The Voice of the innocent uttered forth, or, The call of the harmless and oppressed for justice and equity being a brief relation of some remarkable passages, concerning the tryal and sentencing of five of the people of God called Quakers, at the sessions holden at the castle of Northampton, upon the fourth and sixth dayes of the second month, called April, in the year 1665, Richard Rainsford sitting judge, there being present several of those called justices for the said county, two of their names are as followeth, Henry Yelverton and John Willoughby, &c.

The Voice of the innocent uttered forth, or, The call of the harmless and oppressed for justice and equity being a brief relation of some remarkable passages, concerning the tryal and sentencing of five of the people of God called Quakers, at the sessions holden at the castle of Northampton, upon the fourth and sixth dayes of the second month, called April, in the year 1665, Richard Rainsford sitting judge, there being present several of those called justices for the said county, two of their names are as followeth, Henry Yelverton and John Willoughby, &c.

Table of contents

Title page

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Poſtſcript.

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THE Voice of the Innocent uttered forth: OR, The Call of the Harmleſs and Oppreſſed FOR Iuſtice and Equity.

BEING A brief Relation of ſome Remarkable Paſſages, concerning the Tryal and ſentencing of five of the People of God called Quakers, at the Seſſions holden at the Caſtle of Northampton, upon the fourth and ſixth dayes of the ſecond Month, called April, in the year 1665. Richard Rainsford ſitting Judge, there being preſent ſeveral of thoſe called Juſtices for the ſaid County; two of their names are as followeth, Henry Yelverton and John Willoughby, &c.

From the People of God called Quakers, who are ſufferers in the County Goal of Northampton for Conſcience ſake.

Hereunto is added a Poſtſcript.

Acts 5. 38, 39.

And now I ſay unto you, refrain from theſe men, and let them alone; for if this Council, or this Work be of men, it will come to nought; but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it: leſt happily ye be found even to fight againſt God.

London, Printed in the Year, 1665.

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UPon the fourth and ſixth dayes of the ſecond Month, in the year 1665. the Seſſions being holden for the County of Northampton, many of the people called Quakers, were brought forth to the ſame: Upon the ſixth day of the Month aforeſaid, the Court being ſet, and Richard Rainsford ſitting Judge, four of the ſaid Priſoners were called to the Bar, whoſe names are as followeth, viz. William Robinſon, Richard Parſons, John Coory, and Elizabeth Harris. Proclamation was made that all ſhould keep ſilence, &c.

The firſt and ſecond Convictions (ſo called) being read, and their Indictment alſo, which was very large; but the ſubſtance thereof was to this effect, as near as can be remembred: That whereas William Robinſon, Richard Parſons, John Coory, and Elizabeth Harris, and every of them, being unlawfully aſſembled at Robert Aſhby's houſe, ſituate and being in Bugbrook, in the County of Northampton, with divers other Malefactors, contrary to the Liturgy or practice of the Church of England, in contempt to the King, his Laws, and againſt his Crown and Dignity, &c.

Judge.

William Robinſon, what ſay you; are you guilty or not guilty of your Indictment?

Priſoner.

I was at a Meeting to worſhip the living God, in Spirit and in Truth; and I had no evil intent in my heart againſt the King, Parliament or any other of the Kings Subjects.

Judge.

But was you there only to worſhip God in Spirit and in Truth, as you ſay? And had you no other buſineſs there? And did you worſhip God according to the form of Worſhip now eſtabliſhed in England by Authority? And had you the Common Prayer read amongſt you?

Priſoner.

We meet together to worſhip God in reality, in Spirit and in Truth; and I never met under colour and pretence, but in obedience unto God, as he hath made known unto me.

Judge.

Richard Parſons, what ſay you; are you guilty of this Indictment? &c.

Priſoner.

Not guilty of much that is therein inſerted.

Judge.

Did you worſhip God according to the Liturgie, or book of Common-Prayer?

[Page]Priſoner.

Doth not the Liturgy allow of worſhipping of God in Spirit and in Truth?

Judge.

Yes.

Priſoner.

Then I am not guilty.

Judge.

How will you be tryed?

Priſoner.

By the Truth.

Judge.

John Coory, are you guilty of this Indictment?

Priſoner.

Not guilty of breaking any juſt Law.

Judge.

Did you meet according to the Liturgie? had you the Common-Prayer-Book amongſt you.

