THE Lyn Persecution: Being the Case of our Brother the Baptist Minister there JAMES MARHAM, WHOSE Goods have been seized, and himself harrased in Law (and is now prosecuted in Chancery) for holding a Baptist Meeting in that Town, notwithstanding his and the Houses legal Qualification.  
Here is also, A brief Relation of his former Service and Sufferings in promoting the great, though much despised Doctrine of Believers Baptism.  
Well approved and advised by the general Elder deceased Thomas Grantham.  
Attested by the adjacent Churches, and directed to the Churches at London and the Country.  
Printed to be read only by the Lovers of Believers Baptism, because it is sitted only for their Use. 1692/3.   

Christian Brethren, holding the Doctrine of Believers Baptism.  
IT's known to some, that much of this Case was moved to our Brethren and Churches at London, (that being our Centre) about September, 1692. and then it was advised to give a more particular Relation: Therefore, and because the Case is grown more heavy, is now a Relation given, and given in Print, that it may be effectually intelligible to all our Baptised Brethren, which otherwise we could not propose how to easily make it so. And to do this credibly, we have composed ●his Narrative of those parts whereof you see it doth insist, viz. The brief Account of Matter of Fact which our Brother Marham left under his own Hand, at London, September, 1692. and also the Testimonial from the Brethren at Lyn, and Parts adacent. Also, the Testimonials of Brother Nicholas Knowles, Elder of the baptised Church at Whitelsey. And as Circumstantials to his present Case, here are prefixed several remarkable Services done by Brother Marham for the Baptist Interest; and are, therefore, cogent Arguments for our reason to work upon.  
Brethren, the Circumstances of our Brother James Marham, which preceded his present Troubles, being very remarkable, are Tokens of a good and great desire to promote, what in him lay, the great, though much despised, Doctrine of Believers Baptism; and, therefore, we think it proper to let you know them, as well as his present Troubles, that it may appear that his present Trouble is not a light single Trouble upon him, neither a Trouble fallen upon a Brother of a slothful Spirit; but 'tis an unsupportable Trouble come upon the back of several preceding Troubles, through which he hath struggled with great Charge, Loss and Pains, and yet his Love to Truth hath not declined its Promotion; this, I think, is a Wonder. But 'tis native for a Christian to do Wonders in Perseverance, and therefore is a great Demonstration of Christianity, or a Work of Grace upon the Soul, the consideration of which, together with the public Interest of Christ, must needs move in us that Love, that as an instinct is in every true Christian to the Brethren: And I assure you, my Brethren, this is that that hath wrought in me (he having hardly any other Acquaintance in London) to thus appear in behalf of his and our Interests, or rather, Christ's Interest; for otherwise, I have my own worldly Business to mind as other Brethren have, and could as gladly rest from this. But when I see a Brother (engaged in our public Cause) on the Frontiers, made War upon by our common Enemy, I cannot be silent, but must publish it to Brethren, that their Strength may be called in to his Relief, before, by the violence of Storms, he is utterly ruined, and the Cause there lost, and our selves made the next Spoil to the Enemy. Pray, my Brethren, let it not be with us, as it was with the Priest and Levite that passed by their Brother that fell among Thiefs and was wounded, lest it lies as a Reproach upon us, as it doth upon the Priest and Levite unto this day. God doth mind our labour of Love; and Christ saith, That forasmuch as you did it not to them that believe on me, you did it not to me. And 〈◊〉 this Relief Brother Knowles hath spoken very essentially, Bis dat, qui cito dat, He that gives quickly, ●…ves twice: For it will be too late to take a Man out of 〈◊〉 Water when he is drowned; Pros and Con's about whose right and duty, are dangerous Delays; even as when we see a Man a sinking, 'tis then no time to contend about the price, and whose right it is to pay the charge of a Boat going out to to take him up. Now or never is the time, as you may also perceive by this pressing, for great Strains are for great Reasons; and we thus strain because the Burden upon our Brother Marham is now to him intolerable, having always readily expended his Substance for the public Interest of Believers Baptism: And this heavy Loss to come upon the back of all the rest at last, is unsupportable to him, as it would have been to many of us, though we had not, as he, so liberally bore the Charges of divers former Occasions; for a Man cannot always hold out, Money has an end; all Men have not abundance, though they may have enough for their own support, could they enjoy that peaceably.  
Methinks, my Brethren, we should not know how to let Neglect charge, dreadfully charge our Consciences with so great a sin, as neglect in this case will do; are we willing, or shall we choose to save our help and lose the Gospel, or at least run the venture? Or, shall we think that a Brother, such a Brother, doth not oblige us, nearly concern us? Methinks, our Saviour's saying reaches this Matter, Whosoever hateth his Brother without a Cause is guilty— And so, Whosoever neglecteth his Brother without a Cause, nay, when there is meritorious Cause to relieve him, is also guilty.  

