Much honoured and beloved in our Lord, having been
often put upon it by one friend and another to give an account by word of
mouth, of the case of my present confinement, in Newgate-Prison, that
when you hear a true Narration of the matter of fact, you may be the better
able to judge of the matter of right, I therefore give this short History, of
the sum and substance of my former and present Cross for Christ, which I,
through Grace, and Mercy, obtained from my Lord, do take up, and bear for him,
thus following him to fulfil after him.
This letter is a Word Apology under patient
suffering for a faithful testimony or a necessary vindication, and a just
defence of F.B. As to his case of suffering, several imprisonments, the cause
of those sufferings, his call to them, his carriage under them, to the honour
of his Lord, to the furtherance of the Gospel, and for the wiping off, of
several injurious, Aspersions, and false Charges, which have been unjustly, and
wrongfully cast upon him. What my Call has been to the Ministerial Office I
have (in a small treatise Instituted) elsewhere published.
I am a Minister of Christ, sent forth by
him, to bring in an open Testimony for him, & for the glory of the latter
day; I have for these last twenty years especially, or more been honoured with
several imprisonments, for the cause and sake of Christ, of the Gospel, and of
Righteousness: to pass by some of them, which were but short for some few days,
I was eight years, and three quarters of a ninth year, under confinement, at Dorchester
Prison in Dorsetshire, for Preaching, Praying, Reading, and opening, and
applying the Scriptures, and of singing Hymns, and such like parts of my
office, and for not conforming to the corruption of the times in the matters of
worship; during which time, I had wonderful experiences of the wisdom, power,
loving kindness of Jehovah Elohim, and many other Covenant favours in
special unto me, in healing, strengthening, comforting, teaching, enlightening,
in a peculiar manner, and divers ways of Spirit-illuminations, whereof I have
elsewhere given an account. Upon my discharge from that confinement, without
paying one penny of that Fine which was laid upon me, I went on with my Ministerial
Office and work as before, here and there, as I had opportunity and a call; but
I was quickly apprehended again, and imprisoned at Salisbury in Wiltshire for
about eighteen weeks, which filled up my (Revel. 2.10) Ten days of Tribulation
in the Letter of it, a day for an year, wherein I greatly rejoice, it was for
the same cause as is before mentioned; after that Term of weeks I had my
discharge from that confinement (without paying one farthing of the Fine or
Mulct). How much to be admired the appearings of Jehovah Elohim my Adonai,
were in a very signal way and manner for me and against many of my Adversaries
in his just judgments, upon and against them, were worthy of an Historical
Narration, but I would keep within the compass of one Sheet.
Upon my release, I came to this City,
London, for the further filling up of my testimony in and near it. At Bethenal-Green
my labours were neither unacceptable, nor unprofitable, where, with some who
desired it, I had Providential Communion for some time. After a while my
Residence was more in the City and Suburbs; having gathered a people unto
Christ, who submitted unto Believers Baptism, we passed solemnly into a Gospel
way of Church-State and Relation, and full Communion, founded on these two
great Principles, owning, professing, of Jesus Christ, to be the one and the
only Lord over our Consciences, and Law-giver to our Souls; and of the Holy
Scriptures of Truth, being our one, and our only Rule of Faith, Worship, and
Life. And thus my liberty in preaching of the Gospel continued, for that very
self same just proportion of time, as my former confinements lasted, that is to
say, full nine years, and some part of a tenth; and this in direct answer to,
(Psal. 90,15) That word seasonably suitably brought in upon the hearts of my
self, and of my xxxx fellow several years since, Make us glad according to the
days, wherein thou hast affected us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.
About two years and a half since, my self,
and the friends in Gospel-fellowship with me, were to seek of a convenient
Meeting-place, for open worship, where all, whose hearts were made willing
might have liberty to come to join with us in the Spiritual, glorious, heavenly
duties of the new Testament, Administration of Grace (for I was always for
Christ's open house-keeping, since, I had inner acquaintance with him). There
were three places, which we particularly had in our eye, on at Great
More-fields, a second at Spittle-fields, a third at Pinners-hall:
upon debate in Christian friendliness, and love, and not being all of one mind,
concerning any one of these three places, at last as soon as proposed, we laid
aside all our own prudential determinings of this matter ( 1 Cor. 14.40.)