Priſoner.

We met together to worſhip God in Spirit and Truth.

Judge.

Elizabeth Harris, are you guilty or not guilty?

Priſoner.

Not guilty of meeting under colour and pretence of religious Worſhip, but in reality, in Spirit and in Truth.

The Priſoners Anſwers being given, as is before mentioned, it was taken for not guilty, and ſo after much ado a Jury was called; their names are as followeth: William Smith, William Bliſſe, Nicholas Bliſſe, Robert Bartet, Robert Barber, William Smalbone, Thomas Henchman, &c.

And theſe were ſworn truly to try and Judge between the King and the Priſoners at the Bar, and true deliverance make according to their evidence, &c.

Then three Witneſſes being called and ſworn, viz. James Baker, a very prophane, ſwearing, drunken man; and Richard Pooley, a prophane ſwearing fellow; and Henry Addams, being all three ſoldiers: The Judge asked them if they ſaw the Priſoners at the Bar at Robert Aſhby's houſe in Bugbrook, at a Meeting? unto which they anſwered, Yes. Then ſaid the Judge, What day was it upon? and what time of the day? They anſwered, upon Palm-Sunday, about one or two of the clock in the afternoon. Then the Judge asked the number of the perſons, and what they ſaw them do there? To which they anſwered, There was about thirty perſons, and one of them was Preaching and Praying; for he ſometimes ſtood, and ſometimes kneeled down. Then the Judge asked them, whether they ſaw the Common-Prayer-Book amongſt them? They anſwered, No. Then the Judge ſpake to the Jury, and ſet them in a way, that they might be ſure to finde [Page] them guilty: they being a company of weak men (and ſome of them maliciouſly bent againſt truth) not well underſtanding the weighty matter they were imployed in; ſo the Jury went forth, and in about half an hours time, returned again, and brought in their Verdict, that three of the Priſoners were guilty of the third offence; and the woman they brought in to be guilty of the ſecond offence: Then ſaid John Randolph a Lawyer, have you not brought them in all alike? Then there aroſe ſome confuſion amongſt them; but at length the matter was huſhed up, and ſhe found guilty of the third offence, as they account it; but to worſhip God in Spirit and Truth is no offence.

But it was obſerved by many preſent, that they never ſaw nor heard of ſo weak a Jury to be imployed in ſo weighty a matter.

Then the Judge told the Priſoners, that the Jury had brought them in guilty; and ſaid he, I am to paſs the Judgement of Tranſportation upon you; and asked them what they had to ſay for themſelves, that the Judgement of Tranſportation might not paſs upon them?

John Coory ſaid, We are an innocent People, and do deſire to live in the fear of God. And further, ſaid he, I do believe if we had been drunkards, ſwearers, lyars, covetous men, proud, coſeners, cheaters, hypocrites, or diſſemblers, we ſhould not have been brought here; for that by you is tolerated, or at the leaſt winked at, and little notice taken thereof.

Judge.

Are you a juſt man? are you without ſin?

Priſoner.

I am one that feareth and ſerveth God daily, and I deſire you may fear and ſerve the Lord alſo: And moreover, I have two ſmall motherleſs children, and am a poor man; and ſo it will be good for you to take heed, that you do not make them fathe [...]leſs alſo; for if you ſo do, God will reward you according to your works.

Judge.

Its your obſtinacy, and your own wilfulneſs, and I am ſorry at my heart to do it, but only I and the Juſtices upon the Bench with me, are ſworn to do it; and if we ſhould not, we ſhould prove our ſelves to be perjured perſon [...], &c.

Priſoner.

Are you ſworn to do that which you are ſorry for? This is a ſad thing; and ſurely Gods hand will turn againſt all unjuſt Judges, Juſtices, and oppreſſers of his People, and all unjuſt Rulers whatſoever.

[Page] Interrupted.

Judge.

You muſt hearken unto me, and muſt not ſpeak, you muſt give ear unto your Sentence; which was to this effect: That you and every of you, ſhall be tranſported unto the Iſland of Jamaica, there to remain for the ſpace of ſeven years; and if you return again before the time be expired, it muſt be at your peril: but this priviledge you have, that if you will pay in one hundred pounds a piece, before the Court be adjourn'd, you ſhall be freed from the Sentence of Tranſportation.

