The Saints testimony finishing through sufferings: or, The proceedings of the court against the servants of Jesus, who were called before them to be tryed at the late assizes (or sessions) held in Banbury in the county of Oxon, the 26 day of the seventh moneth, 1655.: Also a relation of Margret Vivers, going to the steeple-house in Banbury, after the assize (or sessions) as aforesaid: and a testimony against false prophets, and false doctrine; ... And the manner of Richard Farnsworth imprisonment at Banbury, with a short examination and answer. And the cause of his detainment. Also, a warning from the spirit of the Lord (in his hand-maid Anne Audland) to the persecuting priest and people, &c. And a letter of Robert Rich to the magistrates of Banbury, ... Likewise a letter of Tho. Curtis to the professed minister called Samuel VVells in Banbury. And a certificate wherein is manifested the diligence that was used to know the causes of the prisoners commitments ... (Anne Audland, Iane VVaugh, Sarah Tims, and Nathaniel VVeston) as wel as Robert Rich, ... With a paper relating the sufferings of the innocent.

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Title
The Saints testimony finishing through sufferings: or, The proceedings of the court against the servants of Jesus, who were called before them to be tryed at the late assizes (or sessions) held in Banbury in the county of Oxon, the 26 day of the seventh moneth, 1655.: Also a relation of Margret Vivers, going to the steeple-house in Banbury, after the assize (or sessions) as aforesaid: and a testimony against false prophets, and false doctrine; ... And the manner of Richard Farnsworth imprisonment at Banbury, with a short examination and answer. And the cause of his detainment. Also, a warning from the spirit of the Lord (in his hand-maid Anne Audland) to the persecuting priest and people, &c. And a letter of Robert Rich to the magistrates of Banbury, ... Likewise a letter of Tho. Curtis to the professed minister called Samuel VVells in Banbury. And a certificate wherein is manifested the diligence that was used to know the causes of the prisoners commitments ... (Anne Audland, Iane VVaugh, Sarah Tims, and Nathaniel VVeston) as wel as Robert Rich, ... With a paper relating the sufferings of the innocent.
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London :: Printed for Giles Calvert, at the Black-Spread-Eagle, neer the west end of Pauls,
1655.
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Subject terms
Persecution -- England
Quakers -- England
R. F. -- (Richard Farnworth), -- d. 1666.
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http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A93230.0001.001
Cite this Item
"The Saints testimony finishing through sufferings: or, The proceedings of the court against the servants of Jesus, who were called before them to be tryed at the late assizes (or sessions) held in Banbury in the county of Oxon, the 26 day of the seventh moneth, 1655.: Also a relation of Margret Vivers, going to the steeple-house in Banbury, after the assize (or sessions) as aforesaid: and a testimony against false prophets, and false doctrine; ... And the manner of Richard Farnsworth imprisonment at Banbury, with a short examination and answer. And the cause of his detainment. Also, a warning from the spirit of the Lord (in his hand-maid Anne Audland) to the persecuting priest and people, &c. And a letter of Robert Rich to the magistrates of Banbury, ... Likewise a letter of Tho. Curtis to the professed minister called Samuel VVells in Banbury. And a certificate wherein is manifested the diligence that was used to know the causes of the prisoners commitments ... (Anne Audland, Iane VVaugh, Sarah Tims, and Nathaniel VVeston) as wel as Robert Rich, ... With a paper relating the sufferings of the innocent." In the digital collection Early English Books Online 2. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A93230.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 16, 2024.

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The Priests crueltie manifested, &c.

