A collection of the several books and writings of that faithful servant of God, Richard Hubberthorn who finished his testimony (being a prisoner in Newgate for the truths sake) the 17th of the 6th month, 1662.

The Mittimus answered by which R. H, was sent Prisoner to Norwich Castle by Ralph Woolmer Justice of the Peace, October 9, 1654

WHereas I am committed to Prison by a Mittimus; under the pretence of the breach of the Law in these things therein ex∣pressed and laid to my charge: As first, Openly to declare before all the people, That he that preached, viz. Mr. John Mony was a deluder of the people.

I answer, This accusation was false, for that word was not so spoken; but to the Light of Christ in all your consciences I speak, & declare openly to all people, that he that acts those things which Christ declared against, is no Minister of Christ; all who are hire∣lings, as Christ saith, John 10. who seek for their gain from their quarters, as Isaiah saith, Isa. 56.11. who bear rule by their means, as Jeremiah saith, Jer. 5.31. and who preach for hire, as Micah saith, Mic. 3.11. and all who are called of men Master, stand praying in the Synagogues, and have the chiefest places in the Assembly, and lay heavy burthens upon the people, which Christ cryed wo against, Matt. 23. such are no Ministers of Christ who act such things; for they who are the Ministers of Christ, do abide in the Doctrine of Christ; to the Light of Christ I speak, that with it John Mony may see himself to be out of the Doctrine of Christ, holding up those things that Christ cryed wo against.

Another thing charged against me, is, That the people in a great number gathered together about me, which might have proved of evil con∣sequence, they being the under-sort of people.

I answer, Where-ever the gospel was preached, there were ga∣therings together, and uproars and tumults, as you may read in the Scriptures Acts 19. and the same gospel worketh the same ef∣fects now as in did then; and those whom thou callest the under∣sort of people, were all quiet, and were willing to hear the word

of the Lord, and did not offer any persecution or violence; but you who profess your selves to be Saints, have proved your selves to be the undersort of people, as by your consequence, have made it appear by your persecution, by taking me out of the multitude who were willing to hear the Word of Truth, & sent me to Bridewell, and then to prison, for declaring the Word of the Lord freely, as I have received it, and so are persecutors, and not Saints; for the Saints were ever persecuted, but never did persecute any.

Another thing charged against me, is, That being often asked my Name and Countrey, would give no account.

I answer, The Lord hath called me out of my own countrey, and from my Fathers House, to declare his Word as I have re∣ceived it; and I was freely declaring the Word of the Lord, when opposingly thou camest and asked my Name and Coun∣trey, which when I ceased speaking, I declared it unto thee be∣fore I went out of the yard; and so there is no ground for this ac∣cusation but enmity.

Another thing charged against me: That being brought before me, he in contempt of Magistracy (as I apprehended) would not once move his hat off his head.

I answer, O! for shame never profess to be a Magistrate, and make such apprehendings the ground of thy Law, as to call this contempt of Magistracy not to put off the hat! Where was ever such a thing mentioned in all the Scriptures, by any who were set to rule over the people, to execute the Law of God upon of∣fendors? When did Moses (who was a Law-giver and a Judge over all Israel) command any such thing of any that came before him, to put off his hat? or ever in all his Writings make menti∣on of such a thing as contempt of Magistracy, or imprison any that did not? But it was the transgression of the Law of God to respect persons; for he that respects persons, commits sin; but by your Law, those who cannot respect persons, and so fulfil the Law of God, you say they contemn Magistracy, and are not to subject to Authority. Oh! for shame never make Laws upon such outward traditions; for here you go from the life of God, and from the law of God, and from the practice of all the holy men of God which the Scripture speaks of: When did ever Joshua or Japhat (when the people came before them) command any such thing,