It may be obſerved, although Judge Rainsford hath before declared himſelf to be ſorry to proceed with friends in ſuch manner as he did; yet the contrary plainly appears by his actions: for when as one (called) George Robinſon, did ſpeak to the ſaid Judge, (he being upon the Bench) in the behalf of the ſaid (now ſentenced) Priſoners, and deſired moderately to reaſon in their and his own behalf, (he being a Priſoner, and his time very near expired which he had been committed for) but the aforeſaid Judge preſently gave order for his further confinement, and bound him to his good behaviour (as they call it) whereby to prevent him of his juſt Liberty. And thus as of old, Iſa. 59. ver. 14. Judgement is turned away backward, and Juſtice ſtandeth afar off; for truth is fallen in the ſtreet, and equity cannot enter.

Daniel Rooe being called to the Bar, and his Indictment read, it being in the ſame manner and form as was the other Indictments.

Judge.

Daniel Rooe, are you guilty of this Indictment, or not guilty?

Priſoner.

I have not tranſgreſſed any Law of God, or juſt Law of good men.

Judge.

That's no matter; are you guilty or not guilty, of the Indictment?

Priſoner.

As to that I have ſaid. So this Anſwer being taken for not guilty, the Witneſſes were called and ſworn, being the ſame perſons that witneſſed againſt the other, and the queſtions put to them was much like the former, and the anſwers to the ſame purpoſe: Then the Jury was ſworn, which was the ſame Jury that went forth upon the other, only the fore-man William Smith, was excepted againſt, and turned out by the Court. Then the Judge ſpake to the Jury, and ſaid, You have heard, how that [Page]the witneſſes have evidenced, That there was praying and preaching, but they did not hear the book of Common Prayer read amongſt them. And alſo, ſaid he, he himſelf cannot ſay they had the form of Common Prayer uſed amongſt them. And here he laid the main ſtreſs of the matter, and ſeemed hereby to make it appear to the Jury, That becauſe Common Prayer was not read, that they were Guilty; and the Jury being a going forth, the Priſoner ſpake unto them, and ſaid, Oh Friends, and Countrymen of the Jury, I deſire you, as in the preſence of the Lord, that you take heed what ye do, for the thing is weighty you have in hand.

So the Jury went forth, and in a ſhort time returned again, and cryed, A Verdict, a Verdict; the Court ſaid, Who ſhall ſpeak for you? they anſwered, The Fore-man; then ſaid the Judge, How do you find it, are you all agreed? they ſaid, Yes, and we find it for the King, &c. Then the Judge ſaid to the Priſoner, Here you ſee the Jury hath found you Guilty.

Priſ.

I commit my cauſe to the Lord, for I have broken no Juſt Law.

Judg.

Well, well, you was at theſe Conventicles under colour and pretence to worſhip God.

Priſ.

I was not there under colour and pretence, but in reality to Worſhip God in Spirit and in Truth, as I was led and guided by the ſpirit of the Lord.

Judg.

But how do you know its the Spirit of the Lord? you may be deluded, and led by an evil ſpirit, for we are not to be led by our own ſpirits, for ſome mens ſpirits leads them to Murder, and ſome mens ſpirits leads them to Adultery, &c.

Priſ.

The Spirit of the Lord leads into all truth, and this Spirit is not to be limited either to Time or place.

Judg.

Well, come, have you any thing more to ſay for your ſelf, why the Sentence of Tranſportation ſhould not be paſſed upon you? if you have, you may ſpeak, &c.

But the Priſoner ſaid no more: Then was the Judgment of Tranſportation given, that he ſhould be tranſported to the Iſland of Jamaica, there to remain for the ſpace of ſeven years, unleſs the ſaid priſoner would pay unto the Court one hundred pounds before the end of the Seſſions. So the priſoner [Page] was taken from the Bar, and with the reſt returned to priſon again.

