Nevv-England pesecutors [sic] mauled vvith their own vveapons giving some account of the bloody laws made at Boston against the kings subjects that dissented from their way of worship : together with a brief account of the imprisonment and tryal of Thomas Maule of Salem, for publishing a book entituled Truth held forth and maintained, &c. / by Tho. Philathes.

A brief Account of some of the Three Hundred and Nine Persons that suffered Persecution under the Anti-christian Power of the New-England Church, besides those four Servants of the Lord cruelly-Murthered by a Law made at the Rulers and Priests high Court of Injustice against Dis∣senters found within their Jurisdiction belonging to Boston, which are as followeth, viz.

NIcholas Ʋpshall, an old Man full of Years, seeing their Cruelty to the harmless Quakers, and that they had condemned some of them to dye, both he and elder Wisewell, or otherwise Deacon Wisewell, Members of the Church in Boston, bore their Testimonies in publick against their Brethrens horrid Cruelty to the said Qua∣kers. And the said Ʋpshall declared, That he did look at it as a sad fore-runner of some heavy Judgment to follow upon the Country; Which they took so ill at his hands, that they fined him Twenty Pounds, and three Pound more at another of their Courts, for not coming to their Meeting, and would not abate him one Grote, but imprisoned him, and then banished him on pain of Death; which was done in a time of such extream bitter Weather for Frost, Snow and Cold, that had not the Heathen Indians in the Wilderness Woods taken compassion on his Misery, for the winter Season, he in all likelihood had perished, though he had then in Boston a good Estate in Houses and Land, Goods and Money, as also Wife and

Children, but not suffered to come unto him, nor he to them but more of his Sufferings are at large related in the Books of the Quakers Suffering Persecution under the Anti-christian Power of the New-England Church, and so proved to be by their fore-going Laws. And more of their Cruelty will here follow.

The next I shall mention is Anne Burden, whose Husband being dead, and having left Money due to him from several in New-England, his said Widdow came into their Jurisdiction to get in the said Debts, for the use of her self and Children. Now th••se Persecutors had nothing to charge her with, but that she was a plain Quaker, and for that, and coming into their Jurisdiction she must abide the Penalty of their Law, and which they executed upon her, and then sent her away without getting in her just Debts, for which she came into their Jurisdiction. Which was one of their in∣ventions to pay Debts to Dissenters with, especially the Quakers.

Christopher Holder and John Copeland, men of good Estates, and of good Life amongst men, for being of those called Quakers, and coming into their Jurisdiction, and declaring the Truth, were cruelly whipt with their old wonted Whip of three fold Cords, each being well knotted, fit for their Church work, where-with their Member Whipper gave each of these men Thirty Stripes a piece, which were so cruelly laid on, that at the sight of their torn flesh and bloody backs, a tender-hearted Person fell down dead; after they had been thus whipt, they were put into Bridewell, and there kept for three days without Bread or Water; and with their wounded backs were forced to lie on the Boards without Bed or Straw; and for Nine VVeeks were kept close Prisoners, where none, except the Goaler (that devout Member) could come unto them. After which, both they and Coll. Rous's Son of Barbadoes had their Ears cut by the Member of their Peace, viz. the common Hang-man. Now the reason why John Rous escaped with the cut∣ting his Ears only, was the kindness they had for him, in respect to the knowledge they had of his Father, and his being a Gentleman, as is more at large in the said Book of Sufferings.

Mary Clark, a Merchants VVife in London, who for being called a Quaker, and coming into their Jurisdiction, must undergo their Law, though a Mother of Children and tender of Body, to which they had no regard but after their manner imprisoned her for twelve VVeeks, and with their Church VVhip, fitted as aforesaid, for their Priests work, gave her weak tender Body twenty cruel Stripes, which was the more harder laid on by reason of their Hire∣lings saying, The Quakers did not flinch for their being so whipt, be∣cause the Devil was got between the skin and the flesh, or the flesh and the Bone; but more of this is to be seen in the Book of Sufferings, under the Anti-christian Power of New-England's Priests and Rulers.

Lawrence Southwick and his VVife, an antient grave couple, either one or both of them being Members of their Church in Salem, who in good Nature differed from most part of the said Church, for their entertaining some strangers called Quakers, were fined, and their Goods taken away; besides, their Sons and Daughters were great Sufferers, by long Imprisonment and cruel VVhipping, as also, they had their Goods taken away by the Priests Drudge••, and some of the said Southwicks Children were ordered to be sold for Bond-slaves; and he and his VVife, and Son Josiah, either the one or all three of them were banished the Jurisdiction upon pain of Death.

Horred Gardner, a Mother of many Children, & a young VVoman with her, having a young Infant at the Breast, both which VVomen were imprisoned and cruelly whipt, with more of the like Cruelty, as is to be seen in the said Book of Sufferings.

