It has been thought, that there had been some Re­morse [...] or Repentance in the People of New­England; for what they had done in Hanging the People called Quakers: for some of this after Generation does not Care to hear of it, neither would they be Blamed for what their Fathers or Predecessors have done.

Howbeit we find in a Little Book of Late Date, by foure Priests of Boston in New-England, namely [Page 2] Iames Allen, Joshu [...]th [...], Samuel Willard, and Ca [...]ton mather: who seems [...] to [...] what they have done in Hanging the said People [...] say; They are not abused: But dealt [...]ustly with (and also say) The Crime which occasioned their suffering, was, They came purposely to undermine the evil Government: And to Perswade the People to Renounce it.

(The Book is called, The Principles of the Protestant Religion maintained by the ministers of the Gospel in Boston.) Page 63. 64.

Now, some People of the Country, and Priests also (upon Discourse) have made as if they were sorry and Troubled for what they had cone, in Hang­ing the said People.

But these four Priests seeme Bloody still, in saying they were not abused, but Dealt [...] with &c. Covering themselves under this falshood, and for a Refuge make this Lye.

That they came Purposely to undermine the Civil Government, and to perswade the People to Renoun­ce it.

This is a high Charge, founded unto the world: And what is it? But to make the world believe, that we are a seditious People not worthy to Live, and to stirr up Nations and People against us, to destroy us from the Earth. The charge is high, and Positive.

That they came Purposely to undermine the civil [Page 3] Government and to Perswade the People to Renoun­ce it.

But where is the proof? Let them bring forth their witnesses; yea, Let them bring forth the People that will say - The Quakers that were put to death at Boston, ever perswaded them to denie o [...] Renounce the civil Government: I say a­gain, bring forth the People, that will say. The Quakers that were put to death at Boston perswaded them to renounce the civil Government; or that they came Purposely to undermine it.

Indeed, there were that suborned men to witness against Stephen, which said.

We have heard him speak Blasphemous words a­gainst Moses and against God: And ceaseth not to speak Blasphemous words against this holy Place and the Law: For we have heard him say, This Jesus of Nazereth shall destroy this place and shall change the customs which Moses Delivered to us. Acts. 6. 11. 12. 13.

These were of the Synagogune of the Libertines, who took great Liberty (in their malice and Envie, to sound out Lyes, to make Sthephen, that Blessed and Good man,) to Looke as criminal as ever they could: As if he were purposed to Destroy the place and change the Customs &c. That the [...] by they might seem the more Iustified in the mindes of Peo­ple in what they did: as if he were not abused, but dealt Iustly with [...] killing of him.

And this was for his faith and Testimony's sake [...], [Page 4] in Testifying to the truth; That they thus shame­fully, and wickedly, turned things against him: So now▪ It must not be said, the Quakers where put to Death upon a Religious account for Testi­fying to the Truth: That will Look hard, and of an ill [...] the World, that they who came to New-England Upon the account of Religi­on should now Persecute others, for the same: No, no, Let it be [...] abroad, and said.

They came purposely to Undermine the civil Go­vernment, and perswade the People to Renounce it.

And this it may be will take with the People, that they were not [...], but dealt Iustly with.

And as it is [...] to see, and know, who were the chief in stirring up the People▪ and Rulers to this great evil in killing the Quakers: so also you may see who are the chief in [...] the Coun­try and World with a lye for their excuse: That [...] they had hanged the Quakers, and many of the Country sorry for it; Yet, These [...]oure Priests stand up to Iustifie the act, In saying They were not abused but dealt Iustly with. O New­England! may it not be said of thee, as was said in Daves of old?

O! my People▪ they which lead the cause the to err, and destroy the way of thy paths. Isa. 3. 12.

And [...] path of the Iust you may Read. Pro. 4. 18. unto which, People are called to walk. Isa. 2. 5 And in which, the Nations of them that are sa­ved shall walk. Rev. 21. 24.

[Page 5] And they that lead, or [...] People out of this path are destroyers. Isa. 9. 16. For the leaders of People cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.

Now is to the two first that were put to death, at Boston to [...]) William Robinson, and [...] Stevenson after they were Bannished upon [...] of [...], they went from Boston to Salem: And I hearing of it, that they were Bannished upon pain of death was much [...]; having knowledge of them [...], and that they were men fearing God, was minded to see them; so [...] them at Salem: And People were much Exercised in their minds concerning them: and some willing to hear: But by reason of their cruel Law, People were a­fraid to have a meeting in their houses; They had a meeting in the woods not far from Salem-Towne, and great stockings there was to hear: And the Lord was [...] with them, and they sp [...]ke of the things of God boldly, to the affecting and [...]n­dering the hearts of many; some of whom are alive a [...] this Day, that can bear witness to the Truth of their Testimony.

And after we had been while at Salem, no man medling with us there: we went to [...] and found the People as we went very tender and lo­ving; though mix [...] with fear by reason of their wicked Law: And after we had been a while at Pis­calaw. [...] we [...] again to Boston, and sever­al Friends from Salem with us; And as soon as we [Page 6] were got over Charls-Town [...]-ferry on Boston shore; (no Towne nor People medling with us nor offering us a­ny abuse) Till we came to Boston.

