THe Justices of Peace of Middlesex having a good while since received His Majesties Orders in Council , to put the Laws in Execution , and to Suppress Conventicles ; some of the said Justices accordingly issued out their Warrant to Mr. Hodges , a Constable , requiring him to Suppress the Conventicle kept by One Dr. Annesley ; and to seize such Persons , as should be found met there , upon pretence of a Religious Worship , contrary to Law : The said Constable repairing thither , found above 200. Persons so Assembled ; One of whom being seized , and carried before Mr. Justice Balch , was ( upon his refusing to Declare his Name ) Committed to Prison : But sometime after owning himself to be called White , and being thereupon Discharged , brought his Action of Two Thousand Pound , for false Imprisonment against Mr. Balch , and Mr. Hodges . The Case being debated by Council Learned on both sides , before the Barons of His Majesties Court of Exchequer ( the latter End of Last Terme ) Verdict was given against the said White , and he condemn'd in treble Costs , as the Law directs : the Court further unanimously Declared the Law to be ,

1. That if those in a Conventicle refuse to open the Door upon a Justice of Peace his Warrant , Entrance being demanded , the Door may be broken open .

2. That the Persons apprehended there , are Convicted upon their being brought before a Justice of Peace , without Oath ; incurring the same Penalty , as if they were Convicted by Oath ; as the Law directs in such Cases .

3. That those Persons that are in Conventicles , though not brought before a Justice of the Peace , may notwithstanding be Convicted by the Oath of Two Witnesses , of their being There ; incurring also the same Penalty , as if they were ; as the Law directs , &c.

4. That if any Person so seized , denies his Name , he may be Committed to Prison .