IF

To the English Reader.

Fever it were time to speak, or write, tis now, so many strange Occurrances, requiring both.

How much thou art concerned in this ensuing Tryal (where not only the Prisoners, but the Fundamental Laws of England) have been most Arbitrarily Arraigned, Read, and thou mayst plainly judge.

Liberty of Conscience, is counted a Pretence for Rebellion, and Religious Assemblies, Routs, and Riots; and the Defenders of both, are by them, reputed Factious and disaffected.

Magna Charta, is Magnaf-with the Recorder of London; and to demand Right an affront to the Court.

Will and Power are their great Charter, but to call for Englands, is a Crime, incurring the penalty of their Bale-Dock, and Nasty-hole, nay, the menace of a Gag, and Iron Shackles

too.

The Jury (though proper Judges) of Law and Fact) they would have over-ruled in both, as if their Verdict signified no more, then to eccho back the illegal charge of the Bench; and because their courage, and honesty did more then hold pace, with the threat and abuse of those, who sate as Judges, (after two dayes and two nights restraint for a Verdict) in the end were fined and imprisoned, for giving it.

O! what monstrous, and illegal proceedings are these? Who reasonably can call his Coat his own? When Property, is made subservient to the Will and Interest of his Judges; or, who can truly esteem himself a Free man? When all Pleas for liberty are esteemed Sedition, and the Laws, that give, and maintain them, so many insignificant pieces of formality.

And What do they less then plainly tell us so, who at will and pleasure, break open our Locks, rob our Houses, raze their Foundations, imprison our Persons, and finally deny us Justice to our relief; as if they then acted most like Christian men, when they were most barbarous, in ruining such as really are so; and that no Sacrifice could be so acceptable to God, as the destruction of those, that most fear him.

In short, That the Conscientious should only be obnoxious, and the just demand of our Religious Liberty, the reason why we should be denied our civil Freedom (as if to be a Christian and an English-man were inconsistant) and that so much solicitude and deep contrivance, should be imployed only to ensnare and ruin so many ten thousand consciencious Families) so eminently, industrious, serviceable and exemplary; whilst Murders can so easily obtain pardons, Rapes be remitted, publick Uncleanness pass unpunished, and all manner of Levity, Prodigality, Excess, Prophaneness and Atheism, universally connived at, (if not in some respect manifestly encouraged) cannot but be detestably abhorrent to every serious and honest mind.

Yet that this lamentable state is true, and the present Project in hand, let London's Recorder, and Canterburies Chaplain be heard.

The first in his publick Panegerick, upon the Spanish Inquisition, highly admiring the prudence of the Romish Church, in the erection of it, as an excellent way, to prevent Schism, which unhappy expression, at once passeth sentence, both against our fundamental Laws, and Protestant Reformation. The second, In his printed Mercenary discourse against Toleration, asserting for a main Principle, That it would be less injurious, to the Government, to dispence with prophane and loose Persons, then to allow a toleration to religious Dissenters: It were to over-do the business, to say any more, where there is so much said already.

And therefore to conclude, we cannot choose but admonish all, as well Persecutors, to relinquish their Heady, Partial, and Inhumane Prosecutions (as what will certainly issue in disgrace here, and inevitable condign punishment hereafter) as those who yet dare express their moderation (however out of fashion, or made the brand of Phanatischism) not to be huf'd, or menaced, out of that excellent temper, to make their parts, and persons subservient to the base humors, and sinister designs of the biggest mortal upon Earth: But to reverence and obey, the Eternal just God, before whose great Tribunal, all must render their accounts, and where he will recompence to every Person according to his works.

THE

The Tryal of William Penn and

A

William Mead.

S there can be no Observation, where there is no Action; so its impossible, there should be a juditious Intelligence, without due Observation.

And since there can be nothing more seasonable then a right information, especially of Publick Acts; and well knowing, how industrious some will be, to mis-represent, this Trial to the disadvantage of the Cause and Prisoners, it was thought requisite, in defence of both, and for the satisfaction of the People, to make it more publick; nor can there be any business wherein the People of England are more concerned, then in that which relates to their civil and Religious Liberties, questioned in the Persons above named, at the Old-Baily, the first, third, fourth and fifth of Sept. 1670.

There being present on the Bench, as Justices.

Sam. Starling, Mayor,
John Howel, Recorder.
Tho. Bludworth, Alder.
William Peak, Alderm.
Richard Ford, Alderm.

John Robinson, Alderm.
Joseph Shelden, Alderm.
Richard Brown,
John Smith,

James Edwards,

༥

Sheriffs.

The Citizens of London that were summoned for Jurors, appearing, were impannelled, viz.

Clar. Call over the Jury.

Cryer. O yes, Thomas Veer, Edward Bushel, John Hammond Charles Milson, Gregory Walklet, John Brightman, Wil. Plumsted, Hen. Henly, James† Damask, Henry Michel, William Lever, John Baily.

*This is John in the first edition.

† Thomas.