Retsah, a cry against a crying sinne, or, A just complaint to the magistrates, against them who have broken the statute laws of God, by killing of men meerly for theft manifested in a petition long since presented to the Common Councel of the city of London, on the behalfe of transgressours : together with certaine proposals, presented by Col. Pride to the Right Honourable the Generall Counsell for the Army, and the Committee appointed by the Parliament of England, to consider of the inconveniences, mischiefes, chargeablenesse, and irregularities in their law.
         Chidley, Samuel.
      
       
         This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A32823 of text R435 in the  English Short Title Catalog (Wing C3838). Textual changes  and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more  computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life.  The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with  MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish.  This text has not been fully proofread 
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         EarlyPrint Project
         Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO
         2017
         A32823
         Wing C3838
         ESTC R435
         12952496
         ocm 12952496
         95978
         
           
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         Early English books online.
      
       
         (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A32823)
         Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 95978)
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             Retsah, a cry against a crying sinne, or, A just complaint to the magistrates, against them who have broken the statute laws of God, by killing of men meerly for theft manifested in a petition long since presented to the Common Councel of the city of London, on the behalfe of transgressours : together with certaine proposals, presented by Col. Pride to the Right Honourable the Generall Counsell for the Army, and the Committee appointed by the Parliament of England, to consider of the inconveniences, mischiefes, chargeablenesse, and irregularities in their law.
             Chidley, Samuel.
             England and Wales. Parliament.
             England and Wales. Army. Council.
             City of London (England). Court of Common Council.
          
           14 [i.e. 24] p.
           
             for Samuel Chidley ...,
             Printed at London :
             1652.
          
           
             Title partly transliterated from Hebrew.
             All letters signed: Samuel Chidley.
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Crime -- England.
           Criminals -- England.
           Thieves -- England.
           Capital punishment -- England -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
       A32823  R435  (Wing C3838).  civilwar no Retsah a cry against a crying sinne: or, A just complaint to the magistrates, against them who have broken the statute laws of God, by killi Chidley, Samuel 1652    10087 214 5 0 0 0 0 217 F  The  rate of 217 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the F category of texts with  100 or more defects per 10,000 words. 
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        2004-02 Jonathan Blaney
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             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           A
           CRY
           against
           a
           Crying
           Sinne
           :
           OR
           ,
           A
           just
           Complaint
           to
           the
           Magistrates
           ,
           against
           them
           who
           have
           broken
           the
           Statute
           Laws
           of
           God
           ,
           by
           killing
           of
           men
           meerly
           for
           Theft
           .
        
         
           MANIFESTED
           In
           a
           Petition
           long
           since
           presented
           to
           the
           Common
           Councel
           of
           the
           City
           of
           
             London
             ,
          
           on
           the
           behalfe
           of
           Transgressours
           .
        
         
           Together
           with
           certaine
           Proposals
           ,
           presented
           by
           Col.
           
           
             Pride
          
           to
           the
           Right
           Honourable
           the
           generall
           Counsell
           for
           the
           Army
           ,
           and
           the
           Committee
           appointed
           by
           the
           Parliament
           of
           
             England
             ,
          
           to
           consider
           of
           the
           inconveniences
           ,
           mischiefes
           ,
           chargeablenesse
           ,
           and
           irregularities
           in
           their
           Law
           .
        
         
           JER.
           5.4
           ,
           5
           ,
           6.
           
        
         
           
             Therefore
             I
             said
             ,
             surely
             these
             are
             poore
             ,
             they
             are
             foolish
             ,
             for
             they
             know
             not
             the
             way
             of
             Iehovah
             ,
             nor
             the
             Iudgement
             of
             their
             God
             .
          
           
             I
             will
             get
             me
             unto
             the
             great
             men
             ,
             and
             will
             speake
             unto
             them
             ,
             for
             they
             have
             knowne
             the
             way
             of
             Iehovah
             ,
             the
             Iudgement
             of
             their
             God
             but
             these
             have
             altogether
             broken
             the
             yoke
             ,
             and
             burst
             the
             bonds
             ▪
          
           
             Wherefore
             a
             Lion
             out
             of
             the
             Forrest
             shall
             stay
             them
             ,
             a
             Wolfe
             of
             the
             evenings
             shall
             spoyle
             them
             ,
             a
             Leopard
             shall
             watch
             over
             their
             Cities
             ,
             every
             one
             that
             goeth
             out
             thence
             shall
             be
             torne
             in
             pieces
             ,
             because
             their
             transgressions
             are
             many
             ,
             their
             back-sliding
             are
             strong
             .
          
        
         
           HOSEA
           5.10
           ,
           11
           ,
           12.
           
        
         
           
             The
             Princes
             of
             
               Judah
            
             were
             like
             them
             that
             removed
             the
             bound
             I
             wi●●
             poure
             out
             my
             wrath
             upon
             them
             like
             water
             ,
             
               Ephraim
            
             is
             oppressed
             and
             broken
             in
             judgement
             ,
             because
             he
             willingly
             walked
             after
             the
             Commandement
             .
             Therefore
             will
             I
             be
             unto
             
               Ephraim
            
             as
             a
             Moth
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             house
             of
             
               Judah
            
             as
             rottennesse
             .
          
        
         
           HOSEA
           8.12
           .
        
         
           
             I
             have
             written
             to
             him
             the
             gre●t
             things
             of
             my
             Law
             ,
             but
             they
             were
             counted
             as
             a
             strange
             thing
             .
          
        
         
           Printed
           at
           
             London
          
           for
           
             Samuel
             Chidley
          
           dwelling
           in
           Bow
           Lane
           ,
           at
           the
           Signe
           of
           the
           Chequer
           .
           1652.
           
        
      
       
       
         
           The
           Preface
           .
        
         
           THis
           little
           Book
           reflecteth
           upon
           all
           those
           who
           have
           broken
           the
           Statute
           Lawes
           of
           God
           ,
           by
           killing
           of
           men
           me●rly
           for
           Theft
           ,
           Let
           such
           sinners
           who
           are
           the
           Judges
           ,
           or
           Executioners
           of
           such
           over-much
           Justice
           ,
           be
           ashamed
           ,
           and
           confounded
           for
           defiling
           the
           Land
           with
           Bloud
           ;
           if
           they
           hold
           on
           this
           their
           wonted
           course
           ,
           now
           the
           light
           of
           lawfull
           Liberty
           breaketh
           forth
           ;
           Will
           not
           the
           Land
           spue
           them
           out
           ?
           for
           the
           earth
           cryeth
           against
           this
           sin
           ,
           which
           cannot
           be
           cleansed
           in
           an
           ordinary
           way
           without
           the
           bloud
           of
           him
           that
           sheddeth
           it
           ;
           This
           is
           one
           of
           the
           abominations
           of
           the
           time
           ,
           for
           which
           the
           Saints
           ought
           to
           mourne
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           long
           since
           this
           following
           Petition
           was
           presented
           to
           
             Tho.
             
             Andrewes
          
           Esquire
           ,
           the
           then
           Lord
           Mayor
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           Aldermen
           ,
           and
           Common
           Counsell
           ,
           but
           had
           they
           done
           but
           their
           duties
           ,
           I
           had
           no
           need
           to
           print
           and
           publish
           these
           Books
           in
           Red
           Letters
           ,
           and
           present
           the
           same
           to
           them
           in
           the
           middest
           of
           their
           jollity
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           learned
           Judges
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           yea
           to
           the
           Commissioners
           of
           Oyer
           and
           Terminer
           ,
           and
           Goale
           delivery
           ,
           at
           the
           Sessions
           at
           Newgate
           ,
           before
           whom
           I
           appeared
           ,
           to
           put
           them
           in
           minde
           of
           their
           duty
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Law
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           they
           had
           forgotten
           ,
           and
           rested
           too
           much
           upon
           an
           arme
           of
           flesh
           ;
           yea
           ,
           if
           they
           had
           done
           what
           they
           were
           bound
           in
           conscience
           to
           doe
           ,
           and
           had
           observed
           that
           most
           righteous
           Law
           to
           which
           they
           were
           sworne
           ,
           it
           would
           have
           saved
           me
           a
           labour
           of
           going
           to
           the
           Counsell
           of
           State
           ,
           Generall
           Counsell
           of
           the
           Army
           ,
           or
           the
           Parliament
           .
           Now
           seeing
           little
           fruit
           yet
           appeare
           ,
           for
           the
           establishing
           of
           the
           Lawes
           of
           God
           in
           this
           Nation
           ,
           (
           for
           the
           lives
           of
           men
           are
           taken
           away
           meerely
           for
           unvaluable
           Trifles
           )
           I
           am
           once
           more
           pressed
           in
           spirit
           to
           publish
           the
           same
           in
           manner
           and
           forme
           following
           ,
           thus
           sounding
           an
           alarme
           against
           the
           workers
           of
           iniquity
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           rep●●t
           ,
           and
           turne
           from
           their
           evill
           wayes
           ;
           so
           delivering
           my
           soule
           ,
           and
           clearing
           my selfe
           of
           that
           bloud-guiltinesse
           which
           lyeth
           upon
           others
           ,
           and
           ●specially
           upon
           rich
           men
           ,
           who
           are
           
           called
           to
           
             weepe
             and
             hewle
             for
             the
             miseries
             that
             shall
             come
             upon
             them
          
           ▪
           For
           
             the
             bread
             of
             the
             needy
             is
             the
             life
             of
             the
             poore
             ,
             and
             be
             that
             de●rou●eth
             him
             of
             it
             is
             a
             Murtherer
          
           ;
           and
           the
           Scripture
           saith
           ,
           
             Thou
             shall
             take
             no
             ransome
             for
             the
             life
             of
             a
             Murtherer
             that
             is
             guilty
             of
             death
             ,
             but
             he
             shall
             surely
             be
             put
             to
             death
             :
          
           but
           I
           hope
           that
           some
           righteous
           men
           will
           take
           the
           matt●r
           into
           serious
           con●ideration
           ;
           these
           our
           indeavours
           tending
           not
           only
           to
           the
           g●od
           of
           those
           Transgres●ors
           who
           have
           not
           deserved
           death
           by
           the
           Lawes
           of
           God
           ,
           but
           also
           of
           those
           who
           put
           them
           to
           death
           unjustly
           ,
           left
           the
           Justice
           of
           God
           take
           hol●
           upon
           those
           who
           are
           the
           Causers
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           like
           ●●nishment
           he
           inf●icte●
           j●stly
           upon
           them
           ,
           which
           they
           inflict
           upon
           ●ther●
           unjustly
           .
           And
           indeed
           I
           doe
           admire
           that
           men
           who
           prof●sse
           to
           be
           governed
           by
           Gods
           Lawes
           ,
           and
           stand
           against
           Tyranny
           ,
           s●ould
           have
           a
           ●inger
           in
           such
           a
           worke
           ▪
           Surely
           such
           men
           though
           they
           pretend
           never
           so
           much
           Religion
           ▪
           are
           not
           f●t
           to
           pray
           ,
           not
           to
           be
           pray●d
           with
           ;
           
             For
             when
             they
             stretch
             forth
             their
             hands
             ,
             God
             will
             ●ide
             his
             eyes
             ,
             and
             though
             they
             make
             many
             prayers
             ,
             he
             will
             not
             heare
             them
             whose
             hands
             are
             full
             of
             ●i●ud
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
           To
           the
           Right
           Honourable
           the
           Lord
           Mayor
           ,
           Aldermen
           ,
           and
           Commons
           in
           Common
           Counsell
           assembled
           .
        
         
           The
           mo●●n●●ll
           Petiti●n
           of
           many
           Inhabitants
           of
           the
           City
           of
           
             London
             ,
          
           in
           the
           ●ehalfe
           of
           many
           thousand
           Transgressors
           .
        
