Retsah, a cry against a crying sinne, or, A just complaint to the magistrates, against them who have broken the statute laws of God, by killing of men meerly for theft manifested in a petition long since presented to the Common Councel of the city of London, on the behalfe of transgressours : together with certaine proposals, presented by Col. Pride to the Right Honourable the Generall Counsell for the Army, and the Committee appointed by the Parliament of England, to consider of the inconveniences, mischiefes, chargeablenesse, and irregularities in their law.
Chidley, Samuel.
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Retsah, a cry against a crying sinne, or, A just complaint to the magistrates, against them who have broken the statute laws of God, by killing of men meerly for theft manifested in a petition long since presented to the Common Councel of the city of London, on the behalfe of transgressours : together with certaine proposals, presented by Col. Pride to the Right Honourable the Generall Counsell for the Army, and the Committee appointed by the Parliament of England, to consider of the inconveniences, mischiefes, chargeablenesse, and irregularities in their law.
Chidley, Samuel.
England and Wales. Parliament.
England and Wales. Army. Council.
City of London (England). Court of Common Council.
14 [i.e. 24] p.
for Samuel Chidley ...,
Printed at London :
1652.
Title partly transliterated from Hebrew.
All letters signed: Samuel Chidley.
Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
eng
Crime -- England.
Criminals -- England.
Thieves -- England.
Capital punishment -- England -- Early works to 1800.
A32823 R435 (Wing C3838). civilwar no Retsah a cry against a crying sinne: or, A just complaint to the magistrates, against them who have broken the statute laws of God, by killi Chidley, Samuel 1652 10087 214 5 0 0 0 0 217 F The rate of 217 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the F category of texts with 100 or more defects per 10,000 words.
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{non-Roman}
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A
CRY
against
a
Crying
Sinne
:
OR
,
A
just
Complaint
to
the
Magistrates
,
against
them
who
have
broken
the
Statute
Laws
of
God
,
by
killing
of
men
meerly
for
Theft
.
MANIFESTED
In
a
Petition
long
since
presented
to
the
Common
Councel
of
the
City
of
London
,
on
the
behalfe
of
Transgressours
.
Together
with
certaine
Proposals
,
presented
by
Col.
Pride
to
the
Right
Honourable
the
generall
Counsell
for
the
Army
,
and
the
Committee
appointed
by
the
Parliament
of
England
,
to
consider
of
the
inconveniences
,
mischiefes
,
chargeablenesse
,
and
irregularities
in
their
Law
.
JER.
5.4
,
5
,
6.
Therefore
I
said
,
surely
these
are
poore
,
they
are
foolish
,
for
they
know
not
the
way
of
Iehovah
,
nor
the
Iudgement
of
their
God
.
I
will
get
me
unto
the
great
men
,
and
will
speake
unto
them
,
for
they
have
knowne
the
way
of
Iehovah
,
the
Iudgement
of
their
God
but
these
have
altogether
broken
the
yoke
,
and
burst
the
bonds
▪
Wherefore
a
Lion
out
of
the
Forrest
shall
stay
them
,
a
Wolfe
of
the
evenings
shall
spoyle
them
,
a
Leopard
shall
watch
over
their
Cities
,
every
one
that
goeth
out
thence
shall
be
torne
in
pieces
,
because
their
transgressions
are
many
,
their
back-sliding
are
strong
.
HOSEA
5.10
,
11
,
12.
The
Princes
of
Judah
were
like
them
that
removed
the
bound
I
wi●●
poure
out
my
wrath
upon
them
like
water
,
Ephraim
is
oppressed
and
broken
in
judgement
,
because
he
willingly
walked
after
the
Commandement
.
Therefore
will
I
be
unto
Ephraim
as
a
Moth
,
and
to
the
house
of
Judah
as
rottennesse
.
HOSEA
8.12
.
I
have
written
to
him
the
gre●t
things
of
my
Law
,
but
they
were
counted
as
a
strange
thing
.
Printed
at
London
for
Samuel
Chidley
dwelling
in
Bow
Lane
,
at
the
Signe
of
the
Chequer
.
1652.
The
Preface
.
THis
little
Book
reflecteth
upon
all
those
who
have
broken
the
Statute
Lawes
of
God
,
by
killing
of
men
me●rly
for
Theft
,
Let
such
sinners
who
are
the
Judges
,
or
Executioners
of
such
over-much
Justice
,
be
ashamed
,
and
confounded
for
defiling
the
Land
with
Bloud
;
if
they
hold
on
this
their
wonted
course
,
now
the
light
of
lawfull
Liberty
breaketh
forth
;
Will
not
the
Land
spue
them
out
?
for
the
earth
cryeth
against
this
sin
,
which
cannot
be
cleansed
in
an
ordinary
way
without
the
bloud
of
him
that
sheddeth
it
;
This
is
one
of
the
abominations
of
the
time
,
for
which
the
Saints
ought
to
mourne
.
It
is
long
since
this
following
Petition
was
presented
to
Tho.
Andrewes
Esquire
,
the
then
Lord
Mayor
,
and
to
the
Aldermen
,
and
Common
Counsell
,
but
had
they
done
but
their
duties
,
I
had
no
need
to
print
and
publish
these
Books
in
Red
Letters
,
and
present
the
same
to
them
in
the
middest
of
their
jollity
,
and
to
the
learned
Judges
of
the
Land
,
yea
to
the
Commissioners
of
Oyer
and
Terminer
,
and
Goale
delivery
,
at
the
Sessions
at
Newgate
,
before
whom
I
appeared
,
to
put
them
in
minde
of
their
duty
,
and
of
the
Law
of
God
,
which
they
had
forgotten
,
and
rested
too
much
upon
an
arme
of
flesh
;
yea
,
if
they
had
done
what
they
were
bound
in
conscience
to
doe
,
and
had
observed
that
most
righteous
Law
to
which
they
were
sworne
,
it
would
have
saved
me
a
labour
of
going
to
the
Counsell
of
State
,
Generall
Counsell
of
the
Army
,
or
the
Parliament
.
Now
seeing
little
fruit
yet
appeare
,
for
the
establishing
of
the
Lawes
of
God
in
this
Nation
,
(
for
the
lives
of
men
are
taken
away
meerely
for
unvaluable
Trifles
)
I
am
once
more
pressed
in
spirit
to
publish
the
same
in
manner
and
forme
following
,
thus
sounding
an
alarme
against
the
workers
of
iniquity
,
that
they
may
rep●●t
,
and
turne
from
their
evill
wayes
;
so
delivering
my
soule
,
and
clearing
my selfe
of
that
bloud-guiltinesse
which
lyeth
upon
others
,
and
●specially
upon
rich
men
,
who
are
called
to
weepe
and
hewle
for
the
miseries
that
shall
come
upon
them
▪
For
the
bread
of
the
needy
is
the
life
of
the
poore
,
and
be
that
de●rou●eth
him
of
it
is
a
Murtherer
;
and
the
Scripture
saith
,
Thou
shall
take
no
ransome
for
the
life
of
a
Murtherer
that
is
guilty
of
death
,
but
he
shall
surely
be
put
to
death
:
but
I
hope
that
some
righteous
men
will
take
the
matt●r
into
serious
con●ideration
;
these
our
indeavours
tending
not
only
to
the
g●od
of
those
Transgres●ors
who
have
not
deserved
death
by
the
Lawes
of
God
,
but
also
of
those
who
put
them
to
death
unjustly
,
left
the
Justice
of
God
take
hol●
upon
those
who
are
the
Causers
of
it
,
and
that
the
like
●●nishment
he
inf●icte●
j●stly
upon
them
,
which
they
inflict
upon
●ther●
unjustly
.
And
indeed
I
doe
admire
that
men
who
prof●sse
to
be
governed
by
Gods
Lawes
,
and
stand
against
Tyranny
,
s●ould
have
a
●inger
in
such
a
worke
▪
Surely
such
men
though
they
pretend
never
so
much
Religion
▪
are
not
f●t
to
pray
,
not
to
be
pray●d
with
;
For
when
they
stretch
forth
their
hands
,
God
will
●ide
his
eyes
,
and
though
they
make
many
prayers
,
he
will
not
heare
them
whose
hands
are
full
of
●i●ud
.
To
the
Right
Honourable
the
Lord
Mayor
,
Aldermen
,
and
Commons
in
Common
Counsell
assembled
.
The
mo●●n●●ll
Petiti●n
of
many
Inhabitants
of
the
City
of
London
,
in
the
●ehalfe
of
many
thousand
Transgressors
.
