A MESSAGE FO● INSTRUCTION, TO All the Rulers, Judges, and Magistrates, to whom the Law is committed, showing what just Government is, and how far the Magistrates power reacheth, and what the Sword of Justice is to cut down, and what it is to defend.  
Whereby they may learn and be directed to discern betwixt the guiltless and the guilty; and betwixt a matter of wilful wrong by evil doers, which they are to punish, and a matter of conscience, by men that fears God, which they are to be a praise unto, and not a terror; and in particular divers causes are discovered; which are proved to be matters of conscience, and not of wilful wrong; though many therefore are unjustly persecuted and afflicted as evil doers.  
With an exposition of some parts of the Law; for the edification of such, as desires to judge righteously between man and man, who would discern of different causes; and justify the Righteous, and condemn the evil doers.  
By a friend to righteousness, and a lover of just judgement, who desireth the increase of good Government.  
E. B.  
LONDON, Printed for Thomas Symmons at the Bull and Mouth near Alders-gate, 1658.   

A MESSAGE FOR INSTRUCTION, &c.  
Concerning government and Magistracy this I have to say;  
IT is an ordinance of God, ordained of him for the preserving of peace among men, for the punishing and suppressing of evil doers, and for the praise and safety of them that do well; that men's persons and estates may be preserved from the violence and wrong dealing of evil men; And for this end government was ordained of God, to be set up in the earth by the Institution of the Lord; that righteousness should go free, and the wicked be bound and limited. Now such as handle the Law, and are executors thereof, who are ordained of God to judge and govern the people; aught to be just men; fearing God, and walking in his Law, and hating and denying every false way, that people may receive examples of righteousness, and holy and lawful walking from their Conversations; and they that are set to govern the people ought to have the spirit of true and sound judgement to try into the root of all causes, whereby they may be able to discern of different causes; and to give just judgement in all things; and such will judge by equal measure for God, and not for man, but without respect of persons; and such will be a terror to transgressors, and will strengthen and encourage them that do well; and than the execution of the Law will answer the end wherefore it was added; for because of transgression was the law added to slay transgression, and to bind under the transgressor, and to make him stand in awe and be afraid; for the just law, reacheth to the just witness of God, and answereth it in every man, and he that walks in the law of God, and hath his heart therein exercised, the law of man hath no power over him, to condemn him, but it justifies him, and defends him, and preserves him from all wrong; but who doth not walk in the law of God, but is exercised in evil, and transgresseth the light and pure law of God in his conscience by doing evil & by wrong & unjust dealing; then the law of man takes hold upon him, and binds him, & judges him, & Condemns him; for the evil done by him, contrary to the light in his own conscience, which answereth to the just execution of the law in condemning of him: And this is the work of the law in the hand of faithful executors, who justly executeth the just law, in defending and preserving the just and Innocent men from wrong doing, and in condemning and judging the ungodly and evil men, for wrong doing; whereby the witness of God in them both may answer to the just government in defending the one, and in condemning the other; and this is a good savour to God where the just laws are justly executed, by ius● men, But where unrighteous men are in power, and the execution of the law in their hands, that are themselves transgressors, such will not judge for God, but the good laws will be subverted unto wrong ends, from their proper virtue; and the hands of the wicked will be strengthened, and the evil doers will escape unpunished, and the Innocent will suffer, and justice and true judgement will be turned backward, for when the wicked bears rule, the people cannot rejoice, nor justice and true judgement cannot be received from men, who are themselves unjust and unrighteous; for though the laws may be good and just; yet the executioners thereof being evil, and themselves transgressors, worthy of condemnation by the law; the transgression of the law in others cannot justly be judged by such, who are themselves guilty of judgement, and therefore the laws will be subverted, and justice and true judgement neglected, because such as handle the law knows not God, but are in the transgression of the righteous law, and of the judgement thereof are themselves guilty; so therefore they that handle the law should be men justified according to the law, and free from the transgression; that they may the more justly punish, reprove and condemn it in others; and may minister justice and true judgement through the law to all people under them; and no man ought to be respected in judgement, but every man's cause ought to be heard, the poor as well as the rich; and their matters diligently sought into, and all aught to receive just judgement from just men by the just law; for the law is a defence about all the righteous, to defend and preserve them; in peace and freedom, from all their enemies, who are to be limited by the law, as I have said: And they that are reconciled to God, whose consciences are exercised towards God in all things, they are not under the law, nor the law hath no power over them, for the law is fulfiled in them, by Christ who teacheth them in all things to walk without offence towards God and all men, in truth and in righteousness, to God and all men; and such the law of man is to defend and not to judge them; to justify them, and not to condemn them; and to be a praise to them, and not a terror, and such setteth to seal that the law is just and good and holy; who walketh in justness, in goodness and holiness; and doth not transgress the good laws of any nation, but walk void of offence towards all, for they walk not in the flesh, but in the spirit, and are doers of the law, and not breakers of it; and so comes not under the guilt of condemnation, in any thing, but are justified in all things; for the light of Christ leadeth them into all truth; and so out of all condemnation; their ways are righteous and pure, and their works are just and equal towards God and all men▪ and they seek not the wrong of any man's person or estate, but seeks the good of all, forgiving their enemies, and praying for them, and seeks not vengeance upon their adversaries, but they bear all things patiently, and such are the servants of God, and not transgressors of his law, nor the just laws of man; And if such do suffer by a law, that law is unjust, and so is that Magistrate that executes that law; and that suffering is not for evil doing, but for a good conscience sake, and the Innocent can rejoice in such suffering, but the executioners thereof shall howl and weep; So that in all ages there was such suffering, which was not for evil doing, but for the exercise of a pure conscience; and such sufferings there are at this day; and this is because the unrighteous and the unjust bears rule which subverts the law, and turns true judgement backward, and oppresseth the seed of God, and rules over it in tyranny; and this is where darkness rules in the heart, and Ignorance in the mind; and true judgement is wanting, for light is called darkness, and darkness light; and good is put for evil, and evil for good; and truth is called heresy, and error is called truth; and because of this the righteous are judged unjustly, and falsely condemned; and the guilty are set free, and thus is judgement turned quite backward; where the seed of enmity ruleth above the seed of God; and such a government is not blessed, but made a curse unto that dominion; where it is seated, and this is because such are set to rule and govern; who are not ruled and governed by the Lord, but are in the transgression of the just and righteous law; and are unjust men, and not reconciled unto God; upon whose shoulders the government lies, and the execution of the law in their power; who cannot minister true judgement, nor discern of different causes among men.  
