THE CRUELTY OF SOME Fighting Priests PUBLISHED, That people may no longer be deceived by them, nor count them Ministers of the Gospel of Christ, who in stead of turning their cheeks to the smiter, are themselves turned smiters and fighters, and smite with the fist of wickedness, and have beat, puncht& struck knocked down and pulled by the hair of the head,& have set their hearers on to beat& knock down the People of God, whom they in scorn call Quakers, some for asking the Priest a sober question in the Old Masse-house, others in the highways.  
And so are them that bare Cains and Baalams marks upon them, and wo is unto them that go in the way of Cain in Envy and wrath, and after the error of Baalam greedily for reward. judas. 11.  
By their fruits you shall know them, Mat. 7.20.  
LONDON, Printed for Thomas Simmons at the sign of the Bull and Mouth near Aldersgate, 1660.   

NORFOLK.  
PRiest Rayner of Rowlesby in the County aforesaid was sporting himself at a filthy ungodly meeting, where they had a fiddler amongst them; at the latter end of their sport, they had a dancing which they call the Cushion dance,( and in stead of reproving them for their wickedness) both this Priest and his wife, was brought in and joined with them in that filthy action in kneeling upon the Cushens and kissing, which Priest, when one Joseph Fuce one that fears the Lord, went unto his house to reason with him about the things of God, he presently thrust him out of the doors.  
Jonathan Clapham Priest of Wramplingham in the County aforesaid, did use violence to Elizabeth Court( who went peaceably to his house to speak to him) and run her down in a Nettle-bush.  
And the said Priest Clapham hath two several times set his Dog upon Thomas Briggs, and cried, a low, a low.  
Jonathan Clapham Priest aforesaid, George Whitehead spoken a few words of truth to him, but the said Clapham would give no answer to what was said, but raged and called out his dog, and clapped his hands, and set his dog at the said George Whitehead for speaking the Truth to him, and this Priest is one appointed to try the other Priests.   

Northumberland.  
At Elsdon in the Parish of Redsdale in that County there being a meeting of the people called Quakers, the Priest Jer●miah Nelson came from the Steeple-house with a ston ●n his hand about two or three pound weight, which he desperately threw at one John Bowran; the same Priests wife also assisted the rude multitude in throwing stones at ●he People aforesaid, and hit one of them on the breast with a ston from her own hand, and the Priest invited ●he rude People to ston the Quakers, as he called them, and I, said he, will bear you out in what you do, and fetched scriptures to prove what he did was warrantable; and one of the Priests company took a toad and throwing it amongst the people, he said there is the spirit, take it amongst you.   

derbyshire.  
At Erkington in that County Samuel gardener Priest thrust William Leigh of Beighton with both his hands, endeavouring to throw him down, and some of the Priests people being present, they fell upon the said Will. Leigh, and tripped up his heels, and this the Priest stirred them up to do; and when the Priest saw they obeied his will, he left them beating the said William and went away; and this was done to the said William for declaring against the Priests Idolatry at the interring of a dead body into the ground.  
Richard Bridges Priest in Peak foreste in the County aforesaid, violently threw the Wife of John Rigway against a ston wall, that she could not rise for a space, and was like to faint and sound-away, and this was done because the woman watered her Beasts where the Priest would not have had her, and he pounded her Beasts besides; And the Reader may take notice, that the next first day the said Priest could not preach for vomiting( being given to drunkenness) as his own hearers reported, and the same Priest Bridges did beat another friend upon the face, as he was passing on the way, who gave him no occasion.   

Cumberland.  
Priest Lingard in that County, overtaking one Matthew Robinson as he was peaceably passing from Market, the said Priest would not suffer him to go on the Way, but abused him, and endeavoured to ride over the said Matthew Robinson, and when he was reproved for his wickedness, and  told the way was open, he said he would ride where he would, and the Priests Companion took the said Robinsons hat from him and cast it away, and one brought it to him and he received it again, and the second time the Priest stirred up his Companion to take it away again, who did so, and hath not returned it again.  
Ja. Lancaster of Senbyes Steeple-house, was abused, ston●& persecuted by the Priest and people there, they were ● violent against him, that they blouded him with stones ● their hands( which they struck with) and hailed him ●nto a Bridge, with his head under their legs( or feet) ●long while together, and the women pulled off the ●ir of his head, and said hang him, kill him, he is not ●orthy to live, the Priest and the people said so, and ●hen threw him over the Bridge into the River, and rent ●is coat, and threw the pieces after him, and his Hat al●, and for all this the said James Lancaster spoken not a ●ord, until they violently hailed him away, which they ●id according to the command of the Priest, who said, If ●u will not take him away, I will red no longer.  
Lanc. Fletcher Priest of Dean in that County, bad the people Fight for the the Gospel, and caused Thomas Stubs ●o be extremely beaten.   

