THE wounds of an enemy IN THE House of a FRIEND. BEING A RELATION Of the hard Measure sustained by Miles Halhead, and Thomas Salthouse, for the Testimony of JESUS: particularly in a long, and sore, and close Imprisonment, first at Plymouth, and then at Exeter in the County of Devon, though they have neither offended the Law of God, or of the NATION. Published for the clearing of their Innocency from the cloud of Transgression, of which they are supposed highly guilty, and by reason of their silent abiding such sharp, and long, and cruel sufferings.  
Even the Sea Monsters draw out the breast, they give suck is their young ones; the daughter of my People is become Cruel, like the Ostriches in the wilderness.  Lam. 4.3. 
Have the workers of Iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my People, as they eat Bread, they have not called upon God. There were they in great fear where no fear was, for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee, thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them,  Psal. 53.4. 
The dark places of the Earth, are full of the Habitation of Cruelty,  Psal. 74.20. 
For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord, I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him,  Psal. 12.5. 
If he turn not he will whet his sword, he hath beat his Bow and made it ready, He also hath prepared for him the Instruments of Death, he ordaineth his arrows against the Persecutors.  Psal. 7.12, 13. 
LONDON: Printed for Giles Calvert at the Black spread-Eagle, near the West end of Paul's 1656.   

