease themselves, and their Friends denyed to come at them to minister to their Necessities; by which Cruelty their bodies were brought so low, that John Cox was near death, and lay speechless for many hours; and when they thought he was past recovery, they opened the Door: And this Cruelty they inflicted on him, only for not putting off his Hat, as it was exprest by some of them that persecuted him.

And Twelve other Friends were Imprisoned, for meeting together to worship God.

William Colburn, for having a Meeting in his house, was fined an hundred pound Sterling.

David Cuffin, for the same cause, was taken, and four more with him, and severely whipt and sent to Prison, and fined an hundred pounds.

And several others, that are not here mentioned, have greatly suffered in Virginia for the worshipping of their God, and for serving of him in Spirit and Truth.

These Friends following were Banished from the Island of Nevis, for Keeping their Consciences voyd of offence towards the Lord, and had no Legall Tryall.

[Page 9]Mary Fisher.
Peter Head.
John Rous.
William Robinson.
Christopher Holder.
Thomas Harris.
Richard Clark, banished from his VVife, being an Inhabitant there.
Richard Pinder.
Robert Malins.
Josiah Coale.
George Rofe.
Thomas Clarke.
Jane Gore.
Justinian Holliman, whipt and banished.
Robert Hodgshon.

It was their constant course, that when they heard any Freinds were come to the Island, to never leave hunting after them till they had found them out, and then to banish them off the Island, and force the Master of the ship to carry them from the Island that brought them thither; and most of these Freinds a fore mentioned, were banished off the Island without any legall Triall, Evidence brought against them, Crime or breach of Law laid to their charge, which might occasion justly their Banishment; and few Freinds were ever called before the Governour or Magistrates, but being taken by the Marshall, were forced off the Island by a verball Order, only from the Governour.

Justinian Holliman, Banished off from Christophers.

Therefore in the Love, Patience, Wisdome and Meekness, we would have you to Consider these things in Justice, true Judgment and Equity; for our Friends be innocent, not lifting up a hand against any one, and own that which is just, which Establisheth a Kingdome. And the Lord Suffered Adam, though he disobeyed, to have Liberty in the Earth, and Cain, and wild Ishmael, and Prophane Esau, whom God hated; And the true Christians in the Primitive times, did not Compell nor force any about Maintenance nor Ministry; for we do not read that the Christians did imprison any for not Swearing, for not Paying Tythes, or for not going to their Publick places of Worship. Therefore these things came up since the Apostles dayes, for which they had no Example from them, nor Christ; which Christians should be more Moderate then all people upon the Earth, in the gentle and peaceable Wisdome, that is pure from above: but the Just allwayes suffered, and the Sufferings of the Just is by them that live not in the Power of God; Therefore with the witness of God, Consider these things; And if there be not liberty for Husband-men and Tradesmen, it will be the Cause of ruining many Families, and will not be for Gods Honour, nor your profit, to hinder people from going about their Lawful occasions, and from Meeting together to Worship God.

And we being Peaceable, and seeking the peace of all men, and not lifting up a Hand against any one, to the revenging of our selves, though we have Suffered; therefore it is but reasonable that we should have Our Meetings, and it is not against the Apostles Doctrine, nor Christs, for Christians to meet together to Edifie one another, and Build up one another in the holy Faith; and to Exhort one another daily, and not to forsake the Assembling together one with another: This was the Command and Example of the Apostles, who met together from house to house; and Christ, who met on Hills, Mountaines, and in the Wilderness, and houses and Inns: And the Apostle Paul was Suffered to meet at Rome, where the Seat of the Emperour was; and the Prophet said, They that feared the Lord met often together, whom the Lord heard, which were as his Jewels; Therefore Christians should not be straitned from the Practice of the Apostles; for, if there was more Love among Christians, where there is a great deal of Profession, there would be more Edification; And not to be against such as do Edifie one another according to the Practice of the Apostles: for Christ and the Apostles Meetings, were lookt upon to be Seditious and tumultuous as ours are, but our Innocency and theirs hath and doth manifest it self; And this we desire, that you all had the mind of Moses, who said, would all the Lords people were Prophets; for there was some in Moses dayes [Page 10]that would have limitted the Spirit: and Christ said to the Jewes, Is it not Written, you shall all be taught of the Lord. And as Concerning Swearing, Christ hath Commanded not to Swear at all: And the Apostle James said, My Brethren, above all things Swear not at all; but in all your Communications, let your yea be yea, and nay nay: this is Christs Doctrine, and the Apostles, who sayes, Swear not at all, least you fall into Condemnation. Now these are the true Christians who obey Christ and the Apostles Doctrine; of whose Doctrine and Commands we are tender, and cannot Swear least we Commit sin and evill, and fall into Condemnation: Christ and the Apostles hath commanded us in all our Communication to keep to yea and nay; And now, if our yea, be not yea, and nay nay, in all things, to you and all Magistrates, and all people, then let us Suffer if we break that, as them that break their Oaths. And let all the Prison Doors be Set Open for the Innocent Men and Women, that many that have long lain in Prison in Straw and Holes, and wanted Food, and where many have dyed; and this is that, we would not have their Innocent Blood brought upon you.