Stafford-shire.  
Edward Worly Priest of Eagles-Hall in that County, ●unched with his hand Hump. Wolrich, and encouraged ●he people to ston him in the Grave-yard.   

Suffolk.  
Edward Willan Priest of Hoxan assaulted George White●ead, and took his Horse by the Bridle, and threatened ●o pull him off his Horse, onely because the said George Whitehead exhorted the Priest to fear God and cease ●rom iniquity.   

Essex.  
Thomas Tillam a Priest in Colchester came forth of his place, and laid violent hands on the said George Whitehead, and helped to hail him out of the Steeple-house, only for speaking the truth to the people there.  
William Skingly Priest violently beat John Child at Stebbin in the Steeple-house, on a Lecture day, and set the rude people on him in the Grave-yard.  
Priest Skingly aforesaid on a Lecture day in Felstead, did ●ick and Child on her leg so violently, that it was black for many weeks after.  
Priest Perkins of Thacksteed did sorely beat Thomas Se●en with a cane( when he was at labour in the fields, in h● Masters work) insomuch that his body was sore for several dayes after.   

Cambridge.  
William Hunt Priest of Sutton, struck William Salmon i● the street so violently three times, that William cou● scarce stand on his feet, and the Priest took his hat, an● threw it away.  
Also the said Priest beat Daniel Gray an Aprentice i● his Masters house, and a friend of the said Daniel reproving the Priest for it, he called her beastly whore.  
And the Priest did also beat Robert Gray, meeting hi● in the street.   

Sussex.  
The Priest of Hust Steeplehouse struck Mary Dobson on the breast, and called her plaguey Quean, Jade, and Hussy, which he did because the said Mary Dobson bid him prove those aspersions which he had cast upon the truth, and likewise the said Priest swore falsely against another woman one Jane Eager, and caused her to be brought t● the Sessions, for disturbing him in the Steeplehouse, when as she had not been at the Steeple-house at all.  
Charles Blackwel Priest of Stenning, thrust William jeering and Richard Newman with violence from him, who came soberly unto him, to deliver answers to some queries the said priest had sent, and the said Priest threatened to lay the said Richard Newman at his feet, and called for a stick to beat him.  
Robert Baker Priest being asked by Thomas Mantells shepherd, a poor man, what he should give him for the Tithe of his two Lambs, but the Priest not agreeing with him for it, he did strike the poor man divers times about the shoulders, head, neck and face, in so much that he fetched blood, and broke his stick, and his envy was so great that he wished he had a bigger.  
One John Tedcraft a Priest of Fetfam in Sussex took hold of Joseph Fuce by his coller near his throat, and lift up his other hand to strike; but John Downer one of the Priests ●arers, took hold of the Priest and pulled him off from ●seph, and kept him off by force, until his wrath was a ●●e brought down.  
One Baytree a Priest in Givenigton came with a staff with ● Iron pike on the end of it, and said he would knock ●wn Joseph F●ce, and lifted it up with both his hands, ●t another Priest laid hold of it and stopped him; then ●iest Baytree sought to run the pike in Josephs face, but and other Priest striven with him and so kept him off.  
Adam Co●●●m Priest in that County, came down out of ●s pulpit in great fury to Margery Calstock,( for speaking ● him) and tore off her handkerchief from her neck and ●rew it away, then she asked him whether the Ministers ● Christ ever dealt thus with People, then he punched ●r on the breast, and beat her back against the seats; and ● she was passing away, she spake something to the people, and Priest came to her again, and put his hand to her ●roat and tore her dressing, and his violence was so great, ●at one of his hearers was fain to pull him or shove him ●ay, least he should have done her more hurt.  
Priest Rowland of Areloch beat Robert Cooper, because he ●ould no speak to him.   

Warwick Sheir.  
Thomas Deager Priest of Burford struck William Cockbill ●en he was shearing of a sheep, for crossing his will rout Tithe.   

Nottingham-Shire.  
William Saxon Priest wrung samuel Nicholson by the nose ●r speaking to the People near the Steeplehouse door in ●rworth.   

