t those villains, who were half drunk, and beat Mr. Tryon. I say, he had bad all his goods again. God above that hears me, knows my soul, it was not intended to rob him, or to hurt him, it was to ingratiate myself: the reasons I told him yesterday. He is the worse man, the best part of 10,000l. since his wife died; and I had lately discovered which way and how: I have told him of the person, but this is not a place to name him, or speak of these things; I hope God will give him wisdom to avoid dangers, and to make good of what I told him yesterday; a worse thing will come: for he will be robbed indeed, if he have not a care: He should have been robbed about a year since, and he did employ me to enquire after it, and discover it: I have given him warning several times: He is an honest brave gentleman, a good christian, and an honest, charitable man. But, Mr. Sheriffs, assure yourselves, so sure as I am going to heaven, I shall be there in glory, so sure had Mr. Tryon (if I had not met with those two foolish, timorous officers) have had his goods and money again, there never had one word of this business been known. It was a sad fate, that these two fellows out of a little fear should be the occasion of my coming hither; but God forgive them; Stubs and Lyon, I mean, these two villains, I have nobody to thank for my blood, but them; and yet do I free them, and freely forgive them: And I forgive the whole world, as freely as I desire God and Christ Jesus should forgive me. Mr. Sheriffs, are you satisfied in this? Would you have me say any more touching the fact? Mr. Sheriff. It is satisfaction to us, if you are satisfied yourself. Turner. This morning as I was coming out of the prison, to add scandal to scandal, one came and charged me I should clear myself about a tire in Lothbury, in the new buildings, whether I had any hand in that; the Lord Jesus Christ knows my soul, 'till even now they asked me the question, I never thought of it, but was then heartily sorry, and in my bed when I heard of it. Another sent me a letter, but I tore it, one John Marshall, touching some money that was lost in Coleman-Street; he might as well have asked the person to be born, as have asked me, for I knew not of it. And one brought a deed of one Katharine, I forgot her other naine, alack, I know nothing of it. There was another large paper put into my hands, touching a man that died in my house, one Turner, a tall, proper gentleman, a clothier of Kent; he came to my house, and desired me to furnish one Daintry with 5007. which he had a place at the Custom-House for: This Turner was a stranger to me, only a namesake: It is thought, as by the paper was hinted, that he should have something put in his drink, which should occasion his death; he drank nothing at my house, more than what my wife and self, and two or three honest gentlemen, that were there. He told my wife once, Cousin, saith he, I am very ill, pray give me a cup of your water; he had drank a glass or VOL. VI. two of wine; there was but one bottle among five of them; and soon after, this gentleman fell asleep, with his hand on his cheek, and t never waked again: He died of an apoplexy, or lethargy, as the Coroner found it. I must clear myself of this, because I have received a paper, it was at the end thereof hinted, Whe ther I did know if Daintry was not concerned. in this business? The man could not put any thing into our drink sure; I have heard of your Spanish tricks, but I must free Daintry of that, according as I understand it. He was to do Daintry the courtesy, and surely he would not so reward him. I believe Daintry was as free as any body; but the Jury and Coroner did return, that he died of God's visitation, a natural disease, and I hope I have satisfied the world of that. Ordinary of Newgate. Pray col. Turner, know you nothing of a glass jewel, delivered to the countess of Devonshire, in the room of another? Turner. I know nothing of such a thing; I never had any jewels of her in my life; she is an honourable person, she will not speak of such a thing. I will now give account of my faith. I have been bred up a true Protestant of the Primitive Church of England; my father bred me, and instructed me very strictly in the law of God: I will not tell you when I came to apprentice, I will let that alone: I am free of the company of Drapers; and I have lived civilly and honestly in St. Martin's, at the upper end of Cheapside; I am sure there are a thousand sorrowful souls and weeping eyes for me this day. Sir Rd. Ford. Pray put that little time that you have to spend here to good use, and leave off these relations. Turner. Have a little patience, let me satisfy the world of some particulars; I was a constant church-man, it is well known to my parishion ers; I never durst see a man in the church with his hat on, it troubled me very much. If a man comes before a judge on earth, he is not suffered to wear his hat, much less should they before the magistrate of magistrates, the God of Heaven. Sir Rd. Ford. Hear me one word; those reverend persons about you, methinks they should admonish you to leave off these dis in the morning, two little glasses of sack, and one glass of claret at dinner. I went to church with this