Although I do not intend to relate much more of any occurrences, because I hasten towards a conclusion, yet I think it worth the while to add the following case:
In the year 1713, in the spring, there was a suit at law, on the act against Occasional Conformity. It happened that one John Penry, a justice of peace of Allborough, in the county of Suffolk, going to the parish church, understood by the way, that no service was to be done there at that time; but hearing that there was a Quakers’ meeting there, he went to it. One Wall, the bailiff of the place, being informed thereof, imagined that the said justice might not go there, because of the aforesaid act, and therefore thinking that something might be gained by it, got witnesses to declare that the said justice had been in the meeting; and said afterwards in a boasting way to him, ‘Now I have hooked you.’ To which the other replied, ‘I will stand to it’ The bailiff then entered his suit in the name of one that lived thereabouts by charity. When the case was pleaded at the sessions, the judge, who was baron Salathiel Lovel, declared the meaning of the forementioned act to be thus, viz. That it did not regard any who accidentally went into a meeting of dissenters; but that it was against those who conformed with the church, thereby to qualify themselves for an office, without changing their religion. But this was quite another case; for the priest of the parish himself gave a certificate that the said justice was a good member of the church. From hence it appeared that the suit was mere malice; and the informers, or witnesses, were brought to that pinch, that they durst not expect the verdict of the jury, for fear that they should have been condemned to pay the charges, and therefore they let the thing fall.
Being now entered into this year, I cannot omit to say, that a peace between England and France being concluded, and the subjects from all parts of the nation congratulating the queen with addresses, the Quakers did not omit also to present an address; being as follows:
To ANNE, Queen of Great Britain, &c.
The humble Address of her Protestant dissenting subjects, called Quakers, met at our annual meeting in London, the 3d day of the Fourth month, called June, 1713.
‘May it please the Queen,
‘We having been sorrowfully affected at the calamity which war brought on Europe, cannot omit to express our satisfaction and gladness for the queen’s great care, and Christian concern, for establishing so long desired a peace.
‘We are also under a dutiful sense of the queen’s gracious government and compassion manifested towards tender consciences at home, as well as noble and Christian interposition, in favour of persecuted Protestants abroad.
‘And further crave leave to assure the queen, that we shall, as in duty bound, approve ourselves, in all humility and faithfulness, the queen’s obedient subjects; and though but a small part of those that enjoy, under thy mild government, protection in religion and civil liberties, we cannot but earnestly pray for, and desire the quiet and safety of our country; which evidently appears to be the queen’s care to establish, in having done so much for securing the protestant interest, and maintaining perfect friendship with the house of Hanover. That it may please Almighty God in his mercy and goodness to assist with his wisdom the queen, in all her councils, and give her long to enjoy the quiet fruit of lasting peace in this life, and in that which is to come, joy and peace everlasting, is our hearty and fervent prayer.’