THE WOUNDS OF AN ENEMY, In the House of a FRIEND.  
MILES Halhead and Thomas Salthouse being pressed in spirit, to visit the Seed of God in captivity in Plymouth in the County of Devon, left their outward Beings, and relations in the North, and passed thitherward as far as Hunniton near the City of Exeter, where a guard being placed for the apprehending of such persons as were suspected to have had a hand in an insurrection broke forth a little before (whilst they were on their journey) at Salisbury, and dispersed at Southmoulton, in the County aforesaid, they were taken up by them and brought before Colonel Cappleston, High-Sheriff of the County, upon suspicion of being cavaliers, and having had a hand therein; who having examined them, though he confessed he did not believe them to be cavaliers, not any thing appearing upon, or against them, as matter of suspicion, yet caused he them to kept close prisoners, at Exeter for the space of about fourteen days, and then sent them from Officer to Officer towards their homes.  
But being come two miles from Taunton on the way to Bridgwater, the Officer that conducted them from thence, fell to the ground, and lying grovelling thereon in the sight of divers people, was able to go no further, whereupon they returned back to the Justice at Taunton, and acquainted him with what had befallen the Officer he sent with them, and to know what further he would enjoin them, who after some consideration, told them he would have no more to do with them, and having set them at liberty desired the Lord to be with them.  
Hereupon they passed to Bristol, where, and in the Country thereabouts, having stayed some time they departed, being moved of the Lord towards Plymouth again; having with them a friend of Bristol, born at Exeter, and Certificates from the captain of the Fort at Bristol, and of a Justice, concerning them, and their good affections to the Common wealth; which before they had not, being ignorant, when they came out of the North, of any such occasion as had fallen out, whilst they were on their way, that might require any such thing.  
And so, through the hand of the Lord, they came to Plymouth the sixteenth day of the month called May, 1655. and there had several peaceable meetings, in the houses of friends, to whom they ministered what they had heard, and seen, and handled of the word of life, and were made manifest with mighty power to that of God in the Consciences of many to whom they were sent, who being thereby turned from darkness to light, and the eye being opened in them, which the God of this world hath blinded, the captives came to witness deliverance, even the acceptable time, the day of salvation.  
The Standard of the Lord being thus set up, many people flock thereunto, insomuch that the house of John Harris, a friend near the Town, where a meeting was appointed to be on the first day of the week following, being not able to receive them, they went into his garden, and to them both in the fore and afternoon did they declare the truth of the experience of what they had found of the free grace of God which brings salvation manifested in them, provoking them unto love, and to good works, according to the Scriptures of the Prophets, and Apostles, as the Spirit gave them utterance, exhorting them in the words of soberness and truth full of plainness and simplicity, and tending only to the advancement of the kingdom of Christ amongst men, without using any inveighings against men, or opinions, and were approved of by those that heard them, though several came only to hear some new thing.  
Having both of them spoken, and finished what they had to say, George brooks then Priest of the Nightingale frigate, a man whom they knew not, spoke to the people a pretty space of time, wholly in the praise and commendation of what they had said, affirming it to be the eternal truth, and exhorting them to perseverance, from that Scripture, Take heed that ye receive not the grace of God in vain, telling them that they must expect to suffer persecution; but the principle from whence he spoke being seen in the light of Jesus Christ, which changeth not, with which he was comprehended, Thomas Salthouse said that he had spoken many good words, and fair speeches, but asked him whether he lived the life of what he spoke, for that it was he that had the witness in himself that setteth to his seal that God is true; and their friend who came with them from Bristol as aforesaid, told him, he had spoken of a Trinity in Unity, and a Unity in Trinity, when as no such language was to be found in the Scriptures; which being ended, Thomas Salthouse spoke a few words more to the people, exhorting them in the words of the Apostle, Let him that stole, steal no more; and made use of the words of Christ, He that entreth not in by the door into the sheep-fold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief, and a Robber; which he directed not to George Brookes, or any one in particular: Miles Halhead having not spoken one word, nor Thomas Salthouse otherwise then as afore rehearsed, and so the meeting ended.  
But the persecution raised against them, then began; in which the Priest aforesaid, to fulfil the words himself had said, (to wit) that they must expect to suffer persecution, was instrumental; and on what was then said to him, being in truth no otherwise than what have been said, as ten honest men of Plymouth, then present, have attested under their hands, which is hereunto annexed, is laid the pretended ground of the long and cruel sufferings, which they have, and do still undergo, hereafter mentioned.  
For on the third day of the week following, being the 21 of the month called May, the day before they intended to depart the Town, Miles and Thomas being at a meeting of friends in Robert caries house in the Town; the Counstables came thither with a Warrant from John Page Mayor, out of which they took them, and their friend of Bristol, and them having apprehended, they brought before the Mayor at his house, who after a few words spoken to them, sent them to Prison at the guild-hall, without signifying any crime they had committed, that might deserve a restraint.  
The next day they were brought from Prison before the Mayor, Magistrates, and counsel, and the Priest of the Town, and severally examined, 
G: Hughes.  the doors being shut and all who were their friends turned out by the Constables, not one being suffered to be present at their Examination, who any ways favoured them, to testify in their behalf; and having examined them after this manner for the space of about three hours, they released their friend of Bristol, and returned the other two to Prison.  
In which having continued them some days, a friend applied himself to the Mayor, and desired of him to know for what they was committed, who positively answered, that they were detained for denying the Trinity, and that there had been Oath taken before them, for that purpose; to which accusation though they had fully answered at their examination, yet that their innocency might more clearly appear, they wrote a Letter to the Mayor, declaring what they held therein, according to the Scriptures, against which they excepted not.  
After the perusal of which, the friend aforesaid went to the Mayor again, to know whether that had given him any satisfaction, and if so, to know what further he had to say against them; to which the Mayor (finding nothing of exception in their Letter, concerning the Trinity, which would bear any weight) answered, that they were detained for refusing to take the Oath of Abjuration, and upon suspicion that they were Jesuits (though many who are any ways ingenious, freely declared they had no such thoughts of them, as indeed they afforded no matter for any such suspicion, being plain husbandmen, and such as had never been out of this Island) whereupon they sent the Mayor a second Letter, wherein they set down more plainly the grounds wherefore they could not swear, than they were admitted to manifest at their examination, though for refusing to take the Oath of Abjuration the Proclamation that enforceth it gives no power of imprisonment, nor enjoins any such thing.  
Notwithstanding all which, having kept them then Prisoners for the space of a week; the Mayor sent them in custody the 28 of the same month to the common Goal in the Castle at Exeter, with a Warrent under his hand; wherein he chargeth them, not with the denial of the Trinity or refusing to take the Oath of Abjuration of Popery, the causes as he before said of their Imprisonment: but as Being apprehended as disturbers of the public peace, and for divers other high misdemeanours against a late Proclamation prohibiting the disturbing of Ministers, and other Christians in their assemblies and meetings, and against an Ordinance of his highness the Lord Protector, and his counsel, lately made against Duels, and Challenges, and all provocations thereunto: And for refusing to give sufficient sureties for their personal appearance at the next general Sessions of the peace, to be held for the County of Devon, and in the mean time to be of the good behaviour against his highness the Lord Protector, and all his liege people, as by the copy of the Warrant at large appeareth: when as they disturbed not the Peace in the least, nor them whom they call Ministers, nor other Christians in their Assemblies and Meetings, for they were with none of them, nor were any other whilst they had been in the Town; but disturbed they were in their Meetings by the Mayor, who by his Constables and Warrant took them out from their Meetings, and imprisoned them without a cause, and contrary to the said Ordinance, and to the Government, which Article 37 saith in these words.  
That all that profess faith in God by Jesus Christ, 
Government. Art. 37.  though differing in judgement from the doctrine, worship, and discipline publicly held forth, shall not be restrained from, but be protected in the profession of the faith, and exercise of their Religion, so as they abuse not this liberty to the civil injury of others, and to the actual disturbance of the Peace, on their parts. Provided that this liberty be not extended to Popery, Prelacy, and to such as under the profession of Christ hold forth and practice licentiousness.  
Nor Challenged they any to duels, or gave any provocation thereunto: The Principle by which they are guided, leading out of strifes, debates, and quarrellings; and the root from whence they proceed (to wit) the Spirit that is in men, that lusteth unto envy; and with all men have they peace as far as is possible. And for that clause, For refusing to give Sureties for their good behaviour, &c. It would be a matter of admiration that the Mayor did not blush to give such a notorious untruth under his hand, when as he knows two sufficient able men, as to the outward (to wit) Robert Cary, and Arthur Cotton of that Town, were bound before him in such a Recognizance for their appearance, as he required, though the next day he made it void, were it not that his illegal and oppressive proceedings, and the manifest other lies with which the Warrant is filled, renders him as one that will know no shame. All which more at large appeareth in their Answer to this Warrant, and the Testimony of eleven honest men of that Town, who were eye and ear Witnesses of these passages, delivered under their hands to Major general Disbrow, before the Sessions hereafter mentioned, to the truth of their said Answer.  
And for the divers other high misdemeanours, they are yet to mention, and therefore there needs nothing in Reply; for all men who understands the Law, know, That a general Charge requires no particular Reply, and is as much as nothing.  
Only this may be observed, That he who had so contrary unto Law imprisoned them, and kept them for the space of a week, and during that time had shifted from one thing to another as the cause thereof, as hath been said, and then sent them to Exeter Prison, with this Warrant full of other abominable falsehoods, there being not one true Assertion therein, would no doubt have formed something or other in relation thereunto, had it come within the reach of his invention, which had created and expressed so many therein, known to himself to be so contrary to truth; and also in his, and his brethren's filthy flattering Letter to general Disbrow, in excuse of their unjust proceedings against these innocent servants of the Lord, made up with other abominable untruths, by which they endeavoured to beget in him a good Opinion of them, for so doing, and to continue his favour to their Town, as by a copy of their Letter, and Miles and Thomas Answer thereunto, added to this Relation, at large appeareth.  
But being brought to Exeter upon the Warrant aforesaid, there they continued in the common Goal, lying on the ground, until the general Sessions of the Peace of the County held there the Tenth of the Month called July following, on the 12 day of which Month, they were brought before the Sessions, to whom the Clerk read a Bill of Indictment exhibited against them upon the Ordinance for preventing of duels, wherein was expressed:  
That they the said Thomas and Miles not fearing or regarding the same Ordinance, and the penalties therein contained, did the 20 of May, 1655. at Plymouth in the presence and hearing of divers honest persons then and there being, use diverse disgraceful provoking words and gestures to George Brooks Clerk in the Nightingale frigate, he being then opening and declaring to the same persons a certain place of Scripture, wherein he spoke something of the Holy Trinity (viz.) Thou (the said George Brooks meaning) liest in saying there were three persons in the Trinity, we deny it, there is no such thing; but thou art a deluding spirit come to draw away the hearts of the people from God.  
And further, they did farther speak to the people then present, that they should not harken to the said George Brooks, for that he was a Thief, and was come with a lie in his mouth, and had stolen what he had from others, and had it in his hand, pointing to the Bible which was then in the said George Brooks his hand open. And further did say it was a lie which the said George Brooks had brought, and other harms to the said George Brooks then and there did contrary to the form of the said Ordinance, and against the public peace.  
How utterly untrue in every particular this Indictment is, both as to the matter and manner of the accusation charged therein, is clearly manifested in the Relation aforesaid, of the passages at the meeting, the truth of which is testified under the hands of diverse honest men at Plymouth which were present as aforesaid, and the Testimony of many more could be had, were not those enough, and in the Answer of Miles and Thomas thereunto, added to this Relation; but having wronged the innocent in that high manner as is expressed, it concerned them, at least, to have something, how false soever, to pretend as a colour in Law, as the cause of their so doing.  
Miles Halhead spoke not a word at the Discourse, upon which occasion is taken, and the ground of this Indictment laid, and he that saith nothing cannot be made an offendor for a word, though there be that make a man an offendor for a word that is none indeed: Nor doth that Ordinance require, or any Law, that if one man transgress it (were it so that Thomas Salthouse had so done (which is denied) two should suffer, that were to destroy the righteous with the wicked, unto which the Law is a terror; and yet hath Miles Halhead been Imprisoned and Indicted, & suffered hath he though he was altogether silent, and without so much as any thing that might be a pretence of offending in the least that Ordinance, or any other Law of God, or the Nation.  
Nor did Thomas Salthouse speak one word to George Brooks in particular, as to what the Indictment chargeth; true it is, after George Brookes had spoken so largely in the praise of what they had declared from the Lord, saying, it was the eternal truth, and Exhorted the people to take heed that they received not the grace of God in vain; Thomas Salthouse comprehending the Principle from whence he spoke, in the light of Jesus Christ which changeth not, said unto him to this effect, Thou hast spoken many good words, and fair speeches, but dost thou live the life of what thou speakest? for it is he that hath the witness in himself, that setteth to his seal that God is true: which were savoury words, and feasonable for the directing of his mind, and the hearers also, to see that they witnessed indeed what they spoke and professed, and to speak and profess no more than they witnessed, that so he and they might not be deceived with the subtlety of the Serpent, in thinking they had that which was eternal life, when in the day of trial it would appear to be no such matter. This was love to his soul, though in requital he hath made it matter of persecution.  
Had they come in ways of craftiness to deceive, they would have cherished his Testimony to the truth of what they had spoken, and not have questioned it with such expressions. Allow the Dragon but a place in Heaven, and he shall cry out, These are the Servants of the most High, which show us the way to salvation; but cast him out into the Earth, 
Acts 16.17.  his proper seat, and then he makes war with the Lamb, and those who have the Testimony of Jesus.  
He also Exhorted the people, in the close of all, after the end of the discourse aforesaid, in the words of Paul, Let him that stole steal, no more, 
Ephes. 4.8. John 10.1.  and made use of the words of Christ, He that entreth not in by the door, into the sheep-fold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a Thief, and a Robber; but directed them not to George Brookes, as the Indictment hath falsely charged it, nor to any one in particular; but had they been directed unto him, or to any other in particular, are those words of Paul, and of Christ, and the language of Scripture, disgraceful words, provocations to duels, let that of God in every man's conscience speak, and judge? 
Jer. 23.10.  Therefore behold, I am against the Prophets, saith the Lord, that steal my words every one from his neighbour, that use their tongues, and say, he saith. Had Jeremiah lived in these days, and spoken these words now, the false Prophets now who smite with the fist of wickedness, would certainly have Indicted him upon the Ordinance for preventing of duels, and were Christ Jesus and Paul who spoke as aforesaid, and all the Prophets and holy men of God, now alive in this Nation, testifying as they did to the Generations in which they lived, of which the Scripture bears Record, the same would they receive from the Priests, and men of this Generation; and yet we find not that the false Prophets of old, did Indict them for so speaking, as Provocation to fightings, nor did they pretend to any Law as a cover for so doing; so far do the Priests and men of this Generation, who in works pretend to the Prophets, and Christ Jesus, and the Apostles, and the holy men of God, and the Scriptures, outstripped their forefathers in a sottish and malicious persecuting of the truth; for till this example, the like hath not been heard of since the foundation of the world, and is void of understanding, and ridiculous amongst all rational men. On this foot, he that tells an envious person that he is a murderer, and he that looks on a woman to lust after her is an adulterer, and the covetous person, that he is an Idolater, and he that speaketh a Divination of his own heart for the word of the Lord, useth witchcraft, and he that knows not, nor speaks from the mouth of the Lord, is a dumb Dog that cannot bark; and he that saith when the Lord saith not, is a devourer, the murderer of souls; and he that biteth with his teeth, and prepareth war when men put not into his mouth, is a greedy Dog, and those who are in the nature and Generation of the Pharisees, who profess what they are not, and persecute and murder the life of what they profess where it is manifested, are Serpents, Generation of Vipers, with such like: would be Indicted as offenders against the Ordinance for preventing of duels.  
He that taketh what is none of his as to the things without, the things of this world, is a Thief, and truly is so judged and accounted of. He that taketh the words of the Prophets, and Christ Jesus, and the Apostles, which they spoke from the life, and useth his tongue, and saith, the Lord saith, when the Lord spoke not to him, having not the life that spoke them forth, taketh that which is none of his, and is a Thief, as to the things which are within, the things that are spiritual, and truly is so judged and accounted of.  
He that steals without hath an outward Law to pass upon him as a transgressor; he that steals within hath the Law of Christ Jesus by which he shall also be judged; for further than the outward, the Law of man hath no power, and this is agreeable to that of God in every man's conscience; also to the Ordinance against duels, which they, and all the Children of light own in its place, as a bearing of the sword against fightings, quarrellings, evil speakings, and such like, as evil doing, which the Principle of light which is Jesus Christ discovers, and witnesseth against, and the root from whence they proceed (to wit) from men's lusts that are within them.  
And he that said, Let him that stole steal no more, was the Minister of God, who addeth the Law upon the transgressor; and he that said. He that entreth not in by the door into the sheep-fold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a Thief and a Robber, is the lawgiver, the Prophet whom whosoever doth not hear in all things, shall be cut off from his people; and he that said, I am against the Prophets that steals my word every one from his neighbour, is the Lord of glory who shall judge the quick and the dead by the man Christ Jesus, the lawgiver, and Minister of God, at his appearing and coming. But the Priests have gotten a new weapon against the Lamb (to wit) the Ordinance against duels, and with it they will fight against his battle Axes and Weapons of War, (to wit) his Witnesses, and none shall testify against their deceit with a spiritual weapon; but they will have it to be a carnal one, and will take an Ordinance of man to fight against it, and judge it by, which never intended it. But their Weapon formed shall not prosper, the overflowing scourge shall sweep away their refuge of lies, and their coverings are ripping off, nor can the Rocks and mountains hide them from the wrath of him who sitteth on the Throne, and judgeth righteously.  
And whereas something is mentioned in the Indictment, of the Trinity, one of them said, I know no such Scripture that speaks of three persons in the Trinity, but the three the Scriptures speak of, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, these three are one, and that Baptism, by one Spirit, into one body, and the Father, the Word, and the Spirit, the Scriptures declare to be one, and he that hath the Son, hath the Father also, and this we own; he that can receive it, let him. And this was spoken as to what G. Brookes said of a Trinity in Unity, and a Unity in Trinity, which as he was told the Scriptures nowhere spoke.  Court. 
To this Indictment they were demanded to answer guilty, or not guilty?  Answer. 
We are not guilty in what is there charged upon us.  Court. 
By whom will you be tried?  Answer. 
By you whom the Lord God of power hath set in Authority, to judge righteously between man and man, and to put a difference between the precious and the vile, and set the oppressed free, from whom we do expect justice and equity.  Court. 
Will ye be tried by God and the Country?  Answer. 
We are willing to be tried by this Bench, and desire that our accusers may be brought in, and that we may have liberty to speak for ourselves, and make our defence against the false accusations laid to our charge.  Court. 
Will ye be judges of your own case?  
Jailor, take them away, which was done immediately.  
When they were first apprehended, and brought before the Mayor and Magistrates of Plymouth, many honest people, who were present at the meeting aforesaid, and were ready in the Hall to testify the truth of things, were all turned out, and not a man or woman that favoured them permitted to stay, notwithstanding which, and the keeping fast of the doors of the common Hall, that so none of them might return in, did they in the presence of near one hundred of other people, desire openly, that if either man or woman, had any thing to lay to their charge, they would speak: but no man or woman appeared to speak, nor ever were their accusers brought face to face, that they might see them, or hear them speak.  
And now after seven weeks' imprisonment, being brought before the Sessions, and such an abominable pack of falsehood, and lies, in an Indictment exhibited against them, unto which they pleaded not guilty; and declared again and again in answer to what they required of them, (to wit) by whom will ye be tried? That they were willing to be tried by the Bench, whom the Lord God of power had set in Authority, to judge righteously between man and man, &c. as aforesaid, and desired their accusers might be brought in, and that they might have liberty to speak for themselves, and make their defence against the false accusations laid to their charge; because they spoke it not in the form of words which they would have, though they both pleaded, and submitted to a trial, as aforesaid, and a Jury might they have called, and tried them by, or otherwise as they pleased; they asked them whether they would be Judges in their own case? when as they desired no such thing, but to be tried by them who were in Authority, and turned them aside for a thing of nought, and called to the jailor to take them away, which command of theirs was presently executed.  
And here let all that are sober, and who calmnly weigh things in the balance of equity, judge, whether innocent men in a case of this nature, wherein without a cause, and contrary to the Law of the Land they were Imprisoned, and so hardly dealt withal, and wickedly Indicted, and stood before enemies, having largely experienced that neither Law nor justice had took place in their behalf; but oppression and cruelty as hath been mentioned, should, for their parts, being demanded by whom they would be tried, make in reason, equity, and justice, any other answer, then by those whom the Lord God of power hath set in Authority to judge righteously between man and man, and to put a difference between the precious and the vile, and to set the oppressed free, from whom they expected equity and justice; or to put themselves on any other issues without being guilty of a manifest wilful throwing away of their innocency, and of a continuation of sufferings by their own consent: If those in Authority will have a trial by other manner of men, that they cannot help, and of their sufferings that might follow thereupon, they are not accessary, nor will it by such men be judged a contempt of Authority in that they submit to a trial. A man will in reason choose to have right taken away from him by force, rather than to put himself upon an issue, from which he can expect no other, and so as it were by his own consent to give it away. And to that of God in the consciences of those then present, and of all others, who seriously observe, with what rage, and malice, these innocent people are prosecuted, and how contrary to Law, and justice, proceedings are everywhere had against them; as if they were fit only to be destroyed, yea, even to that of God in the consciences of their enemies themselves, do I appeal, whether righteous judgement can be by them expected from those, whom the Lord God of power hath not set in Authority to judge righteously between man and man, and to put a difference between the precious and the vile, in things relating to the kingdom of Jesus Christ, which can only be seen and judged in his light, to whom all judgement is given both in Heaven and in Earth; And the children of light can give consent to no other judgement, and trial; nor, from any other can they expect right, and judgement, but where that is. But to put this matter out of doubt, and to manifest how instead of seeking judgement, and relieving the oppressed, which the Lord requires who is a God of judgement, the needy are turned aside from judgement, and the righteousness of the righteous taken from him. Those who understand the Law, know, that as to all Indictments of trespass (of which nature this is pretended to be) of misdemeanour, and breach of the peace, to answer not guilty, or to put in a Traverse is a sufficient legal plea; and the Clerk of the peace is to record it, and join issue, and is punishable, if he doth it not: and that only in cases of life, the Law or custom of England requires the person Indicted to join this issue of saying, by the country, when after he hath pleaded not guilty, it is demanded of him, by whom he will be tried? And here all People may take notice what measure of injustice these innocent Servants of the Lord receive, who are sent to Prison instead of being heard in their just defence, and their accusers brought forth, when after they had legally pleaded these things were by them lawfully demanded: and how contrary to Law, and justice, and to the liberties of Englishmen lately vindicated with so much blood, is this proceeding? how plainly doth it speak as if no other thing were intended in bringing them to the Bar, then to asperse, and destroy their innocency, as their liberties had been before injured by above seven weeks' Imprisonment; and by arraigning them as abominable offenders in the face of the country, to endeavour to render them odious to the people who had heard so much of their oppressions, and thereby amongst them to seek to beget a belief that their sufferings were just, from which lest they should clear themselves, and in so doing their long sufferings come to an end, (which to lengthen and make grievous to the purpose resolutions were had) to Prison they are sent, and the benefit of the Law denied them in a trial. What greater injustice can there be then this, and oppression? what higher violation of Law, and liberty? of these things the Roman heathen were not guilty, and to be so dealt withal the worst of their adversaries would cry out against; were it his own case, as justly he might. Yet this is the measure which the witnesses of the great and living God receive from this adulterous generation, and who is there that regardeth, or layeth it to heart? though it is every man's concernment, and may become the condition of others, how soon they know not. To close this particular, let the wise in heart judge, whether amongst those a man is found whom the Lord God of power hath set in Authority to judge righteously between man & man, & to put a difference between the precious and the vile; who, thus, turn aside the needy from judgement, and take the righteousness of the righteous from him? And whether they had not cause to say, being asked by whom they would be tried, that they desired to be tried by such whom the Lord God in power had set in Authority to judge righteously, as aforesaid.  
About the space of an hour after they were called in again.  Court. 
It is thought fit that you take the Oath of Abjuration because of your contempt of Authority, which accordingly was to them tendered, and a Bible holden to them, that they might swear.  Answer. 
In the presence of the eternal God, and before all this people, we do deny with as much detestation, as any of you doth, the Pope, and his Supremacy, and the Purgatory, and all therein mentioned, and declare freely against it; and we do not deny to swear because of any guilt that is upon us, but in obedience to the command of Christ, who saith, Swear not at all; and we will not come under the condemnation of an Oath for the liberty of the outward man: after which they were returned to Prison.  
The Mayor of Plymouth when he first apprehended them, tendered them this Oath, which when they had refused, and given the reasons of their so doing, he sent them back to Prison, and afterwards signifying that as the cause of their detainment to a friend, they sent him in writing more fully their answer there unto, than they had liberty to express, when they were examined; but there still continued them Prisoners: And now after seven weeks further durance, it was tendered them again, and they refusing are returned again to Prison.  
Christ Jesus the only 
a John 3.16.  beggoten Son of God, by whom the 
b Joh. 1.3, 10.  world was made, the 
c John 8 12.  light of the world, who 
d John 1.9.  lighteth every one that cometh into the world, who is greater than 
e Luke 11.31.  Solomon, who is 
f Psal. 110.1. Mat. 22.43, 45  David's 
g Rev. 27.16.  Root, and Lord, whose day 
h John 8.56.  Abraham saw, and rejoiced; whom 
i Heb. 1.6.  the Angels of God are commanded to worship; who is the 
k Rom. 10.4.  end of the Law for righteousness to every one that believeth: 
l Heb. 7.23.  the surety of a better Testament; the 
m Heb. 8.6.  Mediator of a better, of the 
n Heb. 13.20.12.24.  everlasting, new Covenant: the 
o Deut. 18.15. Acts 3.22, 23.7.37.  Prophet whom Moses said the Lord their God should raise up like unto him, whom they should hear in all things whatsoever he should say unto them, and it shall come to pass, that every soul that will not hear that Prophet shall be destroyed from amongst the people: he who 
p Mat. 24.35.  said Heaven, and earth, shall pass away, but my word shall not pass away: who 
q Mat. 5.17.  came not to destroy the law, of the Prophets, but to fulfil: who is 
r Luke 1.73.  the Oath of God, the 
s Rom. 2.8, 9, 10.  end of contention and strife where he is witnessed, the Amen, the faithful and true witness, 
t Rev. 3.14.  the Judge of all, whose 
u Acts 10.42.17.32. 2 Tim 4.1. Rom. 2.16.  sheep hear his voice, saith, You 
x John 10.17. Mat. 5 33, 34, 35, 36, 37.  have heard it hath been said by them of old time, thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths; but I say unto you, swear not at all, but let your communications be yea, yea, and nay, nay, for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. Then which there is no command in Scripture more plain, and positive, either for obedience to Magistrates, or forbidding to do that which is evil. And the Apostle James saith, But 
z James 5.12,  above all things my brethren swear not, neither by Heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other Oath, but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay, lest ye fall into condemnation. And yet how are his sheep the children whom the Father hath given him, and who in obedience to this his command, dare not to swear at all, but are come to the yea and nay in their communications, imprisoned and cruelly dealt withal throughout this Nation, for refusing in conscience to swear at the will of man; who calls himself a Magistrate of God, and requires obedience as to the Minister of God to this his command, which is contrary to the command of the higher powers, Jesus Christ by whom 
a Prov. 8.15.  King's reign, and Princes execute justice, to whom 
b Psal. 62.11.  all power belongeth, unto whom the Father hath committed all judgement, and at whose 
c Phil 2.10, 11.  name every knee shall bow, of things in Heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth, and every tongue shall confess, and who will render 
d Rom. 2.9.  tribulation, and anguish upon every soul that doth evil, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile, for there is no respect of persons with God. And yet those who swears, where they forbid, them they punish, and thus do they exalt themselves above all that is called God.  
The bloody Persecutors in the times of Popery, thought not their other persecutions of the poor Protestants to secure the Papacy against them; but the Sacrament of the Altar they had by a Law, whereupon to examine them, by which they sought to destroy their consciences, or their bodies in the fire; and many of their lives they had in witness of the truth against it: upon whose examinations the next question usually was, what say you to the Sacrament of the Altar? and where they suspected a man to be a heretic (as they called then the witness of the Lord) and had malice against him, presently was tendered the Sacrament of the Altar.  
The Bishops of late who in words denied the Sacrament of the Altar, and cried out against the Papists, for shedding of the blood of the Martyrs, who testified against it, were not satisfied with what dispersions they had made of the tender conscientous Puritans the witnesses then, against them, in, and out of these Dominions; but that their kingdom might be established, and remain unmovable, an Oath, et caetera, they had, for every one to take, who should be admitted Priest, to uphold the Government by archbishops, Bishops, &c.  
Whereby to catch, and work out of the Priesthood, and their beings, and lively hoods, the residue of those non conformable factious men, (as they called them) whom by no other device they could reach, or attach; and at length the sword they drew, and joined with the Papists in a war against them.  
These carrying the war against the Bishops, and Papists, a part of them climbing up into the chair of Presbytery to affect, and establish the Authority they intended over the State, and the consciences of their brethren in the three Nations, had a Covenant, and neither in Church (as they called it) nor State (and how universal as to others time had manifested, as it was by some timely foreseen, and understood, and prevented) was any to be entrusted: but such as should subscribe to that, and as many of those as they could (though never so deserving in the wars for the Nations interest, of liberty, and justice, and faithful) turned they out of employment, who in conscience scrupled it, as heretics, and schismatics, though above any of them they affectually answered the just and righteous ends thereof: but what use these men of the presbytery made of it against the liberties of England, and what a snare it proved as to that, is not yet forgotten; and when they saw they could not submit the Army thereto, who were made the Sword of the Lord; for the ending of the Wars against the Papists, and the Bishops, they drew the sword against them, and their poor wasted country, and not prevailing in a first War, many of them joined with the Papists, and the Bishops, and the than neighbour Nation of Scotland, and the rebels in Ireland, and the common enemy yet to accomplish.  
And now an Oath of Abjuration of Popery is found out, and tendered to them to swear, as suspected Papists, upon the penalty of the sequestration of their estates, if they refuse, who have been known throughout their time, to be constant Witnesses for the Truth, and most faithful to the Common wealth, and its Army, and have born the brunt and heat of the day in the late Wars, with the peril of their lives in the field, and the loss of their Estates, against the Popish, prelatical, and Presbyterian party, and have been known all their time to be most contrary to Popery, and now in life above any, witness against all Popish and formal Religion, who dare not in conscience to the Command of Christ, swear at all.  
And these are the men in several parts, who are summoned by prelatical, Malignant, and Presbyterian Justices so called to abjure Popery, or their Names and Habitations to be taken, and returned into the Exchequer, for the Sequestration of their Estates; and these are the men who are taken up in the Country as they are upon their lawful occasions, against whom there being no accusation in Law, this Oath is put to them, which because they refuse to take out of conscience to an Oath, not daring to swear at all, because of the Command of Christ Jesus the great lawgiver, are imprisoned, where many of them have a long time lain, and do yet lie, though contrary to Law, not unknown to the Chief in Authority, some of whom have personally pressed it. And not only is this exercised upon men, but on women also, who till this day since the times of Popery, were never known to be so used, but have been forborn, as that which hath been accounted below the dignity and spirit of a man to exact.  
And the next word now to any one who is reproached with the name of Quaker, who are known out of Conscience, not to dare to Swear at all, is usually, give him or her the Oath of Abjuration of Popery, though he be their Neighbour, whom they know to be, and their Consciences tells them, is far from any such thing; and there they are sure to catch him, and to have their revenge on him for Witnessing the Truth as it is in Jesus: when otherwise they cannot get him into the compass or pretence of any Law, and having fast here, there he may lie for the eternal Truth for which he suffers, seeks not to man for deliverance, and those who should regard care little for the matter, and the cry of their oppressions seldom enters into their ears.  
Thus in all Ages hath Error sought to support itself against the Truth, and to ensnare the Consciences of those of her Children with Oaths, when other manner of Persecutions have not reached, that so she might be secure, and never know sorrow: Which Oaths, as they are out of the Doctrine of Christ, so a Curse have they proved, instead of a Defence, and the beginner and certain forerunner of the Destruction and final Overthrow of that kingdom, as these and former Generations have witnessed, though before in never so promising and flourishing condition, and seeming in its own eye to want nothing, but Oaths to establish it.  
And now the witness of God is drawn forth against this, and all manner of Swearing, and it is Witnessing in sufferings, at the hands of those on whom was pressed the Oath, &c. And the Covenant, and who in their time Suffered by, and Testified and Fought against those who imposed and sought to establish both; and also against the Bishop's Oath Ex Officio, which required a man to Swear against himself; and Whether the imposing of an Oath upon a man to abjure what is supposed to be his conscience wherewithal to worship God, upon the penalty of losing his Estate, if he refuse, be less, let the Wise in heart, judge? And Whether upon the same ground, and by the same Rule, the like Oath may not be imposed as to any other thing, and exacted upon the same penalty? The witness of God hath its time of reigning as well as Suffering, and will as certainly reign, as it doth Suffer; it was ever so in all Ages, these later, above any, have known it so, and so it will be in this, and in the Ages to come: Let those whom it concerns, who have had a time of Suffering and Reigning, and now cause others to Suffer, consider before it be too late, The Judge standeth at the door, and according to the greatness and Majesty of the Truth that is witnessed, and the Sufferings that attend its Testimony, and the condition of those who cause it to Suffer, as having been Witnesses and Sufferers themselves, and the Sword of the Lord upon that which hath caused to Suffer, and have known his Presence and Mighty Power therein wonderfully, and his strange Overturnings, whereby to cause to reign what hath been so testified unto by Sufferings, will be the Judgement, Except they repent. You only have I known of all the Families of the Earth, therefore will I punish you for your iniquities, saith the Lord. Whilst they are the sufferings of Zion, who is there that considereth or layeth them to heart; but the Rod of the wicked shall not always lie on the back of the Righteous; there's a time when the Testimony of the Truth in sufferings will be finished, and other men will have their Day, who have cried Aha, and nagged the head, and stamped with the feet, and helped on their sufferings, and caused them to suffer, and looked on their brethren in the day of their distress, wherein the Lord will mock at their calamity and their sorrows which shall come upon them, as on a woman in travel, and they shall not escape, whilst the righteous who have mourned in Zion, joy in the Lord, and rejoice in the God of their salvation, having beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the Garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness; for God is Judge.  
The next day they were brought before the Bench again.  Court. 
Will ye confess that you wronged G. Brookes, in calling of him Thief, and be sorry for it, and make him satisfaction?  Answ. 
One of us did not speak one word to him, and therefore I deny to make him satisfaction, or to be sorry for it, and what was spoken was no such thing; therefore we will not lie for our liberty, nor confess that we are sorry for that which we never spoke.  Court. 
You are fined five pound a piece, and must go to the House of Correction till payment, and to find Sureties for your good behaviour; and for refusing to take the Oath, we shall take course to send to the North to seize on your Estates, according to the Proclamation.  
And so to Prison were they returned, and what follows entered as the Record of their proceedings.  