Richard Dowdney, An honest harmless Man, tho•• after the Romish Invention, was commi••ted to Prison and whipt, after their usual manner, with thirty Stripes, with which his flesh was so torn and cut in pieces, that many People lamented at the sight thereof, that such an innocent man as he was should be so horribly abused, as in said Book of Sufferings is more at large to be seen.

Sarah Gibbins and Dorothy Waugh, two young VVomen, for being of those called Quakers, and coming into their Jurisdiction, had for their entertainment in Boston, the flesh of their backs beaten to pieces by their Priests chief VVorkman, viz. the Executioner of their Law at their Gallows, and when so whipt was by another Member of their Churches Peace, viz. their Goaler, shut up in a close Room, where none was suffered to come unto them, and there kept three days together without all manner of Food. And at another time kept them eight days without all manner of Provision; and had not the Lord preserved them at this time, beyond what men of themselves are able to do, they had perished under the Cruelty of the New-England Church; their said Sufferings are more at large to be seen in the said Book of Sufferings.

William Shattock, an Inhabitant in Boston, for being one first day found in his House alone, was by one of the Priests drudges carried to their House of Oppression, for entertaining of Strangers; and in the time of his being kept there with the like whipping, some of the Priests crew endeavoured to perswade his Wife wholly to leave him, and that they would place out his Children to Masters of Families, that tended their Meetings, whose suffering is more at large to be seen in the said Book of Sufferings.

Thomas Harris, for declaring against Pride and Oppression (which the guilty proud Oppressors itching Ears could not endure to hear) was committed to their House of Oppression, where the Goaler (that devout Member of their Church shut him up, and kept him eleven days, five of which he kept him without Bread; and though he had before been cruelly whipt, yet this merciless Wretch gave his Weak bruised Body Twenty blows with a pitched Rope, whose sufferings are more at large to be seen in the Quakers book of sufferings, as aforesaid.

Several Innocent Women called Quakers, had their Bodies searched for Witches, which work was done by the old Member

women, with such cruelty to their Bodies, that one of the Women said, she did not the like trouble undergo in bearing and bringing forth five Children, besides what more they suffered under the power of those who were as free to run as the Devil was to drive them to perform his lust in the doing the aforesaid Anti-christian work, of which more is to be seen in the aforesaid Books of the Quakers suffering under the Anti-christian power of New-Englands Churches.

William Brend, for coming into Bostons Jurisdiction, where all the aforesaid work of Anti-christ was acted and done, and for being one of them called a Quaker, and declaring the Truth, was cruelly whipt, and shut up into close Prison, where the Goaler and devout Member of their Church, lockt his Neck and Heels together, so close that there was only room for the Lock to go between, in which manner he kept him sixteen hours, and then gave his weak bruised Body One Hundred and Seventeen Blows with a pitched Rope; having thus beaten him for dead, an out cry was among the People, That the Goaler had killed a man; which to appease the People, bills were set upon the Prison doors, and else where, That the Goaler should be dealt with; but said Brends coming to life again (though the Doctors said, it would be admitable if he did recover, for his flesh was beaten into a meer Gelly of Blood, however, as God would have it, he came to recover again, then to prevent the Goalers being punished for this his great peice of Wickedness to said Brend, John Horton their chief high Priest said, if William Brend will endeavour to beat our Gospel Ordinances black and blew, it was just upon him if he was beaten black and blue; and withall in said Book, that his counsel was to his Church▪ Brethren in Iniquity, To put off the Bear skin, and put on the Fox Skin; which indeed is ••••••eling Priest like, the more to deceive poor ignorant. People, of whom God hath opened the Eyes of many, by which they see hirelings deceit.

William Robinson a Merchant, Ma••maduke Stevinson, and William Leddra, as Informed the one a clothe•• the other a husband man▪ and Mary Dier wife to Mr Dier of Rode Island, all which four were

••eat sufferers In Bostons Jurisdiction under the cruel bloody hands of the Church Members, before they drove them with great number of their Priests club man to their bloody alter, and many more by the Priests and Rulers with their con••enting Members in Iniquity, were intended to be she••••••leed an offering to their Anger and Re∣venge, had not the Kings Letter as aforesaid, stopt their bloody hands, and when the Priests drudges, with their m••ny Swords, Staves, Guns and Drums to drown the Testimony of the Lords Servants from being heard among the People, had drove them to their Bloody Altar, where they chearfully delivered up their Lives for the Truth of God and Testimony of Jesus, which was to the be∣holders Admiration, and great rage of their Persecutors; when they were executed they cut down their Bodies, letting them fall, to the breaking the Skulls of some, and ripped off their Shirts, drag∣ging their naked Bodies either by the heels, or with a Rope, and as they dragged them, gnashed their Teeth with meer Madness, as they went on with their work of dragging their Bodies to a filthy stinking Pit, into which they threw some of their naked Bodies, and never would grant their Freinds liberty to secure their bodies from Ravenous Creatures, by putting about the place any manner of fence whatsoever.