And let Armed men with naked Swords and Pistols be stopt, who comes among naked Men, and Women, and Children, that be innocent, when they are met together to wait upon the Lord; which is a thing below the very Humanity of Men, and contrary to the Kings Proclamation, which saith, Souldiers should not come into any house without a Civil Officer, and a VVarrant.

And all these Afflictions and Sufferings upon tender Consciences in matters of Religion, are contrary to the Kings Declaration at Breda, and his Speeches and Promises since.

And Friends, It's a dishonour, and not an honour to Christian Religion, that Boyes, Girls, Fellows, and People, and Armed-men with Swords and Pistols, should strike, beat, cut, and throw stones and dirt; and shout, and raise Heaps and Tumults, against an Innocent People that lifts up a hand against no man, that seeks the Righteousness, and Good, and Peace of all People: And for Ministers and Teachers to have their People to do so, is not of good report, but a reproach, and doth not grace a Magistrate, which is to keep Peace, and to lay the just Law upon Transgressors and Offenders, and to distinguish betwixt the Peaceable and the Tumultuous, and Offenders, and Transgressors, and such as the Law was made for, and it was not made for.

And again, All the Christian Magistrates and Ministers do know that Christ saith, Let the Wheat and the Tares grow together till the Harvest; and this was Christs Doctrine and Command to his Ministers: And the Apostles, which were Ministers of Christ, said, Their weapons were Spiritual, and not Carnal, and they did not wrestle with flesh and blood: therefore they that wrestle with flesh and blood, with carnal weapons, Are they the Ministers of Christ? and do these follow the Apostles Examples? Doth not Christ rebuke such as take the Brethren by the throat, whom he had forgiven in his Parable, and said, how that all should forgive one another? And doth not Christ rebuke them that did not visit him in Prison; Therefore what will become of them that cast him in Prison, where he is manifest? Therefore we would have you in the Wisdom of God to consider these things, and in the feeling of Gods Spirit; for every one must give an account at the day of Judgment to God for every idle word, and all things done in the body. And doth not Christ rebuke his Ministers, and his Disciples, who would have had fire come down from Heaven to consume them, as the Prophet did, that were contrary-minded to them, and told them that he came to save mens lives, and not to destroy them: Therefore mind him, his Doctrine and Practice, and let him be your Example in all things, by whom Grace came; but the Law came by Moses (which Christ ended) which put men to death about Religion: And this is my beloved Son, Hear ye Him, saith God, who is the Prophet raised like unto Moses; whom we do hear, and have done these many years, who is our Way, Truth and Life.

And Friends, if you will not set our Friends at Liberty, which lye in Holes and Dungeons, and some without Straw, and some hardly have Air, and many can hardly get Meat, and many have died through the Cruel Sufferings and Abuses of the Goalers and others; we offer unto you of our selves that be out of Prison, as many as lye in Prison, to go into their Holes, Dungeons, stinking Vaults and Places, where some of our Friends have lain, two, three, and some four or five years, That they may go out of Prison, and not dye there, as many have done, whose innocent blood we leave to the Lord: And this is but our Duty, in [Page 11]love to God and our Brethren, and to such as do persecute and afflict us, to stop innocent Blood from coming upon You and the People: And this is in Love to your Souls, from the People of God called QUAKERS.

