THE CRY OF OPPRESSION and CRUELTY  

Inflicted upon divers Innocent People called Quakers, in the County of Gloucester, for peaceable meeting together to worship God; being a Copy of a Paper directed to the Judges of the late Assizes at Gloucester; presented to the tender Consideration of such, who are in Power to relieve the oppressed.  
BEfore you we lay our Grievances in as brief a manner as may be, desiring you may weigh and consider thereof, and relieve the oppressed, who are a People searing God, and do show forth the Fruits of his Heavenly Gift, in walking honestly and justly in the sight of all our Neighbours and Countrymen.  
This is an Account of the sad and deep Sufferings of the People called QUAKERS in and about Winterburn and Olverstone, and about Kings-Westone, and about Westerly, and Little Badmanton, in the County of Gloucester, in the years, 1676, and 1677. by Francis Fane, and Gabriel Low, and John Meridith, called Justices of the Peace.  
In and about those Places aforesaid, from about Fifty Eight Persons Inhabitants thereabout, there hath been taken away and lost of their Goods, on Account of the late Act against Conventicles, by Warrants from the Justice's aforesaid, the Goods and Losses already suffered amounting to about 717 l. 11 s. the Particulars being ready to be showed to them that desire it: And besides the Account above, there are more Fines imposed, and Warrants granted thereupon, to the value of One Thousand Pounds and upwards.  
Also a further account of the most cruel and barbarous Actions and Proceed of J. Meridith called Justice, against an Innocent, Harmless People for no other cause, but for their meeting and worshipping the Lord God of Heaven and Earth; and in the pure Worship in the Spirit of Truth endeavouring to keep their Consciences void of Offence both to God and man.— He caused 27 Persons to be indicted at the Sessions at Gloucester, in the year 1677. for not coming to their Church so called, though many of them had been Sufferers by the Act against Conventicles; and they were threatened with Imprisonment.  
The said Justice Meridith at a Meeting sent Henry Poyntin and Nathaniel Heskins to prison, for not finding Sureties for their good Behaviour, though no misbehaviour was proved against them: and they were kept above a quarter of a year prisoners, on no other Account, without any Trial: and then he caused an Indictment to be read against them, above a quarter of a year after they had been imprisoned as aforesaid: and that Indictment being read at the Sessions against them, for not coming to their Church so called, for eight weeks, they were fined Forty Pounds a piece, and kept Prisoners as they had been above three Months, and had no Trial, and are Prisoners to this day.  
The said Justice Meridith at a Meeting at Frenchbaw, in the County of Gloucester, upon the 13th day of the 4th month (commonly called June) fell upon William Bennet, and beat him very sorely; and he did beat William Wade also. The twentieth of the same Month, at the same place, in the Highway, near the Meetinghouse, be found John Silcock and he took him by the hair of the Head, and plucked him into the Meetinghouse Yard, and then drew his naked Knife, and said, He would mark him; but his own Clerk and others stepped in and prevented him: otherwise it was verily thought, he would have done the said Silcock some great mischief.— The twenty third of the same month, coming to the same place, he demanded of George Peace what his Name was, and he not giving his Name suddenly, John Meridith drew his naked Knife upon him, but one of his own Servants restrained him from his wicked purpose.— The twenty seventh of the same month at the same place, the said John Meridith took John Bawn and pulled him by the hair of the head, and after that finding him in the Highway the same day, he fell upon him and beat him after a very cruel and barbarous manner.  
And the said Meridith did beat John Friar, and Joseph Glover two Officers, because they refused to pull and hale people as he would have them. Samuel Symons making his Appeal to John Meridith for a Fine taken from him, the said Meridith fell upon him and beat him exceedingly in his own house.  
Several others were beaten and abused by the said Meridith, which would be tedious to mention particuly. Many Friends were Eye-witnesses to these Passages. And the said Justice Meridith broke five Glass Windows to pieces with his Staff, not leaving so much as one whole Quarrel, and also caused the Benches and Forms to be cut to pieces.  
Since the Account aforesaid there hath been taken from John Boy of Luckinton, for three several Fines amounting to 11 l. goods worth about the same value, by Warrant from Justice Gabriel Low.  
And the Officers when they seized upon our poor Friends Goods, belonging to Badmanton Meeting, did say, they were charged by Gabriel Low Justice, to take all they could find, and that which was not worth carrying away, they should burn it, or break it to pieces, insomuch that Thomas Holbrow an old blind man, and his wise, and several other poor Friends, had not a Bed left them, but their Lodging hath been on Straw for several weeks; and it's above eleven Months since the blind man's Bed was taken, and his Lodging is on Straw to this day. And some Friends lent some of the Sufferers a Bed and Coverlets, and some other things to keep them warm in the winter, and the said Officers took away part thereof, and broke the Bedstead, and cut the Cord. Also the aforesaid blind man and Henry Ash by of Hawksbury-Vpton were taken up by Session's Process, and carried to Goal, being indicted by that Act for not going to their Worship.  