And therefore all magistrates are to weigh and be considerate in all these things, and so to act and judge among men, as they may give a good account unto God and all men; and when a cause is brought before them to give judgement of, or any accused unto them; that they should execute the law upon; they should by the spirit of the Lord first try into the ground and nature of such matters, to know whether it be a wilful and purposed wrong or injury done between man and man, or it be of ignorance or want of better knowledge, or such like: or whether it be a matter of conscience, or about religion, or the worship of God whereupon the controversy dependeth, and if it be a matter of wilful and purposed wrong, or of ignorance, then good reason and justice will teach a Magistrate to defend the Innocent from wrong, or to restore his wrong by true judgement, that his person and estate be freed from all wrong, and preserved, and that the wrong dealer be restrained and punished and judged justly according to his offence: but if it be a matter of conscience about religion or the worship of God, than the magistrates with their law ought not to meddle therein; or to judge of such matters; for these things concerning the things that are spiritual are out of their jurisdiction, and not in their power to judge of; and if the controversy between man and man depend about such causes, not having reflection upon persons or estates, but only about spiritual matters, than magistrates with their laws ought not to judge in these causes; but spiritual men ought only to give their judgements hereof, as they have received from God; and though men be in controversy about religion and the worship of God, yet if they be men of peace not wronging one another in their persons or estates, they ought to be both protected in a good government by the just and righteous laws, and here the sword of justice is laid only upon the evil doer, to be a terror and a punishment to him, and to limit and restrain him from wrong dealing, and this is the end wherefore it was ordained of God to be among men, and not to be laid upon the conscience to oppress and afflict the tender consciences of the upright; whose minds are exercised in the law of God, for such should have praise that do well by the sword of justice while it is a terror to all evil doers whatsoever, and this is the perfect and wherefore the law was added, and the practice of it herein by faithful and just executors, is well pleasing and acceptable to the Lord.  
And now as concerning this one thing, which is oppression in the Nation, brought forth through the unjust and false execution of the laws, whereby many tender consciences are afflicted; and not for any wrong or evil doing, but for the excercise of a pure conscience; Whereas many for conscience sake doth deny and cannot pay any thing, to maintain a steeplehouse or place of worship, which the people of the world do worship in, and where they commit Idolatry, neither can they for conscience sake pay any thing to uphold such worship, and such a ministry and ministers, which are not of Christ, nor ever were sent of him; but of Antichrist and such by which the people are led in blindness and error, as manifestly doth appear through the whole land. And yet the magistrates some of them being blind and Ignorant as the people, doth compel many people by their Writs and orders and judgements to maintain a Priest and steeplehouse, which for conscience sake they deny to maintain, and yet by authority from the magistrates are the Innocent men's goods spoiled by distress, and great oppression exercised upon many poor people, to maintain and uphold the ministry and worship of this generation, which is not of God, but against him, and many hereupon are cast into prison, and others have their goods taken from them by violence, and great havoc is made in the countries about this matter, Now first it may be considered that to deny, uphold, and maintain a steeplehouse and place where Ignorant people in tradition do meet to worship; is not a matter of wilful or purposed wrong dealing, or the breach of any bargain or contract between man & man, but it is a matter of conscience to the people of God; & for a good consciency fake, they cannot do such a thing as to maintain a place of worship, which abomination is committed in by Ignorant & rude people, who are without the fear of God, as daily is manifest, & it is not manifest that by denying of this they injure any man's person or estate, in any thing which belongs unto him by lawful bargain & contract or otherwise, neither is there any reason or equity in this matter that any should be forced & compelled by injustice & oppression to uphold a house of worship which others worship in, and not they, and they knowing that worship to be abomination to the Lord also, and not the true worship of the true God, and their is no justice nor religion in it, that any should be caused by force to uphold a house, for other people to commit and practise idolatry in, if the house were for any good purpose or honest practice, as for poor or impotent people to dwell in, or such like, who had not houses of their own, because of their poverty, then that were a deed of charity to uphold it, and the people of God would not deny it, but could freely give their money to such an use and end; but because it is not to such an use, but only a place to commit Idolatry in, and to worship God ignorantly in superstitions; therefore it is a matter of conscience unto many; and for a good conscience sake, they rather suffer the spoiling of their goods, and afflictions upon their bodies; then to pay their money for such an use and end, and herein the Magistrates doth great injustice in the sight of God and his Saints, and contrary to reason and a good conscience; in causing Innocent men's goods to be spoiled by cruelty to uphold a place of Idolatrous worship, contrary to men's tender consciences, for as I have said they do no wrong to any man, but only people's wills are offended; and their blind zeal turned into rage and fury against the just, who worships God in spirit and in the truth, and cannot uphold the houses of false worship; and it is a shame unto the people and ministers themselves; who cannot uphold their own worshipping houses, and it is a reproach upon their God and their Religion who causes others to maintain their worshipping houses; by injustice and great oppression, and will not themselves maintain the houses where they worship their God, but people who fear God, are greatly oppressed divers ways to uphold worshipping places for others to worship in, as in many parts of this nation is woeful testimony, which is a shame to the magistrates by whose authority these things are done; and a great reproach to the very name of Christanity that people against a pure conscience, and contrary to good reason, should be compelled to uphold and maintain a worship and ministry which they do not partake off, but their very enemies that persecute them; whose consciences are defiled and not exercised; and their worship and ministry, which stands not in the excercise of a pure conscience, but in vain traditions and superstitious Idolatry; are the people of God forced to maintain with maintenance, by oppression contrary to their consciences; and the unjustness of these things cries for vengeance from heaven upon the ungodly rulers and people; who causeth the just and upright to groan by oppression; and thus the law is subverted, contrary to that end wherefore it was added; and the government is abused contrary to that purpose wherefore it was ordained of God; for the guiltless are condemned and judged, and the guilty are set free; the excercise of pure consciences are oppressed, and the false abominations and idol worships are strengthened and defended; and because of these things is the wrath of God kindled, and shall not be quenched, till it have consumed the wicked from off the face of the earth, that the just God may be feared, and his people enjoy their freedom and liberty in the practice of the pure religion, and the excercise of their pure consciences; and this will the Lord bring forth in his appointed time according to his promise; that his people may rejoice in him over all their oppressors, and cruel taskemasters which doth unjustly oppress the seed of God.  