reverend gentleman, where I received a great deal of comfort to my soul, for which sermon, and fit for persons in our condition. I did perceive they wanted a clerk, and I took upon me to officiate as clerk, and I was happy I had that opportunity. I came home, and remained in my chamber. About eight or nine o'clock, Justice Stringer came to me in Chancery-Lane, and two or three knights and persons of quality, eight or nine in all: they had one bottle of sack among them, of which I drank one little cup: and for the swearing of those oaths, I did not do it, I hate them, they were untruths, and the Lord forgive them that raised that scandal. sent, and all the sins of the whole world. I do beg, that God will open the heart of any man that staggers in faith, to confirm him. I do say, and pawn my salvation upon it, That no man dare gainsay that Jesus Christ died for sin-I thank him: He made a sound scholar-like ners, of whom I am chief: That man that lays hold upon Christ by faith, the gates of hell shall never prevail against him. Truly, I am thought to be a great drinker, a companykeeper; my occasions did, call me to taverns, but I bless God, I think there is no man (pardon me, for I will not speak it with ostentation,) I hope no man ever saw me disguised in drink, to my knowledge, except it was when I was a boy. I am truly, heartily, and sincerely sorrowful for my sins: I do confess them before my God, and the whole world, that the least of my sins are able to throw me into hell; but that the blood of Jesus Christ, that doth wash Sir, I must desire that you would now join away the sins of the whole world, bath purged with me in prayer; but I have forgot one thing, and cleansed mine. I say, I do here heartily, it is short: that night the sessions broke up, I solemnly, and wholly confess my sins, and am was put in the Hole: it is a most fearful, sad, truly sorrowful for them; that is my confession, deplorable place; Hell itself, in comparison with more trouble of soul than I am able to cannot be such a place; there is neither bench, express. Here I have made my true and faith-stool, nor stick for any person there; they lie ful confession. In the second place, I have made restitution, so far as in me lay; the gentleman hath every one of his jewels again, every farthing-worth; nay, he hath 2,000. worth more than he missed, therefore there was no intention of felony: But my sad fate in meeting with those two sad officers, God of his mercy everlastingly forgive them Mr. Ordinary. Express your charity as to the world. Turner. Do not put me out of my way, I must go step by step. First, I have given you my own confession secondly, I have made restitution, I have restored ail to my power: the third thing that is behind of a christian, is my true and unfeigned repentance, and my charity to the whole world; that God, that is the searcher of all secrets, that tries the reins, that knows all the inner parts,knows my soul, that I long and desire to be with Jesus Christ in glory. Mr. Ordinary. Which is best of all. Turner. I am in perfect charity with the whole world; it is expected by some, that I should fall upon some persons to recriminate on them; I shall not do it, the Lord God of his infinite mercy forgive them. It was reported to his majesty, that on Sunday last I was drunk and that I abused this reverend person Mr. Ordinary This news was brought me by some that were present when the king was told such stories, that I was drunk, and ranted, and swore God damn me, and God sink me, and that I had 5,000l. and I would have a pardon and cared not for the business, and would have a pardon when I please. This great reproach was thrown upon me to the king, and that, with some other scandals, has taken off the king's affections: but this is altogether false, for Mr. Hicks, my landlord, can tell, that on Sunday morning he would have had me drank my morning's draught; I told him, no, I would -not drink: I only drank one small cup of cyder like swine upon the ground, one upon another howling and roaring; it was more terrible to me than this death: I would humbly beg, that Hole may be provided with some kind of boards like a court of guard, that men may lie down upon them in ease; for when they should be best prepared for their ends, they are most tormented, lying only upon the ground; they had better take them and hang them as soon as they have their sentence. Jackson, the keeper. Seventeen out of nineteen made their escapes out of that Hole, they having only a form there. Turner. I did with these poor souls pray heartily; none were able to pray, poor creatures! two were dying; I prayed with them, comforted them, assisted them, and gave them five shillings when I came out of the Hole: now pray join with me in prayer. Sir Richard Ford. If I did think there were a reprieve to come for you, I could be contented to spin out the time thus; but, in good earnest, I expect none; unless you had an apprehension you were not to die, you would not thus run to so many impertinencies, that methinks, cannot fit you for death. Turner. Truly, I expect none; pray join with me in prayer. (Then he prayed some time, and Mr. Weldon, the ordinary of Newgate, joined with him in prayer,) Mr. Ordinary. The