HAINES HIS APPEAL TO THE General Assembly OF Dependent Baptists Convened in LONDON, from most Parts of the Nation, the Third day of June; 1680.  
WHereas I have made my Appeal to your Court, for Justice against Matthew Caffyn, who is one of your Members, immediately after the Fact I complain of, was committed, for these Reasons following, viz. 

1. I did so Appeal to you rather than to others, because yours is the Highest Court, and from which there is no Appeal, as you suppose.  
2. Because the Crime was of an High Nature, and doth not only call in question, but strikes at the Authority, Prerogative, and Laws of the King, etc.  
3. Because it was a Leading Case never practised by any Church in the World, and in itself more cruel and unjust than what is approved of by the Church of Rome; wherefore I expected Justice speedily to be obtained, and also you had Power so to do.    

First, I expected Justice, because I was informed by divers Members of your Court, that you had Power to redress Grievances, reverse unjust Judgements, and correct Offenders, etc.  
2. By reason I had Liberty given me by the mouth of Caffyn's Court, and that too without show of dislike of any Member, to make my Appeal to whom I would.  
3. By reason I gave your unjust Judge and his Fellow-Criminals timely notice, that I would make my Appeal to this High Court.  
4. Because the Fact was notoriously scandalous to the Dishonour of the Profession, and those that are honest Professors; and therefore deserved speedy Correction.   
Thus I came to your Court, to let you know, that my Witnesses were present to prove the Premises; but I soon perceived several of the Apostles hereafter mentioned, to look asquint when I pressed for Justice, and that instead of accepting of my Appeal, they cunningly would, if possible, have persuaded me, both then, and every Court since, to refer it, notwithstanding you well knew, I came not to refer, but to make my Appeal for Justice.  
Wherefore, when I resolutely avoided that Bait, you then told me, that according to the Laws or Canons of your Court, I must first make my Appeal to a Quarterly Meeting in the same Country where the Fact was committed. To which I answered, That by consent of each Party you had power to accept of an Appeal, as well as a Reference; I also pleaded, that it was unreasonable for you to compel me to make my Appeal to such a Court as had given their Consent to the Criminals Proceed before they were acted, they being inferior Persons, and over whom the said Criminal himself was Supreme Bishop and Universal Apostle.  
Howbeit, forced I was to this unjust and crooked Method; but the more willing I was to submit, because you promised me, that if Justice were not done in the Country, than you would accept of my Appeal and do me Justice; but alas! That Design of the Confederates I perceive, was to wear out Time, corrupt Witnesses, tyre me out with expensive Attendance, to wrest Justice, justify the Villain, and scandalise the Oppressed, as plainly thus appears, viz. For that when I had followed your own Method, as aforesaid, and nothing being done in the Country to determine the matter according to Justice, I then did again appeal to your Court with hopes to obtain Justice: but contrariwise, I found a great part of your Apostles to be traitors to Justice, and damnable Enemies to my Appeal, which they opposed with Might and Main, notwithstanding their Promise to accept thereof; howbeit to the Vote it was put, and the honest Party out-voted the— Opposers, and much against their Stomaches, to a Hearing it came; but then to prevent Justice, a Plot must be laid against my Witnesses, and tho' their Reputation be unspotted; yet they must be censured, and looked upon as perjured Persons, or such Rogues and Villains as would falsely accuse the Innocent; and under that pretence were not then suffered to make use of their Papers, in which, for their Memory, they had written the Truth of what they heard, to prevent mistakes; but they must speak what they knew, and as they could remember without them tho' several years had passed between; and when they had spoken, it was not to be regarded; but one of Caffyn's Faction being Chairman, the Court was dissolved in Confusion, and then said, That God had withdrawn himself from them: So that I well perceive it's in vain to attend this Court with my Witnesses any longer, until it purge itself of its corrupt, partial and unjust Members.  
Howbeit, about a year or two before this last Court, the matter in Controversy was debated by the consent of the major part of your Court, and by such the major part of your Court, That very thing with all its Circumstances for which I was condemned, was judged and declared to be both lawful, just and honest, notwithstanding my Witnesses were not heard, but only as they took it from the Criminals own Mouth: Moreover you know, that several Persons, Members of your Court, have expressly, (either honestly or deceitfully) Admonished the said unjust judge, etc. to put away the Evil of his Do by Repentance, etc. as a Copy thereof subscribed will demonstrate; notwithstanding all which you also know, That he as an Heretic, remains obstinate, persevering in his Acts of Wickedness, and repenteth not. Wherefore know ye, That by these presents, and in the name of him, and for the honour of the Gospel, under whom, and for which you pretend to hold this Court, I do now demand Judgement against the said Matthew Caffyn, and also that you forthwith reverse his unrighteous Judgement, as being sinful, papistical, cruel and unjust, and that you admonish his Congregation, who through Flattery, Threats, or any other way were deluded to join with him in his sinful Practice, to put away the Evil of their Do by Repentance, and giving Satisfaction answerable to the Injuries, which by means thereof have been occasioned: For it may be judged, that they, to wit, his simple Congregation, are ignorant of the sense of your Court, and of the Admonitions you sent them.  
