IN the year 1664, which was not long after it pleaſed the Lord to reveal his truth and way everlaſting, unto William Dobſon, he was arreſted (becauſe he conſcientiouſly refus'd to pay Tythes) at the Suit of R. Whiſtler, and in the month called October, was had to Redding Goal, and kept 15 weeks, and then ſome related to him, (without his knowledge,) paid R. W. his Demands, and ſo was releaſed for that time.

But the next year he was arreſted again at R. W's Suit for Tythes, and had to Redding Goal in the 11 month 1665, and kept there near 15 week • , and then was removed to Weſtminſter, London, and made a Priſoner at the Fleet, and in a ſhort time after brought before the Court in Westminſter; where he was falſly accuſed with a Debt of 35l. 11s. at the Suit of Ralph Whistler. The Judges ask'd William who was his Attorney? He told them, he had no Attorney, but was there in perſon to anſwer what they had to charge him with: and and whereas he was charged with a Debt of 35l. 11s. at the Suit of R. Whiſtler, he then declared that he owed him nothing: then they ſaid, Here is a Declaration againſt you, and you muſt return an anſwer to it; and VVilliam took the Declaration, and told the Court he would return an Anſwer to it, and ſo he was had back again to the Fleet. And the Declaration being in Latin, and Court-hand, he could not read it, ſo as to underſtand it but ſaw his Name was not in it, ſo he ſent it to a Lawyer, who drew up a Plea to this effect: That it could not be understood that he was the perſon intended in the Declaration, becauſe 〈…〉 from his Nativity been known by the name of Dobſon, and by no other name; as likewiſe his Anceſtors before him. So his Anſwer was delivered into the Court by a Serjeant: and ſome that underſtood the Law, told William he would be Non-ſuited the next Term, it being not effectual in Law, for a man to be arreſted by one name, and proſecuted by another. But inſtead thereof, the next Term Ralph Whiſtler's Attorney brought William a peremptory Rule from the Court, that unleſs he did rejoyn by Saturday next, Judgment ſhould be entred againſt him; telling ſome that were Priſoners in the Fleet the ſame time with William, that he could whiſper in the Judges ear, [mark] and tell him what he was, and ſo carry on his deſign againſt him; whereby he was conſtrained to put himſelf upon Tryal by the Country: and obtained leave of the Clark of the Fleet to be at the Aſſizes which was held at Abingdon for the County of Bucks, in the 5th. month, called July, 1666, where Judge Twiſden ſate Judge; and the firſt Tryal that was called was it, where William was called again by a wrong name, and he told the Jury, that was not his name; alſo one that ſtood by told the Judge, that William Dobſon had pleaded Miſnomer; but the Judge regarded it not, but fell into a paſſion, and threatned William becauſe of his Hat, often calling him Sirrah, and falſe Knave; to which VVilliam reply'd, that He was a true man, and denied falſhood and deceit. The Judge (inſtead of hearing his lawful defence) cauſed the Sheriffs men to hale him out of the Court, and his Adverſaries Witneſs was ſworn, and then VVilliam was brought again into the Court, and R. VVhiſtlers Councellor (Tertullus like) began vehemently to accuſe VVilliam, for carrying away ſeveral Acres of Wheat, Barly, Beans, and Dills, no leſs than 13 Acres and a half more than he had, and the moſt part of ſuch Grain whereof he had none growing (namely Beans) their falſe Witneſs (to wit John Smyth of Satwel) not only confirming what had been ſaid by the Councellor, but likewiſe overvaluing it; ſaid that Every Acre of wheat was worth 4l. and the Tythes 8s. and that every Acre of Barly was worth 2l. and the Tythes 4s. &c. By which means the ſingle value amounted to almoſt 8l. which at the deareſt Rate, when Wheat was at 10s. the Buſhel, was valued at but 4l. 10s. the Tythe of VVilliam's Farm by the year. The Judge cauſed the Clark to caſt it up, according as the Witneſs had falſly ſworn, and the treble Damage amounted to 23l. and odd Mony, and then called to the Jury to give in their Verdict, Who they found for, the Plaintiff, or the Defendant? whereupon, William deſired that the Jury might go together and conſider of the matter, giving them to underſtand that his Adverſaries Witneſs had ſworn very falſly, both as to the number of Acres, and alſo as to the value of the Corn, and of ſuch Grain of which it was well known to the Neighbours 〈◊〉 had none growing. Nevertheleſs, the Judge (being in a Paſſion) would not 〈…〉 from the Bar but muſt give in their Verdict, and threa •… ed the Defendant to lay him by the heels, telling him he diſturb'd the Court, for thus Speaking in his own juſt defence, denying their Lyes and falſe Accuſations. And the Judge being thus ſet againſt the Defendant, the Jury brought in for the Plaintiff, and the next Term they brought forth an Execution againſt him, by a wrong name likewiſe. And the 17th. day of the 9th. month 1666. Richard VVhite, an Ale-houſe keeper in VVallingford: with two lewd Fellows more of the baſer ſort, Ralph VVhiſtler with his Servants aſſiſting them with his Horſe, and drew away VVilliam's Cart, and Wheels, and Cart-rope to his own Houſe; they likewiſe led and drove away all the Cattle VVilliam had, and ſome Horſes and Cows that were none of his (being on his ground) although he told them