         
           
             〈◊〉
          
        
         
           THat
           for
           as
           much
           as
           the
           righteous
           God
           exacteth
           no
           more
           of
           sinfull
           man
           then
           his
           iniquities
           deserveth
           ,
           no
           Magistrate
           is
           to
           punish
           a
           wicked
           man
           for
           his
           iniquity
           beyond
           the
           rule
           of
           ●quity
           ;
           That
           seeing
           it
           is
           evident
           that
           whatsoever
           is
           good
           is
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           contrary
           of
           Abadon
           ,
           and
           that
           no
           mans
           will
           though
           great
           is
           good
           ,
           unlesse
           it
           be
           correspondent
           to
           the
           will
           of
           him
           who
           is
           greater
           then
           the
           greatest
           nor
           the
           Law
           of
           any
           Authority
           whatsoever
           ,
           unlesse
           it
           be
           according
           to
           the
           Law
           of
           him
           who
           is
           higher
           then
           the
           
           Highest
           .
           Therefore
           when
           great
           ungodly
           men
           have
           by
           their
           owne
           wils
           ,
           and
           inhumaine
           Lawes
           for
           many
           yeares
           ,
           destroyed
           not
           only
           the
           Righteous
           for
           conscience
           sake
           ,
           but
           also
           the
           wicked
           undeservedly
           ,
           this
           was
           iniquity
           to
           be
           punished
           by
           the
           Judge
           ,
           though
           done
           by
           Judges
           themselves
           ,
           who
           by
           their
           over-much
           Righteousnesse
           ,
           and
           over-much
           Wickednesse
           ,
           the
           people
           abetting
           them
           ,
           hath
           brought
           death
           and
           Destruction
           upon
           this
           Land
           ,
           and
           the
           hand
           of
           the
           Lord
           is
           stretched
           out
           still
           against
           this
           sinfull
           Nation
           ,
           and
           unlesse
           they
           repent
           they
           shall
           surely
           perish
           .
        
         
           That
           the
           head
           of
           this
           Land
           is
           the
           sinfull
           City
           of
           
             London
             ,
          
           who
           instead
           of
           bringing
           forth
           monthly
           good
           for
           the
           healing
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           doth
           bring
           forth
           that
           which
           tendeth
           to
           the
           destruction
           thereof
           ;
           Gray
           haires
           being
           sprinkled
           here
           and
           there
           upon
           them
           ,
           and
           they
           not
           aware
           ,
           for
           they
           consider
           not
           how
           many
           are
           destroyed
           every
           Month
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           man
           ,
           contrary
           to
           the
           Law
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           hath
           declared
           ,
           that
           if
           a
           Thief
           be
           found
           breaking
           through
           (
           the
           Sun
           being
           risen
           upon
           him
           )
           and
           be
           smitten
           that
           he
           dye
           ,
           bloud
           shall
           be
           shed
           for
           him
           ,
           
             Exod.
          
           22
           ▪
           3.
           from
           whence
           it
           appeareth
           that
           those
           are
           guilty
           before
           the
           Lord
           ,
           who
           take
           away
           the
           life
           of
           any
           man
           meerly
           for
           Stealing
           ,
           when
           the
           Lord
           requireth
           that
           he
           should
           make
           ●ull
           resticution
           out
           of
           his
           Estate
           ,
           or
           if
           he
           have
           nothing
           ,
           that
           he
           should
           be
           sold
           for
           his
           Theft
           :
           But
           contrariwise
           their
           lives
           are
           taken
           away
           meerly
           for
           Stealing
           ,
           and
           commonly
           many
           though
           found
           notorious
           Theeves
           ,
           yet
           have
           been
           discharged
           with
           little
           or
           no
           punishment
           either
           in
           Person
           or
           Purse
           ,
           to
           the
           great
           damage
           of
           those
           who
           have
           lost
           their
           goods
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           imboldening
           of
           the
           Malefactors
           ,
           and
           the
           want
           of
           the
           due
           execution
           of
           the
           Law
           of
           God
           upon
           them
           ,
           and
           not
           setting
           them
           in
           a
           way
           to
           make
           restitution
           to
           the
           Owners
           ,
           tendeth
           to
           the
           utter
           destruction
           both
           of
           their
           Bodies
           and
           Soules
           .
        
         
           Therefore
           our
           desire
           is
           ,
           
             That
             ye
             would
             take
             these
             things
             into
             serious
             consideration
             ,
             and
             (
             in
             your
             wisdomes
             )
             take
             such
             a
             prudent
             and
             effectuall
             course
             ,
             that
             in
             the
             execution
             of
             Iustice
             the
             remedy
             may
             not
             ●e
             worse
             then
             the
             disease
             ,
             like
             those
             who
             kill
             their
             wounded
             Patients
             ,
             and
             wound
             themselves
             ,
             but
             that
             punishment
             may
             be
             equalized
             proportionable
             to
             the
             Offences
             ,
             that
             the
             Prosecutors
             ,
             or
             Executors
             of
             the
             Law
             ma●
             
             have
             no
             cause
             to
             repent
             ,
             and
             that
             one
             Witnesse
             may
             not
             rise
             against
             any
             man
             for
             any
             iniquity
             ,
             but
             that
             at
             the
             mouth
             of
             two
             or
             three
             Witnesses
             the
             matter
             may
             be
             established
             ;
             and
             that
             ye
             would
             by
             no
             meanes
             make
             the
             wils
             of
             any
             men
             ,
             or
             any
             humaine
             Lawes
             whatsoever
             any
             rules
             for
             you
             to
             walk
             by
             ,
             further
             then
             you
             see
             them
             agreeable
             to
             the
             holy
             Will
             and
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             that
             ye
             would
             according
             to
             your
             power
             ,
             seek
             to
             remove
             the
             dishonourable
             badges
             of
             infamy
             from
             off
             your
             sinful
             City
             and
             Nation
             ,
             though
             never
             so
             antient
             ,
             familier
             ,
             common
             ,
             and
             customary
             ,
             and
             that
             ye
             would
             addresse
             your selves
             to
             the
             Parliament
             for
             we
             obtaining
             of
             these
             things
             .
          
        
         
           And
           your
           affectionate
           Petitioners
           shall
           pray
           .
        
      
       
         
           Here
           followeth
           a
           Letter
           written
           to
           
             Thomas
             Andrewes
             ,
          
           the
           Lord
           Mayor
           that
           then
           was
           .
        
         
           
             Right
             Honourable
             :
          
        
         
           I
           Hope
           your
           Lordship
           hath
           not
           forgotten
           our
           Petition
           in
           the
           behalfe
           of
           Transgressors
           ,
           Christ
           made
           Intercession
           to
           God
           for
           Transgressors
           ,
           who
           were
           guilty
           of
           eternall
           death
           before
           God
           ,
           we
           make
           intercession
           for
           men
           who
           are
           not
           guilty
           of
           temporall
           death
           before
           men
           ;
           Divers
           Petitions
           have
           bin
           promoted
           in
           the
           behalf
           of
           Saints
           ,
           and
           it
           was
           a
           very
           good
           and
           acceptable
           service
           ,
           this
           is
           for
           sinners
           whom
           it
           may
           be
           God
           will
           call
           eff●ctually
           ,
           
             For
             Christ
             dyed
             for
             the
             ungodly
             ,
             and
             received
             gifts
             for
             the
             Rebellious
             .
          
           I
           have
           written
           this
           inclosed
           Paper
           to
           further
           the
           Petition
           ,
           I
           desire
           that
           my
           Councel
           may
           be
           acceptable
           unto
           your
           Honour
           ,
           so
           long
           as
           it
           is
           agreeable
           with
           Gods
           Word
           ,
           and
           if
           it
           be
           agreeable
           to
           your
           Lordships
           affection
           ,
           I
           hope
           you
           will
           assist
           in
           it
           according
           to
           your
           power
           ,
           and
           prosecute
           it
           with
           all
           your
           might
           ,
           and
           make
           haste
           and
           not
           delay
           to
           keep
           the
           righteous
           Judgements
           of
           the
           God
           of
           Judgement
           ,
           who
           hath
           promised
           to
           be
           for
           a
           Spirit
           of
           Judgement
           to
           him
           that
           sitteth
           in
           Judgement
           .
        
         
           Right
           Honourable
           ,
           you
           may
           be
           pleased
           to
           remember
           what
           I
           said
           ,
           I
           know
           no
           friend
           of
           mine
           that
           is
           guilty
           of
           theft
           ,
           what
           I
           have
           done
           is
           in
           conscience
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           compassion
           to
           my
           Native
           Country
           ,
           and
           in
           tender
           respect
           to
           your
           Honour
           ,
           that
           the
           heavie
           Wrath
           of
           God
           may
           not
           fall
           upon
           you
           and
           the
           whole
           Nation
           ;
           at
           least
           that
           some
           of
           the
           Rods
           of
           God
           may
           
           be
           taken
           away
           ,
           or
           that
           some
           o●
           his
           Judgements
           may
           be
           stayed
           ,
           I
           desire
           to
           be
           a
           good
           example
           to
           th●
           〈◊〉
           ●en
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           cleare
           themselves
           of
           bloud
           gu●l●●nes●e
           ▪
           I
           desire
           your
           Lordship
           againe
           to
           consider
           seriously
           of
           t●is
           inclosed
           Writing
           ,
           I
           have
           shewed
           it
           to
           just
           men
           and
           they
           ●●●●ove
           〈◊〉
           your
           Lordship
           in
           your
           wisdome
           may
           take
           Cou●●●●l
           of
           〈◊〉
           men
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           ancients
           concerning
           this
           mat●●r
           ,
           and
           ●●●●te
           what
           they
           say
           thereunto
           ;
           But
           above
           all
           search
           〈◊〉
           Scripture
           ,
           for
           whatsoever
           is
           not
           according
           to
           that
           hath
           no
           light
           in
           it
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           a
           Maxime
           in
           Law
           ,
           that
           all
           Lawes
           which
           are
           not
           according
           to
           Gods
           Law
           and
           pure
           reason
           ,
           are
           v●yd
           and
           null
           ,
           and
           if
           so
           ,
           then
           not
           binding
           to
           a
           Citizen
           ,
           or
           to
           any
           other
           under
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           so
           are
           no
           rules
           for
           me
           to
           walke
           by
           ▪
           but
           it
           is
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           is
           binding
           and
           y●●
           is
           not
           bound
           .
        
         
           
             
               Honourable
               Sir
               ,
               I
               am
               Your
               Lordships
               humble
               Servant
               .
            
             SAMUELL
             CHIDLEY
             .
          
           
             
               London-Bridge
            
             
               
                 Iune●5th
              
               
               16●9
               .
            
          
        
      
       
         
           Certaine
           Reasons
           of
           weighty
           consideration
           in
           reference
           to
           the
           Petitio●
           to
           the
           Common
           Councel●
           in
           behalfe
           of
           Transgressors
           .
        
         
           ALthough
           there
           be
           ground
           sufficient
           enough
           in
           the
           Petition
           it selfe
           to
           ●ince
           that
           no
           Malefactou●s
           life
           should
           be
           taken
           away
           meerly
           for
           Theft
           ,
           when
           the
           Lord
           requireth
           ●hat
           satisfaction
           should
           be
           made
           out
           of
           his
           Estate
           ,
           and
           if
           he
           have
           nothing
           ,
           that
           he
           should
           be
           sold
           for
           his
           Theft
           ,
           yet
           because
           of
           the
           ignorance
           and
           hardnesse
           of
           mens
           hearts
           ,
           and
           thei●
           cruelty
           and
           revenge
           ,
           I
           shall
           for
           their
           regulation
           propose
           some
           things
           to
           their
           consideration
           .
        