But if now at last, after all your Pretence● and Promises that Justice should be done; your Declarations, That that very thing with all its Circumstances for which I was condemned, is just, honest and lawful, your admonishing him to put away the Evil of his Do by Repentance, etc. I say, if after this long waiting, all this be but Seven years' Hypocrisy and Deceit, and that you at this time also refuse to give Judgement against the said unjust and papistical Apostle, Then know ye by these presents, that I demand satisfaction of this Court; and as it is my Duty, so I will according to the Advice of the true Apostle of Christ, submit myself to every Ordinance of Man for the Lords sake, whether it be to the King as Supreme, or unto Governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of Evil Doers, and for the praise of them that do well; wherefore this being the Will of God, that by well doing I may put to silence the Ignorance and Villainy of foolish and dishonest men; therefore to that end I do resolve to Indict your Apostle, and all the Members of this Court (that do not enter their Protestations against him and his Defenders, etc.) in the Crown Office (if His Majesty's Ministers think themselves concerned to take Cognizance thereof) of and upon the ensuing Articles (which in matter of Fact you know, is no more than what I have charged, and several times offered to prove against him in your Court, as my Printed Paper to you presented will demonstrate) as follows. 

First, That the said Matthew Caffyn of Broadbridge near Horsman in Sussex, hath in a Papistical manner contemned the Laws, and Royal Prerogative of the Supreme Magistrate of this Realm, and threatens to excommunicate such as shall stand to plead for, and maintain the said Laws and Royal Prerogative, after, or at the same time, that he himself doth declare the said Laws, etc. to be unjust and odious.  
2. That the said Caffyn by Popish usurped Authority, hath passed Sentence of Excommunication against a Protestant and Liege Subject of this Realm, before it was proved that any known Law was transgressed; and because he endeavoured to justify the Laws and Prerogative of the King, and Privilege of his Liege Subjects, against the Authority of this little Pope.  
3. That the Principles, Tenets, and Government of this little Pope, are as dangerous as the Principles and Tenets of those who are now in Newgate, or of late have been hanged at Tyburn, for Conspiring the Death of the King, and Subverting the Government of the Realm.  
4. That the Government of this English Pope is more Hypocritical and unjust in its Cruelties, than the Butcheries which are approved of by the Pope and Church of Rome.  
5. That his little Holiness hath debauched a good Conscience, if ever he had any, and hath gone a whoring these seven years, notwithstanding he hath been several times admonished to put away the Evil of his Do by Repentance, etc.    
Furthermore, by these presents, I do impeach and accuse several Apostles, formerly Members of this High Court, viz. George Hammon, Captain Morcock, and Vridge of Kent, the Apostle Marner of St. martin's Le grand; as also Tho. Croucher, Miller, Francis Stanley, Amory, and others, as being Enemies to Justice, and Comforters, Supporters and Defenders of the said Matthew Caffyn; and therefore I do desire this Court, that they may be removed from being concerned as Judges therein, until they be brought to Trial, they being the Persons by whom the Peace of your Government was destroyed to that Degree, that it was declared and agreed, That God hath withdrawn himself from your Assembly.  
I need not tell you that it's pleaded by divers Members of your Court, that your Court hath not Power to redress Grievances, reverse unjust Judgements, or do Justice; which if true, who shall believe you the Members of this Court any more? For have you not pretended to such Power, and wheadled me with fair Promises to attend you with my Witnesses, to my great Charge, and now indeed have you no Power? Why did you mock God and me, and all the Baptist-Congregation almost throughout England? But in Truth, I perceive this is only your last Shift: Fain you would defend your DARLING from the ROD of JUSTICE; and therefore out of pure Pity to him, you are content, for the present, to deny that Power you have always heretofore pretended to; and now possibly with a pitiful Juggling Hypocrisy, you may exclaim against the thing, viz. Superintendency and Dependency, which you owned when I entered my Appeal; but now you really pretend the Churches of God are Independent: Well then, what are you a General Assembly for? Are you nothing but Ropes of Sand? And are you not gross Hypocrites and Jugglers not to tell me so before? But to take you now at your words, the Design of your General Assembly it seems, is not to do Justice, and you have no Power (I am pretty well assured you want the Will) to correct; and hence it will follow, that though you well know Caffyns Principles to be most Diabolical and dangerous to Church and State; yet you will, and must still own and communicate with him, as your dearly beloved Brother in the Lord Jesus.  