And as concerning the maintaining of Ministers, it is the same in nature, and as unjust and unequal as upholding of worshipping houses; for though many out of a good conscience do deny to maintain a professed Minister by paying to him so much or such a sum, yet they do not hereby wrong him wilfully, contrary to right, in breaking any contract or Covenant, formerly made with him by themselves or predecessors: nor they do not withhold from him any thing which properly belongs to him as debt, or due for his labour; by any Covenant binding thereunto; only the most that can be said is, that such a sum, or gift was formerly given▪ out of that estate to a man belonging to such a Parish; and therefore now it is claimed as due, by custom of many generations practise, and so ought to be done; as the maintenance to that man because of his labour in his Ministry; now to this I answer, what though it was formerly done, such a sum paid, and such a gift freely given by our Ancestors in the times of Ignorance and darkness; that practice of theirs than doth not bind any now to do the same, seeing no record can appear that they bound themselves and their heirs for ever so to do; and now hath the clear light of the gospel sprung forth, and the light of the day hath discovered all the works of Ignorance; and though the man that claims such a gift or hire as debt to him because of his labour, let them pay him, for whom he doth labour; and who doth partake of his ministry and labour, and let others be free, who for conscience sake, cannot do it; who knows his labour not deserving of wages, but to be deceit and abomination, and deceiving of souls; and sees himself to be a proud, covetous man, and an Idle person; who maintains himself by the fruit of other men's labours, in the vanity of life and without the fear of the Lord, and this makes the thing a matter of conscience to many, that for no better use nor to no other end, they should pay their money, (which cannot be justly claimed as a just debt, but as a gift at most) to the upholding of such men and such practices, which are not according but contrary to God, in labour, life, and practise, and to uphold and maintain a man as a Minister of Christ which is not so, but the contrary as by his fruits is made manifest, and that in ministry & worship, which is not the worship and ministry of the true God, but the contrary as doth appear, this many of the people of God cannot do for a good conscience sake, except they should transgress the light of Christ and the law of God, in their own hearts and consciences, and so bring themselves into condemnation by the Lord; so let all men take notice hereof, that though the people of God do deny to pay any thing to uphold and maintain such a worship and such ministers, which are not the ministers of Christ, nor the worship of the true God; but rather gives their goods to the spoiler and their bodies to the prison; yet this is only for the exercise of a good and pure conscience, and not out of wilful wrong and injury; and their suffering is not as they are evil doers, but as they are Saints for a good conscience sake, because they cannot be subject to the wills of unjust men in upholding and maintaining such things against their consciences; but are willing rather to suffer then to offend the Lord, and their own consciences, neither is there good reason or equity in it; nor any part of a good conscience; that people by injustice should be compelled to maintain a minister whom they know is not the minister of Christ by his fruits and effects and works and practices, and so are forced against their own conscience to uphold a man in pride, in idleness, in covetousness and in a vain and evil life, by unrighteous wages, now if their money were to maintain a man that's poor, or if that man had not of his own sufficiently to preserve his wife and Children from want, than it were a work of charity to give something if it were every year or oftener, to maintain him and his family, and the people of God would not refuse to give something for this end, no man should compel them nor have cause to spoil their goods for it, but as he professes himself a minister of Christ, and a labourer in the gospel, but is not so, but lives in pride and the vanities of this world, upon such an account they cannot maintain him nor give him any thing at all with a safe conscience, neither is there any reason in it that they should for they receive not his ministry, neither doth hear him, neither doth own him as a minister of Christ, nor doth not partake of his labours, nor doth not set him on labouring, and this is greatly unjust that any man should pay or be compelled to pay (by force and oppression,) wages to a man as his labourer and as his servant who doth not at all labour for him, or do him any service, neither doth the man partake of his works or labours, neither hath any benefit thereby, but rather loss and disadvantage because of his labours, which he doth for others, and not for him, nor by any order from him; for he knows his labouts to be nothing but vanity, and a cheat and deceiving of people, and for him to be compelled to maintain such a man, in such ill employment against his conscience, this is unjust and unreasonable; and what man in the world would do it or be compelled thereunto, without crying out of great oppression; as to maintain a man with great wages, as his labourer and servant who doth not labour for him, nor serve him, but labours against him as much as is possible; and this is the very cause, between the priests of England in their maintenance in claiming of it, and receiving of it, and the people of the Lord who doth deny to maintain them; or confess any lawful due they have to challenge any of them. And also it is a very shame to the people of this Nation for whom such ministers do labour, who cannot maintain their own ministers themselves, who labours for them, and of whose labours they do partake, but others are compelled by injustice, to maintain them, who doth not partake of any of their labours, nor set them to labour, but denies them and their labour on that account, and yet are forced to pay them wages; and this is unjust and unreasonable, that men should be constrained by force to pay other men's servants, which works and labours for other and not for them; and what man in the world having reason in him, would do it or be forced to do it, without complaining of heavy injustice as to maintain another man's servant with wages, who works for others, and not for him, neither was hired by him, nor set on work nor receives any benefit by him, but another hires him and partakes of his labours, and yet he is compelled against all reason, and equity to give him his wages; all will conclude this were unjust and not according to God but against him; and this is the very cause between the people of God, who cannot pay to maintain false teachers and the people of the Nation, who hires such teachers and receives of their labours and teaching and yet compels