         
           To
           take
           away
           the
           life
           of
           any
           man
           only
           for
           Theft
           as
           aforesaid
           ,
           is
           iniquity
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           against
           the
           rule
           of
           equity
           ;
           it
           is
           not
           good
           because
           not
           of
           God
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           correspondent
           with
           his
           Will
           ,
           it
           hath
           no
           agreement
           with
           his
           most
           righteous
           Law
           ,
           but
           is
           in
           humane
           ,
           Bloudy
           ,
           Barbarous
           ,
           and
           Tyrannicall
           ,
           and
           provoketh
           the
           God
           of
           Judgement
           to
           execute
           his
           Judgements
           
           upon
           the
           Nation
           that
           abetteth
           the
           same
           ;
           yea
           it
           tendeth
           to
           their
           utter
           destruction
           ,
           to
           destroy
           men
           by
           the
           Lawes
           of
           men
           ,
           contrary
           to
           the
           Lawes
           of
           God
           ,
           consider
           I
           say
           ,
           how
           contrary
           it
           is
           to
           the
           rule
           of
           equity
           ,
           the
           blessed
           and
           righteous
           Law
           of
           God
           .
        
         
           According
           to
           the
           rule
           of
           Equity
           ,
           there
           is
           required
           
             life
             for
             life
             ,
             eye
             for
             eye
             ,
             tooth
             for
             tooth
             ,
             hand
             for
             hand
             ,
             foot
             for
             foot
             ,
             burning
             for
             burning
             ,
             wound
             for
             woun●
             ,
             st●ipe
             for
             stripe
             ,
          
           Exod.
           21.23
           ,
           24
           ,
           25.
           
           It
           is
           not
           life
           for
           eye
           ,
           but
           eye
           for
           eye
           ;
           not
           eye
           for
           tooth
           ,
           but
           tooth
           for
           tooth
           ;
           so
           that
           if
           a
           man
           require
           more
           it
           is
           iniquity
           ,
           
             Prov.
          
           30.6
           .
           Therefore
           if
           a
           man
           put
           out
           his
           neighbours
           ey●
           ,
           st●ike
           out
           his
           tooth
           ,
           and
           bruise
           his
           hand
           ,
           but
           doth
           not
           kill
           ,
           he
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           killed
           for
           this
           ,
           but
           must
           ●oose
           his
           eye
           ,
           and
           his
           tooth
           ,
           and
           as
           he
           ha●h
           done
           to
           his
           neighbour
           ,
           so
           it
           must
           be
           done
           to
           him
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           written
           ,
           
             breach
             for
             breach
             ▪
             eye
             for
             eye
             ,
             tooth
             for
             tooth
             ,
             as
             he
             hath
             caused
             a
             ●lemish
             in
             a
             man
             ,
             so
             shall
             it
             be
             done
             to
             him
             againe
             ;
             and
             he
             that
             killeth
             a
             Beast
             shall
             rest●re
             it
             ,
             and
             he
             that
             killeth
             a
             man
             shall
             be
             surely
             put
             to
             death
             ;
             and
             the
             sam●
             ▪
             Lord
             saith
             ,
             ye
             shall
             have
             one
             manner
             of
             Law
             as
             well
             for
             the
             Stranger
             ,
             as
             for
             one
             of
             your
             owne
             C●untry
             ,
          
           Levit.
           24.17
           ,
           18
           ,
           19
           ,
           2●
           ,
           21
           ,
           22.
           
           The
           Lord
           of
           Life
           hath
           expresly
           declared
           (
           and
           it
           is
           knowne
           to
           all
           men
           living
           )
           that
           
             the
             life
             is
             more
             then
             meat
             ,
             and
             the
             body
             is
             more
             then
             rayment
             ,
          
           Luk.
           12.22
           .
           If
           then
           the
           life
           be
           more
           then
           meat
           ,
           no
           mans
           life
           should
           be
           taken
           away
           for
           meat
           ,
           much
           lesse
           for
           ra●ment
           ,
           which
           is
           inferiour
           ;
           and
           all
           things
           necessary
           for
           the
           temporall
           life
           and
           body
           of
           man
           are
           comprehended
           in
           these
           termes
           ,
           
             food
             and
             rayment
             ,
          
           Deut.
           10
           .
           1●
           .
           1
           Tim.
           6.8
           .
        
         
           The
           God
           of
           the
           Spirits
           of
           all
           flesh
           hath
           declared
           plainly
           ,
           in
           his
           most
           just
           and
           righteous
           Law
           ,
           
             That
             if
             a
             Thiefe
             be
             found
             breaking
             through
             (
             the
             Sun
             being
             risen
             upon
             him
             )
             and
             be
             smitten
             that
             be
             dye
             ,
             bloud
             shall
             be
             shed
             for
             him
             ,
          
           Exod.
           22.3
           .
           And
           he
           ●enders
           this
           reason
           ,
           for
           he
           should
           make
           full
           restitution
           ,
           and
           if
           he
           have
           nothing
           ,
           he
           shal
           be
           fold
           for
           his
           Theft
           ;
           and
           the
           Lord
           hath
           not
           said
           that
           he
           that
           stealeth
           food
           ,
           or
           rayment
           ,
           shall
           be
           put
           to
           death
           ,
           or
           that
           his
           bloud
           shall
           be
           shed
           ;
           
             But
             whose
             sheddeth
             mans
             bloud
             ,
             by
             man
             shall
             his
             bloud
             be
             shed
             ,
          
           Gen.
           9.6
           .
           So
           then
           it
           appeareth
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           murther
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           God
           to
           kill
           a
           
           man
           meerly
           for
           Stealing
           ,
           when
           the
           Lord
           saith
           he
           should
           make
           full
           restitution
           ,
           and
           if
           he
           have
           nothing
           ,
           he
           shall
           be
           sold
           (
           not
           killed
           )
           for
           his
           Theft
           ;
           and
           amongst
           his
           statute
           Lawes
           hath
           stated
           particular
           cases
           in
           this
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           in
           other
           things
           ,
           and
           made
           them
           so
           plaine
           that
           mean
           capacities
           may
           decide
           controversies
           of
           this
           nature
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           there
           is
           no
           precept
           nor
           consequence
           in
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           for
           this
           unjust
           practice
           ,
           so
           there
           is
           no
           president
           in
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           but
           many
           in
           
             England
             ,
          
           the
           more
           is
           their
           misery
           :
           but
           as
           their
           ancient
           Father
           
             Austin
          
           saith
           ,
           
             That
             man
             is
             miserable
             who
             is
             not
             sensible
             of
             his
             misery
             ,
          
           which
           may
           wel
           be
           applyed
           unto
           this
           sinful
           and
           miserable
           Nation
           ,
           who
           are
           not
           sensible
           of
           the
           dangerous
           consequence
           of
           this
           one
           deadly
           evill
           amongst
           the
           rest
           ;
           how
           unjust
           a
           thing
           it
           is
           to
           kill
           a
           man
           for
           stealing
           xiiij
           
             d.
          
           let
           all
           men
           reasonable
           judge
           ,
           for
           so
           is
           the
           Law
           of
           this
           Land
           ,
           according
           to
           which
           the
           people
           are
           forced
           to
           prosecute
           the
           Theeves
           ;
           but
           in
           King
           
             Salomons
          
           time
           men
           did
           not
           despise
           a
           Thiefe
           in
           some
           case
           ,
           
             Prov.
          
           6.30
           .
           And
           he
           whō
           is
           greater
           then
           
             Salomon
             ,
          
           even
           the
           Lord
           
             Iesus
             Christ
          
           who
           is
           the
           Prince
           of
           the
           Kings
           of
           the
           Earth
           ,
           hath
           not
           given
           the
           least
           hint
           that
           he●
           that
           stealeth
           food
           or
           rayment
           should
           be
           killed
           ,
           
             but
             he
             that
             ●ad●th
             into
             Captivity
             ,
             shall
             goe
             into
             Captivity
             ,
             and
             he
             that
             killeth
             with
             the
             Sword
             ,
             must
             be
             killed
             with
             the
             Sword
             ,
             Revel.
          
           ●3
           .
           10
           .
           But
           concerning
           These
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           
             let
             them
             that
             stole
             ●●eale
             no
             more
             ,
          
           he
           doth
           not
           say
           let
           him
           be
           hanged
           ,
           but
           rather
           let
           him
           labour
           with
           his
           hands
           the
           thing
           that
           is
           good
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           have
           to
           distribute
           to
           him
           that
           needeth
           ,
           
             Ephes.
          
           4.38
           .
           And
           it
           is
           expressely
           commanded
           ,
           
             That
             he
             that
             will
             not
             worke
             ,
             nei●●●r
             should
             he
             eate
             ,
          
           2
           
             Thes.
          
           3.10
           .
           Many
           precepts
           ,
           president●
           ,
           and
           propositions
           may
           be
           brought
           to
           confirme
           the
           premise●
           ,
           ●ut
           this
           is
           enough
           at
           this
           time
           .
           A
           word
           to
           the
           〈◊〉
           is
           su●●icient
           .
        
         
           
             
             
               A
               Letter
               written
               the
               11.
               of
               
                 Decemb.
              
               1651.
               by
               
                 SAMUEL
                 CHIDLEY
                 ,
              
               To
               the
               Right
               Honorable
               ,
               the
               Commissioners
               of
               Oyer
               and
               Terminer
               ,
               and
               Goale
               Delivery
               of
               NEW
               GATE
               .
            
             
               
                 Right
                 (
                 Worshipfull
                 and
                 )
                 Honourable
                 ,
              
            
             
               ALthough
               I
               know
               not
               any
               of
               my
               acquaintance
               to
               bee
               guilty
               of
               Theft
               :
               Yet
               I
               seeke
               to
               save
               the
               lives
               of
               the
               so
               siner●
               whom
               God
               would
               have
               preserved
               :
               And
               I
               coming
               downe
               to
               this
               Judgement
               Seat
               ,
               it
               being
               as
               free
               for
               me
               a●
               another
               to
               see
               justice
               done
               ;
               and
               observing
               your
               proceedings
               from
               the
               beginning
               hitherto
               ,
               how
               in
               many
               things
               you
               goe
               against
               the
               very
               letter
               and
               equity
               of
               the
               Law
               of
               the
               onely
               Law-maker
               ,
               by
               whom
               ,
               and
               by
               which
               your selves
               must
               be
               judged
               ▪
               caused
               me
               to
               call
               to
               mind
               ,
               how
               that
               
                 Great
                 men
                 are
                 not
                 alwayes
                 wise
                 ,
                 neither
                 doe
                 the
                 aged
                 alwayes
                 understand
                 Iudgement
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Right
                 Honourable
                 ,
              
               I
               am
               sorry
               to
               see
               you
               goe
               on
               still
               in
               your
               wonted
               course
               ,
               of
               arraiging
               men
               for
               their
               lives
               meerly
               for
               Theft
               .
               I
               have
               observed
               that
               the
               persons
               who
               are
               arraigned
               before
               your
               Honours
               ,
               are
               poor
               labourers
               ,
               and
               such
               creatures
               who
               stole
               things
               of
               a
               small
               value
               ,
               peradventure
               for
               meer
               necessity
               ,
               yet
               you
               arraigne
               them
               for
               their
               lives
               ,
               when
               the
               Law
               of
               God
               requireth
               their
               preservation
               in
               such
               a
               way
               ,
               that
               they
               may
               make
               satisfaction
               ,
               and
               not
               (
               if
               disabled
               )
               to
               force
               them
               into
               a
               necessity
               of
               stealing
               againe
               ,
               but
               they
               are
               great
               sinners
               indeed
               ,
               who
               rob
               men
               of
               their
               precious
               lives
               .
               And
               the
               worst
               of
               men
               are
               such
               as
               despise
               and
               destroy
               Theeves
               that
               steale
               ,
               meerly
               to
               satisfie
               their
               hunger
               :
               It
               seems
               some
               of
               the
               Theeves
               you
               will
               presse
               ,
               for
               not
               holding
               up
               their
               hands
               at
               your
               command
               ,
               or
               for
               not
               answering
               to
               that
               interogatory
               
                 Guil●y
                 ?
                 or
                 not
                 Guilty
                 ?
              