〈◊〉
THat
for
as
much
as
the
righteous
God
exacteth
no
more
of
sinfull
man
then
his
iniquities
deserveth
,
no
Magistrate
is
to
punish
a
wicked
man
for
his
iniquity
beyond
the
rule
of
●quity
;
That
seeing
it
is
evident
that
whatsoever
is
good
is
of
God
,
and
the
contrary
of
Abadon
,
and
that
no
mans
will
though
great
is
good
,
unlesse
it
be
correspondent
to
the
will
of
him
who
is
greater
then
the
greatest
nor
the
Law
of
any
Authority
whatsoever
,
unlesse
it
be
according
to
the
Law
of
him
who
is
higher
then
the
Highest
.
Therefore
when
great
ungodly
men
have
by
their
owne
wils
,
and
inhumaine
Lawes
for
many
yeares
,
destroyed
not
only
the
Righteous
for
conscience
sake
,
but
also
the
wicked
undeservedly
,
this
was
iniquity
to
be
punished
by
the
Judge
,
though
done
by
Judges
themselves
,
who
by
their
over-much
Righteousnesse
,
and
over-much
Wickednesse
,
the
people
abetting
them
,
hath
brought
death
and
Destruction
upon
this
Land
,
and
the
hand
of
the
Lord
is
stretched
out
still
against
this
sinfull
Nation
,
and
unlesse
they
repent
they
shall
surely
perish
.
That
the
head
of
this
Land
is
the
sinfull
City
of
London
,
who
instead
of
bringing
forth
monthly
good
for
the
healing
of
the
Nation
,
doth
bring
forth
that
which
tendeth
to
the
destruction
thereof
;
Gray
haires
being
sprinkled
here
and
there
upon
them
,
and
they
not
aware
,
for
they
consider
not
how
many
are
destroyed
every
Month
by
the
Law
of
man
,
contrary
to
the
Law
of
God
,
who
hath
declared
,
that
if
a
Thief
be
found
breaking
through
(
the
Sun
being
risen
upon
him
)
and
be
smitten
that
he
dye
,
bloud
shall
be
shed
for
him
,
Exod.
22
▪
3.
from
whence
it
appeareth
that
those
are
guilty
before
the
Lord
,
who
take
away
the
life
of
any
man
meerly
for
Stealing
,
when
the
Lord
requireth
that
he
should
make
●ull
resticution
out
of
his
Estate
,
or
if
he
have
nothing
,
that
he
should
be
sold
for
his
Theft
:
But
contrariwise
their
lives
are
taken
away
meerly
for
Stealing
,
and
commonly
many
though
found
notorious
Theeves
,
yet
have
been
discharged
with
little
or
no
punishment
either
in
Person
or
Purse
,
to
the
great
damage
of
those
who
have
lost
their
goods
,
and
to
the
imboldening
of
the
Malefactors
,
and
the
want
of
the
due
execution
of
the
Law
of
God
upon
them
,
and
not
setting
them
in
a
way
to
make
restitution
to
the
Owners
,
tendeth
to
the
utter
destruction
both
of
their
Bodies
and
Soules
.
Therefore
our
desire
is
,
That
ye
would
take
these
things
into
serious
consideration
,
and
(
in
your
wisdomes
)
take
such
a
prudent
and
effectuall
course
,
that
in
the
execution
of
Iustice
the
remedy
may
not
●e
worse
then
the
disease
,
like
those
who
kill
their
wounded
Patients
,
and
wound
themselves
,
but
that
punishment
may
be
equalized
proportionable
to
the
Offences
,
that
the
Prosecutors
,
or
Executors
of
the
Law
ma●
have
no
cause
to
repent
,
and
that
one
Witnesse
may
not
rise
against
any
man
for
any
iniquity
,
but
that
at
the
mouth
of
two
or
three
Witnesses
the
matter
may
be
established
;
and
that
ye
would
by
no
meanes
make
the
wils
of
any
men
,
or
any
humaine
Lawes
whatsoever
any
rules
for
you
to
walk
by
,
further
then
you
see
them
agreeable
to
the
holy
Will
and
Word
of
God
,
and
that
ye
would
according
to
your
power
,
seek
to
remove
the
dishonourable
badges
of
infamy
from
off
your
sinful
City
and
Nation
,
though
never
so
antient
,
familier
,
common
,
and
customary
,
and
that
ye
would
addresse
your selves
to
the
Parliament
for
we
obtaining
of
these
things
.
And
your
affectionate
Petitioners
shall
pray
.
Here
followeth
a
Letter
written
to
Thomas
Andrewes
,
the
Lord
Mayor
that
then
was
.
Right
Honourable
:
I
Hope
your
Lordship
hath
not
forgotten
our
Petition
in
the
behalfe
of
Transgressors
,
Christ
made
Intercession
to
God
for
Transgressors
,
who
were
guilty
of
eternall
death
before
God
,
we
make
intercession
for
men
who
are
not
guilty
of
temporall
death
before
men
;
Divers
Petitions
have
bin
promoted
in
the
behalf
of
Saints
,
and
it
was
a
very
good
and
acceptable
service
,
this
is
for
sinners
whom
it
may
be
God
will
call
eff●ctually
,
For
Christ
dyed
for
the
ungodly
,
and
received
gifts
for
the
Rebellious
.
I
have
written
this
inclosed
Paper
to
further
the
Petition
,
I
desire
that
my
Councel
may
be
acceptable
unto
your
Honour
,
so
long
as
it
is
agreeable
with
Gods
Word
,
and
if
it
be
agreeable
to
your
Lordships
affection
,
I
hope
you
will
assist
in
it
according
to
your
power
,
and
prosecute
it
with
all
your
might
,
and
make
haste
and
not
delay
to
keep
the
righteous
Judgements
of
the
God
of
Judgement
,
who
hath
promised
to
be
for
a
Spirit
of
Judgement
to
him
that
sitteth
in
Judgement
.
Right
Honourable
,
you
may
be
pleased
to
remember
what
I
said
,
I
know
no
friend
of
mine
that
is
guilty
of
theft
,
what
I
have
done
is
in
conscience
to
God
,
and
compassion
to
my
Native
Country
,
and
in
tender
respect
to
your
Honour
,
that
the
heavie
Wrath
of
God
may
not
fall
upon
you
and
the
whole
Nation
;
at
least
that
some
of
the
Rods
of
God
may
be
taken
away
,
or
that
some
o●
his
Judgements
may
be
stayed
,
I
desire
to
be
a
good
example
to
th●
〈◊〉
●en
,
that
they
may
cleare
themselves
of
bloud
gu●l●●nes●e
▪
I
desire
your
Lordship
againe
to
consider
seriously
of
t●is
inclosed
Writing
,
I
have
shewed
it
to
just
men
and
they
●●●●ove
〈◊〉
your
Lordship
in
your
wisdome
may
take
Cou●●●●l
of
〈◊〉
men
,
and
of
the
ancients
concerning
this
mat●●r
,
and
●●●●te
what
they
say
thereunto
;
But
above
all
search
〈◊〉
Scripture
,
for
whatsoever
is
not
according
to
that
hath
no
light
in
it
;
and
it
is
a
Maxime
in
Law
,
that
all
Lawes
which
are
not
according
to
Gods
Law
and
pure
reason
,
are
v●yd
and
null
,
and
if
so
,
then
not
binding
to
a
Citizen
,
or
to
any
other
under
Heaven
,
and
so
are
no
rules
for
me
to
walke
by
▪
but
it
is
the
Word
of
God
,
which
is
binding
and
y●●
is
not
bound
.
Honourable
Sir
,
I
am
Your
Lordships
humble
Servant
.
SAMUELL
CHIDLEY
.
London-Bridge
Iune●5th
16●9
.
Certaine
Reasons
of
weighty
consideration
in
reference
to
the
Petitio●
to
the
Common
Councel●
in
behalfe
of
Transgressors
.
ALthough
there
be
ground
sufficient
enough
in
the
Petition
it selfe
to
●ince
that
no
Malefactou●s
life
should
be
taken
away
meerly
for
Theft
,
when
the
Lord
requireth
●hat
satisfaction
should
be
made
out
of
his
Estate
,
and
if
he
have
nothing
,
that
he
should
be
sold
for
his
Theft
,
yet
because
of
the
ignorance
and
hardnesse
of
mens
hearts
,
and
thei●
cruelty
and
revenge
,
I
shall
for
their
regulation
propose
some
things
to
their
consideration
.