VVHen Christ Jesus (the Dear Son of God) came to testifie against the world, that the deeds thereof was evill,* 1.1 the Priests and their par∣ty held counsells against him, and sought false witness to take away his life, and they accused him for blasphemy, and said, what further need had they of witness against him? Herod also, and his men of war, they set him at nought; and both Pilate and Herod became friends to joyn persecution against him, and that evill seed had their hands in shedding his innocent blood; and af∣ter they had done so by him,* 1.2 his Servants were evilly entreated from the persecuting Priests, and seed of evill doers; Peter and Iohn were put in the Prison, and afterwards beaten, and commanded to speak no more in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, but for all that they could not but speak the thing which they had heard and seen: And Stephen were judged by the priests and their counsell, to be a Blasphemer, though he was a man ful of the Ho∣ly Ghost; and so ignorant were they of the Spirit of truth, that they persecuted them that were guided by it; and out of envy and malice & shed innocent blood, and took away Stephens life, by stoning him to death as a Malefactor, under the pretence of a Blasphemer, when no such thing could be proved a∣gainst him, though the Greeks, Libertines, Stoicks,* 1.3 and Epicarians sought to encounter him. And Iohn Baptist he were behaedded by Herods command, though he were convinced, and knew [by that in his conscience] that he were an upright Man. And Paul he were counted a Pestilent Fellow, a mover of Sedition and a Ring-leader of the Sect of the Nazarens, & they cryed out, Men of Israel, holy, this is the man that turneth the world up-side-down; and they drew him out of the Temple, and forthwith, the doors were shut, he were beaten and abused for going into their Markets and Synagogues to reason and dis∣pute with the Iews, and for testifying against the outward Temple, and that Temple-worship, and bearing witness against their deceits, who also was cal∣led of Christ, and both chosen and sent, to turn people from darkness to the Light, and from the power of Satan unto God, Act. 26. Yet so blinde and ignorant of the life of truth were the Priests and their counsell, that they persecuted Paul as they did the rest, and said he was a mover of sedition, and accused him as a heretick, and sought by all means to take away his life, though he told them of his choosing and Call, Commission and sending, they could not be∣lieve him, that knew not the Spirit by which he were guided and sent, who also told them, that in the way which they called heresie, did he worship the God of his Fathers; yet for all that were he imprisoned, beaten, and set in the Stocks:* 1.4 And the same portion from the Priests and their party doth the Servants of Jesus meet with in the world: Wo to the wicked seed of evill do∣ers

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and persecutors; Priest and people, you are seen with the Light, and you Spirits are tryed,* 1.5 and your wayes comprehended, and all your false worships and you are found out of the Doctrine of Christ, & in the steps of the false pro∣phets, and amongst the Scribes and pharisees, called of men Masters, and hath the chiefe place in the Assembly, stands praying in the Synagogues, and bind heavy burdens upon the people, and grievous to be born; and as Christ cryed wo to your Fathers, the same Woes are to you their off-spring, who are found with their Marks, and following their steps, you are clearly seen with the light, and comprehended, and with the Light judged and condemned, though to some you appear like Graves which men pass over and are not aware; wo un∣to you whited walls, and painted Sepulchers, ye serpents, ye generation of Vipers, how shall you escape the damnation of hel, as Christ hath said, Mat. 23.33,* 1.6 &c. Mark 12.38, 39, 40.

A few Observations of the Lords sending his Servants informer dayes, &c.

First. THE Lord God of Power, in former Ages, sent forth his Prophets and Apostles, Messengers and Servants, his Spirit, in the power and life,* 1.7 to deliver his massages and do his service, to witness al∣so against the world, and the wickedness thereof; some to tell the people of their sins, and cry aloud, & spare not, and to reprove in the Gate, and cry out against pride and oppression, and were signes and wonders in Israel, and none could believe their report and witness with them, where the Arm of the Lord was unrevealed, yet they might do it in obedience to the word of the Lord, though they became signes and wonders also to the world, as Isajah was, that went naked and bare-foot three years, in obedience to the Word of the Lord, as a signe and wonder unto Aegypt and Ethiopia, as it is said, Isa. the 20. Chap.