Now people it may be well for you to take notice, how that the Tryal and Sentence aforeſaid, was paſt upon the Lords people, even the next day following their pretended Faſt, which they kept (as they ſay) for a bleſſing upon their Indeavours in their intended War with the Dutch. But how can a people expect a bleſſing from God, when they are ſmiting with the fiſt of wickedneſs, and even fighting againſt God and his Worſhip? Yea, even upon the very day of their pretended Faſt, the Juſtices met together (as we are credibly informed) to carry on the afore-mentioned work, of Trying and Sentencing a people (for worſhipping God) even for Tranſportation. And ſo inſtead of keeping a Faſt, which the Lord hath choſen, which is to looſe the b [...]nds of wickedneſs, and to undoe the heavy burdens, and let the oppreſſed go free, and break every yoak, and deal their bread to the hungry, and to bring the poor that is caſt ou [...] into their houſe, and to cover the naked, and not to hide themſelves from their own fleſh; I ſay, inſtead of theſe things, the quite contrary fruits are brought forth (as it was ſaid upon the day and day following their pretended Faſt) even an adding to the bands of wickedneſs, and laying burdens upon the innocent, neither do they let the oppreſſed go free, but rather add to their yoak, and inſtead of dealing bread to the hungry, and taking thoſe to houſe that are caſt forth, they even caſt them out of houſe (and if the Lord doth not prevent them) out of their native Land alſo.

And this is the meaſure which hath been meated unto the Lords people by this generation of men, after all the ſufferings which hath been inflicted upon them by impriſonment and otherwiſe, which wo [...]k of perſecution hath been much helped forward by one John Garrett (Steward to the man called Lord Spencer) being a very great enemy to the appearance of God in any people that differs from the National Worſhip, and alſo by John Witfield, and Thomas Hogg, Prieſts of thoſe places where our peaceable meetings have been kept, for they have much ſtirred up the people againſt us, and ſome [Page] have readily anſwered their deſires herein, and eſpecially one called Captain John Will [...]ughby, one alſo in commiſſion to do juſtice; who both in Perſon, and by his Warrant, granted forth unto ſome of his ſouldiers, being leud wicked men, for the moſt part, ſuch as the people where they dwell do very much abhor for their wickedneſſe ſake: ſome of their names are as followeth, viz. James Baker, a chief leader of them, being a Dog-keeper, a drunken ſwearing fellow, and Thomas Goodman a Fidler, a man noted for much prophane gaming, having been accounted their Vice, or fool of their play, and another Richard Pooley, a prophane ſwearing fellow: And theſe, with ſuch like as themſelves, the aforeſaid John Willoughby, hath impowered by Warrant or otherwiſe, hath come along with them in perſon to our Meetings from time to time, halling, beating, bruiſing and abuſing friends, when peaceably met together for the worſhip and ſervice of the Lord in truth, and not under colour and pretence, ſo not liable to the penalties in the late Act; for its known we are, and have been all along a peaceable people ever ſince the Lord raiſed us up, and the Nation hath had great experience of the ſame; and ſo its altogether unequitable and unjuſt, even the preſent proceedings of thoſe which do daily riſe up againſt us, for the exerciſe of our conſciences towards God in the way of his bleſſed worſhip, which he hath clearly made known unto us, although we may not have a Common Prayer-Book to read amongſt People, as Judge Rainsford would ſeem to incenſe the Jury and others, that we were breakers of the late Act, becauſe we uſed not the Common Prayer; which the Lord hath let us ſee the weakneſſe and unprofitableneſſe of thoſe things, and we cannot, like the dog, return to the old vomit again, and like the ſow that is waſhed, to the wallowing in the mire; though for the ſame we ſuffer; and are counted as tranſgreſſors in the ſight of our Judges, but we are clear in the ſight of God; and alſo the late Act clears us, where our enemies themſelves are not Judges, or where Judgement is given without partiality; and ſo our cauſe we commit to the Lord, even to plead in our behalf, who through his goodneſſe hath engaged us to appear in the behalf of his Name and Teſtimony, which he hath given us to bear even in this day of our tryal and exerciſe of our faith and patience, wherein God hath preſerved us hitherto, in all the dangers and [Page] great ſufferings which is known to the Lord right well; and he hath furniſhed us in this our day with all things anſwerable to our preſent neceſſities; ſo the glory of his works belong to him for ever. And ſo its for conſcience ſake we are ſufferers this day, and for the worſhip of God, and not for evil doing, as our enemies and perſecutors would render it. And this we are willing to make known, that ſo all might be informed concerning theſe things, and come to know the truth of this matter.

Poſtſcript.

