A just and righteous plea presented unto the King of England, and his council, &c. being the true state of the present case of the people, called Quakers, truly demonstrated, and justly pleaded, on their behalf : and this is laid down in six particulars ... / by ... Edw. Burroughs.
         Burrough, Edward, 1634-1662.
      
       
         
           1661
        
      
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         A30531
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         12035063
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         52871
         
           
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             A just and righteous plea presented unto the King of England, and his council, &c. being the true state of the present case of the people, called Quakers, truly demonstrated, and justly pleaded, on their behalf : and this is laid down in six particulars ... / by ... Edw. Burroughs.
             Burrough, Edward, 1634-1662.
          
           [6], 34 p.
           
             Printed for Robert Wilson ...,
             London :
             1661.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
             Publication information taken from colophon.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Society of Friends -- Great Britain.
           Church and state -- Great Britain.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           JUST
           and
           RIGHTEOUS
           PLEA
           ,
           Presented
           unto
           the
           King
           of
           England
           ,
           AND
           HIS
           COUNCIL
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           BEING
        
         
           The
           true
           State
           of
           the
           present
           Case
           of
           the
           People
           ,
           called
           QVAKERS
           ,
           Truly
           demonstrated
           ,
           and
           Justly
           pleaded
           on
           their
           behalf
           ;
           For
           the
           True
           Information
           of
           the
           KING
           and
           his
           COUNCIL
           ,
           That
           they
           may
           well
           understand
           the
           Truth
           and
           Verity
           of
           Doubtful
           Cases
           ,
           and
           may
           shew
           Just
           Judgment
           and
           Mercy
           .
        
         
           And
           this
           is
           laid
           down
           in
           Six
           Particulars
           .
        
         
           
             Viz
          
           
             1.
             
             Concerning
             Swearing
             at
             all
             ,
             
               and
               particularly
               of
               the
            
             Oath
             of
             Allegiance
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Concerning
             Meeting
             together
             
               to
               Worship
               God.
            
             
          
           
             3.
             
             Concerning
             Tythes
             among
             the
             Jewes
             ,
             
               and
               among
               the
            
             Christians
             ,
             
               and
               why
               we
               Refuse
               to
               pay
               them
               at
               this
               day
               .
            
          
           
             4.
             
             Concerning
             giving
             Security
             by
             Bond
             ,
             
               to
               live
               Peaceably
               ,
               or
               ,
               to
               Answer
            
             Accusations
             
               then
               and
               there
            
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             5.
             
             Concerning
             Government
             
               it self
               ,
               and
               particularly
               of
               this
            
             present
             Government
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             Concerning
             Persecution
             ,
             
               what
               it
               is
               in
               it self
               ,
               and
               how
               great
               an
               Enemy
               it
               is
               to
               the
            
             King
             
               and
               his
            
             Government
             ;
             
               laid
               down
               in
               Ten
               Particulars
            
             .
          
        
         
           All
           which
           Cases
           are
           truly
           stated
           and
           pleaded
           ,
           And
           the
           Cause
           of
           the
           Innocent
           vindicated
           :
           And
           this
           for
           the
           benefit
           of
           the
           King
           and
           his
           Government
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           be
           Just
           and
           Righteous
           ,
           and
           perfectly
           according
           to
           God.
           
        
         
           By
           a
           Friend
           to
           Just
           Authority
           ,
           
             Edw.
             Borroughs
          
           .
        
      
       
         
         
         
           The
           Epistle
           to
           the
           King
           ,
           and
           his
           Council
           .
        
         
           OH
           Friends
           !
           this
           is
           your
           Day
           ,
           that
           God
           hath
           given
           you
           to
           try
           you
           ,
           and
           to
           prove
           you
           what
           you
           will
           do
           ,
           and
           whether
           you
           will
           rule
           and
           judge
           ,
           and
           exercise
           your
           Power
           for
           God
           ,
           or
           against
           him
           ;
           and
           this
           is
           the
           hour
           of
           your
           tryal
           ,
           and
           the
           living
           God
           that
           made
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           beholds
           you
           ,
           and
           his
           Eye
           is
           upon
           you
           ,
           and
           he
           waits
           for
           Iustice
           ,
           true
           Iudgment
           ,
           Mercy
           ,
           Righteousness
           and
           Truth
           ,
           to
           be
           brought
           forth
           by
           you
           in
           the
           Land
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           blesse
           you
           and
           prosper
           you
           ;
           but
           and
           if
           the
           contrary
           be
           abounding
           ,
           and
           brought
           forth
           and
           exercised
           thorow
           you
           ,
           Blessings
           shall
           be
           turned
           into
           a
           Curse
           ,
           and
           the
           Iust
           God
           will
           deal
           with
           you
           after
           your
           deserts
           ;
           for
           the
           Reward
           of
           the
           Almighty
           is
           Iust
           and
           Equal
           unto
           all
           the
           sons
           of
           men
           ,
           even
           according
           to
           their
           wayes
           and
           works
           ;
           and
           the
           Iudgment
           of
           you
           nor
           of
           any
           ,
           is
           determined
           by
           Him
           ,
           but
           accordingly
           as
           He
           is
           served
           ,
           obeyed
           and
           feared
           ,
           or
           the
           contrary
           .
        
         
           And
           seeing
           you
           have
           a
           day
           to
           do
           good
           ,
           and
           to
           forsake
           all
           evil
           ,
           to
           do
           Iustice
           ,
           Mercy
           and
           Truth
           in
           the
           Earth
           ,
           and
           to
           subdue
           the
           contrary
           ;
           if
           that
           you
           do
           the
           things
           you
           ought
           not
           ,
           and
           leave
           undone
           what
           God
           requires
           of
           you
           to
           do
           ,
           and
           trifle
           away
           your
           time
           in
           matters
           of
           lesse
           value
           ,
           and
           spend
           your
           dayes
           in
           Pleasures
           &
           Vanities
           ,
           and
           neglect
           Mercy
           and
           Iudgment
           in
           the
           Earth
           ,
           and
           have
           no
           regard
           to
           the
           Cry
           of
           the
           Poor
           and
           the
           Oppressed
           ,
           
             to
             deliver
             them
             from
             their
             cruel
             Persecutions
          
           ;
           if
           it
           be
           thus
           with
           you
           in
           this
           your
           day
           ,
           Who
           shall
           stand
           in
           the
           Gap
           to
           prevent
           the
           Anger
           of
           the
           Lord
           from
           breaking
           out
           ?
           or
           ,
           who
           shall
           plead
           for
           you
           in
           the
           day
           of
           your
           reward
           ,
           when
           God
           himself
           ariseth
           unto
           Iust
           Iudgment
           ,
           to
           judge
           all
           flesh
           ,
           and
           to
           deliver
           the
           Innocent
           ?
           Oh
           Friends
           !
           is
           this
           nothing
           to
           you
           ?
           Is
           there
           no
           cause
           unto
           you
           of
           Consideration
           in
           this
           matter
           ?
           Ought
           you
           not
           to
           lay
           these
           things
           to
           heart
           ?
           Why
           ,
           surely
           you
           are
           but
           men
           ,
           and
           your
           breath
           is
           in
           your
           nostrils
           ,
           and
           your
           substance
           but
           dissolvable
           clay
           ,
           and
           the
           God
           of
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           can
           do
           what
           he
           will
           with
           you
           ,
           and
           concerning
           you
           ;
           if
           ye
           please
           him
           ,
           it
           might
           be
           well
           with
           you
           ,
           but
           if
           the
           contrary
           ,
           he
           can
           answer
           you
           doings
           with
           an
           equal
           reward
           ,
           and
           none
           can
           prevent
           him
           .
        
         
           And
           here
           is
           a
           Cry
           ,
           and
           a
           very
           great
           Cry
           of
           
             Persecution
             under
             your
             Authority
          
           ,
           the
           Prisons
           filled
           with
           Vpright
           and
           Innocent
           persons
           ,
           to
           the
           ruine
           of
           Persons
           ,
           Wives
           and
           Families
           ,
           if
           the
           great
           Mercy
           
           of
           the
           Lord
           did
           not
           prevent
           more
           than
           the
           Iustice
           of
           men
           ;
           Thousands
           within
           these
           few
           months
           have
           been
           cast
           into
           Goals
           and
           Dungeons
           and
           nasty
           holes
           ;
           and
           divers
           have
           finished
           their
           lives
           ,
           and
           dyed
           in
           Prisons
           ;
           many
           being
           taken
           out
           of
           their
           houses
           ,
           and
           from
           their
           lawful
           Callings
           ;
           and
           many
           taken
           out
           of
           Meetings
           ,
           where
           they
           have
           been
           waiting
           upon
           God
           ,
           and
           cruel
           Sufferings
           inflicted
           upon
           them
           ,
           and
           all
           this
           for
           Truth
           and
           Righteousness
           sake
           ,
           and
           for
           their
           profession
           and
           Practice
           in
           Religion
           ;
           when
           as
           no
           Plotting
           or
           evil-dealing
           towards
           the
           King
           nor
           any
           of
           his
           Subjects
           ,
           could
           be
           justly
           charged
           and
           proved
           against
           them
           .
           And
           thus
           the
           Innocent
           have
           been
           made
           a
           Prey
           to
           Prophane
           Persons
           ,
           and
           their
           Sufferings
           have
           been
           woful
           ,
           and
           all
           this
           under
           and
           by
           your
           Authority
           ;
           And
           ,
           are
           these
           things
           nothing
           to
           you
           ?
           or
           ,
           do
           you
           judge
           this
           is
           well
           doing
           ?
           Is
           this
           Iustice
           and
           true
           Iudgment
           ?
           Is
           this
           for
           your
           Happiness
           and
           Prosperity
           ?
           Let
           the
           God
           of
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           judge
           in
           this
           matter
           between
           this
           People
           and
           You
           ,
           for
           the
           Cry
           of
           their
           Sufferings
           are
           very
           Loud
           in
           the
           Ears
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           they
           have
           been
           laid
           before
           you
           ,
           and
           you
           ought
           to
           have
           relieved
           them
           ,
           and
           eased
           their
           heavy
           burdens
           ,
           and
           shewed
           Iustice
           ,
           Pity
           and
           Love
           ,
           and
           this
           would
           have
           made
           for
           your
           Happiness
           ;
           But
           if
           that
           you
           alwayes
           neglect
           to
           hear
           the
           Cry
           of
           the
           Poor
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Oppressed
           ,
           yet
           God
           hears
           ,
           and
           takes
           notice
           ;
           and
           though
           this
           People
           should
           have
           no
           Helper
           in
           the
           Earth
           ,
           yet
           He
           is
           their
           Helper
           ,
           and
           their
           Cause
           is
           committed
           unto
           Him.
           
        
         
           Can
           these
           things
           stand
           ?
           and
           ,
           can
           you
           be
           happy
           in
           these
           proceedings
           ,
           while
           the
           Innocent
           suffer
           under
           you
           ?
           Is
           it
           in
           your
           hearts
           to
           destroy
           the
           Heritage
           of
           God
           ?
           do
           you
           think
           to
           extinguish
           an
           Innocent
           People
           from
           off
           the
           Earth
           ?
           Must
           none
           wait
           upon
           God
           ,
           and
           worship
           Him
           ,
           and
           pray
           to
           Him
           ,
           but
           after
           your
           Prescriptions
           and
           Limitations
           ?
           And
           will
           you
           kill
           and
           destroy
           all
           such
           as
           do
           not
           ?
           who
           cannot
           for
           good
           Conscience
           sake
           conform
           to
           every
           way
           of
           Worship
           and
           Religion
           imposed
           ,
           but
           must
           wait
           upon
           God
           ,
           and
           worship
           Him
           and
           pray
           to
           Him
           according
           as
           his
           Spirit
           teacheth
           and
           guideth
           ;
           will
           you
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           destroy
           all
           such
           ?
           Is
           it
           in
           your
           hearts
           to
           effect
           it
           ?
           if
           it
           be
           ,
           the
           God
           of
           Heaven
           will
           not
           prosper
           you
           in
           such
           purposes
           ;
           Will
           ye
           force
           men
           to
           forsake
           the
           Way
           of
           their
           God
           ,
           wherein
           they
           have
           found
           his
           Presence
           ?
           will
           ye
           persecute
           men
           for
           their
           Religion-sake
           ,
           while
           yet
           they
           walk
           uprightly
           in
           their
           Conversations
           among
           men
           ?
           Oh
           Friends
           !
           it
           is
           not
           Iustice
           and
           true
           Iudgment
           thus
           to
           do
           ,
           it
           pleaseth
           not
           God
           ,
           neither
           doth
           it
           unite
           the
           hearts
           of
           Subjects
           in
           true
           Love
           and
           Unity
           ,
           but
           it
           hath
           contrary
           effects
           ,
           and
           that
           you
           may
           find
           .
        
         
         
           Indeed
           ,
           according
           to
           my
           judgment
           ,
           such
           proceedings
           are
           not
           good
           Policy
           nor
           humane
           Wisdom
           ,
           for
           you
           to
           seek
           to
           establish
           one
           particular
           Perswasion
           and
           kind
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           impose
           that
           by
           force
           ,
           and
           persecute
           and
           seek
           to
           destroy
           all
           the
           rest
           that
           are
           otherwise
           minded
           ,
           if
           they
           will
           not
           deny
           their
           Principles
           and
           Consciences
           ,
           and
           conform
           :
           this
           seems
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           no
           good
           Policy
           among
           men
           ;
           for
           if
           it
           doth
           gratifie
           one
           sort
           of
           men
           in
           their
           desires
           ,
           it
           discontenteth
           and
           dissatisfieth
           many
           more
           ,
           and
           it
           breaketh
           Love
           and
           Unity
           amongst
           Subjects
           ;
           and
           your
           safety
           is
           in
           the
           uniting
           of
           Peoples
           hearts
           to
           you
           ,
           and
           one
           to
           another
           in
           Love
           and
           Liberty
           ,
           and
           not
           in
           the
           Divisions
           and
           Distractions
           of
           people
           ;
           surely
           this
           canot
           be
           for
           your
           safety
           .
           When
           as
           if
           you
           did
           give
           Liberty
           to
           all
           ,
           that
           were
           
             peaceable
             in
             their
             Lives
             and
             Conversations
             ,
             in
             the
             exercise
             of
             their
             Religion
             in
             Faith
             and
             Worship
             to
             God-wards
          
           ;
           this
           would
           cause
           all
           to
           love
           you
           ,
           and
           none
           to
           be
           discontented
           with
           you
           in
           good
           reason
           :
           If
           one
           sort
           of
           People
           had
           as
           much
           Liberty
           as
           others
           (
           in
           the
           way
           of
           their
           Religion
           I
           mean
           )
           and
           none
           more
           than
           others
           ,
           this
           doubtless
           would
           encrease
           Content
           among
           Subjects
           ,
           and
           be
           a
           blessing
           to
           you
           and
           your
           Authority
           ;
           and
           to
           proceed
           in
           that
           way
           which
           may
           keep
           the
           people
           in
           Love
           and
           Unity
           one
           with
           another
           ,
           and
           to
           you-wards
           ,
           this
           were
           good
           Policy
           for
           your
           Establishment
           to
           perpetuity
           ;
           and
           there
           seems
           to
           be
           no
           other
           way
           ,
           than
           in
           shewing
           Iustice
           ,
           Mercy
           ,
           and
           Liberty
           to
           all
           in
           all
           right
           wayes
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           exercise
           of
           their
           Consciences
           towards
           God.
           And
           this
           is
           my
           Iudgment
           ,
           the
           way
           for
           you
           to
           prosper
           ,
           is
           ,
           to
           leave
           the
           prescribing
           the
           way
           of
           Worship
           unto
           God
           ,
           as
           his
           Spirit
           shall
           teach
           and
           perswade
           the
           Conscience
           ,
           and
           to
           leave
           the
           Iudgment
           in
           all
           Cases
           of
           Conscience
           about
           Spiritual
           things
           ,
           unto
           Him
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           meddle
           about
           imposing
           Religion
           ,
           nor
           persecuting
           men
           for
           that
           cause
           ,
           for
           it
           is
           not
           your
           place
           to
           do
           it
           ;
           but
           you
           are
           to
           rule
           well
           over
           the
           outward
           man
           ,
           and
           to
           judge
           in
           the
           Cases
           of
           wrong
           between
           man
           and
           man
           ,
           but
           not
           at
           all
           in
           the
           Cases
           between
           God
           and
           mens
           Consciences
           .
        
         
           But
           you
           may
           say
           ,
           Who
           art
           thou
           ,
           inferiour
           man
           ,
           that
           seemest
           to
           advise
           us
           that
           are
           high
           and
           potent
           ,
           and
           wise
           enough
           for
           our selves
           ?
           Well
           ,
           though
           it
           be
           thus
           ,
           though
           I
           am
           so
           ,
           and
           not
           much
           acquainted
           with
           the
           State-affairs
           ,
           nor
           do
           I
           profess
           Policy
           in
           the
           Governments
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           yet
           this
           I
           say
           ,
           What
           soever
           my
           Birth
           or
           quality
           be
           ,
           and
           whether
           I
           live
           or
           dye
           ,
           yet
           these
           things
           you
           must
           find
           true
           one
           day
           ;
           (
           for
           I
           speak
           not
           as
           a
           Politician
           ,
           but
           as
           a
           
             Servant
             of
             God
          
           )
           that
           your
           Prosperity
           and
           Happiness
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           and
           hereafter
           ,
           standeth
           ,
           in
           
           shewing
           and
           executing
           true
           Iustice
           and
           Iudgment
           ,
           and
           Mercy
           and
           equal
           Liberty
           towards
           all
           ,
           without
           respect
           of
           their
           Title
           in
           the
           Profession
           and
           Practice
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           in
           allowing
           Liberty
           of
           Conscience
           in
           the
           exercise
           of
           Faith
           and
           Worship
           and
           Duty
           to
           God-wards
           ,
           to
           all
           Christian
           People
           ,
           equally
           in
           your
           Dominions
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           persecute
           or
           destroy
           any
           in
           their
           Persons
           and
           Estates
           ,
           for
           the
           exercise
           of
           their
           Religion
           to
           God-wards
           :
           This
           is
           the
           way
           of
           your
           Prosperity
           ,
           and
           the
           contrary
           is
           the
           way
           of
           your
           Destruction
           ,
           if
           that
           ye
           persecute
           men
           for
           their
           Conscience
           sake
           ,
           and
           exercise
           Lordship
           and
           Authority
           over
           mens
           Conscience
           in
           Spiritual
           things
           ;
           and
           if
           ye
           prescribe
           a
           way
           of
           Worship
           ,
           and
           seek
           to
           destroy
           all
           that
           cannot
           conform
           thereunto
           :
           if
           ye
           do
           thus
           ,
           this
           is
           not
           good
           Policy
           to
           establish
           you
           .
           Well
           ,
           I
           shall
           say
           little
           further
           ,
           but
           that
           these
           things
           I
           write
           not
           as
           your
           Enemy
           ,
           but
           as
           your
           Friend
           ,
           who
           would
           have
           you
           saved
           both
           soul
           and
           body
           ,
           and
           not
           as
           in
           any
           kind
           of
           harshness
           in
           my
           spirit
           towards
           you
           do
           I
           write
           ,
           but
           in
           love
           and
           compassionateness
           to
           you
           and
           these
           Kingdoms
           .
        