A calendar of the Prisoners tried and Delivered at the general Sessions of the Peace public holden at the Castle of Exon. July 10. 1655.  
THomas Salthouse and Miles Halhead, for provoking words against George Brooks, Clerk, who refused to be tried by the country, fined 5 l. a piece, committed to Bridewell, till payment, and finding Sureties for their good behaviour.  
And thus as the day before they were returned to Prison, instead of being admitted to a trial according to Law, after the Indictment against them was read, and they had made a sufficient legal Plea thereunto, and Desired their Accusers might be brought in, and they liberty to speak in their own Defence; as aforesaid, so now Judgement is given against them without a trial, or Hearing, or bringing in so much as one Accuser, and yet the Record saith, A calendar of the Prisoners tried.  
Have such things as these before these days been heard of in this Nation? Is it not hereby manifest, that nothing but to cause the Innocent to suffer is sought after by them, who to help those to right, that suffer wrong, and to relieve the oppressed, are entrusted by the Law? And is not the Justice and Relief of the Law hereby made void, and of none effect, and trampled under foot by those who are in Commission to execute Justice? What is become of Liberty, of liberty for tender consciences? If things must be so, talk no more of Law, let not liberty come forth of your lips.  
When they were first imprisoned at Plymouth, the Mayor said they were detained for denying the Trinity, then for refusing to take the Oath of Abjuration, than he sent them to the common Goal at Exeter, and charged them with disturbing of the Peace, and Other high misdemeanours against the Act prohibiting the disturbing of Ministers and other Christians in their peaceable Assemblies, and against the Ordinance for preventing of duels, and for not finding Sureties for their good behaviour. At this Sessions they are Indicted for disgraceful provoking words spoken to G. Brookes, calling him Thief, &c. That being read, They are had a way, and being brought again the Oath of Abjuration of Popery was tendered Them, after which they are returned to Prison, and the next day are demanded To confess that they had wronged G. Brooks, in calling him Thief, and to be sorry for it, and to make him satisfaction. (What turnings are here, and falsehoods traversed to destroy the Innocent?)  
When as One of them spoke not a word to him, and the Other no such word, nor to any such purpose, as is contained in the Indictment, as is already manifested, and as in their Answer to the Warrant by which they were committed, and the Attestation of ten honest men at Plymouth, delivered to general Disbrow, and in another Declaration of theirs all hereunto annexed, at large appeareth; and notwithstanding no accuser was ever brought to their faces, and thy heard in their own Defence, or to speak for themselves, though both at Plymouth, and this Sessions they demanded it; and because they denied to make him satisfaction for what they never did, and to be sorry for words which they never spoke, and so to lie for their liberty. A legal trial is denied them, and without a trial, or Hearing, Judgement given against Them, wherein they are Fined 5 l. a piece, and committed to Bridewell till payment, and finding Sureties for their good behaviour, after their having been kept Prisoners for above seven weeks before, and in that manner as aforesaid, by those who had broke the Law upon them in taking them from their peaceable Meeting waiting on the Lord, when as they had transgressed no Law.  
And to make sure work have they cast them into a place which is no Prison in Law, and therefore a remove cannot be had out of it by a Habeas Corpus to the Upper Bench, nor falls it under the consideration of the Judges in their Circuits. Doth our Law judge a man before it hear him, and know what he doth?  
And indeed well might they avoid it, and be ashamed of their Cause and Proof, for besides a Cloud of Witnesses which could have been brought, and divers that were then present ready to give Testimony to the contrary, as hath been mentioned, and of the Innocency and harmlesness of that Meeting, and what was said therein, upon which is grounded as is pretended the cause of all their sufferings.  
Peter Pepham one of the Witnesses which were ready to Swear against them, was heard to say the day before his going to Exeter to this effect, I am going to Swear against the Quaker, and if Swearing will do it, I will make them to suffer soundly: He being a known cavalier, and sometime a Servant to Duke Hamilton. And besides G. Brookes and his two Witnesses, there is not one to be found of these many who made up the Meeting, of whom divers came out of novelty to testify what they affirm; but the contrary for what they spoke was generally well approved of.  
And to mention only one particular, One who had been a Captain in the King's Army, very well known in Plymouth, did freely declare to a friend, That having a scorn and contempt of the men and their way, his end in coming to hear them, was to see what he could catch from them, to render them odious; but having heard them, he confessed that he thought them to be harmless, innocent, honest men, and he would not lift up a finger against them, if he might gain thereby ten thousand pounds. And he freely declared to both the Witn●sses with whom he was very well acquainted, That if they Swore any evil against them, they would be perjured men. Also that he never was so much convinced of the evil of his ways, and the power of God, by any Minister that he had heard for many years before.  
And for G. Brookes himself, he is one whole conversation stinks in the nostrils of those who savour of Civility and honesty, who know him and his Conversation.  
There needs to this no further instance then of his beastly & wicked behaviour in the Nightingale frigate, of which he was then Priest, which was such, that even some of the Seamen of that Ship, justified one who reproved him to his face, of the Vanity & madness, of his Conversation, about three weeks before the Meeting aforesaid, and told the said George Brooks, that They should not be so wicked in their ways, were it not for his example.  
And the Steward of the Ship aforesaid, in the presence of two or three Witnesses affirmed, That he was had and wicked enough before the said George Brooks came into the ship, but since, he was ten times worse; and that he, and some other in the ship, could not endure to hear him Preaching or bawling (as he called it) yea a friend of the said Priests, who manifesting some dislike in the Garden at the Meeting aforesaid, that his friend G. Brooks should be questioned by what Spirit he spoke, at length confessed, That his life was not conformable to his Doctrine.  
And so abominable was his filthiness, that in the same frigate was he made a public Example for his drunkenness, having a Quarter Canne hanged about his Neck, and is since for that and his other wickedness set on shore, or turned out or the said Ship, as appeareth by the Certificates of the Captain of that frigate, and two other captains of frigates hereunto annexed.  
And yet in the Cause and behalf of this Son of Belial, so full of lies and falsehoods in every particular, are the Innocent servants of Christ Oppressed and Afflicted, as if they were not fit to live, and after almost two months' imprisonment lying on the ground, because they refused to confess and be sorry for calling him Thief, which they never did, nor was there any one that made proof thereof to their faces, after their long and hard bonds, as aforesaid; for provoking words to him the said G. Brookes (as it is falsely alleged) without a trial, are they fined 5 l. a piece, and committed to the House of Correction, till payment, and finding Sureties for their good behaviour. And not only so, but for refusing to take the Oath of Abjuration out of conscience to the Command of Christ Jesus (none appearing to testify to their faces that they suspected them to be Papists, or Popishly affected) as an addition to the former, as if what hath been already expressed had not been enough suffering, they are told by the Bench that therefore to the North would they send to have their estates sequestered, according to the Proclamation; and so in Prison they are judged to lie, till they pay five pound a piece, where they owe nothing, and their Estates to be sequestered, out of which they can only have money where withal to discharge it; and whether this intended any other than a perpetual imprisonment, let the reasonable judge.  
And that the abominableness of these illegal and oppressive proceedings may seem to have some cover in the Record of the Judgement given against them, without a hearing as aforesaid; 'tis inserted, who refused to be tried by the Country, when as they pleaded to the Indictment not guilty; and although his Answer was enough in Law, yet being demanded further, by whom they would be tried? they answered again and again, By you, the Bench, whom the Lord God of power hath set in Authority to judge righteously between man and man, and to put a difference between the precious and the vile, and to set the oppressed free, from whom we do expect Justice, and Equity, and desire that our Accusers may be brought in, that we may have liberty to speak for ourselves, and make our defence against the false accusations laid to our charge. And upon what issue they pleased might the Court have put them; for though they being asked by whom they would be tried, gave no other Answer than hath been expressed: And for the Reasons aforesaid, could they be in Law, or equity, expected any otherwise to do; yet plead they did, and to trial they submitted, by the bench, whom they owned to be set in Authority by the Lord God of power to Judge righteously between man and man, &c. And desired that their accusers might be brought in, and their liberty to speak in their own defence, and had Witnesses in their own behalf ready, and from them expected an issue, according to equity, and Justice, and refused not to be tried by the Country, but submitted to be tried by those whom God had set in Authority to Judge righteously, and such Judgement is the Lords, for God is Judge, and no other Judgement can the Children of light put themselves upon, but his upon which as it rules man they put themselves, but not on the wills and lusts of men, as added or equal unto God, or joined with him; for man not guided by the ligh● of Jesus Christ, is blind, and dark, and errs in Judgement, and is as the Beast that perisheth, though even the wills and lusts of men in imposing sufferings upon them in their bodies, they do not resist, as all parts of the Nation sadly testify, and particulary the Town of Plymouth, and City of Exeter, and County of Devon, the black Habitations of cruelty, and persecuting of the Just.  
Nor is this the end, but rather the beginning of their sufferings, for the 16 of the said fifth Month called July, being removed from the common Goal in the Castle of Exeter, to Bridewell in Thomas Parish near Exeter, over and above the Order of Sessions, a Guard of soldiers under the Command of Col. Coppleston High Sheriff of the County, who was formerly a Commander for the late King in the Wars against the Parliament, was placed upon them, with strict Warrant in writing, signed by one Joyce a Captain, to detain all such Prisoners who came to visit them, whom in the Warrant he in scorn calls Quakers (giving the Prisoners aforesaid no other Name therein) especially such as they should suspect to be such; who having shut them up in a close dark room, where they lay on the ground many days, kept them close Prisoners, and with much violence entreated, and detained Prisoners, those who came to visit them, whether of the Town, or Country, and to relieve them with necessaries, though they were strangers in that place, and above two hundred miles from their outward Habitations; yea such as looked in but at a hole where they lay, did they so use. And whereas there was a friend in the Town who came to see them, him they imprisoned, though he knew not of any Order for their close restraint; and notwithstanding that he was then a Constable of the Parish, and a man known always to be faithful and active for the commonwealth, and its Army, and of a godly and sober conversation; whom also they sometime afterwards imprisoned again, for coming in to them, though he was there upon the persuasion of the Officer, who when he asked for them, being unwilling to go in, told him he might see them freely without danger, and went in with him, and stood between the soldiers and him; but being there, private notice presently was sent to an Attendant of the Sheriffs, who Ordered his detainment, and being kept in Prison that night, the next morning he prevailed with the soldiers to bring him before the Sheriff, who at first Ordered him to Prison again, but having heard him, released him with threatenings, what he would do unto him, if he came there once more.  
And a woman of Totnes in the same County, they kept two days and two nights on the Guard, for coming to see them.  
And though upon the cry of these their sore oppressions, several friends, to the truth from divers parts of the Nation came to see them, and to search whether, after all the blood that hath been shed, such sufferings could possibly dare to be exercised, amongst whom was some, who had been Members of the Army, and in places not of the least trust, and eminency in the Nation, men of activity, and service, and of unspotted integrity, and of considerable estates, as to the outward in the world, yet have they received the same uncivil, and barbarous usage, some of them have been threatened to be taken into Prison; for being in the outward court, and speaking to them, others detained on the Guard, and to their Inns hath the Mayor of the Town sent his Officers to know their Names, as if they were some dangerous persons, and when they have asked, to see his Warrant, when his Officers have required them to come before him, a company of Butchers was got to bring them thither by force, in case they had refused, though when they came before him, he had nothing to say unto them, wherefore they were thus dealt with; and some have been had up to the Castle, and kept in custody there, and searched, and others detained in their Inns, as they have lodged there passing into the country, and searched, and their papers taken from them, though only of private concernment; and when any friends have obtained liberty to see them, the soldiers stand by to hear what they say. And lately seized them on all the papers of those two Prisoners, and took them away.  
And to this day are they continued Prisoners, and the Guard of soldiers upon them, who Imprison friends as aforesaid, according to their pleasure, though divers of them confess that what they do is against their conscience, and that they know no law for what they do, and that it is contrary to the liberty they have fought for, but they must obey the orders of their superior Officers, or they shall be turned out of their places, and livelihood: and even, when those cruelties have been exercised upon them, the Cavaliers in the same Prison, in custody upon the late Insurrections, have had no Guard upon them, nor their friends hindered from visiting them, and bringing them necessaries, and out of the Prison have they leave to walk to friends houses without any one to attend them, only those two innocent servants of the Lord, who have been constant faithful friends to the Common wealth, are thus guarded, kept close Prisoners, and dealt withal as is aforesaid, beyond the example of the highest offenders, whether of Thieves, Robbers, or Murderers, in that County, of which particulars could be instanced were it not too large for this short Relation.  
Nor during the time of their long Imprisonment (to wit) for near seven Months under this close restraint, and above seven weeks before at Plymouth, and the Castle of Exon, have their persecutors administered unto them, or caused any to take care that they had those accommodations that were necessary for men: but as if nothing else were intended, but the starving of them, and causing them to wear, and wast, and to die in a miserable languishment, far from friends, and relief in the heat of summer, and sharp cold of winter, such hath been the cruel dealing with them, as hath been rehearsed without natural affection, or common humanity, and contrary to all Law, and justice, and liberty, and the righteous ends for which the late blood hath been shed, and the many and solemn engagements made before, and to God, and this Nation. And had not some broke through their violence, and other difficulties, and resolvedly watched all opportunities to relieve them, nothing had been expected as to men, but that they had long since perished with famine, and necessity.  
If a man hath broken the Law it is something to him that the Law is to be known and the punishment that it inflicteth for the breach thereof, by which he understanding the extent of the Law, and having satisfied what it requires, may come to the end of his trouble. Or if a man suffer being innocent upon a pretence of a Law which he hath not offended, it is something to know what that Law is, and what it requires of those who offend it: But neither to have offended the Law of God, or the Nation; but to have both broken on him even by those who are in Commission, as Ministers of the Law, for the protecting of the innocent, and punishing of the guilty, who thereby become themselves transgressors of the law, and liable to the penalties thereof; and yet nevertheless being innocent to be by such punished as guilty beyond the direction of any law and contrary thereunto in long and cruel Imprisonments; and when brought before the Bench to be denied hearing and trial according to law, and yet judgement to be given, wherein are exactions of such fines of other performances, for such causes expressed, as are utterly untrue, and the Imprisonment to continue till there be a satisfying thereof; and such an Imprisonment as from it Appeals cannot be had to the Higher Courts for Justice, as House of Correction are, which are no Prisons in law, and therefore without the Cognizance of the Judges in the Circuits, or the upper Bench by Habeas Corpus, and which to satisfy a man cannot without an acknowledgement of guilt, and giving away the righteousness of his cause, which is to be prized above all things, will be accounted very hard, and grievous, even by every man, who seriously makes it his own condition, as indeed it is every man's; for what is done to the injury of one man's liberty, is done unto all: But to have hereunto added guards of soldiers, who have fought for liberty with whom, and in the same cause of liberty and justice a man hath engaged his life, and what is dear to him, in the time of peace, after that cause hath prevailed, by such as have drawn the sword, and been in command against it, 
A close Imprisonment is directly contrary to the 23: H: 8. Cap: 2. which provideth that Prisons shall be in the most eminent and populous towns where is most resort of people, that the Prisoner may be the oftener visited, and relieved. And though the Statute of Westminster 2. provides for a safe Imprisonment, yet for a close Imprisonment there is neither that nor any other Law: and above all things doth the Law value the liberty of a man.  and by soldiers who formerly were the relief of the oppressed, to be oppressed, and kept close Prisoners from friends and accommodations (contrary to the Law; for in no case whatsoever doth it require a close Imprisonment, but provides against it) in a strange place some hundreds of miles from his outward being for many Months together, in heat, and cold, of which he can understand no end, as he can know no reason for their so doing, and during all this time, having not so much as an accuser brought to his face, nor he heard in his own defence, against the manifold false accusations, and shiftings from one lie to another, as the pretence of his sufferings, and such friends as come to visit him, whether from far, or near at hand, citizen, or stranger, violently to be entreated, and detained in Prison, yea for but looking in at a hole where he lies: and if any obtain leave to see him, not to be permitted to speak with him without a soldier by to hear what is said, and to have his Friends searched, and his, and their Papers, and Letters of private concernment only taken away, as if there were some dangerous treason by him designing, though he stands only a Prisoner of innocency, and never had any such thing laid to his charge, when as at the same time, and at the same Prison those in custody, who have been Cavaliers, and clapped up, as having had to do in the general Insurrection, have had no Guard upon them, but liberty of Friends, and accommodations, and of going forth to their Friends houses, without so much as a Keeper; and during this long and close Imprisonment to have none appointed by those who cause him so to be kept to take care of him, and to administer the relief that is fitting to a man, nor to have any relief to be administered to him, by such, or in such a way, would be esteemed highly oppressive, and unsupportable, even by the chiefest of their Persecutors, were it, or did he make it his own condition, and the soul of every English man, would it greatly afflict who retains the sense of another man's condition, as of his own, and is not blinded with prejudice, and hurried with rage, and madness by the Prince of the air, who rules mightily in the children of Disobedience, beyond bowels and natural affection.  
And this is the case, and this is the condition of these two innocent servants of the Lord, who having all their days been seeking after the Lord, and walking in that which is called good conscience, and godliness, and having at length through the riches of that free love of God in Jesus Christ, come to find what they had so diligently sought for, even eternal life, which is in the Son, and to witness it in their measures, and in the light of Jesus Christ, by whom the world was made to comprehend and see where all professions and persons are, who know not nor believe in the light, (to wit) Jesus Christ the light of the world, who lighteth every one that cometh into the world, nor do witness the life of Jesus made manifest in them, as by the light they have been brought to see it in their own particulars; and knowing the terrors of the Lord, out of bowels of love to the precious souls of people, which are eternal, and at the command of the Lord have left their Country, and Relations as to the outward in the North, and traveled for their sakes to show unto them what they had found, and tasted, and seen, and handled of the word of life, that so their souls might be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus; and being come thither, did no other thing, then to meet in the fear of the Lord, with friends to wait upon him, and to declare the truth of the experience of what they had found of the free grace of God, which brings salvation, manifested in them, provoking them unto love, and to good works according to the Scriptures of the Prophets, and Apostles, and exhorting to holiness, and the things that are eternal, as the day approacheth from the measure of the life of God, which they had received, as the Spirit gave them utterance; out of which meetings they were taken contrary to the practice of the Church of Christ, and the example of the Saints in the Scriptures, and the instrument of Government; and dealt withal as hath been mentioned: And which indeed is hardly to be believed; but hath been said, is true, for no other thing, but as aforesaid, have they done, or that is not according to the righteous Law of the holy God, which shall be answered with that in every man's conscience. And to make appear truly to the contrary, are all men here openly charged, who can, even their greatest adversaries, because of whose cruelty, and oppression, and to manifest what it is, this Relation is undertaken. Nevertheless through the power of the Lord, in whom is everlasting strength, whom they witness, and for whom they suffer, they glory in tribulation, and stands over the heads of their greatest enemies, who puff at them, knowing, that he who shall come, will come, and will not tarry, when their Testimony in sufferings is finished, for the Seeds sake, and the glorious Gospel of our Lord Jesus, for whom they suffer in bonds, and are ready even unto the death, from the hands of those, who profess him as dying at Jerusalem, and yet crucify him in his truth, & members, and have the generation of their forefathers from the beginning: And then neither Guards nor Gates shall be able to keep them; For our God is King over the whole Earth, and his kingdom is begun to be set up, and to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the Nation abhorreth, to a servant of Rulers Kings shall see and arise, Princes also shall worship, because of the Lord who is faithful, and the holy one of Israel which hath chosen him, saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, and his holy one, who commandeth deliverance for Jacob▪ and Kings shall be thy nursing Fathers, and their Queens thy nursing mothers, they shall bow down to thee with their faces towards the earth and lick up the dust of feet, and thou shalt know that I am the Lord, for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me. The sons also of those that afflict thee, shall come bending unto thee, and all those that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet, and they shall call thee, the City of the Lord, the Zion of the holy one of Israel. Whereas thou hast been forsaken, and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations. Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breasts of Kings, and thou shalt know that I the Lord am thy Saviour, and thy Redeemer, the mighty one of Jacob; For thus saith the Lord, even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with them that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children, and I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh, and they shall be drunken, with their own blood, as with sweet wine, and all flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Saviour, and Redeemer the mighty one of Jacob. And the Nation, and the kingdom, that will not serve thee shall perish, yea, those Nations shall be utterly wasted. Therefore hear now this thou afflicted and drunken but not with wine, Thus saith thy Lord, the Lord, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, behold I have taken out of thy hand, the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury, thou shalt no more drink it again; But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee, which have said to thy soul, bow down that we may go over, and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street to them that went over.   

