Saul's errand to Damascus, with his packet of letters from the high priests against the disciples of the Lord, or, A faithful transcript of a petition contrived by some persons in Lancashier who call themselves ministers of the Gospel breathing out threatnings and slaughters against a peaceable & godly people there, by them nick-named Quakers : together with the defence of the persons thereby traduced against, the slanderous and false suggestions of that petition, and other untruths charged upon them : published to no other end but to draw out the bowels of tender compassion from all that love the poor despised servants of Jesus Christ, who have been the scorn of carnal men in all ages.

Divers particulars of the persecutions of Iames Nayler, by the Priests of Westmerland.

IAmes being at a meeting at Edward Briggs house on the first day, where many people met, he was desired by divers friend to meet the day following at Widow Cooks house, about a mile from Kendal, whereof the priests having notice, raised the Town of Kendal against him; but being long in gathering to∣gether, the meeting was done; but spies being out upon the Steeple top, and other places, notice was given what way James passed from thence: and coming down towards Kendal, two Priests being accompanied with a Justice of peace, and some other Magi rares of the Town, with an exceeding great multitude of people following them, met him, saying, Nayler, I have a message from the Lord Jesus Christ to thee, but that there is not a con eniens place. To which Iames answered, The Lord Iesus Christ is no respecter of places. Them ssage that he had to declare, was this: I conjure thet that thou tell me by what power thou inflictest such punishment upon the bodies of crea∣tures. Iames answered, Dost thou remember who it was that did adjure Christ to tell if he were the Son of God, and asked by what authority he did those things? for Jemes saw him to be one of that generation but the Priest still conjuring him to tel by what power he did it; Iames answered, Dost thou acknowledge is to be done by a power? Yea (saint he) I have the Spirit of God, and thereby I know it is done by a power. Iames said, If thou have the Spirit of God his sayest thou hast, then thou canst tell by what power, it is done ••he ••riest said, When God comes,

he comes to torment the souls, and not the bodies. James said, He comes to redeem the souls.

But after much jangling, the Priest began to accuse him before the Justice and Magistrates of many things; As that he taught people to turn their Bibles, Children to disobey their Parents, Wives their Husbands, People to disobey their Magistrates and such like accusations. To which James answered, Thou art a false accuser, prove one of these things if thou canst, here, before the Magistrates. But not being able to prove any one, he began to accuse James for holding out a light that doth convince of sin, Which, Saith the Priest, all have not. To which James said, Put out one in all this great multitude that dare say he hath it not. Saith the Priest Thes are al Christians, but if a Turk or Indian were here, he would deny it. James said, Thou goest far for a proof, but if a Turk were here, he would witness against thee.

The people beginning to fight, the Priest turned away, saying, Here will be a disturbance. Said James, These are thy Christi∣ans, and this is the fruits of thy Ministery. But the Justice with some other, did endeavour to keep the rude people off him, so that they could not come to their purpose there: but he being to passe over the Bridge, and throughth Town, they that were of the Priests party ran before, sweaning they would throw him off the Bridge into the water, but comming thither, and seeing heir purpose, he was encouraged in his God, who gave him assurance of protection, and did wonderfully keep him, and those that were with him: for when he came unto the Bridge, the word of the Lord came unto him, and he was made to cry out against their rage, and the power of the Lord was with him, so that he received no harm, though he was made to speak all a∣long, and in the Market place, and til he came out of the Town. But the raging people continued shouting crying, and throwing of stones at him a quarter of a mile out of the Town: But such was the power of the Lord, that neither he nor any with him, re∣ceived any harm. The work was wonderful, and we were brought much to admire it, end praise the Lord, who is blessed for euer and ever.

