THE Religious Assemblies Of the People called QUAKERS VINDICATED: 

I. From the Charge of their being in Disturbance of the public Peace.  
II. From the Charge of being Seditious Conventicles, mentioned in the Act of 22 Car. 2.  
III. From the Charge of being under Colour or Pretence of an Exercise of Religious Worship, in other manner than is allowed by the Liturgy or practise of the Church of England.   Whereunto is Added A more General Declaration In the CASE. The Second Edition.  
I. TO the first Objection, we may ask our Adversaries, What matter of Record 
* 5 R. 2. c. 7 15 R. 2. c. 2  they can justly make against us, the said People, of due Conviction? either from any notorious Evidence of Fact, or Testimony of Credible Persons, or Confession of our own, as the Law provides, of any formidable Posture that we meet in, as that of Vi & Armis, or any menacing Words or Threats made by us, or of any Contrivance of Insurrection, which 〈…〉 in the Eye of Law and Reason might be deemed or construed to be in Terrorum Populi, or in disturbance of the public Peace, or of the nature of a Riot? If such, should not the matter and Circumstances of the Fact be specified upon such Record as the Law enjoins? But we utterly deny that we ever met in any such formidable Posture, as is of the nature or tendence of what the Law deems in Terrorum Populi. We meet peaceably to wait upon, and really to worship and serve the Almighty God, as our bound duty, according to his Grace, Light and Understanding, which he hath given unto us by his Spirit.  

H. 5. c. 8.  In the 2d year of Henry the 5th, c. 8. It is provided, that if any Riot, Assembly or Rout of People, against the Law, be made in any part of the Realm, then the Justices of the Peace, three, or two of them at the least, and the Sheriff or under-Sheriff of the County where such Riot, Assembly or Rout shall be made hereafter, should come with the Powers of the said County( if need were) to arrest them, and them should Arrest; and the same Justices, Sheriff or under-Sheriff to have Power to Record that which they have found so done in their Presence against the Law. And that by Record of the same Justices, Sheriff or under-Sheriff, such trespassers or offenders should be convicted in manner and form as is contained in the Statute of Forcible Entry, 
● R 2. 7. ● R. 2. 2.  &c. And in the same Statute it is provided, That like Ordinances and Pains should hold place and take effect in Cities, Burroughs, and other places and Towns infranchiz'd, which have Justices of the Peace within them.  
Now let our Adversaries and Persecutors answer us; Where could any of them ever justly make any such legal and due Conviction upon Record against us, for any such Riotous Meeting or Unlawful Assembly on our parts, as hath been really in itself of such a nature and tendence as aforesaid, in Disturbance of the public Peace? We positively deny that our Assemblies are of any such nature, however misrepresented by our Adversaries.  
II. Objection; If it be alleged, That our Meetings or Assemblies are contrary to Law, and therefore in disturbance of the public Peace.  
Qu. We question what Law or Statute they are contrary unto?  
Obj. If it be answered, They are contrary to an Act which is both Mandatory and Panal, made in the 22th year of King Charles the 2d, entitled, An Act to prevent and suppress seditious Conventicles.  
