VVHen the Christians in the primitive Times had their private meetings, the Church was hidden, and it was death for any to profess Christ openly; then Cellars, Garrets, and Woods, were their places of Assembly; but who reigned then, Nero? Blessed be the Name of God for ever more, we have the word preached a­mongst us faithfully, we need not go into Corners and Holes to hear the Word of our blessed Lord and Savi­our taught; it abounds, through the great hand of Pro­vidence, in a most miraculous way, to all Leige and Loyal Subjects, and the Conduit-pipes of Heaven we see apparently opened, from whence descends the Fountain of Living Water, God in his great mercy con­tinue the powerful influence thereof: And if there be some (as I suppose too many) that have a design to sore high beyond their Capacities and undertakings, let them learn that good and Christian Lesson of the holy Apostles, Submit your selves to the Higher powers, &c. Blame me not therefore, I beseech you, though I urge this with tenderness to tender Consciences; for I ve­rily [Page 2]believe Ananias the Button-maker, Flash the Cob­ler, or any others of that fraternity, never did more in­jury to poor Souls then the deluding Foxes of this Age; as is too manifest in these dayes, by the delusion of a Generation of men, whom I dare not call Loyal Subjects; witness the actions of a people that walk and go under the name of Fifth-monarchy men, whose principles to Monarchy are both dangerous and perni­cious, as appears by their results at their meeting pla­ces; touching which, in reference to the following Discourse, the Reader may be pleased to take notice, that in one of their private Conventicles at White-Chappel, on Saturday October 19, 1661. John James a pretended Preacher to that Society, a Silk Weaver by Trade [mind that] took his Text out of the 8th. Psalm and second verse; the words these, Out of the mouths of Babes and Sucklings hast thou ordained strength, because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. From whence he raised several Do­ctrines, which alluded to Seditions and Rebellions, as appeared by the testimony of some witnesses, who be­ing then present, departed the place, and acquainted the next Justice of Peace with it; upon which infor­mation, the said Justice sent for some Officers, and im­mediately came to the place where this Convinticle was, where they found the afore-named John James in the full heighth of his Seditious exercise; and making their approach near him, they commanded him to come down, he boldly answered, he would not, unless they pulled him down; whereupon an Officer took hold of his Coat, forcing him to decline his station; and was thereupon carried before the Right Worshipful [Page 3]Sir Iohn Robinson Lieutenent of the Tower of London, where was laid to his charge mery traiterous expressi­ons, uttered in his private Conventicle against the pre­sent Power and Government; for which, the Lieute­nant told him he would stretch for it: And in order there­unto his Mittimus was made to be sent to Newgate, where he remained till the 19th of this instant Novem. being Wednesday, from whence he was carried to the Kings Bar in Westminster Hall, and there arraigned for preaching maliciously and traiterously against the life and safety of our Soveraign Lord the King, and against the peace and Government of the whole Realm, &c. But this is observable, that upon his coming to the Bar, and being commanded to hold up his hand, according to the ancient Law of England, he yielded obedience thereunto, but with his Glove on, which the Court perceiving, he was commanded to pull it off, saying, That he he [...]d up his hand as a testimony, that he [...]as there present, to answer what that Honourable Court had to lay to his charge, &c. But to evade circumstances:

The Charge of High Treason being read, wherein he was accused, to Act, Plot, and Conspire, against His Royal Maje­sties Sacred person, to be instrumental of levying a New War, and tha [...] he should say, That if ever they could get the Power into their own hands (which God forbid) that they would ca [...] of all Monarchy, and perfect the work formerly began throughly.

This and much more was made apparent and attest­ed by several Witnesses; amongst whom, Mr. Tipler a Tobacco-pipe maker, made Oath, That he heard the said John James publickly declare at his private Con­venticle in White-chapple, That the Cup of Iniquity was fil­led more fuller by the blood of the Saints at Cherring-Cross a twelve moneth last, and by the blood of the Saints in Scotland to wit, the Covenanters, then it had in many years before, and that a sudden ruine and destruction would befal the Authors thereof.