Lord Jesus have mercy upon thee! Turner. Mr. Sheriffs, God be with ye: pray remember my duty and respects to my Lord Mayor, and to all the aldermen, and to all their families. Turner. Executioner, I charge you meddle not with my cloaths. Serjeants. Col. Turner, we will take care of them. Turner. "Lord, I am assured to be with thee in glory; I do rely and depend, all in all, upon Christ: refuse not my soul at the last hour, I have none in heaven, nor none in earth, nor any thing but thee to rely upon; and therefore into thy hands, both now, and for ever, I commit my soul, my body, my spirit, in sure and certain hopes of a joyful resurrection at the day of judgment, where I must appear and give account of my sins; but Jesus Christ hath washed them away in his blood. Pray, doctor, let me beg you to read those verses in the second of the Hebrews, to comfort me, being the 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 verses. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same, that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is the devil: and deliver them who, through fear of death, were all their life-time subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels, but he took on him the seed of Abraham; wherefore, in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high-priest, in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people; for in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted." After this, he gave 40 shillings to a minister, to be given to the poor of that parish, and 18 shillings and sixpence more, to be delivered to his wife, to be given to his young son's school-master. Turner. Mr. Jackson, God be with you: remember me to my landlord, and all there. Mr. My two children, I hope, will be freed. Sheriff, must I hang all day? Sir Richard Ford. You will be cut down, as soon as you are dead. Turner. Pray tell me true, Mr. Sheriff. Sir Richard Ford. You will not hang above half an hour. Thereupon, he directed the executioner to take off his halter from his shoulders; and | afterwards taking it in his hand, kissed it, and put it on his neck himself; then after he had fitted his cap, and put it on, he went out of the cart upon the ladder. The executioner tied him up, and pulling the rope a little, says Turner, What, dost thou mean to choak me? pray, fellow, give me more rope: what a simple fellow is this! how long have you been executioner, that you know not yet how to put the knot? Mr. Secker, Minister, out of a window near. Mr. Turner, have you remembered those four things I spake to you of? Turner. I have done them. Mr. Secker. I trust this hour of heaviness will be an hour of happiness. Turner. I am assured of it. Mr. Secker. A living Christian in a dying hour is the best of all. The Lord be with you, and the Lord carry your soul safe through the jaws of death, to the joys of life! Turner. I doubt not, but through a dark cloud I shall see a bright Saviour. Executioner, look ye, turn me not off, untill you have the sign from me, which shall be by laying my right The Lord God forhand on my left shoulder. give thee, I do. In the midst of some private ejaculations, offering to pull down his cap, he espied a gentlewoman at a window nigh, kissed his hand, -His cap being said, Your servant, mistress.— pulled down, he lifted up his hands, and said, I disclaim any desert of mine' own, there is nothing in me; look upon me through Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus, receive my soul! and thereupon giving the sign, the executioner turned him off. And after some short time he was cut down, and his body conveyed to a house near, there to rest for a space, untill they provided for him decent burial. The coufluence of people from the gaol to the place of execution was very great, beyond the memory of any upon the like occasion. During his imprisonment, and to the last breath of life, his carriage was very undaunted. 218. The Trial of MARGARET FELL and GEORGE Fox, for not taking the Oath of Obedience:* 16 CHARLES II. A. D. 1664. [6 Harleian Miscellany, 258.] The EXAMINATION and TRIAL of MARGARET by the judge, to set a stool and a cushion for FELL and GEORGE FOX (at the several her to sit upon; and she had four of her daughassizes held at Lancaster, the 14th and ters with her at the bar, and the judge said, Let not Mrs. Fell's daughters stand at the bar, 16th days of the first month 1663-4; and the 29th of the sixth month 1664) for their but let them come up hither, they shall not stand at the bar; so they plucked them up, obedience to Christ's Command, who and set them near where the judge sat: then, saith, "Swear not at all:" Also some-after a while, the Mittimus was read, and the thing in Answer to Bishop Lancelot An-judge spoke to her, and she stood up to the drew's Sermon concerning swearing. Matt. xv. 6. "Thus have you made the Commandment of * See this Oath and some account of the law connected with it in the Notes to the Case of John Crook, Isaac Grey, and John Bolton, sap. 201.