Sirs, 
 I love the word Reformation well, but the thing better, and should be glad to see a Reformation: But tell me I pray, must the Exclusion of Justice and Honesty be the first step to your Independent Reformation? If you will be Independent, and yet will allow the Apostles to be Judges of Secular Jurisdictions, you then do but dissolve your General Council, to set us up, as it were, a King-Pope in every Parish; but if you now pretend you will have nothing to do as Judges in Secular Causes, because you are commanded to submit to every Ordinance of the Supreme Magistrate, etc. and are really so honest as to mean what you say: Then pray Sirs, give the World a Demonstration of it, you having opportunity enough so to do. The Villain, your Brother, now stands before you, who hath usurped such Authority, as to judge of Law and Royal Prerogative, as I have said before; either make him an Example, or at least, since you promised to do Justice, provided I would sue for it according to your own Methods, to which I have submitted; yet Justice cannot be obtained, tho' so promised. Now pray Sirs, will you be reform, and not be honest? If you promised to my prejudice that which you cannot perform, I demand Satisfaction for all that Charge, etc. which I have sustained, in hopes to obtain the thing you promised; or otherwise, you must confess that your pretence of Reformation is grounded upon a dishonest Bottom, and hath no better resemblance than to be such.  
I would not be misunderstood; it's possible the Reader may conclude from what hath been said, that all the Anabaptists in England are alike. To this I only say, that most of the Anabaptists in England are Independent, they meddle not with State Affairs, they assume not to excommunicate Persons, but upon the same terms as they baptise them, viz. plain Text of Scripture for their warrant therein; and therefore this High Court, especially Caffyn and his Abettors, would not permit of them into their Assembly; wherefore such as Mr. Plant, Mr. Hicks, Mr. Kiffyn, and many more in City and Country, are wholly innocent in this matter.   

POSTSCRIPT.  
June the 7th. 1680.  
I Having presented the foregoing Discourse to the Assembly, before whom it was read, they blamed me only for making use of hard words, viz. Criminal, Villain, Pope, etc. but as to matter of Fact, which proves him and others to be as I have showed, I was not at all blamed. But if behind my Back any should, then know that I am ready to prove every particular I have charged.  
The Assembly hath now declared the Excommunication with all its Circumstances, to be unjust and void, and hath also required Caffyn and his Church to reverse it: Also Caffyn hath promised to submit thereunto; and now I also do declare, I am ready to be reconciled to Caffyn and his Church, upon condition they be just and honest. Liberty and Property are things pleaded for by Caffyn, etc. and doubtless if he will plead those very Laws are unjust that are made to preserve Liberty, he will not stick to say, all other Laws are unjust also. Now the great Wisdom of this Nation to secure this excellent thing Liberty, etc. doth judge and agree, That he, or they that shall Imprison any Person unjustly, shall pay 5 l. per hour, during such Imprisonment. And it is judged and declared by Persons of known Integrity, that are Baptists, and others, That Excommunication is ten times a greater Crime in those that shall do all that lies in their power, to commit persons to the Eternal Flames of Hell, for doing that which is no Transgression of any known Law of God, the King or the Church.  
Now Reader, if you yet do question whether M. C. etc. have and do contemn such the good Laws and Authority of the King, pray then, ask him, or them, whether they do not judge this Law made for the Preservation of Liberty to be unjust? If they say it is, why should you imagine he, etc. should not contemn all other Laws of the King also, when they think 'tis for their own Ends so to do? But if they say, the Law aforesaid be just, then judge you, whether it be not just, that they should pay accordingly for this their Crime, which is judged ten times worse than Corporal Imprisonment, and tends to the Destruction of all good Government now established. 'Tis possible Caffyn and his Faction will merrily laugh, and say, We are well enough yet: For if the Law for Preservation of Liberty were 50 l. per Hour, yet there's no Law to compel us to pay him 12 d. an Hour for doing what he could to lay him in Hell.— 'Tis true, the Devil said, Skin for Skin, and all that a Man hath will he give for his Life. And for aught I know, Caffyn and his Faction may now be of this opinion, viz. to part with, and give away Conscience, Honesty, and consequently Heaven too, rather than to part with his Money. But 'tis possible, though there be no Law to compel him to give Satisfaction, yet he may be honest, and do it willingly for ought you know; It is but for Seven years, Sirs, that I make demand, and although he hath been most unmerciful, yet rather than to cast him, etc. into an ordinary Prison, I will show Mercy, and accept of 12 d. in the Pound, yea, 6 d. in the Pound rather than be contentious.  
But if he shall still refuse, I then humbly offer to Appeal to the King and Council, to judge and determine the matter as they think fit, if the King and Honourable Board be graciously pleased to permit thereof. Therefore, pray Reader, persuade Caffyn, etc. to accept of this Expedient, and you shall find I will use my utmost Endeavours to obtain this thing so determined, and humbly submit thereunto.  
Thus much I now Propose as an Endeavour for Reconciliation, and leave the same to the Consideration of all concerned therein.