A testimonial of several honest men of Plymouth, concerning the meeting aforesaid, and the passages thereat, upon which is laid the pretended ground, and cause of the sufferings of Miles Halhead, and Thomas Salthouse, at which they were present.  
FOrasmuch as we are concerned in the sufferings of our dear Friends Thomas Salthouse, and Miles Halhead, who have been kept close Prisoners in and near the City of Exeter almost six Months contrary to equity, and justice, they having not broken the least clause of any Law, we think it necessary to give a brief Relation of the state of their Sufferings.  
After some trouble, and difficulty, which the said Thomas Salthouse, and Miles Halhead endured in coming to Plymouth, May 16. 1655. they came safe to Plymouth, where then had several Meetings with most of us, and the first day of the week following, we had a Meeting which was appointed by us at John Harris his house, a little out of the Town, where both our Friends spoke in the forenoon, and afternoon, and were approved of by those that heard them, there being no less than thirty persons of the company in the afternoon, that came out of novelty to hear them, amongst whom was one George Brooks a Priest belonging to the Nightingale frigate, who is since turned out of the said frigate, for his deboyst conversation, who (after Miles Halhead and Thomas Salthouse had left speaking) took upon him to speak to the people, highly approving of what our Friends had spoken and exhorted the people to perseverance, telling them they must expect to suffer persecution; he began with this text (as they call it) Take heed that ye receive not the grace of God in vain, but he being comprehended and seen in the Light, after he had spoken, & ended without any interruption Thomas Salthouse entered into some discourse with him, telling him, that he had spoken many good words, and fair speeches; but asked him, whether he lived the life of what he spoke; and one standing by told him that he had spoken of a Trinity, and there was no such Scripture; but he obstinately persisted, affirming that it was the Scripture phrase: And after their dispute was ended, Thomas spoke again to the people some few words, in which he used this Scripture, Let him that stole, steal no more; and this also, He that entreth not by the door, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a Thief and a Robber: but the other of our Friends namely Miles Halhead spoke not one word to the Priest, either about the Trinity, or any thing else, who yet lies in Prison under colour of disgraceful provoking words he should speak to the same Priest George Brookes at the same meeting.  
Now we testify to all to whom these may come, that we have here truly declared, and manifested the very utmost that was spoken, or acted by our said Friends, while they were in Plymouth that might occasion to say, that either they denied the Trinity, that they gave provoking language to G. Brooks, or any other, or that they disturbed any Ministers or Christians in their Assemblies: but we rather judged ourselves disturbed in our Meeting by such a deboyst person, as the Priest was known to some of us to be.  
The third day of the week following, May 21. we had another Meeting appointed by us at Robert caries house in the Town, where the Constables came, and by a Warrant from the Mayor of the Town took our said friends Miles Halhead, and Thomas Salthouse, and a friend of Bristol, and carried them to the mayor's house, who after a little talk with them, sent them to the Prison at the Guildhall, where they were kept till the next day, and then were brought forth before the Mayor, Magistrates, and counsel, and severally examined, and all that were their friends were drawn out from the rest of the multitude, and by the Constables turned out of the Hall, & not one suffered to be present, at their examination; after they had examined them about three hours, the Friend who spoke not to the people was set free, with charge to be gone home, and the other two were again committed to Prison, where they kept them near a week, and sent them to Exeter Goal, where they remained until the Sessions and were afterwards removed to Bridewell in Thomas parish, without the City, where they now remain close Prisoners.  
Now whether their Actions above truly related, have deserved such hard measure, let all who have understanding judge, to whom we shall leave it: 
lo hear what a filthy worker of iniquity this Priest is, for denying of whose spirit before the people these long and cruel sufferings are inflicted on the innocent? What a defiler of the flesh is this in whose behalf these men make war against the Lamb? Is not this Priest who not only prophecies of, but fills himself with wine and strong drink, a fit Prophet for these people? What think you? had they a Spirit of discerning who comprehended this Priest, and his root and principle and denying his spirit before the people, though he spoke so high in the praise of what they had said? Would not these men, plead Barabas his part against Jesus, were he on the earth?  But as for our parts, we are fully satisfied that these their sufferings have turned, and yet more abundantly shall turn to the furtherance of the Gospel, it being known to most of the Inhabitants of Plymouth that this here related is the utmost for which they are imprisoned, & how many are ashamed of the injustice of it, we shall not now further mention; but subscribe our names.  