Hereford-Shire.  
Priest Clogey of Wigmore struck John Moon upon the face, the said John Moon was going from a meeting.  
Priest Dillow of Lingen did smite Salomon Smith on the and, with his fist, in so much that his eye swelled very ●uch.   

Dorcet-Sheir.  
Priest Hodder in that County did beat Samuel Curtis, he was riding on the high way.   

Summerset-Shire.  
Priest Hayard of bristol took John Evens by the thr● as he was declaring the truth in the Market.  
Edward Lowell Priest of Shapwick and Ashcot being a● grave speaking, William ston asked him a sober question( who hath required this at thy hands,) and further sa● let him that nameth the Name of God depart from i●quity, whereupon the Priest called to one of his hear● to put the said William out of the Church-yard( as he ●led it,) but the man refusing to do it, he called to one the Officers to do it, but he denied to do it, then s● the Priest, I must do it myself, and came to William a● struck him with his fist, and elbow and Book ma● blows, with such violence that he had almost struck t● breath out of his body.   

Lanca Shire.  
Ger. show Priest, Thomas Shawes son Priest of Aldi●ham, came to a kiln very drunk( where Edmon Cleaton ● his man was drying oats) and Edmond Cleaton sitting ● on a sack which had turf in it, the Priest sits down ● him and sets his shoulder to him, and josselled the said E●mond from one end to the other, and shortly after th● Priest took away one of his fathers horses, and road awa● and was never seen in that County since.  
The Priest of Winwick two miles from Warrington ● violent hands on Thomas holm, abusing him and haili● him to the stocks, who commanded the constable to p● him in, where Thomas holm remained about an hour, ● speaking a few words to the said Priest in the high way ● he was passing from the Steeple-house.  
Priest show of Aldingham struck and Claton.  
Priest Willon of Kirby struck Luke Benson till he broken great Cane.  
Priest Bennet of Cartmell, came out of an Alehouse b●ing in drink, beat Richard Roper, and boasted that ● beat him and struck up his heels.  
Priest Brook of Cartmell-Fell came drunk into the house where Thomas Robinson dwelled, and beat him violently, and would have cast him into the fire.   

Glocester-Sheir.  
Henry Dunnery Priest in Aust, did beat William Edward ●ery sore, for exhorting him to fear the Lord.  
Stephen Chamberlain Priest, smote Jenkin Hopkin on the ●ace, for declaring against the said Priests pride, and of his Wives pride.  
Hopewell Fox Priest, with violence threw joan Hibbs down to the ground, and afterwards came with a staff ●n his hand to beat her, but one of his hearers kept him off, and said she was a woman, and he should not beat her.  
The same Hopwell Fox, being asked( by one Stephen Hu●ersty) whether he was a Minister of Christ, the said Priest ●aid he scorned to answer such a rogue as he was, and the Priest fell upon the said Stephen, and thrust him out of ●he Steeple-house, and threw him down on the ground.  
The Priest of Lidney in the County aforesaid laid violent hands on William Hibbs, for asking the said Priest a sober question, and the Priest thrust him into a pool of water and dirt, and when he came out of the pool, the Priest took the hat from off William Hibbs head and threw it into the pool, and the said Priest did kick the said William with much fury on the belly when he was coming forth of the pool.  
The said Hopewell Fox did strike( Mary Plant of Lidney, for speaking to him in the Steeple-house) three blows with his cane, so that she was not able to lift up her arms to her head a great while after, and his rage was so great, that his hearers were fain to hold him from her, least he should do her more mischief.   

Durham.  
Samuel Feak Priest of Stainthorp, assaulted John Banks, took the said Banks hat, and threw it away, who did not meddle with him by word or action, and the Priest said to the said Banks, but for the outward law he would make him an example, also the said Feak beat Christopher Jones.  
The said Priest Feak meeting one Christopher Eyon, wh● was going peaceably through Stainthorp grave-yard, t● Priest said unto him, Sirrah, where have you been, Christopher not answering him according to his desire, th● Priest said what are you dumb, and struck him vehemently on the head, the said Christopher being still silent, and going about thirty yards further, the Priest followed him, and threatened him, saying, he would make him speak, and violently smote him again, so that he almost feld him to the ground, and when the said Christopher recovered, he looked the Priest in the face, and the said Priest having a rapier in a staff in his hand, he looked with a stem countenance, and began to draw his rapier, and said i● it were not for a little he would( which may be supposed) have killed him, and a woman was heard say unto him, good Master Feak be persuaded; and in all this the said Christopher Eyon opened not his mouth, as to give the Priest any occasion of offence, as many of the Priests hearers can witness if thereunto called.  
The said Priest Feak beat Thomas tailor, Christopher Atkinson and Thomas Avery, as they were passing on the high way, the said Priest Feak beat Christopher Atkinson another time, and trailed him at his horse side by the hair of the head by the high way, and the Priests wife riding behind him punched Christopher on the face.   