Another time Iames being desires of many Christian friends to be at a meeting at Orton, there to wait upon the Lord for, what he would make known to his people, did accordingly; and many friends and brethren accompanied him; but the Priests having intelligence some days before, five of them were gathered together, and many people from all quarters. A friend in the Town desired Iames to come to his house; and being come in∣to his house, a message was sent from the Priests, desiring him to come into the field, under pretence for a more convenient place for the great multitude. To which Iames answered, It is my desire that all may be edified: and comming into the field, the Priests came with a great multitude, and asked him by what authority he came thither, and had gathered together so many people to break the peace; and tempting him, said Wilt thou he bound that none here shall break the Peace? To which Iames an∣swered. We come not hither to create offences, but if any break the Law, let him suffer by the Law: for he perceived they inten∣ded violence, as it appeared afterwards.

But seeing they could not prevail in that, mother of them de∣sired him to go into the Church, as he called it, tempted him, saying, The people may all sit and hear better: But Iames percei∣ving their deceit, said, All places were alike to him: he would a∣bide in the field. Wherein they pulled out an Ordinance of Parlia∣ment, forbidding any to speak, but such as were authorized to speak either in Church or Chappel, or an publick place; and bade him speak at his peril, as he would an wet the contempt of it. To which he answered, saying, This is not a publick place. No? said one of the Priest, Is not this a publick place the Town field? and charged the Constable of the Town to do his office, and examined his authority: Iames answered, Those that are sent to declare the things of God, have not their authority from men. But they bad him prove that. He said, Paul received not his commission from man; nor by man: To which one of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 an∣swered, That was his Gospel, but they would prove saint Paul had a call from man to preach; and for that end 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that place in Acts 13. 2. where the Holy Ghost sad, Separate me Barnabas and Saul; and the Apostles laid their hands upon

them, which, said one of them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Presbytery; 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 was the laying on of hands of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉; But when he had found that place, James asked him it that was Pauls call to the Ministry (three times) but he answared nothing. Then said James, If that was his call he had preached long without a call before that; and instanced to prove it Gal. 1.

Whereupon that business ended; But another Preist stood up, and said, Thou oughtest to give an account of thy Faith to every one that a keth; whereupon he asked divers questions: where∣unto James answered, in so much that some that stood by cry∣ed out, Answer not all but ask him some, A while after Iames asked him how he would proved himselfe a Minister of the Go∣spel, and live upon Tithes? To which he would not answer. Then said Iames, Neither will I answer thee if thou ask me twenty more.

The next question he asked was, Whether Christ was ascen∣ded or no? but Iames said, I will not answer thee. Whereupon he cryed out to the people and said he denies the humanity of Christ; and made a great out cry among the people of it. But the peo∣ple cryed out, saying, Let us hear him; you have often told us many things against him: let him speak, and then if he speak not truth, you may then reprove him, Iames hearing the desire of the people, began to speak, and the people gave audience, and were very silent. But beginning to hold out Christ alone to be the Teacher of his people in spirit and truth, one of the Priest cryed out, I cannot endure to hear this Seducer any longer. Vpon which Iames said, Prove me a Seducer before all this people, or else thou art a false Accuser. But he had not one word to say against any thing that he had spoken: But said, If thou wilt not answer me that Question I asked thee, I will call thee a Seducer as long as I live.

Whereupon seeing there could be no peace there, nor liberty to speak, they desired Iames to goe into the house, and they kept closed about him, to keep him from violence of some that came along with the Priest, but they raged so, that he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 other friends received stripes, & with much ad•• got to the house: But the raging Sodomites waited about the door to do mischief,

and kept shouting about the house all the while he was speaking but the house being filled with people, they could not come to their purpose: and the Lord so ordered it in the Evening, we came away without any more harm: but not long after, there came some of the Priests party about the house, and asked if Nayler was gone: and when they heard he was gone, they said, He may thank God of that. Thus by the wisedom of God he escaped their violence at that time.