others to give them wages, contrary to good reason and justice, and against the excercise of a pure conscience, And above all the magistrates blindness and Ignorance, and the uniustness and wickedness of some of them doth appear, to their shame, by whose authority these things are done, reaching out their power in those things, further than they have received power from God, and abusing the law and just government, and subverting it to another end than wherefore God hath ordained it; for the magistrates power and authority, is not to be laid on men's consciences to oppress and embondage the tender consciences of the Lord's people; in forcing things to be done contrary to good reason and against a good conscience; and by these things is the land filled with violence and oppression, and the Innocent and just doth deeply groan; till the Lord arise to plead their cause, and to bring deliverance unto them, through the destruction of all their enemies; and he will break down all the bonds of cruelty and oppression, and will take away every yoke that doth burden and oppress the upright, that his people may be a free people, from all unjust men, and the people of the Lord doth claim this as their privilege, belonging to them by the just Laws of God and men, to worship God in spirit and in truth, and to uphold and maintain that worship only, without being compelled by force to maintain any other whatsoever, and they claim as right unto them to maintain what Ministers, and uphold what ministry, as they know is sent of God, by which people are profited, and which they have received the knowledge of God through by his spirit, and to be free to maintain how and as the Lord leads them unto, without being forced by any Law, or unequal authority, to maintain the false Prophets and hirelings, and deceivers, who lives in pride and excess, through the oppression of the poor and innocent, and such (as Ministers of the Gospel of Christ,) the people of the Lord cannot maintain, but rather gives themselves to suffer heavy and cruel things by unjust and wicked men, who violates the just Laws of God and man; and the suffering is for a good conscience sake, & for righteousness sake, and not for any wrong or evil doing, and for a testimony that they are of God, and for a witness against their enemies, that they are of the devil; who doth his works, and these makes war against the Saints and the Lamb, and the Beast seeks to kill all that will not worship him, for he hath been great in the earth, and his seat upon Nations, and who hath been able to make war against him, for many generations: again there is another suffering great and grievous which is unjustly laid upon the people of God, which suffering is not for evil doing, but for a good conscience sake as is manifest; as because many are moved of the Lord by his spirit, to go into the Steeple-houses and meeting places, or other places to reprove sin, and among people, or to exhort them unto good, and to follow Christ, and to deny the wickedness of this world, or such like, as they are moved, some are moved to reprove a hireling teacher, who deceives the people, and walks in the steps of the false Prophets, and lives in pride and vanity and evil, contrary to the doctrine and practice of Christ and the Apostles, and this practice of the servants of the Lord in reproving evil and exhorting to good, is called a disturbance of the peace, and an unlawful practice, and such like; it is falsely judged by unjust men▪ who knows not the spirit of the Lord, nor the moving thereof, and because of this, many innocent men are caused deeply to suffer, contrary to a good conscience, and some are sent to the house of Correction, there suffering cruel things from hard-hearted men, and some are put in the Stocks and whipped, and others fined and cast into prison, and such like sufferings are unjustly imposed upon them, and not for evil doing, as I have said, for though they reprove sin in teachers or in people, or exhorts them to good, whether in Steeple-houses, Markets or other places, yet they do not hereby wrong any man's person or estate; neither is this any matter of wilful wrong, or to such an intent, neither doth it disturb the peace, nor is any unlawful practice; but only out of a good conscience to God and man, is it done; and it is a matter of conscience to the servants of the Lord, to do so, and they cannot leave it undone lest they should transgress the law of God in their own consciences; because they are commanded of God so to do, that people may be Instructed in the right way to God, and be converted out of every false way; and this is the very end, of their work and their intent in doing it; and they ought not in justice to suffer for it, for it is according to the law of God, and in reason and a good conscience, and the Lord justifies them in it, than that law and judgement must needs be corrupt and unjust, which condemns the people and servants of the Lord, as for evil doers, for obeying the commands of God and for the exercise of their pure consciences, and no man's person or estate being wronged or Injured but only sin and wickedness reproved and exhorted from; And hereby thus is the law perverted, and true judgement turned backward, and the guiltless is condemned guilty, and the guilty is set free; and the obeying the commands of God and the excercise of a good conscience is unjustly judged a transgression; and this is a shame, and will be great condemnation to such, in the day of the Lord by whose Authority this is done; even that the excercise of a good conscience, even reproving of sin and exhorting unto that which is good▪ to follow that and to forsake all evil; should be judged and punished as a heinous transgression in a nation and commonwealth professing Christianity and pure Religion; and this makes the sin much more great and unpardonable, because the practice and faithful excercise in Christianity, and in the pure and true Religion, is adjudged transgression & condemned by such who professes the same thing in words, and yet persecutes and punisheth the excercise of it in others; and this shows them unjust judges and hypocrites; who causes the Servants of the Lord to suffer; for the practice of that which themselves profess in words, to wit Religion and Christianity, for I affirm against all opposers whatsoever, that it is, a practice in Religion according to the Scriptures, to go into the Steeple-houses, meeting places, Markets, Highways, or other places, and reprove sin and wickedness, and cry against evil in Priests and people, and exhort to good and to forsake evil, and therefore it ought not to be prosecuted and punished, but defended and maintained, by the just Government of a commonwealth, and by just Laws and Magistrates; for this the Lord requireth that justice and truth, and true judgement be exalted, and the innocent and upright defended, in all their ways of a good conscience, and that evil doers and sinners and transgressors, be condemned and righteously judged.  