Seeing the Wickedness of these Persecutors to be great, and their Lyes against the People of God many, I shall here give one instance of the many which might be produced to prove them lyars that ••ay The Quakers might have had their liberty to have been gone, but would not accept it, therefore say such Lyers, they were accassary to their own Death. But to prove the contrary here is the copy of a Mer∣chants letter in print, who was no Quaker but an eye and ear wit∣ness to what follows, viz.

Boston, the 26th of March, 1661.

ON the 14th of this Instant here was one William Leddra put to Death▪ The People of the Town

told me, he might go away if he would; but when I made further enquiry, I heard the Marshall say, that he was chained in Prison from the time he was condemned, to the day of Execution. I am not of his Opinion, but yet truly me thought the Lord did mightily appear in the Man. I goes to one of the Magistrates of Cambridge, who had been of the Court that condemned him, as he told me himself; and I asked him by what Rule he did it? he an∣swerd me, That he was a Rogue, a very Rogue. But what is this to the Question, said I? Where is your Rule? He said, He had abused Authority. Then I goes to the man and asked him, Whether he did not look on it as a breach of Rule, to slight and undervalue Authority? and said, That Paul gave Festus the Title of Honour, though he were a Heathen; I do not say, those Magistrates are Heathens. I saw then when the Man was on the Ladder, he looked on me, and called me Friend, and said, Know, that this day I am willing to offer up my Life for the Witness of Jesus. Then I desired leave of one of the Officers to speak; I said, Gentlemen, am a stranger both to your Persons and Country, and yet a Friend to both (and I cryed aloud) for the Lords sake take not away the mans Life: I said, Remember Gama∣liels counsel to the Jews, If this be of God it will stand, if not, it will come to Nothing; but be care••ul you be not found fighters against God. And the Captain said, Why had not you come to the Prison. And the reason was, because I heard the Man might go if he would, and therefore I called him down from the Tree, Come down William, said I, you may go away if you will. Then Capt. Oliver said, it was

no such matter, and asked me, what I had to do with it▪ and besides, told me to be gone. I told him, I was wil∣ling, for I cannot endure to see this. And when I was in the Town, some did seem to simpathize my Grief, but I told them, they had no Warrant from the Word of God, not President from our Country, nor Power from his Majesty to hang the man. I rest,

Your Friend, THOMAS WILKY.

Samuell Shattock, Joshua Bufsum, John Small, John Barton, John Smith, Edward Wharton, Samuell Gaskill, Danell Southwick, his Father and Mother, Sisters and Brother, and John Kitchin and his Wife, with others in Salem, were great Sufferers by these Perse∣cutors, both by long Imprisonment, cruel Whipping, loss of abun∣dance of Goods & Cattle, besides Land of John Smiths, and several banished upon pain of Death, and others of them ordered to be sold for Bond-slaves; all these were of Salem, and more of the same Town suffered much.

Obs. By the fore going Lines the Reader may perceive how they have Persecuted all persons differing in Judgment from the way of their Priests Worship. In the next place I shall here Instance a little relating to what them of the Church of England suffered; by which the Reader may the better understand their bold attempts, who neither fear God nor regard King or Bishops. First, you note the manner of settleing their Courts, viz. the manner was and yet is, at the opening of their Courts to have some one or more of their Priests to pray, and to make tedious long insiped Graces, as they call them, before and after Meals, as also to consult what Penalties and Sufferings were most fit to ••e inflicted on Offenders against their Arbitrary and unjust Law, and especially against any that were found to dissent from their way of Worship, in which cast the Priests Advice would commonly be, to lay on load enough,