               Consider
               I
               pray
               you
               ,
               how
               circumstantiall
               these
               things
               are
               :
               The
               weight
               of
               Tryals
               depends
               not
               hereupon
               (
               as
               I
               humbly
               con●eive
               .
               )
               For
               its
               possible
               that
               a
               Murderer
               ,
               when
               he
               is
               arraigned
               may
               want
               his
               hands
               ,
               and
               
               another
               may
               be
               dumb
               ;
               yet
               you
               may
               proceed
               to
               Judgement
               against
               him
               ,
               if
               sufficient
               evidence
               come
               in
               ,
               &
               that
               the
               jury
               ,
               who
               are
               judges
               in
               matters
               of
               Fact
               ,
               (
               and
               if
               they
               will
               ,
               in
               matters
               of
               Law
               )
               finde
               them
               guilty
               ,
               surely
               you
               must
               take
               no
               ransome
               for
               the
               life
               of
               a
               Murderer
               ,
               though
               he
               cannot
               ,
               or
               will
               not
               hold
               up
               his
               hand
               at
               the
               Bar
               ,
               or
               say
               that
               he
               is
               Guilty
               :
               for
               by
               the
               Law
               
                 no
                 man
                 is
                 bound
                 to
                 a●cuse
                 himselfe
                 ,
              
               therefore
               the
               guilty
               person
               is
               not
               bound
               to
               say
               he
               is
               guilty
               ,
               and
               if
               he
               should
               say
               ,
               not
               guilty
               what
               is
               he
               the
               better
               ?
            
             
               This
               is
               my
               opinion
               ,
               which
               I
               humbly
               leave
               to
               the
               serious
               consideration
               of
               this
               Honourable
               Bench
               :
               I
               would
               to
               God
               that
               you
               would
               try
               such
               men
               by
               the
               Lawes
               of
               God
               ,
               who
               cast
               themselves
               upon
               God
               and
               the
               Country
               ▪
               And
               oh
               that
               you
               would
               put
               the
               judgements
               of
               God
               in
               execution
               !
               seeing
               you
               are
               his
               Stewards
               ;
               all
               Lawes
               being
               subordinate
               to
               Gods
               Lawes
               ,
               as
               the
               Country
               is
               to
               God
               himselfe
               ,
               then
               your
               tranquillity
               would
               be
               lengthened
               .
               Consider
               what
               I
               say
               in
               the
               feare
               of
               God
               ,
               for
               life
               is
               above
               liberty
               and
               estate
               .
               The
               Jewell
               of
               one
               mans
               life
               ,
               all
               your
               estates
               cannot
               ballance
               .
               I
               tooke
               notice
               of
               a
               passage
               of
               the
               Lord
               Cheife
               Justice
               
                 Rolls
                 ,
              
               and
               it
               was
               we
               I
               observed
               ,
               how
               that
               the
               Theeves
               
                 are
                 honest
                 before
                 they
                 come
                 in
                 Goale
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 they
                 become
                 naught
                 ;
                 and
                 learn
                 to
                 lye
                 ,
                 by
                 saying
                 not
                 guilty
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 had
                 confessed
                 it
                 before
                 .
              
               If
               it
               be
               so
               ,
               then
               great
               pitty
               it
               is
               that
               they
               should
               not
               be
               in
               such
               a
               place
               ,
               where
               they
               may
               be
               put
               in
               a
               way
               ,
               and
               course
               ,
               to
               make
               satisfaction
               according
               to
               the
               direction
               of
               the
               wisdome
               of
               God
               ,
               
                 By
                 whom
                 Princes
                 and
                 Nobles
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 Iudges
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 are
                 said
                 to
                 rule
                 :
              
               So
               leaving
               these
               consciencious
               Dictates
               to
               your
               serious
               thoughts
               ,
               I
               subscribe
               my selfe
               ,
            
             
               
                 
                   Your
                   Humble
                   Servant
                   ,
                   Devoted
                   to
                   the
                   feare
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   service
                   of
                   the
                   Common-wealth
                   ,
                   according
                   to
                   the
                   Law
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   otherwise
                
                 ;
                 Samuel
                 Chidley
                 .
              
               
                 Sessions
                 
                   11.
                   Decemb.
                   in
                   the
                   year
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                   1651.
                   
                
              
            
          
        
         
           This
           Letter
           was
           delivered
           unto
           the
           Bench
           about
           the
           third
           houre
           of
           the
           day
           ,
           where
           when
           Mr.
           
             Chidley
          
           was
           called
           ,
           he
           made
           answer
           ,
           and
           came
           to
           the
           Board
           ,
           and
           the
           Letter
           was
           there
           
           publickly
           owned
           by
           him
           ,
           as
           his
           owne
           hand-writing
           ,
           which
           he
           would
           stand
           by
           and
           justifie
           ,
           it
           being
           (
           as
           he
           said
           )
           a
           discharging
           of
           his
           conscience
           ,
           as
           a
           testimony
           before
           them
           all
           ,
           which
           he
           left
           to
           their
           serious
           consideration
           ;
           wherupon
           he
           was
           commanded
           by
           the
           Bench
           to
           depart
           ,
           and
           was
           put
           out
           of
           the
           Court
           ,
           he
           speaking
           in
           the
           justification
           of
           the
           Statutes
           of
           God
           to
           be
           right
           ,
           and
           the
           Precepts
           of
           men
           to
           be
           wrong
           ,
           in
           taking
           away
           mens
           lives
           for
           such
           triviall
           matters
           .
        
         
           After
           he
           was
           put
           out
           ,
           they
           gave
           Sentence
           against
           the
           Prisoner
           at
           the
           Bar
           ,
           who
           was
           arraigned
           for
           stealing
           ,
           and
           would
           not
           hold
           up
           his
           hand
           ,
           nor
           plead
           ,
           but
           besought
           them
           that
           the
           Letter
           might
           be
           read
           publickly
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           Bench
           might
           hear
           ,
           and
           then
           ,
           saith
           he
           ,
           afterwards
           I
           will
           plead
           whatsoever
           comes
           of
           it
           ,
           whether
           I
           live
           ,
           or
           dye
           ;
           but
           they
           would
           not
           hearken
           unto
           him
           but
           proceeded
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           Recorder
           M.
           
             Steele
             ,
          
           who
           was
           their
           Mouth
           ,
           gave
           Sentence
           against
           him
           ,
           which
           was
           to
           this
           effect
           ;
           That
           he
           should
           goe
           from
           thence
           to
           the
           place
           from
           whence
           he
           came
           ,
           and
           be
           led
           into
           a
           dark
           room
           where
           there
           was
           no
           light
           ,
           and
           should
           be
           stript
           naked
           ,
           only
           his
           privy
           members
           covered
           ,
           &
           his
           head
           covered
           ,
           &
           his
           arms
           to
           be
           stretched
           forth
           ,
           both
           on
           the
           one
           side
           and
           on
           the
           other
           ,
           as
           far
           as
           they
           could
           be
           stretched
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           should
           be
           laid
           along
           on
           his
           back
           ,
           and
           have
           as
           much
           weight
           laid
           upon
           him
           ,
           as
           he
           was
           able
           to
           beare
           ,
           and
           more
           ;
           And
           the
           next
           day
           he
           should
           have
           only
           three
           morse●s
           of
           Barly-bread
           ,
           without
           any
           drink
           ,
           And
           the
           day
           following
           three
           draughts
           of
           the
           kennel
           water-running
           under
           New-gate
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           he
           could
           drinke
           ,
           and
           so
           to
           remaine
           in
           that
           condition
           from
           day
           to
           day
           till
           he
           dyed
           .
        
         
           Psal.
           119.126
           ,
           127
           ,
           128.
           
           
             It
             is
             time
             for
             thee
             LORD
             to
             worke
             for
             they
             have
             made
             void
             thy
             Law
             ;
             Therefore
             I
             love
             thy
             Commandements
             above
             gold
             ,
             yea
             ,
             above
             fine
             gold
             .
             Therefore
             I
             esteem
             all
             thy
             precepts
             ,
             concerning
             all
             things
             to
             be
             right
             ,
             and
             I
             ha●e
             every
             false
             way
             .
          
        
      
       
         
           To
           the
           Right
           Honorable
           the
           Councell
           of
           State
           .
           The
           humble
           Petition
           of
           
             Samuel
             Chidley
             .
          
        
         
           SHEWETH
           ,
        
         
           THat
           your
           petitioner
           setting
           the
           feare
           of
           the
           
             LORD
          
           of
           Lords
           before
           his
           eyes
           ,
           and
           advancing
           the
           Judgements
           
           and
           Lawes
           of
           the
           God
           of
           gods
           in
           his
           heart
           before
           the
           precepts
           of
           fraile
           man
           ,
           was
           moved
           in
           zeale
           to
           his
           most
           sacred
           majesty
           ,
           to
           discharge
           his
           conscience
           in
           the
           best
           and
           most
           peaceable
           way
           he
           could
           devise
           ,
           and
           accordingly
           hath
           given
           testimony
           of
           the
           truth
           ,
           at
           the
           Judgement
           seat
           before
           the
           Sessions
           in
           the
           Old
           Baily
           ,
           the
           eleventh
           of
           this
           month
           ,
           as
           may
           appear
           unto
           your
           Honours
           by
           the
           printed
           relation
           hereunto
           annexed
           ;
           yet
           notwithstanding
           they
           proceed
           according
           to
           the
           usuall
           Custome
           ,
           which
           is
           against
           the
           Law
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           good
           things
           contained
           in
           the
           Solemne
           League
           and
           Covenant
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           the
           Oath
           of
           every
           Free-man
           of
           
             London
             ,
          
           Reason
           it selfe
           ,
           the
           witnesse
           of
           Conscience
           well
           checked
           ,
           or
           rightly
           rectified
           and
           the
           whole
           Creation
           of
           God
           :
        
         
           My
           humble
           desire
           is
           ,
           That
           this
           Honourable
           Councell
           would
           be
           pleased
           in
           their
           prudence
           to
           take
           such
           a
           speedy
           course
           that
           the
           condemned
           persons
           yet
           alive
           (
           who
           are
           not
           guilty
           of
           death
           by
           the
           Lawes
           of
           God
           ,
           Nature
           ,
           or
           Equity
           )
           may
           be
           repreeved
           till
           the
           Parliament
           of
           this
           Commonwealth
           hath
           heard
           and
           determined
           the
           matter
           ;
           So
           shall
           you
           find
           much
           comfort
           :
           Iehovah
           will
           be
           with
           the
           good
           .
        
         
           
             And
             your
             Petitioner
             shall
             pray
             ,
             &c.
             
               SAMVEL
               CHIDLEY
               .
            
          
        
      
       
         
           To
           the
           Right
           Honourable
           the
           generall
           Councell
           for
           the
           Army
           ,
           the
           humble
           Proposals
           of
           
             Samuel
             C●idley
             .
          
        
         
           Sheweth
           :
        
         
           THat
           for
           as
           much
           as
           the
           LORD
           of
           Lords
           hath
           anoynted
           you
           to
           be
           the
           Heads
           of
           the
           Forces
           ,
           which
           he
           hath
           mustered
           up
           ,
           for
           the
           destruction
           of
           that
           Generation
           of
           sinfull
           men
           ,
           who
           are
           compacted
           together
           ,
           as
           one
           man
           ,
           to
           establish
           iniquity
           by
           ther
           Lawes
           ,
           which
           they
           have
           set
           up
           in
           direct
           opposi●ion
           to
           the
           LAWES
           of
           GOD
           ,
           and
           have
           made
           use
           of
           the
           Kings
           of
           the
           Earth
           (
           as
           their
           Hornes
           )
           to
           protect
           them
           in
           the
           exercise
           of
           their
           bloudy
           Cruelty
           ;
           and
           seeing
           THE
           LORD
           OF
           HOSTS
           hath
           in
           a
           great
           measure
           subdued
           your
           enemies
           ,
           and
           that
           your
           Swords
           are
           not
           returned
           empty
           ,
           It
           concernes
           
           you
           (
           Right
           Honourable
           )
           to
           testifie
           your
           thankfulnesse
           by
           yeelding
           obedience
           unto
           THE
           STATVTES-LAWES
           OF
           GOD
           ,
           which
           at
           this
           day
           in
           the
           maine
           fundamentall
           parts
           thereof
           are
           trampled
           upon
           ,
           by
           those
           who
           have
           
             a
             forme
             of
             godlinesse
             ,
             and
             deny
             the
             power
             thereof
             in
             their
             practices
          
           ;
           as
           may
           appeare
           by
           their
           putting
           of
           men
           to
           death
           for
           triviall
           matters
           ,
           contrary
           to
           the
           LAW
           of
           GOD
           ;
           for
           Gods
           LAW
           saith
           ,
           
             If
             a
             Thiefe
             steale
             ,
             he
             shall
             make
             restitution
             ●ut
             of
             his
             estate
             ;
             and
             if
             he
             have
             nothing
             ,
             he
             is
             to
             be
             sold
             for
             his
             Theft
             ,
             but
             not
             killed
             .
          