(Natural decency and Gospel-order, resolving, and determining all our Cases,
and the prudence of believers, consisting in this to find out, know, choose and
acquiesce, in the determination of the All wise, Sovereign, Supreme will of our
Lord according to his word, in the way of his providence;) and we, after we had
sought the Faces of Elohim to choose for us, did refer and deliver the
determining of it wholly unto him, accordingly the (Prov. 16:33) lots were
given forth, a several one for each of the three forementioned places, on for Great
More-fields, where I then lived, a second for Spittle-fields,
whither a little after I removed; a third for Pinners-hall, and a forth
for elsewhere; we not being to limit the All-free Agent, the Faithful Creator,
the Gracious Redeemer, the Providential Governor, to some one of these three,
for, we knew not, till he gave forth the express signification of his mind and
will, whether any one of these three must be the place, or he would design us
elsewhere: having agreed upon one to draw the lot, we all looked up to the God
of Heaven, expecting his Allotment; the lot opened speak Pinners-hall to
be the place of our solemn Assembling for instituted worship. Upon this we
rejoiced, and all our Spirits, as one united Spirit ran together with Christ's
Spirit in our thoughts and meditations into that place, choosing over Christ's
choice, sweetly delighting, and contentfully acquiescing, in that place,
resolving there to be whilst we had an (Revel 3.8 Acts 5.20, 21.25.42.) open
door there; & this the rather, because our Lord Jesus Christ had so far
honoured us, as to intrust us with one of the most open noted places in all
London, where to be finishing of our witness for Christ and for the Truths and
Duties of the present Age and Day.
Having agreed with the owner, for the
liberty of that place, we forthwith, on the next Seventh-day-Sabbath,
entered that place of Meeting, I was directed unto (Zechar. 6:9-15.) That
Scripture, which doth speak of Christ's bearing the Glory and wearing the
Crowns, which were to be, for a Memorial, hung up in the Temple of Jehovah.
Accordingly we did, in our Spirits, set up, as it were, Spiritual Crowns for
King Jesus, with which to honour Him, if he would be the Glory in the midst of
us, and Spirit and bless his Ordinances in the Ministry of them. This he has
done, drawing many young men, and maidens, by the cords of his love, more
especially this last year. All the glory be to him, who has so powerfully, and
freely, exalted himself, and advanced, his rich Mercy, his abounding Grace,
& his free Love, which has been gathering in some of his Sheep and Lambs
into his Flock, and brought so many of them into his Fold, which he has so
enraged the (Revel. 2:10) Grand Enemy of mankind, thus to smite one of Christ's
under-Shepherds, and to cast him into Prison.
On the seventeenth day of the twelfth Moon,
according to vulgar account, in the year 1682. Whilst I was at our usual hour
of convening, openly at my Ministerial work in Pinners-Hall, Reading and
Interpreting of (Isa. 63:1-6) the Scripture, a Constable, with his Staff of Office,
attended with several other under Officers, with their old rusty Halberds,
rushed in upon our Assembly, requiring, in the Kings Name, to give off and to
come down, to which I answered, I was there in the discharge of my Office, in
the Name of the King of Kings, he mentioned, that he has a Warrant from the
Lord Major to disturb our Meeting, I replied I had a Warrant from Christ, who
was Lord Maximus to go on; and so kept on my work; he commanded one of the
under Officers to pull me down; I answered, out of that Scripture I was upon,
that Christ was travelling in the greatness of his strength, he speak, in
righteousness, who was mighty to save, that, the day of vengeance was in his
heart; and the year of his redeemed ones was come; and that he would pull down
his Enemies, this was, whilst the under Officer was pulling me behind, from the
place where I was speaking. This is, in short, what passed there for the sum of
it, for I write in this and in what follows so far as I can well remember,
though it may not be expressed in the very same words.
From thence they guarded me, and about six
more to the Lord Major's Hall; who, when we were before him, demanded of the
Constable, and other Officers for what cause, they had brought us before him?