         
           And
           I
           have
           here
           in
           brief
           stated
           and
           pleaded
           the
           Case
           of
           the
           Innocent
           People
           ,
           called
           Quakers
           ,
           who
           are
           at
           this
           time
           under
           great
           Afflictions
           and
           Tribulations
           by
           your
           Authority
           ;
           and
           it
           hath
           been
           in
           my
           heart
           divers
           times
           to
           declare
           the
           substance
           of
           these
           things
           unto
           you
           ,
           but
           at
           the
           last
           I
           have
           chosen
           to
           write
           my
           mind
           to
           present
           to
           you
           concerning
           the
           matters
           very
           needful
           for
           you
           to
           be
           informed
           in
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           for
           your
           sakes
           as
           well
           as
           theirs
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           done
           it
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           not
           run
           on
           to
           act
           any
           thing
           against
           them
           upon
           Suspitions
           and
           Accusations
           of
           others
           ,
           without
           hearing
           our
           Defence
           ;
           And
           therefore
           it
           is
           for
           the
           avoiding
           and
           stopping
           of
           Persecution
           in
           the
           Land
           ,
           for
           this
           cause
           have
           I
           taken
           in
           hand
           submissively
           ,
           and
           not
           presumptuously
           ,
           to
           state
           this
           Plea
           before
           you
           ,
           and
           I
           must
           leave
           it
           to
           your
           Considerations
           ;
           and
           cannot
           impose
           my
           Faith
           upon
           you
           ,
           to
           believe
           as
           I
           believe
           ,
           but
           having
           laid
           the
           Truth
           before
           you
           ,
           I
           shall
           leave
           it
           to
           the
           Lord
           to
           work
           Faith
           and
           Love
           ,
           and
           Iustice
           ,
           Mercy
           ,
           and
           all
           good
           things
           in
           your
           hearts
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           bring
           them
           forth
           in
           the
           exercise
           of
           them
           in
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           
             I
             am
             a
             lover
             of
             Justice
             and
             Mercy
             ,
             Truth
             and
             Right●●usness
             .
             
               ●
               .
               B.
            
             
          
           
             London
             ,
             
               
               the10
               
                 th
                 day
                 of
                 the
                 second
                 moneth
                 ,
              
               1661.
               
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             I.
             The
             Case
             Stated
             and
             Pleaded
             concerning
             Swearing
             at
             all
             ,
             and
             particularly
             concerning
             the
             Oath
             of
             Allegiance
             .
          
           
             I.
             VVE
             do
             acknowledge
             our selves
             to
             be
             Free-born
             People
             of
             this
             Kingdom
             of
             England
             ,
             the
             Land
             of
             
               our
               Nativity
            
             ,
             and
             we
             do
             assert
             ,
             that
             we
             have
             just
             and
             
               lawful
               Right
            
             and
             Title
             ,
             as
             such
             ,
             to
             possess
             and
             enjoy
             
               our
               Lives
               ,
               Liberties
            
             and
             Estates
             ,
             both
             by
             the
             Laws
             of
             God
             and
             Man
             ;
             having
             never
             unto
             this
             day
             ,
             since
             we
             were
             a
             People
             ,
             Forfeited
             our
             
               Birth-right
               as
               men
            
             ,
             by
             any
             
               Rebellion
               ,
               Sedition
               ,
               Contempt
            
             ,
             or
             otherwise
             ;
             but
             have
             
               always
               been
            
             and
             are
             a
             People
             exercised
             in
             the
             Law
             of
             our
             God
             ,
             by
             walking
             
               justly
               towards
               all
               Men
            
             ,
             and
             
               doing
               to
               others
               as
               we
               would
               be
               done
               unto
               ,
            
             &
             have
             been
             and
             are
             a
             
               peaceable
               People
            
             under
             every
             Government
             and
             Authority
             that
             hath
             been
             over
             us
             since
             the
             Lord
             raised
             us
             up
             ;
             And
             I
             do
             hereby
             declare
             ,
             that
             we
             
               now
               are
            
             ,
             and
             
               shall
               be
               Faithful
               ,
               Innocent
            
             ,
             and
             Peaceable
             ,
             in
             our
             several
             Stations
             and
             Conditions
             ,
             under
             this
             present
             Government
             of
             King
             Charles
             the
             Second
             ,
             whom
             we
             acknowledge
             Supream
             Magistrate
             and
             Governour
             over
             this
             Kingdom
             ,
             and
             for
             Conscience
             sake
             we
             are
             obedient
             and
             submissive
             to
             him
             ,
             as
             such
             ,
             in
             all
             his
             Commands
             ,
             either
             
               by
               doing
            
             and
             performing
             of
             what
             he
             justly
             requireth
             ,
             or
             by
             
               patient
               suffering
            
             under
             ,
             whatsoever
             is
             inflicted
             upon
             us
             in
             the
             matters
             for
             which
             we
             cannot
             be
             obedient
             for
             Conscience
             sake
             ,
             when
             any
             thing
             is
             required
             of
             us
             different
             from
             the
             just
             Law
             of
             God
             :
             And
             to
             this
             subjection
             ,
             to
             the
             King
             and
             his
             Government
             ,
             we
             are
             bound
             by
             the
             Law
             of
             Righteousness
             ,
             and
             such
             hath
             ever
             been
             our
             Principle
             and
             Practice
             ,
             and
             is
             unto
             this
             day
             ,
             even
             
               to
               be
               quiet
            
             ,
             and
             peaceable
             ,
             and
             patient
             under
             every
             Authority
             that
             is
             set
             over
             us
             ,
             and
             not
             in
             unrighteousness
             ,
             
               to
               Plot
            
             ,
             or
             Contrive
             ,
             or
             Rebel
             against
             any
             Governours
             or
             Government
             ,
             
             nor
             to
             seek
             our
             own
             Deliverance
             from
             Injustice
             and
             Oppression
             ,
             in
             such
             a
             way
             .
             And
             we
             are
             perswaded
             to
             seek
             the
             preservation
             of
             the
             
               King's
               Person
            
             and
             Authority
             ,
             by
             all
             just
             and
             
               lawful
               means
            
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             Rebel
             against
             him
             with
             
               Carnal
               Weapons
            
             ;
             and
             so
             far
             as
             his
             Government
             is
             in
             
               Iustice
               ,
               Mercy
            
             ,
             and
             Righteousness
             ,
             we
             declare
             true
             and
             
               faithful
               subjection
            
             ,
             and
             obedience
             thereunto
             ,
             and
             wherein
             it
             is
             otherwise
             ,
             we
             shall
             be
             subject
             by
             
               Patient
               suffering
            
             ,
             what
             is
             unequally
             imposed
             upon
             us
             ,
             and
             yet
             not
             Rebel
             in
             any
             
               Turbulent
               way
            
             of
             Conspiracies
             ,
             and
             Insurrections
             ;
             For
             our
             Principles
             are
             not
             for
             War
             ,
             but
             for
             Peace
             with
             all
             men
             ,
             so
             much
             as
             in
             us
             lyes
             ;
             neither
             may
             we
             render
             evil
             for
             evil
             to
             any
             ,
             but
             are
             to
             be
             subject
             to
             the
             King
             and
             his
             Government
             actively
             or
             passively
             ,
             upon
             the
             Conditions
             aforementioned
             .
             And
             we
             renounce
             all
             
               Forreign
               Authority
               ,
               Power
            
             ,
             and
             Iurisdiction
             ,
             of
             the
             Pope
             or
             
               any
               else
            
             ,
             from
             having
             any
             Supremacy
             whatsoever
             
               over
               the
               King
            
             ,
             or
             any
             the
             
               good
               Subjects
            
             of
             England
             :
             And
             this
             we
             Declare
             ,
             Acknowledge
             ,
             and
             Testifie
             ,
             in
             the
             Fear
             and
             Presence
             of
             God
             (
             to
             whom
             we
             and
             all
             mankind
             must
             give
             an
             account
             )
             and
             that
             without
             secret
             Equivocation
             ,
             or
             any
             
               deceitful
               mental
               Reservation
            
             .
          
           
             II
             But
             as
             for
             
               all
               Oaths
            
             and
             Swearing
             ,
             we
             utterly
             deny
             ,
             for
             Conscience
             sake
             towards
             God
             ,
             because
             Christ
             Jesus
             hath
             Commanded
             us
             
               not
               to
               Swear
               at
               all
            
             ,
             Mat.
             5.
             
             And
             the
             Apostle
             saith
             ,
             
               Above
               all
               things
               ,
               my
               brethren
               ,
               Swear
               not
               ,
            
             Jam.
             5.
             and
             it
             was
             the
             Principle
             and
             Practice
             of
             divers
             
               Holy
               Martyrs
            
             ,
             even
             some
             of
             the
             
               Protestant
               Church
            
             ,
             since
             the
             Apostles
             days
             ,
             in
             all
             Ages
             ,
             
               not
               to
               Swear
               at
               all
               in
               any
               Case
               :
            
             So
             for
             Conscience
             sake
             ,
             and
             according
             to
             the
             Example
             of
             Saints
             in
             former
             Ages
             ,
             we
             do
             refuse
             to
             Swear
             ,
             in
             this
             Case
             of
             Allegiance
             to
             the
             King
             ,
             and
             in
             
               all
               other
               Cases
            
             whatsoever
             ,
             and
             we
             cannot
             Swear
             
               at
               all
            
             ;
             Though
             the
             truth
             and
             verity
             ,
             of
             
               all
               Things
               in
               all
               Cases
            
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             known
             to
             us
             ,
             and
             as
             occasion
             requireth
             ,
             we
             can
             acknowledge
             and
             testifie
             ,
             with
             Yea
             and
             Nay
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             Fear
             and
             Presence
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             with
             true
             intent
             and
             meaning
             ,
             to
             discover
             the
             Truth
             ,
             as
             is
             needful
             to
             be
             known
             ;
             And
             in
             this
             manner
             we
             acknowledge
             
               just
               Allegiance
               to
               the
               King
            
             ,
             and
             his
             Government
             ;
             (
             that
             we
             shall
             live
             peaceably
             ,
             
             and
             not
             Plot
             ,
             nor
             Rebel
             against
             Him
             )
             according
             to
             the
             Law
             of
             God
             and
             a
             safe
             Conscience
             ;
             But
             without
             
               any
               Oath
            
             or
             
               Swearing
               at
               all
            
             ,
             for
             we
             may
             not
             break
             the
             Command
             of
             Christ
             ,
             nor
             walk
             contrary
             to
             the
             Example
             of
             the
             Apostles
             and
             Saints
             by
             Swearing
             ,
             though
             we
             suffer
             the
             loss
             
               of
               all
            
             because
             thereof
             ;
             And
             it
             is
             our
             known
             Principle
             and
             Practice
             ,
             ever
             since
             we
             were
             a
             People
             ,
             that
             in
             
               no
               Case
            
             whatsoever
             ,
             though
             of
             great
             dependancy
             oft-times
             
               to
               our selves
            
             ,
             both
             in
             respect
             of
             Advantage
             to
             us
             ,
             and
             also
             in
             avoiding
             of
             Sufferings
             ,
             we
             have
             not
             taken
             
               any
               Oath
            
             ,
             nor
             
               Sworn
               at
               all
            
             ;
             whereby
             it
             is
             manifest
             that
             our
             refusing
             chiefly
             to
             take
             the
             Oath
             of
             Allegiance
             ,
             is
             not
             because
             it
             is
             
               that
               Oath
            
             ,
             but
             because
             it
             is
             
               an
               Oath
            
             ,
             and
             for
             Conscience
             sake
             we
             cannot
             Swear
             
               at
               all
            
             .
          
           
             III.
             And
             thus
             the
             state
             of
             our
             present
             Case
             about
             this
             Oath
             of
             Allegiance
             ,
             is
             different
             from
             some
             others
             ,
             from
             all
             such
             who
             can
             Swear
             and
             
               take
               Oathes
            
             in
             other
             Cases
             ,
             to
             whom
             taking
             of
             an
             Oath
             in
             it self
             is
             not
             matter
             of
             Conscience
             ;
             but
             as
             for
             us
             ,
             we
             make
             Conscience
             of
             
               an
               Oath
            
             in
             it self
             ,
             and
             that
             upon
             just
             ground
             ,
             as
             we
             are
             able
             to
             demonstrate
             ,
             and
             therefore
             our
             refusal
             of
             
               this
               Oath
            
             of
             Allegiance
             ,
             gives
             no
             ground
             at
             all
             ,
             of
             doubt
             or
             suspition
             ,
             concerning
             us
             ,
             as
             if
             we
             would
             not
             live
             peaceably
             and
             quietly
             under
             this
             Government
             ,
             or
             as
             if
             we
             would
             Rebel
             against
             ,
             or
             plot
             to
             destroy
             the
             
               King's
               Person
            
             or
             Authority
             ,
             and
             so
             denie
             to
             take
             
               this
               Oath
            
             ,
             as
             if
             we
             would
             leave
             our selves
             clear
             to
             proceed
             in
             such
             wayes
             ;
             this
             Judgement
             cannot
             justly
             be
             given
             of
             us
             ,
             because
             
               we
               deny
               to
               Swear
               at
               all
               ,
               in
               all
               Cases
               ,
            
             which
             if
             it
             were
             not
             so
             ,
             but
             that
             we
             could
             
               Swear
               in
               other
               Cases
            
             ,
             and
             not
             
               in
               this
            
             ,
             then
             we
             might
             be
             the
             more
             justly
             suspected
             that
             we
             had
             a
             reserve
             against
             the
             King's
             Person
             and
             Government
             ,
             and
             our
             living
             Peaceable
             ,
             might
             be
             the
             more
             doubted
             of
             ;
             but
             being
             our
             
               known
               Principle
            
             and
             practice
             always
             ,
             not
             
               to
               Swear
               at
               all
            
             in
             any
             Case
             whatsoever
             ,
             this
             removes
             
               all
               ground
            
             of
             Iealousie
             ,
             or
             cause
             of
             Suspition
             of
             us
             in
             this
             Case
             ,
             and
             also
             we
             being
             ready
             to
             confess
             ,
             
               all
               just
               Authority
            
             and
             Power
             to
             the
             King
             ,
             to
             declare
             Obedience
             thereunto
             solemnly
             and
             sincerely
             ,
             and
             that
             we
             shall
             live
             peaceable
             and
             quietly
             under
             his
             Government
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             Plot
             or
             Rebel
             against
             him
             ,
             
             and
             this
             to
             Confirm
             by
             Yea
             and
             Nay
             :
             Our
             Testimony
             of
             this
             kind
             ,
             may
             as
             justly
             be
             taken
             ,
             and
             stand
             as
             effectual
             ,
             and
             be
             as
             faithfully
             performed
             ,
             as
             the
             Oathes
             of
             any
             others
             ;
             for
             we
             make
             Conscience
             to
             perform
             what
             we
             say
             in
             Yea
             and
             Nay
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             any
             do
             to
             perform
             what
             they
             Swear
             ,
             and
             this
             is
             known
             of
             us
             in
             the
             Consciences
             of
             our
             Enemies
             ;
             So
             that
             in
             good
             Conscience
             and
             just
             Reason
             ,
             and
             equal
             Justice
             ,
             we
             are
             excusable
             from
             all
             Penalties
             and
             Forfeitures
             in
             that
             behalf
             ,
             of
             denying
             the
             Oath
             of
             Allegiance
             .
          
           
             IV.
             And
             the
             King
             and
             his
             Government
             is
             not
             the
             
               less
               safe
            
             and
             secure
             ,
             though
             we
             refuse
             
               to
               swear
               Obedience
               to
               them
            
             ,
             nor
             could
             they
             be
             any
             safer
             or
             securer
             ,
             if
             we
             ,
             contrary
             to
             our
             Principles
             and
             Consciences
             were
             forced
             by
             Penalties
             
               to
               Swear
               Allegiance
            
             ;
             for
             by
             the
             same
             Principle
             which
             keeps
             us
             
               from
               Swearing
            
             ,
             and
             by
             which
             we
             
               deny
               it
            
             ,
             we
             must
             be
             preserved
             to
             live
             peaceably
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             Plot
             nor
             Rebel
             against
             the
             King
             ;
             and
             if
             we
             renounce
             our
             Principle
             and
             our
             good
             Conscience
             ,
             and
             be
             induced
             to
             Swear
             against
             our
             Consciences
             ;
             what
             likelyhood
             is
             there
             to
             perform
             such
             a
             forced
             Oath
             ,
             taken
             contrary
             to
             our
             Consciences
             and
             Principles
             ?
             For
             if
             we
             Swear
             to
             the
             King
             and
             his
             Government
             ,
             because
             of
             the
             fear
             of
             men
             and
             to
             save
             our
             Estates
             ,
             &c.
             and
             this
             contrary
             to
             our
             Conscience
             ,
             it
             might
             well
             be
             suspected
             of
             us
             ,
             that
             at
             opportunity
             we
             would
             
               break
               such
               Oathes
            
             ,
             for
             fear
             of
             men
             or
             some
             self
             end
             :
             On
             the
             other
             hand
             ,
             if
             we
             had
             already
             renounced
             our
             good
             Consciences
             ,
             so
             that
             it
             more
             appears
             ,
             we
             shall
             perform
             good
             Obedience
             to
             the
             King
             and
             his
             Government
             acknowledged
             by
             Yea
             ,
             without
             an
             Oath
             ,
             and
             in
             good
             Conscience
             ;
             then
             by
             swearing
             forced
             on
             us
             ,
             contrary
             to
             our
             Consciences
             ;
             therefore
             
               our
               Yea
            
             may
             better
             be
             accepted
             in
             this
             Case
             ,
             then
             Swearing
             can
             be
             demanded
             of
             us
             :
             And
             also
             if
             we
             should
             change
             with
             the
             Times
             ,
             and
             renounce
             our
             Principles
             and
             Consciences
             ,
             and
             Swear
             ,
             we
             should
             make
             our selves
             ridiculous
             and
             a
             scorn
             to
             all
             men
             ,
             and
             bring
             our selves
             into
             a
             capacity
             not
             ever
             to
             be
             trusted
             in
             any
             Case
             ,
             if
             we
             should
             bow
             and
             bend
             to
             Times
             and
             Powers
             ,
             and
             for
             terrour
             of
             men
             ,
             deny
             our
             Religion
             ,
             as
             other
             Hypocrites
             ,
             And
             I
             very
             well
             believe
             that
             the
             King
             would
             not
             trust
             us
             in
             
             our
             Albegiance
             any
             whit
             
               the
               better
            
             ,
             but
             rather
             the
             worse
             ,
             though
             we
             did
             
               swear
               ,
               fawn
            
             and
             flatter
             with
             him
             ,
             contrary
             to
             our
             Principles
             ;
             neither
             could
             he
             reasonably
             judge
             himself
             the
             safer
             ,
             not
             more
             happy
             ,
             not
             that
             we
             would
             be
             truly
             subject
             the
             more
             to
             his
             Authority
             ,
             if
             we
             swote
             and
             conformed
             in
             things
             by
             force
             ,
             contrary
             to
             our
             Consciences
             and
             Principles
             ;
             for
             himself
             knows
             ,
             that
             Oaths
             and
             Engagements
             made
             and
             taken
             by
             force
             ,
             and
             for
             fear
             ,
             in
             straits
             ,
             are
             seldom
             or
             never
             truly
             performed
             ,
             but
             alwayes
             broken
             .
             And
             of
             the
             like
             case
             there
             are
             large
             Testimonies
             in
             the
             Kingdom
             ,
             of
             many
             that
             have
             
               sworn
               ,
               promised
            
             ,
             and
             engaged
             ,
             and
             sometimes
             by
             force
             and
             fear
             ,
             to
             this
             kind
             of
             Government
             and
             another
             ;
             and
             yet
             at
             opportunies
             ,
             and
             for
             their
             own
             self-ends
             ,
             have
             broken
             all
             Oaths
             and
             Engagements
             ,
             and
             rebelled
             against
             the
             very
             Persons
             and
             Authority
             to
             which
             they
             have
             sworn
             and
             
               engaged
               Fidelity
            
             and
             Allegiance
             ;
             so
             that
             many
             are
             not
             the
             more
             to
             be
             trusted
             ,
             though
             they
             swear
             Allegiance
             :
             for
             ,
             the
             Proverb
             saith
             ,
             
               He
               that
               will
               Swear
               ,
               will
               Lye
               :
            
             and
             he
             that
             is
             forced
             to
             swear
             against
             his
             Conscience
             ,
             will
             hardly
             perform
             his
             Oath
             :
             And
             we
             are
             no
             less
             to
             be
             trusted
             ,
             though
             we
             
               swear
               not
            
             ,
             for
             we
             never
             yet
             engaged
             our selves
             by
             Oath
             ,
             to
             any
             Governours
             or
             Government
             ,
             and
             yet
             we
             never
             rebelled
             or
             plotted
             against
             any
             ,
             but
             have
             lived
             peaceably
             ,
             and
             in
             a
             
               patient
               suffering
               condition
            
             under
             all
             ,
             that
             have
             sitten
             on
             the
             Throne
             since
             we
             were
             a
             People
             :
             And
             therefore
             out
             living
             peaceably
             under
             the
             King's
             Government
             cannot
             justly
             be
             doubted
             of
             ,
             though
             we
             cannot
             engage
             the
             same
             
               by
               swearing
            
             :
             But
             yet
             if
             we
             do
             not
             live
             quietly
             and
             in
             good
             obedience
             ,
             as
             peaceable
             People
             ,
             but
             do
             
               rebel
               ,
               plot
               ,
               &c.
            
             then
             we
             refuse
             not
             to
             suffer
             the
             Pains
             ,
             Penalties
             and
             Forfeitures
             ,
             as
             such
             that
             Swear
             and
             do
             not
             perform
             their
             Oaths
             ;
             I
             say
             ,
             if
             we
             do
             not
             
               live
               peaceably
            
             ,
             but
             plot
             and
             rebel
             against
             the
             King
             and
             his
             Government
             ,
             then
             let
             us
             suffer
             the
             same
             in
             
               every
               particular
            
             ,
             as
             if
             we
             had
             sworn
             ;
             and
             
               not
               performed
            
             our
             Oath
             .
          