yorkshire.  
Anthony Collison Priest fell violently upon Thomas pinner, and pushed him and threw him against the stales or seats in the Steeple-house, and the Priest and his hearers put the said Thomas pinner by force out of the Steeple-house.  
Priest Threlcot did smite John Bowran in the face in the chapel so called, in Stratford.  
Thomas Rooksby Priest, took Thomas Aldam fast by the colour of his doublet, and the hair of his head, and hooted, crying in the ear of Thomas Aldam, get a horn, get a horn Tom a Bedlam, and blow up and down the Town, and this Priest went to an Alehouse, and then set one fist upon another, and blew upon his fists, and cried, get a horn, get a horn, and blow up and down the Town, and hath called Thomas Aldam mad dog, and this priest did cast Thomas Aldam into prison, and kept him there two years and seven moneths, and spoiled his goods twice, because Thomas Aldam could not pay him tithes.  
Richard Bubthorp priest of Hubrum assaulted James tenant as he was coming from a meeting, and beat him very violently, and beat his man, and called James's servant maid whore.  
Christopher Place priest at Chapham, threw Thomas Lawson over the stales or seats, and the priests hearers did beat the said Thomas about the head with their Bibles.  
A priest of Fowston in the County aforesaid, did beat Christopher Chapman about the head with his fists from the upper end of the Steeple-house out of the great doors, calling him Rogue, or such like railing words, for delivering him a paper.  
Tempis I●●●gworth priest of Normton, did beat William Pearson with his rod, and punched him on the mouth, as the said William was passing on the high way.  
Tempis Ilingworth aforesaid, and one Robert Wood meeting with James Grave on the high way near Wesby chapel( so called) the priest took a staff out of Robert Woods hand, and beat the said James Grave sorely, and caused the said Wood to beat him also.  
John Hodgson was struck by the priest of Wakefield.  
Priest Rocksby of Warmsworth punched, shoved and plucked George Fox, who came into the Steeple-house, and the priest asked George Fox what he came there for, but he answered not, then the priest asked him again what he came there for, and left his work that was in hand, and George Fox said nothing; come come saith the priest, and name the seventh of M●tthew, False prophets shall come in the last times &c. And so was turning to red his Chapter, and then asked George Fox what he came thither for again, and George Fox said, a question was asked, a question might be answered, and then with violence they hailed him out, and struck him with a crab-tree stick.  
Priest Dorton of Shape being drunk, drew his Tuck at Daniel Thompson in the street, as the said Daniel passed; the same Priest beat William and Richard Stray, pulled them by the hair, and lug'd him by the ears, and came to William Strays house, with his Tuck to seek him, and threatened his wife therewith.  
Priest Bradsham meeting Henry Wood of Bury, as he was riding to Manchester Market, the Priest road up to him, and called him Knave, and took away his Hat.  
T. Tilsly Priest, abused the said Henry Wood, and pulled the Hair off his Face.  
Tho. show Priest of Aldingham, beat James Lancaster for, speaking to him in private, the said Priest also, beat Miles Halehead, and  shed his blood.   

Cheshire.  
Priest Bradshaw of Mans-field laid violent hands on John shield, and pulled off his hat, and hailed the said John shield, and called for help.  
Adam Martendale laid violent hands upon Thomas Holm, and pulled the said Thomas, and shaked him by the shoulders and arms, and threatened to have the said Tho. Holm before the Magistrates, and this priest and Samuel Elcock, another priest in that County pursued the said Tho. Holm several miles, and commanded the people in Moberly, in the highways to aid and assist them, and raised up a shout like a hue-and-cry which disturbed the country, who rose with clubs and staves to take hold of him who had wronged no man.  
sabbath Clerk Priest, struck Thomas Hill many great blows with a Cane, in the High-way.   

Worcester-shire.  
Priest Barret struck John aims of Bengworth.  
Priest Beeston of Breedon, struck T. Goodyair in Worcester.   