There meets us the Constable, and a Company of Rude People with him, and Takes us all up, which were About Ten or a Dozen of us, besides the two Banished Friends: And after some mocking, and scoffing Examination, all of us had to Prison

And God doth know, who is a last rewarder of all, how harmless Innocent, and peaceable▪ we came into the Towne; and behaved our selves in much feare, and Humility of minde; yet notwithstanding be­ing Quakers, to Prison we must all go; where we remained some Dayes, It may be three or four, or a week; And then the Counsel, or Court, sent sear­chers to us, to search our pockets; and took our Papers and what else they pleased, and Carried a­way; amongst which W. R's. Journal of places where he had been: After this that our pockets were pickt, we remained still in prison till the Courts pleasure was to send for any of us; for sometimes they would send for several of us together & sometimes for one alone: For I was once sent for alone: sifted, and Tryed; being Examined about many things: And seeing they were like a Company of fowlers to Drive the Bird into their net▪ I was sparing of speech: then they called me Dumb Divil and could not speak: And some said I was simple and Igno­rant and had no great harm in me. But as I was be­guiled and led away by others that were more subtil: [Page 7] then I said to them again; If you think I am simply [...] and not will-ful in Errour; How have you shewed kindness to me? or where has your Love appeared to help me out of this Ignorance and [...] you suppose I am fallen into? how his your endeavour appeared o [...] open my Under­standing to shew me Better? Do you think your Prisons whips, and hard Usage is the way to do it?

Is that the way to begin with, for the restoring of Any from the [...] of their wayes?

Then some again Cryed out and said, he is more Knave then [...].

Then I answered again and said, if I hold my tongue to your [...] questions: I am a Dumb Devil, a fool, and Ignorant; And if I speak, I am a knave.

After this, the Deputy Governour, Richard [...] being fall of [...], said to me well Could you shall be severely whipt, which afterwards was do [...], with [...] stripes upon my naked back, [...] to the Carriage of a Great Gun: And this is my Comfort at this day; and I Bless the Lord for it, that my suffering was in Great Innocency.

There were five more whipt at the same time, two men and three women, each having ten stripes a piece, only one man fifteene: And for no other cause, but for Bearing the name of Quakers. And after we were thus whipt, we were all had to Prison againe, where our [...] was, with our sore Banks, upon the hard boards: where we remained till after the [Page 8] Execution: That they [...] hanged those two Inno­cent and [...] of the Lord. William Robinson, and M [...]rmudu [...]e Stevenson who were Excut­ed upon a Lecture Day after the Priest had sharpened the People for the Service

(But that Priest is gone to his place) In the mor­ning before the Lecture began I here came a [...] of People about the Prison, and we being in an upper Room, William Robinson put forth his head at a window and spake to the People concern­ing the things of God: At which, the People flocked about, the more Earnest to hear, and gave serious Atention: But quickly it was noised in the [...]own that much People was about the Prison to see the Quakers, and that the Quakers were speaking to them: Upon which, came Iames Oliver, a very fit man for their purpose, with a Company with him to Disperse the People, and to drive them a­way from hearing the Quakers; But they being so many, and willing to hear, could not get them a­way. Then Iames, in a fret, left the People without, and came to us within, and being in a heat that he could not master the People without, was the more furious to us within: Hurling some of us very un [...]i­vily down staires and left us not till he had brought us down, and shut us up in a Little Low dark [...] where we could not see the People, nor they us; where we remained till their Lecture was done: In which time; Though the hea [...]s of the Ignorant were hardned against us to shut us up in dark soli­tary [Page 9] place, where we sate together, during their Lecture time, waiting upon the Lord: for we had no helper in the Earth, our Relyance was only upon him: And this was a time of Love; for a [...] the World hated us, and Dispitefully used us: So the Lord was pleased in a wonderfull manner, to manifest his supporting Love, and kindness to us, in our innocent suffering.

And Especially the two worthy's, who had now near finisht their course: They standindg faithfull in their Testimony to God: by which they obtained witness: For God had said unto them, and given them a sure word: That their soules should rest in Eter­nal peace, as you may see hereafter by their own writings: And this Comfort they had in their sore Tryals, near unto death for God was with them, and bore them through with a heavenly chearful­ness: And many sweet and heavenly sayings they gave unto us; being themselves filled, with comfort; for so also said the Apostle: I am filled with comfort, I am Exceeding joyfull in all our Tribulations 2 Cor. [...]: 4.

And now their Lecture being ended, the Priest having sharpened and hardened them for the service: the Officers and Souldiers being now ready at the door: And while we where embracing each other, and taking leave, with full and tender hearts▪ (God know's) the Officers, and Men appointed (like Friends Butchers) came in and took the two from us, as Sheep for the Slaughter, and had them away to the Execution, where they were Hanged to death [Page 10] whose Blood lyes still at their door, And will, untill repentance, and their law repealed, Cry as the Blood of Abel, to the Lord from the ground, Gen: 4: 10.