Nicholas Cole.  
Richard Smith.  
Ralph Fogg.  
John Harris.  
Anthony Todde.  
Edward Dyer.  
Arthur Cotton.  
Robert Cary.  
John Martindale.  
Richard Lepincote.   Plymouth, 12. of the 9 Month, or Nov. 1655.   

The Testimonies of the captains of the Nightingale frigate, and of the Nantwich, and of the Constant Warwick, concerning the deboyst, filthy, and drunken conversation of George Brooks Priest, or Clerk, with the reasons wherefore he was put on shore, or turned out of the said frigate.  

I Having been formerly desired to relate upon what account that Mr. George Brooks chaplain of the frigate, and under my command was put on shore; because he was a busiy body, and disturbed the whole Ships company. Secondly, being on shore, it was his common practice to abuse the creature in such sort, that he was drunken, void of good reason, that he would abuse any one that came in his company by ill language, besides the abuse of himself and the good creature, daily complaints coming unto me both aboard, and on shore. Therefore knowing him to be a deboyst fellow, and not fit for that employment, therefore I put him on shore, and I dare own it, who shall ever call me to question, witness my hand.  
Robert Vessay.   

MR. Brookes being formerly with me in the Nightingale I found him to be very idle, and continually drunk, which once made me to put a quarter Can about his neck, whereunto I subscribe.  
John Jeffery, Captain of the Nantwich.   

THe person above mentioned I have seen drunk at shore, in testimony whereof I have set my hand.  
Richard Potter, captain of the Constant Warwick frigate.    

A true Copy of the Warrant by which they were sent to the common Goal in Exeter, from the Prison at Plymouth.  
Devon.  
JOhn Page, Merchant, Maior of the burrow of Plymouth in the County aforesaid, and one of his highness's Justices of the Peace within the said burrow. To the Keeper of his highness's Goal at Exon Castle, or to his lawful Deputy in that behalf, greeting. I send you herewithal by the bearer hereof, the bodies of Thomas Salthouse late of Drugglibeck in the County of Lancaster husbandman, & Miles Halhead late of Kendal in the County of Westmoreland, lately apprehended here, as disturbers of the public peace, and for divers other high misdemeanours against a late Proclamation prohibiting the disturbing of Ministers, and other Christians in their assemblies, and meetings, and against an Ordinance of his said highness the Lord Protector and his Counsel lately made against duels, Challenges, and all provocations thereunto, who have refused to give sufficient security for their personal appearance at the next general Sessions of the Peace to be held for the County of Devon, and in the mean time to be of good behaviour against his highness the Lord Protector, and all his liege people. These are therefore in his said Highness his name to will, and command you that when the bodies of the said Thomas Salthouse and Miles Halhead, shall be unto you brought, you them safely detain, and keep them until by due course of law they shall be thence delivered, hereof fail not at your peril.  
Given under my hand and seal of Plymouth aforesaid, the 28 day of May, in the year of our Lord God 1655. John Page, Mayor.   

The Answer of Thomas Salthouse, and Miles Halhead, to the above written Warrant.  
A True Copy of a Miltimus, by which we Thomas Salthouse and Miles Halhead are committed to the Goal at Exon. by John Page Mayor of Plymouth, with Answers in defence of the truth, to the false accusations cast upon us, to make truth odious; but for zions sake we cannot hold our peace, and suffer lies to go for truth.  

First Accusation. Disturbers of the public Peace.  
ANswer. The Accusation is false, for we have not disturbed the public peace, nor have we fellowship with any such as break the peace, but have freely declared the way that leads to peace, and do desire that Grace and Peace may be multiplied publicly to the ends of the earth, and that all the occasion of strife and envy may be taken away, and that the feet of them that are running on in the broad way that leads to destruction, may be turned into the way of peace.   

The second Accusation. For divers other high misdemeanours against the late Proclamation, by his highness the Lord Protector, prohibiting the disturbing of Ministers, and other Christians in their Assemblies and Meetings.  
ANswer. The breach of this Proclamation we charge upon thee, who when we were assembled, and met together in a friend's house to wait upon the Lord, as hath been the practice of all Christians in former Ages, and which the Law of this Nation doth allow. Thou scents the Constables with a Warrant from thee, and fetchest us out of the house from among our friends, and brings us two before thee, and thou saidst thou hadst not time then to examine us, but scents us to Prison. Here let all people that love the light, whose eyes are open, judge, whether we or our accusers have broken and transgressed this Proclamation, which we, and our friends claim our privilege in, we being free born men, and friends to the commonwealth, and have disturbed none in their Assemblies, nor were we at any public meeting that thou canst charge upon us, but amongst our own friends, as many can witness for us if they may be heard. And here we charge upon thee that which thou callest misdemeanours, for we are clear in the thing, and what is charged upon us here, is false, as many can witness that our demeanour hath not been disorderly, nor contrary to the laws of God, nor the laws of this Nation. And although the word diverse be mentioned, yet none in truth can be laid to our charge, nor proved against us.   

The third Accusation. Against an Ordinance of his highness the Lord Protector, and his counsel, lately made against duels, Challenges, and all provocations thereunto.  
ANswer. This Accusation against us, is falsely charged upon us; the Act we own, and the Magistrates sword of Justice we own, which is for the punishment of evil doers, and the encouragement of them that do well. Our weapons are not carnal, but spiritual, nor have we challenged any man, nor done violence to any, nor provoked any, nor used any other language than Scripture holdeth forth, as Thee and Thou to a particular person, whether he be King, Priest, or Prophet, Judge, or Justice; and if any be offended by this, or provoked by it, let him speak, or write the unlawfulness of it; for against fightings, quarrellings, challenging, and provoking one another to wrath by corrupt communications, do we declare freely, knowing the ground of it; for where envying and strife is, there is confusion, and every evil work.   

The fourth Accusation. Whereas Thou sayest, We have refused to give Sureties for our personal appearance at the time and place mentioned.  
ANswer. Let the light of Christ in thy own conscience judge Thee, and witness against Thee, for us, and for our friends that can bear us witness that sufficient Security was proffered to Thee for our Appearance; but to make thyself manifest, and thy Counsellors, how hast thou written these lies in the name of the Lord Protector, and strengthened thyself to accuse the Innocent, by using his name; but to the Children of light is thy deceit discovered and laid open.   

The fifth Accusation. And whereas thou sayest, In the mean time to be of the good behaviour.  
ANswer. We do affirm before Thee, and all the word, that we are of the good behaviour, and seek to be at Peace with all men; and we know that in the truth you cannot charge us with any evil behaviour, or that we walked disorderly amongst you, wherefore be witness against thyself, for out of thine own mouth Thou shalt be judged, for that thou hast charged upon us, we are not guilty of, as many can witness for us.  
And under these lies, and false Accusations do we lie in Prison at Exon in Devon. whose names are  


Thomas Salthouse.  
Miles Halhead.   Whom the world scornfully calls Quakers.    

The Copy of a Warrant aforesaid, with the Answer above written to it was given in to the hands of General Disbrow, at Plymouth, with this following Testimony to the truth thereof.  
WE whose names are hereunto subscribed do testify, That the several particulars in this Answer made by our friends, are true (to wit) That they did not at all disturb the public peace. Nor were they at any other Meeting (but that which was appointed by us) to disturb any Ministers, or other Christians, in their Assemblies and Meetings; Nor are they guilty of any Challenges, duels, and Provocations thereunto in the least measure, whilst they were amongst us. And as for their refusal to give security, two of us, whose names are Robert Cary, and Arthur Cotton, had given security to the Mayor, by entering into Recognisance for their appearance at the next Sessions, the day before their sending to prison, but that the Town Clerk made it void the next day, pretending it could not be according to Law.  


Ralph Fogg.  
Arthur Cotton.  
Robert Cary.  
Richard Smith.  
Anthony Todde.  
John Harris, the younger.  
Thomas Faulkner.  
Nicholas Cole.  
John Martindale.  
Richard Lepincote.  
John Harris, the Elder.     