ANd now all moderate People may judge, whether here is any matter of Fact proved, or found to be done (by the aforeſaid Innocent harmleſs People) againſt the King, or that might make for the diſturbance of the peace of the Kingdom: And if the Judges & Jurors did but underſtand themſelves, they, as well as other people, might ſee that all this that is done againſt us, is for worſhipping of God in ſpirit and truth; in which way we worſhip the true and living God, who is a Spirit, and will be worſhipped in Spirit and Truth; and for ſo doing are we expoſed unto this cruel Sentence, even to be baniſhed out of our native Land; but and if it ſhould be ſo, we can truly ſay, Lord forgive them, and lay not this evil to their charge; but if not, O Lord, thy will be done: And indeed we might or could not expect, but that the Innocent ſhould be brought in guilty, when as that wicked man William Smith of Hardingſtone was the Fore-man of the (ſenceleſs, fearful, and evvious) Jury, who ſaid, that the three men was guilty of the third offence, and the woman of the ſecond; and ſaid, that they were all agreed likewiſe: And when he was reproved for it by the Judge, and by John Randolph a Lawyer, he ſaid, they were all guilty of the third offence. And now ſomewhat more of his actions may be laid open, who was taken to be a chief inſtrument for the bringing of the Innocent in (by a falſe Verdict) guilty, when no evil could juſtly be charged upon them, or matter of wrong done to any, the matter being only for worſhipping [Page] of God in Spirit and Truth, which the Scriptures of truth, and the Liturgy doth allow of; and moreover, this old hypocrite ſpake againſt the Common-Prayer, and ſaid, as can be proved, if need be, That he hoped never to ſee the day, that Common-Prayer ſhould be uſed again in England; and this was when he went to the Lectors at Northampton, one week after another, at which time Cains ſpirit bare rule in him, for then and by his means, did that honeſt upright hearted man William Lov [...]il of Hardingſtone, (called a Quaker) ſuffer eighteen months impriſonment, for ſaying, that thoſe he then called Miniſters of Chriſt, were Miniſters of Sathan, and that the Scriptures were not the Word of God, but a true Declaration of the Word, &c. And now much more might be ſaid concerning this man, but this is the deſire of our hearts, that he, with all the reſt of this wicked generation, may repent of their ungodly actions, and never commit the like again, but turn unto God by amending their life, and former wicked converſation before it be too late, and the door of mercy ſhut againſt them; and then may they cry all the day long, and lament bitterly, and ſhall not be heard. Therefore hearken and encline your ears, unto what is written unto you, now whilſt you have a day in which you may take counſel, if through wickedneſs your hearts be not hardened; but however ye are warned, I mean both Judges, Juſtices, Jury-men, and you that bear falſe witneſs againſt your neighbours and Country-men, the Innocent, harmleſs people called Quakers; although Richard Rainsford ſtileth them impudent, becauſe they ſo boldly let their doors ſtand open when they meet (in the way of Gods bleſſed Worſhip) ſaying, that we were more bold (in this Country) then the reſt of our fraternity, in other Countries; for, ſaid he, they will keep their doors ſhut, and ſet their ſpies to ſee when any cometh to apprehend or take them; which thing we do believe is utterly falſe, and is not the manner of Gods people ſo to do: And this know ye our enemies, and falſe accuſers, that the higher you climbe in oppreſſion by Laws, lyes, and falſe reports, the greater will be your fall into ſorrow, and perpetual miſery, for we can and do make our appeal unto that of God in all your conſciences, who of you have we wronged, whoſe Ox have we ſtoln? or whoſe Aſs have we taken away? or what miſchief have we hatched? or what inſurrections have [Page] we contrived? Hath (either) former or latter experience ſhewed any ſuch thing to be brought forth by us? Declare if you can, or elſe for ever ſtop your mouths for ſpeaking againſt us, and ſtay your hands from doing of violence unto us, for ſerving and obeying of God, and think not your proceedings can afright us, for this know, we are upon that Rock againſt which the gates of hell cannot prevail. Therefore in vain do ye ſtrive, and to no purpoſe do you cumber your ſelves, and fret like diſtracted men, for you may as eaſily ſtop the Sun from riſing, or ſtay it from going its courſe, and ſetting in its appointed ſeaſon, as hinder or ſtop that good work that God hath begun in the hearts of his people, and will perfect to his praiſe for ever. Although Richard Rainsford ſaid in his Charge, ſpeaking of the Quakers, that they had away to ſtop their multiplying, and growing numerous; for ſaid he, our Soveraign Lord the King, with the advice of the wiſeſt men in the Land, have allowed them to meet to the number of four, beſides the family, or them of the houſe where they meet, but nothing will ſerve their turn but thirty or forty, or more, and ſo brings themſelves under the penalties of the Law, and then we have two Convictions, and for the third baniſhment; and if they return again without licenſe, before ſeven years be expired, then we have the Gallows and the Halter, and that will be the end; and we have our ſacred Majeſty to be our Head, and his wholeſom Laws to be our rule to walk by; we have Goals, Stocks, and Whips, and the Nation on our ſide, and what need we fear, we are ſafe, and have ſtrength enough, &c.