But the Priests missing of their purpose there, the next first day after, they prepared their Sermons suitable to what they in∣tended, possessing the people that he was a blisphemer, and de∣nied the Resurrection, and the Humanity of Christ, and all Au∣thority: and that the Parliament had opened a gap for blas∣ph••my, and as it was said by some of their Hearers, they did God good service that would knock him down. Thus having stirred up the ruder sort, the next day they prevailed with one called a Justice of Peac••: the Priests son got him to come twelve miles from his own house: he was one, as some say, that had been in actual arms against the Parliament, for bringing in of the Scots: and having armed a great multitude against the next morning, they came very early to the house where he was, where many Christian friends would have met that day, and asked for Nayler, threatning to knock out his brains against the stones in the wall and that they would pull down the house, if he would not come out: though the door was never shut a∣gainst them. But some of them came into the house, and com∣manded him to come forth, under pretence to dispute with the Priest. But James 〈◊〉〈◊〉 what they intended, answered, You did not use me so civilly the last time I was amongst you; but if any have a mind they may come in the doors are open. Which answer they told the Priests, whereupon they rushed violently in, and took him by the throat, haled him out of the door into a field, where was a man whom they called a Justice, and with a Pitchfork struck of his Hat, and commanded him to answer to such Que∣stions as the Priests would ask him. Whereupon the Priest be∣gan to ask many Questions, as concerning he Resurrection, the Humanity of Christ, the Scriptures, and divers other Que∣stions,

as the Sacrament, and such like, to which he answered, and proved by Scripture, But at last being asked if Christ was in him, he said, he witnessed him in him in measure. The Priest asked, if Christ was in him as man, Iames said, Christ is not di∣vided; But he urged him to tel whether Christ as man was in him or no. He answered, Christ is not divided; for if he be, he is no more Christ: but I witnesse that Christ is in me, who is God and man in measure. But the Priest said, Christ is in Heaven with a cunnal body. To who said Iames, Christ filleth Heaven and Earth, and is not carnal but spiritual: for if Christ be in Hea∣ven with a carnal body, and the Saints with a spiritual body, that is not proportionable; neither was that a carnal body which same in among the Disciples, the doors being shut: for Christ is a Mystery and thou knowest him not.

Then after much jangling and tempting, the Priest not having got the advantage he waited for, he cryed out unto the people not to receive him into their houses: and alledged that in the second Epistle of Iohn v. 10. Now how suitable that place was for his purpose, all people may see, who have eyes: for there they are forbidden to receive any into their houses, but such who abide in the Doctrine of Christ, and confesse themselves that they had both the Father and the Son, and preach that Doctrine. But the Priests say that is blasphemy.

Theo the Priest turned away from him: upon which the armed multitude began to be violen; against divers friends that were there. Iames hearing friends & cry out, said to the Justice, You will surely set us peaceably into the house again: but seeing him to go away, and leave them in the hands of the rude multitude, he gave himself up, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

Vpon which the Justice turned again, saying, We will see him in the house again: and going towards the house many friends kept close about Iames, exposing their own bodies to the dan∣ger of their weapons, to fax him harmlesse; and so with much ado we go into the house, not receiving much harm Which be∣ing done, and as Iames was pray sing the Lord for his wondrous deliverance from their malicious intants, some heard them say, If we let him go thus, all people will run after him. Whereupon

they agreed that he should be brought before the Justice again, and came with violence, and holed him out again. Then the Justice and the Priest getting a horseback, they caused him to run after them to an Alehouse on the other side the water, where they went in, not suffering one ••riend to go in with Iames; and when he came before the Justice he told him, if he would not put off his hat, he would send him to prison, and also because he Thou∣ed him; for the Justice said, My Commission runs Ye. To which Iames answered, I do it not in contempt, for I own Authority, and honor it according to the Scriptures: But I find none such ho∣nor commanded in Scripture, but for bidden. Then they concluded to commit him for that, and also as a wandering person, and said none there knew him whence he came; for those who knew him were kept out. Then said he to Arthur Scaife Thou knewest me: I was in the Army with thee eight or nine years. It is no matter, said the Justice, thou art no Souldier now.

