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Untitled Article
" This vote of yours will be very conclusive ; so that I desire to declare my conscience in it , that I ain not satisfied from what I heard at the bar , that Nayler is guilty of blasphemy . Were it not that such a punishment is to ensue , I could be freer in it ; but I know this is but in order to a greater vote , &c . "—Pp . 77 , 78-" Mr . Waller . I would not have the offence made greater than it is , lest the punishment prove also greater . These two rubs must be removed before I can give my consent : — " 1 . What blasphemy is .
" 2 . What shall be the punishment . " I am for the moderater title , that he is a great impostor , and a seducer . This will fully bear your witness against it . I incline to the moderate way , lest you open such a vein of blood as you will scarcely close . "—P . 78 . " . Colonel Holland . I hope he may speak now that has spoken nothing in this business . Consider the state of this nation , what the price of our blood
is . Liberty of conscience , the Instrument gives it us . We remember how many Christians were , formerly martyred under this notion of blasphemy ; and who can define what it is ? I am wholly against the question . I may transgress your orders , it being the first day I sate here . " A greater punishment do they deserve that are thus deluded , than he that suffers such things . " " Resolved , That the word € horrid' be added to the question . " Resolved , That the main question shall be put .
cc Resolved , That James Nayler , upon the whole matter , in fact , is guilty of horrid blasphemy . " " Major- General Goffe and Captain Hatsel . That you would also add this to the question , that James Nayler is a grand impostor , and a great seducer of the people . " " The Master of the Rolls [ Lenthall ] . Add the word , likewise . " Resolved , That the said James Nayler is also a grand impostor , and a great seducer of the people . "—Pp . 78 , 79 . The question then to be debated was , as to the punishment .
" Colonel Sydenham . If Nayler be a blasphemer , all the generation of them are so , and he and all the rest must undergo the same punishment . The opinions they hold , do border so near a glorious truth , that I cannot pass my judgment that it is blasphemy . I shall choose rather to live in another nation , than where a man shall be condemned for an offence done , by a subsequent law . I am against the Bill of Attainder . "—P . 86 .
" Lord Strickland . I cannot say but we have laws enough to reach this offender , if the gentlemen of tjie long robe would direct us . Where most power of the gospel , most prodigies of heresies and opinions $ which wrli happen always , unless you restrain the reading of the Scriptures . " Heresies are like leaden pipes under ground . They run on still , though we do not see them , in a commonwealth where they are restrained . Where
liberty is , they will discover themselves , and come to punishment . There is no such need of drawing you out to such punishment as death . Restrain him , rather , to some country or place ; banish him , &c . This House is a living law , but make as little use of the legislative power as you can . It is a dangerous precedent to posterity . It i # against the Instrument of Government to proceed to furtner punishment upon this business . Confine him ,
banish him , or do what you will . "—P . 88 . " Mr . Bampfield made a very large . and handsome speech in answer to what Lord President , Lord Fiennes , and Lord Chief Justice [ Glynn ] , and the rest of the merciful men had said ; , such as they were scarce able to repl y to . He proved it , that it was the mind of God to punish this offence with death , and he could not pass his judgmment otherwise / J ^ -P . 9 . 1 . " Colonel Cooper . I cannot but say it is blasphemy . But admit it were horrid blasphemy , as my judgment is now involved in your vote , yet I cannot
Untitled Article
Review . ' —Burtons Diary . 389
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), June 2, 1828, page 389, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2561/page/29/
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