'Tis more Justice than Charity.  
And now more directly to our Brethren, of the particular Point, I say, That this Case, as it comes from the Enemy, is not upon the Account of the general or the particular Points, but against Baptism itself▪ for the Enemy being much of the general Point themselves, the enmity must needs be as they have declared, purely against Believers Baptism only, and not th●… Person; and therefore, this Case doth also concern our particular Brethren, the Consideration of which hath so affected our Brother Elder Rix of Wisbich, that he hath sent a brief Relation thereof, not only to me, but also to Brother Keach; for he finds the Lord hath a People in that Town, having discoursed with some, on whom a work of Grace hath been wrought.  
And I think I may note that many Ministers of different Professions have of late united, because they would promote their Schoolfellows, etc. and shall not we Baptists, that both of us, of an humble Spirit, slighted the superstitious World's Reproach and Contempt, by submitting to Baptism for the sake of its being a great Gospel Ordinance; I say, shall not we, also, unite to defend that Gospel Ordinance, for which we in obedience exposed ourselves, and aught still to suffer for, when called thereto? May our two Sticks also become one for the real furtherance of the Gospel.  
And to me it appears, that the Cost and Charges that have attended our single Brother Marham, would have strained three Country Churches to have paid; and therefore he is a singular Brother, and now aught to be relieved.  
But, my Brethren, I am ready to believe all these argumentive Notes are already impressed upon your Consideration, and that, therefore, they are rather▪ superfluous than instructive, because the Merit of the Cause appearing, you will readily espouse it, and give your effectual Supplies; putting the management of the Matter into their Hands that will carefully discharge these my Concerns herein. Pardon my this piece of Service for the public Interest of our Religion, that I may rest, as I use to do, and remain your Christian Brother,  
Lond. Feb. 25. 1692/ 3. C. Do.    

A brief Relation of the remarkable Services and Troubles that went before the present Trouble of our Brother James Marham.  
ABout three years before King Charles II. died, Brother Marham lived in the Town of Holbich in Lincolnshire, and then the Persecution was so great, that the Enemy made a Levy upon him for several score Pounds, and was driven from one Justice to another for 4 days of the Week together, and from one Court to another, until he was driven from both Trade and Habitation, notwithstanding which, he seeing the Cause required it, did appear there in the defence of our Brethren Ministers, Brother William Rix, now Elder of the Church at Wisbich, and Brother Samuel Phillips, until the Justices had set them at Liberty, and yet revenged their Quarrel upon Brother Marham, for speaking properly and legally in their behalf; so that the Justice could not satisfy his unreasonable desires, without Imprisonment of Brother Marham, saying, That the People of the Town were all of one Religion until Brother Marham had Meetings in his House, he being the first Baptist in Holbich; so that there is now a Church computed at about 30 baptised Persons, whose Minister is Brother James Phillips.  
After this, they still took away his Goods, insomuch that he was forced to board himself and Wife for about a year and an half, though to his much Damage▪ but the Enemy seeing that he often appeared in the behalf of persecuted Brethren, to instruct and defend them, threatened to knock him on the Head.  
And after all this, in King James' Reign, Brother Marham living in a Town called, Wapool-bell in Norfolk, where the People were so much Strangers to the name of Baptist, that they said he was an outlandish Professor, for they never before heard of such a name as Baptist: So that when he had lived there three Weeks, the Officers of the Town were sent to Command him to frequent the Parish Church, or else to make his Appearance before Justice Con— and Mr. Harbe the Parson of the Parish, which Brother Marham did, and was discoursed by them four Hours, several Gentlemen being present; and yet the Parson professing dissatisfaction, appointed another time for a further Debate; but then came Liberty of Conscience by Proclamation, and then the Parson declined the further Debate, and Brother Marham, the same Week, set up a Meeting in Wapool, where several People did resort, and it pleased God so to prosper his Undertaking, that now there is a baptised People or Church settled there, the Minister thereof is Brother Robert Booth.  
And upon the Death of our Brother Marham's then Wife, he removed from Wapool to his now Habitation in Lyn-regis in Norfolk, and then, by the great Advice of our Brother, and famed general Elder, Thomas Grantham deceased, our Brother Marham hath undertaken to raise a Meeting in this great Town of Lyn also (though there was not another Baptist in this Town neither) which he hath done by hiring the Place, and furnishing it, and entertaining Brother Grantham, and after that, Brother Long, our London Brethren's Messenger, several Months at Board, etc. without Mony. And since that, Brother Audly of Fenestanton Communion; and since Brother Audly's departure, our Brother Marham, to support the Meeting, hath himself Preached, and so continues to do, accepting of, and entertaining that help that comes to Lyn, from adjacent Churches; whereby it hath pleased God to bless these Endeavours with the success of Conversion of several Persons that are also baptised.  
And this Lyn Meeting is that that occasioned his present very great Troubles, and is, by the Enemy, endeavoured to be broken in pieces; upon which occasion we thus move for Relief.   