and the Advice was believed to be sanctified, though at the same time, they could not but understand they drank the Wine of the condemned, so expresly charged as a sin on the Magistrates, Rulers and Priests of Jerusalem, of no small provocation to the holy One of ••srael, though the matter in Controversy relating to such as dissented from their Priests Worship, was no matter of Offence against the Law of God, nor the Laws of the English Nation, not∣withstanding they minded not, but would proceed, according to their own wills without respect to any, no, not so much as to the Church of England, of which many suffered under the New-England Church, which pretended to make no seperation in point of Faith and Doctrine, as witness that Letter of their fore fathers and Leaders into this Land, from on board the Arrabella, to the Bishops and Fathers of the Church of England, calling them Bre∣thren, and begging their Prayers, and as who would know more of it, let them see it in a little book printed at Boston by Joshua Scottaway, about the year 1693. remarkable in that it is set forth by a Member of their own Communion; but how well they carried it to the Church of England, and its Sons, these few of the many Instances which might be produced, may sufficently evidence against them, that they spared not any found to dissent from their Priests way of Worship, as for Instance, Dr. Childs, Samuel Maverick and other Merchants, of whom I have before hinted, were of the way of worship of the English Church, and by these Persecuto•••• cruel Laws, were not suffered to have the least benefit of or by th••t Worship; and being wholly denyed of their priviledge, belonging to the Worship of the Church of England, they were found to Petition to England, for the maintaining their Right in Boston, but so soon as this was known to these Persecutors, they impeacht the aforesaid Persons of High Rebellion, for attempting the same, and forth-with imprisoned them, and fined each of them three hundred Pounds, the wh••ch Money was the means of their escaping the New-England Church Members Ga••lows, wh••ch was not only, for Murderers, and the like, but also for th••se that dissented from their Priests Worship, and were found to Petition to England for freedom and liberty of the English Churches way of Worship, as of

the like Nature more will appear against these Persecutors by what follows.

2. The next was their aim to punish Mr. Jordan, who was a Preacher according to the way of the English Church, but he living in Ferdinando Georges Patent, they were fain to use much of their deceit to get him to Boston, which by deceit was at last on this wise performed, by one of their Brethren in Iniquity, who with a small Vessel traded in the place where the said Mr. Jordan preacht, he pretended great kindness to this Mr. Jordan, and withal invited him aboard his Vessel to feast it, and when he had got the antient Gentleman aboard, brought him Prisoner to Boston, and there de∣livered him into the hands of these persecuting Priests and Rulers, who, for his preaching and baptizing according to the way of the English Church, they imprisoned, and fined him in a great Sum of Money. The story is large, and would swell this small Book beyond its intended Bulk, to relate it at large.

3. Then again, about the Year 1684. when their Charter was even sick at heart, and ready to expire, yet they could not forbear dabbling in their old dirty puddle of Persecution; for at that time a Young Man, who had been ordained by the Bishop of London to preach at Carolina, where being sickly, was advised to remove and change the air, whereupon he came to Boston, and was civilly ••ntertained by some Old England men; and after some time recovering his Health, he came to be known to be a Minister of the Church of England, and for that he was a Master of the French Lan∣guage, he was by some French Protestants, and others of the Church of England recommended to a poor and dark Corner of the Pro∣vince, to preach to a small number of poor People, amongst whom he passed some few Moneths before the persecuting Priests found him out; but at last hearing that he preached & baptized according to the way of the Church of England, they stir••ed up the Magi∣strates against him, who were at their beck, and soon sent a Con∣stable, who beset his Longing, and required him to desist from his preaching, &c. at his peril; but he knowing on what foot he

stood, continued his preaching and baptizing, according to his Commission from the Bishop of London, till at length he was threatned with Whipping, and understanding that the Constables had Warrants from the persecuting Magistrates to seize him, and for that end beset his Lodging; whereupon he returned privately to Carolina.

4. Nor were the Affronts offered to Robert Ratcliffe, the first estblished Minister of the Church of England in Boston, to be passed in silence: He came over in the Year 1686. with Authority from the Crown of Eng••and to establish a Church in Boston; this mans meekness and Sobriety was sufficiently knwn, yet were his Affronts man••, by which they sought to weary him out, not only by personal Abuses and publick Injuries, in breaking the Church Windows, tea••ing the service book, making Crosses of Mans Dung on the Doors, and filling the Key-holes with the same, but also seized his Clark, and compelled▪ him to Prison in a Wheel barrow, of which nature they acted many abuses against the aforesaid and his Church, insomuch that no Minister longer being able to endure their horrid Anti-christian Abuses which did more dayly increase against him and his Church, was necessitated (after about four years stay a∣mongst them) to leave his Charge, and go for England, where the late Queen preferred him to a living.

5. And as a father sign of their hatred to that Church, at the time of the Revolution, they Imprisoned three Gentlemen, Mem∣bers thereof, without any charge against them or since, save that they had officiated as Justices of the Peace under the Kings Com∣mission, and although they Joyned with eight or ten more of their own Church Members, who sate and Joyntly acted with them in the same County, yet could find no complaint against their own Church Members; so apparently partial were they to their own party, and violent to others, by which (as aforesaid) though not the thousand part of what might be brought against them of their great Wickedness against the People of God and the Kings Subjects, ye•• with a little more of the like nature to be added hereunto,

will by their works be sufficient to the u••d••rstanding of every true Christian, That the New-England Church is not the true Church of Christ, that worship him in the Spirit and in the Truth, viz John 4.24.

