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be satisfied that the House are any w&y led to pass such a heinous punishment as death . I understand no such obligation upon us . That is something ex * treme , and it is hard to lead this House into such a judgment , as to pass sentence of death against such a person as fears God , by what we have heard . " I know some part of the land mourns for the innocent blood already shed upon this account . I cannot say this person is innocent ; yet if we take his life where God does not require it , that is a shedding of " innocent blood . I fear as much a judgment upon us , if we take his blood , as they fear
if we go less . < c This House may proceed to fine , imprisonment , and corporal punishment , and this in a judieial way , without preparing a Bill . In my opinion there needs no BilL His fine will signify nothing ; but lie has a body . I would have you use some endeavour to suppress the growth of them in ge ~ nerai . If you take this man ' s blood , you do certainlv lay a foundation for them . Instead of taking away Quakerism , you establish it . * For my part , I think , next to life , you cannot pass a greater punishment than perpetual imprisonment , where he may not spread his leprosy . If you cut out his tongue , he may write , for he writes all their books . If you cut off his right hand , he may write with his left . The other punishments will ^ certainly , answer your-ends more than if you take his life , and be a better
expedient to suppress that generation of them . "—Pp . 97 , 98 . . " Major-General Goffe . This is a very greafand weighty business , antl I am much troubled to speak any thing in this business . I am sorry to see ^ his division amongst us , but I hone it will ^ nd in amity , love , and charity . For my part , I cannot be satisfied in myself to give my consent to less than the death of this man . - ' * la it not written upon every man ' s heart , that a blasphemer should die ) No nation in the world , that have any laws , but they have a law to put a blasphemer to death . But it is said , we have no law to punish blasphemy ,
because the bishops are taken away . It was just to deliver us from them and their tyrannical proceedings , but I hope the law remains still . That secies * astical power is devolved upon-you , and you have justly assumexj it , and passed your vote upon it . ' * - —P . 108 . 4 f Major-General KeUey . It may be any man ' s case here . He knows hot how to walk securely ; if a man shall be punished by a law ex post facto . To make a law in any case to this purpose is dangerous , much more in a matter -of 1 liis nature , which is so dark and difficult to know what the mind of God ig
in this thing . The Christians in New Englandj I had it from a good hand , do much wonder at the zeal of this Parliament in this case . I grant this is no argument to us , what they do j yet it may serve as well as that precedent which was urged to us from the Parliament of Burgos [ Bourdeauai ] . "—
¥ . 123 . " Lord IVhitlock . I agree with the gentleman that spoke last , that if it be the will of God that this person should die , we ought not to spare him $ but the question is , whether it is the will of God or no ; whether there be a law of God . For my part , I think there is no such law . 01 For us to pass sentence of death upon this person , I know neither law « or precedent for it .
* ' It will be of a dangerous consequence for you to make a law for punishing of an offence by death , which was not so punishable before . One Par * liament may count one thing horrid blasphemy , another Parliament another thing . The word blasphemy is very comprehensive . There may a time wh
«« in Hen ,. VII ., where a man was condemned for a heretic , because he said tie did not know whether by the law of God tithes were payable of no . We oug'ht to look for our posterity , and the danger to leave such a precedent upon your records . I am very well « aliafie < t mat the lesser punishment will be adequate enough , and save the honour of your vote and your time too ; oiyio Batitfy those gentlemen that we for W deatb > you j »« y add to your
090 Heview . ~~ Btirtvn ' s Mary *