The following Brief Brother Marne— signified to Goswel-street Brethren; and I, to our Barbekin Brethren, Octob. 1692.  

These, to the Baptised Congregations in London.  
Doth show,  
THAT James Marham, with other of Their Majesty's loyal Subjects, dissenting Protestants, under the Denomination of Baptists, holding their Meeting, for the exercise of Religion, in Lyn-regis in the County of Norfolk, in a place there Licenced according to the late Act of Parliament, in that Case provided; have, notwithstanding, been Prosecuted as Offenders for so doing, by _____ and _____ of Lyn aforesaid, upon a Statute made in the Reign of King Charles the Second, Entitled, An Act to prevent and suppress Seditious Conventicles; and the Goods of the abovesaid have been seized by a Levy, granted against him July, 1691. so that he petitioned the Judge Sir E— N—, Septemb. 1691. at Norwich, and was after that, forced to communicate the same to some of the great Council the last Sessions of Parliament, but after the Parliament was risen, he was prosecuted for the same, and is yet in great Trouble threatening his Ruin (if God prevent not) being commanded several times to appear before them, for the dismissing of the Meeting, but as it pleased the Lord it is continued.  
Lond. Sept. 28. 1692. James Marham.   
Note, that about a fortnight after the Informers, by Bonds, had made an amicable end with Brother Marham, under pretence of great trouble of Conscience, whereby they got from him a Discharge from their false Information, they then came and actually seized his Goods, according to the former Levy; which plainly discovered their design of agreement was but to have a safer Advantage against him; and by seizing, to ruin him; and therefore 'twas that he was advised to sue the Bonds.  
The followng Testimonial I received of Brother Wright of Barbekin.  

Lyn Regis, Nou. 7th 1692. To all Baptised Believers, in London and Country, where these may come, greeting, (upon the account of our Lord) to communicate unto them, and their Christian Consideration, the great Troubles that have attended James Marham since it hath pleased God to put it into the Hearts of the King and Parliament to grant Liberty, etc.  
This doth show,  
THat James Marham in Lyn Regis, being one of his Majesty's loyal Subjects Dissenting Protestants, under the Denomination of a Baptist, holding Meeting for the Exercise of Religion, in the place aforesaid, in the County of Norfolk, in a Place there Licenced according to the late Acts of Parliament in that Case provided, hath notwithstanding been prosecuted as an Offender, for so doing, from Sessions to the Assizes, and from thence to London, and other several Places, by _____ and _____ aforesaid, upon Statute made in the Reign of King Charles II. entitled, An Act to Prevent and Suppress Seditious Conventicles: And the Goods of the above seized, and he himself in great Danger, to the great disturbance of his Peace, and hindrance of his Trade, with great Expenses of Money and loss of Time, to defend himself at this Time of Day, of Liberty, notwithstanding in the worst of Times he hath suffered greatly, etc.  
He doth therefore most humbly beseech the Baptised Churches, as aforesaid, to inspect his Affair, which is a Precedent the like not found in England, and to commiserate his condition, who desires nothing but to enjoy his Liberty according to Law, and as other Dissenting Protestants do enjoy the same, without any Molestation in the same Town, where it is denied him with great Rigour, and many Threaten to be routed out of the Town.  