they were none of his: The goods they took away were valued at 40l. whereupon VVilliam gave the Under-Sheriff an account of the value of Goods which they had took from him, and that ſome of the Goods were not his: the Under-Sheriff promiſed to rectifie the buſineſs, but was not as good as his Word. And although Ralph Whiſtler had taken nine times the value of the Tythe demanded; yet he wiſht he had had ſo much more; and that William had nothing left him, and that it ſhould not be long before he would have him in Priſon again; and alſo in a Neighbours Houſe laid violent Hands on William, and wrapt one of his Fiſts in the Hair of his Head, and Struck him on the Head and Face, &c. Inſomuch that the Conſtable could hardly get him off from abuſing him: which manifeſted great envie as well as unreaſonablneſs. That nothing but the Ruine of this poor Man could be expected; had not the Lords power upheld him. But R. W: Was as good as his word in what he before threatned, viz. that it ſhould not be long before he would have him in Priſon again, for having taken away his Goods as before-mentioned, he ſoon cauſed his Body to be taken up again, thereby endeavouring what in them lay (as appears by their actions) to hinder him in his • Imployment in manuring his Land for another Crop, towards the maintinance of his Family. About the middle of the 9th. Month 1667. William Dobſon was Arreſted again for Tythes at Ralph Whiſtlers Suit, to which he gave an Appearance, and thereby had liberty to follow his Imployment till the Aſſizes, which was about the middle of the 12th. Month following, holden at Reding, where it came to be Tryed, and (the ſame) Judge Twiſdon ſate Judge; who ſpying William in the Court with his Hat on, gave him ſuch another Salutation as he did before, at the Aſſizes at Abington the laſt year, viz. Come Sirrah, will you not put off your Hat yet? threatning to lay him by th'Heels, before William had ſpoken any thing whereby to make him ſo Angry. R. W s. Councellor began to Plead againſt William after their uſual manner, for Carrying away his Hay and Corn without paying Tythe; which they valued (as they ſaid) at 12l. and odd Mony, which with treble Damages amounted to 36l. and odd Mony: and for proof thereof R. VV. brought his former Falſe Witneſs John Smith of Satwel; againſt whoſe Evidence VVilliam made exception, ſignifying to the Judge, that that was the Man who at the Aſſizes held at Abingdon the year before had Sworn falſly againſt him, and therefore his Evidence ought not to be received. The Judge asked whether he had Indicted him for Perjury? VVilliam ſaid no; but I can prove it againſt him; then the Judge ſaid he muſt receive his Evidence, until he be Indicted; ſo Smith was Sworn, who took Oath that every Acre of Wheat was worth 50s. Which was very falſe, for Wheat was then at a very • ow rate; and the Judge alſo ſaid he could not ſee how it could be ſo much worth: however the Clark caſt it up according to what Smith had Sworn, and the ſingle value (they ſaid) did amount to 12l. (with treble Damges to 36l.) But the Judge was ſo moderate that he left it to the Jury, and bid them to withdraw; and ſo they did; and abated one third part of that which the Witneſs had Sworn it was worth, (which •… gnifieth they gave not much Credit to his Evidence.) The Jury brought in the ſingle value at 8l. With treble Damages at 24l. and thereupon Ralph Whiſtler brought an Execution: and the 20th. day of the 3 Month 1668. Moſes Slade then Under-Sherriff, and Thomas Skeats of Redding, Bayliff, Seized on, and took away from William Dobſon a Gelding, and 〈◊〉 Cows, (all he had) and drove them to Wallingford, and Sold them 〈◊〉 14l. and which were well worth 17l. And when they had taken away the Goods without Doors, R. VV. not being ſatisfied therewith, •… irred up the Under-Sherriff to go again to take away more Goods; who •… t two very bad Fellows (as by their actions appeared,) namely, William •… ild, and Henry Weſton, Bayliffs; who went into William Dobſon's Houſe the 29th. day of the ſame month, and took away all the Pewter and Braſs they could find, as Kettle, Skillet, Platters, and Skimmer. One Bed and Bolſter, one pair of Blankets, two pair of Sheets, four Sacks and a Winnowing-ſheet: alſo of wearing-cloths, a Doublet, two pair of Breeches, and a great Coat of William's, and two Waſtcoats, four Petticoats, and a Searge Hood of his Wives. And when they had loaded upon the Horſe what they had got within doors, they went about to drive away the Hoggs that were left; but the Swine ran away, and would not be drove by them; and ſo they had not the Hoggs that time. But the other Goods they carried to the George Inn in Wallingford, which Goods and Cloaths were worth about 11l. but what they ſold it for we have not heard. Yet, notwithſtanding, Ralph Whiſtler was not ſatisfied, as if indeed he were re • olved to ruine, or at leaſt to weary out this poor man. Having heard that • e had bought ſome more Cows to yield ſome Milk for his Children, ſent Child the Bayliff again, and his Brother, in the 11th. month, 1668, to William's Houſe, and then they took away three Cows, which was all he had, and were worth 10l. So that the Goods taken away on this Execution as before is mentioned, for 8l. the ſingle value demanded: in Cattle and Houſhold-goods, and wearing-cloths, was valued to be worth thirty eight Pounds.