Yet not withstanding their innocent and patient suffering, The trouble and dislike of many sober and well minded People, then in the Country, and since, many has Expre [...]t their sorrow and trouble for the same.

Yet these four Priests has ventured to say, They were not abused, But dealt Iustly with.

And for a Covering, hide themselves under this falshood: The crime, which occasioned their suffering was: They came purposely to undermine the civil Govern­ment and to Perswade the People to renounce it, which▪ [say they] is Every where Accounted sedition. P. 64.

This is still to possess the Country with falshoods, and to harden the hearts of People: That they were not abused &c.

And to cloak the cruelty and murder of the murder­ing and to make as fair weather for them as they can; And to render the Innocent sufferers as odious as they can, they say.

The Rulers used their utmost [...] towards them & all fair [...] to have them depart; yea, they banished them sent them away But they will sadly returned; yea, [...] and daringly affronted them. P: 64. a notorious falshood: [...] not a witness of the manner of their coming into the Town of Boston, I should have been [...] at these things: But being a witness of their [Page 11] innocent [...], I cannot hold my peace and where these four Priests were in those days of their return and suffering, I know not: But this I know, they were not of that spirit, which they have [...] them to be, neither did they in the Least at their return, behave themselves daringly, as they Ignorantly if not maliciously render it: For the feare of the Lord was upon them: And there are witnesses yet Living that can [...] of their civil, Lamb like, and peace­able return, being under the Command of God and in his pease feare, and Humbleness of minde.

And as to the [...]enity and fair perswasions of the Rulers; It may very well stand with the persecuting Priests and Rulers of old; whose perswasions were Threats and Commands; not to speak at all, nor reach in the name of Jesus: But if they did, to obey God rather then man, Prisons, and Stripes, were their portion.

Peter and Iohn, In the cause of God were very bold, knowing they had the Command of God for what they did: And when by their Persecutors, they were Commanded the contrary: They answe­red.

Whether [...] be right in the sight of God to hearken to you, more then [...] God, judge ye. Read Acts. 4: 13: to 20. So now these had a command from God▪ as doth plainly appear by their own writings a little be­fore their death: And they knowing, that in their obedience, their sufferings would be great, there­fore God gave them strength and boldness to go [Page 12] through as you shall see anon from their [...], the promises and comforts of God in their obedience.

And now, because they were faithfull unto God in their obedience unto death; to be rendered.

Willfull Resolute, and D [...]ringly to affront them, is gross perversion, and wickedness in a high de­gree and be tokens still of a Bloody mind: That after, they have killed the Innocent, to say, they were not abused. But dealt Iustly with: And for a Covering say—They came purposely to undermine the civil Government, and to perswade the People to Renounce it.

Thus you may see what a spirit still continues in these Priest's notwithstanding the many great and notable Iudgments of the Lord upon the Country ever since; who Pharaob like still harden their hearts—not only against them that were put to death—In saying, They were not abused &c. But against them also that yet remain: For I have been informed, that one of these four Priests have been heard to say▪ It is pity they should be suffered &c.

Haman-like; who, for the Envy he had to [...] because he bowed not not did him Reverence; would have all the lews destroyed and to bring his Envious purpose to pass he mealts a fair shew to the King as if they without question, deserved to be destroyed; and went to the King and said:

There is a Certaine People scattered abroad and [...] among the People, in all the provinces of thy [Page 13] kingdom, and their Laws are divert from all People, neither [...] they the Kings Laws; therefore, it is not for the Kings Profit to suffer them. Est. 3: 8.

He does not nakedly, and plainly tell the King the [...] of his heart, Why he would have them de­stroy'd: But makes, or invents a notorious lye; to render them a seditious People: As if they came there, and dispersed themselves on purpose to un­dermine his Government: Telling the King, that is was not for his profit to suffer them.

So now these Priests; insteed of preaching repen­tance for what they have done in Hanging the Quakers; they say, they were not abused, but deals [...] with. Oh [...] that People would but see and consider, how that the Iudgments of the Lord hath been upon the Country ever since. But some are hard­ned for the day of [...]aughter; turning Iudgment backward; that because New England had been vi­sited with many sore and grievous Iudgments they are ready to say—It is because the Quakers are suffered.

Well, I leave all to the Lord who said venge­ance is mine, I will repay: Rather wishing Repent­ [...]e, to the worst of our adversaries, then their [...].

The Apostle spake of some; That he bare them Re­cord, they had [...] of God, but not according to knowledge (that is They being Ignorant of Gods Righ­teousness, and going about to establish their own Righ­teousness, have not submitted themselves to the Righ­teousness of God [...] Ro: 10. 2: 3.

[Page 14] And this [...], the Apostle was in, when he per­secuted, and yet, touching the Righteousness which is in the Law, blameless Phil. 3: 6.

And [...] afterwards a good Minister: And then [...] his Ignorance, that he thought, with him­self ( [...] that persecuting spirit Ruled) that he ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus & And many of the Saints he shut up in Prisons, having [...] from the Chiet Priests (which was the Author of [...]) And when they were put to­death▪ he gave his voice against them; But he con­ [...]ect his Madness: And us left upon Record. Acts. 26. 9: 10. 11.