We Answer; 1st, That our assemblies are no such as Seditious Conventicles, i.e. for Sedition, Strife or Rebellion against the Government. 2dly, 'Tis a mere begging the Question, to term our Assemblies Seditious; no such thing has ever been proved against them as Sedition, that is, 
† Sedition explained.  A stirring up to Rebellion or Discord, A raising a Faction or Mutiny, as Phillips in his New World of Words explains it; But our Assemblies are for no such design or end, nor could ever any overt Act of that kind or tendence be proved or justly charged against us, in relation to our Meetings, or otherwise: Therefore they are no Seditious Conventicles or Assemblies. 3dly, Our Assemblies are made up of no such Persons or People as have committed any such dangerous Practices against the Government, as mentioned in the Preamble of the said Act, 22 Car. 2.( though rude Informers and Disturbers have come Riotously, and with Violence against us into our Meetings.) Neither are we any such seditious Sectaries, or disloyal Persons, who under pretence of tender Consciences, have or may at their Meetings contrive Insurrections; as also the Preamble of the said Act is specified. We use no Pretence of tender Conscience for any such wicked end or design. The All-seeing and Heart-searching God knows our innocence and clearness herein; as also the Nation's long Experience can witness for us. And if Titles and Preambles of Laws be the Keys of Laws, and do evince or show the Nature and respective Intentions thereof, then this said Act against Seditious Conventicles( where under pretence of tender Consciences, Insurrections have been or may be contrived) doth not extend to us. We pretend nothing but what we really intend, viz. The spiritual Worship and real Service of Almighty God, who searches our Hearts, and whom we sincerely reverence and fear.  
III. Obj. But if it be objected, That the matter of Fact incurring the Fines and Penalties of the said Act against Conventicles, is our Meeting under Colour or Pretence of an Exercise of Religious Worship, in other manner than according to the Liturgy and practise of the Church of England, or in other manner than is allowed thereby.  
Answ. We answer; 1st, That the words [ Colour or Pretence] have relation to the Preamble, as, Who under pretence of tender Conscience have or may at their Meetings contrive Insurrections, as late Experience hath shown. But such pretence or colour of Religious Exercise, for any such Contrivance, were abominable Deceit and hypocrisy, and never chargeable upon us or our Assemblies: We can challenge the whole World to detect us herein. 2dly, We are not conscious to ourselves of any such matter of Fact committed in our Assemblies, and on our part, which the Liturgy or practise of the Church of England allows not. If we be herein charged, let's know what it is that we have done in our Assemblies, which the Liturgy and practise of the Church of England allows not of, seeing the Liturgy allows of the holy Scriptures, which we are sure allow of[ and enjoin] Christians Assembling together to wait upon and Worship God in Spirit and Truth, and of the manner thereof, as to the places, whether in Houses, or abroad in Fields or Mountains, which is our case, both as to the matter and manner of our Assemblies.  
Obj. If it be still objected, That our Meetings are under colour and pretence of an Exercise of Religious Worship, in other manner than according to the Liturgy and practise of the Church of England.  
Answ. We answer; 1st, What that exercise of Religious worship is, that is in other manner than according to the Liturgy, should be explained unto us, and that according to Law, seeing this late Act against Conventicles does NOT explain what Manner ' tis.  
But 2dly, we find in a Statute made in the first year of Q. Elizabeth, chap. 2. that that other Manner is thus explained, viz. 
† What other Manner the Liturgy allows not  That if any Person or Persons whatsoever shall by open Fact, dead, or shall by open threatenings compel or cause, or otherwise procure or maintain any person, Vicar or other Minister in any Cathedral or Parish Church, chapel, or in any other place, to sing or say any common and open Prayer, or to minister any Sacrament otherwise, or in any other manner and form than is mentioned in the said BOOK, &c. This does not at all reach our case, we are not found guilty hereof, and therefore are not condemnable by the Law in this case; this concerned the Clergy, not us; And we neither threaten, compel, cause, or any wise procure or maintain any person, Vicar, or any else to sing or say any common or open Prayer, or to minister any Sacrament in any Cathedral or Parish Church, &c. This we are so far from, that we compel No Body to any form of singing or paying in God's Worship, but persuade men to serve and worship God as he directs, and for that end desire all may come to his divine Grace and good Spirit in their hearts, to guide them in his holy Worship, both as to matter and manner of praying and praising his Name, that they may serve and worship him, not in the oldness of the Letter, but in the newness of the Spirit, for such he is( even in our days) seeking to worship him, as must worship him in Spirit and in Truth; And such both pray with the Spirit, and sing with the Spirit, and with Understanding, according to the ancient Apostolical Testimony, and practise of the primitive spiritual Christians.   