To
take
away
the
life
of
any
man
only
for
Theft
as
aforesaid
,
is
iniquity
,
because
it
is
against
the
rule
of
equity
;
it
is
not
good
because
not
of
God
,
it
is
not
correspondent
with
his
Will
,
it
hath
no
agreement
with
his
most
righteous
Law
,
but
is
in
humane
,
Bloudy
,
Barbarous
,
and
Tyrannicall
,
and
provoketh
the
God
of
Judgement
to
execute
his
Judgements
upon
the
Nation
that
abetteth
the
same
;
yea
it
tendeth
to
their
utter
destruction
,
to
destroy
men
by
the
Lawes
of
men
,
contrary
to
the
Lawes
of
God
,
consider
I
say
,
how
contrary
it
is
to
the
rule
of
equity
,
the
blessed
and
righteous
Law
of
God
.
According
to
the
rule
of
Equity
,
there
is
required
life
for
life
,
eye
for
eye
,
tooth
for
tooth
,
hand
for
hand
,
foot
for
foot
,
burning
for
burning
,
wound
for
woun●
,
st●ipe
for
stripe
,
Exod.
21.23
,
24
,
25.
It
is
not
life
for
eye
,
but
eye
for
eye
;
not
eye
for
tooth
,
but
tooth
for
tooth
;
so
that
if
a
man
require
more
it
is
iniquity
,
Prov.
30.6
.
Therefore
if
a
man
put
out
his
neighbours
ey●
,
st●ike
out
his
tooth
,
and
bruise
his
hand
,
but
doth
not
kill
,
he
ought
not
to
be
killed
for
this
,
but
must
●oose
his
eye
,
and
his
tooth
,
and
as
he
ha●h
done
to
his
neighbour
,
so
it
must
be
done
to
him
,
as
it
is
written
,
breach
for
breach
▪
eye
for
eye
,
tooth
for
tooth
,
as
he
hath
caused
a
●lemish
in
a
man
,
so
shall
it
be
done
to
him
againe
;
and
he
that
killeth
a
Beast
shall
rest●re
it
,
and
he
that
killeth
a
man
shall
be
surely
put
to
death
;
and
the
sam●
▪
Lord
saith
,
ye
shall
have
one
manner
of
Law
as
well
for
the
Stranger
,
as
for
one
of
your
owne
C●untry
,
Levit.
24.17
,
18
,
19
,
2●
,
21
,
22.
The
Lord
of
Life
hath
expresly
declared
(
and
it
is
knowne
to
all
men
living
)
that
the
life
is
more
then
meat
,
and
the
body
is
more
then
rayment
,
Luk.
12.22
.
If
then
the
life
be
more
then
meat
,
no
mans
life
should
be
taken
away
for
meat
,
much
lesse
for
ra●ment
,
which
is
inferiour
;
and
all
things
necessary
for
the
temporall
life
and
body
of
man
are
comprehended
in
these
termes
,
food
and
rayment
,
Deut.
10
.
1●
.
1
Tim.
6.8
.
The
God
of
the
Spirits
of
all
flesh
hath
declared
plainly
,
in
his
most
just
and
righteous
Law
,
That
if
a
Thiefe
be
found
breaking
through
(
the
Sun
being
risen
upon
him
)
and
be
smitten
that
be
dye
,
bloud
shall
be
shed
for
him
,
Exod.
22.3
.
And
he
●enders
this
reason
,
for
he
should
make
full
restitution
,
and
if
he
have
nothing
,
he
shal
be
fold
for
his
Theft
;
and
the
Lord
hath
not
said
that
he
that
stealeth
food
,
or
rayment
,
shall
be
put
to
death
,
or
that
his
bloud
shall
be
shed
;
But
whose
sheddeth
mans
bloud
,
by
man
shall
his
bloud
be
shed
,
Gen.
9.6
.
So
then
it
appeareth
,
that
it
is
murther
by
the
Law
of
God
to
kill
a
man
meerly
for
Stealing
,
when
the
Lord
saith
he
should
make
full
restitution
,
and
if
he
have
nothing
,
he
shall
be
sold
(
not
killed
)
for
his
Theft
;
and
amongst
his
statute
Lawes
hath
stated
particular
cases
in
this
,
as
well
as
in
other
things
,
and
made
them
so
plaine
that
mean
capacities
may
decide
controversies
of
this
nature
.
And
as
there
is
no
precept
nor
consequence
in
the
Word
of
God
for
this
unjust
practice
,
so
there
is
no
president
in
Israel
,
but
many
in
England
,
the
more
is
their
misery
:
but
as
their
ancient
Father
Austin
saith
,
That
man
is
miserable
who
is
not
sensible
of
his
misery
,
which
may
wel
be
applyed
unto
this
sinful
and
miserable
Nation
,
who
are
not
sensible
of
the
dangerous
consequence
of
this
one
deadly
evill
amongst
the
rest
;
how
unjust
a
thing
it
is
to
kill
a
man
for
stealing
xiiij
d.
let
all
men
reasonable
judge
,
for
so
is
the
Law
of
this
Land
,
according
to
which
the
people
are
forced
to
prosecute
the
Theeves
;
but
in
King
Salomons
time
men
did
not
despise
a
Thiefe
in
some
case
,
Prov.
6.30
.
And
he
whō
is
greater
then
Salomon
,
even
the
Lord
Iesus
Christ
who
is
the
Prince
of
the
Kings
of
the
Earth
,
hath
not
given
the
least
hint
that
he●
that
stealeth
food
or
rayment
should
be
killed
,
but
he
that
●ad●th
into
Captivity
,
shall
goe
into
Captivity
,
and
he
that
killeth
with
the
Sword
,
must
be
killed
with
the
Sword
,
Revel.
●3
.
10
.
But
concerning
These
it
is
said
,
let
them
that
stole
●●eale
no
more
,
he
doth
not
say
let
him
be
hanged
,
but
rather
let
him
labour
with
his
hands
the
thing
that
is
good
,
that
he
may
have
to
distribute
to
him
that
needeth
,
Ephes.
4.38
.
And
it
is
expressely
commanded
,
That
he
that
will
not
worke
,
nei●●●r
should
he
eate
,
2
Thes.
3.10
.
Many
precepts
,
president●
,
and
propositions
may
be
brought
to
confirme
the
premise●
,
●ut
this
is
enough
at
this
time
.
A
word
to
the
〈◊〉
is
su●●icient
.
A
Letter
written
the
11.
of
Decemb.
1651.
by
SAMUEL
CHIDLEY
,
To
the
Right
Honorable
,
the
Commissioners
of
Oyer
and
Terminer
,
and
Goale
Delivery
of
NEW
GATE
.
Right
(
Worshipfull
and
)
Honourable
,
ALthough
I
know
not
any
of
my
acquaintance
to
bee
guilty
of
Theft
:
Yet
I
seeke
to
save
the
lives
of
the
so
siner●
whom
God
would
have
preserved
:
And
I
coming
downe
to
this
Judgement
Seat
,
it
being
as
free
for
me
a●
another
to
see
justice
done
;
and
observing
your
proceedings
from
the
beginning
hitherto
,
how
in
many
things
you
goe
against
the
very
letter
and
equity
of
the
Law
of
the
onely
Law-maker
,
by
whom
,
and
by
which
your selves
must
be
judged
▪
caused
me
to
call
to
mind
,
how
that
Great
men
are
not
alwayes
wise
,
neither
doe
the
aged
alwayes
understand
Iudgement
.
Right
Honourable
,
I
am
sorry
to
see
you
goe
on
still
in
your
wonted
course
,
of
arraiging
men
for
their
lives
meerly
for
Theft
.
I
have
observed
that
the
persons
who
are
arraigned
before
your
Honours
,
are
poor
labourers
,
and
such
creatures
who
stole
things
of
a
small
value
,
peradventure
for
meer
necessity
,
yet
you
arraigne
them
for
their
lives
,
when
the
Law
of
God
requireth
their
preservation
in
such
a
way
,
that
they
may
make
satisfaction
,
and
not
(
if
disabled
)
to
force
them
into
a
necessity
of
stealing
againe
,
but
they
are
great
sinners
indeed
,
who
rob
men
of
their
precious
lives
.