But these Four Priests still continue their voice against them; In that they say They were not abu­sed but dea [...]t Iustly with. As if they still thought, they had done God service in [...]illing of Them.

Now here followeth▪ First), 2 coppy of William Robinsons writing to the Court, which he [...] in [...] a Little before his dea [...]; wherein he shewes the [...] of his coming to Boston which the Governour said should not be read.

The next, in [...] Stevenson's he also gives an account of his call and going to Boston: whose sayings, and writings we have as good cause to be­lieve, as the sayings and writings of their Adversaries: For the word of People in their dying-hours are u­sually reckoned words of [...]eight seriousness and Truth. Watch I would have [...] and seriously read, in the fear of God; not with Lightness nor Hardness of heart, for that never ludges, nor favours things [...] [Page 15] wherefore, friendly Reader; be moderate, and read them considerately, with the following Epistles, which also were writ in Prison, not in Lightness, nor Hypocrisee, nor Deceit: But under a Deep Exercise of Affliction a Little before their Death.

William Robinsons Paper to the Court before he was sentenced to Death, Concerning the cause of their coming into those parts, for which they were put to Death; which the Gover­nour in a great rage and furie said, should not be head, and that the Court would not hear it.

ON the 8th. Day of the 4th. month: 1659. In the after part of the Day, in Travelling be [...]wix New­port-Towne on Road Island and the house of Daniel Gold on the said Island.

The word of the Lord came Expresly unto me which did fill me Immediately with Life & power & heavenly love; By which he Constrained me & Commanded me, to pass to the Town of Boston my Life to lay down in his will, for the accomplishing of his service, that he had there to perform at the Day appointed To which heavenly voice I presently yielde [...] obedience, not questioning the Lord how he would bring the thing to pass being I was a Child; and obedience was required of me by the Lord▪ who filled me with Li­ving strength and power from his heavenly presence which at that time and [...] overth [...]dew [...]: [Page 18] And my Life did say Amen to what the Lord required of me, and had commanded me to do, and willingly was I given up from that time to this day▪ the will of the Lord God to do and to perform whatever become of my body▪ for the Lord hath said unto me. My Soul shall rest in eternal Peace, and my Life shall en­ter into Rest, for being obedience to the God of my Life; I being a Child, and [...] not question the Lord in the least▪ but rather willing to lay down my life, than to bring dishonour to the Lord; and as the Lord made me willing, dealing kindly with me as a tender Father [...] a faithfull Child whom he dearly loves; so did the Lord [...] with me in mi [...] ­string his [...] unto me, which gave and giveth me strength to perform what the Lord required of me, and still as I did and [...] in need he [...], and ministreth more [...]ertue and heavenly power and wisdom, where by I was and am made strong in God, not [...]euing what Man shall be [...]ffered to do unto me, being filled with heavenly Courage, which is [...] and I [...]nocency; or the Cause, is the Lords, that we go in, and the [...] is the [...], and thus saith the Lord of Hosts the mighty and terrible God, Not by might nor by strength nor by power of man, but by my Spirit saith the Lord of [...], will I per­form what my month hath spoken through my Servants whom I have chosen, mine Elect in whom my Soul de­lighteth. Friends, the God [...] my Life, and the God of the whole Ear [...] did by this thing upon me [...] which I now [...] unto [...] by [...] Power and everlasting Love, [...] [Page 19] me, and laid this thing upon me, and truly [...] not deny the Lord, mach less resist the Holy O [...]e [...] Israel. Therefore, all People, who are ignorant of the motion of the Lord in the inward parts, be not hasty in judging in this matter, before you hear the truth of the matter, left you speak evil of the things you know not: for of a truth the Lord God of the whole [...] commanded me by his Spirit, and spake unto me by his Son whom he hath made Heir of all things, and in his [...], and in it I shall de­part this earthly [...] if unmercifull men be su [...]e­red to take it from me; and her in [...], that the Lord is with me, the Ancient of dayes▪ the Life of the suffering Seed, for [...] I am freely given up, and singly do I stand in the will of God; for me to live is Christ, but to die is gain: And truly, I have a great desire and [...] to die herein knowing that the Lord is with me, whatever ignorant men shall be able to say against me for the witness of the Spirit I have received, and the presence of the Lord and his hea­venly Life, doth accompany me; so that I can say in truth and from an upright heart (blessed be the Lord, the God of my Life), who hath accounted me worthy and called me hereunto to bear my Testimo­ny against ungodly and unright ous men, who seek to take a way the life of the U [...]right without a cause; as ye Rulers of the Massathusits B [...]y do intend, if the Lord from you not from your unrighteous in­tent.—O [...] hear ye Rulers, and give ear and li­sten all you that have any hand herein, to put the [Page 20] [...]ccent to death! For in the Name, and Fear, and Dread of the Lord God, I here declare the cause of my staying here amongst you, and continuing in your Jurisdiction after there was a Sentence of death (as ye said) pronounced against me without a just cause, as you well know; that we who are banished, committed nothing worthy of banishment, not of any punishment, much less banishment upon death: And now, we Rulers, ye [...] to put me to death with my Companion, unto whom the Word of the Lord God came, saying, Go to Boston with they Brother William k [...] ­binson: unto which Command he was of [...] who had said unto him, that he had a great work for him to do: which thing is now seen, and the Lord is not doing of it, and it is in obedience to the Lord God of the whole Earth, that we continue amongst you; and that we came to this Town of Boston again in obedience to the Lord, the Creator of the men Heaven & Earth▪ in whole hand your breath is, & will ye put us to death for obeying the Lord God of the who [...]e Eart [...]? Well, if you do this act, and put us to death, know this, and be it known unto you all, ye Rulers, and People within this Jurisdiction, whosoever hath a hand herein, will be guilty of innocent blood, not only upon your [...] will you bring innocent blood; out upon this Town and the Inhabitants thereof, and elsewere within your Juridiction that hath the least hand herein▪ therefore he instructed ye Rulers of this Land, and take warning betimes, and learn wisdom before it [...]e hid from your eyes; And know this, if you put us to death, the Lord will arise in his [...] wrath against you, ye Rulers, in this Land, ye shall not escape the judgments of the God of Israel who will consume you root and branch if you put us to death.