           
             V.
             All
             these
             things
             rightly
             considered
             ,
             it
             doth
             fully
             appear
             ,
             1.
             
             That
             we
             are
             
               not
               Enemies
            
             ,
             neither
             in
             present
             Action
             ,
             nor
             future
             Intent
             ,
             to
             the
             
               King's
               Person
            
             or
             Authority
             .
             2.
             
             Nor
             that
             we
             refuse
             to
             acknowledge
             
               Iust
               Authority
               to
               King
               Charles
            
             the
             
             Second
             ,
             as
             Supream
             Magistrate
             over
             these
             Kingdoms
             .
             3.
             
             Nor
             doth
             it
             appear
             ,
             that
             we
             are
             otherwise
             than
             Peaceable
             and
             Quiet
             People
             under
             the
             
               King's
               Government
            
             .
             4.
             
             Nor
             is
             it
             manifest
             ,
             but
             that
             we
             are
             ready
             to
             acknowledge
             so
             to
             continue
             ,
             in
             all
             good
             Conscience
             and
             Righteousness
             :
             And
             therefore
             we
             do
             appeal
             to
             the
             
               God
               of
               Heaven
            
             ,
             and
             to
             
               King
               Charles
            
             ,
             and
             to
             
               all
               People
            
             whatsoever
             ,
             That
             our
             present
             Sufferings
             by
             Imprisonment
             ,
             and
             whatsoever
             else
             we
             may
             suffer
             in
             this
             Case
             ,
             for
             Refusing
             to
             take
             the
             Oath
             of
             Alleagiance
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             for
             Plotting
             against
             the
             King
             ,
             nor
             for
             refusing
             to
             acknowledge
             
               Iust
               Authority
            
             to
             the
             King
             ,
             nor
             for
             denying
             
               Iust
               Obedience
            
             to
             him
             and
             the
             
               Good
               Laws
            
             of
             the
             Land
             ,
             nor
             for
             denying
             to
             live
             peaceably
             in
             the
             Kingdom
             under
             the
             
               King's
               Authority
            
             ;
             Because
             to
             all
             this
             we
             acknowledge
             solemnly
             in
             Yea
             and
             Nay
             :
             Neither
             are
             our
             Sufferings
             in
             this
             case
             ,
             for
             any
             Evil-doing
             towards
             God
             nor
             Men
             ;
             but
             our
             Sufferings
             are
             
               for
               keeping
            
             the
             Commands
             of
             Christ
             ,
             which
             to
             us
             is
             matter
             of
             Conscience
             to
             perform
             ,
             more
             than
             to
             save
             our
             own
             Lives
             or
             Estates
             ;
             and
             our
             Sufferings
             are
             ,
             because
             we
             
               cannot
               Swear
               at
               all
            
             ,
             and
             not
             because
             we
             are
             Rebellious
             ,
             or
             that
             we
             
               deny
               Iust
               Allegiance
            
             to
             the
             King
             :
             and
             such
             our
             Sufferings
             are
             not
             as
             Evil-doers
             ,
             nor
             justly
             and
             righteously
             as
             Offenders
             ;
             because
             we
             are
             not
             guilty
             of
             Evil
             in
             this
             case
             ,
             towards
             God
             nor
             Man
             ,
             and
             our
             Sufferings
             are
             
               Cruel
               Persecution
            
             for
             our
             
               Tender
               Conscience
               sake
            
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             
               Name
               of
               Christ
               Iesus
            
             :
             And
             we
             call
             God
             and
             Just
             Men
             to
             witnesse
             between
             Us
             and
             our
             Prosecutors
             ,
             that
             as
             Saints
             and
             
               Servants
               of
               God
               we
               suffer
            
             in
             this
             Case
             ,
             and
             for
             our
             Faithfulnesse
             and
             Obedience
             to
             the
             
               King
               of
               Heaven
            
             ,
             and
             not
             for
             Evil-doing
             or
             Disobedience
             to
             King
             Charles
             and
             his
             Authority
             :
             And
             if
             any
             be
             persecuted
             in
             this
             case
             ,
             for
             Refusing
             
               to
               take
               the
               Oath
               of
               Allegiance
               ,
            
             to
             the
             Ruine
             of
             
               Persons
               ,
               Wives
            
             and
             Families
             in
             this
             World
             ;
             then
             we
             shall
             have
             cause
             to
             say
             ,
             
               Occasion
               is
               wrongfully
               taken
               against
               us
               ,
               to
               destroy
               us
               ,
            
             and
             we
             are
             proceeded
             against
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             End
             of
             
               Iust
               Government
            
             ,
             which
             is
             ,
             to
             preserve
             the
             Peaceable
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             destroy
             them
             ;
             and
             contrary
             to
             the
             King
             's
             
               former
               Promises
            
             ,
             who
             hath
             said
             ,
             
               VVe
               should
               not
               suffer
               for
               matters
               of
               our
               Religion
               and
               Conscience
               ,
               living
               peaceably
               in
               the
               Land
            
             ;
             And
             if
             we
             suffer
             ,
             because
             we
             cannot
             
             
               swear
               at
               all
            
             ,
             such
             our
             Suffering
             is
             for
             our
             Conscience
             sake
             ,
             and
             we
             are
             therein
             persecuted
             unrighteously
             ,
             as
             
               Innocent
               People
            
             ,
             and
             without
             
               just
               cause
            
             ;
             And
             we
             must
             commit
             this
             our
             Cause
             to
             God
             ,
             who
             regardeth
             the
             Oppressions
             of
             his
             People
             ,
             and
             will
             avenge
             their
             Cause
             in
             his
             season
             .
             And
             for
             the
             present
             this
             is
             all
             I
             have
             to
             say
             ,
             and
             present
             ,
             concerning
             this
             
               Case
               of
               Swearing
            
             ,
             and
             concerning
             the
             
               Oath
               of
               Allegiance
            
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             II.
             The
             Case
             stated
             and
             pleaded
             ,
             concerning
             our
             Meeting
             together
             to
             Worship
             God.
             
          
           
             I.
             VVE
             do
             meet
             together
             in
             the
             Name
             of
             
               Iesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             and
             in
             his
             Power
             and
             Spirit
             ;
             and
             we
             do
             
               Come
               together
            
             in
             the
             Fear
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             wait
             upon
             Him
             ,
             and
             to
             receive
             the
             Teachings
             of
             his
             Holy
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             his
             Counsel
             to
             direct
             us
             in
             all
             our
             wayes
             ,
             how
             to
             walk
             righteously
             towards
             God
             and
             Men
             ;
             and
             in
             our
             Meetings
             we
             practise
             our
             hearts
             and
             minds
             in
             Godliness
             ,
             and
             speak
             of
             the
             things
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             God
             ,
             in
             Preaching
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             in
             Prayer
             to
             Him
             ,
             according
             as
             His
             holy
             Spirit
             guideth
             us
             ,
             which
             is
             given
             us
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             lead
             us
             
               into
               all
               Truth
            
             ,
             according
             to
             his
             Promise
             ,
             Ioh.
             16.
             13.
             and
             that
             we
             may
             edifie
             one
             another
             in
             the
             wayes
             of
             Holiness
             and
             Truth
             ,
             for
             the
             benefit
             of
             our
             Souls
             :
             and
             this
             is
             according
             to
             the
             Scriptures
             :
             
               For
               they
               that
               feared
               the
               Lord
               met
               often
               together
               ,
               and
               spake
               one
               to
               another
               ,
               and
               edified
               one
               another
               :
            
             And
             this
             is
             our
             Principle
             ,
             That
             it
             is
             our
             Duty
             to
             Godwards
             ,
             to
             meet
             together
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             requires
             it
             of
             us
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             exercise
             of
             our
             Consciences
             to
             Him
             ,
             it
             hath
             been
             alwayes
             and
             is
             our
             practice
             ,
             to
             meet
             together
             in
             the
             exercise
             of
             the
             Worship
             of
             God
             ,
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             and
             not
             for
             any
             other
             end
             ;
             as
             in
             
               Contempt
               of
               Authority
            
             ,
             or
             to
             plot
             ,
             or
             contrive
             ,
             or
             to
             
               meditate
               Evil
            
             towards
             the
             King
             or
             his
             Government
             ,
             or
             any
             of
             his
             Subjects
             ;
             We
             have
             no
             such
             e●●l
             (
             I
             say
             )
             in
             meeting
             together
             ;
             but
             our
             
             alone
             ,
             only
             ,
             and
             absolute
             End
             in
             our
             Meeting
             ,
             is
             to
             worship
             the
             Lord
             our
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             serve
             Him
             ,
             and
             to
             wait
             upon
             Him
             ,
             in
             Obedience
             to
             his
             Will
             ,
             and
             for
             good
             Conscience
             sake
             ,
             as
             our
             Duty
             towards
             Him.
             
          
           
             II.
             And
             this
             our
             practice
             of
             
               Meeting
               together
            
             ,
             for
             the
             End
             and
             Cause
             mentioned
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             in
             
               Publick
               Houses
            
             ,
             or
             more
             private
             in
             
               Upper
               Chambers
            
             ,
             or
             in
             the
             
               Open
               Fields
            
             on
             
               what
               day
               soever
            
             ,
             is
             lawful
             and
             just
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             is
             according
             to
             the
             Example
             of
             the
             Primitive
             Saints
             ,
             and
             provable
             by
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             As
             in
             Acts
             1.
             13
             ,
             14.
             
             
               And
               when
               the
               Disciples
               and
               Saints
               returned
               from
            
             Jerusalem
             ,
             
               they
               went
               up
               into
               an
               Upper
               Chamber
               ,
               both
               Men
               and
               VVomen
               ,
               and
               waited
               upon
               the
               Lord
               ,
               and
               continued
               with
               one
               accord
               ,
               in
               Prayer
               and
               in
               Supplication
               .
            
             And
             in
             Acts
             20.
             7
             ,
             8.
             
             
               The
               first
               day
               of
               the
               week
               the
               Saints
               met
               together
               ,
               and
            
             Paul
             
               preached
               unto
               them
               ,
               and
               continued
               his
               Sermon
               till
               midnight
               ;
               holding
               forth
               the
               matters
               of
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               God
               ;
               and
               they
               were
               met
               an
               an
               Vpper
               .
               Chamber
               ,
               from
               whence
            
             Eutychus
             
               fell
               down
            
             .
             And
             Acts
             28.
             30
             ,
             31.
             
             And
             Paul
             
               remained
               two
               fall
               years
               ,
               preaching
               the
               Gospel
               of
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               God
               ,
               in
               his
               own
               hired
               house
               in
            
             Rome
             ;
             
               and
               he
               exhorted
               the
               Saints
               ,
               not
               to
               neglect
               meeting
               together
               ,
               as
               the
               manner
               of
               some
               was
               ,
               whom
               he
               reproved
               ,
            
             Heb.
             10.
             25.
             
             By
             which
             Testimonies
             ,
             with
             divers
             others
             that
             might
             be
             given
             ,
             it
             is
             manifest
             ,
             that
             the
             Saints
             of
             God
             in
             former
             Ages
             ,
             
               did
               meet
               together
            
             to
             worship
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             wait
             upon
             Him
             in
             Prayer
             &
             Preaching
             ,
             as
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             Father
             taught
             them
             ,
             that
             dwelt
             in
             them
             :
             And
             sometime
             they
             met
             publickly
             ,
             and
             sometime
             more
             private
             ;
             and
             sometime
             on
             the
             day-time
             ,
             and
             sometime
             in
             the
             night-season
             ,
             (
             and
             they
             met
             separate
             from
             the
             Synagogues
             and
             wayes
             of
             publick
             Worship
             of
             the
             Iews
             )
             according
             to
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             as
             it
             was
             ordered
             among
             them
             :
             And
             thus
             it
             is
             manifest
             ,
             that
             our
             Meetings
             for
             the
             Worship
             of
             God
             at
             this
             day
             (
             though
             they
             are
             separate
             from
             the
             way
             of
             publick
             Worship
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             ,
             and
             are
             in
             more
             private
             houses
             )
             are
             justifiable
             ,
             being
             after
             the
             Example
             of
             the
             Saints
             ,
             and
             according
             to
             the
             Scriptures
             of
             Truth
             ;
             and
             therefore
             out
             Meetings
             are
             according
             to
             the
             Law
             of
             God
             ,
             just
             and
             lawful
             .
          
           
           
             III.
             And
             forasmuch
             as
             by
             reason
             of
             the
             late
             Insurrection
             of
             some
             few
             persons
             in
             London
             ,
             our
             lawful
             Assembling
             of
             our selves
             together
             in
             the
             Worship
             of
             God
             ,
             is
             under
             
               present
               restraint
            
             and
             prohibition
             ,
             and
             by
             Proclamation
             forbidden
             ,
             under
             the
             denomination
             of
             Seditious
             and
             
               Unlawful
               Meetings
            
             ,
             and
             our
             Friends
             Imprisoned
             and
             Persecuted
             for
             that
             cause
             of
             Assembling
             themselves
             to
             wait
             upon
             God.
             Now
             in
             this
             Case
             ,
             this
             I
             plead
             unto
             the
             King
             ,
             That
             we
             are
             no
             manner
             of
             way
             guilty
             of
             that
             Insurrection
             ,
             upon
             which
             the
             Proclamatian
             of
             forbidding
             our
             Meetings
             was
             grounded
             ;
             and
             therefore
             ought
             not
             to
             suffer
             with
             the
             guilty
             ,
             being
             innocent
             from
             the
             very
             occasion
             of
             that
             Proclamation
             ;
             and
             for
             the
             King
             to
             prohibit
             our
             Meetings
             ,
             for
             and
             because
             of
             the
             
               ill
               use
            
             that
             others
             made
             of
             theirs
             ,
             this
             seems
             a
             Condemning
             of
             the
             Innocent
             with
             the
             Guilty
             ,
             which
             is
             no
             way
             just
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             God
             nor
             Men
             ,
             but
             altogether
             unequal
             that
             we
             should
             suffer
             for
             
               other
               ments
               faults
            
             ;
             though
             such
             did
             abuse
             their
             Liberty
             ,
             and
             pervert
             the
             end
             of
             their
             Meetings
             into
             rising
             up
             with
             
               Carnal
               Weapons
            
             against
             the
             King
             ;
             so
             did
             not
             we
             ,
             neither
             in
             intent
             nor
             action
             ;
             and
             therefore
             our
             Meetings
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             prohibited
             ,
             for
             the
             cause
             of
             other
             mens
             faults
             and
             miscarriages
             in
             that
             case
             ;
             And
             also
             we
             have
             the
             
               King's
               Promise
            
             ,
             divers
             times
             ,
             
               That
               we
               should
               not
               suffer
               for
               our
               Religion
               ,
               while
               we
               aded
               nothing
               against
               the
               Peace
               of
               the
               Kingdom
               and
               Government
            
             ;
             which
             yet
             we
             never
             have
             done
             ,
             nor
             made
             any
             
               ill
               use
            
             of
             our
             Meetings
             ,
             nor
             of
             the
             
               King's
               Promises
            
             ,
             nor
             forfeited
             them
             ,
             and
             therefore
             ,
             according
             to
             his
             
               own
               Promises
            
             ,
             we
             ought
             to
             have
             our
             Meetings
             ,
             and
             enjoy
             them
             
               without
               restraint
            
             ,
             because
             we
             have
             not
             farfeited
             the
             benefit
             of
             his
             former
             Promises
             in
             that
             behalf
             ,
             nor
             ever
             made
             use
             of
             our
             Meetings
             ,
             to
             plot
             or
             conspire
             against
             the
             Government
             ,
             to
             its
             harm
             or
             detriment
             ;
             and
             because
             of
             our
             innocency
             herein
             ,
             the
             benefit
             of
             his
             former
             Promises
             ,
             are
             yet
             in
             force
             unto
             us
             ,
             to
             protect
             our
             lawful
             Meetings
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             prohibit
             them
             ;
             and
             though
             upon
             
               suspition
               only
            
             out
             Meetings
             have
             been
             Restrained
             ,
             and
             our
             Friends
             Imprisoned
             by
             the
             late
             Proclamation
             ;
             yet
             we
             being
             proved
             innocent
             ,
             and
             without
             guilt
             of
             that
             which
             occasioned
             it
             ,
             the
             King
             and
             
             Council
             may
             and
             ought
             in
             Justice
             and
             good
             Reason
             ,
             to
             Reverse
             and
             Revoke
             that
             part
             of
             the
             Proclamation
             related
             to
             us
             ,
             as
             being
             innocent
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             
               enjoy
               our
               lawful
               Meetings
            
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Scriptures
             and
             Example
             of
             Saints
             ,
             and
             according
             to
             the
             King
             's
             own
             
               former
               Promises
            
             .
          
           
             IV.
             All
             these
             things
             considered
             and
             rightly
             understood
             by
             the
             King
             and
             his
             Council
             ,
             it
             will
             appear
             unto
             them
             ,
             in
             good
             reason
             ,
             1.
             
             That
             our
             Meetings
             are
             just
             and
             lawful
             in
             themselves
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             for
             the
             Worship
             of
             the
             Lord
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             wait
             upon
             Him.
             2.
             
             They
             are
             according
             to
             the
             Example
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             because
             the
             Scriptures
             prove
             the
             like
             Meetings
             .
             3.
             
             And
             they
             are
             not
             contrary
             to
             his
             
               own
               Promises
            
             ,
             and
             Toleration
             that
             he
             gave
             for
             six
             Months
             after
             his
             coming
             in
             ,
             Because
             he
             said
             ,
             
               VVe
               should
               not
               suffer
               for
               our
               Religion
               ,
               if
               we
               lived
               peaceably
            
             ;
             and
             we
             were
             not
             disturbed
             by
             Authority
             from
             him
             (
             that
             we
             know
             of
             )
             in
             our
             Meetings
             ,
             till
             this
             occasion
             .
             4.
             
             It
             will
             appear
             ,
             That
             we
             ought
             in
             Iustice
             and
             Equity
             to
             have
             our
             
               lawful
               Meetings
            
             protected
             and
             preserved
             by
             the
             
               King's
               Authority
            
             ,
             and
             not
             prohibited
             ;
             because
             we
             are
             not
             guilty
             of
             that
             which
             occasioned
             this
             present
             Restraint
             :
             but
             what
             we
             have
             suffered
             in
             this
             case
             ,
             it
             hath
             been
             upon
             suspition
             ,
             and
             without
             any
             
               just
               cause
            
             on
             our
             part
             :
             And
             for
             these
             Ends
             and
             Causes
             I
             plead
             on
             the
             behalf
             of
             the
             Innocent
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             enjoy
             peaceably
             our
             Meetings
             for
             the
             exercise
             of
             God's
             Worship
             ,
             and
             not
             be
             prohibited
             in
             the
             King's
             Dominions
             under
             his
             Authority
             .
          