Also many of the servants of the Lord do deeply suffer, and is deeply afflicted by injustice, for the exercise of a good conscience in other things, as because they cannot put off their Hats and bow in respect to men's persons, according to the vain customs of the Heathen, and because they cannot swear upon a Book, by kissing it and laying the hand upon it according to the idolatrous form, and for such like causes, because many cannot fulfil the lusts and wills of men, that lives in pride and evil ways, in these and other things, therefore are the people of God put to great sufferings, though they deny not the honour due to all men in the Lord, without bowing the Hat, nor to affirm the truth in every cause, in faithfulness without an oath; now to keep on the Hat, which is a cover for the head, to keep from cold or heat for healths sake, before any man whatsoever, though never so great or noble, is not any wrong or injury to the man's person or estate before whom it is done, but only the high mind and the proud nature, and that which is exalted above the fear of God, which would be Lord over his fellow creatures, that same is offended and troubled, which bears not the image of God, but of the Devil, as Hamman was, and would be bowed to, and had in honour, and respected, because of knowledge or parts, and proud gestures or apparel, and the Children of the Lord cannot do it, nor give honour to him, nor be subject, and pleasing to that man, who is of that spirit and of that nature which is not of God, but exalted in pride, and vainglory above the fear of God and against him, and would be worshipped, and had in honour and reverenced of his fellow-creatures, who hath not so much riches in this world as he, nor is so proud in apparel as he, and because of that he looks to be bowed unto with Hat or Knee, and is offended if he be not, and then in his pride he rages and is vexed, and seeks revenge against such as cannot honour him, and respect him in his pride and vainglory; but as I said this is not done as a matter of wrong unto any, though the Hat be not bowed or put off, but it is a matter of conscience unto the people of God, and for a good conscience sake they do deny, and may not give obedience, and honour, and respect, out of the fear of God, to proud flesh, and to men which is not in the fear of God, which expects reverence out of the Lord, and they know it is nothing else that is offended but proud flesh and an exalted mind, and a man that fears not God, neither walks in his ways; I say it is nothing else nor any besides, that is offended or troubled, because the hat is not put off and bowed, and the people of God are not careful to please or offend, that in men, and men as such▪ for they know nothing of God, nor any man that truly fears God will be offended at the want of a hat bowed to him, and thus it is a matter of conscience unto many, and for a good conscience sake they do deny to honour and subject themselves by obedience to any man, as he is a man out of the fear of God, and in the glory of the vain world; expecting reverence out of the fear of God, and contrary to his Law, which forbids the respect to persons, and all honour which is not according to God; for who doth fear to offend a man, as a man without the fear of God, and doth obey & honour any man, by putting off the Hat before him or otherwise, and not only in the Lord; such are servants to the wicked one, and not unto God; who fears the wrath of the wicked, and subjects in honour to please the wicked by putting off and bowing the Hat and such like; and such knows not the excercise of a pure conscience to God; so this is a matter of conscience to deny to honour, and to please wicked men, as such, by bowing the Hat, and no man in justice ought to be made to suffer because of it, for the Law of God justifies it, and that Law and judgement is corrupt, and perverted which condemns it,  
And likewise though many deny to swear at all; though not to testify the truth, yet they do not wilfully wrong hereby to any man's person or estate, but it is a matter of conscience unto them, and with a good conscience they cannot swear, but doth deny it upon all conditions, because Christ hath commanded not to swear at all, and the Apostle doth exhort above all things not to swear; and therefore it is a matter of conscience unto many and not a matter of purposed wrong towards any man, and though here it may be objected; But for want of oath a just man may lose his just cause, because judgement depends upon witness by oath; to that I answer, that is because, the Law is not according to Christ, by which the judgement comes, but is unjustly grounded upon the breach of Christ's command, viz. swearing, and whether ought the man to be blamed or condemned as a transgressor, who keeps Christ's command and cannot swear at all upon any terms, or whether that Law ought not to be corrected and regulated to be according to the Law of Christ, and all that which is contrary in the execution thereof to be condemned and removed; that a just man's witness may be given and taken upon occasion without an oath; and his just cause may go on against his enemies by just judgement, grounded upon the naked truth in plainness testified without swearing, this is to be considered, and though it be again objected, but many, say some makes more conscience and are more afraid to testify falsely upon oath, then upon bare words without an oath, so to have the truth known wholly, that is the end of the oath; to this I answer, a man that truly and uprightly fears God, will be as much afraid & make as much conscience of speaking falsely, as of swearing falsely, and out of a good conscience will testify as truly, as if he swore, and for others who fears to swear falsely, and doth not so much fear to speak falsely without oath, this is because there is a greater punishment to such, and it is accounted a greater offence among men, to swear falsely then to speak falsely, and for the correcting of that the punishment and offence should be changed, and such as testify falsely without oath, may be accounted offenders and punished, as such who swears falsely, and this will bind the wicked in a sufficient fear, and cause them to be afraid, of testifying falsely, even as much as of swearing falsely, if the testimony in causes among men, of such evil persons who cannot make conscience of lying; nor speak the truth without swearing, it ought the rather to be had, and to be done, by binding by a Law and punishing, if he testify a lie, then by causing him to continue in the breach of Christ's command; but however still I say such who