A more General Declaration, showing the said Peoples clearness from all Sedition, contriving Insurrections and dangerous Practices, under any Colour or Pretence whatsoever.  
WHereas there is lately published an Act, entitled, An Act to prevent and suppress seditious Conventicles The words in the Preamble of which Act are as followeth;; For providing further and more speedy Remedies against the growing and dangerous Practices of seditious Sectaries, and other disloyal Persons; who under pretence of tender Consciences, have or may at their Meetings contrive Insurrections( as late Experience hath shown.)  
THe People of God in scorn called Quakers, are all free and clear from these Actions above, or before mentioned, and it doth not concern them; for Quakers Meetings are not seditious Conventicles, and therefore ought not to be suppressed; neither have been, or are our Practices dangerous, but have always been found peaceable and clear of such things; and though we have been accused as Plotters, &c. and though we have been numbered amongst seditious Persons, yet nothing of that kind could ever be justly charged or proved against us. And as for the word, Disloyal to the King. We have always paid our Taxes and assessments, and other deuce and Duties, more than any People according to our abilities; and so the thing that belongs to Caesar we give to Caesar, and that which belongs to God we give to God, his Worship in Spirit and Truth, which is his Due. And we have kept our Meetings on our parts peaceably, who have been gathered together by the Lord, in the Name of Jesus. And we do not meet together under a colour or pretence of tender Consciences, to plot and contrive Insurrections against the King, but meet together in the Power and Spirit of the Lord, without any such pretence, but in reality to worship and glorify God in our Bodies, Souls and Spirits, which are his; and for so doing, it hath cost many of our Friends and Brethren their Lives, by Imprisonment, Exile, and otherwise; neither dare we forsake the assemblings of ourselves together, as the the manner of some was, &c. And our Meetings have been peaceable all along on our account, though rude People have come and railed against us, and abused us. And our Principle is, and ever was against such practices as Sedition, or contriving Insurrections, but it leads us to the peaceable Truth, and to seek the peace of all men, and to Christ Jesus who is the Way to God, who is the Author of Peace. And so we are by Christ Jesus taught to deny all Sedition, Conspiracy and Insurrection; and he doth teach us to deny all such things, who was before all such things, and seditious Sects were, and will be when they are all gone; for he is the same to day, yesterday and forever.  
And if any should pretend tenderness of Conscience, and religious Exercise, and under that colour intend a quiter contrary thing. as to contrive Insurrections, &c. this is gross hypocrisy and Dissim lation, which our souls ever did, and do abhor, and deny; and such a●e unlawful Meetings. And were not the Magistrates, as Mayors, Justices, and other Officers, &c. enjoined by their oaths before, to look after the preservation of the Peace, against all such seditious Meetings, as much as this Act doth require?  
And if any Magistrate should take hold upon any that are innocent of these actions, mentioned in the title and preamble of the Act, then whether or no( the innocent Person being defamed, besides his suffering and spoiling of his Goods) the Lord will not take notice to defend the Innocent, and judge for such things?  
Now if four besides the Family do meet that are seditious Spirits, may not many such little Meetings do more hurt then if there were two or three hundred together? for then they may speak out their minds to one another, which they could not before hundreds of mixed People? Now if Caesar must have his due, must we not meet together to give God his due?  