John Gregory,  
Will. Harper,  
Samuel Philips,  
John Shipley,  
John Poyed,  
George Robson,  
Richard Robins,  
Joseph Marham,  
Richard Cousons'.      

The Case of our Brother James Marham of King's Lyn in the County of Norfolk, humbly offered to the Christian Consideration of all the Baptised Churches and Brethren, who look upon themselves concerned to strive together for the Promotion of the Gospel of Truth, in this Day of Liberty.  
THat there is a Meeting of Baptised Believers at Lyn, abovesaid, we suppose is already knowm to many, not only in the Country but in London also, together with the Hard Things that have hitherto befallen them through the inveterate Malice of some great Adversaries of Truth, therefore both Substance and Circumstance is as followeth, viz.  
Our deceased Brother and Elder, Thomas Grantham, heretofore, about three Years since, came to Lyn, and Brother Marham, the now Minister, being always a very forward Promoter of Truth, though to his great Cost and worldly Damage, heretofore, in the Times of great Persecution, yet still by God's Providence of Grace, bearing an inward Love to the same upon Brother Grantham's offering to preach there at Lyn, Brother Marham did procure the Town-hall, which at that time was so well replenished with attentive Auditors, like hungry and thirsty Souls, so that Brother Grantham being exceedingly pleased, put the said Brother Marham upon hiring and licensing some convenient Place that a Meeting might be continued in the said Town; which being cheerfully consented to by Brother Marham, he did it accordingly, and fitted the same at his own proper Charge, without help of any. Which Place, so fitted, was managed and supplied sometimes by Brother Grantham, and sometimes by the Baptised Churches at Whitelsey, and other Places, as Brethren had occasion to travel that way, which Brother Grantham, observing and receiving the greater Kindness from the Brethren from London, to have Brother Will. Long sent to Norwich as a help to him, he very freely, Jan. 8. 1690. sent Brother William Long to reside at Lyn for a Time, that that new Place of young Converts might taste the Kindness of the London Brethren; by which means the Meeting grew great and numerous, which Satan envying, stirred up some Adversaries, but by what Means or Persons soever the great Enemies were stirred up to espouse this unjust Cause under Pretence of the House not being licenced, nor qualified according to the Direction of the late Act for Liberty, although the House was licenced, with all the Formalities directed by the said Act, and did therefore procure and encourage Robert Whitehead and Hen. Oseingcraft to become Informers, who coming to the Meeting, entered their Information before the Justices, who forthwith issued out their Levy, 20 l the House, 20 l. the Preacher, and 5 s a piece the Hearers, by virtue of the Act against Conventiclcs: Our Brethren, all this while being ignorant of their Proceed, till the Justices, not knowing upon whom to charge the 20 l. for the House, sent for Brother Marham, and asked him, If there was not a Meeting kept in such a Place? he answered yes; and then they demanded, Who hired the House? He told them himself had; they then said, He must pay 20 l for that Meeting in the House, and said that it was a new Religion, and they would not suffer the Meeting to continue, but break it up, or force him out of Town. He then shown his Licence or Qualification of the House, and alleged the Privilege by the late Act for Liberty; which they would by no means allow, but caused their Levy to be executed both upon him and others; which causeth Consternation to many young Beginners, who gladly received the Gospel. After all this the Informers threatened to make a Rogue of Brother Marham, because he still kept up the Meeting, so that last March, on the twenty sixth or thereabout, they pretended a very hard Thing against him, demanding Security of him; but he refused, and then they swore one Witness against him, thinking to have committed Brother Marham to Prison, but they could not bring their Purpose about: then Brother James Marham getting a Copy of their Levy, found they had sworn against one John Marham, to be then Preaching, though it was really Brother Long, who was only at Prayer, and not Preaching. And also that the Informers had sworn, That one Francis Robbinson was at the said Meeting, who was not there: We having this Advantage, advised with divers, and particularly with the London Brethren what was best to be done in this Case, the Country Friends thought it best to lay it before the King and Queen, by way of Petition; but the Brethren at London, that were conversed with, did not think that advisable, but rather advised our Brother Marham to go to Common Law, and take Relief there. Which Advice was accordingly followed, and the two Informers were put into the Crown Office; and our Brother had that way effectually done the Business, had not the greater Enemies espoused the Business, and encouraged the Informers, when they should have been proceeded against in order to a Trial, then discharging Mr. By'r— our Brother Marham's Attorney in London from any further Prosecution, as he would answer it in the Hands or Custody of a Messenger; so that 〈◊〉 said Attorney, by this great Threat, desisting his Proceed for a Time; the Informers took the Advantage to remove it from the Common Law into the Court of Chancery; and there is already a Subpoena served at Lyn upon Brother Marham, to answer their Bill of Complaint: Which Bill being now received by Brother Marham, which I myself did peruse, contains 31 Sheets, by their way of drawing, though the very Substance of the same, will be proved utterly False; notwithstanding which it will cost more Money by far than Brother Marham is able to disburse, without evident Ruin, it having cost him a great deal at present to vindicate their Meeting. Brethren, It is not questioned but that our Country Friends will not be wanting; pray therefore hold not back your Christian Duty at this Time, but to all the good things you have heretofore been exemplary in, add this friendly Kindness also, and pray do it as speedily and as well as you can, remember the ancient and true Proverb, Bis dat qui cito dat.  
Written at Lyn Regis, Norfork, Feb. 6. 1692. Your Brother in the Lord, Nicholas Knowles, Whitelsey. If you desire further Confirmation of the Premises, they will be signed and attested by the Brethren in Norwich, Yarmouth and Lincolnshire.   