Written by one who feareth the Lord, who is by ignorant [...] A Quaker; and unto such am I only known by the [...] William Robinson; yet a new [...] I have recei­ved, [...] not.

Marmaduke Stevensons Paper, of his call to the work and service of the Lord, given forth by him a little before he was put to Death: And after he had received his Sentence.

IN the Beginning of the Year 165 [...]. I was at the [...] in the Eastern parts of [...] in Old-Eng­land near the place where my outward being [...] And [...] I walked after the [...]low, I was filled with the Love and [...] of the Living God, which did [...] when I felt it [...] it did Increase and [...] bound in [...] so did the Love and Life of God [...] through [...] giving [...] which made me to stand still: And as I stood a Little still; with my heart and mind staid on the Lord: The word of the Lord came unto-me, in a [...] voice which I did hear Perfectly; saying to me, in the [...] of my heart and [...]:—I have Ordained that a Prophet to the nations; [...] at the hearing of the word of the Lord, I was put to a stand being I was but a Child for such a weighty work.

So at the time appointed [...] was set before me; unto which I was required of the [...] go, [Page 22] and Leave my Dear and loving [...], and tender Children: For the Lord said unto [...] his spirit, that he would be as a husband to my Wife, and as a Father [...] not want in my absence for he would Provide for them when I was gone: And I believed the Lord, that the Lord would perform what he had spoken: Because I was made willing to give up my selfe to his work and service, to Leave all and follow him, whose presence and Life is with me where I rest in Peace and Quietness of spirit with my Dear Brother under the shadow of his Wings who hath made us willing to lay downe our Lives for his owne Name sake if [...] men be suffered to take them from us:—And i [...] they doe, we know that we shall have peace and rest with the Lord for Ever in his holy Habita­tion; when they shall have To [...]ment Night and Day.

So in obedience to the Living God▪ I made Prepa­ration to pass to [...] in the 4th Month. [...]. and after I had been [...] the said Island in the Ser­vice of God.

I heard that New England had made a Law to put the Servants of the Living God to Death, if they retur­ned after they were Sentenced away:—which did come near me at that time—And as I considered the thing, and Pondered it in my heart; Immediately came the word of the Lord unto me, saying, thou knowest not but that thou mayst go thither:—But I kept this word in my heart and did not [...] it to any, untill the time appointed. [Page 23] So, after that, a vessell was made ready for Road Island which I passed In; And after a little time that I had been there, visiting the seed which the Lord hath Blessed.

The word of the Lord [...] saying, go to Boston with thy Brother William Robinson And at his Command I was obedient, and gave up my [...] to do his will, that so his work and service may be Accomplished for he said unto me, that he had a great Work for me to do: which now is come to pass and for yielding obedience, to, and obeying the voice and commandment of the Everlasting God, which Crea­ted Heaven and Earth and the Fountains of Water, do I with my Dear Brother, suffer Bonds near unto Death.

And this is given forth to be upon Record, that all People may know that hear it, that we came not in near own wills, but in the will of God.

Given forth by me who am known to men by the name of— [...] Stevenson.

But have a New name given me which the world [...] know not of; written in the Book of Life.

Written in Boston Person in the 8 month: 59.

Here followeth an Epistle of William Robinson Written by him a Little before he was put to Death.

MY Dear Brethren and Sisters to whom my love abounds; I am filled with love unto you all, Dear [...], feel it with your Lives, and re­ceive it with your Hearts, as New Oyle; For truly, the Fear of the Lord is our Strength, and the Blessing of the Lord is our portion, which the Lord doth dai­ly give unto us, Blessed be his [...]ame for Ever; Oh Let us all keep, in Loveliness & holiness, & Meekness & Tender Love one towards another; which is the seal and witness that the Lord is with us; where the Lord for Ever keep us [...]aid on him, to receive our Daily Bread, which satisfieth the Hungry Soul.

