SOME REASON'S WHY The People called Quakers, Ought to enjoy their Meetings Peaceably.  
Published for the Information of those, who are not acquainted with their Way, and to prevent Mistakes concerning them.  
KNowing the Purity of the abovenamed People's Principles, together with the Integrity of their Lives; I drew forth this Testimony concerning them: Though they lie at the present under Restraint, yet innocently many of them, who are real Friends to this Nation, lie in Prison; some upon Straw, and some upon the bare Ground (or Board's) to bear witness, and to testify that they have Right to Meet.  
I. Because for their Liberty to Meet in the Exercises of their tender Consciences, they have the Word of God for it; Seconded by the Word of a King (yea of King Charles the Second) therefore they have Right to Meet.  
II. Though the King's Proclamation doth forbid unlawful and Seditious Meetings; yet seeing the Quakers made no ill use of their opportunities in Meeting together (neither was the Proclamation occasioned through any miscarriage in them) therefore they ought to Meet.  
III. Because the Ground or Cause of the Law, is the bottom or foundation whereon it taketh hold; or it is the subject matter against which the Law is placed; Therefore as for those Persons, whose Principles and Practices afford no ground nor bottom for any such Law, there the Law cometh void concerning them. But the Ground or Cause of the coming forth of that Proclamation, is signified in the PROCLAMATION, (viz.) Because that some made so ill an use of their Liberty, as to take those times as opportunities to Plot against the Peace of their Neighbours (whom they ought to love as themselves) But from all such Practices, Plots or Conspiracies, as to go about, or to compass any Hurt, either to the King, or to any of his Subjects, the People called Quakers, are wholly free from, both in Thought, Word and Deed; So the Cause of the Proclamation toucheth not them, therefore they ought to Meet.  
iv Because they are the greatest Friends to Magistracy that may or can be; for their whole Aim, End and Drift in all their Preaching and Living, is to discountenance Sin and Vice, and to encourage Virtue (viz.) Goodness, Meekness, Mercy and Truth; together with Love, Long-suffering and Patience exercised towards all men, in the true fear of the living God; this is that they seek, and in good measure find. So this being that which the Magistrate is to Defend, both the Magistrates Work and theirs agree; thus they cleave close to the Magistrate in Substance; and that is more than others who cleave to him by Flattery, or for self Ends; therefore ought these People to Meet.  
V Because (in their Meetings) They Desire & seek no other Thing, nor Liberty for themselves, than they are willing all men should have and enjoy; therefore they have right to Meet.  
VI Because in their Meetings they seek the Good of all men, therefore they ought to Meet.  
VII. Because in their Meetings they do meet in the Spirit of Truth, therefore they have right to Meet.  
VIII. Because that when they Meet, they seek to bring others out of their wicked ways, into the Obedience of the Truth; therefore of right they ought to Meet.  
IX. Because that in their Meetings they make No Plots against any man's Person or Estate; therefore they have right to Meet.  
X. Because that in their Meeting together they do nothing against the true Peace of this Nation, but seek to bring all men into the Peace of God which passeth understanding; therefore they ought to Meet.  
XI. Because in their Meetings they Edify one another in Love, calling and warning all men to Repent from the wickedness of their ways, and with speed to turn to the Lord before it be too late; therefore they ought to Meet.  
XII. Because in their Meetings they take Care for the Poor, that there may not be a Beggar amongst them; therefore they ought to Meet.  
XIII. Because that in their Meetings they take Care to Pay the Rent of the poor Widows, who are not of Ability to Pay it themselves; therefore they ought to Meet.  
XIV. Because in their Meetings they Provide for such Fatherless Children that are amongst them, who being in want; and do Pay for the Nursing of some, and the Schooling of others, etc. therefore they ought to Meet.  
XV. Because that in their Meetings, They take Order and Provide for such poor People as are amongst t'him, who are out of Work, by setting their Families to Work when Work is scarce, and by giving them better Wages than Shopkeepers will; therefore they have right to Meet.  
XVI. Because that in their Meetings they Appoint fit Persons to look to such as are Sick amongst them, who Administer suitable Supplies to such, according to their Necessities; therefore they have right to Meet.  
XVII. Because that in their Meetings they take Care to provide for such young Traders who want Stock, by lending them certain Sums of Money (according to their Capacity who are to use it) for a Time freely; therefore they ought to Meet.  
XVIII. Because that in their Meetings their Compassion is extended to the Poor who come from beyond the Seas with Letters of Request to this Nation, by a free Contributing to their Necessities; therefore they have right to Meet.  
XIX. Because they disown all such amongst them who walk disorderly, not becoming the Gospel of Christ; therefore they have right to Meet.  
XX. Because they use Violence to no man; therefore they ought to Meet.  

Here follows certain Scriptures, which show that the People of the Lord formerly Assembled together; And that notwithstanding they were forbidden by those who were in Power, not to speak at all in the Name of Christ; yet they chose rather to obey God than man, as you may read, in Acts 4.18.  
Vers. 18. And they called them (viz. Peter & John) and commanded them, not to speak at all, nor Teach in the Name of Jesus.  
Vers. 19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God, to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. See also Acts 5. vers. 28.  
See Heb. 10.24. And let us consider one another, to provoke one another to Love and to good Works. (Vers. 25.) Not forsaking the Assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more as ye see the Day approaching. (v. 26.) For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the Truth, there remaineth no more Sacrifice for sins.  
Which is to show, that it is a wilful sinning, if such should not (after they have received the Truth) Assemble themselves together according to Paul's Exhortation. Read also vers. 27. See also Acts 12.12.  
Acts 28.30, 31. And Paul dwelled two full years in his own hired House, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the Kingdom of God, and Teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all Confidence, no man forbidding him.  
Whereby it doth appear, that Paul under the Roman Governors, being Heathens, had more Liberty to Meet, than the People called Quakers have here in England, being already Deprived of it by such who call themselves Christians.  Written by one who hath good Experience of them, having these many years watchfully observed them, THOMAS ATKIN.   

London, Printed for Robert Wilson, at the Sign of the Black-spread-Eagle and Windmill, in martin's Le Grand, 1660.