The Copy of a Letter from the Mayor of Plymouth, to general Disbrow, concerning Miles and Thomas.  
Plymouth, 1 June, 1655. Right Honourable;  
CAptain Hatsell hath communicated to me what you rote him in reference to those two men Thomas Salthouse and Miles Halhead, of whom and of their imprisonment your Honour had heard something from some persons of this place, and received a copy of a Letter which they sent me. By the enclosed copies of their Examinations your Honour will see some part of the cause of their confinement, which was on their refusal to give bail for their appearance the next general Sessions to be held for the County of Devon, they being as I conceive, offenders within the late Ordinance of his highness the Lord Protector and counsel, made against duels, Challenges, and all provocations thereunto, and also his highness his late Proclamation against Quakers, and they still refusing to give bail for their appearance as aforesaid, went from hence to the Goal at Exon. on Tuesday last. Indeed Sir, their carriage here was not becoming men, much less Christians, and besides their contempt of Authority, and all the while they were in Prison, they never sought God by prayer at any time, nor desired a blessing on any Creature they received, or gave thanks for them; and these very men were about two months past, taken up by colonel Coppleston High Sheriff of our County, and after 14 days' restraint were sent away by him for Taunton, from Tithing to Tithing, as by their own Examination, and they show no occasion they have to come to these parts. They are by profession Quakers, but Husbandmen by their calling; one of them is a Lancashire man, the other of Westmoreland, and they left their Families, Relations, and Callings about three Months since, as they say, and do net work, nor employ themselves in their Callings, to procure themselves a livelihood: but wander up and down in all parts, to vent their wicked Opinions, & discover their irregular practices in the breach of Peace, & disturbance of good People. Indeed Sir they hold many sad Opinions, destructive to the true Religion, and Power of godliness. I have hereby according to my Duty given your Honour an account of what passed here in reference to these men; I could say much more in reference to their Examination, and discourse with them, but I fear I have already trespassed upon your honour's patience, in the perusal of these lines, and humbly desiring your excuse for giving you this trouble, and do most thankfully acknowledge your Honours continued favours to this place, and for which we stand very much obliged, desiring your Honour still te retain such an Opinion of us, as those that desire to do nothing unbecoming Christians, and persons that desire the welfare and peace of this commonwealth, and Government, and shall ever labour to appear  
Your Honours very humble Servant. JOHN Page., Mayor, for myself, and Brethren.   

THis is the second time this Mayor hath affirmed this abominable lie under his Hand and Seal, notwithstanding that two sufficient men of the Town of Plymouth had entered into a Recognizance before him for their Appearance, which the next morning he denied to give under his hand as he had promised, and voided the Recognizance, the Town Clerk saying it would not stand in Law, and sent them to Prison. And here as he twice chargeth them for refusing to do that which they had done before him, and which he had refused to deliver them under his hand according to his promise, and made void as the cause of their imprisonment, so he committed them to Prison for refusing to do that which the Town Clerk said would not stand in Law, and so according to what he affirmed, was contrary thereunto. Canst thou who dost such things as these blush? Is it not hereby apparent that cause is sought for, and made where there is none to destroy the innocent?  
What the measure wants of filling, with false Accusations, that the Indictments meaning, and this Mayors conceiving shall make up to cause the righteous to suffer.  
Where is that late Proclamation entitled against Quakers? There is one against disturbing of Christians in their peaceable Assemblies, and there is the 37 Article of the Government, which saith, That all that profess faith in God by Jesus Christ, shall not be restrained from, but be protected in the profession of the faith, and exercise of their Religion, &c. Both which thou hast broken, in sending thy Officers, and taking them from their peaceable meetings of Christians waiting on the Lord, by thy Warrants.  
The Law forbids the reproaching of any, and all evil speaking, as evil doing, yet this Mayor who calls himself a Minister of the Law, reproacheth the Servants of the most high God, who fear before his presence, and tremble at his word, as the holy men of God have done from the beginning on Record in the Scriptures, with the name of Quakers, and entitles the Generation of those who seek the face of the Lord, with the name of Quakers (which he so reproacheth) by profession.  
What difference is there between a calling and profession?  
Is coming to Plymouth in obedience to the movings of the Lord, to visit friends, and to speak to them the words of eternal life, to Preach the everlasting Gospel, and to exhort them to love, and good works, according to the Scriptures of truth, no occasion? showed they not this as the occasion of their coming thither? and is it not a lawful one? And have they not there many seals of their Ministry, who by it are turned from darkness to light, and from the kingdom of Satan unto God?  
How can they employ themselves in their callings of husbandry, when kept in Prison? how can they return to their Families, Relations, and Callings, when thus detained, as they were at first hindered in their Journey on their lawful occasions, and are still by Thee? Dost thou complain of them for not doing that which by imprisoning of them thou hast made impossible? Did they want a livelihood before they were laid hands on, or do they now, though it's near nine months since the time of their commitment by thee? Did they ask any thing of thee, or of any one else? wast thou or Plymouth burdened, or made chargeable by? or had not the Town the advantage of their expense for themselves and Horses, and the friend that was with them? how knowest Thou that they want a livelihood? or hast Thou or thy Generation administered to them, or to their Families, and Relations during near nine months of restraint, and six of them in a close imprisonment without a cause, in a strange place 200 miles from their outward Habitations, whereby they are kept from employing themselves to procure a livelihood for themselves, Families, and Relations?  
Is riding the strait Road from Bristol to Plymouth, lying at the best Inns, and paying for what they have for themselves and Horses, a wandering? Thinkest thou what the Law calls wandering, is not known, and how much thou hast broken the Law upon them, and what penalties thou art under for so doing, and art thou sure thou shalt never be called to an account, deceive not thyself? May not a man travel where he will in times of peace, paying for what he hath, and behaving himself peaceable? what if they had come only to see the Town of Plymouth? Make it thy own case, wouldst thou not judge it hard measure for them to do to thee, as thou hast done to them?  
Art thou not ashamed of lying, to say they wandered in all parts, when they traveled the direct Road? Or callest thou the going about to Preach the Gospel, a wandering? Did not the Apostles and holy men of God do so, and yet were they not as hardly thought of, and reviled by those of thy Generation then, as these are now by thee, and those of the same Generation, and as wickedly persecuted, by reason of whose cruelty they wandered in Desert, in mountains, in Dens and Caves of the earth, being destitute, afflicted, and tormented, of whom the world was not worthy, as these do by thine, suffer imprisonment and as is afore mentioned.  
What are their wicked and sad opinions, destructive to the true Religion and power of godliness, that (as thou sayest indeed Sir) they hold and have vented in all parts? What are their irregular practices in the breach of peace and disturbance of good people, that they have discovered? they are yet to name that are indeed so. But thou hast in this Letter, and thy Warrant, and thy whole carriage towards these innocent servants of the Lord vented, and manifested thy sad opinions, conceivings, and actings, and discovered thy irregular practices (though thou art in Commission to do Justice, and wouldst be esteemed as a Magistrate) in the breach of the peace, and disturbance of good people, to give an account hereof to general Disbrow, thou dost not blush to say to him, it is thy duty, on whose patience and Justice, as bearing the sword of God against evil doing, thou mayest well fear thou hast trespassed, and beg excuse for thy trouble, and for thyself and Brethren desire by thankfully acknowledging his former favours, to retain such an opinion of you, as those that desire to do nothing unbecoming Christians, and persons that desire the welfare and peace of this commonwealth, and Government, when under thy hand, and as aforesaid, against the innocent thou hast so plainly manifested the contrary, and yet for thyself and Brethren art not ashamed of him to desire it, who is in Justice, you have obliged to visit the more your transgressions upon your heads by reason of the ill use you have made of his former favours, in acting contrary to the welfares and peace of this commonwealth, and Government, and so unbecoming Christians, in disturbing good people, and oppressing the innocent, and in belying and slandering them when you have so done; and in considerations of his favours; and nevertheless to his face, when you have so offended, to wipe your mouth, as if you had none iniquity, & in confidence to entreat him to understand you as aforesaid.  
Now to that of God in thy conscience, and in the consciences of thy Brethren, and of all who shall read this Relation, whose carriage was not becoming men, much less Christians, theirs, or thine, and thy Brethren, and who contemn Authority, and despise Dominion, and discover their irregular practices in the breach of the peace, &c. Thou, and thy Brethren, who being entrusted as Ministers of the Law, thus break the Law, or those who being innocent have the Law thus broken upon them by thyself and brethren. The Magistrate of God is a praise to him that doth well, & a terror to the evil doer, Rom. 12. And he that breaketh the righteous Law, on him the Law is added, as a contemner of Authority, and a Transgressor, and Transgression, especially such as this is, tendeth to the destruction of the Nation, and is a reproach to any people. And who hold many sad and wicked opinions destructive to the true Religion and power of godliness; they are thee, who dost thus act and write, and art not come so much as to the bridling of thy tongue, and so all thy Religion is vain.  
And if thou wilt not yet take shame, behold these lies and false Accusations in this one Letter of thine, to murder the innocent, set in Order before thee. On their refusal to give bail for their appearance the next general Sessions to be held for the County of Devon. One— And they still refusing to give bail for their appearance as aforesaid, Two— Indeed Sir, their carriage here was not becoming men, much less Christians, Three— And besides their contempt of Authority, four— All the while they were in Prison, they never sought God by prayer at any time, Five— Nor desired a blessing on any Creature they received, Six— Nor gave thanks for them, seven— And they show no occasion to come to these parts, Eight— But wander up and down in all parts, Nine— To vent their wicked Opinions, Ten— And discover their irregular practices in the breach of the Peace, and disturbance of good people, Eleven— Indeed Sir they hold and vent many sad Opinions destructive to the true Religion, and power of godliness, Twelve—  
And let these convince thee, and give judgement against thee, that thy tongue is bent like a Bow for lies, and art not valiant for the truth upon earth, but proceedest from evil to evil, and knowest not the Lord: And all liars shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death, Rev. 21. And the Devil is the Accuser of the Brethren, Rev. 12.10. And false Accusers are they who make the days perilous, 2 Tim. 3.3. And the Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, Psal. 12.3. And he that respecteth persons committeth sin, and is convinced of the Law as a transgressor, James 2.9. And the wages of sin is death, Rom. 6.53. And woe unto them that call good evil, and evil good, and put darkness for light, and light for darkness, Isa. 5 20. And blaspheme that worthy name by which the children of light are called, James 2.7. And of these things are thy Letter made up, and these things are found on thee, and the judgement cannot be avoided, for the Lord is righteous, and not one jot or tittle of his word shall pass away, and thy soul is precious. Therefore turn within, and consider thy condition, and repent whilst thou hast time, before thou goest into the Pit, and it be sealed on Thee, out of which there can be no redemption.   

The Answer of Miles Halhead, & Thomas Salthouse, to the Accusations in the aforesaid letter.  
John Page Mayor of Plymouth.  
WE have seen a copy of a Letter, which we hear you sent to Major General Disbrow, in reference to us, Thomas Salthouse, & Miles Halhead, wherein thou hast manifested thyself to the children of light to be of the same generation, by thy flattering of him in feigned humility, and thy railing accusations against us, we say, to be of the spirit of Tertullus, Acts 24. who accused and informed the governor against the apostle Paul, to be a pestilent fellow, &c. And so thou hast laid open thy Ignorance, in imprisoning; us, because thou conceivest we are offenders, which indeed is nothing but thy conceiving; and thou sayest, The cause of our confinement is because we refused to give bail to answer at the Sessions. Here be witness against thyself, and for us, that we refused not to give bail, but had sufficient men, Robert Cary, and Arthur Cotton, which thou wast content to take, and we were willing to appear upon thine own conditions, that if we were any way disabled to come, either by sickness, or any other restraint, we being to go out of the County, thou promised us, that a Certificate from the next Justice of the Peace, where we were so disabled, should set our Recognizance void, and clear us, and our friends were willing to engage for us. And the next morning when we came to receive it under thy hand, according to thy promise, thou there refusedst to give it, and the Town Clerk said it would not stand in Law, which is like to thy Letter thou sentest us to Exon Prison, and so because thou conceivest we are offenders, do we suffer; but thou makest thy conceiving a Law, to imprison us by. And further thou hast manifested thy enmity, and persecuting spirit in what thou witnessest falsely against us, that all the while we were in Prison, we neither sought God by prayer, as thou sayest, nor desired a blessing of God on any Creature that we received, nor gave thanks for them. Here let thy mouth be stopped, and for shame proceed no further in thy false Accusations, to render us, and the truth odious; for besides the witness of God which is true, and greater than the witness of man, many in Plymouth can witness against thee in this thing, that joined with us in spirit, being moved several times in prison, and out of prison, to go to prayers, and to give thanks for the blessing of God that we received. And further thou sayest, We wander up and down in all parts, to vent our wicked Opinions, to the disturbance of good people. Here thou hast vented forth thy malice, out of the spirit of bitterness against us, to make us appear odious to good people, if they will lend an ear to thee, for wicked Opinions we do deny. And we have not disturbed any good people, neither have we wandered in all parts, as thou sayest, but came the straight Road from Bristol to Plymouth, and were chargeable to none in our Journey, but lay at the best Inns where we came, and paid for what we had need of, for both our Horse, and ourselves. And again thou sayest, Indeed Sir they hold many sad Opinions, destructive to true Religion, and power of godliness. We say indeed, if thou hadst the true Religion, thou would have power over thy tongue, but thou hast manifested thy Religion to be in vain, and thy ignorance both of the true power, and also of the form of godliness, for godliness is a mystery, and he that hath the form, and not the power, from such we turn away; and with such as have the power and life of what they profess, have we fellowship in the light, which hath no fellowship with darkness, neither with such as walk disorderly, and contrary to the light of Christ, who bringeth peace on Earth, and goodwill towards man. And we never contemned thy Authority as a Magistrate, neither do we slight the general Disbrow, whom thou desirest to have a good opinion of thee, who hast made thy conceivings, and thy will a Law, to imprison us by, though we have transgressed no Law, but to the Children of light thou art discovered, and thy deceit laid open. He that hath understanding let him read. And this we have written to thee, in reference to that thou writest to General Disbrow, for thyself, and thy Brethren, not rendering to thee, nor thy Brethren, railing for railing, but in the spirit of love, and meekness, we exhort you all to repent, and fear to offend the Lord, and the least of them who believe in his name, lest he come in a day when you are not aware, and cut you off in a day when you are not aware, and cut you off, and you be numbered amongst the transgressors, and have your portion amongst them which make war with the Lamb, and the Saints and Servants of the most high God. This is the day of your visitation, while you have time prize it.  
From us who are friends to your souls. 