Dear Friends, Brethren and Sisters; This am I Constrained to let you know, how mightily the love of the Lord my God abounds in my heart and from my Life towards you all: It runns forth as a living Stream refreshing the spirit and Life within us all. And Every one, as you feel it▪ According to your mea­ [...] receive it into your hearts to the refreshing and strengthning one another.

[Page 25] Dear Lambs, I was the first that the Lord God our heavenly Father did lay this thing upon; for which I now suffer bonds near unto Death from the first day untill now; The weight of this thing was laid upon me from the Lord God; and in obedience to his Holy will and command I gave up, in which obedience, the Arm and Power of the Lord hath been with me to this Day; And the thing which the Lord hath said unto me from the Beginning of it to this day, which still remains with me: That my Life must Accomplish the thing, and by it must the Power of Darkness fall; and it will if they seeke and Labour, to take it from me; and through much Difficulty and bus [...]ing will they the be suffered, to the Glory of our God, and to the rejoycing of the Elect.

So my dear Brethren and Sisters, my Love and Life feel in your own hearts, for I am full unto [...] all in heavenly Love, and my Life is Ever with you. The Lord for Ever keep us all, as we are now to the Glory of his [...] Amen.

The 16. of the 8. month 1659.

This was I moved to write unto you all; ye my Dear Brethren and Sisters my fellow Prisoners, that hath any part, or doth Partake with me herein, your Dear Brother in holy and hea­venly Joy and True Love and Peace.

WILLIAM ROBINSON.

This he sent to us his fellow Prisoners, which [Page 26] were 14. in number, yet two Dayes before the Court: And some of us are alive, who are Witnesses of his Innocent suffering: And also of his Companion, in the same Tribulation, who suffered Death also at the same time; both of them for the word of God, and for the Testimony which they bild, as by their own writings, is Plainly Evedenced, and their Sealing their Testimony with their Blood: Whose Testimony stands sure forever.

The fore going Epistle, that was writ to us, his fellow Prisoners and this following General Epistle, were writ a little before his Death; In both which All that Reads, may understand how Joyfully they stood too, and finished their Testimony, as these following heavenly Lines, sett forth: therefore Read, and Ponder them well.

THe streams of my Fathers love runs dayly through me from the holy fountain of Life, to the seed throughout the whole Creation; I am over­come with Love, for it is my life and the Lenght of my dayes: t'is my glory and my dayly strenght: I am swallowed up of Love, and in Love I live—with it. I am overcome, and in it I dwell with the holy seed; to which the Blessing of Love is given from God, who is Love; who hath shed it abroad in my heart;—which Dayly [...] me with Living Joy from the Life, from whence it Comes.

[Page 27] Yee Children of the Living God, feel me when you are Waiting in it,—When your minds are gathered into it; when in the strenght of it ye are Tra­veling; feel me, when it Runs from the Fountaine into your Vessels; when it Isues truly like New-Wine into your Bossoms; when the strength & Power of it you feele; when ye are overcome with the strenght of Love, which is God:—Then [...]eell me Present in the Fountaine of Love, the House of Heaven, wherein are many mansions.

Ye Children of the Lord; feel me wrapt up with you In pure Love. which destroyes the Love of this World, which is Enmity with God; & which wars against the seed, which proceedeth from the Father of Love, the God of Truth. Let nothing seperate you from this Love which is my Life; let neither words nor thoughts nor any thing else enter between, which is contrary to it; for it staines the place of its aboad. So deare Children who are begotten by Love into the Cove­nant of Life and Love: Keepe Dayly in it; this is the Portion that God hath given to his Children, to continue in his Love, which is the Life of the seed which is raised by the Power of the Endless Love of God in the Creature.

I am full of the Quickning Power of the Lord Jesus Christ and my Lamp is filled with Pure Oyle so that i [...] giveth a cleare Light and Pleasant Smell—And I shall enter with my beloved into eternal Peace and [...]; wherein I am swallowed up, with the Life of [...]; I am [...], and [...] I shall Depart with everlasting [Page 28] yoy and praises in my mouth, singing Haleluiah unto the Lord who hath redeemed me by his Living Power from among Kindreds, Tongues and Nations:—And now the Day of my Departure draws nere.

I have fought a good fight: I have kept the Holy faith; I have near finished my Course, and my Tra­vailing is near at an end, and my Course, and my Testimony is near to be finished; and an eternal Crown is Laid up for me, and for all whose feet are shed with Rightiousness and the Preparation of Peace; even such whose names are Written in the Booke of Life, wherein I Live and Re­joyce with all the faithfull seed for Ever, and Eve [...] Amen.

A Spot unto New-England's Glory.

OH New-England! New-England! How neare hast thou likened they selfe to Jerusalem of old! The most famed Place in the World, for Religion and worship—As thou also hast accounted thy selfe—As Cotton M [...]ther in his Little Book called, The Servicea­ble Man, Page 28. [...] are these.