Some of the Marquis of Worcester his Servants, Thomas Cook his Butcher, Robert Long his Brewer, John Newman his Keeper, These became Informers, and went to Little Badmanton often to the Quake's Peaceable Meetings being at the Blind man's house & there in a most cruel barbarous manner abused the Innocent People of that Meeting, of which Abuses he ear some few Instances, for the sake of them that have some Tenderness in them, and are against these wicked Practices.  
Thomas Cook the Butcher one of the Informers aforesaid, at the said Meeting said, It was no more sin to kill one of them, then to kill a Dog: He did much abuse Sarah Ashby, by punching, beating, and using her in a shameful manner, And so did John Newman another of the aforesaid Informers throw the said Sarah to the Ground in a shameful, wicked manner; and by the wrong she received, she suffered damage to her Body, and some time after fell ill. The said Informers came to the Meeting when there were but three Persons besides the Family, whom they took and threw against the walls, and against the Posts of the Door in a cruel barbarous manner; and Thomas Holbrow the blind man of the house told them, their Actions were quite contrary to the Act; the said Informers replied, What do you tell us of the Act? We matter not the Act. The said Informers abused John Jones in a desperate shameful manner, throwing him over the Gate several times to the hazard of his Life, throwing him upon his Back, and then laid him thwart a Stick, and in a grievous manner abused him.  
And at another time, when the said Informers were abusing Friends, they said, If we kill one of you, we believe we shall not be hangged for it.  
And the said Informers took Benjamin Power, and threw him over a wall, and did beat him in a shameful manner; and at another time in a Meadow, the said Informers took him, and threw him upon his Back, and in a most wicked manner abused him. And the said Informers took John Boy and threw him over a Gate and Stile several times, and dragged him in the Street on his Back, in the Dirt, and drove him in a Wheel-Barrow, and threw water on him, also they took him a Height from the Ground, and let him fall on his Back; This they have done several times. Also the said Informers took John Tailor in the Street, and struck him Several desperate Blows, and threw him over a Wall in such a dangerous manner that it might have undone him. Thomas Cock Informer took Nehemiah Stinchcomb and led him away from the Meeting, out of sight, and did beat him till his flesh was black; and had not one looked over a Wall accidentally, they knew not but he might have been spoiled: And he lay very ill under the Bruises several days.  
The said Informers took John Beard as he was going into a Friend's house, by the hair of the head, and beat his head against a Post in an Unchristianlike manner; and they swore very desperate Oaths, That they would out off his Ears; and they followed him half a Mile Beating, Kicking, Punching, and Nipping him by the Ears, in a very wicked barbarous manner; another time they put a Rope about his Neck, and so led him up the Street. The said Informers took John Peace, a man about sixty four years old, and dragged him out of the Meeting into the Street, and threw him upon his Back, and then took him up by his Girdle above the Ground, and let him fall again, in a desperate manner: Moreover they said, they would throw him into a Well (which was near) but one coming by prevented them; and being much bruised he complained of it a great while.  
It would be tedious to instance all the Wrongs and Injuries which these Innocent People have suustained from these wicked malicious Informers.  
And also some suffer by the Act of 12 d. a day for not coming to the Parish-Church so called: So the Judges, and others in Authority to do Justice, may see how many Laws are laid upon us, to destroy us, contrary to the King's Words and Speeches (viz.) That none should call us in Question if we live Peaceable: And none can justly say, that ever we did forfeit our Liberty: And we do believe it is not the King's mind, that we should be ruinated and destroyed, who are his Peaceable Subjects, and desire his Good, and all that are under HIM.   

A further Account of the Sufferings of the People called Quakers in the Forest of Dean, in the County of Gloucester, upon the late Act against Conventicles; By these and such like proceed the Cruelty of the Merciless is made manifest.  
JOhn Gwyn of Colford in the County aforesaid, for being at Meetings to worship God, in the aforesaid Town, was fined Twenty five Shillings, for three several Meetings (viz.) the first Meeting being on the seventh day of the eighth month, 77. The second upon the twenty first of the eighth month, 77. The third Meeting being upon the eighth day of the tenth month, 77. for which he had a Mare, Saddle, Bridle, Hatchet, Nippers, Looking-glass, and two Eggs, and his Wife's nursing-basket and Comb (having a Wife and five small Children) with other Goods taken from him upon the twenty first day of the tenth month, 77. to the value of 3 l. by John Benfield Constable of the said Town, by virtue of a warrant from Baynham Throck-morton Knight, upon Information to the said Justice by Charles William's Bailiff of the Hundred, and William Vick being Informers.  
William Hibbs of Aylburton, in the County aforesaid, for being at the same Meeting to worship God, was fined in the sum of twenty shillings; and by warrant from the aforesaid Justice, directed to Richard Brown Constable, who came with other Officers the last day of the tenth month, 77. to take distress; and the said William not being at home, John Mills Overseer of the poor, violently broke open his Son Jonathan Hibss his shop door, and took as much Cloth of Linen, and , that was worth twelve Pounds and upwards, for the fine of twenty shillings imposed upon his Father.  