2. Some went in obedience to the command of the Lord to cry out against preaching for hire, and against injustice, and judging for rewards, and not suffering the cause of the poor and needy to come before them,* 1.8 &c. and so told their Princes were rebellious, and companions of, or with thieves, as wel as their Judges were ravening wolves, and some amongst them roaring Lyons; as Micah, and Zepheniah, and the Lords prophets did, Isa. 5.21, 22, 23. Mic. 3.8, 9, 10, 11.

3. And some were sent from one place to another, in obedience to the word and spirit of the Lord, and sometimes knew to whom to go, and what to say; and other sometimes they knew to whom (and whither, or where) to go, and not at that present time what to say, yet they did wel for to obey, though they sate where those they were sent to sate; and remained where they

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remained (if in silence) as Ezekiel the Lords Prophet did,* 1.9 seven dayes be∣fore the word of the Lord came unto him what to say, when he was sent to them of the Captivity of Tel-abib, that dwelt by the River Chebar; and as Ezekiel, the true Prophet of the Lord, went amongst them, in obedience to the word and spirit of the Lord, and sate (silent) amongst them seven dayes, before the word of the Lord came unto him what to say; it were no delusion nor deceit: And if any of the Lords Servants, in obedience to the word and spirit of the Lord, should be thereby guided so to do, they would neither be deluded nor deceived in (and by) so doing, no more then he was, though the world know it not (who were ever strangers to the Lord;) therefore let flesh be silent at the work of the Spirit of God, and all such as knows not the eternall word and message of God.

Who are no Vagabonds nor Iesuits, and who are the Vaga¦bonds, as herein wil appear.

First, THe Ministers of Christ that went up and down, preaching the word of eternall life, and were sent to turn people from the dark∣ness to the Light, and from the power of Satan unto God, and though some of them might have no certain dwelling place,* 1.10 yet were they neither Jesuits, Fugitives, nor Vagabond fellows, no more are such as in o∣bedience to the power of the Spirit of God that do so now: The Son of man, though he had not whereon to lay his head, yet he were no Fugitive, Jesuit, nor Vagabond, nor such as in obedience to the Lord, that wandred some∣times to and fro, and were in Sheep-skins, and Goat-skins, as wel as in dens and caves of the earth, of whom the world was not worthy, Heb. 11.36.37, 38. they were neither Jesuits, Fugitives, nor Vagabonds, no more are such now, to do the work of the Lord, and work in his Vineyard, whose be∣ing is in God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, though they may go to and fro to preach the word of life, in obedience to the commands of the Lord, and doing his wil as he of them requireth, though contrary to the will of man, who lives in Disobedience to the power and spirit of the Lord, as Cain the Fugitive and Vagabond did, and as such in the envy who are in that na∣ture contrary to God, and walking in Cains way now do,* 1.11 and to them is the curse and the wo, Iude 11.

2 The Ministers of Christ aforesaids did witness against deceit, in streets, markets, and Synagogues (yet were they neither Fugitives nor Vagabonds) though for it they were haled out, and stoned, persecuted, by the chiefe Priests consent, and abused by their party, and Vagabond fellows, who in persecuting the truth deny the Lord, as such Vagabond fellows that par∣akes with the chiefe Priests to persecute the Saints and servants of Jesus do

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now,* 1.12 as well as the persecuting Priests and Vagabond fellowes that lived in Cains nature, as their forefathers formerly did, who persecuted the Servants of Jesus for witnessing the truth, and testifying against deceit, in Streets, Markets, and Synagogues, or Idolls-Temples, as their off spring do now, persecute those that do as the servants of Jesus therein did, and against them they act and vent forth their envy and cruelty, by the chief Priests consent, and their pratakers act, and thereby they manifest themselves to be of Cains stock, and their sacrifices to be rejected, as his was, who make it appear what a seed of evil doers, and a cursed Generation they are.

An Account of Richard Farnsworth's Commitment to Prison in Banbury, the 30th. of the 7th. Month; and his Examination and Answer, in brief, at the Court before the Mayor and Iustices the day following, being the first of the eigth Month, 1655.