‘This the Prerogative [...] New-England above all the Countryes in the World, that it is a Plantation for the Christian and Protestant Religion &c.’

And now you may see what their Christian and Prote­stant Religion is com to!—A shame and a h [...]sting, and a by word to the Nations.—and the sorrowing of serious People of all perswasions especially Disen­ters; Cutting Ears, Whiping▪ Prisoning Burning in the Hand, Bannishing; and at last put to Death; Hanging fewer innocent Persons:—The Two a sore Mentio­ned, William Robinson, and Marmaduke Stevenson,—As you may see by their Writings—And ma­ny Wittnesses are a Live at this Day—who knows how sweetly, and Ioyfully, they offered up their Lives for their Testimony sake—And Two after­wards, they also put to Death: One William L [...]dra, and the other Mary Dyre.

[Page 30] All well known, to many yet Livig, to be Perform Truly fearing God.

I shall not need to say much, Though I was a fel­low Prissoner with the Two first, and also well aquain­ted with the Two Last; knowing them to be People fearing God.

But their own Writings also, may give evedence, to the Tender Hearted of the Savour of their Spirits: whether they were such (or no) as New-England has recorded them to be (viz) a Cursed Sect of Hereticks—Therefore, in their Blind Zeal, they Killed the Ser­vants of the Lord: And many of them that were Chief Actors therein, are gone to their place—And not with-out som mark.

But with the Living, there may be hope; Though they may have been too Conse [...]ting to their Death, as Saul was to Stephen's: Yet afterwards repented, and Confe [...]t his madness, and became a Good Man; and obtained mercy, for that he did it Ignorantly:—Now to such I will say, who are yet Living, and the Lord having given them Large Time of Repentance, that have had any Hand or Consenting to the Death of those Innocent People: I say, with the Apostle Peter: I wot, that through Ignorance ye did it as did also your Rulers—Repent ye therefore, and be Con­verted that your sins may be Blotted out. Acts. 3.

And now Concerning William Ledra, that Inno­cent and meeke Lambe; here followes an Epistle of his, given forth a Little before his Death: wherein all that reades, may Savour the Tenderness of his [Page 31] Spirit: And the strenght of the Power of [...] that then Ruled, in their Rulers: Yet all the strenght, and Inventions, of the Powers of [...], cannot stop the Passage, or [...] of Gods Love to the Sou [...]e, which was so Beautifully shed [...] unto him. ( [...] unto the others also afore mentioned) in his suffe­ring, set forth in these following Lines.

To the Society of the Little Flock.

Grace and Peace be multiplied.—Most Deare, and Inwardly Beloved: The sweet Influence of the Morning-Sta [...]r, like a [...] Disstilling, into my Innocent habitation, hath so filled me with the Joy of the Lord, in the Beauty of Holyness, that my Spi­rit is as if it did not Inhabit a Tabernacle of Clay; But is wholy swallowed up in the Bossom of Eternity, from whence it had Its being.

Alas! Alas! What can the wrath, and Spirit of Man that Luster to envie, [...] by the hea [...]e and strength of the King of the [...] which came out of the [...] do unto one that is hid in the secret Piace of the Almighty? Or unto them that are gathe­red under the Heating Wings of the Prince of [...]?—Under whole Arm [...]t: of life, they [...] be able [Page 32] to stand in the Day of Triall: having on the Brest place of [...] and the Sword of the Spirit, which is their Weapon of Warr against Spiritual wic­kedness, Principal [...]ies and Powers and the [...] of the Darkeness of this World, both within and without.—O! my Beloved, I have waited and Dove at the window of the Arke, and have stood still, in that watch, which the Master of the House did at his Coming reward with the fullness of his Love▪ (with-out whom I could do nothing) wherein my heart did rejoyce, that I might in the life and love of God speak a few words unto you: sealed with the Spirit of Promise: that the Tast thereof might be a Savour of Life to your Life, and Testimony in you of my Innocent Death.

And if I had been altogether silent, and the Lord had not opened my Mouth unto you; yet would he have opened your Hearts, and there have Sealed my Innocency with the Streames of Life; by which we are all Baptized into that one Body which is in God; with whom and in whose Presence there is life: In which as you abide, you stand upon the Pillar and Ground of Truth:—For the life being the Truth, and the way; Go not one stepp without it,—least you should compass a mountain in the Wildernes: For unto every thing there is a season as the flowing of the Ocean doth fill every Creek and Branch there­of, and leaves a savour behind it: So doth the life and vertue of God, flow into every one of your Hearts, whom he hath made partakers of his divine [Page 33] nature: And when it with drawes [...] a Little [...] a sweet savour be hinde it: So that many can say, they are made cleane through the word that he hath spoken to them, In which Innocent conditi­on you may see what you are in the presence of God, and what you are with-out him.

Therefore my Dear Hearts, let the Injoyment of Life alone be your hope, your Joy, and Consola­tion; and let the Man of God see those things that would lead the minde out of the Cross, for then the savour of Life will be Buried (o [...] [...] and al­though that some may speake of things that they have received in the Life as Experiences, yet the Life being veiled, and the favour that [...] behinde washed a way by the [...] of Temptations, the condition that they did enjoy in the Life boasted of by the ayrie thing, will be like the M [...]nna that was gathered the day before, with-out either sent or sa­vour, for it was only well with the Man, while he was in the state of Innocency: But being Daven from the presence of the Lord into the Earth, what can he Boast of?

