The journal of George Fox, vol. 2 of 2 : $b Being an historical account of his life, travels, sufferings, and Christian experiences.Fox, George
Religion
The journal of George Fox, vol. 2 of 2 : $b Being an historical account of his life, travels, sufferings, and Christian experiences.
Fox, George
Fox, George, 1624-1691
When I was set to the bar, and the jury called over to be sworn, the
clerk asked me, first, “whether I had any objection to make against any
of the jury?” I told him, “I knew none of them.” Then, having sworn the
jury, they swore three of the officers of the court to prove “that the
oath was tendered to me at the last assizes, according to the
indictment.” “Come, come,” said the judge, “it was not done in a
corner.” Then he asked me, “what I had said to it, or whether I had
taken the oath at the last assize?” I told him, what I had said, viz.,
“that the book they gave me to swear on, says, ‘swear not at all;’” and
I repeated more of what I had formerly said to them, as it now came to
my remembrance. Whereupon the judge said, “I will not dispute with you,
but in point of law.” “Then,” said I, “I have something to speak to the
jury concerning the indictment.” He told me, I must not speak to the
jury, but if I had anything to say, I must speak to him. Then I asked
him, “whether the oath was to be tendered to the king’s subjects only,
or to the subjects of foreign princes?” He replied, “to the subjects of
this realm; for I will speak nothing to you,” said he, “but in point of
law.” “Then,” said I, “look in the indictment, and thou mayest see that
the word, subject, is left out of this indictment also. And therefore
seeing the oath is not to be tendered to any but the subjects of this
realm, and ye have not put me in as a subject, the court is to take no
notice of this indictment.” I had no sooner spoken than the judge cried,
“Take him away, jailer, take him away.” So I was presently hurried away.
The jailer and people looked when I should be called for again; but I
was never brought to the court any more, though I had many other great
errors to assign in the indictment.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account