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THE PREFACE.

THIS trial is printed from the author's fecond edition, even without altering such phrases as are peculiar to that denomination of chriftians with whom he generally affociated, and whofe ftyle he adopted; and certainly the quakers ought to think themselves honoured even by this kind of relation to Mr. Elwall. Such firmnefs in the caufe of truth, and fuch presence of mind in afferting and vindicating it, as appear in this trial, are truly apoftolical, and have had but few examples fince the first promulgation of chriftianity. It is impoffible for an unprejudiced perfon to read this account of it (which is written with fo much true fimplicity, perfpicuity, and ftrength of evidence) without feeling the greatest veneration for the writer, the fulleft conviction and love of the truth, and a proportional zeal in maintaining it. I fhould even think it impoffible for the most prejudiced person to read it attentively, but, if he ufe no violence with his own mind, he will receive fome favourable impreffions both of the author, and of that caufe, which he fupports with fuch becoming dignity, and with a temper and difpofition of mind, in every refpect worthy of a true chriftian.

So great was the force of truth on this memorable occafion, that a reputable and honeft jury, directed by a good-natured and fenfible judge, acquitted the criminal

criminal contrary to the express laws of this country, according to which this glorious man ought to have been sentenced to a fevere punishment, as a convicted and avowed blafphemer. What must a lover of truth and of free enquiry, as fubfervient to truth, think of fuch laws, and of the ecclefiaftical conftitution of the countries in which they are in force!

It is to be wished that such a monument of the TRIUMPH OF TRUTH might be conftantly held out to the view of all mankind, and particularly in this country where it was exhibited.

The dedication of the treatise, on account of which Mr. Elwall was profecuted, is dated the eighth day of the fecond month, 1724; he speaks of his trial in a treatise intitled, A declaration against all kings and temporal powers under heaven, printed in 1732: and judge Denton, before whom he was tried, went the Oxford circuit in 1726 and 1728. From these circumftances it may be concluded, that the former of these years is the date of this remarkable trial, especially as in fome part of the same year 1726 Mr. Elwall published another defence of the unitarian fyftem, in a treatise which he intitled Dagon fallen before the Ark of God, which would probably have been mentioned in the course of the trial, if it had been published at that time.

THE

TRIAL OF MR. E. ELWALL, &c. ›

BECAUSE fo many perfons have earnestly defired to read this trial, I have here published a fecond edition of it, in order to encourage all honeft men, who have the eternal law of God on their fide, not to fear the faces of priefts, who are generally the grand adverfaries of liberty and truth, and the baftions and bulwarks of all ceremonies, fopperies, and abfurd doctrines that are in the world.

I do this for the glory of the Most High God, and for the honour of his facred law, and for the good of all my fellow-creatures; that they may obey God, and not man; Chrift, and not the pope; the prophets and apoftles, and not prelates and priests; and God knoweth this is my fincere defire, that all religion and fpiritual things may be perfectly free, neither forced nor hindered; this being the true liberty of the gofpel of Jefus Christ, who faid, The kings of the gentiles exercife authority, but it fhall not be fo with you.

About fourteen years ago I wrote a book entitled, "A True Teftimony for God and his "facred Law; being a plain, honeft defence of "the first commandment of God, against all the "trinitarians under heaven, Thou shalt have no "other Gods but me." I lived then at Wolverhamp→ ton in Staffordshire, where my ancestors have lived

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above eleven hundred years, ever-fince the Saxons conquered the Britons.

When this book was published, the priests in the country began to rage, especially the priéfts of Wolverhampton; who had a great hand in the several troubles I underwent. In fhort, they never ceased 'till they had procured a large indictment against me at Stafford affizes; where I felt the power of God, enabling me to speak before a great number of people; being accused of herefy, &c. But I truly answered, as my beloved brother Paul did in his day, viz. In that way which fome call herefy, fo chufe I to ferve the God of my fathers, believing all that is written in the law and the prophets.

Afterthe long indictment was read, I was asked if I pleaded guilty, or not guilty. I faid I was not guilty of any evil, that I knew of, in writing that book; but if they meant whether I wrote the book or not (for they had quoted many pages of the book in that indictment) I owned I did write it; and that if I might have liberty to speak, I believed I fhould make it manifeft to be the plain truth of God.

Then the judge ftood up, and faid, “Mr. Elwall, "I fuppofe you have had a copy of your indict"ment?" I told him I had not had any copy of it. Upon which he turned towards the priests, and told them that I ought to have had a copy of it. But they not answering he turned to me, and faid,

That

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