And although you know these things, and many of you much more then I can tell you: yet for the Love and Zeal I bare to the Truth and Honour of God; and the Tender desire of my Soul to those that are young, that they might read me in that from which I write, to strengthen them against the [...] of the sub [...]ill Serpent that beguilded [...]; I say [...] in the watch within, in the fear of the Lord, [...] [Page 34] is the very Entrance of Wisdom, and the state wherein you are ready to receive the secrets of the Lord.

Hunger and Thirst Patiently, be not weary, neither Doubt, stand still and cease from thy own workings, & in due time thou shalt enter into thy rest, and thine Eye shall behold thy salvation, Jesus Christ whose Testimonies are sure and Righteous altogether, let them be as seales upon thy arms, and as Jewels about thy neck, that others may see what the Lord hath done for your Souls: Confess him [...] yea, before his greatest Enimies: fear not what they can do unto you: greater is he that is in you, then he that is in the World: for he will cloth you with Humility, and in the Power of his meekness you shall reign over all the rage of your Enimies in the favour of God, where­in as you stand in faith, you are the salt of the Earth: for many seeing your good [...] may Glo­rifie God in the day of [...] Take heed of re­ceiving that which you saw not in the Light Least you give Eare to the Enimie: Bring all things to the Light that they may be Proved whether they are wrought in God or no, The Love of the world, the Lust, of the flesh, the Lust of the Eye is without the Light, in the world; Therefore Possess your [...] in all sanctification and honour and let your Eye look at the marke, he that hath called you is holy, and if there be an Eye that offends pluck it out, and [...] it from you; let not the Temptation take hold; for if you do, it will keep from the favour of God and [Page 35] that will be a sad state: For without Grace Possest there is no Assurance of salvation; for by Grace ye are Saved: And the witnessing of it is sufficient for you.—To which I Recomend you all my Dear Friends, And in it Remain your Brother.

Here followeth a Coppy of a Paper which Mary Dyre [...] to the Court after William, and [...] put to Death.

ONce more to the General, Court Assembled in Boston speakes Mary Dyre, even as before, my Life is not Accepted neither availeth me in comparison of the Lives and liberty of the Truth and Servants of the Living God; which in the Bowels of Love and meekness I sought you, yet nevertheless, with Wicked Hands have you put two of them to Death; which makes me to feele that the mercyes of the Wicked are cruelly: I rather chuse to Dye then to Live, as from you, who are guilty of their Innocent [Page 36] Blood—Therefore seeing my request is bindred [...] I leave you to the Righteous [...] and searcher of all Hearts who with the [...] Light he hath given to every Man to [...] all, will in his. Due time let you see whose Servants you [...], and of whom you have taken Councel, which I desire you to Search into▪ But all his Councel hath been slighted, and you would none of his reproofs, read your Portion prov. 1. 24. 32. For verily the Night cometh on you a pace, which no Man can Work in [...] which you shall [...] sale to your Owne Master.—In obedience to the Lord whom I serve with my spirit and pitty to your So [...]es, which ye neither know nor Pitty, I can do no less then once more to warne you to put away the evil of your do­ings, & [...] the Son the Light in you, before his wrath be [...] against you: For there is nothing without him (to wit Christ) that can help or deliver you at all, and if these things be not so, then say there hath not been a Prophet from the Lord sent among you, though we be nothing: Yet it is his Pleasure, by things that are not, to bring to nought things that are.

When I heard your last order Read, it was a Dis­turbance unto me, that was so freely offering, up my Life to him that give it to me, and sent me [...] so to do [...] which obedience being his own work, he [...] Accompained me with his Presence of Peace and Love, in which I rested from my Labour, till by your order and People. I was so far Distur­be that I could not retaine any more the words [...] [Page 37] of then that I should return to [...] and there re­main forty eight houres, to [...] submitted fin­ding nothing from the Lord to the [...], that I might know what his Pleasure and Councel is con­cerning me, on whom I wait; therefore, for he is my Life and the Lenght of my Dayes: And as I said before, I came at his command, and go at his com­mand.

Now this Mary Dyre, after the two were put to Death, she was brought back again from the Place of Execution to Prison, though she was freely Given up to suffer. And how the Lord was Pleased Gloriously to signifie his Peace and Love to her, in her obedience in what she did, as you may Plainly see in her Letter to the Court. And she having been westward, on Long-Island and there awayes, to visit Friends, in the winter season, and at spring returned again; And after some Time on Road-Island (where her home was she went again to Boston, and then they put her to Death.

A Woman fearing God, and well known to many, yet Living.

And as to William Leddra, an Innocent, harmless, Patient man; who had a long time before he went to Boston, suffered hardships, in Prision, at Pli­mouth, [Page 38] he goes to Boston, and there they put him to Death also.