Taylor's Case.

AN Information Exhibited against him in the Crown Office, for uttering of divers Blasphemous Expressions, horrible to hear, (viz.) That Jesus Christ was a Bastard, a Whoremaster, Religion was a Cheat; and that he neither feared God, the Devil, or Man.

Being upon this Trial, he acknowledged the speaking of the Words, except the word Bastard; and for the rest, he pretended to mean them in another Sense than they ordinarily hear, (viz.) Whoremaster, i. e. That Christ was Master of the Whore of Babylon, and such kind of Evasions for the rest. But all the Words being proved by several Witnesses, he was found Guilty.

And Hale said, That such kind of wicked Blasphemous words were not only an Offence to God and Religion; but a Crime against the Laws, State and Government, and therefore punishable able in this Court. For to say, Religion is a Cheat, is to dissolve all those Obligations whereby Civil Societies are preserved, and that Christianity is parcel of the Laws of England; and therefore to reproach the Christian Religion, is to speak in Subversion of the Law.

Wherefore they gave Judgment upon him, (viz.) To stand in the Pillory in Three several places, and to pay One thousand Marks Fine; and to find Sureties for his Good Behaviour during Life.