own. To this position (the obvious dictate of common sense) he has not replied. He has not dared to answer in direct terms the simple question. "If Tithes (neither purchased nor paid for by the owner or occupier) are not the property of the Incumbent, whose are they?" He has cavilled at the word Rent-charge; I am not contending for words but for things, but I can as easily conceive a rent-charge payable in goods as in money. He has also told us that tithes were originally given to the Clergy and to the poor-of this I find not any competent evidence. But supposing it could be proved that, more than 1000 years ago, the tithes were given to the clergy and the poor-does it follow that they were either given or forgiven to the Quakers? It is admitted by the Quakers that if such an estate was given to a layman, as a lay estate, they would not refuse to pay. They refuse then because it is given (in general) to a man of education and morals; a man engaged in what is surely at least an innocent employment, in diffusing instruction to the ignorant, and consolation to the poor. My complaint against the Quakers is briefly this, that under the profession of the Gospel, they would (if the law permitted) deprive me of my right; that under the profession of peace, they force me to seem contentious, or give up what is justly my due. This is not well; however it may seem to them, I cannot call it Christianity. However I may approve of the Quakers in some respects, "Shall I praise them in this? I praise them not.” No. 6. Note sent by Joseph Gurney Bevan to the Editor, for the perusal of G. G. I have in my turn read G. G.'s observations on my Cursory Remarks. I thought I had met his argument, namely the attempt to resolve Tithe into Rent-charge; and having overthrown this position, it did not appear needful to argue against what was shown to be groundless. Titheable lands are certainly sold or let for less than tithe-free lands; but this argument will not establish tithe, any more than the purchase at a low rate, of land exposed to an enemy's depredations would be an act of approbation of plunder. Any prudent man will consider in a purchase what deductions he must expect, either in the way of voluntary payment, or distraint. I said,—‘ask a similar question (namely to that which he says I dared not answer; but, mark, I asserted that I needed not; because it was asked of that non-entity, a rent-charge)-of the tenth- and he will probably find a ready and simple answer.' This answer is in one word, pronounced by the practice of every conscientious titheretaining Friend: Mine. I thought the original grant and application of tithes to the poor had been too notorious for a doubt. I believe G. G. will find it plentifully noted in Selden's 5th chapter-and more in Pearson's "Great Case of Tithes ;" which I hope some West-ham Friend will give or present to him.§ I find them there called, in the language of ancient time, the Patrimony of the Poor. By degrees the priests got more, and the poor less; but the priests were at first considered as the stewards of the poor, for a large part. In Pearson also (whom I had not consulted when I wrote my remarks) he will find his notion of a rent-charge is not new; but has been set up, and overthrown, before. I wish he would look a little at Pearson. 6 I hope, on a further thought, he will not accuse me of cavilling' about words. That word does not accord with his former suavity of expression, to which I paid a willing acknowledgment. Our friends do not expect the praise of any one circumstanced as is G. G. for refusing Tithe. It would be pleasant if men more generally agreed-in righteousness, and their ideas of it. Since they do not, it is worth the constant attempt to prevent our differences from setting us at an undue distance from each other-as we have all but one Creator, and one Redeemer and Judge to look to. ART. II.-Fleeing,-and standing to it! "Matt. x, 23. When they persecute you in one city flee ye into another,' exemplified in divers removes of the pious and learned Mr. Richard Baxter, one of which was thus procured: Anno 1670, While Mr. Baxter lived at Acton, so long as the Act against conventicles was in force, though he preached in his family, but few of the town came to hear him; partly because they thought it would endanger him, and partly for fear of suffering, themselves. But when the Act was expired, there came so many that he wanted room: for there came almost all the town and parish, besides a great many from Brainford [Brentford] and the neighbouring parishes. The parson of the parish was Dr. Rive, Dean of Windsor and Wolverhampton, Parson of Haselly and of Acton, and the King's chaplain in ordinary. His curate was a weak, dull young man, that spent most of his time in alehouses, and read a few dry sentences to the people but once a day [once in the week.] And yet, because he [the parson] preached sound doctrine, and there was no better at hand, Mr. Baxter went constantly to hear him, when he preached. They who heard him [Baxter] before, usually went with him to church, there being scarce three that refused. And when he preached, after the public exercise, they went out of church into his house. This the parson could not bear the sight of; and he was the more offended, because he [Baxter] came not to the sacrament with him; though he had sometimes done it elsewhere. At length the parson thus got an advantage against him. One Brassgirdle, an apothecary at Wolverhampton, where he was dean, wrote him word that Mr. Reignolds, the silenced minister of that place had in conversation told him, that the Nonconformists were not so § Get Edit. 7, Hinde 1762. Its appendix has more about Tithes than the other. contemptible, either for number or quality, as they were represented; that most of the people were of their mind, that Cromwell (though an usurper) had kept up England against the