Having thus mentioned some of the abuses offered to some Mem∣bers of the Church of England, I shall now draw Conclusion so soon I have given a short account of the Tryal of Thomas Maule of Salem, about his Book, call'd Truth held forth, &c. I shall begin thus, viz.

Thomas Maule, a Young Man about twelve years of Age, came from England to the Island of Barbodoes, and from thence (for his health sake) came to New-England, where hearing much preaching and loud praying; he began to think with himself, what manner of People are these? whose Streets ring with the noise of Preaching and P••aying; and having lived amongst them about three years he did experience their words to be good, but by their works to have no good hearts; at the end of which time he removed himself to another of their Towns, called Salem, where he found the Church Members to be in all respects (as to Religion) one with them in the other Towns of their Jurisdiction; but in Salem he found a People of few words and good works, agreable thereunto, with which people he Joyned, by keeping to their Meetings, which so inraged the Church Members, that with their Priests, they stirred up the Rulers against him, and fined the man where he kept fifty Pounds for entertaining him; after which for his keeping open shop upon one of their fast days, and speaking the Truth, against their Priests railing against the Quakers, and the like, they five times imprisond him, thrice took away his goods, a••d thrice cruelly whipt him, besides their many other Abuses, and also accusing him of posting his Books on the first day of the week, but he affirming the contrary, and though two evil minded persons, whereof one was a Thief, who then unknown had stolen Goods in her keeping, both which did say he posted Books, as aforesaid, notwithstanding i•• being utterly false, and the evidence of no credit,

yet recorded they him a Lyar, when he had spoken no other but the Truth relating to the same, shall now proceed to the sum and as aforesaid. From which I shall now proceed to the Sum and sub∣stance of his late Trial, which was writ by a hand then present in their Courts, as followeth.

The Copy of their Warrant

Province of the Massachusets Bay.

TO the Sheriffe of the County of Essex, his under Sheriffe or Debuty, greeting. Whereas there is lying before the honourable Lieutenant Governour and Council a printed Pamphlet, entituled. Truth held forth and maintained, & put forth in the name of Thomas Maule, said to be Thomas Maules of Salem within your County, & published without Licence of Authority, in which is contained many notorious and wicked Lyes, and Slanders, not only upon private Persons, but also upon Government, and likewise divers corrupt and pernicious Doctrines utterly subversive of the true Christian and professed Faith.

These are therefore in his Majesties Name to Will and require you forthwith to make search in the House of the said Maule, and where else you shall be informed any of the said Pamphlets are, or may be found, seize and secure all that you shall find thereof, and to cause the said Thomas Maule to appear before the Lieutenant Governour and Council, at the Council Chamber in Boston, upon Thirsday the 19th Currant, to answer what shall be objected against him, on his Majesties behalf. In the Premises hereof fail

not, making return of this Warrant with your doings there∣in.

Dated at the Council Chamber in Boston, December 12th, 1695. By Command of the Lieutenant Governour & Council.

Jsaac Addition, Secretary

A true Copy,

attested by George Curwin, Sherriff.

A Copy of the Return of their Warrant.

Salem December 14th, 1695.

ACcording to the within Warrant, I have been at the House of Thomas Maule, and there have found thirty one of said Pamphlets, and them secured, as re∣quired, and have seized the said Maule, and delivered him to the keeper of their Majesties Goal in Salem, there to be secured, in order to his apearance at the time and Place within mentioned, and have sent the said Thomas Maule by the bearer Jeremiah Neale, to answer as within exprest, which Jeremiah Neale I do constitute and appoint to be my lawful Deputy, to make return of this Warrant, with the Body of said Maule, and to act in all things which shall be further ordered relating to me concerning the within Warrant.

George Curwin, Sherriff.

This is a true Copy of the Origenal Return,

attested By Jeremiah Neale, Sherriff-Deputy.

Thomas Maule being brought by the said Neale, and said Goaler out of Salem County, into Boston County, where appearing at the Council Chamber, before the said Governour and Council, who put divers Insnaring Questions to said Maule.

He made this Reply, That no righteous Law did bind or injoyn him to answer further then he saw good, and that they had not acted agreeable to Law, in compelling him into their County, to stand tryal before them, who in the case were not his equal Judges, and if they did intend to proceed against him, he did expect the benefit of the Kings Laws, which did a••••ow his Judges to be Twelve men of his Equals, belonging to the same County he was of. The which being consented to, four hundred Pounds Bond was given for his appearance to answer them at their High Court of Injustice against him, at Ipwswich the 19th of the 3d Month May, 1696. But before said Maule came to his Tryal they Imprison••d him and sacrificed sixteen pounds worth of his Books, a burnt Offering to their Anger and Revenge, though upon his Tryal the Jury could not find him in the least guilty of any evil fact, relating to their Charge about his Book.

