PEN. I desire we may come more close to the Point, and that Silence be commanded in the Court.
CRY. O yes, all manner of Persons keep Silence upon Pain of Imprisonment—Silence Court.
PEN. We confess our selves to be so far from recanting, or declining to vindicate the Assembling of our selves to Preach, Pray, or Worship the Eternal, Holy, Just God, that we declare to all the World, that we do believe it to be our indispensable Duty, to meet incessantly upon so good an Account; nor shall all the Powers upon Earth be able to divert us from reverencing and adoring our God who made it.
BROWN. You are not here for worshipping God, but for breaking the Law; you do yourselves a great deal of Wrong in going on in that Discourse.
PEN. I affirm I have broken no Law, nor am I guilty of the Indictment that is laid to my Charge; and to the End the Bench, the Jury, and my self, with these that hear us, may have a more direct Understanding of this Procedure, I desire you would let me know by what Law it is you prosecute me, and upon what Law you ground my Indictment.
REC. Upon the Common Law.
PEN. Where is that Common Law?
REC. You must not think that I am able to run up so many Years, and over so many adjudged Cases, which we call Common Law, to answer your Curiosity.
PEN. This Answer I am sure is very short of my Question, for if it be Common, it should not be so hard to produce.
REC. Sir, will you plead to your Indictment?