Thus did this sad Soul justifie those Bloody Mur­therers, who for their horrid impieties were executed for their most notorious and wicked Treasons, and see­med to justifie himself, pleading innocency: But this, and much more being fully proved by several Wit­nesses, before the Lord Chief Justice Foster, and the rest of the Justices of that Court, he was brought in Guilty of High Treason, which he seemed very obstinately to evade; for when it was demanded by the Honoura­ble Court, Who he would be tried by, He answered, By the Lawes of God. The Lord Chief Justice told him, He must answer according to Law, otherwise he must be recor­ded for a Mute. The Clerk then telling him, he must answer, By God and his Countrey, he desired to know what the meaning of that was; it was answered, That by God was meant the Lawes of the Land, and by Country, twelve M [...]ddlesex men for his Jury, honest, and just, to deal impartially between the King; most excellent Majesty and the Charge against the Prisoner at the Bar, whereupon he replied, that he was satisfied: And the Jury going out, he desired them to be tender of spilling of Innocent blood; but finding the evidence of the Witness so clear [Page 5]and apparent, he was brought in Guilty of High Treason, and soon after received Sentence to be Drawn, Hang­ed and Quartered. Which was accordingly put in executi­on on Tuesday last; being drawn upon a Sledge from N [...]w­gate to Tyburn: who upon his coming thither, was set up in a Cart right under the Gallows, where standing upright with his hat off, and a Sattin Cap upon his head, he ad­dressed himself to the Sheriff who was in his Coach close by) desiring to know what time he might have allowed him, the Sheriff told him he might take what time he thought good in reason, provided he spake nothing that was seditious, which he promised he should not, n [...]r had he, as he said, the least intention or desire so to do. T [...] of his f [...]iends giving him somewhat in a Glasse to drink, he took it and drank, and then began his speech in the manner as followeth.

First of all, I desire to clear my self of an aspersion cast upon me, and reported up and down, that I am a Jesuite: to which I answer, I was born in England, and never out of it since I was born; I understand no other Tong [...]e, which will argue me very unfit to be a Iesuite; besides, I am a man but of weak parts, and those that are imployed for such, are commonly very learned and knowing men; I am born of very mean Parents, and I may say as Gideon did, Iudges 6.15. Behold my Family is poor, and I am the least in my Fathers House: I came indeed of a mean Family, the mean­est that I know among the people of God, but [...]y Parents were very careful to have me brought up in the fear of God; yea they were so careful, that I verily think, that my Father when he died, had not the least to trouble his Con­science for that; the like I may say of my Mother, who is still living, and attaining to a good old age.

The second thing I shall speak of, is about my Religion, I am of that Religion mentioned in the sixth of the He­brews, the second Verse, I am a Baptist, in which way I have [Page 6]walked some time: I believe the Resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgement: I also own all the Commande­ments, as they are laid down in the 20 Chapter of Exodus, and I dare not to break one of them to save my life: I am for the seventh days sabbath, as it is commanded in the 4th Commandement.

Then desiring some time for prayer, he prayed to this effect.

Most gracious Lord God, in whose sight all the Nations of the Earth, is but as a drop of a Bucket, I beseech thee in mercy look upon thy poor Creature here before thee, bles­sed be thy holy Name, that such a poor worm as I am, can call thee Father, bless the Lord O my Soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy Name. Lord I am now a coming to thee, send down thy holy Angels to convey my Soul into Abrahams Bosom.

Then the Executioner asking him if he had any more to say to the people, he answered, he had not, he being very weak in body, was spent: then he stood a little time pray­ing privately, and lifting up his hands, when he had done, he gave the Sheriff thanks for his courtesie, and then told the Executioner he had done; upon which, he put the Rope about his neck, and just as the Cart was drawn off, he lift up his hands and cryed out, O Lord receive my Soul.