第 31 节
作者:童舟      更新:2021-02-20 15:23      字数:9321
  ty offered for the suing out of pardons。   Whereupon I continued in prison till the next assizes; which are  called MIDSUMMER ASSIZES; being then kept in AUGUST; 1661。
  Now; at that assizes; because I would not leave any possible means  unattempted that might be lawful; I did; by my wife; present a  petition to the judges three times; that I might be heard; and that  they would impartially take my case into consideration。
  The first time my wife went; she presented it to Judge HALE; who  very mildly received it at her hand; telling her that he would do  her and me the best good he could; but he feared; he said; he could  do none。  The next day; again; lest they should; through the  multitude of business; forget me; we did throw another petition  into the coach to Judge TWISDON; who; when he had seen it; snapt  her up; and angrily told her that I was a convicted person; and  could not be released; unless I would promise to preach no more;  etc。
  Well; after this; she yet again presented another to judge Hale; as  he sat on the bench; who; as it seemed; was willing to give her  audience。  Only Justice CHESTER being present; stept up and said;  that I was convicted in the court; and that I was a hot…spirited  fellow (or words to that purpose); whereat he waived it; and did  not meddle therewith。  But yet; my wife being encouraged by the  high…sheriff; did venture once more into their presence (as the  poor widow did before the unjust judge) to try what she could do  with them for my liberty; before they went forth of the town。  The  place where she went to them; was to the SWAN…CHAMBER; where the  two judges; and many justices and gentry of the country; was in  company together。  She then coming into the chamber with a bashed  face; and a trembling heart; began her errand to them in this  manner:…
  WOMAN。  My lord (directing herself to judge Hale); I make bold to  come once again to your Lordship; to know what may be done with my  husband。
  JUDGE HALE。  To whom he said; Woman; I told thee before I could do  thee no good; because they have taken that for a conviction which  thy husband spoke at the sessions:  and unless there be something  done to undo that; I can do thee no good。
  WOMAN。  My lord; said she; he is kept unlawfully in prison; they  clapped him up before there was any proclamation against the  meetings; the indictment also is false。  Besides; they never asked  him whether he was guilty or no; neither did he confess the  indictment。
  ONE OF THE JUSTICES。  Then one of the justices that stood by; whom  she knew not; said; My Lord; he was lawfully convicted。
  WOM。  It is false; said she; for when they said to him; Do you  confess the indictment? he said only this; that he had been at  several meetings; both where there were preaching the Word; and  prayer; and that they had God's presence among them。
  JUDGE TWISDON。  Whereat Judge TWISDON answered very angrily;  saying; What; you think we can do what we list; your husband is a  breaker of the peace; and is convicted by the law; etc。  Whereupon  Judge HALE called for the Statute Book。
  WOM。  But; said she; my lord; he was not lawfully convicted。
  CHESTER。  Then Justice CHESTER said; My lord; he was lawfully  convicted。
  WOM。  It is false; said she; it was but a word of discourse that  they took for a conviction (as you heard before)。
  CHEST。  But it is recorded; woman; it is recorded; said Justice  CHESTER; as if it must be of necessity true; because it was  recorded。  With which words he often endeavoured to stop her mouth;  having no other argument to convince her; but it is recorded; it is  recorded。
  WOM。  My Lord; said she; I was a while since at LONDON; to see if I  could get my husband's liberty; and there I spoke with my lord  BARKWOOD; one of the House of Lords; to whom I delivered a  petition; who took it of me and presented it to some of the rest of  the House of Lords; for my husband's releasement; who; when they  had seen it; they said; that they could not release him; but had  committed his releasement to the judges; at the next assizes。  This  he told me; and now I am come to you to see if any thing may be  done in this business; and you give neither releasement nor relief。   To which they gave her no answer; but made as if they heard her  not。
  CHEST。  Only Justice CHESTER was often up with this; … He is  convicted; and it is recorded。
  WOM。  If it be; it is false; said she。
  CHEST。  My lord; said Justice CHESTER; he is a pestilent fellow;  there is not such a fellow in the country again。
  TWIS。  What; will your husband leave preaching?  If he will do so;  then send for him。
  WOM。  My lord; said she; he dares not leave preaching as long as he  can speak。
  TWIS。  See here; what should we talk any more about such a fellow?   Must he do what he lists?  He is a breaker of the peace。
  WOM。  She told him again; that he desired to live peaceably; and to  follow his calling; that his family might be maintained; and  moreover; said; My Lord; I have four small children; that cannot  help themselves; one of which is blind; and have nothing to live  upon; but the charity of good people。
  HALE。  Hast thou four children? said Judge Hale; thou art but a  young woman to have four children。
  WOM。  My lord; said she; I am but mother…in…law to them; having not  been married to him yet full two years。  Indeed; I was with child  when my husband was first apprehended; but being young; and  unaccustomed to such things; said she; I being smayed at the news;  fell into labour; and so continued for eight days; and then was  delivered; but my child died。
  HALE。  Whereat; he looking very soberly on the matter; said; Alas;  poor woman!