VVe subscribe in behalf of our selves and the rest of our Brethren.

Thomas Coveney.
Ger. Roberts.
Edward Brush.
Char. Collins.
William Gosnel.
Richard Pinder.
Edward Brooke.
Gilbert Laty.
Humphrey Bache.
Ellis Hooks.
John Lawrence.
John Rous.

VVe are such as do fear the God of Heaven, and delight to serve him with all the heart; and we worship him in Spirit and Truth, and do walk in his Light and VVay, and are followers of Christ Jesus, and are taught by his Spirit so far, as he hath blessed us with the gifts of Grace and Knowledge; And we desire to be found such as may serve the Lord God in uprightness of our hearts all our dayes, keeping a good Conscience towards God and all men, That we may be to him a People, and he our God; and that we may possess and inherit Eternal Life with the Father, when this VVorld shall be no more.

And we have alwayes been a suffering People, under every Authority that hath been over us since we were a People; and the Rulers of these Kingdoms have persecuted us, by cruel and hard Imprisonments, Scourgings, false Judgments, and much evil dealing exercised towards us; And all this for and because only of our Religion and good Conscience sake to God-wards, and not for any Rebellion, Sedition, or wrong doing towards them, or our Neighbours; for it hath been our only care, how to walk justly and innocently in the sight of God towards Rulers and People, and have been peaceable towards all; And herein we have desired to approve our hearts in much Integrity and Sincerity, that we might be found blameless before the Lord, as himself doth bear us witness.

And we are at this very day the same towards you, innocent and peaceable, and clear from all Rebellion, Plots, or Actions and Intentions of Evil; we desire not your hurt, but your good, even that ye may walk in the VVay of Peace, and your souls may live and not perish; and that ye may fear the God of Heaven, and may walk in his VVisdom and Counsel and not be destroyed: And such is our Innocency of heart towards you, that we can say, VVho is the man that can truly accuse and detect us of the contrary? for such hath been our peaceable deportment ever since the King's arrival, that no guilt of Rebellion in action or intention is found with us; But we are clear of all these things, however otherwise falsly suspected or judged; And we desire nothing of you, but that we may live a quiet and peaceable life, in all Godliness and Honesty, under the King; and that we may be permitted to serve the Lord our God, and worship him in the true exercise of a pure Conscience, according to the teachings of his own Spirit in the matters of Faith and VVorship, and Duty towards him. This we only desire, That we may serve the Lord, and render all due Obedience to them that have Rule over us.

And seeing ye have now our Case before you, If yet it be in your hearts and purposes, to afflict us yet more, and to enact against us to our Imprisonment, Banishment, or whatsoever, for and because of our Religion and good Conscience, we are resolved in the Lord in much patience to bear it, and not rendring evil for evil, but innocently to submit to whatsoever the Lord suffers to be done unto us; And we shall leave it to the Just God of Heaven to plead our Cause, and to determine the Controversie between You and Us in his day; VVe say, if you yet cause us to suffer greater things than these, it is as we are Christians, [Page 12]and Servants of Christ, for we are Innocent towards you; and we are perswaded in the Lord to be faithful, and never to renounce our good Consciences, nor to deny Christ before men, but to confess him, and professe him, and follow him in the sight of all men, notwithstanding whatsoever Sufferings may come upon us for the same; and if we perish in this World for so doing, our Blood will be upon our Persecutors, and we shall have Peace with the Lord our God; even while the Guilt of our Destruction resteth with such as seek our hurt. And therefore our desire is, That ye would truly weigh and consider these things in the Fear and VVisdom of God, and how dangerous a thing it is, both to Us and Your selves, to enact the Banishment of so many thousands of Persons and Families, upon the account of difference in Religion: Oh! do not put us upon such a sad Extremity, by making such a Law, by which we are concluded, either to disobey Christ Jesus and his Law, and so to deny Christ, and renounce our good Consciences, and so to expose us to the VVrath and Anger of God perpetually; or to break your Law, and disobey your Authority, and so to expose us to utter ruine in this VVorld.

Consider of this, and let the Law of God teach you, To do to others as you would be done unto in the like case.

THE END.

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