Thomas Salthouse,  
Miles Halhead,   prisoners in Exon Gaol.   

A Copy of an Indictment Exhibited against, and read to them at the Sessions.  

Devon.  THe Jurors for his highness the Lord Protector of the commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the Dominions thereunto belonging, upon their Oaths do present, That whereas by an Ordinance of his highness the Lord Protector, and his counsel, bearing date the 29 day of June, in the year of our Lord, One thousand six hundred fifty four, for preventing of duels, and all occasions of Challenges and quarrels, and using any disgraceful provoking words, or gestures tending to that effect, it was Ordered, That no persons whatsoever should from and after the publishing of the said Ordinance, use any provoking words, or gestures, whereby quarrels or Challenges may arise, as by the said Ordinance may more at large appear. Nevertheless Thomas Salthouse late of Druggly beck in the County of Lancaster, Husbandman, and Miles Halhead of Kendal in the County of Westmoreland, Husbandman, not fearing nor regarding the said Ordinance, and the penalty therein contained, after the publishing of the said Ordinance, to wit, the twentieth day of May, in the year of our Lord, One thousand six hundred fifty and five, at Plymouth in the County aforesaid, in the presence and hearing of divers honest persons of the commonwealth of England there then being, did use divers disgraceful provoking words, and gestures, to George Brooks, Clerk in the Nightingale frigate, he being then opening and declaring unto the said persons, a certain place of Scripture wherein the said George spoke something of the Holy Trinity, to wit, Thou, the said George Brooks meaning, liest in saying there were three persons in the Trinity, we do deny, there is no such thing, but thou art a deluding spirit come to draw away the hearts of the people from God. And farther they the said Thomas Salthouse, and Miles Halhead did further speak to the people then present, that they should not harken to the said George Brooks, for that he was a Thief, and was come with a lie in his mouth, and had stolen what he had from others, and had it in his hand, pointing to the Bible which was then in the said George Brooks his hand open. And further did say it was a lie which the said George Brooks had brought, and other harms to the said George Brooks then, and there did, contrary to the form of the said Ordinance, against the peace public.   

Thomas Salthouse, and Miles Halheads Answer to this Indictment.  
BEing that we were not permitted to speak for our selves, when this Indictment or Bill was read to us in the open Court at the general Sessions, holden at the Castle of Exon. upon the 12 day of the fifth Month 1655, but by the Justices there in Commission, the gaoler was commanded to to take us away. So to make our defence for the truth's sake, we are constrained to write something in Answer to the substance of it: The sum of it is, To make us offenders in an Act made against duels and Challenges, and the like, by the Lord Protector and his council; and you say, We not fearing or regarding the said Act, and the penalty therein contained, did use divers disgraceful and provoking words to George Brooks Clerk of the Nightingale frigate.  
To which we Answer.  
THe fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom, hath taught us to regard and honour all men in the Lord, and that Act we own, which is made against quarrelling, and fighting, and cursed speaking, which is the fruit of the flesh, and that the Magistrates bear not the sword in vain, but adds the penalty to the transgression of it, and not to add the Law where there is no transgression proved. And we do declare, and many can witness, that unless you call the Scripture disgraceful words, there was none spoken to him by us. And we do affirm, that one of us did not speak one word to him, and yet we are both accused and imprisoned, and if this be the penalty of the Act, that if one man offend, two must suffer, let all that know the Law of England, with moderation, judge? And whether discoursing of the Scripture be a transgression of that, yea or nay? For what was spoken, many of our friends of Plymouth, which you confess to be honest people▪ that are friends to the commonwealth of England, did hear us, you say. Yet might they not be permitted to hear us examined before the Mayor and Magistrates of Plymouth, upon the 23 day of the third month, in the Common Hall in the presence of near one hundred people; and all our friends that heard the discourse, and know the truth of it, were put forth of the Hall, and the door kept fast. And we desired, that if either man or woman had any thing to lay to our charge, they might then speak. But we never had our Accusars brought before us, that we might see them, or hear them speak. And for that George Brooks spoke concerning the three persons of the Trinity, these words was spoken by one of us, I know no such Scripture that speaks of the three persons in the Trinity; but the three that the Scripture speaks of, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one. And the Baptism by one Spirit, into one body, and the Father, the Word, and the Spirit, the Scripture declares to be one; and he that hath the Son, hath the father also. And this we do own, he that can receive it, let him. And no such word was spoken by us, as calling him a deluding spirit, and therefore the Accusation is false: Neither did we say that he came to draw away the hearts of the people from God, as you say; for he stood up, and vindicated what we had declared, to be truth, and that of God in his conscience will witness against you in this thing. And in that you say, We spoke to the people not to harken to him, and that he was a THIEF, and pointed to the Bible which was then in his hand, and other harms to the said George Brooks, against the peace public. Here under a cloak of maliciousness have you made lies your refuge, but with the light you are comprehended, and your works of darkness brought to it, and reproved, for we did neither call him Thief, nor say he had stolen the Bible that was in his hand, which you say, we pointed at. And you speak of other harms against George Brooks, and say, We meaned that he lied. And here you make use of meanings, as if here were not false Accusations sufficient to drive on your design of Persecution; you might have mentioned those other harms you speak of, if you knew of any; but it's like you have mentioned the worst you heard of, which we declare to be false, as many can witness that heard the discourse, that are inhabitors of Plymouth, and friends to the peace of England's commonwealth. So all ye that take your Oaths, and give informations, consider what you do, for because of Oaths the land mourns, and the Lord God will come near to judgement, and will be a swift witness against the liar, and the false Swearer, that are out of the doctrine of Christ who saith, Swear not at all, but in all your communications, let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay, for whatsoever is more, is evil. And every one of you in particular, take heed to the light of Christ in your consciences, and there is your Teacher, loving it, that will keep you from accusing any man falsely, and lead you out of all controversy and strife, up to Jesus Christ who is the end of the Law for righteousness, to every one that believeth on him, who brings peace on earth, and good will towards men, who is the Prince of Peace, of whose Government there shall be no end, who is God over all blessed for evermore.  
This we have written in Answer to the Bill of Indictment against us Thomas Salthouse and Miles Halhead, Prisoners for the truth's sake in Bridewell in Thomas Parish near Exeter, in Devonshire.   

Record of the Sentence given against them at Sessions.  
Devon.  
A calendar of the Prisoners tried and Delivered at the general Sessions of the Peace public holden at the Castle of Exon. July 10. 1655.  
THomas Salthouse and Miles Halhead, for provoking words against George Brooks, Clerk, who refused to be tried by the country, fined 5 l. a piece, and committed to Bridewell, till payment, and finding Sureties for the good behaviour.  

The Answer of Miles and Thomas thereunto.  
TO you Justices by whom we are committed, we Answer as we did when we were before you, and do affirm that one of us spoke not a word unto him George Brooks, and to satisfy all such as may hear this thing, under which we suffer as if we were Thieves, or murderers; we shall lay open to the view of all people, the ground of the Discourse.  We being met together at a friend's house near Plymouth, to wait upon the Lord, there being more people than the house would contain, we went into a Garden, and after we had spoken some words of Exhortation to the people and had declared the truth of the experience we had found manifested in us, of the free grace of God that brings salvation, provoking them to love, and to good works, according to the Scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles, as the Spirit gave us utterance at that time. Then George Brooks unknown unto us, stood up and spoke to the people, with the words of Paul to the Corinthians, and said, Take heed that ye receive not the grace of God in vain, with many words in Vindication of what we had spoken, witnessing that it was the eternal truth which we had spoken. So after all was ended, some began to enter into some discourse with him, and one of us asked him whether he could witness what he had spoken to be from the life and power of it saying, Thou hast uttered many Scriptures and good words, but it's he that hath the witness in himself, that sets to his seal; that God is true. Then directing my speech to all that were there, by way of Exhortation. I spoke the words of Paul to the Ephesians, Let him that stole steal no more, with many other words of truth and soberness, which was not to any one in particular. 
If these be provoking words, and worthy of such bonds as we suffer, let all men that have moderation bear witness.  
And in that you say, We refuse to be tried by the Country. Oh! how dare you give such things under your hands, when you yourselves, and all people that were in the Court, can bear us witness, that we did not refuse to be tried, but did appeal to the highest power that was there, unto whom many in the Country came for Justice, and from whom we expected righteous judgement; for you know we said, We were willing to be tried by the Bench, to whom all the Court was in subjection, to whose power we were and are subject to, for conscience sake, and did not resist your power; but for the▪ we pounds that is demanded of us, we answer, we owe nothing to any man but to love one another, therefore we deny to pay so much money for nought; but if any man will come to us and say that we have wronged him, we will make him satisfaction, and pay him the utmost farthing.  
And as for Sureties for the good behaviour, they that walk in the light of Christ, who is the Surety of a better Covenant than man's Covenant, whom we witness, teaching us to deny the customs, and fashions of the world, and all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to do to all men as we would they should do unt● us. And we are tied to the good behaviour by the Righteous Law of God, and dare not lie, nor swear, nor be drunk, nor use any deceit, policy, shifts, or double dealing, nor respect men's persons for the liberty of the outward man, or any other advantage, to that in all your consciences do we appeal, whether we be woe thy of such bonds as these, where none of our friends nor acquaintance must come at us, or speak with us, but they must be imprisoned: Is the Law of England so exact against us, such as have been always faithful in that which hath been manifested, and in the state's service, and desires nothing else but to worship God in Spirit and truth, according to what is manifested and witnessed in the light of Jesus Christ, who is the way to the father, that when we were locked up in close Prison, the soldiers kept John Gannyclife who is a Constable, in their custody, for coming to speak with us, and another person who did spy in at a hole of the door where we were; this they did by an Order from Captain Joyce, who hath given it under his hand to take into their custody all such as they suspected to be of us whom they called Quakers. But this they do that the Scripture may be fulfilled, which Jesus Christ spoke to his Disciples, They shall hale you before Magistrates, and Rulers, who shall cast some of you into prison, and the time shall come if they kill you, they shall think they do God good service. But here is our confidence in his Promise, that he that endures to the end shall be saved; and if we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him; for whose sake we are made willing by his eternal power to suffer the loss of all things, that we may receive an inheritance with them that are Sanctified, and witness against all deceit, and abomination, to the laying down of our lives, if it be required, who are Prisoners for the Testimony of Jesus in Thomas Parish near Exon, in Bridewell.  


Thomas Salthouse.  
Miles Halhead.      

A copy of their Letter sent the Mayor of Plymouth, after their first Apprehension.  
FRIEND,  
seeing the Lord God of power, who is Lord of Heaven and Earth, hath entrusted thee with the power of a Magistrate, to bear the Sword of Justice, which is for the punishment of evil doers and the encouragement of those that do well, and to rule for him who brings peace on earth, and hath good will towards men, even Jesus Christ, the Mediator of the New Covenant; who is the end of the Law for righteousness to every one that believeth; who was supposed to be the Son of Joseph, but was the Son of God; and he that hath the Son, hath life; and he that hath not the Son, hath not life; and we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, to know him who is true; and he that hath the Son, hath the Father also; and he that hath the witness in himself, hath set to his seal that God is true; he that hath understanding, let him read; he that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is love; and if any man say, I love God, and hate his Brother, he is a liar, for his commandment is love; and he that rules in love, rules with Authority, and not as the Scribes and Pharisees. The Law of God is perfect, and endureth for ever; he is our Judge, and lawgiver, before whom all must appear, to give an account for all the deeds done in the body, when every man shall receive according to his works.  
Now Friend, to thee for Justice do we call, that the truth may be freed from scandals, and false reports, and the oppressed set free, which is pure Religion; that we may have that favour at thy hands, which the Law doth afford, to bring our Accusers to us, that have any thing to lay to our charge worthy of Bonds, that things may be tried by the light, and actions weighed in the balance of equity; that truth may spring up out of the Earth, and righteousness may run down as a mighty stream, and peace and Justice may kiss each other; for know assuredly, although we are counted deceivers, yet are we true; and nothing do we desire from thee, as thou art a Magistrate, but to have the truth cleared by the light, and truth set at liberty; and if there be any that knoweth the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent, and hath eternal life abiding in him; we desire to be tried by him, even him that is guided by the Spirit of God, and as many as are led by the Spirit of God, are the Sons of God. And whereas some ignorant men say, that we deny the Trinity, and the godhead, which is false; for God is a Spirit, and as many as are led by the Spirit, are the Sons of God, and the Father Son and Spirit are one; and this we witness according to the Scriptures, and this God is but one, in whom all things live, move, and have their being, who is above all, and in all, and through all, God blessed for ever.  
And for the word Trinity, there is no such Scripture as speaks of a Trinity; so in tenderness of conscience, and love to the Spirit of Truth, which gave forth the Scriptures, we dare not wrest them nor speak any other language, nor add nor diminish from them. So Friend, to the light of Jesus Christ in thine own conscience, and the measure of the Spirit of Truth, do we exhort thee to take heed that the spiritual man judge all things in righteousness and truth. So we remain Prisoners of the Lord, not as evil doers, our conscience bearing us witness in the presence of the Lord in whom is everlasting strength, who are friends of the Truth, and of the commonwealth of England.  
Known to the World by the Names of 

Thomas Salthouse.  
Miles Halhead.   For the hands of John Page Mayor of Plymouth.   