AS he with another friend was walking peacably up the street to a friends house in Banbury, meeting in the street Aholiab VVest, called mayor, & VVilliam Allen called a Justice, with many other people of the town, &c. The said Mayor and Justice, as aforesaid, so called, came to him very much enraged, as he was walking on the Street, & VVilliam Allen a Justice, so cal∣led, belonging to the Borrough, he did strike, or pluck off his hat, & grinn'd at him, and heaved his fist in his wrath, and could scarce hold his hands; and then to fulfil his envie, he cryed have him away to the Stocks, the which they were doing in obedience to his will, and after they were gone from the place, and halikg him towards the Stocks, the said VVilliam Allen to shew his confusion in his actings, as wel as his self-contradictions, he came to the men and said, bring him back and have him to Prison, and they did not de∣lay, his words to disobey, but with all expedition haled him down to the prison out of the Street, and then (R. F.) he asked what fact he had com∣mitted, that deserved either Stocks or imprisonment, and desired of the Ju∣stice, so called, to know the Fact and the Law, by vertue whereof the Fact became a crime, which were denyed to be made known unto him; but with violence were he haled, and thrust into close prison, and there remaineth. The next day they held a Court, and called him before them, being the first day of the 8. month, 1655.

And the Mayor and Justices (so called) being set, and R.F. brought before them, according to their command; Aholiab VVest, called Mayor, he asked (R. F.) his name, and where he lived; to the which he answered very mlid∣ly, and said, said, That as he stood in Relation to God, in whom his soul lived; and as were a witness of the immortall seed, in the Regeneration born of the Spirit, and

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begotten by the eternall word, which endureth for ever, 1 Pet. 1.22, 23: he said in that relation as he there stood, he had a new name given him of God, which no man knows, but he that hath it, Rev. 2.17. And as he was in Rela∣tion to man, he had a name given him by man, to be known by to man, accor∣ding to the account of the world, called in the outward by the name, Richard Farnsworth.

Then the Mayor asked him again where he lived; to the which he answered and said, in the first place in God, (and as the Apostle, as wel as the Poet hath said) in whom we live, move, and have our being, &c. (Act. 7.28.) Then said the Mayor, But have you not a being in the world? I answer, said he, That resi∣dence is being, my being is with the Lord; but an outward residence, or being I have, said he, at a place called Tickhill in Yorkshire: Then said the Mayor, But how long have you been here in this Town? To the which (R. F.) he answered and said, Four or five dayes, if not a week. The Mayor asked him what he did there, to the which he answered, he came to visit his friends, &c. Then the Mayor asked him where he had been since he came into the town; he answered, The most at Edward Vivers: then Iohn Austine (who is called a Iu∣stice, he asked him if he were the Messenger of God, to the which he answe∣red, There was but the Messengers of Christ and of Antichrist (in them two rela∣tions) and the message of Antichrist he did deny.

After that, the Mayor said, how might they know that, for they might not expect Revelations now? to the which he answered and said, Though he (to wit, the Mayor) and they did not expect Revelations, &c. that did not hin∣der the work of the Spirit of God for being to them who did expect and wait for them, that wait for the grace which is brought unto such at the revelati∣on of Iesus Christ, according to the Apostles Doctrine, (1 Pet. 1.12, 13.) For the deep things of God are revealed by the Spirit of God unto his servants and children, as it is written. And saith Christ (Mat. 11.21.)* 1.13 No man knoweth the Son but the Father, neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son wil reveal him: Then such as deny Revelations by the Son, they deny the appointed way and means of attaining to the true knowledg of God the Father, and the Son. And Christ hath said the same concerning the knowledg of God by Revelation, as a second confirmation, in Luke (the 10.22. ver. witnessing and agreeing with that in Matthew (the 2.27.) And Paul an Apostle, not of man neither by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead, did certifie unto the brethren that the Ghospel which he preachnd was not of man, for he nei∣ther received of man, neither was he taught it of man, but by the Revelati∣on of Jesus Christ, Gal. 1.1. and the 11, & 12. ver. Then VVilliam Allen (cal∣led a Justice) said it was not the Revelation of Jesus Christ in him, but by Christ unto him; then (R.F.) he answered, that the same Paul said, when it pleased God to reveal his Son in him, that he might preach him among the heathen, he immediately preached him, not conferring with flesh and blood, after he were so revealed in him, Gal. 1.15.16. So there was a Revelation of Christ within, and after he was so revealed (within) in Paul, he went to