           
             V.
             But
             and
             if
             we
             are
             persecuted
             and
             imprisoned
             ,
             and
             made
             to
             suffer
             for
             this
             Cause
             of
             
               Meeting
               together
            
             ,
             to
             worship
             God
             and
             wait
             upon
             Him
             ,
             in
             Conscience
             and
             Duty
             towards
             Him
             ;
             and
             for
             following
             the
             Scriptures
             Example
             ,
             as
             the
             Saints
             of
             old
             ,
             as
             afore-mentioned
             ;
             we
             must
             only
             commit
             our
             Cause
             to
             the
             God
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             in
             patience
             suffer
             under
             whatsoever
             is
             unequally
             inflicted
             upon
             us
             for
             this
             matter
             ,
             if
             men
             shew
             the
             
               height
               of
               Oppression
            
             towards
             us
             ;
             and
             we
             must
             put
             on
             the
             spirit
             of
             Long-suffering
             and
             Forbearance
             ,
             and
             leave
             Vengeance
             to
             the
             
             Lord
             ,
             who
             will
             in
             his
             season
             redress
             our
             Cause
             ,
             if
             that
             we
             are
             persecuted
             for
             meeting
             together
             ,
             and
             for
             worshipping
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             according
             as
             his
             Spirit
             perswades
             our
             Consciences
             ;
             and
             such
             our
             Sufferings
             are
             ,
             not
             for
             evil-doing
             ,
             not
             as
             Transgressors
             against
             God
             nor
             the
             King
             ,
             but
             as
             Servants
             of
             God
             we
             suffer
             ,
             and
             for
             holding
             the
             Testimony
             of
             JESUS
             ,
             and
             a
             good
             Conscience
             .
             And
             thus
             I
             have
             brought
             the
             state
             of
             our
             Case
             ,
             as
             concerning
             our
             Meetings
             ,
             unto
             the
             Kings
             knowledge
             ,
             and
             must
             leave
             it
             to
             his
             
               serious
               view
            
             ;
             and
             happy
             will
             he
             be
             if
             he
             hath
             regard
             to
             the
             Afflicted
             ;
             but
             if
             he
             stop
             his
             Ear
             from
             the
             Cry
             of
             the
             Poor
             ,
             and
             suffer
             them
             to
             be
             destroyed
             ,
             who
             shall
             plead
             for
             him
             ,
             or
             excuse
             him
             in
             the
             Day
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             when
             He
             comes
             to
             Judgement
             ,
             to
             reward
             every
             man
             according
             to
             his
             deeds
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             III.
             The
             Case
             stated
             and
             pleaded
             concerning
             Tythes
             ,
             as
             paid
             among
             the
             Jews
             ,
             and
             also
             among
             the
             Christians
             ;
             and
             the
             Cause
             why
             we
             refuse
             to
             pay
             them
             at
             this
             day
             .
          
           
             I.
             VVE
             do
             acknowledge
             that
             Tythes
             ,
             as
             instituted
             ,
             given
             ,
             and
             received
             in
             the
             Law
             of
             Moses
             ,
             amongst
             the
             Iews
             ,
             and
             according
             to
             the
             Commandment
             of
             God
             ,
             were
             of
             
               Heavenly
               Ordination
            
             ,
             and
             were
             for
             that
             
               Holy
               Use
            
             and
             End
             ,
             of
             maintaining
             the
             
               Levitical
               Priesthood
            
             ,
             and
             the
             Poor
             ,
             the
             Widows
             ,
             and
             the
             Strangers
             in
             Israel
             :
             and
             we
             know
             that
             whilest
             that
             Livitical
             Priesthood
             of
             Signs
             ,
             and
             Types
             ,
             and
             Figures
             was
             yet
             unfinished
             and
             unfulfilled
             by
             Christ
             Jesus
             the
             Everlasting
             Priest
             ,
             That
             Law
             that
             gave
             and
             received
             Tythes
             was
             in
             force
             ,
             and
             it
             was
             sinful
             against
             God
             ,
             and
             contrary
             to
             his
             Law
             ,
             in
             any
             of
             Israel
             to
             withhold
             their
             Tythes
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             pay
             them
             ,
             and
             such
             as
             did
             ,
             robbed
             God
             and
             the
             Poor
             ,
             and
             the
             Prophet
             complained
             against
             them
             ;
             for
             then
             the
             Ordination
             of
             Tythes
             
             was
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             Practise
             and
             End
             of
             them
             was
             good
             and
             blessed
             ;
             But
             that
             Law
             and
             Priesthood
             ,
             that
             gave
             and
             received
             them
             ,
             is
             finished
             and
             ended
             ,
             with
             all
             the
             Types
             and
             Shadows
             of
             the
             
               first
               Covenant
            
             ,
             Heb.
             7.
             12.
             and
             
               Christ
               Iesus
            
             the
             everlasting
             Priest
             of
             God
             ,
             is
             come
             ,
             in
             whom
             is
             ended
             the
             
               first
               Priesthood
            
             that
             took
             Tythes
             ,
             and
             that
             Law
             that
             gave
             them
             ,
             and
             he
             hath
             put
             an
             end
             to
             
               Tythes
               ,
               Temple
               ,
               Priests-Office
            
             ,
             under
             the
             Law
             among
             the
             Iews
             ,
             and
             all
             
               outward
               Types
            
             and
             Figures
             ,
             and
             
               first
               Covenant
            
             ,
             and
             is
             an
             
               High
               Priest
            
             for
             ever
             ,
             and
             the
             
               everlasting
               Substance
            
             of
             all
             Shadows
             pertaining
             to
             the
             
               first
               Covenant
            
             ,
             and
             hath
             finished
             them
             ,
             and
             ended
             them
             ;
             even
             that
             Law
             and
             Ordinance
             that
             gave
             and
             received
             Tythes
             ,
             and
             that
             Priesthood
             to
             whom
             Tythes
             pertained
             ,
             so
             that
             though
             it
             was
             unlawful
             in
             the
             
               first
               Covenant
            
             to
             withhold
             the
             payment
             of
             Tythes
             ,
             yet
             that
             Covenant
             being
             ended
             ,
             and
             
               that
               Law
            
             and
             Priesthood
             ,
             and
             another
             Covenant
             and
             Priesthood
             established
             ,
             to
             whom
             the
             Law
             of
             God
             allows
             not
             the
             Tythes
             of
             mens
             estates
             ,
             it
             seems
             now
             to
             be
             unlawful
             to
             
               pay
               ,
               receive
            
             ,
             or
             
               demand
               Tythes
            
             ,
             and
             for
             good
             Conscience
             sake
             we
             cannot
             do
             it
             .
          
           
             II.
             We
             cannot
             now
             
               pay
               Tythes
            
             according
             to
             the
             
               first
               Covenant
            
             ,
             nor
             uphold
             any
             part
             of
             the
             
               first
               Priesthood
            
             ,
             that
             stood
             in
             Types
             and
             Shadows
             ,
             nor
             submit
             to
             that
             Law
             ,
             by
             any
             obedience
             to
             it
             ,
             which
             one
             gave
             and
             
               received
               Tythes
            
             ;
             Seeing
             
               Iesus
               Christ
            
             is
             come
             in
             the
             flesh
             ,
             who
             hath
             ended
             all
             
               that
               Covenant
            
             ,
             with
             every
             thing
             that
             
               pertained
               thereunto
            
             ;
             and
             we
             believe
             in
             
               Iesus
               Christ
            
             as
             the
             everlasting
             substance
             ,
             and
             receive
             the
             Law
             ,
             by
             which
             we
             walk
             ,
             in
             all
             things
             
               from
               him
            
             ,
             and
             not
             
               from
               Abraham
            
             ,
             nor
             Moses
             :
             For
             he
             
               is
               with
               us
            
             ,
             who
             is
             greater
             
               then
               they
            
             ,
             whose
             Law
             and
             Example
             we
             must
             follow
             ,
             in
             the
             Administration
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             not
             the
             Law
             and
             Example
             of
             Abraham
             and
             Moses
             ,
             in
             the
             
               first
               Covenant
            
             ,
             who
             did
             but
             prophesie
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             did
             not
             witness
             him
             fully
             come
             ,
             but
             died
             in
             the
             Faith
             ;
             Now
             if
             we
             should
             pay
             Tythes
             according
             to
             the
             
               first
               Covenant
            
             ,
             and
             so
             uphold
             any
             part
             of
             that
             Priesthood
             which
             took
             Tythes
             ,
             which
             was
             but
             
               a
               Type
            
             of
             Christ
             the
             everlasting
             Priest
             ,
             then
             we
             should
             deny
             
               Iesus
               Christ
            
             to
             be
             come
             in
             the
             flesh
             ,
             and
             turn
             back
             again
             to
             the
             Law
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             
               Iewes
               Ordinances
            
             ,
             and
             prove
             our selves
             Unbelievers
             
             and
             Antichristian
             ;
             for
             he
             that
             denies
             Christ
             to
             be
             come
             in
             the
             Flesh
             ,
             is
             of
             
               Antichrist
               ,
               1
               Iohn
            
             4.
             3.
             and
             we
             may
             as
             well
             turn
             back
             to
             
               Circumcision
               ,
               Sacrifices
            
             ,
             and
             Burnt-offerings
             ,
             as
             to
             
               pay
               Tythes
            
             ,
             being
             all
             pertaining
             to
             the
             
               first
               Covenant
            
             ,
             and
             Priesthood
             ,
             which
             whomsoever
             doth
             uphold
             ,
             denieth
             
               Iesus
               Christ
            
             to
             be
             come
             in
             the
             Flesh
             ,
             and
             so
             are
             of
             Antichrist
             ;
             but
             we
             believe
             Christ
             is
             come
             ,
             and
             we
             have
             received
             him
             ,
             as
             the
             end
             and
             finishing
             of
             the
             
               first
               Priesthood
            
             ,
             and
             we
             believe
             
               in
               him
            
             ,
             as
             the
             everlasting
             Sustance
             ,
             who
             hath
             put
             an
             end
             to
             
               Tythes
               ,
               Temples
               ,
               Burnt-offerings
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             And
             we
             confess
             
               unto
               him
            
             as
             our
             Iudge
             and
             Law-giver
             ,
             and
             have
             renounced
             
               all
               shadowes
            
             pertaining
             to
             the
             
               first
               Covenant
            
             ,
             whereof
             one
             
               was
               Tythes
            
             ,
             and
             for
             Conscience
             sake
             ,
             and
             that
             we
             may
             continue
             in
             the
             Faith
             of
             Christ
             ,
             the
             Substance
             ,
             and
             not
             deny
             him
             ,
             therefore
             it
             is
             that
             we
             refuse
             ,
             and
             cannot
             
               pay
               Tythes
            
             ,
             for
             we
             are
             Christians
             and
             Believers
             ,
             and
             not
             Iewes
             ,
             nor
             Children
             of
             the
             
               first
               Covenant
            
             .
          
           
             III.
             And
             there
             is
             
               no
               Example
            
             by
             any
             of
             the
             Apostles
             or
             Saints
             ,
             in
             all
             the
             new
             Testament
             ,
             that
             ever
             any
             of
             the
             Christians
             that
             believed
             in
             
               Iesus
               Christ
               ,
               gave
               ,
               paid
               ,
            
             or
             
               received
               Tythes
            
             ;
             I
             say
             ,
             there
             is
             
               no
               Example
            
             at
             all
             ,
             by
             either
             Precept
             or
             Practice
             ,
             left
             us
             on
             record
             ,
             that
             any
             of
             the
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             in
             the
             Apostles
             days
             ,
             did
             pay
             or
             
               receive
               Tythes
            
             ,
             for
             any
             
               Ministerial
               Office
            
             nor
             otherwise
             ;
             But
             we
             do
             believe
             ,
             that
             none
             of
             the
             Christians
             in
             the
             first
             nor
             
               second
               Age
            
             after
             Christ
             ,
             since
             his
             Resurrection
             ,
             did
             
               Institute
               ,
               Pay
            
             ,
             or
             
               Receive
               Tythes
            
             as
             Maintenance
             of
             
               Gospel
               Ministry
            
             ;
             but
             we
             believe
             that
             the
             
               Ministers
               of
               Christ
            
             whom
             he
             sent
             forth
             to
             preach
             the
             Gospel
             after
             his
             Ascention
             ,
             did
             bear
             witness
             to
             the
             
               new
               Covenant
            
             ,
             and
             to
             
               Iesus
               Christ
            
             the
             Substance
             ,
             and
             against
             
               Temple
               ,
               Sacrifices
               ,
               Tythes
            
             ,
             and
             
               first
               Priesthood
            
             ,
             and
             the
             worship
             of
             the
             
               first
               Covenant
            
             ,
             and
             said
             ,
             
               that
               Covenant
               was
               found
               faulty
               and
               none
               could
               attain
               perfection
               ,
               as
               pertaining
               to
               the
               Conscience
               ,
            
             in
             it
             ,
             and
             therefore
             God
             took
             
               that
               Covenant
            
             away
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             establish
             
               a
               better
            
             ,
             Heb.
             8.
             6
             ,
             7.
             
             Heb.
             6.
             19.
             
             And
             also
             divers
             of
             the
             
               Holy
               Martyrs
            
             since
             the
             Apostles
             days
             ,
             as
             
               William
               Thorpe
            
             ,
             and
             others
             ,
             did
             Preach
             down
             Tythes
             ,
             and
             denied
             the
             Payment
             of
             them
             ,
             and
             for
             Conscience
             sake
             to
             God
             ,
             could
             neither
             give
             nor
             
               receive
               Tythes
            
             ,
             but
             fully
             witnessed
             against
             them
             ,
             
             though
             they
             suffered
             for
             it
             in
             their
             days
             ;
             So
             that
             ,
          
           
             1.
             
             We
             have
             no
             Example
             from
             the
             Apostles
             nor
             Christians
             in
             their
             dayes
             ,
             to
             
               pay
               Tithes
            
             ,
             but
             rather
             the
             Contrary
             ;
             for
             we
             have
             Testimony
             from
             them
             ,
             that
             the
             
               first
               Covenant
            
             and
             Priesthood
             ,
             with
             all
             Shadowes
             and
             Ordinances
             thereunto
             belonging
             (
             whereof
             Tythes
             was
             one
             )
             were
             
               disanulled
               ,
               finished
            
             ,
             and
             ended
             by
             the
             coming
             of
             Christ
             ;
             and
             
               a
               new
               Covenant
               established
            
             ,
             in
             which
             nothing
             is
             signified
             of
             
               paying
               Tythes
            
             :
             From
             whence
             it
             may
             appear
             to
             all
             ,
             
               that
               Tythes
            
             are
             ended
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             be
             payed
             in
             the
             
               new
               Covenant
            
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             We
             have
             
               clear
               Example
            
             from
             the
             Martyrs
             since
             the
             Apostles
             days
             ,
             
               not
               to
               pay
               Tythes
            
             ;
             for
             divers
             of
             the
             
               Protestant
               Martyrs
            
             ,
             (
             called
             the
             Fathers
             of
             their
             Church
             )
             did
             witness
             
               against
               Tythes
            
             ,
             and
             refused
             
               to
               pay
            
             any
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             We
             believe
             in
             our
             own
             Consciences
             ,
             
               That
               Tythes
            
             ,
             as
             received
             ,
             and
             payed
             in
             these
             dayes
             ,
             are
             not
             of
             any
             
               Institution
               of
               God
            
             ,
             nor
             exercised
             
               to
               any
               good
               use
               and
               end
               ,
            
             but
             that
             they
             are
             of
             Antichrist
             ,
             and
             Oppression
             ,
             and
             
               unjust
               Exactions
            
             ,
             and
             Impositions
             upon
             the
             poor
             People
             of
             these
             Kingdoms
             ;
             and
             therefore
             we
             do
             refuse
             
               to
               pay
               Tythes
            
             ,
             and
             we
             cannot
             for
             good
             Conscience
             sake
             ;
             and
             the
             exercise
             of
             our
             Consciences
             herein
             in
             denying
             
               to
               pay
               Tythes
            
             ,
             is
             well
             and
             lawfully
             grounded
             upon
             the
             
               Coming
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             and
             upon
             the
             Example
             of
             the
             Apostles
             and
             Martyrs
             .
             And
             thus
             in
             brief
             I
             have
             shewed
             concerning
             Tythes
             ,
             and
             why
             we
             refuse
             to
             pay
             them
             ,
             and
             the
             matter
             of
             our
             Consciences
             in
             that
             Case
             .
          
           
             IV.
             As
             for
             Tythes
             ,
             as
             now
             
               demanded
               ,
               paid
            
             ,
             and
             received
             ,
             in
             these
             Kingdoms
             ,
             we
             know
             they
             are
             not
             of
             
               heavenly
               Institution
            
             ,
             nor
             for
             a
             
               good
               use
            
             and
             end
             ordained
             and
             practised
             ,
             but
             as
             they
             are
             now
             paid
             ,
             both
             in
             these
             Kingdoms
             ,
             and
             through
             Christendom
             ,
             they
             are
             of
             
               Popish
               Institution
            
             ,
             and
             were
             
               first
               ordained
               ,
               paid
            
             ,
             and
             received
             by
             the
             Authority
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Rome
             ,
             and
             were
             unequally
             imposed
             upon
             the
             Nations
             through
             her
             Authority
             ,
             for
             the
             use
             and
             end
             to
             maintain
             her
             Priests
             ,
             and
             Clergy
             ,
             and
             Church
             ;
             and
             the
             Instituiion
             ,
             and
             payment
             of
             Tythes
             among
             Christians
             ,
             was
             not
             till
             near
             400
             Years
             after
             Christ
             ,
             as
             Historians
             say
             ;
             and
             for
             divers
             Ages
             after
             that
             ,
             there
             were
             no
             Lawes
             enjoyning
             and
             
             forcing
             the
             payment
             of
             them
             ,
             not
             till
             about
             the
             Year
             786.
             that
             
               Pope
               Adrian
            
             the
             first
             ,
             sent
             
               two
               Legates
               into
               England
            
             ,
             to
             make
             a
             
               Decree
               ,
               that
               the
               People
               of
               two
               Kingdoms
            
             (
             to
             wit
             )
             Merc-land
             and
             
               Northumberland
               ,
               should
               pay
               Tythes
            
             .
             By
             these
             and
             other
             Testimonies
             it
             is
             manifest
             ,
             that
             the
             
               Payment
               of
               Tythes
            
             amongst
             Christians
             ,
             had
             their
             
               first
               Original
            
             from
             the
             Church
             of
             Rome
             and
             by
             Succession
             from
             thence
             ,
             and
             not
             from
             the
             Apostles
             are
             
               Tythes
               paid
               ,
               given
            
             ,
             and
             received
             at
             this
             day
             in
             these
             Kingdoms
             ;
             and
             the
             
               Institution
               ,
               payment
            
             ,
             and
             use
             ,
             and
             end
             of
             them
             is
             not
             according
             to
             the
             Law
             of
             Moses
             at
             all
             :
             for
             Tythes
             ,
             as
             then
             amongst
             the
             
               Iewes
               ,
               ordained
            
             ,
             and
             payd
             ,
             were
             for
             the
             happy
             use
             ,
             to
             feed
             the
             Poor
             ,
             the
             Widows
             and
             the
             Fatherless
             in
             Israel
             ,
             that
             there
             should
             not
             be
             
               a
               Beggar
               amongst
               them
            
             :
             But
             the
             use
             and
             end
             of
             the
             payment
             of
             them
             now
             in
             these
             dayes
             ,
             is
             for
             the
             maintaining
             
               a
               company
               of
               Priests
            
             ,
             in
             their
             pride
             and
             fulness
             ,
             and
             the
             poor
             and
             the
             
               strangers
               may
               starve
            
             ,
             and
             lie
             
               begging
               up
               and
               down
            
             at
             the
             
               corners
               of
               the
               streets
            
             ;
             So
             that
             we
             cannot
             for
             conscience
             sake
             at
             this
             day
             
               pay
               Tythes
            
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Because
             the
             first
             Institution
             of
             them
             among
             Christians
             ,
             was
             not
             
               from
               Heaven
            
             ,
             nor
             from
             
               Christ
               Iesus
            
             ,
             nor
             his
             Apostles
             ,
             but
             
               from
               the
               Pope
            
             and
             
               Church
               of
               Rome
            
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Because
             the
             use
             and
             end
             of
             Tythes
             is
             not
             according
             
               to
               God
            
             ,
             nor
             Righteousness
             ,
             but
             for
             the
             maintaining
             the
             Priests
             in
             pride
             ,
             and
             fulness
             ,
             and
             their
             Families
             ;
             and
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             the
             Poor
             want
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             Because
             the
             
               continued
               payment
            
             of
             them
             ,
             is
             exaction
             and
             imposition
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             Gospel
             of
             liberty
             and
             peace
             ,
             upon
             the
             
               persons
               ,
               estates
            
             ,
             and
             consciences
             ,
             of
             many
             good
             People
             in
             these
             Kingdomes
             .
          