The copy of another Letter to the Mayor of Plymouth, concerning Swearing.  
John Page Mayor of Plymouth;  
FOrasmuch as it hath pleased thee to cast us into Prison, and hast Examined us, and hast found no breach of any Law, by which thou canst lawfully punish us; but under a pretence hath tendered us an Oath to swear against the Supremacy and Purgatory. We do in the presence of the Lord God of Heaven and Earth, deny the Pope, and all things therein mentioned, with as much detestation as thou thyself, or any in the world can, or doth; our consciences also bearing us witness, in the presence of our God, who is able to deliver us, although we are cast into a Prison; nay, if we be cast into a Den of lions, and a fiery Furnace, with the three Children, as you may read in Daniel, that would not fall down to worship the Image, neither will we disobey the Command of Jesus Christ, who saith, Swear not at all; and the Apostle James saith, Above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by Heaven, nor by Earth, nor by any other Oath, but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay, lest you fall into condemnation. And all that doth the will of God, shall know of the doctrine of Christ; and whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, hath both the Father, and the Son. If any come unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, nor bid him God speed; and this we do affirm, that swearing is out of the doctrine of Christ, although you may allege many Scriptures for Swearing, as in the first Covenant; and that an Oath among men for confirmation, is to them an end of all strife; but he that is made the Surety of a better Covenant, who hath put an end to all strife, where it is witnessed, saith, Swear not at all; although that you may allege that the Angels swore, yet know this, that when he bringeth his first begotten into the world, he saith, Let the Angels of God worship him: So we lay it upon thee to witness for us, or against us, whether Yea or nay is not to be preferred before swearing, by all those who profess Religion, seeing that Jesus Christ hath commanded not to swear at all; and he saith, If ye love me, keep my commandments; and if we suffer imprisonment for keeping the commandments of Christ, it is not grievous to us; for we refuse not to swear, for any guiltiness that is in us, or that can be charged upon us, for we are against all false ways, false worships, false laws, but we deny swearing, because Jesus Christ hath commanded us, not to swear at all. So if we be kept in Prison, let it never be said by you, That it is for any thing, but because we dare not swear, knowing, that to disobey the commandments of Christ, is the way of Cain, who was driven out from the presence of God, and became a Fugitive, and a Vagabond; and this some of you would charge upon us, to be Vagabonds, who in tenderness of conscience, and in the obedience to the light of Jesus Christ, and in love to him, our lives are not dear to us, to lay down, if it be required, for the confession of him before men, and the keeping of his commandments; for to this end are we called; and our rejoicing is in this, that in simplicity, and godly sincerity, our conversations hath been, and is honest, as many can witness for us against those, who in their wisdom go about to entrap and ensnare the innocent: And this we write, not to justify ourselves but for the sake of the simple ones, who have heard many lies and false reports of us; of this do we put thee in mind, not that thou art ignorant that all the glory and honour belongeth to the Lord God, who hath said, He will not give his glory unto another; and Vengeance is mine, and I will repay it, saith the Lord, who will ease himself of all his Adversaries, and recompense tribulation to them that trouble, afflict, or offend one of the least that believe in his Name. So in love to thee, and all people, for the eternal good of all, do we heartily wish, that grace and peace may be multiplied; so we rest in the will of our father, to do or to suffer, that he may be glorified by us, to whom all glory belongeth for evermore; and pray, that the sin of Persecution may not be committed by thee, nor any that profess to be the friends of England's,  
Whose Names are known to be 

Thomas Salthouse.  
Miles Halhead.   For the hands of John Page, Mayor of Plymouth.   

HEar ye this O Priests, and harken ye house of Israel; and give ye ear O house of the King, for judgement is towards you, because you have been as a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor: And ye revolters are profound to make slaughter; though I have been a rebuker of them all.  
Hear I pray you O Heads of Jacob; and ye Princes of the house of Israel; Is it not for you to know Judgement? Shalt thou reign, because thou closest thyself in Cedar? Did not their Father, eat, and drink, and do Judgement, and Justice, and then it was well with him? he Judged the Cause of the poor and needy; then it a as well with him, was not this; know me saith the Lord.  
And hear ye Rulers, who hate the good, and love the evil, who pluck the skin from off the people of the Lord, and their flesh from off their bones; yea who abhor Judgement, and pervert all equity; who turn Judgement into worm wood, and leave off righteousness in the Earth; who decree unrighteous decrees, and write grievousness which ye have prescribed: Woe unto you; for Judgement is turned away backward, and Justice standeth afar off, for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter; yea truth faileth, and he that departeth from evil, maketh himself a prey: a man is made an Offender for a word; a snare is laid for him that reproveth in the gate; the just is afflicted, and turned aside, for a thing of nought, and the poor in the gate from their right: The righteousness of the righteous, is taken from him; he that rebuketh in the gate, is hated; he that speaketh uprightly is abhorred; iniquities are conceived, are traveled withal; are searched out; A diligent search is accomplished, the inward thought, and the heart is deep, they dig as low as hell, the pit is made into which to cast and destroy the innocent, the workers of iniquity make insurrections, they whet their tongue like a sword, they bend their bows, and make their arrows keen, and ready on string, and shoot at the perfect, at the upright and fear not; there are who encourage themselves in an evil matter, that common of laying snares privily, that lie in wait in the lurking places of the Villages, in the secret places, as he that setteth snares to murder the innocent, that set a trap that catch men; as a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore, are they become great, and wax in rich, they are waxen fat, and shine; yea, the deeds of the wicked are over passed: The rod hath blossomed, pride hath budded, violence is risen up into a rod of wickedness, Zion is built up with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity; the stranger is vexed, and oppressed (which the Lord hath commanded shall not be, but be beloved as a man's self, for the Lord loveth the stranger) and turned aside from his right, and dealt wrongfully withal, his Judgement is perverted, and upon him is violence, and cruelty, exercised: The people of the Lord are sold for nought, and there are none that inquire after their blood, they are eaten up as one would eat breath; they whom the Lord hath smitten are persecuted, & the spoiled is not delivered out of the hand of the oppressor: the Lord is not feared; this people are broken in pieces, and his heritage afflicted: yet they that do these things, say in their hearts, the Lord shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it; God hath for gotten, he hideth his face; he will never see it; God is contemned; they say, he will not require it; yea every one in the dark, in the chambers of his Imagery, saith the Lord seeth us not; the Lord hath forsaken the earth; how doth God know, is there knowledge in the most High? Thou hast seen it O Lord, for thou beholdest mischief, and spite, to requite it with thy own hand; the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.)  
Understand ye brutish among the people; And ye fools, when will ye be wise? He that planteth the ear, shall not he hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see? he that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know? Surely, the Lord seeth it, and it displeaseth him that there is no Judgement, and he sees that there is no man, and wonders that there is no Intercessor; therefore his arm is bringing salvation unto him, and his righteousness it sustaineth him; for he is putting on righteousness as a breast plate, and a helmet of salvation upon his head, and he is putting on the garment of vengeance for a clothing, and is clading with zeal as with a cloak; he will awake as one out of sleep, and go forth as a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine; he will stir up jealousy like a man of war; he will cry, yea roar; he shall prevail against his enemies; he hath a long time holden his peace, and he hath been still, and refrained himself; he will cry like a travelling woman; he will devour and destroy all at once; he he will make wast mountains, and hills, and dry up all their herbs; he will make the rivers Islands; and he will dry up the pools, and according to their deeds, accordingly, will he repay, fury, to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies.  
For these things, shall I not visit saith the Lord, shall not my soul be avenged on such a generation as this? Shall not God avenge the sufferings, the blood of his Elect, who cry Night and Day unto him, how long O Lord holy and true dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the Earth? Though he bear long with them: I tell you, he will avenge them speedily. And hath he said it, and shall he not do it? hath he spoken it, and shall it not come to pass? he hath avenged their blood, from the days of righteous Abel, to the Times of this generation, and shall he not avenge it on this generation? hath this generation witnessed this word of the Lord to be true above many generations before whose Eyes; and by whose hands the righteous God hath executed his dreadful Judgements on the Enemies of his Elect; and shall this Generation who have exceeded what hath been done by their Fathers go unpunished?  
Hath he despised the Image of the King, and Princes, and Nobles, and the great ones, and many of the people of these Nations, and their pomp and glory, and poured forth their blood as water on the Earth, and made them a fearful desolation, in the cause of his people, and of Justice, and Equity, and shall those whom he hath made the rod of his Anger, and the staff of his Indignation, upon these; doing the same things, for which he judged, and cast them out, escape? Hath all this blood been shed, that unrighteousness may reign, and oppresssion? hath not God spared the glory, and beauty, and excellency of these Nations, and the goodliness of them, but in the Iniquities that they have committed, and in the sins wherewithal they have sinned, hath cut them off, and made them the dreadful examples of his vengeance, to make way for others to rise up, and to commit greater abominations? Was persecution of tender consciences unjust in the Bishops, and is it righteous now in them, who suffered by the Bishops, for the tenderness of their consciences, and shed so much blood for a secure provision therein, and put it to this Issue, by the sword either they and theirs not to be or not to be without it; to outstrip the Bishops; yea the latter Ages, in a cruel and barbarous persecution of their Brethren, because of the tenderness of their consciences? Was the Infringement of Liberty, the endeavouring to subvert the fundamental laws of the Nation; and the violation of right; unrighteous in the King, and Strafford, and Canterbury, and that generation; and Judged tyrannical, and traitorous, and Justice executed upon them, for so doing, and the King's Family rooted up, and thousands of Families destroyed, and the three Nations made fields of blood, and hazarded in many years fierce and cruel Wars to bring it to pass, and is it just now in inferior Ministers, who are in Commission, and sworn to execute the Law, to preserve liberty, and to defend right, as saith also the Instrument of Government; to exceed them all in the violation of Law, and the destruction of right, and liberty, as if so be the Cause and the Justice of the Wars were to destroy one Generation, for another to exercise the same, and far greater violences and oppressions, upon those who were instrumental in the destruction of the other, when lost their liberties, or by what Law, Contract, or Conquest? have they lost them in suffering and fighting for them, and having had to do in obtaining the Victory, or in fearing the Lord, and being peaceable in the land, and living in the principle that leads out of transgression, and not resisting evil with evil, but bearing all things, and suffering all things, both from those who have been friends and enemies, though contrary to Law and liberty, and common humanity, and the righteous ends of the Wars are their sufferings; leaving vengeance to the Lord, whose it is, and who will repay it; and laying their bodies as the ground, and as the street to them that say bow down thy body, that we may go over? And wherein consists the virtue, merit, or prerogative of the other by which they may in equity or right claim such a privilege? Is Law, and Justice, and Liberty, and Right changed in the ending of the Wars, for them into peace, that those must be denied either, and the contrary inflicted on them, in such a manner of cruelty, that the precedents of former times, have not paralleled, whose lives in the field, and whose All hath been so often engaged, for the effecting thereof? Is this Generation delivered to commit greater abominations and Cruelties, than those who for these things sake, and by their hand have been so lately Destroyed? Is the Weight of the Blood of these Nations a small Matter? and all the Garments rolled in blood, the mangled and dead carcases of so many Thousands, the Plundering, burnings, Devastations, ruins of Multitudes, the Barbarous and the unheard of Cruelties and murders executed especially in Ireland, the cries of the Great Companies of fatherless and widows, for Liberties and Justice, a pleasant sight? that Men so Lightly Gird it to their loins, and go over their Graves, in acting higher Wickednesses than what were the Causes of those Miserable Destructions? God is not unrighteous, so severely to punish Offences in some, and to let others go free, who transgress in the same, and act more wickedly. Shall not the Judge of the whole earth do right? God is true, and every man a liar; and at his hands every man shall receive according to their deeds. If he spared not the Angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto Judgement: Nor the old world, bringing in the flood upon the World of the ungodly; nor Sodom and Gomorah, but turned their Cities into ashes, and condemned them with an overthrow, making them Ensamples to them that afterwards should live ungodly; nor the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, in whom the iniquities and mighty sins aforementioned were found, but suffered for those things sake; Zion to be ploughed as a field, and Jerusalem to become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the higher places of the forest, and removed them both out of his sight; and upon whom the wrath is come to the uttermost. And if he spared not those in these three Nations, upon whom some of these things were found, but hath spread them before this Generation, as the remarkable and sad Examples of his Vengeance & Justice, who renders to every one according to his works; then what can they expect, who having all these examples before their eyes, and having been the Instruments of his indignation, upon those of their Age, do not only the same things, but overpass their deeds in afflicting the just, and persecuting the witnesses of the living God, the God of their mercies, who hath wrought all their wonderful deliverances, whom of their brethren he hath raised up and sent amongst them to turn their feet out of the ways of destruction, into the path of peace, and to direct them to that, which if harkened unto, will guide them out of all deceits and subtleties, and power of darkness, up to the Kingdom of his Son, whose Throne is for ever and ever, and the sceptre of whose kingdom is a righteous sceptre, which is the substance of what the late wars were a figure, & the principle from whence alone Justice shall spring up from the earth, & righteousness shall slow down from heaven; who shall rule the Nations with a rod of iron, and break them in pieces as a potter's vessel, whose kingdom is begun to be set up, which shall never have an end. I say, what remaineth for such, but a fearful expectation of the revelation of the righteous judgements of God, which shall destroy the adversary, and bring upon themselves swift destruction, beyond the measure of those that have gone before them, except they repent. For, God is not mocked, as men sow, so shall they reap, and those that follow their pernicious ways, their judgement lingreth not nor doth their damnation slumber; the testimony of his Elect in sufferings is finishing, & the measure of the iniquity of their persecutors is filling up apace, and the Judge standeth at the door, & Judgement hasteneth, and vengeance is preparing herself, and destruction is making ready, and woe unto you, ye potsherds of the earth, who strive with your Maker. What will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation that cometh from far? To whom will ye flee for help, and where will you leave your glory? Can your hearts endure, & your hands be strong, in the days when the Lord shall deal with you.  
Be wise therefore, O ye Kings, be instructed O ye Judges of the Earth; serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Touch not his Anointed, and do his Prophets no harm. Kiss the Son lest he be angry, and ye parish from the mid way; when his wrath is kindled but a little (and it is kindling) blessed are all they that trust in him.  
But sing O Heavens, and be joyful O Earth, and break forth into singing O mountains, for God hath comforted his people, and will have mercy on his afflicted.  
FINIS.