Wisbich, Feb. 16. 1692/ 3. Brother Do,  
 to your Request, I shall give you some short account of what Sufferings Mr. Marham formerly underwent, upon the account of my keeping a Meeting at his House. One Mr. By'r—, a Justice of the Peace, granted out a Warrant to break up the Meeting; and the Warrant ran to take one John Thorp, or one that came from or near Wisbich whose Name they knew not: There was abundance of People raised, with all sorts of Weapons, the Doors broke open, and I was taken, and kept Prisoner till next Day, and then had before the Justice: Mr. Marham resolving not to leave me, went thither with me. They sent 5 Informers, but I took great Notice of the goodness of God in that thing, for 4 of them were poor Labourers, and had no Living but under their Master that sent them, yet said they would starve sooner than swear to do me wrong; then they had but one. After the Justice saw he wanted Witness, said, The Parliament was very short in making that Act, that they did not make a Corporal Punishment as well as a Purse. But said he, Marham, I will send you to the Goal, and I will ruin the Anabaptist meetings in this Country, or they shall ruin me out of my House. So Mr. Marham was sent to the Goal, to his great loss and Charge before he came out. His Sufferings are so many and so great, that without a considerable Time I cannot give account; He hath had his Goods seized, and several other Persons had been ruined if he had not been, for he stood like a Man resolved for God, to what he knew. He saved many poor Persons from being ruined, (nay some of the Officers that seized his Goods) and defended all the Professors at his own Cost and Charge, that came to the Meetings. His Acts in entertaining and relieving such Ministers as were in want hath not been wanting: I speak not as to myself, for I never had any thing of him, nor blessed be God wanted it not; I say, If the baptised Congregations suffer this ruin to befall him and his F●…ily, there is no Congregation safe by this Act; for where shall we find any single Person able to vie such Suits with great Men; and notwithstanding God hath a People there, yet no Man must go to Preach but he must be ruined. I need say no more at present, you having some knowledge of Things; but I desire the Lord would touch the Hearts of his People with a fellow-feeling of his now Sufferings; and consider how far the honour of God is struck at, and the Liberty of the King's loving Subjects. This with my Love, from your unworthy Brother in the Bands of the Gospel,  
William Rix. Pray give the enclosed to Brother Keach; seal it or not, as you see occasion: The Lo●d, of his Mercy move the Hearts of the People to show Bowels of Compassion to this Person and Cause. But if there be hardness of Heart, and no fellow-feeling, I shall fear greater Judgements coming on, for I took notice it was so before the Persecution broke out so violent; for some Persons they first begun upon were in a way to have freed all the rest; but no person would contribute a Penny, their Purses not being big enough, the Cause fell; and some that denied a small Contribution, that were very able, at last came to the loss of some hundred Pounds; this I took notice of, and know to be true.   

Since this Narrative was put to the Printers, Brother Marham came to London, on purpose to put in his Answer in Chancery, and did it; and then several Brethren discoursed him. Feb. 27, 1692.  
FINIS.