And
the
worst
of
men
are
such
as
despise
and
destroy
Theeves
that
steale
,
meerly
to
satisfie
their
hunger
:
It
seems
some
of
the
Theeves
you
will
presse
,
for
not
holding
up
their
hands
at
your
command
,
or
for
not
answering
to
that
interogatory
Guil●y
?
or
not
Guilty
?
Consider
I
pray
you
,
how
circumstantiall
these
things
are
:
The
weight
of
Tryals
depends
not
hereupon
(
as
I
humbly
con●eive
.
)
For
its
possible
that
a
Murderer
,
when
he
is
arraigned
may
want
his
hands
,
and
another
may
be
dumb
;
yet
you
may
proceed
to
Judgement
against
him
,
if
sufficient
evidence
come
in
,
&
that
the
jury
,
who
are
judges
in
matters
of
Fact
,
(
and
if
they
will
,
in
matters
of
Law
)
finde
them
guilty
,
surely
you
must
take
no
ransome
for
the
life
of
a
Murderer
,
though
he
cannot
,
or
will
not
hold
up
his
hand
at
the
Bar
,
or
say
that
he
is
Guilty
:
for
by
the
Law
no
man
is
bound
to
a●cuse
himselfe
,
therefore
the
guilty
person
is
not
bound
to
say
he
is
guilty
,
and
if
he
should
say
,
not
guilty
what
is
he
the
better
?
This
is
my
opinion
,
which
I
humbly
leave
to
the
serious
consideration
of
this
Honourable
Bench
:
I
would
to
God
that
you
would
try
such
men
by
the
Lawes
of
God
,
who
cast
themselves
upon
God
and
the
Country
▪
And
oh
that
you
would
put
the
judgements
of
God
in
execution
!
seeing
you
are
his
Stewards
;
all
Lawes
being
subordinate
to
Gods
Lawes
,
as
the
Country
is
to
God
himselfe
,
then
your
tranquillity
would
be
lengthened
.
Consider
what
I
say
in
the
feare
of
God
,
for
life
is
above
liberty
and
estate
.
The
Jewell
of
one
mans
life
,
all
your
estates
cannot
ballance
.
I
tooke
notice
of
a
passage
of
the
Lord
Cheife
Justice
Rolls
,
and
it
was
we
I
observed
,
how
that
the
Theeves
are
honest
before
they
come
in
Goale
,
and
there
they
become
naught
;
and
learn
to
lye
,
by
saying
not
guilty
,
when
they
had
confessed
it
before
.
If
it
be
so
,
then
great
pitty
it
is
that
they
should
not
be
in
such
a
place
,
where
they
may
be
put
in
a
way
,
and
course
,
to
make
satisfaction
according
to
the
direction
of
the
wisdome
of
God
,
By
whom
Princes
and
Nobles
,
yea
,
all
the
Iudges
of
the
earth
are
said
to
rule
:
So
leaving
these
consciencious
Dictates
to
your
serious
thoughts
,
I
subscribe
my selfe
,
Your
Humble
Servant
,
Devoted
to
the
feare
of
God
,
and
service
of
the
Common-wealth
,
according
to
the
Law
of
God
,
and
not
otherwise
;
Samuel
Chidley
.
Sessions
11.
Decemb.
in
the
year
of
Christ
,
1651.
This
Letter
was
delivered
unto
the
Bench
about
the
third
houre
of
the
day
,
where
when
Mr.
Chidley
was
called
,
he
made
answer
,
and
came
to
the
Board
,
and
the
Letter
was
there
publickly
owned
by
him
,
as
his
owne
hand-writing
,
which
he
would
stand
by
and
justifie
,
it
being
(
as
he
said
)
a
discharging
of
his
conscience
,
as
a
testimony
before
them
all
,
which
he
left
to
their
serious
consideration
;
wherupon
he
was
commanded
by
the
Bench
to
depart
,
and
was
put
out
of
the
Court
,
he
speaking
in
the
justification
of
the
Statutes
of
God
to
be
right
,
and
the
Precepts
of
men
to
be
wrong
,
in
taking
away
mens
lives
for
such
triviall
matters
.
After
he
was
put
out
,
they
gave
Sentence
against
the
Prisoner
at
the
Bar
,
who
was
arraigned
for
stealing
,
and
would
not
hold
up
his
hand
,
nor
plead
,
but
besought
them
that
the
Letter
might
be
read
publickly
,
that
all
the
Bench
might
hear
,
and
then
,
saith
he
,
afterwards
I
will
plead
whatsoever
comes
of
it
,
whether
I
live
,
or
dye
;
but
they
would
not
hearken
unto
him
but
proceeded
,
and
by
the
Recorder
M.
Steele
,
who
was
their
Mouth
,
gave
Sentence
against
him
,
which
was
to
this
effect
;
That
he
should
goe
from
thence
to
the
place
from
whence
he
came
,
and
be
led
into
a
dark
room
where
there
was
no
light
,
and
should
be
stript
naked
,
only
his
privy
members
covered
,
&
his
head
covered
,
&
his
arms
to
be
stretched
forth
,
both
on
the
one
side
and
on
the
other
,
as
far
as
they
could
be
stretched
,
and
that
he
should
be
laid
along
on
his
back
,
and
have
as
much
weight
laid
upon
him
,
as
he
was
able
to
beare
,
and
more
;
And
the
next
day
he
should
have
only
three
morse●s
of
Barly-bread
,
without
any
drink
,
And
the
day
following
three
draughts
of
the
kennel
water-running
under
New-gate
,
as
much
as
he
could
drinke
,
and
so
to
remaine
in
that
condition
from
day
to
day
till
he
dyed
.
Psal.
119.126
,
127
,
128.
It
is
time
for
thee
LORD
to
worke
for
they
have
made
void
thy
Law
;
Therefore
I
love
thy
Commandements
above
gold
,
yea
,
above
fine
gold
.
Therefore
I
esteem
all
thy
precepts
,
concerning
all
things
to
be
right
,
and
I
ha●e
every
false
way
.
To
the
Right
Honorable
the
Councell
of
State
.
The
humble
Petition
of
Samuel
Chidley
.
SHEWETH
,
THat
your
petitioner
setting
the
feare
of
the
LORD
of
Lords
before
his
eyes
,
and
advancing
the
Judgements
and
Lawes
of
the
God
of
gods
in
his
heart
before
the
precepts
of
fraile
man
,
was
moved
in
zeale
to
his
most
sacred
majesty
,
to
discharge
his
conscience
in
the
best
and
most
peaceable
way
he
could
devise
,
and
accordingly
hath
given
testimony
of
the
truth
,
at
the
Judgement
seat
before
the
Sessions
in
the
Old
Baily
,
the
eleventh
of
this
month
,
as
may
appear
unto
your
Honours
by
the
printed
relation
hereunto
annexed
;
yet
notwithstanding
they
proceed
according
to
the
usuall
Custome
,
which
is
against
the
Law
of
God
,
the
good
things
contained
in
the
Solemne
League
and
Covenant
of
the
Nation
,
the
Oath
of
every
Free-man
of
London
,
Reason
it selfe
,
the
witnesse
of
Conscience
well
checked
,
or
rightly
rectified
and
the
whole
Creation
of
God
:
My
humble
desire
is
,
That
this
Honourable
Councell
would
be
pleased
in
their
prudence
to
take
such
a
speedy
course
that
the
condemned
persons
yet
alive
(
who
are
not
guilty
of
death
by
the
Lawes
of
God
,
Nature
,
or
Equity
)
may
be
repreeved
till
the
Parliament
of
this
Commonwealth
hath
heard
and
determined
the
matter
;
So
shall
you
find
much
comfort
:
Iehovah
will
be
with
the
good
.
And
your
Petitioner
shall
pray
,
&c.
SAMVEL
CHIDLEY
.
To
the
Right
Honourable
the
generall
Councell
for
the
Army
,
the
humble
Proposals
of
Samuel
C●idley
.