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preach him forth among the heathen, and gentiles, and said to the Collossians, great is the mystery of godliness, Christ in you the hope of glory, whom we preach and teach, warning every man every where, that we may present them perfect in Christ Iesus, Col. 1.25, 26, 27, 28. ver.

And after that there was a few words spoken concerning the Objection of the womans non-permission, which before is answered; and when it was as∣ked them on the Bench, if the Spirit of God might not speak in the Temple, they were then put to a stand, or partly silent about the same; and R.F. then and there said, if any of them would deny it, he would by plain Scripture prove that the Spirit of God might speak in his Temple (meaning either in the body of male or female) as aforetime it did;* 1.14 and little was said thereun∣to at that present, then when R.F. was there speaking about the Saints bodies being the Temples for God to dwel in, as God hath said, I wil dwel in them and walk in them, 2 Cor. 6.16. Then said Iohn Austine, who is called a Ju∣stice, if God did dwel in them, he said where was his legs, &c. for the which VVilliam Allen, called a Justice, gave a secret check, seeming to be troubled thereat: And (R.F.) he told Iohn Austine Justice (so called) that God was a spirit, and is as the Scripture witnesseth, Iohn 4.23, 24. And Christ is a mystery, Col. i, 26, 27. & therefore it may be said, that great is the mystery of godli∣ness, God manifest inflesh, for the would by their wisdome cannot find it out. Read and consider, Isa. 29.10, 11.

And now that I have left that place of Scripture upon you, that was spo∣ken to such in your natures; I shall come on to what was said by you, in some things at the bench, with answers and enlargments thereunto by proof from the Scripture, or as followeth.

Aholiab VVest the aforesaid Mayor of Banbury, who sate in the Court with the two Justices, he asked the Town-Clerk for the Oath of Abjuration, and the Town-Clerk said he had it not there, but he would go for it, the which he did, and tendred it unto (R. F.) the servant of the Lord, and as he read it, the said Richard Farnsworth did in the Court there, in the presence of God by whose power he were kept and upheld, utterly deny and detest all Popish wayes, and Jesuiticall Opinions, whatsoever, and those things contained in that Act, or oath of Abjuration, and stands a witness against all Popish wayes and false worships, but to Sweare, as they would have had, he said he could not for Conscience sake do it, for it was (and is) contrary to the command and Doctrine of Christ; then they alledged that an Oath was for the end of all strife and controversie amongst men, which is answered as followeth; yea, in the time of old it was so, when Oaths were ordained for that end; but Christ (the Oath of God) ended all Oathes to his,* 1.15 and where strife and controversie is, there Christ is not yet learned, who brings good will and peace to such as in his Doctrine abide, who hath said, That in the time of old it was said; thou shalt perform thine Oathes unto the Lord▪ But saith he now, I say unto you swear not at all, Mal. 5.

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Then it was said to R.F. by one, that if he read on, he might see that Christ Jesus said, in all communications let your yea be yea, and nay, nay; to the which he answered the party before the bench, that he might observe that Yea, and Nay in their places, was as binding in the Doctrine of Christ, and the New-Covenant, as Oathes was in the Old-Covenant, and therefore Christ forbad all Oathes; and now they that own Christ and his Doctrine, who abide therein, are to let their yea, be yea, and nay, nay: and deny all Oathes, for so hath Christ commanded; And the Apostle saith, Above all things my Brethren, swear not at all, least ye fall into condemnation. Iam. 5.12. But let your yea, be yea, and your nay, nay: So they that swear, (and they that cause men to do it) are in the evill, under the condemnation, and out of the Doctrine of Christ and his Apostles, and the Scripture saith, That he that transgresseth, and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ, hath not God; considder of this, 2 Iohn 9. But be that abideth in the Doctrine of Christ, hath both the Father and the Son.