-See also the Case of Isaac Marriot and others, in a Note, p. 209, sup. Margaret Fell. I was sent for from my own house and family, but for what cause or transgression I do not know. -Judge. I am informed by the justices of peace in this county, that you keep multitudes of people at your house, in a pretence of wor shipping God; and, it may be, you worship him in part, but we are not to dispute that. : Marg. Fell. I have the king's word from his own mouth, That he would not hinder me of my religion. God forbid, said he, that I should hinder you of your religion, you may keep it in your own house and I appeal to all the country, whether those people that meet me at my house be not a peaceable, a quiet, and a godly honest people? And whether there hath been any just occasion of offence given by the meeting that was kept in my bouse? Judge. If you will give security that you will have no more meetings, I will not tender the oath to you: you think if there be no fighting nor quarrelling amongst you, that you keep the peace, and break no law; but I tell you, That you are a breaker of the law, by keeping of unlawful meetings; and again, you break the law, in that you will not take the oath of allegiance. Marg. Fell. I desire that I may have the liberty to answer to those two things that are charged against me: and, first, for that which is looked upon to be matter of fact, which is concerning our meetings; there are several of my neighbours that are of the same faith, principle, and spirit, and judgment that I am of; and these are they that meet at my house, and I cannot shut my door against them. Judge. Mistress, you begin at the wrong end, for the first is the oath. Marg. Fell. I suppose, that the first occasion of tendering to me the oath, was, because of meeting; but, as for that, if I have begun at the wrong end, I shall begin at the other: and; first, then as to the oath, the substance of which is allegiance to the king; and this I shall say, as for my allegiance, I love, own, and honour the king, and desire his peace and welfare, and that we may live a peaceable, a quiet, and godly life under his government according to the Scriptures, and this is my allegiance to the king; and as for the oath itself, Christ Jesus, the king of kings, hath commanded me not to swear at all, neither by heaven, nor by earth, nor by any other oath. Judge. He called for the statute-book, and the grand-jury to be present: then one of the justices, that committed her, said, Mrs. Fell, You know, that, before the oath was tendered to you, we offered, that, if you would put in security to have no more meetings at your house, we would not tender the oath to you. Marg. Fell. I shall not deny that, Judge. If you will yet put in security that you will have no more meetings, I will not tender it to you. Marg.. Fell spoke to the judge, and the court, and the rest of the people: You all profess here to be Christians, and likewise you profess the Scriptures; so in answer to those things that are laid against me: First (John iv.) Christ Jesus hath left upon record in the Scriptures, that God is a spirit, and that his worship is in the spirit and truth; and that he is seeking of such worshipers to worship him in which spirit, I and those that meet, in my house, meet and worship God, in obedience to his doctrine and command. Secondly, Mat. iv. The same Christ Jesus hatb commanded, in plain words, that I should not swear at all; and, for obedience to Christ's doctrine and command, am I here arraigned this day; and so, you being Christians, and professing the same things in words, judge of those things according to that of God in your consciences, and I appeal to all the country, whether ever any prejudice, or hurt, those meetings did ? So, after she had spoken of the worship of God in spirit, and obedience to Christ's doctrine and command, &c. Judge. You are not here for obedience to Christ's commands, but for keeping of unlawful meetings; and you think that if you do not fight, or quarrel, or break the peace, that you break no law, but there is a law against unlawful meetings. Marg. Fell. What law have I broken for worshipping God in my own house! Judge. What law ? Marg. Fell. Aye, What law have I broken for worshipping God in my own house? Judge. The common law. Marg. Fell. I thought you had proceeded by a statute. Then the sheriff whispered to him, and mentioned the statute of the 35th of Eliz. Judge. I could tell you of a law, but it is too penal for you, for it might cost you your life. Marg. Fell. I must offer and tender my life and all for my testimony, if it be required of me. Then the latter part of the statute was read to the jury for the oath of obedience; and the judge informed the jury and the prisoner, concerning the penalty of the statute upon refusal, for it would be to the forfeiture of all her estate, real and personal, and imprisonment during life. Marg. Fell. I am a widow, and my estate is a dowry, and I have five children unpreferred; and, if the king's pleasure be to take my estate from me, upon the account of my conscience, and not for any evil or wrong done; let him do as he pleases; and further, I desire that I may speak to the jury of the occasion of my being here. Judge. The jury is to hear nothing, but me to tender you the oath, and you to refuse it or take it. Marg. Fell. You will let me have the liberty that other prisoners have, and then she turned to the jury, and said-Friends, I am