Dutch, &c. and that he marvelled at his heat against private meetings, when at Acton the Dean suffered them at the next door. With this intelligence the Dean hastens to the King, as if he had some treason to discover. The King, upon his aggravating matters, bid him go to the Bishop of London, as from him, and consult with him about the suppression of Mr. Baxter's meeting. Two justices were chosen for their purpose, Ross and Phillips-the former a Scot at Brainford, and the latter a steward of the Archbishop of Canterbury. They sent a warrant to the constable to apprehend him, and bring him to Brainford. When he was brought before them, and all persons but themselves were shut out of the room, they told him he was convicted of keeping conventicles, contrary to the law; and so they tendered him the Oxford oath. He told them that he took not his meeting to be contrary to the law, and so the Oxford oath did not concern him; nor could he apprehend how they were empowered by the law to put it upon him. But they declaring themselves satisfied in what they did, and pressing the oath, he stated some difficulties about it, and desired their explication—but in vain. At length they committed him to the new prison, Clerkenwell, for six months without bail or mainprize. And thus he left Acton, the inhabitants whereof were greatly exasperated against their parson, for this fact of his: and really he could hardly have done any thing more to hinder the success of his seldom preaching there. For nothing certainly can have a worse aspect, in one that bears the character of an ambassador from the Prince of Peace, than his seeking to molest and disturb his neighbours, who desire to live in peace and quietness." Baxter's Life, Ch. xii. To all which the author unwittingly adds a remarkable instance of standing to it, instead of keeping the house or going off to another quarter, in the following note: "In September this year was the trial of Mr. William Penn and Mr. William Mead, at the Old Bailey. The Court treated them roughly. The charge was given to the Jury after the prisoners were out of court, which was contrary to law and custom. Eight of the Jury at first agreed to bring them in guilty, and four dissented. At length they brought them in Guilty of speaking in Gracious Street [the fact being, that they were kept out of their own Meeting-house by force, and so held their meeting as near to it as they could] upon which the Court threatened them [the Jury] and they were confined all night without meat, drink, fire, or any other accommodation. The Court being set the next morning, they gave the same verdict. Hereupon they were threatened to be fined, starved and ruined. They were kept another night without any accommodation, as before. And at length they unanimously brought them in 'Not Guilty. For this verdict they were fined forty marks [£6 10s.] a man, and ordered to be imprisoned till paid.” As for Baxter, with the king's own encouragement to seek his remedy at law, he had his Habeas Corpus, and was discharged : but removed to Totteridge near Barnet, where he was forced to take up with a few mean rooms for a year. At this time, (his biographer says) he was projecting an agreement with the Independents for strengthening the common [dissenting] interest :—a manifest reason why the bishops should look after him! It may be remarked upon the whole, that it was Baxter's profession and whole occupation to preach and write in defence and promotion of the Christian religion, according to the principle of the dissenters: while Penn and his friends partook more of the secular character, and had their affairs to attend to at home. The one might be more serviceable to the cause of Truth by removing, the other by staying-both being still [in God's sight and good men's] martyrs to their faith. Ed. ART. III.-FABLES, &C., IN VERSE AND PROSE.-Continued. The persecuted tribe of Hares The plain was bounded by a lake; W So, when life's scenes our firmness try, On other's ails, and learn to bear Communications may be addressed, POST PAID, "For the Editor of the Yorkshireman,” at the Printer's, Pontefract; at Longman and Co.'s, London; John Baines and Co.'s. Leeds; and W. Alexander's, York. CHARLES ELCOCK, PRINTER, PONTEFRACT. THE YORKSHIREMAN, A RELIGIOUS AND LITERARY JOURNAL BY A FRIEND. PRO PATRIA. No. XXIII. SIXTH DAY, 14th SIXTH Mo. 1833. PRICE 4d. ART. I.-A Chronological summary of events and circumstances, connected with the origin and progress of the doctrine and practices of the Quakers. (Continued from page 309.) We have seen, in the part of these accounts last inserted, how little of real protection was derived to the rights and liberties of Englishmen from the government of Oliver Cromwell; formidable as were his victories, his character, and policy, to the external enemies of the country. In the cases which here follow, we have a number of specimens of the summum jus become summa injuria: and may perceive that it was as easy for sour Republicans, as afterwards for haughty Cavaliers, to torture and ruin, under pretence of Law and Ordinances, the unresisting and quiet people whose history, in too large a proportion of it, presents these unpleasing details. A. D. George Fox travelling in the West is taken up by Major 1656. Ceely, and with his companions Edward Pyot and William Salt committed to Launceston jail. The three Friends, after nine weeks' imprisonment under inhuman treatment, are tried (with a mockery of justice) by Lord Chief Justice Glynn, and remanded. (a) "Edward Pyot, who had been a captain and was a man of good understanding in the laws and rights of the nation, writ a large letter (says Sewel) to the Lord Chief Justice, wherein he plainly set before him his unlawful dealings; and queried with him whether his saying, If ye will be uncovered (or put off your hats) I will hear you, and do (a) Fox's Journal, p. 162-186. |