Yet the next Year Ralph Whiſtler cauſed William to be Arreſted again, and in the 8 Month 1669. Or in a ſhort time after was ſent to Reading Goal, from his poor Wife and Children; and the latter end of the 9th: Month following, he was removed by Habias Corpus to Westminster; and returned over in Court, and at the riſing of the Court was called to the Barr, and Charged and asked who was his Atturney, whereupon he nominated William Church Clark of the Fleet, and gave him his Fee, and appointed him to put in a Plea of Nell debet parpatriam to the Declaration, which he promiſed to do, and William expected a Tryal at the next Aſſizes holden at Reding in the firſt Month 1670. Bu • ſo it was, that he had no Tryal, nevertheleſs upon the 16th. day of the ſame Month William Childe the Bayliffe, and Robert Hopkings took away all the Cattel that William had, viz. Horſes, Cows, and Hoges, and drove them all to an Inn in Wallingford, and Sold them the next Market day for 19l. But the Goods were valved to be well worth 80l. they uſing to Sell large Penniworths of his Goods, or elſe they might have wanted Chapmen to take it off their hands. Indeed it is to be admired, how great the Lords Love and Mercy was to this William Dobſon, by which he was preſerved in patience to undergo ſo great exerciſes, and to look with an outward eye, it might ſeem ſtrange how the man could ſubſiſt, and carry on his buſineſs to maintain ſuch a Familie, when no ſooner he can make ſhift to buy a few Cattle, but on a ſudden they are had away by Droves, and that at ſuch times in which it is moſt to his diſadvantage, and to more than the yearly value of what the Farm was worth by the year, beſides the loſs of time by Impriſonment, and toſſings of his Body from place to place into Confinements. But, to return again to the matter, this is not all, neither would all this before-related ſatisfie William's unwearied Adverſaries. But after Ralph VVhiſtler had thus cruelly dealt with him, the Prieſt of the Pariſh will needs have one fling at him; (and we ſay 'tis well if he did not encourage R. VV. in his eager proſecution, and unreaſonable proceedings) and now VVilliam's Goods are gone, his Body muſt to Priſon again upon Excommunication, and the 29th. day of the firſt month before mentioned, in which R. VV. had cauſed all his Cattle to be fetch away, VVilliam was to viſit his Friends (who at that time were many) cloſe Priſoners, upon a conſciencious account, in Reding Goal, the Goaler ſeeing him there, told him, if he had not come he muſt have fetcht him, and pull'd out a Warrant and ſhewed it to him, which came from the Sheriff, for the apprehending VVilliam Dobſon, by virtue of a Writ of Excomunicat' capiendo: for not going to their Worſhips, and not receiving the Sacrament (as they called) when as he was ſo little out of Priſon, and ſo tumbled and toſſed up and down, that he was hardly in a capacity to go if he had been minded. But he did not only bear Teſtimony againſt the maintainance (viz. Tyths) but that Miniſtry which Preach for Hire, and Divine for Mony, and that Worſhip which is in the VVorld out of the Leadings of God's holy and bleſſed Spirit. So John Thorp the Goaler ſtopp'd him, and kept him a Priſoner with the reſt of his Friends, whom he came in kindneſs to viſit, and continued a Priſoner two years and a half, and then it pleaſed the Lord ſo to order it, contrary to expectation, that VVilliam was releaſed with the reſt of his Friends, from their long Impriſonments, by the King's Letters Patents in the 8th. monh called October, 1672.