here this day upon the account of my conscience, and not for any evil or wrong done to any man, but for obeying Corist's doctrine and com mand, who hath said in the Scripture, That God is a spirit, and that his worship is in the spirit and truth, and for keeping meetings in the unity of his spirit, and for obeying Christ's command and doctrine, who hath said, Swear not at all; am I here arraigned this day: now you profess yourselves to be Christians, and you own the Scripture to be true, and, for the obedience of the plain words of Scripture, and for the testimony of my conscience, am I here; so I now appeal to the witness of God in all your consciences to judge of me according to that. Secondly, you are to consider this statute what it was made for, and for whom it was made, for papists; and the oath was allegiance to the king. Now, let your consciences judge, Whether we be the people it was made for, who cannot swear any oath, at all, only for conscience sake, because Christ commands not to swear at all. Judge. Then the judge seemed to be angry, and said, She was not there upon the account of her conscience; and said, She had an everlasting tongue, you draw the whole court after you, and she continued speaking on, and he still crying, Will you take the oath or no? Marg. Fell. It is upon the account of my conscience, for, if I could have sworn, I had not been here. Secondly. If I would not have meetings in my house, I need not to have the oath tendered to me, and so I desire the jury to take notice, that it is only for those two things that I am here arraigned; which are only upon the account of my conscience, and not for any evil done against any man: then the judge was angry again, and bid them tender her the oath, and hold her the book. Judge. Will you take the oath of allegiance? Marg. Fell. I have said already, that I own allegiance and obedience to the king at his just and lawful commands; and I do also owe allegiance and obedience to the king of kings, Christ Jesus, who hath commanded me not to swear at all. Judge. That is no answer: will you take the oath, or will you not take it? Murg. Fell. I say, I owe allegiance and obedience unto Christ Jesus, who commands me not to swear. Judge. I say unto you, That is no answer: Will you take it, or will you not take it ? Marg. Fell. If you should ask me never so often, I must answer to you: the reason why I cannot take it, is, because Christ Jesus hath commanded me not to swear at all; I owe my allegiance and obedience unto him. Then one of the justices, that committed her, said: Mrs. Fell, you may with a good conscience, if you cannot take the oath, put in security, that you may not have any more meetings at your mouse. Murg. Fell. Wilt thou make that good, That I may, with a safe conscience, make an engagement to fort ear meetings, for fear of losing my liberty and estate? Wilt not thou, and you all here, jucge of me, that it was for saving my estate and liberty that I did it? And do Ĭ not in this deny my testimony? And would not this denile my conscience? Judge Tus is no answer will you take the oach? We must not spend tune. Marg. Fell. I never took an oath in my life; I have spent my days thiss tar, and I never took an oath; I own allegiance to the king, as he is king of England, but Christ Jesus is king of my conscience.-Ten the clerk held out the book, and bid her pull off her glove, and lay her hand on the book. Marg. Fell. I never laid my hand on the book to swear, in all my life, and I never was at this assize before; I was bred and born in this county, and have led my life in it, and I was never at an assize before this time, and I bless the Lord, that I am here this day upon this account, to bear testimony to the truth. Then they asked her if she would have the oath read. She answered: I do not care if I never hear an oath read; for the land mourns, because of oaths. Judge. Then the judge cried, Take her away. Then they took her civilly away; and asked her if she would give security, That she would have no more meetings. Marg. Fell. Nay, I can give no such se curity, I have spoken enough for that. Then George Fox was called before judge Twisden; being a prisoner, the gaoler brought him in. Judge. What, do you come into the court with your hat on ?-And then the gaoler took it off. George For. Peace be amongst you all.— And said, The hat was not the honour that came down from God. Judge. Will you take the oath of allegiance, George Fox? Geo. Fox. I never took oath in my life. Geo, Fox. Christ commands we must not swear at all; and the apostle: and, whether must I obey God, or man, judge thee, I put it to thee. Judge. I will not dispute with thee, George Fox. Come, read the oath to him. And so the oath was read, and, when it was read, give him the book, said they; and so a man, that stood by him, held up the book, and said, lay your hand on the book. Geo. For. Give me the book in my hand. Which set them all a gazing, and as in hope he would have sworn. Then when he got the book in his band, he held up the book, and said: This book commands me not to swear, if it be a bible, I will prove it; and he saw it was a bible, and he held it up; and then they plucked it forts of his hand again, and cried, |