           Now
           although
           my
           soule
           abhorres
           the
           sinne
           of
           Th●ft
           ,
           i●
           deserving
           the
           punishment
           of
           eternall
           death
           before
           God
           (
           how
           much
           more
           the
           crying
           sin
           of
           Murder
           ?
           )
           And
           though
           I
           know
           not
           any
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           (
           for
           ought
           I
           know
           )
           not
           one
           of
           them
           knowes
           me
           ,
           yet
           because
           I
           see
           no
           man
           valiant
           for
           God
           ,
           nor
           stand
           to
           make
           up
           the
           gap
           ,
           I
           (
           for
           want
           of
           a
           better
           )
           ●m
           moved
           in
           zeal
           for
           Gods
           glory
           ,
           to
           cry
           out
           against
           the
           irrationall
           and
           irregular
           proceedings
           of
           men
           ,
           who
           set
           up
           or
           maintaine
           a
           Flag
           or
           Standard
           of
           Defiance
           against
           their
           owne
           consciences
           ,
           and
           THE
           MOST
           RIGHTEOUS
           LAWES
           OF
           THE
           ONELY
           LAW-MAKER
           ;
           and
           this
           I
           have
           indeavoured
           to
           do
           in
           such
           ●
           peaceable
           way
           ,
           that
           my
           transaction
           of
           this
           businesse
           for
           God
           may
           not
           savour
           of
           any
           bitternesse
           of
           spirit
           in
           me
           ,
           against
           the
           persons
           of
           those
           me●
           or
           contempt
           of
           their
           lawfull
           authority
           ,
           who
           sit
           in
           Judgement
           ,
           and
           doe
           erre
           therein
           ▪
           (
           as
           I
           humbly
           conceive
           )
           but
           seeing
           God
           hath
           said
           ,
           he
           
             will
             mag●if●e
             his
             LAW
             ,
             and
             make
             it
             HONOVRABLE
             ,
          
           And
           that
           it
           hath
           been
           a
           usual
           course
           with
           him
           to
           make
           choyce
           of
           weak
           instruments
           ,
           to
           make
           his
           truth
           known
           ;
           I
           therefore
           upon
           this
           account
           was
           resolved
           to
           put
           forth
           my selfe
           ,
           and
           ingage
           my
           heart
           in
           this
           businesse
           ,
           the
           consequence
           whereof
           ,
           when
           accomplished
           ,
           will
           be
           more
           then
           I
           will
           speake
           of
           at
           this
           time
           ;
           And
           although
           I
           Indure
           some
           reproaches
           for
           it
           ,
           some
           saying
           ;
           What
           a
           Theife
           is
           this
           to
           attempt
           such
           a
           work
           ?
           and
           that
           none
           but
           Theeves
           would
           do
           it
           ,
           ye●
           I
           am
           led
           forward
           by
           such
           a
           spirit
           ,
           as
           (
           I
           hope
           )
           will
           so
           carry
           me
           upon
           the
           wings
           of
           his
           providence
           in
           the
           managing
           hereof
           ,
           that
           I
           shall
           not
           be
           discouraged
           (
           notwithstanding
           humane
           frailty
           ,
           )
           And
           because
           I
           have
           a
           seasonable
           opportunity
           
           to
           acquaint
           your
           honours
           with
           this
           businesse
           ,
           and
           to
           crave
           your
           assistance
           ,
           I
           desire
           you
           in
           the
           first
           place
           to
           consider
           my
           Printed
           Papers
           ,
           wherein
           I
           have
           shewed
           my
           dislike
           of
           putting
           men
           to
           death
           for
           stealing
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           further
           amplification
           and
           inlargement
           thereof
           ,
           I
           desire
           you
           to
           consider
           of
           these
           Positions
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           THAT
           GOD
           IS
           THE
           ONLY
           LAW-MAKER
           ;
           and
           that
           his
           LAW
           is
           the
           ancientest
           and
           the
           best
           that
           ever
           was
           ,
           or
           can
           be
           possibly
           invented
           by
           any
           
             Parliament
             ,
          
           to
           which
           all
           men
           are
           bound
           under
           paine
           of
           damnation
           :
           and
           that
           whatsoever
           Lawes
           and
           Proceedings
           are
           opposite
           thereunto
           in
           the
           smallest
           measure
           ,
           are
           unjust
           ,
           and
           the
           executioners
           thereof
           doe
           sinne
           ;
           and
           by
           how
           much
           the
           greater
           the
           Precept
           is
           ,
           by
           so
           much
           the
           more
           doe
           they
           offend
           ,
           that
           violate
           the
           ●ame
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           GOd
           hath
           no where
           given
           liberty
           ,
           but
           hath
           prohibited
           ,
           that
           the
           life
           of
           any
           Man
           should
           be
           taken
           away
           for
           stealing
           ,
           and
           hath
           manifested
           ,
           he
           would
           have
           their
           lives
           preserved
           ,
           therefore
           to
           take
           away
           their
           lives
           is
           A
           SIN
           ,
           A
           CRYING
           SIN
           ;
           yea
           ,
           (
           I
           may
           say
           )
           its
           A
           NATIONALL
           SIN
           ,
           for
           which
           ,
           God
           hath
           ,
           and
           will
           visit
           them
           with
           his
           arrowes
           of
           of
           indignation
           ;
           yea
           ,
           the
           people
           are
           so
           blinded
           with
           this
           ●orrupt
           Custome
           ,
           that
           they
           know
           it
           not
           ,
           neither
           will
           they
           understand
           ,
           but
           thinke
           they
           doe
           well
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           shall
           have
           peace
           ,
           though
           they
           walke
           on
           in
           darknesse
           ,
           while
           the
           foundations
           of
           the
           earth
           are
           out
           of
           course
           .
        
         
           
             Obj.
          
           And
           wereas
           they
           object
           ,
           
             That
             it
             is
             the
             Law
             of
             the
             Land
             to
             put
             Theeves
             to
             death
             for
             stealing
             to
             the
             value
             of
          
           13d
           .
           ob
           .
        
         
           I
           Answer
           ,
           That
           no
           Law
           is
           to
           be
           observed
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           against
           THE
           LAW
           OF
           GOD
           ,
           especially
           in
           the
           taking
           away
           of
           mens
           lives
           ;
           yea
           ,
           God
           was
           so
           far
           from
           commanding
           such
           Theeves
           to
           be
           put
           to
           death
           ,
           that
           he
           requireth
           
             their
             blood
             ,
             at
             the
             hands
             of
             them
             that
             shed
             it
             ,
             though
             done
             in
             the
             very
             act
             of
             breaking
             through
             ,
             if
             the
             Sun
             be
             risen
             upon
             them
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           THe
           putting
           them
           to
           death
           is
           expresly
           against
           the
           Law
           of
           God
           ,
           because
           it
           disableth
           them
           for
           ever
           making
           satisfaction
           to
           the
           owners
           of
           the
           goods
           ,
           yea
           ,
           such
           is
           the
           corruption
           of
           the
           Lawes
           and
           Customes
           of
           this
           Land
           ,
           that
           he
           that
           
           discovers
           the
           Theif
           is
           bound
           over
           to
           prosecute
           him
           ,
           though
           is
           ●e
           to
           the
           taking
           away
           of
           his
           life
           ;
           and
           after
           hee
           hath
           done
           that
           ,
           the
           owner
           shall
           sustaine
           damage
           neverthelesse
           ,
           and
           hee
           can
           have
           no
           more
           then
           the
           life
           of
           the
           Theefe
           ;
           And
           some
           men
           are
           so
           ignorant
           ,
           cruell
           ,
           hard-hearted
           ,
           and
           revengefull
           ,
           that
           they
           will
           take
           away
           the
           lives
           of
           the
           pe●tty
           Theeve●
           in
           revenge
           ,
           taking
           an
           opportunity
           upon
           the
           advantage
           of
           the
           Law
           to
           exercise
           their
           bloody
           cruelty
           upon
           them
           .
        
         
           And
           such
           is
           the
           corruption
           of
           the
           Lawes
           ,
           that
           if
           the
           Theife
           steale
           to
           the
           value
           of
           13
           
             d.
             ob
             .
          
           he
           shall
           be
           hanged
           ,
           as
           Judge
           
             Byron
          
           in
           his
           cases
           hath
           declared
           ;
           and
           sometimes
           their
           lives
           are
           taken
           away
           upon
           a
           single
           evidence
           ,
           whereas
           there
           
             ou●ht
             to
             be
             two
             witnesses
             to
             prove
             every
             fact
             ;
             and
             one
             witnesse
             ought
             not
             rise
             up
             against
             any
             man
             to
             put
             him
             to
             death
          
           ;
           So
           GOD
           hath
           said
           ,
           whose
           WORD
           is
           a
           LAW
           amongst
           SAINTS
           ,
           though
           Sinners
           cast
           the
           same
           behind
           their
           backs
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           THis
           Law
           of
           putting
           poore
           Theeves
           to
           death
           for
           sealing
           ,
           that
           are
           not
           able
           to
           make
           restitution
           out
           of
           their
           estates
           ,
           is
           against
           GODS
           LAW
           ,
           because
           in
           such
           case●
           GOD
           hath
           said
           
             they
             shall
             be
             soled
             for
             their
             Theft
             ,
          
           Now
           though
           they
           are
           worth
           some
           what
           while
           they
           are
           living
           ,
           yet
           when
           they
           are
           dead
           they
           are
           worth
           nothing
           ,
           yea
           
             a
             living
             Dog
             ,
             is
             better
             then
             a
             dead
             Lyon
          
           ;
           men
           would
           rather
           in
           such
           cases
           bury
           dead
           men
           ,
           then
           buy
           them
           ,
           and
           how
           unjust
           a
           thing
           it
           is
           to
           put
           them
           to
           death
           ,
           seeing
           the
           APOSTLE
           saith
           ,
           
             Let
             them
             labour
             with
             their
             hands
             ,
          
           let
           all
           rationall
           men
           judge
           .
           The
           APOSTLE
           saith
           ,
           
             they
             should
             labour
             with
             their
             hands
             ,
          
           no
           saith
           the
           
             Bench
             ,
          
           they
           shall
           be
           hanged
           ,
           tye
           up
           their
           hands
           ,
           and
           he
           that
           hath
           bene●it
           of
           Clergy
           ,
           and
           can
           read
           his
           necke
           verse
           ,
           burne
           him
           on
           the
           hand
           ;
           by
           thi●
           he
           is
           disabled
           for
           the
           present
           that
           he
           cannot
           labour
           with
           his
           hand
           ;
           and
           if
           he
           would
           ,
           he
           is
           forced
           into
           a
           necessity
           of
           Stealing
           againe
           ,
           if
           no
           man
           will
           set
           him
           on
           worke
           ,
           which
           thing
           men
           will
           be
           cautions
           to
           doe
           ,
           to
           one
           that
           carryeth
           such
           a
           brand
           of
           infamy
           upon
           him
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           THis
           murdering
           Law
           is
           the
           cause
           wherefore
           many
           murders
           are
           committed
           by
           Robbers
           in
           the
           act
           of
           stealing
           ,
           for
           the
           Theeves
           know
           its
           a
           hanging
           matter
           to
           steale
           ,
           and
           it
           s
           no
           more
           to
           commit
           murder
           ,
           and
           then
           for
           safety
           of
           their
           
           lives
           ,
           and
           〈…〉
           Theft
           they
           commit
           Murder
           ,
           for
           feare
           least
           the
           party
           should
           come
           and
           witnesse
           against
           them
           ,
           to
           the
           taking
           away
           of
           their
           lives
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           THis
           Law
           is
           the
           cause
           wherefore
           many
           Theeves
           escape
           ,
           because
           they
           find
           that
           the
           remedy
           would
           be
           wo●●●
           then
           the
           disease
           ,
           for
           if
           they
           prosecute
           them
           ,
           they
           shal
           be
           put
           to
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           expence
           and
           charge
           ,
           and
           peradve●●ure
           the
           Thief
           shall
           lose
           his
           life
           ,
           and
           the
           parties
           their
           goods
           ,
           whereas
           if
           there
           were
           a
           way
           for
           restitution
           by
           them
           ,
           there
           would
           be
           〈◊〉
           prosecution
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           Obj.
           