The time of the Courts setting being come, said Maule was called to his Tyral before Thomas Dan••ord, Elisha Cook and Samuell Sewal, three of the Council, and Judges of this Court, who demanded of Thomas Maule, If he did own that Book intitul••d, Truth held forth and maintained, &c. to be of his putting ••orth?

To which he said, The outside of the Book did not fully manifest to him what the inside thereof did contain. The Book being given to him, when he had lookt it throw, return'd it again, with this answer, That all Printed in the Book, he did own to be Truths, which he did vindicate & maintain, excepting the Printers Errors, and some mistakes occasioned through Authors, which were com∣mon to good Books.

Then Judge Danford said, You are to answer for Printing this Book without Liscence of Authority.

To which said Maule answered, That if he were accountable for so doing, it was not to them, but to the Bishops of the Eng••sh Church, and the King did allow him the same liberty to have his

Book printed, as they did to any of their subjects, which seperated or dissented from their way of Worship.

Then Judge Cook said, You are to answer for publishing your Book in this Government without the Lisence of the present Authority.

To which said Maul replyed, The Gove••nment is the Kings, or ought so to be, and the Books are my own Goods, who as an English Merchant have good right by the Kings Laws to dispose of my Goods in any of the Kings Plantations.

Then Anthony Chickley, the Kings Attorney said, Your Books are not lawful goods to be disposed of amongst the People, because they con∣tain notorious wicked Lyes against the Churches and Government of this Province, as likewise false Doctrine, utterly subversive to the true Christian and professed Faith, besides Scandals upon many private Persons.

To which said Maul made this Reply, That the Charge was yet to prove, and which they could never prove against him; and so long as there was no evil fact, he was no Transgressor of any righteous Law; and if their Cha••ge were true, as it is not, it is no more than what they and their Priests are guilt▪ of against all Persons, as well as the Church of England, that dissented from their Priests way of Worship, for which cause, and persecu••ing the People of God and the Kings Subjects to death, their Doctrine, Principles and Practices were condemned by all true Christian People that did know or hear of their unrighteous Works, which f•••• ••hese many years have caused Gods Judgments to come upon this Land; and for not repenting are you now given up to murder one an ther, through the Devis accusation, by Specter Evidence, accusing both Priests, Rulers and People of being Witches

Then Judge Cook to this purpose said, You are a horrible Lyar, and it wer•• better you would forbear in this nature running your self into further Troubl••, by accusing the Churches and Government after such a horrible wicked rate, as you have done, and still do persist in, for which you are to suffer, according to your Deserts.

To which said Maul made this Reply, That the Truth by him to them was spoken, and so lo••g as he did not ••xceed the bounds thereof, he did not fear their Whip, Goal or Gallows; and with∣al,

that relating to this his Testimony, he had suffered ten times 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their Jurisdiction, five times by Imprisonment, three times by the loss of Goods taken from him, and twice by cruel Whipping; and now before this Tryal they had both imprisonmed him, and burnt sixteen Pounds worth of his Books, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yet not given him any Copy of the particulars of the Charge against him.

To which Judge Danford said, It is but reason that Thomas Maule should have a Copy o•• what we have to charge him with, and also time to consider of it, which by the renewing of his Bond, he may have till next Salem Court. Which was agreed to.

Then Judge Cook said, That he would have Thomas M••ule to be more careful of what he said relating to the Scriptures, and not to un∣dervalue them, as he had already done, by comparing his Book with the Bible.

To which Maul answered, That to compare that with the Bible which was agreeable to the holy Scriptures in the Bible, could be in no way found to contradict or undervalue the Bible. And as to Errors now so much talkt of, he did not know of any Book that was free; for as some of the learned have said, Beza committed eight hundred Errors in his first Translation of the New Testament, which by amending through his second Translation, left three hun∣dred Errors therein. And by comparing Mat. 27 v. 5. w••th Acts 1.18. proves as great a Mistake as any he knew to be in his Book▪

Judge Cook commanded this Sentence to be writ down.

Then said Maul desired it might be writ down, That at present he did so believe. Which being done, he said, That if through his now so believing did p••ove an Error, he did hope, through a contrary belief to be free of the Error before his next Tryal.

Then Judge Cook said, Then your belief is changeable, and so con∣trary to the Quakers Principle of Perfection, that it overthrows their whole Religion at once.

To which Thomas Maule made this Reply, That it was not so, because, said he, every true Believers warfare makes a change from worse to better, that through Grace, by Faith, they come to for∣sake the Error to joyn with the Truth, which makes free from

all that is evil; and had not the like in measure, been my state, to have departed from evil, I had not become a prey to you, who have caused me to suffer for the Truth, as it is manifest you have done.

