Speech and Declaration

The Speech and Declaration of John James in the Press-yard at Newgate, on Sunday last.

WHen 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 forever 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 Savior taught; it abounds, through the great hand of Providence, in a most miraculous way, to all Liege 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 yourselves to the Higher powers, &c. Blame me not therefore, I beseech you, though I urge this with tenderness to tender Consciences; for I verily believe Ananias the Button-maker, Plash the Cobbler, 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 days, 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-Chapel, 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 Seditions 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 Sir John Robinson Lieutenant of the Tower of London, where was laid to his change many traitorous expressers, 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 traitorously against the life and safety of our Sovereign 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 was there present, to answer what that Honorable 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 Majesty's Sacred person, to be instrumental of levying a New War, and that be should say, That if ever they could get the Power into their own hands (which God forbid) that they would cast of all Monarchy, and perfect the work formerly began thoroughly.

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 publicly 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 month 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 ruin and destruction would befall the Authors thereof.

Thus did this sad Soul justify those Bloody Murderers, who for their horrid impieties were executed for their most notorious and wicked Treasons, and seemed to justify himself, pleading innocence: 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 Honorable Court, Who he would be tried by. He answered, By the Laws 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 Country, he desired to know what the meaning of that was; it was answered, That by God was meant the Laws of the Land, and by Country, twelve Middlesex men for his Jury, honest, and just, to deal impartially between the Kings most excellent Majesty and the charge against the Prisoner at the Bar. whereupon he 〈◊〉 , that he was satisfied: And the Jury going out, 〈◊〉 them to be tender of spilling of Innocent word but finding the evidence of the Witness so clear and apparent, he was brought in Guilty of High Treason, and soon after received Sentence to be Drawn. Hanged, and Quartered. In order whereunto he was sent back to Newgate where on Sunday morning last, divers of his Acquaintance came to see him in the Press-yard, condoling his sad condition; but he seemed not at all to be daunted, declaring, That what he spake in the meeting, the Spirit of the Lord was upon his heart to reveal it: And being taxed in his Charge touching some particulars concerning that notorious Regicide and wicked Usurper Oliver Cromwell, he said, That he was as much against his power, as he was again this present Government.

The truth is, he fancied no decency in the Church, without order or form, and as much as in him lay, would have eclipsed the Glory thereof, and laid its splendor in the Dust, which all the Reformed Churches in the Christian World have formerly stood amazed at the Government thereof: The Lord in his mercy open the hearts of our Gracious Sovereign, Parliament, and Council, to reform these things both in Church and Kingdoms, that God may have his both in settled in peace and quiet, and his people may come to his Temple with joy and gladness.