Jenkin Hopkin of Colford for being at the same Meetings, was fined for himself and others, in the sum of 14 l. of the which fine 10 l. was for the Speaker; the aforesaid John Benfield Constable, with several other Officers, came to take Distress the twenty fourth day of the tenth month, 77. and did take away out of his shop, Cloth and other Goods; and the twenty sixth day following, they being not satisfied for the fine, came again and riffled his shop and his house, and carried away what they pleased, not leaving Bed-clothes to cover himself, his Wife & Children; This was done in the presence of many of his Neighbours; who seeing their Cruelty, did lament and weep, and said, They feared God's Judgements would come upon them, because of such Do: The value of which Goods cannot at present be justly given account of as hereafter may.  
Henry Lloyd of Alvington in the County aforesaid, being fined in the sum of twenty pounds, for the Meetinghouse, and by Warrant from the aforesaid Justice, directed to John Knight Constable of the aforesaid Town, who with other Officers came and seized upon his Corn in his Barn, to the value of Thirty pounds.  
William Howel of Colford, for being at the same Meetings before mentioned, was fined in twenty five shillings, for which he had Iron and other Goods taken from him the twenty sixth day of the eleventh month, 77. by John Benfiëld Constable of the aforesaid Town, and other Officers, worth three pounds, which Goods, fifty shillings worth of it not being his own, the Owner had it again.  
John Rainolds of Beryhill, for being at one of the said Meetings before named, was fined in five shillings for himself, and ten pounds for the Speaker, for which he had taken from him on the twenty sixth day of the tenth month, 77. by the aforesaid Constable and other Officers, by Warrant from the aforesaid Justice, One Cow, One brewing-Kettle, One big Iron Pot, One Brass Pot, One big Brass Candlestick, One Pewter Candlestick, Three Dishes of Pewter, One Pewter Saltcellar, One Gridiron, Two Dripping-pans, One Bolster, One Pillow, One Coverlet, and a Tablecloth: The just worth of these Goods we know not.  
This Account was taken the 22d day of the 11th month, 77. by us whose Names are hereunto subscribed. 

Henry Lloyd  
Jenkin Hopkin.  
William Hibbs.  
John Hibbs.  
William Howel.  
John Gwyn.      

A Postscript.  
WE are persuaded, yea, clearly and fully satisfied by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, That NONE (Especially such) who do profess his Holy Name and Doctrine, Ought to persecute about, or concerning Religion, Faith and Worship of the living God; Persecution being wholly inconsistent with the Tender Spirit, Holy Doctrine, Meek and Innocent Conversation of the Heavenly Man Christ Jesus our souls Captain, Highpriest and Bishop, who came not to cost●oy men's Lives, but to save them, who is our Prince of Peace, who leads us into Peace with God, and one with another, and to have Unfeigned Love unto our Enemies; in which Love we pray for those who have and do persecute and Despitefully use us, in which we desire their Unfeigned Repentance, and Salvation.  
The Law which came by Moses, which punished those who rebelled against God (in running into false worship & Idolatry) with outward & bodily Punishment to death, was ended by our Lord Jesus Christ, who offered up himself through the eternal spirit, 1600 years ago, as a Lamb without Spot and Blemish, who rebuked his own Disciples, who in their infancy would have fire come down from heaven to destroy those who would not receive him: We believe and are assured by him, that it is the Duty of his Disciples and Ministers to labour in the Spirit of Truth, in Unfeigned Love, Meekness and Patience, to convince and convert Idolators and all Gainsayers (who are under Mistakes about Religion, Faith in God and Christ, and Worship, etc.) by Sound Doctrine, Good Life and Conversation; for so Christ Jesus and his Holy Apostles and Ministers did; whose Holy Doctrine and Example we are exhorted, by him and them, to follow: By these Spiritual Weapons they destroyed Idolatry out of the hearts of Multitudes and coverted them to God; but those who have pretended to set up and uphold Christian Religion, by outward Violence, in oppressing People, and destroying them in their Persons and Estates, by these their Carnal and Unchristian Weapons, they never made one True Christian, nor ever can; but such do bring a great Scandal upon the Name of Christianity among the Turks, Jews and Heathens.  
Christ and his Apostles were persecuted for their pure, peaceble Religion, but they never persecuted any. We desire the Rulers and Magistrates of England seriously to consider of these things, and of the many Grievous Burdens which have been laid and long continued upon us in our Persons and Estates, Only for our Faith in, and Obedience to God and Christ. And we desire you in the Fear and Love of God, to exercise your Power to remove Oppression from off the Peaceable People of God in this Land, that the God that made you may take pleasure in you, and give you the Reward of Peace and Rest in your latter End; for he will certainly reward every one, According to their deeds done in the Body, whether they be good or evil.  
Friends, Remember and obey the Command of Christ Jesus, who said, Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them: And he said, If ye keep my Commandments, ye shall abide in my Love, as I have kept my Father's Commandments, and abide in his Love.  
●e secution about the exercise of Faith and Worship unto God and Christ, hath made many Hypocrites; but it never made one True Christian, nor ever will: Therefore let all Magistrates, Teachers & People who are concerned therein, speedily cease from this Unchristian practice, & repent of what is already done, that it may be well with them in the world to come.  
Given forth by a Member of the Church of Christ William Gibson.  
THE END.