The Constable answered, they took us at a Meeting, and that I would not give
off, when he commanded me so to do. The Lord Major applied himself to me,
saying that we, and such as we, would bring in Popery; I replied, that we, were
more Christians, and more against Popery, than those who so wrongfully accused
us for we owned Christ for our one, and our only Lord over our Consciences, and
Law giver to our Souls, and the Scriptures of truth for our one & our only
Rule of Faith, Worship, & Life; we declared against Popery, as being
against God, against Christ, against Christianity, against the Word of Christ,
against the Laws of Christ, against Humanity. You speak great words for
yourselves, said the Major; Sir said I, we are ready to prove all this, to any
of your Chaplains, or any other whatsoever, if we are called unto it: who shall
be Judge said the Major? I replied, Sir, we will refer the determination of it
to your own Conscience, if you will give us a fair hearing. What calling or
profession are you of said the Major, Sir, I am a Minister of Christ, and this
also I am ready to prove, if any question my call. Are you of any other
profession or calling? Answer, no Sir, nor never was. It's under a pretence of
such private Conventicles, that all the Popish-Plots are hatched and carried
on. Answer, our Assemblings are in one of the most open, public places in all London
for such Meetings; where both doors stand wide open for any to come, who will,
and so it useth to be in my private dwelling. Do you keep Saturday Sabbath?
Answer, I observe the seventh day as the weekly Sabbath day. Do you keep the Sunday,
said one who stood next to the Major? Answer. There is but one day in the week,
that is the weekly Sabbath-day. You break the Kings Laws, said the Major.
Answer, we observe, keep and obey the Scripture-Laws of King Jesus, who is King
of Kings, and Lord of Lords: upon this I was bid to stand, or sit by.
Afterwards they examined four who are in
Church-Fellowship with me; the Major enquiring what their callings were, and
where they lived, which the Clark wrote down and usually the burden of the Song
was, Have you been at St Omars, as if we all had been Jesuitically
educated, and principled, whereby to insinuate, as if we were bringers in of
Popery, the quite contrary, whereunto is the Truth: Two others also were
examined upon the same Interrogatories but well agreeing in the same Witness
for the main with us: one whereof affirmed, that he thought, there was scarce
any one Congregation in all London, that brought in a fuller Testimony against
Popery, than our Congregation did.
The rest of the Friends were bid to depart;
when several of them, I think it was reported were Fined Ten Pounds a Man. I
stayed behind, but a little after, I was told I might be gone: so I returned to
my dwelling.
In the after noon I came to Pinners Hall
again, at the wonted season, we having a Key unlocked the door, and some few of
us went in. The Constable and under Officers being very near, quickly hasted,
and shut the doors upon the rest, and required us to be gone, as before; we
kept our places, and had opportunity to speak to the Consciences of the
Officers, who all declared their unwillingness to meddle in such work: one of
our Friends demanded of the Constable a warrant; he said he would go or send to
the Major; we waited, but, no fresh warrant that we saw came from the Major,
then the constable commanded an under Officer to pull me from the place where I
was who at last, tremblingly and palefacedly laid his hand upon me: thus they
led us out: when we came out multitudes were in the streets. I returned with
the rest and a great Company to my house, where I read and expounded the word I
preached, prayed, hymned & performed my office to the Satisfaction and
profit of many hearers, which lasted until about that Hour, which they commonly
call four of the Clock, and so the Company peaceably withdrew.
Upon the next Seventh-day-Sabbath the
Twenty and fourth day of the same forementioned month, I went at the accustomed
time unto one of the doors of Pinners Hall which being shut or locked fast, I
went about to the other door, where, Having knocked, the door was opened, &
those who were present went in, Another Constable, with some under officers
quickly rushed in at our assembly; whilst I was in Prayer, the Constable
commanded us to depart; I kept on praying as I was supplied & assisted
suitably; till an under officer pulled me away, towards the shutting up of my
requests.