           
             V.
             All
             these
             things
             rightly
             and
             justly
             considered
             ,
             it
             is
             manifest
             ,
             and
             plainly
             apparent
             to
             all
             good
             men
             ,
             that
             this
             matter
             of
             denying
             
               to
               pay
               Tythes
            
             ,
             is
             a
             
               clear
               case
            
             of
             Conscience
             with
             us
             ,
             and
             that
             we
             have
             sufficient
             ground
             to
             make
             conscience
             hereof
             ,
             and
             for
             good
             conscience
             sake
             we
             may
             justly
             refuse
             and
             deny
             
               to
               pay
               Tythes
            
             ;
             and
             the
             exercise
             of
             our
             Consciences
             herein
             ,
             is
             bottomed
             upon
             a
             
               right
               foundation
            
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             made
             appear
             ,
             and
             it
             is
             not
             for
             Covetousness
             to
             our selves
             ,
             nor
             in
             contempt
             of
             Authority
             ,
             nor
             in
             willfulness
             to
             wrong
             any
             man
             of
             his
             
               Iust
               right
            
             ,
             nor
             for
             any
             other
             
             
               evil
               end
            
             ,
             that
             we
             do
             refuse
             
               to
               pay
               Tythes
            
             ;
             but
             it
             is
             for
             
               Conscience
               sake
            
             ,
             only
             &
             alone
             for
             that
             end
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             keep
             
               our
               Consciences
               clear
            
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             God
             ,
             by
             our
             Faithfulness
             in
             denying
             of
             what
             we
             are
             convinced
             of
             
               to
               be
               evil
            
             and
             not
             of
             God
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             shewed
             ,
             we
             are
             in
             this
             case
             of
             Tythes
             ;
             and
             we
             dare
             not
             sin
             against
             God
             by
             disobedience
             to
             him
             ,
             nor
             uphold
             the
             payment
             of
             Tythes
             in
             these
             Kingdoms
             ,
             which
             are
             so
             evil
             ,
             both
             in
             their
             Ordination
             ,
             and
             in
             their
             Use
             and
             End
             ,
             as
             paid
             in
             these
             dayes
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             shewed
             ;
             for
             if
             we
             should
             ,
             we
             might
             offend
             
               his
               Spirit
            
             ,
             and
             our
             
               own
               Consciences
            
             ,
             and
             bring
             anguish
             upon
             
               our
               Souls
            
             ,
             and
             be
             guilty
             of
             
               denying
               of
               Christ
            
             and
             his
             Coming
             ,
             and
             of
             making
             void
             the
             
               New
               Covenant
            
             ;
             and
             of
             walking
             contrary
             to
             the
             Examples
             of
             the
             Apostles
             and
             
               holy
               Martyrs
            
             ,
             and
             of
             upholding
             Antichrist
             and
             his
             Kingdom
             :
             These
             ,
             with
             many
             other
             Evils
             ,
             we
             run
             our selves
             into
             ,
             if
             we
             should
             
               pay
               Tythes
            
             in
             these
             dayes
             ,
             and
             after
             the
             
               Romish
               Institution
            
             ;
             and
             therefore
             it
             is
             for
             Conscience
             sake
             that
             we
             do
             refuse
             to
             
               pay
               Tythes
            
             ;
             And
             whatsoever
             we
             do
             suffer
             because
             thereof
             ,
             it
             is
             Persecution
             ,
             and
             for
             ,
             and
             because
             we
             cannot
             sin
             against
             our
             God
             :
             and
             it
             is
             not
             for
             
               Evil
               doing
            
             ,
             for
             Rebellion
             ,
             nor
             for
             
               Transgression
               against
               the
               Law
               of
               God
               ,
            
             nor
             the
             
               Iust
               Laws
               of
               Men
            
             ;
             but
             it
             is
             for
             holding
             the
             
               Testimony
               of
               Iesus
            
             and
             a
             
               Good
               Conscience
            
             ;
             and
             in
             such
             our
             Sufferings
             ,
             we
             commit
             our
             Cause
             to
             the
             God
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             patiently
             bearing
             what
             is
             unequally
             inflicted
             upon
             us
             for
             this
             matter
             ;
             and
             our
             Cause
             is
             Iust
             and
             Innocent
             for
             which
             we
             suffer
             ,
             and
             we
             have
             more
             respect
             to
             keep
             
               our
               Faith
            
             and
             Conscience
             towards
             God
             ,
             than
             to
             save
             
               our
               Estates
            
             or
             Liberties
             ;
             for
             could
             we
             transgress
             against
             God
             ,
             and
             
               pay
               Tythes
            
             ,
             we
             might
             preserve
             
               our
               Liberties
            
             and
             Estates
             ,
             which
             we
             have
             endangered
             and
             lost
             often
             ,
             because
             we
             could
             not
             ;
             which
             may
             shew
             that
             it
             is
             not
             for
             Covetousness
             nor
             self-ends
             ,
             that
             we
             refuse
             
               to
               do
               it
            
             ;
             And
             this
             our
             Case
             about
             Tythes
             ,
             and
             the
             reason
             why
             we
             cannot
             pay
             them
             ,
             is
             in
             brief
             stated
             and
             pleaded
             ,
             before
             the
             King
             and
             his
             Council
             ,
             and
             I
             leave
             it
             to
             their
             Considerations
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             God
             ,
             only
             to
             warm
             them
             ,
             that
             they
             persecute
             not
             any
             for
             the
             Cases
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             neither
             in
             this
             nor
             in
             any
             other
             thing
             ,
             lest
             the
             effect
             of
             it
             be
             sad
             upon
             them
             ,
             in
             a
             day
             when
             God
             visits
             them
             with
             Judgments
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             IV.
             The
             Case
             stated
             and
             pleaded
             ,
             concerning
             giving
             Security
             by
             Bond
             ,
             to
             live
             peaceably
             ,
             or
             to
             answer
             Cases
             then
             and
             there
             ,
             &c.
             as
             is
             often
             required
             of
             us
             .
          
           
             I.
             FOrasmuch
             as
             we
             are
             often
             demanded
             ,
             
               to
               give
               Bond
               of
               One
               or
               two
               hundred
               Pounds
            
             (
             or
             the
             like
             )
             
               for
               Security
            
             (
             so
             called
             )
             
               That
               we
               will
               live
               peaceably
            
             ;
             or
             ,
             
               that
               we
               will
               appear
               and
               answer
               such
               Cases
               objected
               against
               us
               ,
            
             or
             
               supposed
               of
               us
            
             .
             Now
             we
             cannot
             give
             such
             kind
             of
             
               formal
               Engagements
            
             out
             of
             the
             Counsel
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             be
             or
             do
             ,
             or
             
               to
               appear
            
             ,
             or
             
               answer
               ,
               this
            
             ,
             or
             
               the
               other
               Case
            
             ,
             when
             as
             we
             are
             
               no
               Transgressors
            
             in
             the
             things
             objected
             against
             us
             ,
             and
             supposed
             of
             us
             ;
             and
             when
             we
             are
             suspected
             by
             prejudiced
             minds
             ,
             of
             such
             and
             such
             matters
             ,
             of
             which
             we
             are
             no
             wayes
             guilty
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             God
             nor
             men
             ;
             and
             then
             it
             is
             demanded
             of
             us
             ,
             
               to
               bind
               our selves
               ,
               to
               find
               Sureties
               ,
               and
               to
               answer
               this
               and
               the
               other
               Objection
               and
               Supposition
               ,
               only
               falsly
               supposed
               and
               suspected
               against
               us
               ,
               by
               men
               that
               seek
               occasion
               against
               us
               .
            
             This
             Demand
             we
             cannot
             fulfill
             for
             Conscience-sake
             ;
             because
             
               we
               are
               clear
            
             ,
             and
             
               not
               guilty
            
             of
             such
             Suspitions
             ;
             nor
             can
             we
             
               bind
               our selves
            
             (
             out
             of
             the
             Counsel
             of
             God
             )
             upon
             Penalties
             and
             Forfeitures
             ,
             to
             appear
             and
             answer
             such
             and
             such
             
               groundless
               Objections
            
             ;
             for
             if
             we
             should
             in
             that
             manner
             bind
             and
             engage
             our selves
             not
             to
             do
             so
             ,
             or
             answer
             this
             and
             the
             
               other
               Objection
            
             against
             us
             ,
             when
             we
             know
             our selves
             innocent
             of
             that
             Accusation
             ,
             to
             which
             we
             are
             to
             answer
             ,
             and
             that
             it
             is
             not
             in
             our
             hearts
             to
             do
             the
             thing
             whereof
             we
             are
             doubted
             ,
             but
             contrary
             to
             our
             Faith
             and
             Principles
             ;
             then
             this
             were
             a
             betraying
             of
             our
             
               own
               Innocency
            
             in
             that
             behalf
             ,
             and
             a
             rendring
             of
             us
             
               guilty
               to
               all
               men
            
             ,
             when
             as
             we
             are
             clear
             ;
             and
             by
             binding
             our selves
             ,
             as
             afore-mentioned
             ,
             we
             should
             be
             reputed
             Transgressors
             :
             for
             Bonds
             and
             Engagements
             by
             Forfeitures
             and
             Sums
             of
             Money
             ,
             are
             for
             the
             Guilty
             ,
             and
             not
             for
             the
             Innocent
             ;
             and
             we
             may
             not
             betray
             our
             
               guiltless
               Cause
            
             ,
             and
             bring
             it
             under
             false
             reputation
             amongst
             men
             ,
             by
             giving
             such
             
               binding
               Engagements
            
             .
             And
             again
             ,
             when
             as
             we
             are
             clear
             of
             any
             such
             Suspitions
             
             as
             are
             made
             against
             us
             ,
             if
             we
             should
             
               bind
               our selves
            
             ,
             as
             aforesaid
             ;
             it
             many
             times
             doth
             appear
             ,
             that
             occasion
             is
             more
             taken
             against
             us
             ,
             in
             answering
             or
             appearing
             ,
             and
             we
             made
             to
             be
             greater
             Offenders
             than
             before
             ;
             and
             there
             again
             our
             Innocency
             is
             betrayed
             ,
             when
             as
             innocent
             of
             the
             fact
             supposed
             against
             us
             ,
             yet
             made
             Offenders
             in
             answering
             through
             formalities
             and
             tricks
             in
             the
             course
             of
             Law
             practised
             at
             the
             time
             of
             Answering
             ;
             and
             therefore
             we
             do
             in
             good
             Reason
             and
             Equity
             ,
             deny
             to
             
               bind
               our selves
            
             in
             that
             manner
             ,
             and
             to
             give
             such
             Security
             (
             so
             called
             )
             lest
             we
             should
             betray
             our
             own
             Innocency
             ,
             and
             render
             our
             Cause
             to
             
               false
               Reputations
            
             in
             that
             behalf
             ;
             and
             lest
             we
             should
             fall
             into
             a
             Remedy
             ,
             to
             clear
             us
             of
             
               false
               Suspitions
            
             ,
             worse
             than
             the
             
               Suspitions
               themselves
            
             ,
             by
             laying
             our selves
             liable
             to
             greater
             suffering
             in
             answering
             to
             our
             Accusations
             ,
             falsly
             objected
             ,
             than
             our
             suffering
             can
             be
             by
             the
             Accusations
             themselves
             ;
             and
             evil-minded
             men
             ,
             do
             often
             take
             
               greater
               occasion
            
             against
             us
             in
             answering
             
               false
               Charges
            
             and
             
               groundless
               Suppositions
            
             laid
             against
             us
             ,
             than
             they
             can
             take
             by
             the
             
               false
               Charges
            
             and
             
               Suspitions
               themselves
            
             ;
             and
             so
             we
             cannot
             bind
             our selves
             ,
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             to
             fulfil
             the
             Wills
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             thereby
             expose
             our selves
             to
             a
             far
             
               greater
               suffering
            
             (
             to
             be
             taken
             in
             it
             )
             for
             to
             escape
             
               a
               lesse
            
             .
          
           
             II.
             But
             as
             for
             
               living
               peaceably
            
             in
             the
             Land
             ,
             and
             being
             subject
             in
             all
             just
             and
             
               good
               things
            
             to
             the
             King
             and
             his
             Government
             ;
             and
             not
             to
             plot
             against
             them
             ,
             nor
             to
             harm
             any
             person
             whatsoever
             ,
             but
             to
             be
             in
             love
             
               with
               all
            
             ,
             and
             in
             good
             behaviour
             
               towards
               all
            
             ,
             and
             to
             answer
             to
             any
             thing
             justly
             required
             of
             us
             :
             This
             is
             our
             Principle
             to
             do
             ,
             and
             hath
             ever
             been
             
               our
               Practice
            
             ,
             and
             we
             are
             bound
             by
             the
             Law
             of
             God
             to
             perform
             this
             
               in
               every
               particular
            
             ;
             and
             we
             can
             fully
             make
             Confession
             hereof
             ,
             and
             testifie
             it
             in
             Yea
             and
             Nay
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             
               New
               Covenant
            
             and
             
               Christ's
               Command
            
             ,
             who
             hath
             said
             ,
             
               Let
               your
               Yea
               be
               Yea
            
             ,
             ,
             and
             
               your
               
                 Nay
                 ,
                 Nay
              
               ,
            
             but
             not
             
               by
               an
               Oath
            
             ,
             nor
             binding
             our selves
             upon
             such
             Penalties
             and
             Forfeitures
             in
             Engagements
             by
             sums
             of
             Money
             ,
             out
             of
             the
             Counsel
             of
             God
             ;
             and
             our
             Yea
             and
             Nay
             ,
             in
             this
             and
             all
             other
             cases
             ,
             
               is
               more
               binding
               
                 to
                 us
              
            
             ,
             than
             all
             the
             
               formal
               Engagements
               
                 of
                 others
              
            
             ;
             and
             we
             make
             as
             much
             Conscience
             to
             perform
             
               our
               Yea
            
             and
             Nay
             ,
             as
             any
             others
             do
             
               their
               Oaths
            
             or
             Bonds
             ;
             and
             if
             we
             do
             not
             ,
             but
             
             do
             plot
             and
             rebel
             ,
             and
             be
             of
             evil
             behaviour
             towards
             any
             ,
             then
             let
             us
             suffer
             the
             same
             ,
             as
             if
             we
             had
             bound
             our selves
             in
             Forfeitures
             of
             great
             sums
             of
             Money
             ,
             and
             broken
             such
             
               our
               Engagements
            
             :
             and
             no
             man
             need
             in
             any
             case
             
               bind
               himself
            
             upon
             such
             Pains
             and
             Forfeitures
             ,
             not
             to
             break
             the
             Laws
             of
             the
             Land
             ;
             when
             as
             the
             Justice
             of
             the
             Law
             will
             be
             executed
             upon
             him
             if
             he
             transgress
             it
             ,
             whether
             he
             bind
             himself
             ,
             or
             not
             ,
             beforehand
             ,
             not
             to
             break
             it
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             the
             thing
             we
             alwayes
             offer
             :
             
               here
               we
               are
               ,
               if
               we
               bave
               broken
               any
               Law
               ,
               let
               us
               suffer
               according
               to
               the
               Law
            
             ;
             and
             if
             at
             any
             time
             we
             are
             found
             guilty
             of
             transgressing
             the
             Law
             ,
             
               let
               us
               then
               suffer
               accordingly
               ,
               whether
               Death
               or
               Bonds
               we
               crave
               no
               favour
               ,
               but
               the
               Execution
               of
               just
               Law
               :
            
             ;
             And
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             ,
             being
             we
             are
             clear
             of
             Rebellion
             and
             other
             Transgression
             ;
             Who
             shall
             accuse
             us
             ?
             or
             ,
             who
             can
             reasonably
             require
             such
             or
             such
             Engagements
             of
             us
             to
             do
             ,
             or
             not
             
               to
               do
            
             ,
             or
             answer
             so
             or
             so
             ;
             seeing
             we
             must
             in
             Justice
             suffer
             the
             punishment
             of
             the
             Law
             when
             we
             transgress
             it
             ;
             which
             we
             must
             do
             ,
             if
             we
             are
             at
             any
             time
             guilty
             ,
             whether
             we
             beforehand
             bind
             our selves
             to
             the
             contrary
             or
             not
             ?
             And
             also
             ,
             if
             we
             should
             bind
             our selves
             ,
             by
             the
             Engagements
             of
             such
             and
             such
             
               Sums
               of
               Money
            
             ,
             to
             live
             quietly
             and
             not
             to
             rebel
             :
             yet
             we
             should
             be
             no
             better
             trusted
             because
             thereof
             ,
             for
             that
             would
             not
             slay
             the
             principle
             of
             Strife
             and
             Wars
             in
             us
             ,
             but
             rather
             cause
             us
             to
             murmur
             because
             of
             our
             bondage
             ,
             and
             strive
             for
             liberty
             ;
             and
             also
             if
             we
             were
             men
             of
             dispositions
             
               to
               war
            
             and
             plot
             ,
             &c.
             it
             cannot
             be
             supposed
             by
             
               reasonable
               men
            
             ,
             that
             any
             Engagement
             by
             any
             sum
             of
             Money
             ,
             would
             bind
             us
             from
             it
             ,
             upon
             occasion
             ,
             seeing
             we
             might
             hope
             in
             such
             attempts
             to
             save
             our
             Sums
             of
             Money
             ,
             and
             to
             gain
             far
             more
             advantage
             ,
             or
             else
             we
             hazarded
             to
             lose
             all
             ;
             and
             to
             gain
             a
             greater
             advantage
             (
             if
             we
             were
             men
             of
             strife
             )
             we
             would
             not
             doubt
             to
             attempt
             to
             lose
             a
             lesse
             ;
             and
             we
             being
             men
             not
             of
             strife
             ,
             we
             cannot
             bind
             our selves
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             in
             this
             or
             any
             case
             ;
             neither
             can
             any
             in
             good
             reason
             desire
             the
             same
             of
             us
             ,
             if
             they
             rightly
             consider
             the
             case
             .
          
           
             III.
             These
             things
             considered
             ,
             it
             is
             fully
             manifest
             ,
             That
             upon
             
               good
               Reason
            
             and
             a
             
               clear
               Conscience
            
             ,
             we
             do
             refuse
             and
             deny
             to
             give
             Bond
             ,
             and
             make
             such
             and
             such
             Engagements
             by
             Forfeitures
             of
             
               Sums
               of
               Money
            
             ;
             It
             is
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             in
             
               good
               Reason
            
             and
             Conscience
             ,
             and
             
             not
             in
             any
             wilfulness
             ,
             or
             stubornness
             ,
             or
             contempt
             of
             Authority
             that
             we
             do
             it
             ,
             nor
             as
             though
             we
             were
             guilty
             in
             such
             mater
             suspected
             ,
             and
             durst
             not
             answer
             the
             Law
             ;
             but
             we
             do
             it
             to
             keep
             our
             
               Innocency
               clear
            
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             
               betray
               it
            
             into
             real
             cause
             of
             doubt
             that
             we
             are
             guilty
             .
             2.
             
             That
             we
             may
             not
             lay
             our selves
             liable
             to
             a
             
               greater
               suffering
            
             ,
             by
             answering
             
               false
               Suspitions
            
             and
             Accusations
             ,
             as
             it
             often
             happeneth
             in
             the
             proceedings
             in
             course
             of
             Law.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             That
             we
             may
             not
             
               come
               under
               men
               of
               evil
               prejudiced
               minds
               ,
            
             that
             seek
             more
             occasion
             against
             us
             than
             they
             have
             ;
             and
             we
             may
             not
             fulfill
             their
             wills
             ,
             and
             to
             give
             them
             occasion
             against
             us
             ,
             when
             as
             in
             the
             Accusations
             they
             have
             justly
             none
             .
             4.
             