And in the time of his Impriſonment on Excomunicat' capiendo, Ralph VVhiſtler and his Servants, in the Harveſt time took away VVilliam's Corn in the Field, what they pleaſed, ſomtimes a whole Land of Corn together, after it was cut down, upon the account of Tyths, and at ſeveral times after a ſcambling manner, ſo that the value thereof, which in that two years and a halfs time was taken away in Corn, could not eaſily be computed.

But VVilliam being again out of Priſon, and through the bleſſing of Almighty God had a little increaſed his Stock, Ralph VVhiſtler pretending that the former Execution was not yet Levied; upon the 24th. day of the 1ſt. month, 1673/4 he ſent John Button a Bayliff, and VVilliam Robins Aſſiſtant of VVallingford, who ſeized on and drove away 4 Cows, and 3 Horſes, which were valued to be worth 27l.

And the 28 •… day of the ſame month, VVilliam having borrowed a Horſe (for he could not keep any of his own) his Man was drawing a Cart and Wheels with the Horſe, in VVallingford ſtreet, where Moſes Slade the under Sheriff, laid violent hands on the man, and took the Cart and Wheels away from him, which were judged to be worth four Pound.

Again, VVilliam having bought ſome more Horſes to Plow withal, it being about or in the Seed-time, could not well be without, ſuppoſing by that time ſurely Ralph VVhiſtler was ſatisfied; but the 13th. day of the 3d. month, 1674, John Button the Bayliff took away from VVilliam's Servant, out of his Team, two Colts with their Harneſs on, which were judged to be worth 9l. upon the former Execution, as they pretended.

So that for two years Tyth demanded, at 4l. 10s. a year, which came to 9l. theſe cruel and unreaſonable men (for ſo they have made their actions to render them to all that ſhall take a view thereof) took away and ſold as much Cattle, (viz.) Cows, Horſes, Hoggs, and other good and wearing-cloaths from VVilliam Dobſon, as was worth 78l. which was about eight times the ſingle value that Ralph VVhiſtler demanded, which is very unreaſonable, and will ſurely be a blot, and bring a line of reflection (and that juſtly too) upon him and his Poſterity, though thereby he might think to increaſe his Riches, 'tis well if it prove not as a Canker in his Eſtate (as to ſome others ſuch gain has proved) which by Oppreſſion is heaped together. And the memory of ſuch unneighbourly proceedings will remain upon Record, when Ralph VVhiſtler is gone to his Grave: and the Lord, if it be his Will forgive him, and lay not this to his charge, in that day when God ſhall open the Book of every mans Conſcience, and give righteous Judgment to every man according to their Deeds done in theſe Bodies, whether they are Good or Evil.