So they carried me out of that place towards
the Lord Majors. As I was guarded along by the Officers, I carried my Bible
openly in my Hand through the streets, declaring practically, as well as
verbally, that the taking away of my liberty was for the cause and sake of
Christ, & of the word of Christ. Thus I marched a long the Major, when we
came to his Hall, was gone, as we were told, to the Sessions, The Constable
passed by some other Justices and Aldermen, but would not carry me before them,
but made me go in and out here and there towards the Sessions; as I passed a
long I was made a Gazing-stock, variously reported, some against me, others for
me, one calling me a Christian Jew, others saying, I went along with my Bible,
as one of the old Martyrs: thus through good report, and evil report, I trudged
along (as they said of my Lord, and Master; some he is a good man, others, nay
but he deceiveth the people.) Great flockings after us there were to publish
the Testimony the more the Lord preaching to the Consciences of thousands, the
boys in the street at last pointed at one of the under officers and cried out,
an informer, an informer, pelting of him with dirt & stones, who had he not
sheltered himself near me had been in great danger: at last they brought me to
the Sessions house where I was led to a private Room. After a while, I was
called up to an higher Room, where were Three Magistrates, the door keeper
saying, that none else should get in but myself, I declared in hearing of the
Magistrates that Courts of Justice ought to be open, that I might have witness
of what passed at examination, for I knew not what some might swear falsely
against me, but some friends got in, on of the Magistrates asked the Constable,
for what cause he had brought me there, while he answered, I apprehended him at
Pinners Hall & he would not come down till an officer pulled him
down, I answered I was here for doing work for my Lord Christ, for preaching,
praying, as I was going on, one of the Magistrates cut me off short, your
praying is prating: I replied Sir, take heed how you reproach that great
ordinance of Praying; the God I pray unto is a God hearing prayer, he has heard
my prayers, & will, & as he has done it so he can answer it terribly
against those who speak so reproachfully against such prayer: another of the
rulers spake, somewhat against dissenters, I answered, whilst there was Christ,
in Heaven & a bible on earth, where would be dissenters from them and from
their ways; if so, said he, yet I hope, we shall not be so troubled with
dissenters as we have been, but this being a cause depending upon the Law we will
confer with the Recorder about it, & so they withdrew.
After a while I was brought into the court
of open sessions at the old Bailey, where being charged with breaking the
King's Laws, as if I would introduce poperie & might have been at Saint Omars;
I held forth my Bible, declaring aloud for my Lord Christ, and for his word,
and Lawes, and that, it was a maxim in their own Law, that, the Law of God was
the Law of the land, and if so I was ready to plead this cause, thus, as I
could be heard, the Lord Spirited me to (Psal. 82,1,&c) be finishing my
testimony for Christ; who as I told them was judge at the Sessions, I was more
than once told, they would not hear me preach; I declared against popery, again
and again, as I could be suffered. Upon this the recorder called upon me then
to take the oath he being unknown to me before, Sir said I, I suppose by your
gown, that you profess knowledge in your Law; and by that Law you ought not to
put me to oaths; for my liberty is taken from me upon another cause, and that
must be first lifted; to that, then, when an end is put to that I may be at
leisure to consider what answer to return. It was asked me whether, ever had I
been to the Universities, and at what University, and whether I had taken any
degree; I answered at Oxford, where I had taken two degrees; by that the
Recorder knew that so many years ago, several Oaths must have been taken by
such; ( Oh those University Oaths, so many; and so often multiplied by
inconsiderate Students, how much guilt has been contracted thereby) yet
notwithstanding the Recorder called for another answer from me; I replied (Heb
6.16) an oath was for confirmation an end of all strife: which this, neither
had not would be: still he required the taking of the oaths: I answered, I had
given him a Scripture answer, going it over a second time. Read, the oaths to
him said the Recorder or some other upon the Bench: as they were reading, one
commanded me to pull off my Gloves, another to lay my hand upon their Book. I
over heard one of them say, his hand is already upon his own Bible, read on
where upon I laid down my Bible as one was areading, they intending hereby as I
gathered, that so holding up my Bible as I did, one or other would have clapped
my Bible to my mouth and so have interpreted it as my taking the Oaths but the
Lord gave me to see the snare was laid for me: upon this they concluded me
resolved and said take him Jail, or away with him, where upon one of the
Keepers of the Jail, led me to Newgate Prison aware my Lord is with me
to the sweet feeding and full satisfaction of my whole man, greatly rejoicing
overcomingly triumphing, Abasing of self, and Advancing Jehovah Elohim,
in Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (1 Sam 2:30) Those who honour me they are the
words of my Lord, I will honour, and those who despise me shall be lightly
esteemed. This is the filling so far of the farther Testimony of Christ's
servant and witness to the death.
Francis Bampfield
LONDON Printed for W.T.
and sold by L.Cxxx , where Mr Bampfield's works may
be had, 1683.