Oh, but this know, ye ſtupified ones, that ye are all this while but mortal men; and if the hand of God be turned againſt you, what will all theſe things do for you? Theſe cannot deliver you from the ſtroak of his hand, neither give you peace in the day of trouble, for our ſtrength is in the Lord, and he is God over all bleſſed for ever, unto all eternity; and its not two Convictions, Baniſhment to Jamaica for ſeven years, Goals, Whips, Stocks, or Death, that can ſtop our growth, or proſperity in the Truth, hinder or ſeparate us from God, or the comfortable enjoyment of his good preſence, as we abide faithful unto the end; therefore beware how you proceed, or elſe you will ſuddenly be broken, and ſplit againſt the ſame Rock that thoſe that went before you were, [Page] who fought againſt God and his people as ye do now, making your Goals, Fines, and Baniſhment your weapons of defence, which we ſet in defiance in this Gods mighty day; and think not that if you ſhould baniſh many of us out of our native Land and that we ſhould ſeal our teſtimony by laying down our lives (as many have already done) that this will be a means to eſtabliſh you, as if you ſhould never be removed: Oh build not your ſelves up with ſuch vain hopes, for theſe will utterly fail you, and you by ſo doing will ſink into confuſion, and the pit of endleſs torment and perpetual miſery; and the cauſe of the widows and fatherleſs God will plead, and avenge in his own due time, and bring deliverance to his oppreſſed people, who put their truſt and confidence in him alone; and although you colour over your unrighteous and ungodly proceedings, with ſaying, ye are ſorry, but this be aſſured of, it will not excuſe you, for its deceit and hypocriſie, and da [...]bing with untempered morter; and though you may make ſome ſilly people think its ſo indeed, yet I tell you plainly, its all but a lye, and truth is witneſſed, which is become the beeſom to ſweep lyars, and the refuge of lies into the fire; and thus are your garments ſtripped off, and your nakedneſs is ſeen, and your ſhame will alſo more and more appear, unto all that have but in the leaſt meaſure their eyes opened; and you ſhall become a by-word unto all that knoweth you both far and near, except you ſpeedily repent of the evil of your doings.