             But
             it
             is
             objected
             ,
             What
             sh●ll
             we
             doe
             with
             them
             ?
          
        
         
           
             Ans.
          
           I
           answer
           ;
           He
           that
           hath
           〈◊〉
           ,
           if
           the
           Theft
           be
           found
           in
           his
           hands
           ,
           is
           to
           forfeit
           〈…〉
           ;
           if
           he
           have
           made
           it
           away
           ,
           he
           is
           to
           forfeit
           four-fold
           ,
           are
           his
           estate
           i●
           to
           be
           taken
           to
           satisfie
           the
           debt
           .
        
         
           Obj.
           
             But
             what
             if
             he
             have
             no
             estate
             ,
             it
             may
             be
             he
             is
             some
             poor●
             rogue
             that
             is
             worth
             nothing
             ?
          
        
         
           
             Ans.
          
           I
           answer
           ,
           He
           must
           be
           sold
           for
           his
           Theft
           .
        
         
           Obj.
           
             But
             who
             will
             buy
             him
             ,
             no body
             will
             be
             troubled
             with
             him
             ?
          
        
         
           
             Ans.
          
           I
           answer
           ;
           either
           the
           party
           who
           hath
           sustained
           the
           damage
           is
           to
           take
           him
           ,
           or
           he
           may
           be
           set
           on
           worke
           in
           our
           owne
           Country
           ,
           by
           Land
           or
           by
           water
           ,
           being
           chained
           up
           ,
           they
           might
           worke
           in
           Mines
           ,
           heave
           Coal●
           ▪
           and
           earne
           three
           or
           four
           shillings
           a
           day
           ,
           or
           row
           in
           Gallies
           ,
           or
           be
           put
           in
           Worke
           houses
           ,
           for
           to
           punne
           .
           Hemp
           ,
           or
           other
           servile
           imployment●
           .
           And
           why
           cannot
           we
           put
           them
           to
           it
           here
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           
             Hollanders
          
           there
           ,
           til
           they
           have
           made
           satisfaction
           )
           and
           not
           put
           the
           Theeves
           in
           such
           places
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           hell
           on
           earth
           ;
           where
           they
           learne
           to
           be
           worse
           then
           ever
           they
           were
           before
           ,
           or
           they
           may
           be
           transported
           to
           some
           of
           our
           owne
           Plantations
           ,
           where
           some
           that
           have
           been
           in
           the
           like
           condition
           transported
           ,
           have
           soone
           become
           honest
           ,
           and
           being
           very
           ingenuous
           have
           been
           able
           to
           teach
           the
           Planters
           ,
           which
           maketh
           the
           Merchants
           to
           prize
           the
           Theeves
           farre
           above
           the
           ordinary
           Vagrants
           ,
           or
           other
           persons
           that
           are
           taken
           up
           by
           the
           Spirits
           in
           the
           〈◊〉
           because
           they
           want
           that
           ingenuity
           that
           the
           Theeves
           have
           ,
           for
           
           generally
           the
           wittyest
           rogues
           are
           the
           greatest
           Cut-purses
           .
        
         
           Obj.
           
             But
             would
             not
             this
             be
             great
             ●yranny
             ,
             that
             men
             should
             be
             sold
             as
             slaves
             ?
          
        
         
           
             A●s
             .
          
           I
           answer
           to
           that
           ;
           They
           are
           not
           sold
           for
           ever
           ,
           but
           only
           for
           their
           Theft
           ,
           and
           its
           a
           worser
           slavery
           ,
           and
           a
           great
           tyranny
           indeed
           ,
           to
           take
           away
           their
           live●
           .
        
         
           Obj.
           
             But
             what
             if
             they
             run
             away
             ?
          
        
         
           
             Ans.
          
           Then
           they
           contract
           upon
           themseves
           a
           double
           deb●
           ▪
        
         
           Obj.
           
             But
             what
             if
             they
             will
             not
             worke
             ?
          
        
         
           
             Ans.
          
           They
           must
           not
           eate
           ,
           and
           before
           such
           a
           one
           will
           dy●
           for
           hunger
           ,
           doubtlesse
           he
           will
           eate
           the
           flesh
           ,
           of
           his
           arme
           ,
           and
           before
           he
           will
           eate
           his
           owne
           flesh
           it
           may
           be
           he
           will
           worke
           ,
           hunger
           will
           breake
           through
           stone
           walls
           ,
           and
           if
           any
           thing
           f●rce
           him
           to
           worke
           ,
           this
           wil
           ,
           for
           
             his
             bel●y
             requires
             it
             of
             him
          
           ;
           bu●
           ,
           if
           he
           will
           perish
           let
           him
           perish
           ,
           his
           owne
           bloud
           is
           upon
           his
           owne
           head
           ,
           and
           the
           Common-wealth
           is
           discharged
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           Such
           c●u●ses
           as
           these
           would
           be
           a
           meanes
           to
           terrifye
           the
           Theeves
           ,
           and
           suppresse
           Theft
           for
           many
           of
           them
           would
           rather
           ●e
           hanged
           ;
           but
           if
           a
           man
           would
           be
           hang'd
           ,
           he
           must
           not
           have
           His
           desire
           ,
           unlesse
           the
           Law
           requireth
           it
           ,
           so
           though
           Theeves
           cause
           to
           dye
           against
           the
           Law
           of
           God
           ,
           rather
           then
           to
           live
           according
           to
           it
           ,
           they
           must
           be
           kept
           alive
           notwithstanding
           ,
           and
           set
           hard
           at
           worke
           to
           earne
           their
           bread
           ,
           and
           the
           over-plus
           must
           pay
           for
           their
           Theft
           ;
           and
           then
           if
           any
           (
           as
           I
           hope
           many
           )
           will
           be
           converted
           in
           this
           their
           captive
           condition
           ,
           O
           how
           will
           they
           blesse
           the
           time
           that
           ever
           such
           compulsion
           was
           us●d
           ,
           whereby
           they
           learned
           to
           know
           themselves
           ,
           and
           to
           remember
           their
           Creator
           :
           and
           he
           that
           is
           an
           instrumentall
           means
           of
           converting
           one
           poore
           Sinner
           ,
           shall
           have
           no
           cause
           to
           be
           sorry
           for
           it
           in
           the
           day
           of
           Accompt
           .
        
         
           ANother
           abuse
           in
           the
           proceedings
           of
           the
           Law
           of
           this
           Land
           is
           that
           whereas
           GODS
           LAW
           requireth
           that
           
             the
             Witnesses
             should
             be
             Executioners
             of
             death
             on
             their
             Mal●factor
             ,
          
           a
           Condemned
           Executioner
           doth
           it
           ,
           who
           is
           the
           notoriousest
           Rogue
           that
           can
           be
           found
           ,
           and
           one
           that
           knowes
           nothing
           of
           the
           businesse
           ,
           whether
           he
           ,
           whom
           he
           hangs
           be
           an
           honest
           man
           ,
           or
           a
           knave
           ;
           he
           will
           hang
           a
           Martyr
           as
           well
           as
           a
           Thiefe
           ,
           but
           doubtlesse
           he
           hath
           a
           check
           of
           Conscien●e
           as
           wel
           
           as
           his
           Masters
           ,
           else
           why
           will
           he
           aske
           them
           forgivenesse
           before
           he
           turnes
           them
           off
           ?
           Now
           all
           that
           can
           be
           alledged
           ,
           for
           the
           Hang-man
           is
           ,
           He
           doth
           but
           his
           Office
           ,
           he
           is
           but
           an
           Executioner
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           and
           Sentence
           .
           And
           the
           like
           the
           Judges
           doe
           alledge
           for
           themselves
           ,
           Alas
           ,
           (
           ●ay
           they
           )
           what
           can
           we
           doe
           ,
           we
           are
           but
           the
           Executioners
           of
           the
           Law
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           and
           till
           the
           Parliament
           alter
           the
           Law
           ,
           we
           must
           observe
           our
           ordinary
           Rules
           ;
           Why
           doe
           you
           come
           to
           us
           ?
           what
           would
           your
           have
           us
           doe
           ?
           we
           have
           no
           power
           !
        
         
           But
           
             Iudges
             ought
             to
             be
             men
             of
             courage
             ,
             fearing
             God
             ,
             and
             hating
             covetousnesse
             ,
          
           and
           
             such
             as
             will
             observe
             GODS
             LAWES
             ,
             and
             judge
             according
             to
             HIS
             STATVTE
             BOOKE
             ,
          
           and
           by
           THE
           LAWES
           OF
           GOD
           .
           No
           Executioner
           ought
           to
           inflict
           death
           upon
           any
           man
           ,
           unlesse
           he
           in
           the
           execution
           of
           him
           be
           satisfied
           in
           his
           owne
           Conscience
           ,
           that
           the
           man
           ought
           to
           dye
           ,
           else
           he
           is
           a
           Murderer
           after
           a
           manner
           ,
           though
           the
           Offender
           deserveth
           deathe
           ;
           yet
           if
           a
           man
           be
           not
           convinced
           of
           it
           ,
           he
           ought
           not
           to
           put
           him
           to
           death
           ,
           by
           any
           command
           whatsoever
           ,
           and
           if
           the
           Witnesses
           will
           not
           doe
           it
           ,
           they
           must
           be
           severely
           dealt
           with
           .
        
         
           This
           is
           my
           opinion
           ,
           which
           I
           humbly
           submit
           to
           the
           consideration
           of
           those
           who
           have
           more
           understanding
           then
           my selfe
           .
        
         
           ●
           .
           ANother
           abuse
           which
           I
           finde
           in
           the
           pro●eedings
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           is
           in
           the
           Pressing
           men
           to
           deat●
           ,
           because
           they
           wil
           not
           hold
           up
           their
           hands
           at
           the
           Barre
           ,
           or
           say
           they
           are
           guilty
           ,
           or
           not
           guilty
           ,
           upon
           which
           circumstantiall
           N●●ety
           ,
           they
           Condemne
           them
           to
           be
           Prest
           in
           such
           a
           Tyrannicall
           manner
           ,
           that
           the
           very
           sentence
           it selfe
           is
           enough
           to
           terrifie
           the
           poore
           Creatures
           ,
           and
           make
           them
           op●n
           their
           mouthes
           to
           confesse
           their
           owne
           guiltinesse
           ,
           or
           else
           to
           lye
           against
           their
           own●
           consciences
           .
        
         
           Obj.
           
             But
             t
             is
             objected
             ,
             That
             they
             are
             prest
             to
             death
             within
             halfe
             an
             houre
             at
             the
             most
             ,
             and
             that
             they
             are
             not
             kept
             in
             such
             a
             lingering
             condition
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             sentence
             ?
          