Sheweth
:
THat
for
as
much
as
the
LORD
of
Lords
hath
anoynted
you
to
be
the
Heads
of
the
Forces
,
which
he
hath
mustered
up
,
for
the
destruction
of
that
Generation
of
sinfull
men
,
who
are
compacted
together
,
as
one
man
,
to
establish
iniquity
by
ther
Lawes
,
which
they
have
set
up
in
direct
opposi●ion
to
the
LAWES
of
GOD
,
and
have
made
use
of
the
Kings
of
the
Earth
(
as
their
Hornes
)
to
protect
them
in
the
exercise
of
their
bloudy
Cruelty
;
and
seeing
THE
LORD
OF
HOSTS
hath
in
a
great
measure
subdued
your
enemies
,
and
that
your
Swords
are
not
returned
empty
,
It
concernes
you
(
Right
Honourable
)
to
testifie
your
thankfulnesse
by
yeelding
obedience
unto
THE
STATVTES-LAWES
OF
GOD
,
which
at
this
day
in
the
maine
fundamentall
parts
thereof
are
trampled
upon
,
by
those
who
have
a
forme
of
godlinesse
,
and
deny
the
power
thereof
in
their
practices
;
as
may
appeare
by
their
putting
of
men
to
death
for
triviall
matters
,
contrary
to
the
LAW
of
GOD
;
for
Gods
LAW
saith
,
If
a
Thiefe
steale
,
he
shall
make
restitution
●ut
of
his
estate
;
and
if
he
have
nothing
,
he
is
to
be
sold
for
his
Theft
,
but
not
killed
.
Now
although
my
soule
abhorres
the
sinne
of
Th●ft
,
i●
deserving
the
punishment
of
eternall
death
before
God
(
how
much
more
the
crying
sin
of
Murder
?
)
And
though
I
know
not
any
of
them
,
and
(
for
ought
I
know
)
not
one
of
them
knowes
me
,
yet
because
I
see
no
man
valiant
for
God
,
nor
stand
to
make
up
the
gap
,
I
(
for
want
of
a
better
)
●m
moved
in
zeal
for
Gods
glory
,
to
cry
out
against
the
irrationall
and
irregular
proceedings
of
men
,
who
set
up
or
maintaine
a
Flag
or
Standard
of
Defiance
against
their
owne
consciences
,
and
THE
MOST
RIGHTEOUS
LAWES
OF
THE
ONELY
LAW-MAKER
;
and
this
I
have
indeavoured
to
do
in
such
●
peaceable
way
,
that
my
transaction
of
this
businesse
for
God
may
not
savour
of
any
bitternesse
of
spirit
in
me
,
against
the
persons
of
those
me●
or
contempt
of
their
lawfull
authority
,
who
sit
in
Judgement
,
and
doe
erre
therein
▪
(
as
I
humbly
conceive
)
but
seeing
God
hath
said
,
he
will
mag●if●e
his
LAW
,
and
make
it
HONOVRABLE
,
And
that
it
hath
been
a
usual
course
with
him
to
make
choyce
of
weak
instruments
,
to
make
his
truth
known
;
I
therefore
upon
this
account
was
resolved
to
put
forth
my selfe
,
and
ingage
my
heart
in
this
businesse
,
the
consequence
whereof
,
when
accomplished
,
will
be
more
then
I
will
speake
of
at
this
time
;
And
although
I
Indure
some
reproaches
for
it
,
some
saying
;
What
a
Theife
is
this
to
attempt
such
a
work
?
and
that
none
but
Theeves
would
do
it
,
ye●
I
am
led
forward
by
such
a
spirit
,
as
(
I
hope
)
will
so
carry
me
upon
the
wings
of
his
providence
in
the
managing
hereof
,
that
I
shall
not
be
discouraged
(
notwithstanding
humane
frailty
,
)
And
because
I
have
a
seasonable
opportunity
to
acquaint
your
honours
with
this
businesse
,
and
to
crave
your
assistance
,
I
desire
you
in
the
first
place
to
consider
my
Printed
Papers
,
wherein
I
have
shewed
my
dislike
of
putting
men
to
death
for
stealing
,
and
for
the
further
amplification
and
inlargement
thereof
,
I
desire
you
to
consider
of
these
Positions
.
1.
THAT
GOD
IS
THE
ONLY
LAW-MAKER
;
and
that
his
LAW
is
the
ancientest
and
the
best
that
ever
was
,
or
can
be
possibly
invented
by
any
Parliament
,
to
which
all
men
are
bound
under
paine
of
damnation
:
and
that
whatsoever
Lawes
and
Proceedings
are
opposite
thereunto
in
the
smallest
measure
,
are
unjust
,
and
the
executioners
thereof
doe
sinne
;
and
by
how
much
the
greater
the
Precept
is
,
by
so
much
the
more
doe
they
offend
,
that
violate
the
●ame
.
2.
GOd
hath
no where
given
liberty
,
but
hath
prohibited
,
that
the
life
of
any
Man
should
be
taken
away
for
stealing
,
and
hath
manifested
,
he
would
have
their
lives
preserved
,
therefore
to
take
away
their
lives
is
A
SIN
,
A
CRYING
SIN
;
yea
,
(
I
may
say
)
its
A
NATIONALL
SIN
,
for
which
,
God
hath
,
and
will
visit
them
with
his
arrowes
of
of
indignation
;
yea
,
the
people
are
so
blinded
with
this
●orrupt
Custome
,
that
they
know
it
not
,
neither
will
they
understand
,
but
thinke
they
doe
well
,
and
that
they
shall
have
peace
,
though
they
walke
on
in
darknesse
,
while
the
foundations
of
the
earth
are
out
of
course
.
Obj.
And
wereas
they
object
,
That
it
is
the
Law
of
the
Land
to
put
Theeves
to
death
for
stealing
to
the
value
of
13d
.
ob
.
I
Answer
,
That
no
Law
is
to
be
observed
,
if
it
be
against
THE
LAW
OF
GOD
,
especially
in
the
taking
away
of
mens
lives
;
yea
,
God
was
so
far
from
commanding
such
Theeves
to
be
put
to
death
,
that
he
requireth
their
blood
,
at
the
hands
of
them
that
shed
it
,
though
done
in
the
very
act
of
breaking
through
,
if
the
Sun
be
risen
upon
them
.
3.
THe
putting
them
to
death
is
expresly
against
the
Law
of
God
,
because
it
disableth
them
for
ever
making
satisfaction
to
the
owners
of
the
goods
,
yea
,
such
is
the
corruption
of
the
Lawes
and
Customes
of
this
Land
,
that
he
that
discovers
the
Theif
is
bound
over
to
prosecute
him
,
though
is
●e
to
the
taking
away
of
his
life
;
and
after
hee
hath
done
that
,
the
owner
shall
sustaine
damage
neverthelesse
,
and
hee
can
have
no
more
then
the
life
of
the
Theefe
;
And
some
men
are
so
ignorant
,
cruell
,
hard-hearted
,
and
revengefull
,
that
they
will
take
away
the
lives
of
the
pe●tty
Theeve●
in
revenge
,
taking
an
opportunity
upon
the
advantage
of
the
Law
to
exercise
their
bloody
cruelty
upon
them
.
And
such
is
the
corruption
of
the
Lawes
,
that
if
the
Theife
steale
to
the
value
of
13
d.
ob
.
he
shall
be
hanged
,
as
Judge
Byron
in
his
cases
hath
declared
;
and
sometimes
their
lives
are
taken
away
upon
a
single
evidence
,
whereas
there
ou●ht
to
be
two
witnesses
to
prove
every
fact
;
and
one
witnesse
ought
not
rise
up
against
any
man
to
put
him
to
death
;
So
GOD
hath
said
,
whose
WORD
is
a
LAW
amongst
SAINTS
,
though
Sinners
cast
the
same
behind
their
backs
.
4.
THis
Law
of
putting
poore
Theeves
to
death
for
sealing
,
that
are
not
able
to
make
restitution
out
of
their
estates
,
is
against
GODS
LAW
,
because
in
such
case●
GOD
hath
said
they
shall
be
soled
for
their
Theft
,
Now
though
they
are
worth
some
what
while
they
are
living
,
yet
when
they
are
dead
they
are
worth
nothing
,
yea
a
living
Dog
,
is
better
then
a
dead
Lyon
;
men
would
rather
in
such
cases
bury
dead
men
,
then
buy
them
,
and
how
unjust
a
thing
it
is
to
put
them
to
death
,
seeing
the
APOSTLE
saith
,
Let
them
labour
with
their
hands
,
let
all
rationall
men
judge
.
The
APOSTLE
saith
,
they
should
labour
with
their
hands
,
no
saith
the
Bench
,
they
shall
be
hanged
,
tye
up
their
hands
,
and
he
that
hath
bene●it
of
Clergy
,
and
can
read
his
necke
verse
,
burne
him
on
the
hand
;
by
thi●
he
is
disabled
for
the
present
that
he
cannot
labour
with
his
hand
;
and
if
he
would
,
he
is
forced
into
a
necessity
of
Stealing
againe
,
if
no
man
will
set
him
on
worke
,
which
thing
men
will
be
cautions
to
doe
,
to
one
that
carryeth
such
a
brand
of
infamy
upon
him
.