But to return again to the matter that's yet behind. In the beginning of the 3d. month, 1675, VVilliam being then at Liberty, was ſerved with a Subpoena to appear before the Barons of the Exchecquer, at the Suit of Ralph VVhiſtler; and about the middle of the month following, he was arreſted by VVilliam Child Bayliff, with the Sheriff's Warrant but through the Sheriff's means was not ſent to Goal until the beginning of the 7th. month, called September; at which time the Goaler ſent for him to Priſon; and after a little time VVilliam, with 20 mor • of his Friends that were then Priſoners, were by the Goaler (Joh • Tharp) ſhut up in two very cloſe Wards over the Dungeon, where th • Felons lay ſick of the Small-pox; and one of them dying in the Dungeo • with that Diſtemper, John Thorp cauſed the Muckle and nauſty Straw whereon the Felon dyed (which was in a very ſad and loathſom condition to look upon) to be burnt there in the Dungeon, underneath thoſe Rooms where William and his Friends were ſhut up; and th • Smoak and infectious Dain thereof was ſo offenſive, as is hard to expreſ • the ſame; which ſeized on ſeveral beſides William, and the ſame day he and ſeveral of the others grew ill and had the Diſtemper, and ſome • died in a ſhort time after; and William was ſo nigh death, that few tha • ſaw him could think him a man likely to continue, and was given up by thoſe that were about him as a dying man. And at that ſeaſon the living Power of God, as a ſpring of Love and Life, fill'd his heart, and burſt ou • as a Stream, in uttering forth many heavenly Expreſſions, and wholſo • Exhortations to his Friends and Brethren; to prize the Love of God, an • to be faithful unto him; ſignifying how good the Lord had been unto him▪ And much more to the ſame effect he ſpoke, with fervent zeal and clearneſs, as if he had been in perfect ſtrength, to the comforting his Fellow priſoners. And ſpeaking ſo loud, ſome of the Goaler's Family (viz. Walter Cowdry and the Maid-ſervant) came up into the Wards, to hear and ſee what was the matter, and when he had fixt his eyes on them, he ſpoke very ſenſibly to them, and alſo concerning John Thorp and Walter Cowdry (the then Turn-key) their cruelty towards him and his Friends, and with great zeal he thunder'd out God's dreadful Judgments, that (he ſaid) would ſuddenly be poured out, againſt the Goaler and his Confederates, in that barbarous proceeding againſt the Innocent, in ſuch Wickedneſs and Cruelty: Alſo ſignifying that the day of their viſitation was near at an end. And much more he ſpoke to that effect, to the admiration of all that were preſent. And the Goaler and his Wife are ſince both dead—

But it pleaſed Almighty God, with whom all things are poſſible, that after a long time of weakneſs, William Dobſon recovered a little ſtrength of body, and had a little Liberty to take the Air, and ſomtimes to go to ſee his Family, and be there to look a little over his outward concerns, but remained weakly in Body, and never recovered his former ſtrength from that time. And, notwithſtanding the Prieſt of the Pariſh, of whom Ralph Whistler rented the Tyth, was dead, and Whiſtler off from the Bargain of renting it, and had counted with the Prieſt before he dyed, and abated to the Prieſt what he valued the Tyth of William's Farm to be worth: Yet Ralph Whiſtler kept him a Priſoner for non-payment thereof to • is dying day; though he owed him nothing; which (ſaid William in his • ife-time) is a further manifeſtation of Ralph Whiſtler's cruelty and un • eaſonableneſs in his actinggs towards him for the ſpace of thirteen years, becauſe for the ſpace of thirteen years he could not for Conſcience-ſake pay Tyths. And the Lord in theſe troubles which he permitted him to be exerciſed withal, did wonderfully uphold and preſerve him, and bleſſed his endeavours; that notwithſtanding all the endeavours of his Adverſaries, which might tend to his ruine, yet he thrived in his outward Eſtate, which hath ben taken notice of by many; and that the eminent hand of the Almighty God was manifeſted greatly for his good every way, which is matter of encouragement unto all that are or hereafter may be called by the Lord • o ſuffer for the ſame Teſtimony. Now, William Dobſon, having thus by the aſ • iſtance of the Lord's Power fought the good Fight of Faith, and kept the Word of his Patience, laid down his head in Peace, and finiſhed his courſe, and upon the laſt day of the 3d. month, called May, 1677. he died a Priſoner for the Truth, and his name is recorded in the Book of Life amongſt •… e faithfull Sufferers and Martyrs, for the ancient Teſtimony of Jeſus • hriſt, againſt that great Oppreſſion of Tyths.