out of a good and tender conscience, do deny to swear, ought not to be persecuted and punished as great offenders; for while this is done, the Law and good Government is perverted, and authority is greatly abused, to another end then wherefore it was ordained of God, & that Law and authority must needs be unjust which oppresseth or punisheth the exercise of a good conscience, as for evil doing, and this shows the blindness and ignorance of men in authority to whom the Law is committed who discerns not, neither makes a difference betwixt things done in the fear of God, and in the excercise of a good conscience towards him, and things done out of an evil mind to evil intents, purposely and wilfully to wrong and injury men's persons and estates; for all Magistrates ought to learn this and to distinguish, that their power and authority may justify the one, and condemn the other, that true justice and sound judgement, may spring forth in the earth, and in the Nations, that all the upright and well doers may rejoice, and live in rest and peace, and all the workers of iniquity, and such as do evil may be afraid, and fear to offend just men and just Laws, and thus would the name of the Lord be great in the earth among men; and such a Government renowned for ever, and such Magistrates would be a praise to generations after them; and a blessed example to ages to come; But now some may say & object, how shall this be known, & who can tell and discern of such causes, and who it is that doth their works, out of the excercise of a good conscience, and who doth their deeds out of an evil mind & to an evil intent, and so is wrong dealing, & worthy of punishment, this is a doubtful cause may some say, and difficult to be known and understood; But to this I answer and say, To all such as have the spirit of the Father, and are led thereby, and in their judgement guided therewith; this is an easy thing to discern, and an easy matter to know and find out, and such as cannot discern and distinguish in such matters, hath not the spirit of God, nor the spirit of true and sound judgement, neither is indeed ordained of God, nor fit to judge the people, nor the honour of a ruler and judge, belongs not to such a one who cannot find out a matter, nor know and judge between the precious and the vile; how to justify the one and how to condemn the other; and indeed this is the reason, and cause of so much injustice and oppression brought forth at this day; because the spirit of sound judgement is wanting, and such as are set to judge hath it not, to try and discern and give judgement by it, and therefore, light is put for darkness, and darkness for light, and good is called evil and evil good, and true justice and judgement is perverted and turned backward, and the guiltless is condemned guilty. But I say, if the work be done by a man, out of a good conscience, and as a matter of conscience, than he doth it in the fear of God, and in the Cross to his own will, and in meekness and tenderness of heart, not seeking himself in what he doth, but is willing to suffer for the truth's sake, and for what he doth, and will not resist evil, or the false judgements of men; but patiently and quietly bears all things; for the Lord's sake, and in all what he doth or suffers, he gives the glory to the Lord, who works his works in him, and gives him strength and patience willing to suffer for them; But again I do answer, by men that hath the spirit of sound judgement to rule and guide them; this cause is easy to be discerned, and the difference may be known, betwixt a thing done out of a good conscience, and for a good conscience sake, and a thing done out of an evil mind and purpose and to an evil end, to the wrong and injury of another, for the ground from whence the works do proceed, are contrary, and the spirit by which the works are wrought, are contrary, and the purpose and end to which they are wrought are contrary, and the spirit of God and of sound judgement, may and doth put a difference betwixt the ground, acting, and end of all works, for it is the ground from whence all works doth spring, and the end unto which they are brought forth, that makes all men's works good or evil, to be justified or to be condemned, and where the measure of the spirit and power of God, is the ground of, and leader, in a work, that work as I have said, is done in the fear of God, and in uprightness of heart and in love and tenderness, and meekness and patience, without seeking or exalting self, but the glory of the Lord is only sought by that man in all such his works; But on the contrary, where an evil heart and mind, brings forth works to an evil end, and to the wrong of others such works, are maliciously and wilfully, and enviously, and peevishly done, in frowardness, and headiness, and not in the fear of God nor in uprightness of heart; but with a double mind and in secret, or without the counsel of God, seeking himself in his works, and not the Lord, and such works are wicked, and wrought by wicked men who transgresseth both the Law of God and of men; and must receive according to their deeds; and the Law that is equal must pass upon them which the light of Christ in their own consciences, may answer to, when they are condemned for their ungodly works; against which light they act, and that is the reason and cause, wherefore their works are evil, and to be condemned by the Law; for who acteth according to the light of Christ, and is led thereby, fulfilleth the Law, or it is fulfilled in him; and his works are wrought in God, and are the testimony unto men that he is of a good conscience, and for a good conscience sake his works are done, and such men and works are not to be condemned but justified; And this is for instruction to all them that bear rule, who are Magistrates and governors, and judges of the people, that they may now be wise and learn wisdom, how to judge righteously and justly among the people, that they may fulfil the will of God, in what he hath called them unto, even that they may cherish and defend and strengthen such as do well, and all whose pure consciences are purely exercised, may live in peace and rest under such a Government, and all evil doers may be bound, limited and judged, and may stand in awe and be afraid, and thus justice and true judgement would be advanced, and equity would run down as a mighty stream; and the Nation would be blessed, and yield content and satisfaction to her Inhabitants; and hereby might the Rulers and judges gain unto themselves a good report, and an honour and renown would the Lord Crown them with all in generations to come.  