5.
THis
murdering
Law
is
the
cause
wherefore
many
murders
are
committed
by
Robbers
in
the
act
of
stealing
,
for
the
Theeves
know
its
a
hanging
matter
to
steale
,
and
it
s
no
more
to
commit
murder
,
and
then
for
safety
of
their
lives
,
and
〈…〉
Theft
they
commit
Murder
,
for
feare
least
the
party
should
come
and
witnesse
against
them
,
to
the
taking
away
of
their
lives
.
6.
THis
Law
is
the
cause
wherefore
many
Theeves
escape
,
because
they
find
that
the
remedy
would
be
wo●●●
then
the
disease
,
for
if
they
prosecute
them
,
they
shal
be
put
to
a
great
deal
of
expence
and
charge
,
and
peradve●●ure
the
Thief
shall
lose
his
life
,
and
the
parties
their
goods
,
whereas
if
there
were
a
way
for
restitution
by
them
,
there
would
be
〈◊〉
prosecution
of
them
.
Obj.
But
it
is
objected
,
What
sh●ll
we
doe
with
them
?
Ans.
I
answer
;
He
that
hath
〈◊〉
,
if
the
Theft
be
found
in
his
hands
,
is
to
forfeit
〈…〉
;
if
he
have
made
it
away
,
he
is
to
forfeit
four-fold
,
are
his
estate
i●
to
be
taken
to
satisfie
the
debt
.
Obj.
But
what
if
he
have
no
estate
,
it
may
be
he
is
some
poor●
rogue
that
is
worth
nothing
?
Ans.
I
answer
,
He
must
be
sold
for
his
Theft
.
Obj.
But
who
will
buy
him
,
no body
will
be
troubled
with
him
?
Ans.
I
answer
;
either
the
party
who
hath
sustained
the
damage
is
to
take
him
,
or
he
may
be
set
on
worke
in
our
owne
Country
,
by
Land
or
by
water
,
being
chained
up
,
they
might
worke
in
Mines
,
heave
Coal●
▪
and
earne
three
or
four
shillings
a
day
,
or
row
in
Gallies
,
or
be
put
in
Worke
houses
,
for
to
punne
.
Hemp
,
or
other
servile
imployment●
.
And
why
cannot
we
put
them
to
it
here
,
as
well
as
the
Hollanders
there
,
til
they
have
made
satisfaction
)
and
not
put
the
Theeves
in
such
places
,
which
is
a
hell
on
earth
;
where
they
learne
to
be
worse
then
ever
they
were
before
,
or
they
may
be
transported
to
some
of
our
owne
Plantations
,
where
some
that
have
been
in
the
like
condition
transported
,
have
soone
become
honest
,
and
being
very
ingenuous
have
been
able
to
teach
the
Planters
,
which
maketh
the
Merchants
to
prize
the
Theeves
farre
above
the
ordinary
Vagrants
,
or
other
persons
that
are
taken
up
by
the
Spirits
in
the
〈◊〉
because
they
want
that
ingenuity
that
the
Theeves
have
,
for
generally
the
wittyest
rogues
are
the
greatest
Cut-purses
.
Obj.
But
would
not
this
be
great
●yranny
,
that
men
should
be
sold
as
slaves
?
A●s
.
I
answer
to
that
;
They
are
not
sold
for
ever
,
but
only
for
their
Theft
,
and
its
a
worser
slavery
,
and
a
great
tyranny
indeed
,
to
take
away
their
live●
.
Obj.
But
what
if
they
run
away
?
Ans.
Then
they
contract
upon
themseves
a
double
deb●
▪
Obj.
But
what
if
they
will
not
worke
?
Ans.
They
must
not
eate
,
and
before
such
a
one
will
dy●
for
hunger
,
doubtlesse
he
will
eate
the
flesh
,
of
his
arme
,
and
before
he
will
eate
his
owne
flesh
it
may
be
he
will
worke
,
hunger
will
breake
through
stone
walls
,
and
if
any
thing
f●rce
him
to
worke
,
this
wil
,
for
his
bel●y
requires
it
of
him
;
bu●
,
if
he
will
perish
let
him
perish
,
his
owne
bloud
is
upon
his
owne
head
,
and
the
Common-wealth
is
discharged
of
it
.
Such
c●u●ses
as
these
would
be
a
meanes
to
terrifye
the
Theeves
,
and
suppresse
Theft
for
many
of
them
would
rather
●e
hanged
;
but
if
a
man
would
be
hang'd
,
he
must
not
have
His
desire
,
unlesse
the
Law
requireth
it
,
so
though
Theeves
cause
to
dye
against
the
Law
of
God
,
rather
then
to
live
according
to
it
,
they
must
be
kept
alive
notwithstanding
,
and
set
hard
at
worke
to
earne
their
bread
,
and
the
over-plus
must
pay
for
their
Theft
;
and
then
if
any
(
as
I
hope
many
)
will
be
converted
in
this
their
captive
condition
,
O
how
will
they
blesse
the
time
that
ever
such
compulsion
was
us●d
,
whereby
they
learned
to
know
themselves
,
and
to
remember
their
Creator
:
and
he
that
is
an
instrumentall
means
of
converting
one
poore
Sinner
,
shall
have
no
cause
to
be
sorry
for
it
in
the
day
of
Accompt
.
ANother
abuse
in
the
proceedings
of
the
Law
of
this
Land
is
that
whereas
GODS
LAW
requireth
that
the
Witnesses
should
be
Executioners
of
death
on
their
Mal●factor
,
a
Condemned
Executioner
doth
it
,
who
is
the
notoriousest
Rogue
that
can
be
found
,
and
one
that
knowes
nothing
of
the
businesse
,
whether
he
,
whom
he
hangs
be
an
honest
man
,
or
a
knave
;
he
will
hang
a
Martyr
as
well
as
a
Thiefe
,
but
doubtlesse
he
hath
a
check
of
Conscien●e
as
wel
as
his
Masters
,
else
why
will
he
aske
them
forgivenesse
before
he
turnes
them
off
?
Now
all
that
can
be
alledged
,
for
the
Hang-man
is
,
He
doth
but
his
Office
,
he
is
but
an
Executioner
of
the
Law
,
and
Sentence
.
And
the
like
the
Judges
doe
alledge
for
themselves
,
Alas
,
(
●ay
they
)
what
can
we
doe
,
we
are
but
the
Executioners
of
the
Law
of
the
Land
,
and
till
the
Parliament
alter
the
Law
,
we
must
observe
our
ordinary
Rules
;
Why
doe
you
come
to
us
?
what
would
your
have
us
doe
?
we
have
no
power
!
But
Iudges
ought
to
be
men
of
courage
,
fearing
God
,
and
hating
covetousnesse
,
and
such
as
will
observe
GODS
LAWES
,
and
judge
according
to
HIS
STATVTE
BOOKE
,
and
by
THE
LAWES
OF
GOD
.
No
Executioner
ought
to
inflict
death
upon
any
man
,
unlesse
he
in
the
execution
of
him
be
satisfied
in
his
owne
Conscience
,
that
the
man
ought
to
dye
,
else
he
is
a
Murderer
after
a
manner
,
though
the
Offender
deserveth
deathe
;
yet
if
a
man
be
not
convinced
of
it
,
he
ought
not
to
put
him
to
death
,
by
any
command
whatsoever
,
and
if
the
Witnesses
will
not
doe
it
,
they
must
be
severely
dealt
with
.
This
is
my
opinion
,
which
I
humbly
submit
to
the
consideration
of
those
who
have
more
understanding
then
my selfe
.
●
.
ANother
abuse
which
I
finde
in
the
pro●eedings
of
the
Law
,
is
in
the
Pressing
men
to
deat●
,
because
they
wil
not
hold
up
their
hands
at
the
Barre
,
or
say
they
are
guilty
,
or
not
guilty
,
upon
which
circumstantiall
N●●ety
,
they
Condemne
them
to
be
Prest
in
such
a
Tyrannicall
manner
,
that
the
very
sentence
it selfe
is
enough
to
terrifie
the
poore
Creatures
,
and
make
them
op●n
their
mouthes
to
confesse
their
owne
guiltinesse
,
or
else
to
lye
against
their
own●
consciences
.
Obj.
