PLEA FOR TOLERATION

OF

OPINIONS AND PERSUASIONS

IN

MATTERS OF RELIGION,

DIFFERING FROM THE

CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

Grounded upon good Authority of Scripture, and the practice of the Primitive Times.

Shewing the unreasonableness of prescribing to other mens Faith, and the evil of persecuting differing Opinions.

Humbly presented to the King's most excellent Majesty, by Iohn Sturgion, a Member of the Baptized People.

Acts v. 38, 39. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone, for if this counsel (or this work) be of men, it will come to nought; but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found, even to fight against God.

London, Printed by S. Dover, for Francis Smith, at the Elephant and Castle, near Temple-Bar, 1661.

INTRODUCTORY NOTICE.

"JANUARY 2nd, Wednesday, 1660-1. Whitehall Council Board. Whereas divers factious persons, under pretence of the liberty indulged by his majesty's late gracious declaration, in reference unto tender consciences, do meet in great numbers and at unusual times, whereby it may be justly apprehended, that many of them enter into plots and conspiracies to disturb the peace of the kingdom: It was thereupon ordered by his majesty in council, that Mr. Solicitor-general should forthwith prepare a proclamation, commanding all such persons going under the notion of anabaptists, quakers, and other sectaries, henceforward not to meet, under pretence of serving God, at unusual hours, nor in great numbers; and particularly that none of them go out of the precincts of his or their habitation, to any spiritual exercise, or serving of God after their own way, but that they do the same in their own parish. And if any shall be found to offend therein, the next justices of the peace are to cause them, and every of them, to be proceeded against, according to the laws provided against riotous and unlawful assemblies."

1

Kennet's Register, p. 352.

TOLERATION.]

X

The proclamation was issued eight days after the above order in council, the day following the arrest of Thomas Venner, whose insurrection gave an ostensible reason for its necessity. It must be remarked, that numerous acts of persecution were daily committed upon the baptists and quakers throughout the kingdom; that repeated representations were being made to the sovereign of the illegal proceedings and injustice to which they were subjected; that the declaration of Breda, and its subsequent acknowledgment, hampered the king's ministry in its persecuting purposes; and that there was needed some insurrectionary movement, to justify the refusal of further liberty to the sectaries, and give free scope to the base and wicked cruelties, with which they were universally treated. This justification was found in the mad attempt of Thomas Venner and his accomplices.

Suspicion, however, arises, that the intentions of the rebels were known to the government; and, from the perfidious character of the sovereign and his advisers, that the fifth-monarchists were either driven or led into

it by some secret intrigue. Or why should this proclamation be determined upon five days before the outbreak, making this to be the reason for its promulgation? It was on Sunday night, January 7th, that Venner and his disciples broke forth into open rebellion. Their meeting was late. Urged by curiosity, it is said, the landlord peeped through the chinks of the door. He saw them arming, and proceeded immediately to acquaint some officers who were at hand. The duke of York, the lord mayor, and several soldiers, were quickly on the