             That
             we
             may
             not
             expose
             our selves
             to
             be
             entrapted
             and
             ensnared
             into
             
               greater
               Sufferings
            
             ,
             to
             avoid
             
               a
               less
            
             .
             5.
             
             That
             we
             may
             walk
             in
             the
             Doctrine
             and
             Command
             of
             
               Christ
               Iesus
            
             ,
             who
             hath
             commanded
             to
             let
             our
             
               Yea
               be
               Yea
            
             ,
             and
             our
             Nay
             be
             Nay
             ;
             and
             whatsoever
             Oath
             or
             Engagement
             (
             out
             of
             the
             Counsel
             of
             God
             )
             is
             more
             ,
             
               comes
               of
               the
               Evil
            
             ,
             which
             we
             may
             not
             do
             .
          
           
             These
             ,
             with
             some
             others
             ,
             are
             Reasons
             and
             Causes
             why
             we
             cannot
             for
             Conscience
             sake
             bind
             our selves
             in
             such
             kind
             of
             
               formal
               Engagements
            
             (
             out
             of
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             )
             
               to
               do
            
             ,
             or
             not
             
               to
               do
            
             ;
             to
             answer
             this
             
               false
               Suspition
            
             or
             the
             other
             ;
             but
             we
             do
             deny
             it
             out
             of
             good
             Reason
             and
             Conscience
             .
             And
             also
             there
             is
             no
             Example
             for
             it
             ,
             that
             we
             know
             ,
             among
             the
             Saints
             in
             former
             Ages
             ,
             that
             any
             of
             them
             ever
             bound
             themselves
             to
             any
             Kings
             or
             Rulers
             in
             any
             such
             kind
             of
             Engagements
             ,
             neither
             can
             we
             at
             this
             day
             ;
             but
             as
             I
             said
             ,
             
               If
               we
               transgresse
               the
               Law
               ,
               let
               us
               suffer
               by
               it
            
             ;
             if
             we
             are
             already
             ,
             or
             hereafter
             be
             found
             guilty
             ,
             we
             desire
             nothing
             but
             the
             
               just
               execution
               of
               just
               Laws
            
             ,
             and
             in
             patience
             we
             shall
             bear
             it
             ;
             but
             beforehand
             we
             may
             not
             bind
             our selves
             in
             
               formal
               Engagements
            
             out
             of
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             promise
             upon
             Forfeitures
             and
             Penalties
             what
             we
             will
             do
             or
             say
             ,
             or
             what
             we
             will
             
               not
               do
            
             or
             say
             ;
             for
             at
             the
             Will
             and
             Disposure
             of
             the
             Almighty
             we
             are
             ,
             in
             
               all
               things
            
             and
             cases
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             our
             Principle
             and
             Belief
             ,
             
               That
               we
               abiding
               in
               the
               Fear
               and
               Counsel
               of
               God
               ,
               can
               be
               no
               other
               than
               
                 peaceable
                 ,
                 just
                 ,
                 righteous
              
            
             and
             
               innocent
               
                 in
                 the
                 Land
              
               ;
            
             So
             that
             whatsoever
             we
             may
             or
             
               do
               suffer
            
             for
             this
             case
             ,
             of
             denying
             
               to
               give
               Bond
            
             ,
             or
             
               engage
               our selves
               so
            
             and
             so
             ,
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             it
             is
             for
             
               Truths
               sake
            
             ,
             and
             such
             our
             Sufferings
             are
             Persecution
             and
             unequal
             ;
             and
             we
             
             must
             commit
             our
             Cause
             to
             God
             ,
             who
             will
             plead
             it
             in
             his
             season
             ,
             if
             that
             we
             are
             persecuted
             for
             the
             cause
             of
             
               groundless
               Suspition
            
             ,
             and
             because
             we
             cannot
             engage
             to
             answer
             
               causeless
               Objections
            
             .
             And
             thus
             I
             have
             sought
             out
             this
             matter
             ,
             and
             laid
             it
             before
             
               the
               King
            
             ,
             and
             I
             leave
             it
             to
             him
             to
             consider
             ;
             and
             to
             shew
             
               Iustice
               ,
               Equity
               ,
               Mercy
            
             and
             Long-suffering
             ,
             and
             in
             so
             doing
             he
             will
             be
             blessed
             ;
             but
             if
             the
             contrary
             be
             brought
             forth
             ,
             the
             effect
             thereof
             will
             be
             more
             miserable
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             V.
             The
             Case
             stated
             and
             pleaded
             ,
             concerning
             Government
             it self
             ,
             and
             particularly
             of
             this
             present
             Authority
             ,
             and
             our
             Obedience
             to
             it
             .
          
           
             I.
             VVE
             do
             acknowledge
             Government
             ,
             and
             Rule
             ,
             and
             Magistracy
             to
             be
             an
             Ordinance
             of
             God
             ,
             ordained
             and
             instituted
             of
             him
             ,
             to
             be
             exercised
             among
             the
             Children
             of
             Men
             ,
             
               for
               to
               be
               a
               Praise
               and
               a
               Defence
               to
               all
               that
               do
               well
               ,
               and
               to
               be
               a
               Terrour
               and
               Correction
               to
               all
               that
               do
               evil
               .
            
             And
             we
             believe
             there
             ought
             to
             be
             Rule
             ,
             and
             Government
             and
             Authority
             exercised
             and
             executed
             in
             every
             Kingdom
             ,
             Nation
             ,
             City
             and
             Country
             ,
             for
             the
             end
             aforesaid
             (
             to
             wit
             )
             That
             Evil-doers
             may
             be
             made
             afraid
             and
             
               corrected
               ,
               limited
               ,
               restrained
            
             and
             subdued
             ;
             and
             that
             Sin
             and
             Transgression
             may
             be
             suppressed
             ;
             and
             Truth
             and
             
               Righteousness
               promoted
            
             ;
             and
             them
             that
             do
             well
             ,
             praised
             and
             strengthened
             :
             And
             this
             is
             the
             very
             end
             of
             
               outward
               Government
            
             of
             Kings
             ,
             Princes
             ,
             or
             others
             ,
             amongst
             Men
             upon
             the
             Earth
             ,
             Even
             that
             the
             
               Outward
               man
            
             may
             be
             kept
             in
             
               good
               order
            
             and
             subjection
             in
             his
             conversation
             in
             the
             World
             ;
             and
             may
             be
             limited
             and
             restrained
             from
             all
             
               wrong
               doing
            
             or
             speaking
             against
             his
             Neighbours
             Person
             or
             Estate
             ;
             and
             if
             he
             do
             ,
             he
             is
             punishable
             by
             such
             
               Iust
               Authority
            
             .
             This
             is
             the
             
               very
               end
            
             of
             
               outward
               Government
            
             in
             the
             Kingdoms
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             but
             it
             extends
             not
             over
             the
             
               Inward
               Man
            
             ,
             to
             rule
             ,
             govern
             ,
             or
             exercise
             Authority
             over
             the
             Consciences
             of
             any
             in
             Spiritual
             matters
             and
             cases
             between
             God
             and
             a
             mans
             Conscience
             ;
             This
             Dominion
             
             and
             Authority
             only
             pertains
             to
             the
             
               Inward
               Government
            
             and
             
               Rule
               of
               
                 Iesus
                 Christ
              
            
             by
             his
             
               Eternal
               Spirit
            
             ,
             but
             not
             to
             any
             
               Outward
               Government
            
             of
             
               Kings
               ,
               Princes
               ,
               Parliaments
            
             ,
             or
             any
             others
             ;
             They
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             ought
             only
             to
             exercise
             Authority
             over
             the
             Persons
             and
             Estates
             of
             People
             in
             all
             just
             and
             lawful
             things
             and
             matters
             ,
             but
             not
             over
             the
             Consciences
             of
             any
             in
             the
             exercise
             of
             Duty
             towards
             God
             ,
             or
             in
             the
             Cases
             and
             Matters
             of
             Worship
             and
             Religion
             .
          
           
             II.
             The
             Exercise
             and
             Execution
             of
             this
             
               Iust
               Government
            
             over
             the
             
               Outward
               Man
            
             ,
             as
             afore
             described
             ,
             ought
             to
             be
             committed
             into
             the
             hands
             of
             
               faithful
               ,
               just
               and
               upright
               men
               ,
            
             such
             
               as
               fear
               the
               Lord
            
             ,
             and
             
               hate
               Covetousness
            
             ,
             and
             
               every
               evil
               way
            
             ,
             in
             all
             Kingdoms
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             The
             Execution
             of
             the
             Government
             in
             all
             Just
             Laws
             ,
             onght
             (
             I
             say
             )
             to
             be
             committed
             to
             such
             men
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             
               Drunkards
               ,
               Lyars
               ,
               Covetous
            
             or
             
               Evil-minded
               persons
               ,
               Ambitious
            
             or
             
               Vain-glorious
               persons
            
             in
             any
             Nation
             ;
             such
             as
             these
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             entrusted
             with
             the
             Execution
             of
             the
             Government
             ,
             and
             the
             good
             Laws
             of
             any
             Kingdom
             ;
             for
             such
             will
             not
             be
             a
             Blessing
             unto
             the
             Land
             ,
             nor
             unto
             any
             People
             ,
             but
             a
             Curse
             ,
             and
             the
             cause
             of
             provoking
             God
             to
             Vengeance
             and
             Wrath
             against
             themselves
             ,
             the
             People
             and
             the
             Governments
             ,
             if
             such
             men
             ,
             whom
             God
             chooseth
             not
             ,
             be
             chosen
             to
             make
             Laws
             and
             execute
             them
             ,
             and
             to
             exercise
             Government
             in
             any
             Kingdoms
             of
             this
             World
             ;
             But
             men
             that
             
               fear
               God
            
             ,
             and
             delight
             in
             
               Iustice
               ,
               Mercy
            
             and
             Truth
             ,
             that
             are
             humble
             and
             meek
             and
             
               lowly
               persons
            
             ,
             ought
             to
             be
             called
             to
             the
             
               place
               of
               Government
            
             ,
             and
             
               only
               such
            
             are
             fit
             to
             exercise
             Rule
             and
             Authority
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             and
             execute
             Laws
             in
             these
             Kingdoms
             ,
             and
             in
             all
             the
             Kingdoms
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             and
             such
             would
             be
             a
             Blessing
             in
             the
             Earth
             ,
             and
             the
             Governments
             under
             such
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             execution
             of
             their
             hands
             ,
             would
             be
             blessed
             and
             prosperous
             ;
             and
             all
             
               good
               men
            
             would
             have
             cause
             to
             rejoyce
             therein
             ,
             and
             all
             
               evil
               doers
            
             and
             transgressors
             would
             be
             limited
             and
             made
             afraid
             ,
             if
             so
             be
             the
             Laws
             be
             
               just
               ,
               holy
            
             and
             righteous
             ,
             and
             according
             to
             Equity
             and
             the
             holy
             Law
             of
             God
             
               in
               all
               things
            
             ,
             and
             the
             due
             Execution
             of
             such
             Laws
             committed
             to
             just
             and
             righteous
             and
             
               meek
               men
            
             ,
             that
             love
             
               Iudgment
               ,
               Mercy
            
             and
             Truth
             ,
             and
             would
             execute
             them
             in
             the
             Earth
             ;
             Then
             the
             happy
             and
             
             
               blessed
               Government
            
             will
             be
             exalted
             ,
             and
             Truth
             and
             Righteousness
             would
             reign
             as
             Judge
             on
             the
             Throne
             ;
             and
             in
             this
             shall
             all
             Nations
             and
             Kingdoms
             be
             prosperous
             and
             blessed
             when
             in
             cometh
             to
             passe
             .
          
           
             III.
             And
             as
             for
             this
             
               present
               Authority
            
             and
             Government
             now
             in
             being
             ,
             under
             the
             name
             of
             
               King
               Charles
               the
               Second
            
             ,
             we
             do
             believe
             and
             acknowledge
             ,
             That
             according
             to
             the
             Purpose
             and
             Will
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             of
             his
             bringing
             to
             passe
             ,
             
               this
               present
               Government
               and
               Authority
               is
               set
               up
               ,
               and
               into
               its
               present
               being
               ,
               established
               ;
               The
               Lord
               ,
            
             I
             say
             ,
             
               hath
               suffered
               it
               to
               be
               effected
               ,
               for
               the
               Cause
               ,
               and
               End
               ,
               and
               Time
               ,
               and
               Purpose
               ,
               known
               to
               Himself
               ,
               and
               not
               to
               mortal
               man
               :
            
             And
             thus
             this
             Government
             and
             Authority
             is
             of
             God
             ,
             being
             brought
             in
             and
             set
             up
             ,
             in
             opposition
             to
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             reproof
             and
             correction
             of
             ,
             such
             as
             
               went
               before
            
             ,
             who
             had
             neglected
             
               Mercy
               ,
               Truth
               ,
               Iudgment
            
             and
             Righteousness
             in
             the
             Earth
             ,
             till
             it
             was
             time
             for
             the
             Lord
             to
             cast
             them
             out
             ,
             and
             reprove
             them
             ,
             and
             make
             them
             a
             Desolation
             before
             their
             Enemies
             ;
             and
             this
             Authority
             was
             judged
             of
             the
             Lord
             fit
             for
             
               that
               use
            
             and
             end
             ,
             and
             reserved
             to
             be
             brought
             in
             ,
             as
             
               a
               Rod
               of
               God
               in
               his
               hand
               ,
            
             to
             correct
             and
             smite
             many
             people
             ;
             And
             it
             is
             right
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             that
             this
             Authority
             should
             have
             this
             time
             and
             season
             to
             be
             exercised
             in
             these
             Kingdoms
             ,
             to
             try
             and
             prove
             ,
             both
             it self
             ,
             and
             all
             under
             it
             ,
             if
             so
             be
             that
             Truth
             ,
             Justice
             and
             Righteousness
             ,
             Mercy
             and
             Peace
             ,
             may
             be
             brought
             forth
             in
             these
             Kingdoms
             through
             it
             ,
             that
             God
             may
             establish
             it
             for
             long
             continuance
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             now
             a
             trying
             and
             proving
             ,
             to
             make
             it self
             happy
             and
             blessed
             ,
             or
             otherwise
             to
             bring
             it self
             into
             contempt
             and
             dishonour
             ;
             and
             accordingly
             ,
             as
             
               Truth
               ,
               Iustice
               ,
               Mercy
               ,
               Iudgment
            
             and
             Peace
             is
             brought
             forth
             by
             it
             ,
             or
             the
             contrary
             brought
             forth
             by
             it
             ;
             so
             must
             the
             just
             and
             equal
             effects
             and
             reward
             of
             it
             be
             from
             the
             Hand
             of
             God
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             only
             
               Iust
               Iudgment
               ,
               Mercy
            
             and
             
               Truth
               ,
               Righteousness
               ,
               Relieving
               the
               Oppressed
               ,
            
             and
             the
             doing
             thereof
             ,
             that
             can
             alone
             make
             the
             Person
             and
             Government
             of
             the
             King
             
               Happy
               ,
               Blessed
            
             and
             Honourable
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             and
             hereafter
             ;
             and
             the
             contrary
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             brought
             forth
             ,
             must
             needs
             bring
             
               Confusion
               ,
               Discontents
            
             ,
             and
             all
             
               miserable
               Iudgments
            
             ;
             and
             ,
             to
             say
             no
             more
             of
             it
             ,
             this
             is
             my
             present
             Judgment
             of
             the
             King
             and
             his
             Authority
             ,
             
             both
             in
             respect
             of
             their
             Coming
             in
             ,
             and
             the
             Cause
             thereof
             ,
             and
             the
             Fruits
             and
             Effects
             that
             must
             follow
             ,
             which
             is
             not
             otherwise
             determined
             of
             God
             ,
             but
             according
             to
             desert
             and
             merit
             ,
             of
             walking
             in
             Truth
             ,
             Justice
             ,
             and
             Righteousness
             ,
             or
             in
             walking
             otherwise
             .
          
           
             IV.
             Our
             Obedience
             to
             this
             Authority
             ,
             must
             be
             according
             ,
             as
             before
             declared
             ,
             in
             the
             Plea
             of
             the
             first
             Case
             concerning
             Allegiance
             (
             to
             wit
             )
             
               for
               Conscience
               sake
               to
               God
            
             ,
             we
             are
             bound
             by
             his
             
               Iust
               Law
               in
               our
               hearts
            
             to
             yeeld
             Obedience
             to
             it
             ,
             
               in
               all
               matters
               and
               cases
               actively
            
             or
             passively
             ;
             that
             is
             to
             say
             ,
             in
             all
             just
             and
             good
             Commands
             of
             the
             King
             ,
             and
             the
             good
             Laws
             of
             the
             Land
             ,
             relating
             to
             our
             outward
             man
             ,
             we
             must
             be
             obedient
             
               by
               doing
            
             ,
             and
             not
             withhold
             our
             Just
             Obedience
             ;
             but
             in
             the
             Cases
             of
             Conscience
             (
             to
             wit
             )
             in
             the
             matters
             of
             Duty
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             of
             Worship
             ,
             Faith
             and
             Religion
             towards
             him
             ,
             we
             must
             only
             be
             obedient
             to
             God
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             he
             that
             teacheth
             and
             requireth
             obedience
             in
             all
             those
             things
             :
             and
             if
             any
             thing
             be
             commanded
             of
             us
             by
             the
             
               present
               Authority
            
             ,
             which
             is
             not
             according
             to
             
               Equity
               ,
               Iustice
            
             ,
             and
             
               a
               good
               Conscience
            
             towards
             God
             ,
             to
             be
             done
             by
             us
             ,
             we
             must
             in
             such
             Cases
             ,
             obey
             God
             only
             ,
             and
             deny
             
               active
               Obedience
            
             for
             Conscience
             sake
             ,
             and
             
               patiently
               suffer
               
                 what
                 is
                 inflicted
                 upon
                 us
              
            
             for
             such
             our
             disobedience
             to
             men
             ;
             and
             we
             must
             choose
             Obedience
             to
             God
             rather
             
               than
               man
            
             ,
             though
             we
             suffer
             because
             thereof
             :
             And
             this
             is
             
               our
               Principle
            
             ,
             and
             hath
             ever
             been
             
               our
               Practice
            
             ,
             to
             obey
             Authority
             ,
             by
             doing
             ,
             or
             suffering
             ,
             not
             disputing
             whether
             the
             Authority
             in
             it self
             be
             absolute
             of
             God
             ,
             or
             not
             ;
             yet
             being
             an
             Authority
             over
             us
             ,
             we
             are
             to
             obey
             it
             ,
             either
             
               by
               doing
            
             ,
             or
             suffering
             ,
             because
             it
             is
             an
             Authority
             ;
             and
             not
             to
             
               plot
               ,
               rebel
            
             ,
             or
             
               rise
               up
               with
               carnal
               weapons
            
             against
             it
             :
             and
             thus
             must
             our
             Obedience
             be
             to
             the
             King
             and
             his
             Government
             .
             And
             if
             that
             in
             any
             thing
             of
             the
             Commands
             of
             the
             King
             ,
             we
             cannot
             be
             obedient
             for
             
               Conscience
               sake
            
             ,
             in
             the
             Cases
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             and
             when
             ought
             is
             required
             different
             or
             contrary
             to
             the
             Law
             of
             God
             ,
             we
             have
             Example
             hereof
             in
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             of
             many
             of
             the
             Servants
             of
             God
             that
             could
             not
             
               in
               all
               things
            
             ,
             yeeld
             Obedience
             to
             the
             
               Laws
               of
               Nations
            
             and
             
               Commandments
               of
               Kings
            
             ,
             when
             they
             required
             ought
             to
             be
             obeyed
             ,
             contrary
             to
             their
             pure
             Consciences
             ;
             as
             in
             the
             Case
             of
             
             the
             Three
             Children
             ,
             Dan.
             3.
             they
             could
             not
             obey
             the
             Law
             and
             Command
             of
             the
             King
             ,
             though
             it
             was
             absolute
             ,
             but
             refused
             Obedience
             ,
             and
             suffered
             for
             it
             ;
             and
             Daniel
             also
             himself
             disobeyed
             the
             Kings
             Law
             and
             Commands
             ,
             Dan.
             6.
             and
             the
             Apostles
             the
             same
             ,
             when
             they
             were
             commanded
             by
             the
             Authority
             of
             that
             City
             and
             Country
             ,
             
               To
               preach
               no
               more
               in
               the
               Name
               of
               IESUS
               ,
            
             Act.
             4.
             17
             ,
             18.
             
