The Case of John Griffith Prisoner in Newgate
The source for this document is https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo2/A42144.0001.001
Project Note
This is licensed under Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND. This license allows reusers to copy and distribute the material in any medium or format in unadapted form only, for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
The source of this document is the Early English Books Online (EEBO-TCP) website. Those books were transcribed in a character for character manner and can be very cumbersome to read since there was no standard spelling during that time. Many spelling variations such as "unlesse", "vnlesse", and "vnles" regularly appear.
This project was conceived to clean up those books as much as possible and make them more accessible to the interested reader, leading to the creation of a massive list of variant spellings and their corrections. This was used to clean up the text, but is of course only as complete as the list itself. Because of the nature of the original transcription, some words have missing characters or places where the original language (e.g., Greek) was not transcribed. This effort does not change that. Be aware that the original transcription can also be faulty and in some cases entire sentences may be missing.
Although this is no substitute for a properly compared, proofed, and scholarly edition, I believe that the result is a document which is far more accessible, particularly for searching for terms using standard spelling. The document has been cleaned and presented in what I hope is a pleasing and useful format for the vast majority of Christian brothers and sisters who just want access to read these spiritually nourishing works.
However, a word of warning: The Puritans were a very diverse group of people and their age was characterized with godliness, but also much upheaval, disputation and strife. They disagreed on many doctrines and some of these works contain less orthodox or Scriptural views than others. The reader is strongly advised to read with discernment, particularly if it is unknown whether author is trustworthy.
This project took a huge amount of time and skill to bring to fruition. I would particularly like to thank David Jonescue for the initial list of Puritans he found on EEBO and the concept behind this project as well as the continuous, unceasing efforts toward seeing this complete. Without his labor, this would not be available. Alex Sarrouf was invaluable in providing the initial list of over 7,000 spelling variations he had identified and corrected, as well as continuing to review more than 16,000 additions to that list for any typos.
Logan West
(with David Jonescue and Alex Sarrouf)
www.puritansearch.org
THE Case of Mr. John Griffith Minister of the Gospel, and now Prisoner in Newgate.
Being a true and Impartial Account of what he spake at the Sessions-house in the Old Bailey, on the 18th day of this instant April, 1683. before the Lord-Chief-Justice Saunders, and three Judges more, the Lord Mayor, Recorder, and several Aldermen of the City of London.
ON the day and year abovesaid, about four in the Afternoon, Mr. Bampfield, and myself were sent for by the Court, and soon after we came we were both brought to the inward Bar.
Mr. Bampfield was first required to take the Oath of Allegiance, it being again tendered him according to the Statute in the third of King James.
After some discourse between the Judges and the Recorder, had with Mr. Bampfield, he refusing to swear, they made an end for that time with him. The Clerk of the Peace I took him to be, said unto me, Take off your Glove; I asked him, What to do? he answered, To lay your hand on the Book, which Book he had in his hand, and held it out unto me.
I then spake with a loud voice, and said, My Lord, I hope you will give me the Liberty to speak for myself in my own defense; one of the Judges replied, That my friend (meaning Mr. Bampfield ) had spoke for me, or to that effect. I said again that I desired to speak for myself, for I had other things to offer as my reasons why I could not take that Oath. Having Liberty granted, as I took it from their silence, I with an audible voice said unto them, I am in the Scripture commanded when I take an Oath, To swear in Truth, in Judgment, and in Righteousness, unto which the Church of England doth agree; it is one Article of their Faith, That he that taketh an Oath, being required of the Magistrate, ought to swear, so he do it in Truth, in Righteousness, and in Judgment. (See Article 39. of the Church of England.)
Now for me to swear, as my duty is according to the Scripture, and as the Church of England directs, I cannot, should I take this Oath, because I cannot know, but must be ignorant of, what I bind my Soul to perform, and then it is impossible I should swear in Truth, in Judgment, and in Righteousness.
I cannot know, but must be ignorant, both of what hereafter by Law I may be required to do, and also to whom I swear to be obedient; for it is not possible I should foresee what Laws may hereafter be made; and I do not only bind my Soul to obey the King that now is, but his Heirs and Successors also; and I know not what his Successor may be, for ought I know he may be a Popish Succesfor, or a Papist, and I cannot swear to obey Laws not yet in being, nor to be obedient to a Popish Successor; therefore I cannot take the Oath of Allegiance.
Upon which words there was a Hum in the Court which being ceased after a little pause, one of the Judges made this short reply, I (saith he) doth the stick lie there?
I then went on, and said, I cannot conform to the Church of England; should I take this Oath, I swear to Conform, for I am bound by an Oath to obey all the Kings Laws, as much those Laws which respect the Worship of God, as those relating to Civil Government, and then I am sworn to hear Common prayer once a month, (here one of the Judges said, So you are ) and to Receive the Sacrament with the Church of England as oft as the Law requires, yea and to Conform to all the Rites and Ceremonies of the said Church; to this it was answered, (So you are) and not to frequent Private Meetings anymore, for there are Laws that forbid it; it was again answered, So you are.
Therefore I cannot take this Oath.
I then prayed the Judges to give me all their opinions, whether it were as I had said or not, they answered with one consent, as one man, That it was as I had said, viz. That I did in taking the Oath, swear to obey all the Kings Laws without exception. Then I returned them thanks, that they were pleased to give me their opinion and judgment in the Case, and withal added these words, I am well satisfied and settled in my Religion, and the more confirmed by what you have said; and if it be so, do with me what you please, come life, come death, the Lord assisting me, I will never take the Oath of Allegiance.
Then I desired to speak a few Words more, which being not denied, I said Be it known unto you, that I do not refuse to take the Oath of Allegiance, in any dislike I have of anything contained therein, against the Authority of the Pope, or the See of Rome, but do in all points therein with you agree; and further I do declare, that I believe the Pope hath no Power, nor Authority over the Kings Person, nor his Government, no, nor over the meanest Subject in his Kingdom; and do yet further declare, That I believe in my Conscience, Popery to be Idolatrous, Damnable, and Devilish.
I was then had back again to the Press-yard, where I remain the Lord's Prisoner, and am ready further to bear my Testimony for him, against Anti-christ, the Pope, and See of Rome, and for his holy Word, the Purity of the Gospel, and the Ordinances thereof, against Popish Darkness, filthy Idolatries, Fornications Blasphemies, and Abominations, and all Traditions of men, as one made willing through the free mercy and rich Grace of God, my heavenly Father, to forsake all for Christ, (who hath loved me, and given himself for me) not counting my life dear to myself, so I may finish my Course with Joy, and the Ministry I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the Grace of God.
Thus have I given an Account of what I spake, and was said to me, to the very best of my memory, though it may be not word for word, yet for substance of what was spoke, it is true.
JOHN GRIFFITH
Mat. 5.23.
London, Printed by George Larkin for the Author. 168 •