And if such an Act should have been made by the Jews in the dayes of Christ, would it not have taken hold of Christ, and his Apostles? for had not he twelve with him, and seventy, and sometimes hundreds, and thousands? And did not Christ and his Apostles keep Meetings in deserts, Mountains, by Sea-side, on Ship-board, in private Houses, besides Temple and synagogues? And was there not many Sects amongst the Jews, yet all professed God? And are there not several Sects in Turkey? Do not Jews, and Turks, and Christians, keep their Meetings on several days distinct? And in the Mogul's Country are there not several Religions? And in Germany, and the low Countries, and in many parts of Christendom, and other parts of the World, are there not several Religions? and yet they have their peaceable Liberty. And did not God let Adam have liberty in the Earth? And Abraham did not only let Ishmael have liberty, but relief in the Wilderness? So why should not they have liberty that be Innocent, to wait upon and worship God, who are clear from Sedition, and contriving Insurrection under pretence of tender Consciences, or any pretence whatsoever? Concerning which, we that are called Quakers, can say in the presence of God, We are free and clear from, and testify to all men, though we have been so accused, and have been tried by Imprisonment to death, and Banishment, and spoiling of Goods, yet were always innocent, and so we are the same to this day, who do exercise a good Conscience towards God, and towards all men.  
And are any to be credibly informed against or suppressed, but such as are known to be seditious, and are of that spirit, that under a pretence of tender Conscience plot and contrive Insurrections? If so, then whether innocent and peaceable People, that meet really to worship God in the Spirit, and in the peaceable Truth( which all plotting is out of) these are concerned according to the title and reason of this Act?  
And whether the Liturgy doth not allow of People to meet together, to worship God in Spirit and Truth, without limitation of time, place or number? For ought not men at all times, and in all places, to perform their bound duty to God, and to pray to him, and to give thanks for his Benefits, which they daily receive? And doth not the Lord say, In every place Offerings shall be offered to my Name? Mal. 1. And doth not the Apostle say, I will that men Pray every where, lifting up holy Hands without wrath and doubting? And, As every man hath received the Gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good Stewards of the manifold Graces of God, 1 Pet. 4.10. And did not Christ, to encourage his little Flock, say, Wheresoever two or three are gathered together in my Name, I am in the midst of them? Not limiting them to that number, and no more, as you may see how Christianity after spread, as the Epistles to the Churches declare. So this is not to hinder them that be peaceable in Christ Jesus, from meeting either in a Barn, House, Field, Back-side, or any other place; for they met thousands with him in the Wilderness. And doth not the Prophet say, The holy One must not be limited? And doth not the Liturgy allow of the same Worship and Meetings as the holy Scriptures allow of?   

The terms of the Title and Preamble explained.  
SEditious, is Contentious, Factious, loving Discord.  
Conventicle, is, A little private Assembly, commonly for ill( commonly so taken, the Doors being shut)[ defined by the Law] such, wherein many do impart to others their meaning, to kill a man, &c. as also where Conspiracies, Confederacies are; See Lamb. 173, 177.  
And such are unlawful Assemblies, or Conventicles, as consist of a number of People, gathered together disorderly, for the cause of some one, or of a few Persons that are Riots, against which these Statutes were provided, 13 H. 5. cap. 8, 19. and 19 H. 7. cap. 13. and before them were the Statute of nor. 2 E. 3. cap. 3. laid upon them, 2 R. 2. cap. 6.  
Seditious Conventicles, are little private factious Assemblies, where Discord, Rebellion or Insurrection is contrived, plotted, designed or intended.  
Disloyal Persons, are such as are Treacherous, traitorous, False, Deceitful, breakers of Promise, and the like.  
Seditious Sectaries, are taken for such people as are Factions and Rebellious, being of a different Profession from the ancient Truth; or such as therein are divided into Sides and Parties, following such as are Leaders in Faction, Rebellion and Schism.  
From all these evil things, the People of God, called Quakers, are clear, and freed by the Power of God, which was before all such things were; who are Professors of Christ Jesus, the ancient Truth, before Sects were.  
So our desires are in tenderness to all Magistrates for their good, that they may put a difference between the Precious and the Vile, and such as serve God, and such as serve him not; and so that they all in the pure Wisdom of God from above, may mind and take notice of these things, from them that desire the King's, and their everlasting good and prosperity in the Truth, which the Devil is out of.   

London, Printed and Sold by Andrew soul, at the Crooked-Billet, in Hollyway-Lane in Shoreditch, 1682 / 3.