             They
             did
             not
             obey
             the
             Command
             of
             the
             Rulers
             in
             that
             case
             ,
             but
             went
             on
             and
             preached
             Iesus
             ,
             in
             disobedience
             and
             contrary
             to
             the
             Command
             of
             the
             Rulers
             .
             And
             by
             these
             ,
             and
             many
             other
             Exumples
             ,
             it
             is
             apparent
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             justifiable
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             that
             it
             was
             practised
             by
             the
             Servants
             of
             God
             in
             former
             Ages
             ,
             even
             
               Disobedience
               to
               Kings
            
             and
             Authorities
             ,
             in
             the
             Matters
             and
             Cases
             commanded
             
               contrary
               to
               the
               Law
               of
               God
            
             and
             
               a
               good
               Conscience
            
             ;
             and
             their
             Example
             may
             justifie
             such
             now
             in
             the
             same
             Practice
             ,
             in
             the
             same
             Case
             ,
             if
             they
             walk
             therein
             by
             the
             same
             Principle
             .
          
           
             V.
             And
             thus
             it
             is
             manifest
             ,
             That
             if
             we
             at
             any
             time
             be
             found
             not
             in
             full
             obedience
             
               by
               doing
            
             ,
             in
             all
             Cases
             and
             Things
             ,
             to
             the
             Laws
             and
             Authority
             of
             this
             Kingdom
             ;
             it
             is
             not
             out
             of
             Contempt
             unto
             ,
             or
             Rebellion
             against
             the
             Kings
             Person
             or
             Government
             ;
             It
             is
             not
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             on
             that
             account
             ,
             but
             for
             
               good
               Conscience
               sake
            
             ,
             and
             because
             we
             must
             
               obey
               God
            
             rather
             
               than
               man
            
             ,
             when
             and
             where
             their
             Commands
             stand
             in
             opposition
             the
             one
             to
             the
             other
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             keep
             our
             Consciences
             clear
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             God
             ,
             from
             disobedience
             against
             him
             ,
             which
             is
             our
             care
             and
             endeavour
             by
             all
             means
             :
             and
             when
             any
             thing
             is
             required
             of
             us
             to
             be
             done
             ,
             which
             we
             cannot
             do
             with
             a
             clear
             Conscience
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             God
             ,
             such
             Commands
             we
             cannot
             yeeld
             Obedience
             unto
             ;
             and
             yet
             it
             is
             not
             out
             of
             Wilfulness
             ,
             Stubornness
             ,
             Contempt
             ,
             or
             Rebellion
             against
             the
             Authority
             ;
             but
             it
             is
             for
             this
             End
             and
             Cause
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             not
             sin
             against
             God
             ,
             nor
             against
             our
             own
             Consciences
             ,
             by
             doing
             any
             thing
             which
             is
             contrary
             thereunto
             ,
             lest
             we
             should
             bring
             the
             Wrath
             of
             God
             upon
             our
             own
             Consciences
             :
             So
             that
             all
             these
             things
             rightly
             considered
             ,
             it
             doth
             appear
             ,
             1.
             
             That
             we
             acknowledge
             Magistracy
             and
             Authority
             to
             be
             the
             
               Ordinance
               of
               God
            
             ,
             to
             be
             exercised
             and
             executed
             in
             the
             Kingdoms
             of
             the
             World
             among
             men
             .
             2.
             
             That
             Iust
             and
             
               Righteous
               
               men
            
             ,
             are
             the
             only
             persons
             fit
             to
             execute
             
               Iust
               Laws
            
             and
             Authorities
             in
             the
             Earth
             .
             3.
             
             That
             we
             
               acknowledge
               this
               present
               Government
            
             of
             King
             Charles
             ;
             and
             that
             according
             to
             the
             Purpose
             of
             God
             it
             is
             now
             set
             up
             .
             4.
             
             That
             we
             are
             to
             be
             obedient
             by
             doing
             ,
             or
             suffering
             in
             
               all
               things
            
             ,
             to
             the
             Authority
             of
             the
             King
             ,
             as
             the
             
               Supream
               Authority
            
             .
             5.
             
             That
             if
             in
             any
             case
             we
             are
             disobedient
             thereunto
             ,
             and
             cannot
             wholly
             perform
             every
             Command
             ,
             
               by
               doing
            
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             for
             
               Conscience
               sake
            
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             that
             we
             may
             not
             sin
             against
             him
             ,
             and
             not
             out
             of
             Rebellion
             or
             
               Contempt
               of
               the
               King
            
             or
             
               his
               Power
            
             .
             And
             all
             these
             things
             truly
             considered
             ,
             if
             we
             do
             suffer
             Tribulations
             ,
             Afflictions
             and
             Imprisonments
             ,
             under
             and
             by
             this
             
               present
               Authority
            
             ,
             for
             and
             because
             of
             our
             Profession
             and
             
               Practice
               of
               Religion
            
             ,
             without
             evil
             or
             
               wrong
               doing
            
             to
             our
             Neighbours
             Persons
             or
             Estates
             ,
             though
             we
             do
             not
             in
             the
             things
             contrary
             to
             our
             Consciences
             obey
             actively
             this
             
               present
               Authority
            
             ,
             yet
             we
             are
             persecuted
             for
             the
             Name
             of
             Christ
             ;
             and
             as
             so
             ,
             we
             receive
             our
             Sufferings
             ,
             and
             not
             as
             for
             Contempt
             or
             
               Denyal
               of
               Authority
            
             ,
             or
             as
             Rebellious
             against
             it
             ;
             but
             for
             
               Conscience
               sake
            
             to
             God
             ,
             our
             Sufferings
             are
             ,
             and
             our
             unjust
             Persecution
             will
             be
             upon
             our
             Enemies
             in
             the
             effect
             and
             reward
             thereof
             ,
             with
             great
             Indignation
             and
             Wrath
             from
             the
             Lord
             God
             ,
             that
             rewards
             all
             according
             to
             their
             works
             .
             Thus
             much
             about
             Government
             .
          
           
             And
             now
             I
             shall
             shew
             what
             Persecution
             is
             in
             it self
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             VI.
             Concerning
             Persecution
             ,
             what
             it
             is
             in
             it self
             ,
             and
             how
             great
             an
             Enemy
             it
             is
             to
             the
             Kings
             Person
             and
             Authority
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             PErsecution
             is
             ,
             when
             a
             Person
             ,
             or
             a
             People
             ,
             do
             suffer
             
               Tribulation
               ,
               Affliction
               ,
               Imprisonment
               ,
               Bonds
               ,
            
             or
             Death
             ,
             whether
             by
             a
             Law
             or
             without
             the
             Law
             ,
             for
             ,
             and
             because
             of
             his
             or
             their
             Principle
             and
             Practice
             in
             Religion
             ;
             As
             when
             a
             Person
             or
             a
             People
             are
             reproached
             ,
             falsly
             accused
             ,
             imprisoned
             or
             put
             to
             death
             ,
             only
             for
             and
             because
             of
             their
             
               Religion
               sake
            
             ;
             when
             as
             no
             evil-dealing
             in
             the
             things
             between
             
               man
               and
               man
            
             ,
             can
             be
             justly
             ,
             charged
             and
             proved
             against
             them
             ,
             but
             only
             because
             they
             are
             
             righteous
             ,
             and
             walk
             in
             the
             wayes
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             cannot
             conform
             to
             the
             wayes
             and
             vanities
             of
             this
             world
             ,
             but
             are
             separated
             from
             it
             in
             its
             Prophaness
             ,
             and
             in
             its
             
               formal
               Profession
            
             also
             of
             Religion
             ;
             and
             because
             thereof
             Sufferings
             are
             imposed
             upon
             them
             ,
             while
             yet
             they
             walk
             
               justly
               ,
               innocently
            
             and
             harmlesly
             towards
             all
             men
             :
             This
             is
             
               Persecution
               for
               Conscience
               sake
            
             ,
             and
             such
             are
             persecuted
             ,
             if
             so
             be
             they
             suffer
             for
             and
             because
             of
             
               Righteonsness
               sake
            
             ,
             and
             because
             they
             will
             not
             deny
             their
             Principles
             nor
             Profession
             of
             Religion
             ,
             nor
             conform
             to
             Times
             ,
             nor
             Laws
             ,
             contrary
             to
             a
             
               good
               Conscience
            
             ,
             and
             yet
             suffer
             because
             hereof
             ;
             this
             is
             Persecution
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Persecution
             is
             ,
             when
             a
             Person
             or
             a
             People
             is
             afflicted
             ,
             and
             any
             kind
             of
             Sufferings
             imposed
             upon
             them
             ,
             whether
             by
             any
             Authority
             ,
             or
             without
             Authority
             ,
             and
             only
             because
             they
             are
             of
             such
             a
             Profession
             and
             Practice
             in
             Religion
             ;
             though
             yet
             their
             Profession
             and
             Practice
             in
             their
             Religion
             is
             not
             perfectly
             according
             to
             God
             ,
             nor
             by
             the
             exercise
             of
             that
             Spirit
             of
             God
             ruling
             in
             their
             Consciences
             in
             such
             their
             Religion
             ,
             yet
             if
             they
             suffer
             only
             for
             their
             
               Religion
               sake
            
             ,
             while
             yet
             they
             walk
             uprightly
             as
             men
             ,
             in
             all
             outward
             affairs
             relating
             to
             the
             
               outward
               man
            
             ,
             This
             also
             is
             Persecution
             ,
             and
             such
             are
             
               persecuted
               for
               their
               Religion
               sake
            
             ,
             though
             not
             wholly
             for
             
               Righteousness
               sake
            
             ;
             and
             none
             ought
             to
             suffer
             as
             such
             ,
             under
             the
             Authority
             of
             any
             King
             ,
             Prince
             ,
             or
             Power
             ;
             but
             if
             such
             do
             suffer
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             said
             ,
             and
             that
             for
             their
             
               Religion
               sake
               only
            
             so
             ,
             though
             yet
             their
             Religion
             is
             not
             perfectly
             according
             to
             God
             ,
             yet
             they
             
               are
               persecuted
            
             ,
             and
             this
             is
             Persecution
             .
             And
             thus
             I
             have
             in
             short
             described
             and
             defined
             what
             Persecution
             is
             in
             it self
             ,
             and
             who
             it
             is
             that
             are
             persecuted
             ,
             and
             I
             shall
             now
             shew
             how
             great
             an
             Enemy
             Persecution
             for
             Conscience
             and
             
               Religion
               sake
            
             is
             unto
             the
             
               King's
               Person
            
             and
             Authority
             .
          
           
             Persecution
             for
             
               Conscience
               sake
            
             ,
             and
             for
             difference
             in
             Matters
             of
             Religion
             ,
             is
             a
             
               great
               Enemy
            
             to
             the
             Person
             and
             Government
             of
             the
             King
             ;
             it
             is
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             a
             destroying
             and
             
               devouring
               Enemy
            
             ,
             and
             the
             fruits
             and
             effects
             thereof
             may
             work
             
               terrible
               destruction
            
             ,
             yea
             ,
             this
             Enemy
             [
             Persecution
             ]
             hath
             often
             wrought
             overthrow
             in
             Kingdoms
             :
             Let
             the
             King
             strive
             to
             be
             delivered
             speedily
             from
             this
             great
             Enemy
             ,
             which
             is
             fierce
             and
             cruel
             ,
             and
             may
             work
             
             woful
             effects
             in
             this
             Kingdom
             also
             ,
             and
             the
             King
             may
             be
             more
             blessed
             in
             his
             Person
             and
             Government
             if
             he
             remove
             far
             from
             him
             this
             Enemy
             ,
             Persecution
             .
          
           
             I.
             It
             is
             his
             Enemy
             ,
             because
             its
             effect
             is
             ,
             to
             eat
             out
             the
             Affections
             of
             many
             good
             and
             sober
             people
             from
             the
             King
             ,
             and
             may
             make
             their
             Love
             and
             Affections
             dye
             to
             the
             
               King's
               Government
            
             ,
             when
             they
             behold
             and
             consider
             the
             Persecution
             of
             many
             good
             and
             
               peaceable
               People
            
             for
             Righteousness
             and
             
               good
               Conscience
               sake
            
             ,
             when
             as
             no
             
               evil
               doing
               between
               man
               and
               man
            
             can
             justly
             be
             laid
             to
             their
             charge
             ,
             but
             only
             for
             the
             
               matter
               of
               their
               Religion
            
             and
             the
             
               exercise
               of
               their
               Consciences
               towards
               God
            
             ;
             and
             if
             such
             suffer
             
               cruel
               Imprisonment
               ,
               unjust
               Fines
            
             ,
             and
             
               grievous
               Vexations
            
             for
             such
             cause
             ,
             it
             may
             weaken
             and
             eat
             out
             the
             Affections
             of
             good
             People
             ,
             and
             divert
             their
             Love
             and
             
               good
               Desires
            
             from
             the
             King
             and
             his
             Government
             ,
             in
             which
             
               such
               Persecution
            
             is
             brought
             forth
             :
             and
             that
             which
             diverts
             the
             Peoples
             Love
             from
             the
             King
             ,
             is
             his
             
               great
               Enemy
            
             ,
             and
             such
             is
             Persecution
             .
          
           
             II.
             Persecution
             is
             the
             King
             's
             
               great
               Enemy
            
             ;
             because
             it
             may
             kindle
             
               Heart-burnings
               ,
               Envyings
               ,
               Strifes
            
             ,
             and
             Murmurings
             among
             his
             Subjects
             ,
             while
             some
             are
             tolerated
             in
             the
             Profession
             and
             Practice
             of
             their
             Religion
             ,
             and
             others
             persecuted
             and
             imprisoned
             for
             the
             same
             cause
             ;
             and
             this
             kind
             of
             dealing
             exerciseth
             the
             King's
             Subjects
             in
             harsh
             dealing
             one
             towards
             another
             ,
             and
             gives
             great
             occasions
             for
             
               Quarrelling
               ,
               Envyes
               ,
               Debate
            
             and
             Malice
             one
             against
             another
             ,
             even
             when
             some
             execute
             Persecution
             upon
             others
             ,
             haling
             them
             to
             Prison
             ,
             spoyling
             their
             Goods
             ,
             and
             the
             like
             ;
             and
             this
             kind
             of
             dealing
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             whilst
             the
             Authority
             of
             the
             Land
             persecutes
             one
             sort
             of
             the
             King's
             Subjects
             by
             the
             hands
             of
             others
             ,
             it
             tendeth
             much
             to
             
               great
               Division
            
             and
             Distractions
             amongst
             the
             People
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             not
             for
             the
             
               King's
               safety
            
             ,
             but
             for
             his
             
               great
               dishonour
            
             and
             disadvantage
             every
             way
             ,
             to
             have
             the
             People
             divided
             into
             heart-burnings
             and
             quarrellings
             against
             one
             another
             ;
             and
             therefore
             Persecution
             is
             the
             King
             's
             great
             Enemy
             ,
             because
             it
             worketh
             such
             evil
             effects
             .
          
           
             III.
             It
             is
             his
             
               great
               Enemy
            
             ,
             because
             it
             is
             contrary
             to
             the
             Trust
             which
             God
             hath
             reposed
             in
             him
             ,
             in
             promoting
             him
             to
             be
             King
             over
             these
             People
             ;
             for
             God
             hath
             not
             committed
             Power
             to
             him
             ,
             to
             judge
             in
             the
             Cases
             of
             Mens
             Consciences
             ,
             and
             to
             
             persecute
             any
             because
             of
             the
             exercise
             thereof
             ,
             whether
             they
             be
             of
             this
             Profession
             and
             Practice
             in
             Religion
             ,
             or
             the
             other
             ,
             yet
             living
             peaceably
             and
             uprightly
             as
             Men
             ,
             he
             ought
             not
             to
             persecute
             any
             ,
             nor
             to
             suffer
             them
             to
             be
             persecuted
             by
             ,
             nor
             under
             his
             Authority
             ;
             but
             he
             ought
             to
             defend
             and
             preserve
             all
             mens
             Persons
             and
             Estates
             in
             their
             Just
             Rights
             ,
             from
             the
             violence
             each
             of
             others
             ,
             without
             respect
             to
             what
             their
             Profession
             and
             Practice
             of
             
               Religion
               is
            
             ;
             but
             if
             the
             contrary
             be
             brought
             forth
             ,
             it
             is
             contrary
             ,
             and
             not
             answerable
             to
             the
             end
             of
             God's
             
               Restoring
               Him
               to
               these
               Kingdoms
            
             ;
             and
             if
             He
             do
             not
             what
             God
             hath
             justly
             called
             him
             unto
             ,
             but
             otherwise
             ,
             this
             is
             his
             Enemy
             ;
             and
             such
             is
             
               Persecution
               for
               Conscience
               sake
            
             ,
             it
             is
             contrary
             to
             the
             end
             of
             Just
             Government
             ,
             and
             wherefore
             God
             hath
             Restored
             him
             ;
             and
             therefore
             this
             
               Persecution
               is
               an
               utter
               Enemy
               both
               to
               the
               King's
               Person
               and
               Authority
               .
            
          
           
             IV.
             It
             is
             
               his
               Enemy
            
             ,
             because
             it
             provokes
             the
             God
             of
             Heaven
             and
             Earth
             over
             all
             ,
             to
             be
             offended
             with
             him
             ;
             for
             He
             is
             provoked
             and
             vexed
             because
             of
             
               the
               Persecution
               of
               his
               People
               in
               this
               Age
               ,
            
             as
             ever
             He
             was
             in
             all
             Ages
             ;
             and
             if
             the
             King
             be
             guilty
             thereof
             ,
             it
             incurreth
             God's
             great
             Displeasure
             against
             him
             :
             for
             God
             was
             ever
             offended
             with
             Kings
             ,
             Rulers
             ,
             and
             whomsoever
             that
             were
             Persecuters
             ,
             and
             he
             is
             the
             same
             at
             this
             day
             ;
             and
             whatsoever
             it
             is
             that
             provokes
             God
             to
             Anger
             against
             the
             King
             ,
             
               that
               is
               his
               Enemy
            
             :
             And
             such
             is
             
               Persecution
               of
               People
            
             for
             the
             Profession
             and
             Practice
             of
             
               their
               Religion
            
             ,
             when
             as
             no
             Evil
             can
             be
             charged
             upon
             them
             in
             things
             between
             Man
             and
             Man
             :
             and
             therefore
             let
             the
             King
             beware
             of
             this
             woful
             Enemy
             that
             waits
             to
             wound
             him
             ;
             for
             if
             the
             God
             of
             Heaven
             be
             provoked
             against
             him
             ,
             How
             great
             is
             that
             Enemy
             which
             brings
             it
             to
             pass
             ?
          
           
             V.
             It
             is
             the
             King's
             Enemy
             ,
             because
             it
             not
             only
             provokes
             the
             Lord
             
               to
               Anger
            
             ,
             but
             
               to
               Iudgment
               ;
               Persecution
            
             is
             the
             cause
             wherefore
             God
             brings
             
               grievous
               Iudgments
            
             and
             Vengeance
             upon
             whomsoever
             are
             guilty
             thereof
             ;
             and
             the
             effect
             of
             Persecution
             is
             Plagues
             and
             Misery
             ;
             and
             it
             incenseth
             God
             
               to
               Anger
            
             ,
             and
             also
             
               to
               Destroy
            
             :
             and
             therefore
             let
             the
             King
             beware
             of
             such
             a
             deadly
             Enemy
             ,
             as
             should
             cause
             God
             to
             destroy
             him
             :
             and
             such
             an
             Enemy
             is
             
               Persecution
               of
               Gods
               People
               for
               Conscience
               sake
               ,
            
             it
             draweth
             down
             the
             Wrath
             of
             God
             upon
             Kings
             and
             Kingdoms
             ,
             upon
             Rich
             
             and
             Poor
             ,
             upon
             High
             and
             Low
             ,
             that
             are
             guilty
             of
             it
             ,
             for
             it
             is
             the
             fulfilling
             of
             all
             other
             sins
             ,
             and
             it
             hastens
             to
             bring
             destruction
             upon
             all
             that
             are
             guilty
             ;
             and
             this
             effect
             it
             will
             work
             upon
             the
             King
             ,
             even
             this
             his
             Enemy
             Persecution
             ,
             if
             he
             turn
             not
             from
             it
             ,
             and
             overcome
             it
             ,
             and
             banish
             it
             from
             him
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             the
             cause
             of
             both
             inward
             and
             outward
             ,
             of
             both
             internal
             and
             external
             Plagues
             and
             Judgments
             of
             God.
             