Wherefore all ye Rulers, and all ye that are set to judge the people, be now awakened to just judgement, and to a sound discerning, and put on the spirit of true judgement, even the spirit of the Lord that you may receive it, to be taught in all things, how to walk with God, that you may answer his call, and the end of your authority, in judging justly all sorts of men, rendering to every man according to his deeds, even condemnation and judgement to evil doers, and a praise and defence, to all that do well, and this is written in love to you all; showing you how to put a difference betwixt the precious and the vile, and between the just and unjust, that you may be the more happy if this you observe, not leaving your names a reproach and a scorn to after-ages, which is the effect, which doth follow, all such as perverts justice, and turns true judgement backward, with misery and destruction, upon themselves and posterity, for evermore▪  

A true and faithful Exposition of some part of the Laws of England.  
ALl ye Magistrates, justices of the Peace, Mayors, and all other Ministers of the Law, and all ye to whomsoever the Law is committed, I do warn you all to take heed to yourselves, that ye fulfil the will of the Lord in judging righteously, and executing true justice and judgement, and let not envy, nor false suspicions, nor jealousies have any place in you, but with a single eye try all things, and with an upright heart judge for God, and not for man; and beware of causing the innocent to suffer, whose consciences are exercised towards God, though they be contrary to the world in their ways, & judgements, for if you cause such to suffer, you do not execute true judgement, but subverts the Law, and the Lord will require that suffering of his people at your hands. Now consider the Law was not made for a righteous man, but for transgressors, such whose consciences are not exercised towards God, and such your sword is to be laid upon, to be a terror to them, and not to the innocent; for they should have praise that do well; and you must take heed, lest you abuse your power to another end, than wherefore God hath ordained it; for the Law was added because of transgression to slay the transgressor, and that is the end of the Law; Now you must take heed of causing any to suffer upon bare suspicion or evil jealousies, when as no transgression is truly charged, nor justly proved against them before you, and you are not to be both accusers, and judges of any one, in any cause.  
You have a late act for the taking up, and punishing of idle, loose, and dissolute persons, such as are vagrants, and wandering Rogues, vagabonds, and sturdy beggars; Now this Law is good, if it be duly and justly executed upon such as are truly guilty herein; and it is right that sturdy Beggars, and Rogues, and idle and disorderly persons, should be taken up from wandering, and set on work in some good employment in the Creation, which may maintain themselves, and prevent them from worse things; But now you must take heed of judging any to be such, who are not really so; for many of the servants of the Lord now, as it was in generations past, are moved to leave their own Country and dwellings, and relations, and go abroad in the Nations to preach the gospel of Christ; and to bear witness of his name in the world, to the turning of people from the ways of sin and death, to the way of righteousness and truth; and it may be such cannot give you an account or sufficient cause of their travelling abroad (so as to satisfy you) For that is lawful in the sight of God, which you may not judge to be so; for God's ways are not man's ways; neither his thoughts; as man's thoughts; Therefore I say unto you; if you cause any such of the servants of the Lord to suffer by that Law; you abuse your power; and subverts the Law; for such are not vagabonds, nor idle dissolute persons, nor Rogues, nor sturdy beggars; No more than Christ was; who had nowhere to lay his head; and the Prophets and Apostles were, some of which had no certain dwelling place, but left their Countries and relations, and wandered up and down the world from town to town; and from one Country to another, even as the servants of the Lord doth by the same spirit at this day, who can no more be truly judged for Vagabonds and Rogues, &c. than Christ and his Apostles could be, who were a perfect example to us in these things; For it is a lawful occasion in the sight of God, whatever you judge of it, to travel up and down (not being burdensome, or chargeable to any) to bear witness for the name of the Lord, and against all sin and iniquity, that people may be reformed, and instructed in the right way; Therefore you must make a special distinction in your judgements between such as are Rogues, and idle and dissolute persons, who are hurtful to the Creation, and such as are innocent and harmless, and not of evil behaviour, (though you may through prejudice otherwise judge of them) this is to inform you herein, that your judgements may be according to God, and not according to man, neither with respect of persons.  
Also you have another late Act for the Observation of the Lord's day, wherein is inserted that none shall wilfully, maliciously, or of purpose disturb, or disquiet the public preacher, or to make any public disturbance in the Congregations; Now the Law is good, and it is right that all such be punished, who doth maliciously, wilfully, or of an evil purpose disturb, or disquiet any man or people, to the danger of breach of public peace, and let all such be punished according to their desert; But yet you must take heed in this cause, for many of the servants of the Lord are, and may be moved by the power of the Lord to come into a Congregation, or an assembly of people to declare against sin and iniquity, and the ways of wickedness in people, or to ask a question soberly of the teacher, or to instruct people to edification in the way of the Lord, or such like may they do, as they are moved, and yet not maliciously, nor wilfully, nor of wicked purpose; For it was the Apostles practise, and the practice of the Saints to go in the Synagogues and meeting places, and to dispute with the Teachers on the Sabbath days, and sometimes they spoke to the people by way of exhortation, and the people bid them speak on; and yet these were not disturbers of the assembly, neither were they malicious men, or wilful, neither did they these things to any evil purpose, and it was the practice of the Saints, that all may speak one by one in the Church, when they were assembled together; and this is the practice of the servants of the Lord now, and yet they cannot justly be condemned by your Law, though they come into your assembly, as they are moved of the Lord, to object or reprove, or exhort, for they do it not in malice towards any, but in love towards all, and they can no more justly be condemned than the Apostles, and Saints in the Primitive times, who were unto us a just example in these practices, as you may read in the Scripture; and you may as justly condemn them, as us, who are guided by the same spirit in the same things; Therefore you have need to take heed of condemning the innocent by a Law, lest you bring innocent blood upon you; and you must make a perfect difference between such as comes among you, wilfully and maliciously, and on evil purpose to disturb, and molest any man, or Congregation, and such who comes in the name and fear of the Lord, who are moved of him contrary to their own wills, and in love to all people; And in these causes you have need of discerning and sound judgement, lest you condemn the guiltless, and abuse your power, and subvert the Law, and so bring condemnation upon yourselves; And as you will answer it before the Lord in his dreadful day; cause not any to suffer through your envy, and surmisings or false suspicion, through overreaching the words of the Law to a wrong sense, and to a wrong end.  