They alledged that the Prophet said they should swear (the Lord lived, and swear) in righteousness. Answer, Yea it was so, and there was in the Pro∣phets dayes that swore the Lord lived, and swore (in unrighteousness, for they swore) falsely, as the true Prophet hath said, Ier. 5.2. and though the Prophet did say they should swear the Lord lived and swear in righteousness, Christ Iesus the (end of Oathes to his, and) substance of what the Prophets prophesied of, he is come, and forbids all Oathes, and saith, Swear not at all; and if it be alledged that Jo∣seph in Aegypt swore, it is answered, for thus saith the Lord, Out of Egypt have I called my Son, hear him, and he saith, swear not at all: and if it be alledged that Jacob swore, Christ he reignes over the house of Jacob, who saith, swear not at all; and if it be alledged that Solomon swore, I answer, Christ is greater than Solo∣mon, who forbids swearing, and all Oathes, saying, swear not at all. And if it be alledged that the angell swore, true he did so, but thus saith the Lord, I bring forth my first born, & only begotten Son, let all the Angels worship him, hear what he saith, and he forbids oathes, who saith, swear not at all, and they are Christs friends (as he hath said) that keeps his commands; and saith he, if ye love me keep my commandments; and they that loved him, as his do now; said, By this we know we love him, because we keep his commandments; then blessed are they who abide in Christs doctrine, and swear not, in obedience to Christ, and keeps his commands, that they may have right to the Tree of Life, and may enter in through the gates into the city; Rev. 22.13, 14. For the unrighteous, and such as disobey the truth, who keepeth not Christs commands, but lives in the transgression, serving the evil, and so fall under the condemnation of the Devill, they and such like are shut out of Gods Kingdome, and enters not into the holy city, as they may read; and the scriptures stands a witness against them, and all such as are of the e∣vill seed, persecuting the godly in Christ Jesus, 2 Thess. 2.10, 11. 2 Thess. 1.6, 7, 8, 9. 1 Cor 6.9, 10. Gal. 5.19, 20, 21. Rom. 1.27, 28, 29. &c. Rev. 20.10, &c. Rev. 21.8. & 27. Rev. 22.15, &c.

And when the servant of Jesus could not break the command of Christ, nor transgress his Doctrine to swear, they said they would return up his name to