          
           
             VI.
             Persecution
             it
             is
             
               an
               Enemy
               to
               the
               King
            
             ,
             because
             it
             will
             work
             to
             weaken
             the
             hands
             of
             Iust
             and
             Sober
             and
             
               Righteous
               Men
            
             ,
             it
             will
             weaken
             their
             Love
             and
             Affections
             ,
             and
             it
             makes
             their
             hearts
             sad
             ;
             and
             
               Wo
               is
               unto
               them
               that
               make
               sad
               their
               hearts
               ,
               whom
               God
               doth
               not
               make
               sad
               :
            
             and
             this
             doth
             Persecution
             ;
             and
             it
             doth
             not
             only
             weaken
             the
             hearts
             and
             the
             hands
             of
             the
             Righteous
             and
             
               Sober
               Persons
            
             ,
             but
             it
             strengthens
             the
             hands
             of
             the
             
               Rude
               ,
               Ungodly
            
             ,
             and
             Prophane
             through
             the
             Land
             ,
             and
             that
             which
             strengthens
             the
             Wicked
             and
             the
             
               Rude
               Multitude
            
             in
             Wantonness
             ,
             Scorning
             and
             Prophaness
             ,
             that
             is
             the
             King's
             Enemy
             ;
             but
             such
             is
             
               Persecution
               for
               a
               good
               Conscience
               sake
            
             ;
             and
             because
             it
             weakens
             the
             Righteous
             in
             their
             good
             and
             upright
             wayes
             ,
             and
             strengthens
             the
             Wicked
             in
             their
             evil
             wayes
             ,
             therefore
             it
             is
             an
             Enemy
             unto
             the
             King.
             
          
           
             VII
             .
             Persecution
             is
             an
             Enemy
             unto
             him
             ,
             because
             it
             tends
             to
             render
             him
             
               dishonourable
               both
               in
               the
               sight
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               all
               good
               Men
               through
               the
               World
            
             ;
             for
             it
             will
             shew
             ,
             that
             he
             is
             cruel
             and
             bitter
             ,
             and
             perverse
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             wants
             
               Humility
               ,
               Meeknesse
               ,
               Forbearance
            
             and
             Patience
             ,
             if
             he
             be
             guilty
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             dishonorable
             ,
             to
             have
             and
             profess
             evil
             qualities
             and
             properties
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             without
             the
             good
             ;
             and
             by
             Persecution
             this
             will
             be
             made
             manifest
             to
             all
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             ever
             was
             in
             all
             Ages
             ,
             that
             the
             Persecutors
             of
             good
             Conscience
             gained
             unto
             themselves
             ,
             Dishonour
             and
             
               Reproach
               of
               all
               good
               men
               in
               all
               Ages
               after
               them
               :
            
             for
             they
             were
             men
             full
             of
             Rage
             and
             Malice
             and
             Passionatness
             ,
             and
             wanted
             Patience
             and
             Humility
             ,
             and
             this
             made
             them
             Dishonourable
             :
             And
             the
             case
             will
             be
             the
             same
             with
             the
             King
             ,
             if
             he
             be
             a
             Persecutor
             for
             Conscience
             sake
             ,
             and
             he
             will
             be
             dishonourable
             both
             in
             this
             present
             time
             ,
             and
             in
             Ages
             to
             come
             ,
             and
             this
             by
             Persecution
             ,
             and
             therefore
             it
             is
             his
             Enemy
             ,
             that
             will
             work
             many
             Mischiefs
             and
             Evils
             upon
             him
             ,
             if
             he
             be
             not
             wholly
             delivered
             from
             it
             .
          
           
           
             VIII
             .
             Persecution
             is
             an
             Enemy
             to
             the
             King's
             Person
             and
             Authority
             ,
             because
             Persecution
             for
             Conscience
             sake
             
               is
               of
               the
               Devil
            
             ,
             it
             is
             of
             his
             spirit
             ,
             and
             not
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             
               persecute
               ,
               imprison
               ,
               kill
            
             and
             
               destroy
               mens
               Persons
            
             and
             Estates
             ,
             because
             of
             their
             Religion-sake
             ,
             when
             as
             no
             
               unjust
               dealing
            
             ,
             nor
             
               unrighteous
               conversation
            
             can
             be
             justly
             laid
             to
             their
             charge
             ,
             but
             only
             for
             ,
             and
             because
             of
             such
             Profession
             and
             
               Practice
               in
               Religion
            
             ,
             to
             
               persecute
               any
            
             ,
             because
             hereof
             ,
             this
             is
             of
             the
             Devil
             ;
             and
             that
             which
             is
             of
             the
             Devil
             ,
             is
             the
             King's
             Enemy
             ,
             and
             an
             Enemy
             to
             all
             Mankind
             ,
             and
             such
             is
             Persecution
             ;
             and
             therefore
             it
             is
             a
             deadly
             mortal
             Enemy
             ,
             which
             wounds
             
               Kings
               ,
               Princes
            
             and
             Rulers
             that
             ever
             have
             had
             friendship
             with
             it
             ;
             and
             therefore
             let
             the
             King
             avoid
             this
             great
             Enemy
             ,
             lest
             its
             effects
             prove
             miserable
             .
          
           
             IX
             .
             It
             is
             the
             King's
             Enemy
             ,
             because
             it
             is
             according
             to
             the
             
               Example
               of
               all
               the
               wicked
               Kings
               and
               Rulers
               that
               ever
               have
               been
               through
               Ages
               and
               Generations
               ,
            
             as
             of
             
               Pharoah
               ,
               Ahab
               ,
               Herod
               ,
               Nero
               ,
            
             and
             many
             more
             ,
             who
             were
             
               Persecutors
               of
               People
               for
               Conscience
               sake
               ,
            
             who
             gained
             unto
             themselves
             thereby
             Reproach
             ,
             Infamy
             and
             Misery
             from
             God
             and
             men
             ;
             and
             to
             follow
             their
             Example
             ,
             is
             the
             King's
             Enemy
             ,
             and
             such
             is
             Persecution
             ,
             if
             he
             should
             persecute
             for
             Conscience
             sake
             ,
             and
             about
             Religion
             and
             the
             Worship
             of
             God
             ;
             then
             he
             follows
             the
             Example
             of
             wicked
             Kings
             ,
             and
             this
             will
             be
             his
             Enemy
             ,
             and
             will
             work
             woful
             effects
             ,
             if
             so
             be
             he
             walk
             in
             the
             steps
             of
             the
             Persecutors
             of
             old
             ,
             and
             love
             that
             which
             is
             his
             Enemy
             .
          
           
             X.
             Persecution
             is
             the
             King's
             Enemy
             ,
             because
             the
             end
             and
             effects
             of
             it
             is
             
               Misery
               and
               Destruction
               upon
               all
               that
               persecute
               the
               Heritage
               of
               God
               :
            
             What
             was
             Pharaaoh's
             end
             ,
             and
             Herod's
             end
             ,
             and
             Nero's
             end
             ?
             was
             not
             their
             end
             woful
             and
             miserable
             to
             God
             and
             shameful
             to
             men
             ?
             And
             
               Persecution
               for
               Conscience
               sake
            
             will
             bring
             the
             same
             effects
             at
             this
             day
             ;
             the
             end
             of
             all
             Persecutors
             will
             be
             Misery
             and
             Shame
             even
             in
             the
             Day
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             when
             He
             comes
             with
             Iudgment
             and
             Vengeance
             ,
             and
             
               to
               reward
               every
               man
               according
               to
               his
               deeds
               ,
            
             then
             will
             He
             reward
             Persecution
             and
             Persecutors
             with
             his
             
               fierce
               Wrath
            
             ,
             and
             they
             shall
             know
             the
             Justice
             of
             God's
             Judgments
             executed
             upon
             them
             :
             And
             therefore
             happy
             will
             the
             King
             be
             if
             he
             keep
             himself
             clear
             ,
             and
             put
             far
             from
             him
             this
             Enemy
             Persecution
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           Three
           CONSIDERATIONS
           I
           have
           to
           present
           unto
           the
           KING
           for
           Conclusion
           .
        
         
           I.
           THe
           Strength
           ,
           and
           Safety
           and
           Prosperity
           of
           the
           King
           and
           his
           Government
           ,
           stands
           in
           the
           
             Union
             ,
             good
             Affection
          
           and
           Love
           of
           his
           Subjects
           ,
           and
           the
           People
           of
           these
           Kingdoms
           ,
           one
           to
           another
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           King
           ;
           and
           the
           more
           that
           the
           People
           of
           the
           Kingdoms
           are
           in
           Love
           and
           Union
           and
           
             good
             Affection
          
           ,
           one
           with
           another
           and
           to
           the
           King
           ,
           the
           
             more
             strong
          
           and
           safe
           ,
           and
           prosperous
           thereby
           is
           the
           King
           and
           
             his
             Government
          
           ,
           and
           the
           more
           like
           for
           
             a
             long
          
           and
           
             happy
             Continuance
          
           and
           Establishment
           :
           And
           it
           is
           the
           Love
           and
           Union
           and
           Affection
           of
           the
           sober
           and
           grave
           ,
           and
           just
           and
           upright
           People
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Meek
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           that
           is
           the
           Kings
           Strength
           and
           Safety
           ,
           and
           will
           much
           tend
           to
           his
           Prosperity
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           
             establishment
             of
             his
             Government
          
           and
           Authority
           ;
           and
           the
           Kings
           Safety
           and
           Strength
           and
           Prosperity
           ,
           doth
           not
           depend
           upon
           the
           Affection
           and
           Acclamations
           of
           the
           Ruder
           sort
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Wild
           Multitude
           ,
           though
           such
           profess
           great
           subjection
           ,
           and
           cry
           up
           the
           King
           and
           his
           Government
           ,
           and
           drink
           his
           Healths
           ,
           and
           
             swear
             the
             Destruction
             of
             all
             his
             Enemies
          
           ;
           and
           have
           
             much
             love
          
           and
           
             great
             Union
          
           for
           the
           King
           ,
           and
           are
           for
           him
           
             to
             serve
             him
          
           ,
           and
           swear
           Fidelity
           ,
           and
           engage
           themselves
           very
           highly
           in
           words
           and
           gestures
           for
           the
           King
           ;
           yet
           the
           King
           and
           his
           Government
           is
           no
           whit
           the
           safer
           ,
           nor
           more
           strong
           nor
           prosperous
           ,
           because
           hereof
           ,
           for
           his
           Prosperity
           and
           Establishment
           depends
           upon
           the
           Love
           and
           good
           Affection
           of
           the
           Just
           and
           Upright
           ,
           and
           Temperate
           and
           Meek
           Men
           of
           the
           Kingdoms
           ,
           and
           not
           upon
           the
           love
           of
           the
           Rude
           Multitude
           ;
           such
           cannot
           be
           a
           blessing
           to
           him
           in
           their
           Vaunting
           and
           Boasting
           ,
           and
           Rudeness
           ;
           nor
           can
           be
           stand
           by
           them
           ,
           but
           must
           stand
           in
           the
           Establishment
           of
           his
           Government
           ,
           by
           the
           Love
           of
           such
           
             as
             fear
             the
             Lord
          
           ,
           and
           
             depart
             from
             all
             Iniquity
          
           ;
           by
           the
           good
           Affection
           of
           such
           ,
           and
           their
           Faithfulness
           and
           Love
           may
           the
           King
           be
           happy
           and
           blessed
           :
           Therefore
           let
           him
           strive
           to
           please
           such
           ,
           and
           to
           gain
           their
           good
           Affections
           to
           be
           united
           to
           him
           ;
           and
           this
           may
           adde
           to
           his
           long
           Continuance
           .
        
         
         
           II.
           It
           is
           the
           doing
           of
           Justice
           and
           Truth
           ,
           and
           allowing
           all
           just
           and
           equal
           Liberty
           to
           all
           People
           under
           his
           Authority
           ,
           that
           will
           gain
           upon
           the
           hearts
           of
           all
           just
           and
           good
           People
           ;
           and
           as
           Righteousness
           ,
           Mercy
           ,
           true
           Judgment
           and
           Truth
           is
           brought
           forth
           in
           the
           Land
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           contrary
           limited
           in
           the
           King's
           Government
           ;
           this
           will
           gain
           much
           upon
           the
           Hearts
           and
           Affections
           of
           all
           good
           People
           ,
           to
           be
           united
           in
           Love
           one
           to
           another
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           King
           ;
           And
           this
           is
           the
           way
           of
           the
           King's
           Prosperity
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           his
           Government
           established
           ,
           if
           so
           be
           that
           he
           exercise
           his
           Rule
           and
           Authority
           in
           Love
           and
           Meekness
           and
           
             equal
             Iustice
          
           and
           Mercy
           ,
           and
           love
           Righteousness
           and
           Truth
           ,
           and
           hate
           and
           deny
           all
           the
           contrary
           ,
           and
           limit
           it
           ;
           then
           the
           spirits
           of
           all
           People
           in
           the
           Kingdoms
           would
           be
           subjected
           and
           subdued
           under
           his
           Power
           ,
           and
           he
           should
           rule
           over
           them
           ,
           and
           his
           Kingdoms
           be
           established
           prosperously
           ;
           and
           this
           is
           the
           way
           of
           an
           happy
           Government
           :
           But
           if
           so
           be
           the
           King
           put
           on
           Rigour
           ,
           and
           be
           fierce
           and
           cruel
           ,
           and
           think
           to
           subdue
           all
           under
           him
           by
           Will
           and
           Force
           ,
           without
           shewing
           Justice
           and
           Reason
           ,
           to
           answer
           the
           Consciences
           of
           his
           Subjects
           in
           all
           his
           proceedings
           :
           This
           way
           can
           never
           be
           prosperous
           ,
           nor
           establish
           him
           in
           his
           Authority
           ;
           but
           it
           will
           work
           the
           contrary
           effect
           :
           For
           ,
           if
           Oppression
           be
           brought
           forth
           ,
           and
           heavy
           Yoaks
           laid
           upon
           the
           back
           of
           the
           Poor
           ;
           then
           will
           the
           Wrath
           of
           God
           and
           of
           men
           ,
           be
           kindled
           against
           him
           ,
           and
           Murmurings
           ,
           Strifes
           and
           Contentions
           will
           arise
           in
           the
           minds
           of
           men
           against
           him
           ;
           and
           the
           Oppressions
           of
           the
           Poor
           will
           reach
           unto
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           God
           will
           hear
           and
           revenge
           their
           Cause
           :
           So
           that
           it
           is
           ruling
           and
           exercising
           Authority
           in
           these
           Kingdoms
           in
           Justice
           ,
           Righteousness
           ,
           Love
           and
           good
           Reason
           that
           must
           gain
           the
           hearts
           of
           People
           unto
           right
           Subjection
           ,
           to
           make
           the
           King
           and
           his
           Government
           happy
           and
           established
           ;
           and
           Rigour
           ,
           Force
           and
           Cruelty
           will
           never
           make
           the
           King
           happy
           ,
           but
           will
           work
           contrary
           :
           For
           the
           People
           are
           wise
           ,
           and
           Understanding
           will
           not
           long
           bear
           any
           degree
           of
           the
           yoak
           of
           slavery
           .
        
         
           III
           .
           In
           as
           much
           as
           the
           People
           of
           these
           Kingdoms
           are
           divers
           and
           divided
           ,
           and
           contrary
           in
           Judgment
           one
           to
           another
           in
           many
           
           things
           ,
           and
           so
           are
           dis-united
           into
           several
           Opinions
           and
           Parties
           ;
           the
           King
           ought
           to
           rate
           in
           Wisdom
           and
           Love
           over
           them
           all
           ,
           and
           to
           shew
           
             equal
             Iustice
          
           and
           Liberty
           ,
           and
           to
           exercise
           Righteousness
           towards
           them
           
             all
             alike
          
           ,
           notwithstanding
           their
           Difference
           in
           Religion
           and
           Judgments
           ;
           for
           if
           he
           shall
           give
           Liberty
           to
           some
           ,
           and
           oppress
           others
           ;
           if
           he
           do
           joyn
           with
           one
           way
           ,
           and
           promote
           that
           ,
           and
           the
           men
           of
           one
           Judgment
           be
           tolerated
           ,
           and
           all
           other
           wayes
           ,
           and
           all
           others
           that
           are
           different
           in
           Judgment
           ,
           be
           persecuted
           and
           oppressed
           ,
           and
           sought
           to
           be
           destroyed
           ;
           this
           is
           not
           the
           way
           for
           the
           King
           to
           prosper
           ,
           nor
           to
           be
           established
           to
           perpetuity
           ;
           for
           there
           seems
           to
           be
           no
           one
           way
           so
           strong
           ,
           or
           any
           one
           sort
           of
           People
           so
           many
           for
           the
           King
           to
           cleave
           to
           and
           allow
           ,
           and
           seek
           to
           destroy
           all
           the
           rest
           ;
           because
           there
           is
           of
           other
           sorts
           of
           people
           that
           ballance
           that
           sort
           in
           opposition
           ;
           and
           so
           the
           King
           and
           his
           Government
           seems
           not
           secure
           ,
           if
           he
           take
           hold
           of
           any
           one
           sort
           of
           People
           ,
           only
           to
           stand
           thereby
           ,
           in
           opposition
           to
           all
           the
           rest
           ,
           persecuting
           of
           them
           ;
           because
           there
           are
           many
           of
           other
           Sects
           that
           will
           be
           discontented
           and
           murmur
           ,
           if
           not
           more
           :
           So
           that
           the
           King's
           Safety
           is
           ,
           and
           the
           Prosperity
           of
           his
           Government
           ,
           and
           the
           Establishment
           of
           it
           seems
           to
           be
           ,
           by
           giving
           
             Equal
             Liberty
          
           and
           Iustice
           ,
           and
           
             shewing
             Love
          
           and
           
             Tenderness
             to
             all
          
           of
           
             all
             Iudgments
          
           ;
           and
           then
           he
           may
           stand
           by
           all
           ,
           and
           none
           will
           oppose
           him
           ,
           but
           all
           will
           be
           ready
           to
           defend
           and
           preserve
           him
           :
           for
           he
           may
           stand
           established
           ,
           and
           be
           happy
           in
           his
           Government
           ,
           by
           engaging
           all
           Sorts
           to
           him
           through
           Love
           and
           Righteousness
           ,
           and
           Liberty
           towards
           all
           ;
           but
           he
           cannot
           (
           according
           to
           my
           Judgment
           )
           be
           established
           nor
           prosperous
           ,
           if
           he
           choose
           only
           the
           men
           of
           one
           Judgment
           to
           stand
           by
           ,
           and
           cleave
           only
           to
           that
           ,
           and
           persecute
           and
           seek
           to
           destroy
           all
           the
           rest
           that
           are
           different
           ,
           and
           so
           only
           make
           one
           Party
           his
           Friends
           ,
           and
           disengage
           all
           others
           in
           Love
           and
           Affection
           ;
           This
           seems
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           not
           the
           way
           of
           Prosperity
           .
           Let
           the
           King
           consider
           it
           ;
           and
           the
           Lord
           give
           him
           a
           right
           understanding
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
           London
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Robert
             Wilson
          
           ,
           at
           the
           sign
           of
           the
           Black-spread-Eagle
           and
           Windmill
           ,
           in
           
             Martins
             l'
             Grand
          
           ,
           1661.