ing been six weeks in Bridewell, were presented at the sessions in the Old Bailey; but instead of being tried for what was charged against them, they were required to take the oath of allegiance, as the only business, (according to what the deputy recorder said) they were brought thither for. The prisoners then demanded, that the law might be read, by virtue of which the said oath was required of them. This was promised by the court to be done; but instead thereof, they ordered the clerk to read only the form of the oath, but would not permit the law for imposing it to be read. But before the prisoners had either declared their willingness to take it, or their refusal of it, they were commanded to be taken away; which the officers did with such violence, that they threw some of them down upon the stones. This ma de Samuel Fisher say, "Take notice people, that we have not yet refused to take the oath; but the court refuseth to perform their promise which they made but just now before you all, that this statute for it should be read: if such doings as this ever prosper, it must be when there is no God." But this was not regarded; and the prisoners, without any justice, were sent to Newgate. Among these, was also one John Howel, who had been sent by alderman Brown to work at Bridewell, because he being brought before him, did not tell on a sudden 1 what was his name: and being demanded in the court why he did not tell his name, he answered, Because he had been beaten and abused in the presence of Richard Brown, when he was brought before him. Brown, who was also on the bench, asked him roughly, "Wherein were you abused?" And Howel replied, "Blood was drawn on me in thy presence ; which ought not to be done in the presence of a justice of peace." But Brown growing very impetuous, returned, "Hold your prating, or there shall as much be done again here in the presence of the court." About midsummer, Daniel Baker returned into England, (who, as hath been related, had been at Malta) and about a fortnight after his arrival, he, with four others, was taken by a band of soldiers from the Bull and Mouth meeting, and carried to Paul's yard, where having been kept for some hours, they were brought to Newgate; but in the evening they were had before alderman Brown, to whom Baker with meekness said, "Let the fear of God and of his peace be set up in thy heart." But Brown fell a laughing, and said, "I would rather hear a dog bark;" and using more such scoffing expressions, he charged Baker, &c. with the breach of the king's law in meeting together. Το which Baker said, "The servants of God in the apostles' days, were commanded to speak no more in the name of Jesus; and they answered, and so do I too, whether it be better to obey God than men, judge ye." He also instanced the case of the three children at Babylon, and Daniel, who obeyed not the king's decrees. But Brown grew so angry, that he commanded his men to smite Daniel on the face. This they did, and pulling him four or five times to the ground, they smote him with their fists, and wrung his neck so, as if they would have murdered him. This these fellows did to please Brown, shewing themselves to be ready for any service, how abominable soever. And Baker reflecting on his travels, signified, that even Turks and heathens would abhor such brutish actions. His fellow prisoners, were also abused by Brown, and then sent to Newgate again. And after some days, they were called to the sessions, where their indictment was read, which likę others in such cases, did generally run in these terms: that the prisoners, under pretence of performing religious worship, otherwise than by the laws of the kingdom of England established, unlawfully and tumultuously did gather and assemble themselves together, to the great terror of his majesty's people, and to the disturbance of the peace of the king, in contempt of our said lord the king, and his laws, to the evil example of all others in the like case offending, &c. The indictment being read, no witness appeared against the prisoners, save Brown who sat on the bench: and therefore the oath as the ordinary snare, was tendered to them; for it was sufficiently known, that their profession did not suffer them to take any oath. They denying to swear, were sent back to prison, to stay there until they should have taken the oath. If I would here set down all such like cases as have happened, I might find more work than I should be able to perform: for this vexing with the oath was become so common, that some have been taken up in the streets, and brought to a justice of the peace, that he might tender the oath to them, and in case of denial, send them to prison, though this was directly contrary to the statute of Magna Charta, which expressly saith, "No freeman shall be taken nor imprisoned, or be disseised of his freehold or liberties, but by the law of the land." But this was not regarded by Richard Brown, who did whatever he would; for force and violence were now predominant: and sometimes when the prisoners were brought to the bar, for frequenting meetings, freedom was denied to them to justify themselves; but to be hectored and baffled was their lot. Once it happened, that a prisoner, who had been a soldier formerly under Brown, seeing that no justice or equity was observed, called to him, saying, "That he was not fit to sit on the bench; for he made the son to hang the father at Abingdon; so that he could prove him to be a murderer." This bold saying caused some disturbance in the court, and Brown, how heavy soever the charge was, did not deny the thing in court, nor clear himself from it: yet the other Quaker-prisoners did not approve this upbraiding, but signified, that though the fact were true, yet they were not for reproaching any magistrate upon the bench, whose place and office they did respect and honour. But I do not find that Brown (on that account) ever prosecuted him that spoke so boldly, although otherwise he did whatever he would, without fearing that his fellow-magistrates (who respected him that was a favourite at court) would disclaim it, as may appear by this following instance. A certain person who had been in a very violent and abusive manner taken to prison by the soldiers out of a meeting, because he was not willing to go, said in the court, that his refusing to go, was because they would not shew him any warrant for their apprehending him; since, for aught he knew, they might be robbers or murderers, with whom he was not bound to go. But Brown, who was for violence, said to this, If they had dragged him through all the kennels in the street, they had served him |