  TWIS。  But Judge TWISDON told her; that she made poverty her cloak;  and said; moreover; that he understood I was maintained better by  running up and down a preaching; than by following my calling。
  HALE。  What is his calling? said Judge Hale。
  ANSWER。  Then some of the company that stood by; said; A tinker; my  lord。
  WOM。  Yes; said she; and because he is a tinker; and a poor man;  therefore he is despised; and cannot have justice。
  HALE。  Then Judge HALE answered very mildly; saying; I tell thee;  woman; seeing it is so; that they have taken what thy husband spake  for a conviction; thou must either apply thyself to the King; or  sue out his pardon; or get a writ of error。
  CHEST。  But when Justice CHESTER heard him give her this counsel;  and especially (as she supposed) because he spoke of a writ of  error; he chafed; and seemed to be very much offended; saying; My  lord; he will preach and do what he lists。
  WOM。  He preacheth nothing but the Word of God; said she。
  TWIS。  He preach the Word of God! said Twisdon; and withal; she  thought he would have struck her; he runneth up and down; and doth  harm。
  WOM。  No; my lord; said she; it is not so; God hath owned him; and  done much good by him。
  TWIS。  God! said he; his doctrine is the doctrine of the devil。
  WOM。  My lord; said she; when the righteous Judge shall appear; it  will be known that his doctrine is not the doctrine of the devil。
  TWIS。  My lord; said he; to Judge Hale; do not mind her; but send  her away。
  HALE。  Then said Judge Hale; I am sorry; woman; that I can do thee  no good; thou must do one of those three things aforesaid; namely;  either to apply thyself to the King; or sue out his pardon; or get  a writ of error; but a writ of error will be cheapest。
  WOM。  At which Chester again seemed to be in a chafe; and put off  his hat; and as she thought; scratched his head for anger:  but  when I saw; said she; that there was no prevailing to have my  husband sent for; though I often desired them that they would send  for him; that he might speak for himself; telling them; that he  could give them better satisfaction than I could; in what they  demanded of him; with several other things; which now I forget;  only this I remember; that though I was somewhat timorous at my  first entrance into the chamber; yet before I went out; I could not  but break forth into tears; not so much because they were so hard… hearted against me; and my husband; but to think what a sad account  such poor creatures will have to give at the coming of the Lord;  when they shall there answer for all things whatsoever they have  done in the body; whether it be good; or whether it be bad。
  So; when I departed from them; the book of statutes was brought;  but what they said of it I know nothing at all; neither did I hear  any more from them。
  SOME CARRIAGES OF THE ADVERSARIES OF GOD'S TRUTH WITH ME AT THE  NEXT ASSIZES; WHICH WAS ON THE 19TH OF THE FIRST MONTH; 1662。
  I SHALL pass by what befell between these two assizes; how I had;  by my jailor; some liberty granted me; more than at the first; and  how I followed my wonted course of preaching; taking all occasions  that were put into my hand to visit the people of God; exhorting  them to be steadfast in the faith of Jesus Christ; and to take heed  that they touched not the Common Prayer; etc。; but to mind the Word  of God; which giveth direction to Christians in every point; being  able to make the man of God perfect in all things through faith in  Jesus Christ; and thoroughly to furnish