or mention it, to put off their hats, and prison them if they would not, or tell them they contemned Magistracy? When did ever Solomon (who was in the large Wisdom) command any such thing of the people whom he was over, to put off their hats; or imprison them if they would not? Shew me one example amongst all the Heathenish Emperors, Kings, Princes, Dukes, Rulers, or other Officers which the Scripture speaks of, that ever command∣ed any of their people to put off their hats, and imprison them if they would not? Did ever Pharoah King of Egypt, whom Moses and Aaron went before, command any such thing, and imprison them if they would not? Did ever Nebuchadnezzar or Darius com∣mand any such thing of any? Did ever Herod command any such thing, or imprison them that would not? Did ever Agrippa or Festus command Paul to put off his hat vvhen he came before them? Here you outscrip all the Heathenish Kings & Rulers that the Scripture speaks off. He contemns Authority vvho is a fighter or quarreller, or drunkard, or lyar, or swearer, and they vvho abuse themselves vvith mankind, but not they vvho declare the Word of the Lord to such, to lead them from all such practi∣ses; but such you account disturbers and contemners of Autho∣rity, who stand patiently before you, because they will not put off their hats; for it is your pride that is disturbed, and not Ju∣stice; for the Law of Justice is vvithout respect of persons, and doth judge thee vvho doth respect persons.

Another thing charged against me, is, That I said I dwelt in God, and where the Lord called me.

I ansvver, Let shame and terror take hold upon you both Priests & Magistrats, who make a Law in your wils to imprison those vvho come to vvitness they dvvel in God, as the Saints did: Paul said, In him we live, move, and have our being; and said he had no certain dvvelling-place; and by this Lavv he vvould be imprisoned, and he vvas persecuted and reviled, and suffered it, 1 Cor. 4. and John said, He that dwells in love, dwells in God, and God in him, 1 Joh. 4.16. and he that keeps his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him: And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit that he hath given us, 1 John 3.24. and by this Lavv John should be imprisoned, because he said he dvvelt in God; and all the Prophets and Apo∣stles did go vvhere the Lord called them. O blush and be asha∣med before the Lord to profess Christ and Justice, and make a Lavv to imprison those vvho are obedient to the commands of

God, and dwell in God; that ever such a thing should be acted, or once named in your Courts or Sessions, who profess your selves Christians. The Heathens have so much light as to see your na∣kedness and folly. The Law was added because of transgression, for the lawless and disob••dient, and not for the righteous who dwel in God, and are obedient to him.

Another thing against me, is, Because I would not enter into Recog∣niz••nce to appear at the next Sessions to answer the premises, being charged in his Highness Name to the Gaol at Norwich.

I answer, The Lord God who is above all Names and Highnes∣ses, in his Name and Presence do I speak, & clear my conscience before him and all the World, who hath set me free from being bound to the wil of any man; for he is com••ng in his mighty pow∣er to bring down all Powers, Names, Highnesses and Laws, under which the seed of God suffers. This is the word of the Lord to all you who in your wills make laws, & by them cause to suffer the servants of the living God; but by his Law which is perfect & changeth not, both you and your Laws are to be condemned.

The Discharge.

Norf. ss.

Whereas I sent you yesterday the body of Richard Hubberthorn, late of Yelland i•• Lancashire, by the Constables of W••mondham: Now these are to require you forthwith upon the receit hereof, to set at liberty the said R. Hubberthorn, provided he be charged with nothing else but his Mittimus from me laid to his charge; and this shall be your warrant for so doing, Octob. 10. 1654. To the Keepers of the Gaol in the County of Norf. in ehe City of Norwich.

Ralph Woolme••.

I being by the same Law and Power set at liberty, by which I was committed to prison, & under the same hand & seal by which the Keepers of the gaol were charged to keep me, by the same command, & under the same hand & seal are the Keepers of the gaol commanded to set me at liberty; & by the same power which charged these things against me in the Mittimus, by the same pow∣er am I cleared & discharged of them in this Warrant, & nothing else being laid to my charge, I desire to know by what Law I am yet kept prisoner, or vvhat I have to ansvver the next Sessions.

This vvas I moved of the Lord to declare and lay open, that all people in the Light vvhich Jesus Christ hath enlightned them vvithall, may see the changeable Lavvs made in the Will of man, vvhich is changeable, being turn'd from that in tht conscience, & from the Lavv of God vvhich is perfect, and changeth not, and by all such Laws as are made in the Wil of man, did ever the servants of the Lord suffer, & do novv; Let all vvho are lightned by Christ to knovv the perfect Lavv, judge. R.H. Prisoner in Norwich-Castle▪