But
t
is
objected
,
That
they
are
prest
to
death
within
halfe
an
houre
at
the
most
,
and
that
they
are
not
kept
in
such
a
lingering
condition
,
according
to
the
sentence
?
Ans.
I
answer
;
If
they
put
them
to
death
before
their
t●me
,
herein
they
goe
bey●nd
their
Commission
;
but
indeed
the
Executioners
do●
it
●●t
of
compassion
to
the
Condemned
to
dispatch
him
out
of
his
torment
;
something
like
to
a
Phisitian
,
that
will
give
his
Patient
something
in
pitty
,
to
rid
him
out
of
his
paine
,
because
he
beleeveth
he
must
dye
,
and
cannot
escape
his
fit
of
sicknesse
,
so
making
more
has●
then
good
speed
.
Now
the
proceedings
against
such
Malefactors
,
who
will
not
hold
up
their
hands
,
and
plead
,
it
without
examination
of
Witnesses
,
yet
they
will
take
his
life
away
Pro
confess●
;
b●●
by
what
Law
I
know
not
,
unlesse
a
Law
of
Antichrist
;
I
am
sure
such
precepts
came
neither
from
Mount
Sion
,
nor
Mount
Sinai
;
these
have
out-●tripped
H●r●d
,
and
P●ntius
Pilate
,
the
Gentil●s
that
knew
not
the
Law
,
did
not
compell
men
to
lye
,
by
saying
not
guilty
,
when
they
were
guilty
;
nor
to
goe
against
the
Law
of
Nature
,
to
accuse
themselves
by
con●essing
their
owne
g●il●
▪
but
of
all
cruelty
there
is
none
li●e
that
of
Antichrist
,
the
Man
of
Sinne
,
and
that
Beast
with
seven
Heads
,
and
ten
Hornes
,
spoken
of
in
Revel.
13.
and
they
exercise
it
upon
their
owne
brethren
,
even
the
Members
〈◊〉
their
Church
.
Thus
the
crowned
Loenus
in
the
midst
o●●gyptian
darknesse
are
a
plague
to
the
men
of
the
earth
.
But
the
way
to
try
a
Th●efe
is
to
examine
the
witnesses
,
●nd
if
they
prove
matter
of
fact
,
the
Judge
is
to
decla●e
▪
how
much
he
must
pay
,
and
to
command
that
Law
to
b●
put
in
execution
;
that
his
estate
should
be
seized
,
and
if
it
will
not
satisfie
,
he
must
deliver
up
his
person
,
not
so
much
as
to
loose
a
limb
,
or
any
member
of
his
body
,
but
to
goe
immediatly
to
the
Work-house
,
or
place
where
he
may
be
safely
kep●
with
sufficient
food
,
and
work
enough
,
as
much
as
he
is
able
to
doe
,
and
ply
it
constantly
early
and
late
every
day
(
Lords
day
excepted
and
to
have
sufficient
time
to
sleep
and
rest
;
and
when
they
have
wrought
out
their
Theft
,
then
to
be
free●
〈◊〉
if
,
they
steal
again
to
serve
them
in
the
same
kind
:
as
if
the
Theefe
st●ale
a
100li
.
he
shoul●
pay
20●li
.
if
it
be
found
with
him
,
but
if
he
have
spent
the
money
he
shall
pay
400li
.
If
this
course
were
well
followed
,
Tyburne
would
lose
many
Customers
,
for
it
would
much
abate
the
number
of
Theev●s
,
and
Murderers
.
My
desi●e
i●
,
That
your
Honou●●
would
move
the
Parliament
to
put
GODS
LAW
in
execution
concerning
this
thing
,
and
what
it
is
I
have
declared
before
.
It
hath
been
desired
tha●
Lawes
should
be
drawne
up
from
GODS
WORD
,
for
the
Government
of
this
Nation
,
but
unlesse
the
Parliament
will
bee
pleased
to
confirme
them
,
what
are
wee
the
better
?
ordinary
men
cannot
impose
,
all
they
can
doe
is
onely
to
propose
,
onely
God
hath
declared
,
His
Testimonies
must
be
bound
up
,
and
his
Law
sealed
amongst
his
Disciples
.
But
others
doe
take
upon
them
to
make
Lawes
besides
,
and
contrary
to
THE
LAWES
OF
GOD
;
Moreover
,
if
the
Parliament
should
countenance
such
a
thing
that
certain
men
should
b●
appointed
to
draw
up
Lawes
according
to
THE
LAWES
OF
GOD
,
it
will
a●ke
a
great
deale
of
time
;
and
it
is
a
work
that
the
wisest
and
holiest
men
in
the
world
,
will
find
too
great
for
them
to
undertake
to
doe
without
errours
,
unlesse
they
were
infallibly
inspired
by
THE
HOLY
GHOST
.
Moses
was
in
the
Mount
with
God
forty
day●s
and
forty
nights
,
and
neither
eate
nor
dranke
;
and
forty
daies
and
forty
nights
after
that
likewise
;
Neither
do
we
read
,
that
he
saw
sleep
with
his
eyes
in
all
that
time
;
and
after
he
wrote
the
Lawes
and
Precepts
for
all
Israel
,
with
the
Statutes
and
Iudgem●nts
,
He
was
therein
guid●d
by
the
immediate
direction
of
the
spi●it
of
God
infallibly
,
and
how
long
he
was
writing
them
wee
know
not
,
but
they
are
very
full
and
brief
,
and
very
sufficient
for
the
Government
of
that
Nation
,
Neither
had
any
Nation
such
an
excellent
Law
as
Israel
had
,
Neither
was
there
so
excelle●●
a
Government
amongst
any
people
,
as
amongst
the
people
of
the
Iew●
,
so
long
at
they
forsooke
not
the
Law
of
the
Lord
,
nor
cast
aside
the
word
of
the
Holy
one
of
Israel
;
their
chief
City
was
called
the
City
of
Righteousnesse
,
the
faithfull
City
,
righteousnesse
lodged
in
it
;
their
Iudges
and
Counsellours
were
Gods
,
and
Children
of
the
most
High
,
becaus●
the
word
of
God
was
committed
unto
them
,
Now
it
may
be
it
will
bee
a
long
time
before
the
Parliament
wil
establish
THE
LAWES
OF
GOD
,
or
give
way
for
Lawes
to
be
imposed
upon
this
Nation
,
which
are
suitable
thereunto
;
and
when
such
a
worke
is
set
upon
,
it
will
be
long
before
it
be
accomplished
,
for
whosoever
taketh
it
upon
them
,
must
devote
themselves
wholly
to
the
worke
,
and
when
they
have
used
their
best
indeavours
,
a
wond●r
it
will
be
if
the
Lawes
they
draw
up
,
with
manner
of
proceedings
,
will
be
so
perfect
that
they
need
no
amendments
,
in
respect
of
matter
and
form
;
and
a
long
time
wil
be
spent
in
debate
,
before
such
a
work
be
admitted
to
be
attempted
;
And
therefore
I
humbly
conceive
,
that
it
is
meer
,
that
this
businesse
concerning
the
preservation
or
the
petty
Theeves
should
be
concluded
now
with
al
speed
,
being
out
of
controversie
,
and
afterwards
to
doe
the
rest
according
as
time
,
and
opportunity
will
afford
.
For
this
doth
concern
LIFE
which
is
above
Person
Name
,
Liberty
,
and
●state
:
And
THIS
THING
being
done
will
render
the
Antichristian
Priests
and
lying
Lawyers
,
the
basest
of
men
,
who
have
lived
upon
the
souls
and
bodies
of
men
,
and
have
not
bad
the
fear
of
God
before
their
eyes
,
but
have
made
their
belly
God
and
their
glory
is
their
shame
,
end
shall
be
destruction
and
their
unlesse
they
repent
.
And
as
a
testimony
of
the
truth
of
God
,
in
this
particular
,
I
set
to
my
hand
this
31
of
Decem.
1651.
SAMVEL
CHIDLEY
.
A
Letter
written
to
the
Regulaters
of
the
Law
,
appointed
by
the
Parliament
,
and
sent
,
and
presented
to
that
Committee
.