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the Exchequer; who told them, they might do as they were ordered; then the Mayor said, if he would pay his Fees and go out of the Town that night, he might go free; and Richard Farnsworth answered, who could not be a friend to deceit, that he could not pay fees for a nights false imprisonment, and withall, asked what Law he had broken or transgressed, and withall said, if they knew any evill by him acted or done, they might there declare it, but they said he justified himself, and they feared he was deceived, who bad them lay open the ground of self, with the fruits and effects of it, if they could, and convince him of it, but they said they would not meddle with that, and words to that effect; and one Iohn Austine, called a Iustice, asked him whether the Spirit were created or in-created? to the which (Rich. Farnsworth) he answered, That the spirit of God, which is the Saints guide, is eternall, and they that are gui∣ded by the spirit of God,* 1.16 are the sons of God, as it is written, Rom. 8.14. And God hath sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, whereby we cry abba Father, Gal. 4.6. Then the Mayor said, he had need to take heed he spoke not blasphemy, would he say that he was a son of God? whose answer is, That such as were, and are born of the spirit of God, and guided thereby, are, and were, the sons of God, that were and are so born. 1 Pet. 1.22, 13. and guided by the spi∣rit of God into the truth, and the Holy Vnction its self. Iohn 16.13. 1 Iohn 2.20.27. And they said, (as such with them and the same spirit, being guided thereby, so may say) Behold! what manner of love is this that the father hath be∣stowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God? And now we are the Sons of God, therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not, as saith the Scripture, 1 Iohn 3.1. and to witness with the Scriptures by the Spirit of Truth, according to the work of the power and spirit of God, accor∣ding to measure and manifestation (is no blasphemy, though the Jews said it was) and that may be witnessed unto, though persecutors and the world know it nor, nor receive it, yet he that sanctifieth, and they that are sanctifi∣ed are of him, and are of one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them Brethren, as it is written and witnessed, Heb. 2.10, 11. and when he would have disputed the case with them, if they would have stood to Dispute accor∣ding to the Scripture and the work of the spirit of God, then Iustice Austine (so called) said, Had he the same spirit that the apostles or Christ had? Who answered and said, that if any man that had not the spirit of Christ, he was none of his, as they might read in Romans the 8th. and the spirit that the apostles had, or received of God, was the spirit of the Son, Gal. 4.8. and of the Father, 1 Iohn 3.23.24. and Christ said it was not them that spoke, but the spirit of their Father that spoke in them: then the said Iustice Austine, so called, said to R.F. hold thou thy tongue, and see if the spirit will speak, to the which answer was given, the spirit made use of the tongue to speak forth the praise of the Lord; and let Iohn Austine here observe his ignorance of the teachings and work of the spirit of God, for the Lord opening the mouth the tongue and lips shews forth his praise, and God having sent the spiri, of his Son into our hearts, we cry abba, father, and to him return all praiset

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But to conclude and be short, observe this all you that read it, and take notice of the actings of the Magistrates here at Banbury, who caused Richard Farnsworth to be taken out of the streets, as he were passing quietly in them, and put him that night in prison, and called him the next day before them, where they held their Court, and after some dispute, but the breach of no Law laid to his charge, nor any accuser were against him (but such as sate to Judge) and no Law mentioned, though desired, that were transgressed, and after they had tendred the Oath of Abjuration unto him, who denyed what was in it contained, and all Popish wayes, and Jesuiticall Opinions whatsoever; then the mayor & others said, if that Richard Farnsworth would pay the Sergeant his Fees, and go out of the town that night, he might go free, but if not, he should be re-committed, or sent to Prison again; but Ri∣chard Farnsworth could not be a friend to deceit, nor pay sees for a nights false imprisonment, taken as he were quietly, with another friend, walking up the street, and so they made a Mittimus and gave to the Goaler, and both before and after he had it given to him, they made a speech, and said, if he would pay his sees in the Court, he might go free; and when he could not for conscience sake towards God then do it; after that one of their party said, Who was self will'd now? to which he (to wit, R. F.) answered and said, Not he that denyeth to pay sees for a nights false imprisonment, but such as did so in their wills, wilfully persecute and imprison the servants of Jesus, contrary to Law and Gospel both, and here it is to be observed, that Richard Farnsworth's detaining in Prison, is because he could not be a friend to deceit, and acknowledg a false imprisonment, and pay fees for the same, being taken out of the high way or street, as he were passing quietly on, and sent to Prison; and to colour over their deceit withall, they have added se∣verall lyes in a Mittimus, and here is kept in prison for standing faithful to the Lord, and cannot have any fellowship with the unfruitfull works of darkness, but rather reprove them, Eph. 5.11.

And their partiallity is to be observed here in this case as wel as the rest, for two were committed to Prison in Banbury, and kept three dayes and three nights, and no fees, as it is said, were demanded of them, but put out of pri∣son, and one out at one end of the town, and another at the other end, and yet though they did so, being then, they may be ashamed of what they had done, but hardning their selves against the truth, to act wilfully in their wills, they detain one for not paying sees for one nights imprisonment, for the breach of no Law, then either proved against him or laid to his charge.

VVritten in Banbury the beginning of the 8th. Month, in the Year, accor∣ding to the worlds account, October the 7th. 1655.

Notes

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