Then Judge Danford said, Thomas Maul, forbear, we have some∣thing else to do than to spend time to hear you p••ate after this kind of rate.

To which Thomas Maul answered, That he was willing to for∣bear without further Trouble to him, by or from them.

A Copy of the Grand Jurys Presentment, as also a Copy of the Judges Charge.

AT a Superiour Court held at Salem, for our Soveraign Lord the King, in the County of Essex, in the Province of the Massa∣thusets Bay in New-England, the 10th day of the 9th Month, 1696. The Grand Jury do present Thomas Maul of Salem, S••op-keeper, for publishing, or putting forth a Book, entituled, Truth held forth and maintained, wherein is contained divers Slanders against the Churches and Government of this Province; and for saying what he did before the honourable Court at Ipswich, in May last, as will appear on Record, reference thereunto being had, may more at large appear, as in this hereunto annexed.

James Stivens, Fore-man.

Thomas Maule being bound over by Recognizance to this Court, and being asked concerning a Book put forth by him, entituled, Truth held forth and maintained, &c. did in oppen Court declare an•• say, That there was as great mistakes in the Scriptures as in his Book, and instanced, comparing Mat. 27. v. 5. with Acts 1. v. 18. and this being read to him, desires to be understood, That at present he believes so, at the Superiour Court of Judicature held at Ipswich on the third Tuesday May last, 1696.

A true Copy,

by Adington Davenport, Clerk.

Dr. Benjamin Bullivants Speech, in the first part of the Pleas 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Presentment, is as followeth, viz.

To the Presentment of the Grand Jury, exhibited against Tho. Maule this present Court, always saving to himself the liberty of such further Pleading and Defence, as by Law are due unto him, viz. First, That the uncertainty of matters alledged in the said Presentment is so notorious, that he that runs may read them; and the Lord Cook says, The Law requires certainty in all cases, especially such as are Penal to the Lives or Estates of the Subject, which un∣certainties are. Secondly, That neither County, Year or Day are laid in the said Presentment. Thirdly, That the Presentment is not laid to be made for the King, who if any one hath Offence by whatever in this case alledged against the Defendant; neither is his Majesties Name or S••ile used in the Presentment, as is necessary, and required particularly by the Laws of this Government. Fourthly, That it is not laid upon Oath, as it ought to be, if it hold a man to his Answer. Fifthly, That the Jury had no Plantiff to inquire for, they being sworn, Well and truly to try, and true Deliverance make between our Soveraign Lord the King, and Thomas Maule the Prisoner at the Bar. And Yet the Kings Name and Stile entirely omitted in the Presentment aforesaid. Sixthly, That if it were true the Defendant should have said, as is laid to his charge in the Indictment, That there was as great Mistakes in the Scriptures as in his Book, yet this can charge no fac•• by Law punishable upon him▪ the Pres••ntment wanting an invendo or meaning, whether they were the holy Scriptures or words of God, since there are prophane as well as holy Scriptures, and the Defendant may be supposed, in Construction of Law, to intend as well prophane as sacred Scrip∣tures. Seventhly, That it was not laid to be against the Peace of the King, or so much as a Misdemeanor.

To these Arguments Judge Danford answered, That the Present∣ment was according to former Ʋsage, and their Custom, and that want of form could not destroy the ••udictment, or binder the coming to his Answer.

Judge Cook said, As to the Invendo, that it would have been necessary if the particular Quotations had not been named, which he did believe Thomas Maules Counsel would not deny to be the Books of the holy ••••riptures, which was conceded unto.

Then was Anthony Chickley, the Kings Attorney, ca••••ed upon, to know what he had to say to it on the behalf of the K••ng, who only said, He would answer to the third Exception brought against the In∣dictment, viz. That it wanted the stile of the K••ng, assi••t••g a••d not want it, founding his assertion on th•• Preamble of the ••••••ict∣ment, it being said, at a superiour Court held at Salem for our Sover¦aign Lord the King.

Reply to this was made, on the behalf of the Defendant, That the Preample had no relation to the Body of the Presentment, since the Presentment was presumed to begin at these words, The Grand Jury do present.

The Court, after some further debate, over-ruling the Pleas, the Prisoner is left to say for himself.

Thomas Maule to the Judges on the Bench, as followeth, viz.