Also it is inserted in the same Act against many evil things, as drinking in Taverns, inns, alehouses, strong-water houses, or to tipple unnecessarily, or any other house, etc▪ and also against travelling, and walking on that day vainly and profanely, &c. Now the Law is good that evil exercise be prevented, and profaneness in every respect on that day, and on every day, and that such be punished that are found in any evil exercise whatsoever; But yet you must take heed that none of the innocent suffer hereby; for many of the people of God may, and doth travel on that day to meet together to worship God, and to wait upon him, to find his presence, and to receive of his refreshments to their souls, But this cannot be judged an evil practice, or profane travelling, or breach of the Sabbath; For we read of a Sabbath days journey, Acts 1. & 12. where some of the servants of the Lord returned from Jerusalem to Mount Olivet, which is a Sabbath days journey, so that such, who now travels to wait upon the Lord on that day, though it be several miles to, and from the place of meeting, cannot justly be judged to be Sabbath-breakers, no more than the Apostles, who traveled a Sabbath days journey in obedience to the Lord to wait upon him; So that you must take heed▪ and make a noted distinction betwixt such who travels on a profane, and an evil exercise▪ or about the affairs of this world, and such who travels on a good exercise to wait upon the Lord and to serve him; For the Law itself excepts such from being taken up, or judged Sabbath-breakers; So take heed that you subvert not the Law, and abuse your power through false judgement, through your own envy, and so you smite the guiltless, and brings destruction upon yourselves; For herein we own the Law of God to walk by, and the Apostles for an example, though we may suffer unjustly by you.  
Also there is a late Act for discovering and repressing of Popish Recusants, by presenting, to such as are suspected to be Popish, or Popishly affected, an oath, as is therein described; to renounce the Pope's authority, and to deny all his Doctrines, and to testify against the authority of the Church of Rome, and against any licence given thereby, to bear Arms or raise tumults, or by violence to hurt the chief Magistrate, or Government of these Nations, &c. And such as denies the taking of that oath are to be adjudged Popish Recusants, and to be proceeded against accordingly; Now that Law is good that such, who are adherent to the Pope, and by his authority would raise Armies and tumults, and offer violence to the hurt of the chief Magistrate, or Government, or people of these Nations, &c. As it is signified in the said Oath, should be discovered and repressed; But yet you must take heed, and wait for sound judgement in the prosecution of the same: For all are not to be condemned that cannot swear or take an Oath; For many of the servants of the Lord, who are followers of Christ, cannot swear for conscience sake, because Christ hath commanded not to swear at all, Though such doth deny the Pope and all his authority and doctrines, and whatsoever else is signified in that Oath, who cannot justly be suspected to be any way adherent to the Pope in Doctrines or practices, except through wicked envy you seek occasion against them thereby, and you abuse your power and subverts the Law, If you judge such to be Popish Recucusants, because they will not swear, because they cannot for conscience sake, but walks in Christ's doctrine, who commanded not to swear, and follows the Apostles example, who said above all things my Brethren swear not at all, and such cannot justly be suspected or judged for Popish Recusants; who are followers of Christ, and keeps his commands; Therefore you must be considerate, and search deep into those things that are thus weighty, lest you cause the guiltless to suffer, and thereby vex the Lord against yourselves; and you must make a special difference betwixt such as will not swear because they are guilty, and such as cannot swear for conscience sake, though they are not guilty, but clear, and free in the sight of the Lord of such things, as may be falsely suspected, and charged against them by envious men, which may watch for evil, and give Informations against the people of God unto you; But let your eye be single in all these things, that you may save yourselves from wrath, and condemnation, which will be a reward of all such, who subverts good Laws to a wrong end, and seeks to cover themselves in their persecution of the innocent by making the Law a Cloak, But such coverings will not hide in the day of the Lord.  
And my friends in the execution of these and other Laws, let the fear of God guide you, and true judgement and found discerning, that you may try into the nature and ground of every thing, and may not judge only by outward appearance, but judge righteous judgement; And this is a great transgression in the sight of the Lord at this day, even the false execution of good Laws, and the subversion of them to wrong ends and uses by some wicked men, who are in authority, to whom the Law is committed: and this we know by experience; Be the Law never so just and good, yet if the executioners of the Law be unjust and unrighteous, True justice and judgement is turned backward, and for want thereof the harmless, and innocent daily suffers, which kindleth and increaseth the fierce anger of the Lord against these Nations.  
And likewise all you that are in power and authority, you ought not to command any thing of any man, which the Law gives you no power to command, for doing so, you make yourselves transgressors, as for instance, you have no power by any Law to command men to put off their Hats, when they come before you, neither by any Law can you justly punish them, if they do it not, neither can you justly punish such by any law, who denies to swear because for conscience sake they cannot; But what hath been inflicted upon some in such cases hath been by will and malice, and not by any law, and the Lord doth account such thing against the wicked, who causeth such sufferings; and of these things I have given you warning, and it is in perfect love unto you all, as to inform you truly, lest you cause the innocent to suffer.  
I am a real friend to the commonwealth, and a lover of justice and true judgement, and fully affected towards just Government, and wisheth well to Magistrates. E. B. Ninth month, 1657.   
THE END.