And now you being warned, are left without excuſe, and happy will you be, who in this the day of your viſitation, wherein the Lord waits to be gracious to your ſouls and to do you good, do return unto him by ſpeedy repentance before your day be overpaſt, that ſo you may be hid in the day of his fierce wrath, which will aſſuredly come upon all the workers of iniquity, which is the true deſire of us who are your friends and Country men, and lovers of the ſouls of all mankinde. Dear people we know the generality of you is not unacquainted with the cruelties which many of us who are called Quakers hath patiently indured, through the ſtrength of our God, by the Prieſts, Magiſtrates and People, for many years; we cannot but mention the Prieſts firſt, becauſe we well know they have been, and are the chiefeſt Agents to inſtigate the Magiſtrates and the common ſort of people alſo, againſt the innocent [Page] ſuffering people of the Lord, and their falſe accuſations affirmed by oath hath not been wanting therein; as for inſtance, Richard Harris, Prieſt of Kiſlingbery, who got a Warrant from John Willoughby, called Juſtice, to bring before him (the ſaid Juſtice) one William Carr of the ſaid Town of Kiſlingbery; ſo accordingly it was done, and there the Prieſt took an oath againſt him, and affirmed (though falſely) that the ſaid William Carr had diſperſed treaſonable Papers, amongſt the people of the aforeſaid Town, and the Paper which he was accuſed for diſperſing, was not at all tending to any ſuch purpoſe, neither did the ſaid William give it to that man which the Prieſt ſwore he did, for his neighbour came along with him to the Juſtice, and there teſtified that the ſaid William Carr was not the man which he had the Paper of, but it was another man of the ſame Town which gave it him, yet notwithſtanding the ſaid William Carr was ſent to the Goal upon the account aforeſaid, viz. for diſperſing treaſonable Papers, and there he lay until the next Seſſions holden for the County of Northampton, and then was brought forth, and they knowing they had dealt deceitfully by him to caſt him into priſon upon an account which they could not prove againſt him, ſo they mentioned no more the treaſonable Paper, but told him then, if he would take the Oath of Allegiance, he might be ſet at liberty, but he conſcienciouſly refuſing was ſent back to priſon again, where he laid down his life not long after, and left his Wife with ſix fatherleſs children, and notwithſtanding the aforeſaid Prieſt hath perſecuted him unto death, yet he ſeeketh ſtill to ruine his widow and fatherleſs children; for he hath cauſed Sarah Carr widow, the wife of William Carr, to be arreſted by a Writ, and brought from her ſix fatherleſs children to the County Goal in Northampton, where her tender Husband laid down his life, having no other thing againſt her but for milk, which Tythe-milk as he calls it, came to the value of ten ſhillings, or thereabouts, but he never demanded it of her, but cauſed her to be arreſted as aforeſaid, and brought to the Goal, where ſhe at preſent lieth for the teſtimony of a good conſcience. And John Whitefield Prieſt of Bugbrook, and the aforeſaid cruel blood-thirſty Prieſt Richard Harris of Kiſtingbery, theſe two [Page] Prieſts often inſtigated John Willoughby (called Juſtice) to act as he hath done againſt the innocent people of the Lord, and when his ſoldiers hath come to a Meeting, by the aforeſaid John Willoughbies order, they have eſpecially called for ſome friends by their names, who dwelt at the Towns of Bugbrook and Kiſtingbery, and took them away from amongſt many, ſaying, they muſt have ſuch, however; and two of Bugbrook, called by names Joſeph Gammage and Richard Aſhby, was by the ſoldiers particularly called for at a Meeting from amongſt many, and Thomas Dent of Kiſtingbery, Miller, thoſe two Prieſts (as we underſtand) had given information againſt thoſe three innocent Perſons, who by the ſoldiers was brought to Northampton, before Jo. Willoughby called Juſtice, who committed them to the Goal, where the afore-named Joſeph Gammage and Richard Aſhby ſealed their teſtimony with their blood, and the aforenamed Thomas Dent lieth in priſon upon the ſame account ſtill, and hath been priſoner above one year and half; ſo both theſe Prieſts being guilty of blood, we cannot but mention them amongſt the afore-going cruelties of the Magiſtrates of this Age and Generation, which they have acted againſt the innocent people of the Lord, whom they ſeek to oppreſs and lay heavy burdens upon, yet our hope and truſt is in the Lord our God, who we know is the living God, and will ariſe in his fierce wrath, and will avenge himſelf upon his adverſaries, and the adverſaries of his choſen people: but this is our deſires unto the Lord, in the behalf of ours and his enemies, that they might return from the evil of their doings, before the Lord appears in his fierce wrath, who will bring deſtruction upon them at unawares, except they repent.

THE END.

Information about this book

Title statement

The Voice of the innocent uttered forth, or, The call of the harmless and oppressed for justice and equity being a brief relation of some remarkable passages, concerning the tryal and sentencing of five of the people of God called Quakers, at the sessions holden at the castle of Northampton, upon the fourth and sixth dayes of the second month, called April, in the year 1665, Richard Rainsford sitting judge, there being present several of those called justices for the said county, two of their names are as followeth, Henry Yelverton and John Willoughby, &c.

Edition statement

1665

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2007-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A65147

ID [STC]

Wing V678

ID [STC]

ESTC R8912

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

12147026

ID [OCLC]

ocm 12147026

ID [VID]

54969

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Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A65147)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 54969)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 902:43)

Source

— The Voice of the innocent uttered forth, or, The call of the harmless and oppressed for justice and equity being a brief relation of some remarkable passages, concerning the tryal and sentencing of five of the people of God called Quakers, at the sessions holden at the castle of Northampton, upon the fourth and sixth dayes of the second month, called April, in the year 1665, Richard Rainsford sitting judge, there being present several of those called justices for the said county, two of their names are as followeth, Henry Yelverton and John Willoughby, &c.,

Extent

[2], 13 p.

[s.n.],. London :: 1665.. (Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.)

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