Westmerland.  
Priest Walker late of Kendal, smote Thomas Holm on the breast,& thrust him against a form in Kendal Steple-house.   

Northampton.  
Priest Byfield, shoved John Whitehead out of the Steeplehouse of Willingbrough, for asking the Priest a question ●ter the Priest had done.  
Lewis Floid Priest of Ottringham, tore William Dewsburys ●air off his head, and struck the said William as they passed, ●eer Ottringham.   

Middlesex and London.  
Thomas Godbert Priest of Uxbridge, laid violent hands on ●ohn Sands two several times, and he was cruelly kicked ●nd beat by the priests hearers.  
Matthew Griffith priest, called Robert Ingram Rascally ●ogue, and said, he would crack his crown, and so the priest ●ave him several blows with a Cane on his head and bo●y, and this he did, because the said Robert said to him, ●his is the priest that run away when he was asked a que●ion.   

Pembrok-shire in Wales.  
Adam Hawkins Priest, struck John Ap-John in the house ●f William Bateman.  
Steven Hughes priest in Carmarthan, struck Evan John of Landeny, Thomas and George Howel being there present.  
Priest Thomas of Lysafrane, laid violent hands on Hum●bery Williams of the Town of Haverfordwest.  
Thomas Freeman Priest of the parish of Stampton, laid violent hands on humphrey Williams, and said, sirrah, had ●ot Paul said that a Minister should not be a striker, I would ●ake thee and knock thee soundly.  
David Williams priest, struck James Lewis in the pre●ence of John Thomas and many other people.   

Monmouth-shire.  
John Howel priest, struck Thomas Holm twice over the head with his horse rod.  
Walter Craddock chief priest in Monmouth-shire, meeting with Alice Berk●t, laid violent hands on her, and pulled her to the ground, and said to her, get thou behind me Satan.   

Glamorgan-shire.  
Joshuah Miller priest, hath been taken in many lies by Francis Gawler of Cardiff, who reproved him for it, but the priest pleaded, lying was no sin but a change of th● mind, and this may be witnessed against him, and th● same priest laid both his hands on his Cane and struck Francis Gawler, and the priests wife at another time struck the said Francis; and at another time the priests wife hailed Tobiah hodge of Cardiff by the hair of the head, and with the help of her husband the priest turned him out of doors.  
John Howel aforesaid, struck Thomas Holm as he was passing the road in Monmouth-shire.  
Priest Jenkins with four men, to whom he gave bond to save them harmless for whatsoever they did, which men, by a false warrant seized on, and driven away an hundred sheep and other cattle from Captain John eliot, and his shepherds wife owning one sheep and desiring to have it, one of this priests men knocked her down, and broken her head in two places, and for some time she lay for dead, continuing deaf until this day, the said Captain Elli●s wife being there; also the priest bid one of his men knock her down and kill her and he would bear him out, at which one of the them struck her on the breast with a great staff, which blow caused her milk to putrifie, she having a young child which sucked her, which child took a vomiting by sucking the putrefied milk and dyed.  
Priest Confit of Barton, beat Dor. toad for coming to visit his wife.  
Priest of Hebrun struck John Hey several times on the breast.  
Priest Ripling of Crosby came riding into the meeting where the people of God were met, and rid through them with violence.  
Priest nichols of action beat james Parnel, and broken his head against a Stall.  
Priest Warwick of Aspeater beat John Grean and his wife, and  shed the blood of jonah Pearson.  
Priest Burton of Sedburgs beat John Blackling and pulled him by the hair of the head in his Steeple-house; he also beat Richard Speight and John Hall( as is said) at Hup●●● chapel.  
Priest Cowleden of Langsterdale, beat Edward Edwards, ●d  shed his blood upon the High-way; also he beat james ●nart.  
Priest Atkinson of Granton, beat Barnard Adison in the ●igh-way, and broken his staff over his face.  
Priest of Marrick, beat Christopher More; and also he ●at Joseph Longsdale in Richmond Market for reproving ●m for it.  
Priest Moor of Richmond beat Christopher Moor with a ●ayl, insomuch that he had like to have killed him if help ●d not come.  
Matthew Buker priest, struck F. Ellington.  
Priest Fortrey beat Robert Chintin with his staff as he was ●ing to a meeting, insomuch that his arm was lame a ●oneth or more after.  
The priest of Causham struck and abused Thomas Curtis, ●d the said Thomas Curtis was sorely pulled by the hair of and head, by priest Webs adherents, for asking the priest question.  
THE END.