To you who have set your selves to be Judges in this case, against me▪ as you are invested with M••gistratical P••wer by Commission from the King, I do respect you, out wherein you do assume to your selves the Power of the Bishops Court, as in this case, I do no more value you than I do Jack-straw. And if you will approve your selves wise men, you ought to mend the many Rents by you already made, through the mis mannagement of the Tru•• com∣mitted to your Charge, before you proceed to make a further breach upon me, who has not given you any just occasion so to do, which if you are resolved to make a Rod for me, that it may be easie, for the more ease of your own that is to come, for it is said by him that cannot lye, The same measure that men make, the same shall be made to them again; and if your Power, by which you act against me, do long continue, he that now enjoys a good Estate, under your Government, in seven years time, after this rate, may not be left worth a Grote; for as you are set to watch over the People, things are at that pass, through your means, that they have the greater need to watch over you, otherwise they are like to be undone by the heavy burdens you lay upon them.

Then the Cause, with the said Maules Book, and a Speech made to this purpose by Judge Danford, was committed to the Jury, viz. You have now heard the Cause, which with the Book is now committed to your hands, who have taken a solemn Oath to do the thing that is right

in the sight of Gods as near as you can; therefore you ought well to con∣sider the horrid Wickedness of Thomas Maules setting forth the Book now ••e••ore you, in which there is contained a great a••al of blasphemous matter against the Churches and Government of this Province. You weak 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that when the Husband-man hath take•• great care and labour to f••nce in his f••••ld of Wheat, and there comes a ravenous Creature and makes a Gap through the Fence for other like Creatures to go through and spo••l the Corn, and to trample down and lay waste the H••sband-mans Field, will he not use his utmost endeavour to destroy such a ravenous Creature that doe•• so? how much the more are we to preserve the H••dge of the good H••sband-man with which he hat••, by his Ordinances, and good Government, fenced and hedged his Churches and People in this Pr••••gi••••••, against which the wicked work of Thomas Maule doth wholly tend, to overt••••ow all good in Church and Common-wealth, which Go•• hath planted amongst his People in this Province; w••ich ••ause with the saide Maules Book is now before you, to do that which is right relating thereu••, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 near as God shall inable.

In answer to which Speech, Thomas Maule made this R••ply to the Jury, and said, Jury look well to the work which you are now going to do, the Cause is now committed to you, who are to be Governed by the Kings Law; no Law of our Nation have I broken, as to you will appear; the Book has no evidence in Law against me, further then to you it doth appear, I have writ or caused to be printed any thing contrary to sound Doctrine, and Inconsistant to the holy Scriptures of Truth, which if you take up with any part of these Judges unjust Charge against me, and say, there is such like matter in my Book as they charge me with, you may seek to the Printer for satisfaction, for of any such like matter in the Book I know not, and my hand is only to my Copy, which now is in another Government, in the hands of the Printer, and my Name to my Book made by the Printer does not in Law evidence to prove the same to be Thomas Maule, no more then the Spector Evidence, in Law, is of force or validity to prove the person accused by said evidence to be the Witch, but rather con∣clude the Spector to be the Witch; therefore Jury look well to your Work, for you have sworn, True Tryal to make and just Verdict give, which if you miss of doing me Justice, the fault will lie on

your part▪ for these my Accusers on the beach, are but as Clerks to ••onclude your Work with Amen.

In some small time the Jury brought in their Verdict for the Prisoner, whom they found not Guilty, At which the Judges seemed much disatisfied therewith, and ass•• the Jury, how that could be, having the Book before them? w••o answered, That the Book was not suffic••ent Evidence, for that Thomas Maules Name was there unto set by the Printer, and the matrer therein contained not cognizable before them, they not being a Jury of divines, which this case ought to be.

Then Judg Danford made this Sp••ech, That tho, Thomas Maule had escaped the hands of Men, yet he had not escaped the hand of God, who would find out all his Evils and Blasphemies against his Church and People, and for which Wickedness God did reserve him▪ or further Ja••g∣m•• ••o come upon him.

In answer to which, said Maule replyed, That he was no way guilty of their Charge, but had great cause to praise God ••or his di••••••er∣ance by the Jury, who were made Instruments of freeing him out of the hands of them, who had manifested their unrighteous Works against the People of God, and the Kings Subjects, as their Fathers be••ore had done

In which time of the said Reply, Judge, Danford called out, Take him away, take him away.

The Reader may hence understand, that the distance of these Persecutors from the King, and much further froms Gods Truth, is the cause that by them, many of the People of God and the Kings Subjects suffer, more then they would do, were they where their complaint could readily be heard by the King, who would not suffer his Subjects to be persecuted under the Anti-christian Power of the New-England Church, who yet continue the old stroke, according to their Power, against the Qua••••rs, at this very t••me of liberty of Conscience, respecting to Religion now allowed by the King and Powers of England, as for instance, they now do suffer in their Jurisdiction, especially in the Town of Linn, where for the Priests maintenance, they compell the Quakers Oxen, their Pots and Platters, with the of other Houshould goods more worse in that respect, then of the first two wiked Priests we read, Sam. 2.12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. For which sin God will reward the wick∣•••• Priests▪