Then they writ a Mittimus to send him to prison, and carried him to Kirkby Steven that night, and shut him up in a Cham∣ber, and set a guard upon him; but divers of our friends fol∣lowing into the Town, where a great multitude was gather∣ed together for meeting, then did the people come from the Steeple-house, where another had been preaching: for di∣vers of the Priests were gathered together that day: some preaching, some plotting, and some persecuting. Iezabels fast was a preparation for Naboths death. But friends not be∣ing suffered to go into the house where Iames was, they abode in the streets: and some of them being moved to speak to the people, the Priests perceiving the people to give audience to what was spoken, made complaint: Whereupon some were sent forth, and with violence fetched in one Francis How gill a friend, who was speaking to the people, and brought him in∣to the high Priests hall, where were five Priests assembled, with many other of their party, but not one friend. And bringing him before the Justice, he was commanded to put off his hat. He answered, I know no such Law. The Priest said, He wil tread both Ministery and Magistracy under his feet. He said, Thou art a false Accuser, prove wherein. But one that stood by,

took off his hat, and cast it into the fire. Then said the Justice What is this thou speakest against the Ministers? He answered, What hast thou to accuse me of? Whereupon one affirmed that he said, All the Ministers that taught for hire, and in Steeple houses, were enemies, and lyars against Jesus Christ, and no Ministers of Iesus Christ. Vpon that the Justice said, Thou speakest against the Law; for the Law gives them their maintenance He said, I me adle not with the Law, but with their practise. Then said Fran∣cis to the Priest, Didst thou ever know a Minister of Iesus Christ that was a perfecutor, or did Labour to imprison any? And after some more discourse, he said to the Priest, I have seen a great deal of tyranny and persecution in this days actions. Then said the Justice to the people. Take notice, he saith the Law I act by is tyranny and persecution. To which the people asse••ted. Then said Francis, Thou maist give out to the people what thou wils, but I speak not of the Law, but of you actions. Vpon that, he was sent to prison, a guard of eight men were set over them, who spent the night in drinking, swearing, and filchy and unclean talking: and the more they weye desired by the people to take heed of sin, the more filthy they did appear: but these are the sit∣test inst umenis so acting the Priests intentions, being mem∣bers of their Churches. The next day hey were guarded to Appleby: but some friends following, could not be suffered to pass on the streets that way, so great was their envy against all that set their sace that way. And the Prisoners being brought thuther, much m ans was used that none should come at them but such as was sent to tempt them. There they were kept un∣til the Sessions, in which time they sent up and down the coun∣try to seek for any wh would witness any thing against them and improved their u most interest for then advantage. A Ju∣ly was chosen, divers of them were resolved on the business, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that it was told the Prisoners what would become of them: be∣fore the day of examination came: and it was accordingly: For the day came, and judgement passed: but the Prisoners 〈◊〉〈◊〉 saw their Accusers, not know who they are, but against the day, the Priests had prepared three large Petitions, stufe we most filthy untruths and slanders; raised out, of the botton la

pit: but not one of them proveth, though one of the Justices sa•• to them. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is fit they should be proved, neither was there any thing in them, which they could charge upon the Prisoners, save onely whenth power of the Lord had manifested at their mee∣tings, in shaking proud flesh, and pouring out his spirit upon ma∣ny, especially, as they said, upon little Children; which the Priests concluded was Sorc••ry and Witchery, and of the Devil: hereby declaring themselves to be of that generation who called the good man of the house Belzobub; and if they should not do the same to them of his houshold, the words of Christ could not be fulfilled.

Likewise they had gathered up all reports, true or false of things done by many that the Prisoners had not seen the faces of, nor e∣ver know; thinking thereby to make them odious to the people. They also brought two Priests our of Laneashire, to swear things that another man had spoken in the presence of sour Justices of the peace, and for which the man had been tryed and cleared: And these they brought, thinking to adde afflictions to the Pri∣soners bonds. But he is kept in great peace and joy, having not a∣ny comfort from man, but from God, who hath appeared to him in this condition, and hath given him assurance of his love, in whom he rests. To whom be praise, honour and glory, for ever

Amen.