        
         
           
             Ans.
          
           I
           answer
           ;
           If
           they
           put
           them
           to
           death
           before
           their
           t●me
           ,
           herein
           they
           goe
           bey●nd
           their
           Commission
           ;
           but
           indeed
           the
           Executioners
           do●
           it
           ●●t
           of
           compassion
           to
           the
           Condemned
           
           to
           dispatch
           him
           out
           of
           his
           torment
           ;
           something
           like
           to
           a
           Phisitian
           ,
           that
           will
           give
           his
           Patient
           something
           in
           pitty
           ,
           to
           rid
           him
           out
           of
           his
           paine
           ,
           because
           he
           beleeveth
           he
           must
           dye
           ,
           and
           cannot
           escape
           his
           fit
           of
           sicknesse
           ,
           so
           making
           more
           has●
           then
           good
           speed
           .
        
         
           Now
           the
           proceedings
           against
           such
           Malefactors
           ,
           who
           will
           not
           hold
           up
           their
           hands
           ,
           and
           plead
           ,
           it
           without
           examination
           of
           Witnesses
           ,
           yet
           they
           will
           take
           his
           life
           away
           
             Pro
             confess●
          
           ;
           b●●
           by
           what
           Law
           I
           know
           not
           ,
           unlesse
           a
           Law
           of
           Antichrist
           ;
           I
           am
           sure
           such
           precepts
           came
           neither
           from
           Mount
           
             Sion
             ,
          
           nor
           Mount
           
             Sinai
          
           ;
           these
           have
           out-●tripped
           
             H●r●d
             ,
          
           and
           
             P●ntius
             Pilate
             ,
          
           the
           Gentil●s
           that
           knew
           not
           the
           Law
           ,
           did
           not
           compell
           men
           to
           lye
           ,
           by
           saying
           not
           guilty
           ,
           when
           they
           were
           guilty
           ;
           nor
           to
           goe
           against
           the
           Law
           of
           Nature
           ,
           to
           accuse
           themselves
           by
           con●essing
           their
           owne
           g●il●
           ▪
           but
           of
           all
           cruelty
           there
           is
           none
           li●e
           that
           of
           Antichrist
           ,
           the
           Man
           of
           Sinne
           ,
           and
           that
           Beast
           with
           seven
           Heads
           ,
           and
           ten
           Hornes
           ,
           spoken
           of
           in
           
             Revel.
          
           13.
           and
           they
           exercise
           it
           upon
           their
           owne
           brethren
           ,
           even
           the
           Members
           〈◊〉
           their
           Church
           .
           Thus
           the
           crowned
           Loenus
           in
           the
           midst
           o●●gyptian
           darknesse
           are
           a
           plague
           to
           the
           men
           of
           the
           earth
           .
        
         
           But
           the
           way
           to
           try
           a
           Th●efe
           is
           to
           examine
           the
           witnesses
           ,
           ●nd
           if
           they
           prove
           matter
           of
           fact
           ,
           the
           Judge
           is
           to
           decla●e
           ▪
           how
           much
           he
           must
           pay
           ,
           and
           to
           command
           that
           Law
           to
           b●
           put
           in
           execution
           ;
           that
           
             his
             estate
             should
             be
             seized
             ,
             and
             if
             it
             will
             not
             satisfie
             ,
             he
             must
             deliver
             up
             his
             person
             ,
          
           not
           so
           much
           as
           to
           loose
           a
           limb
           ,
           or
           any
           member
           of
           his
           body
           ,
           but
           to
           goe
           immediatly
           to
           the
           Work-house
           ,
           or
           place
           where
           he
           may
           be
           safely
           kep●
           with
           sufficient
           food
           ,
           and
           work
           enough
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           he
           is
           able
           to
           doe
           ,
           and
           ply
           it
           constantly
           early
           and
           late
           every
           day
           (
           Lords
           day
           excepted
           and
           to
           have
           sufficient
           time
           to
           sleep
           and
           rest
           ;
           and
           when
           they
           have
           wrought
           out
           their
           Theft
           ,
           then
           to
           be
           free●
           〈◊〉
           if
           ,
           they
           steal
           again
           to
           serve
           them
           in
           the
           same
           kind
           :
           as
           if
           the
           Theefe
           st●ale
           a
           100li
           
             .
          
           he
           shoul●
           pay
           20●li
           
             .
          
           if
           it
           be
           found
           with
           him
           ,
           but
           if
           he
           have
           spent
           the
           money
           he
           shall
           pay
           400li
           .
           
        
         
           If
           this
           course
           were
           well
           followed
           ,
           
             Tyburne
          
           would
           lose
           many
           Customers
           ,
           for
           it
           would
           much
           abate
           the
           number
           of
           Theev●s
           ,
           and
           Murderers
           .
        
         
           My
           desi●e
           i●
           ,
           That
           your
           Honou●●
           would
           move
           the
           Parliament
           
           to
           put
           GODS
           LAW
           in
           execution
           concerning
           this
           thing
           ,
           and
           what
           it
           is
           I
           have
           declared
           before
           .
        
         
           It
           hath
           been
           desired
           tha●
           Lawes
           should
           be
           drawne
           up
           from
           GODS
           WORD
           ,
           for
           the
           Government
           of
           this
           Nation
           ,
           but
           unlesse
           the
           Parliament
           will
           bee
           pleased
           to
           confirme
           them
           ,
           what
           are
           wee
           the
           better
           ?
           ordinary
           men
           cannot
           impose
           ,
           all
           they
           can
           doe
           is
           onely
           to
           propose
           ,
           onely
           God
           hath
           declared
           ,
           
             His
             Testimonies
             must
             be
             bound
             up
             ,
             and
             his
             Law
             sealed
             amongst
             his
             Disciples
             .
          
           But
           others
           doe
           take
           upon
           them
           to
           make
           Lawes
           besides
           ,
           and
           contrary
           to
           THE
           LAWES
           OF
           GOD
           ;
           Moreover
           ,
           if
           the
           Parliament
           should
           countenance
           such
           a
           thing
           that
           certain
           men
           should
           b●
           appointed
           to
           draw
           up
           Lawes
           according
           to
           THE
           LAWES
           OF
           GOD
           ,
           it
           will
           a●ke
           a
           great
           deale
           of
           time
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           a
           work
           that
           the
           wisest
           and
           holiest
           men
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           will
           find
           too
           great
           for
           them
           to
           undertake
           to
           doe
           without
           errours
           ,
           unlesse
           they
           were
           infallibly
           inspired
           by
           THE
           HOLY
           GHOST
           .
           
             Moses
             was
             in
             the
             Mount
             with
             God
             forty
             day●s
             and
             forty
             nights
             ,
             and
             neither
             eate
             nor
             dranke
             ;
             and
             forty
             daies
             and
             forty
             nights
             after
             that
             likewise
          
           ;
           Neither
           do
           we
           read
           ,
           that
           he
           saw
           sleep
           with
           his
           eyes
           in
           all
           that
           time
           ;
           and
           after
           he
           wrote
           
             the
             Lawes
             and
             Precepts
             for
             all
          
           Israel
           ,
           
             with
             the
             Statutes
             and
             Iudgem●nts
             ,
             He
             was
             therein
             guid●d
             by
             the
             immediate
             direction
             of
             the
             spi●it
             of
             God
             infallibly
             ,
          
           and
           how
           long
           he
           was
           writing
           them
           wee
           know
           not
           ,
           but
           they
           are
           very
           full
           and
           brief
           ,
           and
           very
           sufficient
           for
           the
           Government
           of
           that
           Nation
           ,
           
             Neither
             had
             any
             Nation
             such
             an
             excellent
             Law
             as
          
           Israel
           
             had
             ,
             Neither
             was
             there
             so
             excelle●●
             a
             Government
             amongst
             any
             people
             ,
             as
             amongst
             the
             people
             of
             the
             Iew●
             ,
             so
             long
             at
             they
             forsooke
             not
             the
             Law
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             nor
             cast
             aside
             the
             word
             of
             the
             Holy
             one
             of
          
           Israel
           ;
           
             their
             chief
             City
             was
             called
             the
             City
             of
             Righteousnesse
             ,
             the
             faithfull
             City
             ,
             righteousnesse
             lodged
             in
             it
             ;
             their
             Iudges
             and
             Counsellours
             were
             Gods
             ,
             and
             Children
             of
             the
             most
             High
             ,
             becaus●
             the
             word
             of
             God
             was
             committed
             unto
             them
             ,
          
           Now
           it
           may
           be
           it
           will
           bee
           a
           long
           time
           before
           the
           Parliament
           wil
           establish
           THE
           LAWES
           OF
           GOD
           ,
           or
           give
           way
           for
           Lawes
           to
           be
           imposed
           upon
           this
           Nation
           ,
           which
           are
           suitable
           thereunto
           ;
           and
           when
           such
           a
           worke
           is
           set
           upon
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           long
           before
           it
           be
           accomplished
           ,
           for
           whosoever
           taketh
           it
           upon
           them
           ,
           must
           devote
           themselves
           wholly
           to
           the
           worke
           ,
           and
           when
           they
           have
           used
           
           their
           best
           indeavours
           ,
           a
           wond●r
           it
           will
           be
           if
           the
           Lawes
           they
           draw
           up
           ,
           with
           manner
           of
           proceedings
           ,
           will
           be
           so
           perfect
           that
           they
           need
           no
           amendments
           ,
           in
           respect
           of
           matter
           and
           form
           ;
           and
           a
           long
           time
           wil
           be
           spent
           in
           debate
           ,
           before
           such
           a
           work
           be
           admitted
           to
           be
           attempted
           ;
           And
           therefore
           I
           humbly
           conceive
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           meer
           ,
           that
           this
           businesse
           concerning
           the
           preservation
           or
           the
           petty
           Theeves
           should
           be
           concluded
           now
           with
           al
           speed
           ,
           being
           out
           of
           controversie
           ,
           and
           afterwards
           to
           doe
           the
           rest
           according
           as
           time
           ,
           and
           opportunity
           will
           afford
           .
           For
           this
           doth
           concern
           LIFE
           which
           is
           above
           
             Person
             Name
             ,
             Liberty
             ,
             and
             ●state
          
           :
           And
           THIS
           THING
           being
           done
           
             will
             render
             the
             Antichristian
             Priests
             and
             lying
             Lawyers
             ,
             the
             basest
             of
             men
             ,
             who
             have
             lived
             upon
             the
             souls
             and
             bodies
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             have
             not
             bad
             the
             fear
             of
             God
             before
             their
             eyes
             ,
             but
             have
             made
             their
             belly
             God
             and
             their
             glory
             is
             their
             shame
             ,
             end
             shall
             be
             destruction
             and
             their
             unlesse
             they
             repent
             .
          
           And
           as
           a
           testimony
           of
           the
           truth
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           this
           particular
           ,
           I
           set
           to
           my
           hand
           this
           31
           of
           
             Decem.
          
           1651.
           
        
         
           
             SAMVEL
             CHIDLEY
             .
          
        
      
       
         
           A
           Letter
           written
           to
           the
           Regulaters
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           appointed
           by
           the
           Parliament
           ,
           and
           sent
           ,
           and
           presented
           to
           that
           Committee
           .
        