Honourable
Gentlemen
:
FOr
as
much
as
you
are
appointed
by
the
Parliament
to
consider
of
the
Inconveniencies
▪
Mischeifes
,
Chargeablenesse
,
and
Irregularit●es
in
your
Law
,
and
that
you
have
pro●essed
your
willingnesse
to
receive
whatsoever
persons
have
to
offer
in
relation
thereunto
:
I
hold
it
meet
to
present
you
with
these
inclosed
papers
,
which
p●radventure
may
be
a
meanes
to
shorten
your
seven
yeares
tedious
worke
,
and
wherein
you
may
observe
that
I
have
indeavoured
to
discharge
my
conscience
before
all
▪
witnessing
against
that
hatefull
sinne
of
puting
men
to
death
meerely
for
Theft
▪
although
THE
GOD
OF
NATURE
doth
teach
a
contrary
Lesson
:
But
who
is
so
blind
as
those
that
will
not
see
?
Surely
covetousnesse
is
the
roo●
of
all
evill
,
and
gifts
destroy
the
heart●
,
an●
blind
the
eyes
of
the
wise
,
and
pervert
the
judgement
of
the
righteous
,
and
men
in
the
greatest
places
,
are
the
greatest
unbeleevers
,
for
they
have
not
so
much
faith
as
to
trust
GOD
with
their
substance
,
but
use
indirect
meanes
to
make
uncertaine
riches
certaine
;
as
may
appeare
by
their
putting
Theeves
to
death
for
stealing
.
Now
when
I
found
so
little
fruit
in
the
Magistrates
of
the
City
of
London
,
as
you
may
see
by
my
printed
relations
,
I
was
sorry
that
my
indeavours
produced
no
better
effect
amongst
them
,
whose
Predecessors
have
alwayes
been
very
forward
to
put
the
Lawes
of
man
in
execution
,
though
they
were
never
so
ridiculous
,
and
contrary
to
reason
and
Religion
.
I
sent
,
and
went
unto
others
,
whom
it
likewise
principally
concerned
,
even
to
those
who
are
called
the
learned
Iudges
of
the
Land
,
and
declared
my
judgement
to
as
many
of
them
as
I
could
meet
with
,
that
they
migh●
not
suffer
their
mouth
to
cause
their
flesh
to
sinne
,
by
pronouncing
unjust
murdering
sentences
.
I
went
downe
also
to
the
Sessions
,
but
I
could
gather
no
Grapes
of
Thornes
.
And
after
I
had
delivered
a
Letter
to
the
Lord
President
Bradshaw
,
to
be
presented
unto
the
Councell
of
State
;
I
remembred
that
the
Officers
of
the
Army
were
men
professing
grea●●hings
,
for
the
advancement
of
Gods
glory
;
so
I
presented
some
Humble
Proposals
to
those
Honourable
Gentlemen
,
which
were
well
resented
by
them
,
a
Copy
of
which
I
have
sent
you
here
inclosed
with
this
Petition
,
which
should
have
been
presented
to
the
House
,
but
some
of
the
Members
conceived
the
businesse
to
be
proper
for
you
t●
take
Cognizance
of
,
because
you
are
appointed
to
consider
,
and
make
Report
of
the
evils
of
your
Law
,
for
reformation
thereof
;
therefore
you
ought
to
cry
out
against
Murder
b●fore
you
doe
any
thing
else
,
for
this
concerneth
mens
live●
▪
the
best
of
your
actions
herein
in
my
judgement
having
been
at
the
most
but
a
Tything
of
Mint
,
Anis
,
and
Cummin
▪
and
you
have
neglected
Mercy
,
one
of
the
weighty
matters
of
the
L●w
,
for
I
am
verily
perswaded
,
that
it
was
in
your
powers
to
have
put
a
stop
to
the
murdering
of
those
men
which
w●re
hanged
at
Tiburne
the
last
Sessions
,
for
stealing
five
shilling●
and
six
pence
;
I
hoped
that
you
would
have
gone
to
the
root
,
and
not
cropt
only
the
Branches
of
wicked
Lawes
;
I
am
angry
,
and
grieved
at
the
heart
,
that
you
should
so
dally
in
Gods
matters
▪
as
not
to
acquaint
the
House
with
such
a
grosse
,
unnaturall
,
inhumane
practise
of
the
Law
,
as
killing
of
the
petty
Theeves
.
I
desire
the
LORD
to
give
you
repenting
and
relenting
hearts
,
for
doing
his
worke
so
negligently
,
to
value
mens
lives
no
more
;
for
it
is
a
sinne
,
and
shame
,
that
the
●and
should
still
be
defiled
with
more
bloud
,
and
how
you
can
answer
it
in
the
day
of
Accompt
,
for
not
pre●enting
such
mischiefe
when
you
knew
how
to
doe
it
,
and
had
an
opportunity
in
your
hands
,
I
know
not
;
in
my
opi●ion
,
if
you
follow
your
worke
never
so
close
,
if
you
omit
this
businesse
of
weight
,
you
will
make
a
long
harvest
of
a
little
fruit
;
no
doubt
but
the
time
will
be
long
before
you
have
swimmed
through
the
Ocean
Sea
of
your
troublesome
Lawes
,
for
what
is
the
Chaffe
to
the
Corne
?
or
the
heap
of
Ashes
to
the
sparke
that
's
hid
under
it
?
May
not
the
Parliament
by
the
West
Wind
of
their
Legislative
Power
,
blow
such
combustible
stubble
away
?
You
sit
as
Refiners
,
but
time
is
precious
,
and
drosse
is
not
worth
the
labour
of
refining
,
and
a
leaden
Law
is
too
heavie
for
an
honest
heart
,
and
we
ought
not
to
thinke
that
such
a
Law
,
because
it
is
a
Law
,
will
be
a
sufficient
excuse
to
the
Executioners
thereof
,
so
long
as
it
is
Idolatrous
,
prophane
,
rebellious
,
bloudy
,
Adulterous
,
Theevish
,
lying
,
and
covetous
;
certainly
that
Law
cannot
be
good
,
that
force●h
all
men
to
preferre
the
meanest
thing
before
the
greatest
;
(
that
is
,
)
a
little
wicked
Mammon
with
an
Idolations
badge
upon
it
,
before
a
mans
precious
life
;
Salomon
esteemed
m●re
of
a
living
D●gge
,
then
those
who
have
killed
men
meerly
for
stealing
,
have
(
or
had
)
of
living
men
.
Now
if
God
doe
touch
your
hearts
,
and
make
you
throughly
sensible
of
the
abominations
of
the
time
,
and
set
you
in
a
thou●●ing
posture
,
that
you
may
bewaile
your
neglect
in
suffering
the
poore
Theeves
to
be
put
to
death
,
when
it
was
in
y●ur
power
to
have
prevented
〈◊〉
;
then
you
may
the
better
goe
on
,
like
Iosiah's
men
,
whom
he
set
to
spy
out
the
abominations
in
the
Land
,
and
set
up
a
sign
,
wheresoever
you
●inde
a
bone
of
Haman-gog
unburied
,
and
go
on
,
and
let
the
Nation
know
the
Idolatry
,
and
Superstition
of
their
Law
,
and
its
prophanenesse
,
and
the
Sabbath-breaking
thereof
,
the
rebellion
of
their
Law
,
the
Murder
of
their
Law
,
the
Adultery
of
their
Law
,
the
thef●
of
their
Law
,
the
lying
of
their
Law
,
and
the
covetousnesse
of
their
Law
,
and
lastly
,
the
uncharitablenesse
of
their
Law
,
which
is
the
end
thereof
,
and
so
I
end
.
Yours
(
and
the
Common-wealths
Servant
)
in
all
lawfull
things
.
Samuel
Chidley
.
From
my
Mothers
house
in
Soper
Lane
London
,
Febr.
25.
1651.
READER
,
WHere
are
they
that
are
valiant
for
the
Truth
,
and
will
do
the
work
of
the
Lord
diligently
?
If
thou
hast
any
spark
of
love
or
zeal
to
maintaine
the
wonderful
Statutes
of
God
,
which
my
soul
keeps
;
I
charge
thee
,
as
thou
wilt
answer
before
the
Tribunal
Seate
of
Gods
eternal
vengeance
,
That
thou
hinder
not
the
publication
of
this
to
all
persons
who
have
an
eare
open
to
hear
,
neither
conceal
this
precious
Truth
,
which
will
maintaine
him
,
that
maintaineth
it
,
and
bring
him
into
more
acquaintance
with
God
.
For
doubtlesse
the
standing
for
the
Statutes
and
Judgements
of
the
holy
and
blessed
God
,
is
a
most
blessed
work
,
and
the
establishment
thereof
in
this
Nation
will
work
a
more
blessed
Reformation
then
ye●
hath
been
,
or
shall
be
spoken
of
at
this
time
.
FINIS
.