         
           
             Honourable
             Gentlemen
             :
          
        
         
           FOr
           as
           much
           as
           you
           are
           appointed
           by
           the
           Parliament
           to
           consider
           of
           the
           Inconveniencies
           ▪
           Mischeifes
           ,
           Chargeablenesse
           ,
           and
           Irregularit●es
           in
           your
           Law
           ,
           and
           that
           you
           have
           pro●essed
           your
           willingnesse
           to
           receive
           whatsoever
           persons
           have
           to
           offer
           in
           relation
           thereunto
           :
           I
           hold
           it
           meet
           to
           present
           you
           with
           these
           inclosed
           papers
           ,
           which
           p●radventure
           may
           be
           a
           meanes
           to
           shorten
           your
           seven
           yeares
           tedious
           worke
           ,
           and
           wherein
           you
           may
           observe
           that
           I
           have
           indeavoured
           to
           discharge
           my
           conscience
           before
           all
           ▪
           witnessing
           against
           that
           hatefull
           sinne
           of
           puting
           men
           to
           death
           meerely
           for
           Theft
           ▪
           although
           THE
           GOD
           OF
           NATURE
           doth
           teach
           a
           contrary
           Lesson
           :
           But
           who
           is
           so
           blind
           as
           those
           that
           will
           not
           see
           ?
           
             Surely
             covetousnesse
             is
             the
             roo●
             of
             all
             evill
             ,
             and
             gifts
             destroy
             the
             heart●
             ,
             an●
             blind
             the
             eyes
             of
             the
             wise
             ,
             and
             pervert
             the
             judgement
             of
             the
             righteous
             ,
          
           and
           men
           in
           the
           greatest
           places
           ,
           are
           the
           greatest
           unbeleevers
           ,
           for
           they
           have
           not
           so
           much
           faith
           as
           to
           trust
           GOD
           
           with
           their
           substance
           ,
           but
           use
           indirect
           meanes
           to
           make
           uncertaine
           riches
           certaine
           ;
           as
           may
           appeare
           by
           their
           putting
           Theeves
           to
           death
           for
           stealing
           .
        
         
           Now
           when
           I
           found
           so
           little
           fruit
           in
           the
           Magistrates
           of
           the
           City
           of
           
             London
             ,
          
           as
           you
           may
           see
           by
           my
           printed
           relations
           ,
           I
           was
           sorry
           that
           my
           indeavours
           produced
           no
           better
           effect
           amongst
           them
           ,
           whose
           Predecessors
           have
           alwayes
           been
           very
           forward
           to
           put
           the
           Lawes
           of
           man
           in
           execution
           ,
           though
           they
           were
           never
           so
           ridiculous
           ,
           and
           contrary
           to
           reason
           and
           Religion
           .
        
         
           I
           sent
           ,
           and
           went
           unto
           others
           ,
           whom
           it
           likewise
           principally
           concerned
           ,
           even
           to
           those
           who
           are
           called
           
             the
             learned
             Iudges
             of
             the
             Land
             ,
          
           and
           declared
           my
           judgement
           to
           as
           many
           of
           them
           as
           I
           could
           meet
           with
           ,
           
             that
             they
             migh●
             not
             suffer
             their
             mouth
             to
             cause
             their
             flesh
             to
             sinne
             ,
          
           by
           pronouncing
           unjust
           murdering
           sentences
           .
        
         
           I
           went
           downe
           also
           to
           the
           Sessions
           ,
           but
           I
           could
           gather
           no
           Grapes
           of
           Thornes
           .
        
         
           And
           after
           I
           had
           delivered
           a
           
             Letter
          
           to
           the
           
             Lord
             President
             Bradshaw
             ,
          
           to
           be
           presented
           unto
           the
           
             Councell
             of
             State
          
           ;
           I
           remembred
           that
           the
           
             Officers
             of
             the
             Army
          
           were
           men
           professing
           grea●●hings
           ,
           for
           the
           advancement
           of
           Gods
           glory
           ;
           so
           I
           presented
           some
           Humble
           Proposals
           to
           those
           Honourable
           Gentlemen
           ,
           which
           were
           well
           resented
           by
           them
           ,
           a
           Copy
           of
           which
           I
           have
           sent
           you
           here
           inclosed
           with
           this
           Petition
           ,
           which
           should
           have
           been
           presented
           to
           the
           House
           ,
           but
           some
           of
           the
           Members
           conceived
           the
           businesse
           to
           be
           proper
           for
           you
           t●
           take
           Cognizance
           of
           ,
           because
           you
           are
           appointed
           to
           consider
           ,
           and
           make
           Report
           of
           the
           evils
           of
           your
           Law
           ,
           for
           reformation
           thereof
           ;
           therefore
           you
           ought
           to
           cry
           out
           against
           Murder
           b●fore
           you
           doe
           any
           thing
           else
           ,
           for
           this
           concerneth
           mens
           live●
           ▪
           the
           best
           of
           your
           actions
           herein
           in
           my
           judgement
           having
           been
           at
           the
           most
           but
           a
           
             Tything
             of
             Mint
             ,
             Anis
             ,
             and
             Cummin
             ▪
             and
             you
             have
             neglected
             Mercy
             ,
             one
             of
             the
             weighty
             matters
             of
             the
             L●w
             ,
          
           for
           I
           am
           verily
           perswaded
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           in
           your
           powers
           to
           have
           put
           a
           stop
           to
           the
           murdering
           of
           those
           men
           which
           w●re
           hanged
           at
           
             Tiburne
          
           the
           last
           Sessions
           ,
           for
           stealing
           five
           shilling●
           and
           six
           pence
           ;
           I
           hoped
           that
           you
           would
           have
           gone
           to
           the
           
           root
           ,
           and
           not
           cropt
           only
           the
           Branches
           of
           wicked
           Lawes
           ;
           
             I
          
           am
           angry
           ,
           and
           grieved
           at
           the
           heart
           ,
           that
           you
           should
           so
           dally
           in
           
             Gods
             matters
          
           ▪
           as
           not
           to
           acquaint
           the
           House
           with
           such
           a
           grosse
           ,
           unnaturall
           ,
           inhumane
           practise
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           as
           killing
           of
           the
           petty
           Theeves
           .
           I
           desire
           the
           LORD
           to
           give
           you
           repenting
           and
           relenting
           hearts
           ,
           for
           doing
           his
           worke
           so
           negligently
           ,
           to
           value
           mens
           lives
           no
           more
           ;
           for
           it
           is
           a
           sinne
           ,
           and
           shame
           ,
           that
           the
           ●and
           should
           still
           be
           defiled
           with
           more
           bloud
           ,
           and
           how
           you
           can
           answer
           it
           in
           the
           day
           of
           Accompt
           ,
           for
           not
           pre●enting
           such
           mischiefe
           when
           you
           knew
           how
           to
           doe
           it
           ,
           and
           had
           an
           opportunity
           in
           your
           hands
           ,
           I
           know
           not
           ;
           in
           my
           opi●ion
           ,
           if
           you
           follow
           your
           worke
           never
           so
           close
           ,
           if
           you
           omit
           this
           businesse
           of
           weight
           ,
           you
           will
           make
           a
           long
           harvest
           of
           a
           little
           fruit
           ;
           no
           doubt
           but
           the
           time
           will
           be
           long
           before
           you
           have
           swimmed
           through
           the
           Ocean
           Sea
           of
           your
           troublesome
           Lawes
           ,
           for
           what
           is
           the
           Chaffe
           to
           the
           Corne
           ?
           or
           the
           heap
           of
           Ashes
           to
           the
           sparke
           that
           's
           hid
           under
           it
           ?
           May
           not
           the
           Parliament
           by
           the
           West
           Wind
           of
           their
           Legislative
           Power
           ,
           blow
           such
           combustible
           stubble
           away
           ?
           You
           sit
           as
           Refiners
           ,
           but
           time
           is
           precious
           ,
           and
           drosse
           is
           not
           worth
           the
           labour
           of
           refining
           ,
           and
           a
           leaden
           Law
           is
           too
           heavie
           for
           an
           honest
           heart
           ,
           and
           we
           ought
           not
           to
           thinke
           that
           such
           a
           Law
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           a
           Law
           ,
           will
           be
           a
           sufficient
           excuse
           to
           the
           Executioners
           thereof
           ,
           so
           long
           as
           it
           is
           Idolatrous
           ,
           prophane
           ,
           rebellious
           ,
           bloudy
           ,
           Adulterous
           ,
           Theevish
           ,
           lying
           ,
           and
           covetous
           ;
           certainly
           that
           Law
           cannot
           be
           good
           ,
           that
           force●h
           all
           men
           to
           preferre
           the
           meanest
           thing
           before
           the
           greatest
           ;
           (
           that
           is
           ,
           )
           a
           little
           wicked
           Mammon
           with
           an
           Idolations
           badge
           upon
           it
           ,
           before
           a
           mans
           precious
           life
           ;
           
             Salomon
          
           esteemed
           m●re
           of
           a
           living
           D●gge
           ,
           then
           those
           who
           have
           killed
           men
           meerly
           for
           stealing
           ,
           have
           (
           or
           had
           )
           of
           living
           men
           .
           Now
           if
           God
           doe
           touch
           your
           hearts
           ,
           and
           make
           you
           throughly
           sensible
           of
           the
           abominations
           of
           the
           time
           ,
           and
           set
           you
           in
           a
           thou●●ing
           posture
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           bewaile
           your
           neglect
           in
           suffering
           the
           poore
           Theeves
           to
           be
           put
           to
           death
           ,
           when
           it
           was
           in
           y●ur
           power
           to
           have
           prevented
           〈◊〉
           ;
           then
           you
           may
           the
           better
           goe
           on
           ,
           like
           
             Iosiah's
          
           men
           ,
           whom
           he
           set
           to
           spy
           out
           the
           abominations
           in
           the
           Land
           ,
           and
           set
           up
           a
           sign
           ,
           wheresoever
           you
           ●inde
           a
           bone
           of
           
             Haman-gog
          
           unburied
           ,
           
           and
           go
           on
           ,
           and
           let
           the
           Nation
           know
           the
           Idolatry
           ,
           and
           Superstition
           of
           their
           Law
           ,
           and
           its
           prophanenesse
           ,
           and
           the
           Sabbath-breaking
           thereof
           ,
           the
           rebellion
           of
           their
           Law
           ,
           the
           Murder
           of
           their
           Law
           ,
           the
           Adultery
           of
           their
           Law
           ,
           the
           thef●
           of
           their
           Law
           ,
           the
           lying
           of
           their
           Law
           ,
           and
           the
           covetousnesse
           of
           their
           Law
           ,
           and
           lastly
           ,
           the
           uncharitablenesse
           of
           their
           Law
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           end
           thereof
           ,
           and
           so
           I
           end
           .
        
         
           
             
               Yours
               (
               and
               the
               Common-wealths
               Servant
               )
               in
               all
               lawfull
               things
               .
            
             Samuel
             Chidley
             .
          
           
             
               From
               my
               Mothers
               house
               in
               Soper
               Lane
               London
               ,
            
             
               Febr.
               25.
               1651.
               
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
           
             READER
             ,
          
        
         
           WHere
           are
           they
           that
           are
           valiant
           for
           the
           Truth
           ,
           and
           will
           do
           
             the
             work
             of
             the
             Lord
             diligently
             ?
          
           If
           thou
           hast
           any
           spark
           of
           love
           or
           zeal
           to
           maintaine
           the
           wonderful
           Statutes
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           my
           soul
           keeps
           ;
           I
           charge
           thee
           ,
           as
           thou
           wilt
           answer
           before
           the
           Tribunal
           Seate
           of
           Gods
           eternal
           vengeance
           ,
           That
           thou
           hinder
           not
           the
           publication
           of
           this
           to
           all
           persons
           who
           have
           an
           eare
           open
           to
           hear
           ,
           neither
           conceal
           this
           precious
           Truth
           ,
           which
           will
           maintaine
           him
           ,
           that
           maintaineth
           it
           ,
           and
           bring
           him
           into
           more
           acquaintance
           with
           God
           .
           For
           doubtlesse
           the
           standing
           for
           the
           Statutes
           and
           Judgements
           of
           the
           holy
           and
           blessed
           God
           ,
           is
           a
           most
           blessed
           work
           ,
           and
           the
           establishment
           thereof
           in
           this
           Nation
           will
           work
           a
           more
           blessed
           Reformation
           then
           ye●
           hath
           been
           ,
           or
           shall
           be
           spoken
           of
           at
           this
           time
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .