1. WHy we go into Meeting-places , or Markets , or otherwhere , to testifie to the Truth , and against Deceit .

Reason , Because we are moved of the Lord so to do ; We are his , and where he bids us witness for him , and against deceivers and their deceit , we must do it ; wo unto us ( from the Lord ) if we do it not . If any man do any such thing in his own will , we witness against him , and the Lord will require it of him . Now this is no more then the Apostles and servants of the Lord have done , as it is recorded in Scripture .

2. Why we cannot pay Tythes .

Reas . Because Tythes was not a maintenance appointed by Christ for his Ministers , but was set up by the Pope ( as the maintenance of his Ministers ) since the dayes of the Apostles ; and this maintenance by tythes , Wickliff and others bore a testimony against , and divers of the Martyrs in Queen Mary's dayes suffered for , as by the Articles charged against them , and the testimony that they held forth , may appear .

3. Why we meet together on the first dayes , and at other times .

Reas . Because we find the Lord drawing of us , and his presence among us in our Meetings , and receive refreshings to our souls thereby .

4. Why we cannot swear .

Reas . Because Christ our Lord ( who is greater then Moses who gave the Law about swearing ) hath said , Swear not at all ; and his Apostle ( who abode in his Doctrine ) saith , Above all things , my brethren , swear not , neither by Heaven , neither by the Earth , neither by anyother Oath . Now mark the drift of Christ , which is not onely to forbid profane and unlawful Oaths , ( for if that were all , Christ had spoken nothing further nor fuller then Moses had done , which is contrary to all the instances of the like kinde , where-he straitens all that had been said by Moses of old time ) but all swearing without exception , as may further appear by the instance immediately foregoing , in the case of Divorce , where he expresseth an exception in these words , Saving for the cause of Fornication : But here is no exception added by Christ ; and the putting in of an exception by mans wisdom , destroyeth Christs words , making his command no straiter then the Law of Moses , which forbad all profane and unlawful swearing , Levit . 19. 12.

5. Why we cannot put off our hats to men .

Reas . Because it lifts up that in man which God will destroy ; it is sutable to that nature which is of the earth , & feeds it ; it is pleasing to the flesh ; and that which is an enemy to the flesh , cannot give it that which feeds and pleaseth it ; if we should please men , we could not be the servants of Christ . This is the true ground whereupon we cannot do it , and not in contempt to Authority , or any mans person . Neither can we respect mens persons , for in so doing we should commit sin , as saith the Apostle ; and let men consider what it is in them that cannot bear with it , it being done in simplicity of heart upon this account .

6. Why we cannot justly be looked upon as Vagrants or sturdy Beggars .

Reas . Because we beg not , nor pass up and down in any idle way , but either about our civil imployments and occasions , or about the work of our God , nor are any way burthensom to the Nation : If to be from our dwellings about the work of our God , be accounted the breach of a Law , would not the same Law have taken hold of the Prophets , Christ and his Apostles , if it had been in their dayes ?

7. Why we visit friends in prison .

Reas : Because they being imprisoned for their obedience to Christ , what we do to them , we do to him ; and we are afraid lest he should say to us at the great day I was sick and in prison , and ye visited me not . Now they that are so far from doing this themselves , that they punish others for doing it , when God shall call them to account , what will they answer ?

8. Why we cannot contribute towards the repairing of Steeplehouses , or pay Clarks wages .

Reas . Because they are places which were erected for Popish and Idolatrous Worship , & where a Worship not differing in its nature and ground , ( but onely in form ) is continued at this day , and the root from whence all this Idolatry grew , is not so much as discovered , much less purged out of these Dominions by them who formerly declared against it in words . Now as we will answer it to God , we are to give no countenance or furtherance to Idolatry . And for Clarks , they were Officers invented by the false Church ( since the Apostacy ) never appointed by Christ in his Church , & such we dare not help to maintain . Was it not solemnly covenanted with the Lord against superstition , and for the plucking up of Episcopacy root and branch ? And must not those that are faithful to the Lord , perform their Covenant though to their hurt ?

Now any man that shall in the fear of the Lord read this , may see that these things bear a weight upon our hearts , and what we do herein , we do for conscience sake in obedience to the Lord , & not out of stubbornness or rebellion , ( as by some we are charged ) nor out of any delight that we have to disturb or disquiet others , but singly to the Lord , that we may stand clear in his sight ; we know whom we obey therein , and are sure we do that which is pleasing to him . Therefore let men take heed how they persecute us , lest they be found fighters against him who will be too strong for them ; for these many ages since the dayes of the Apostles , deceit hath got up , Antichrist hath sate in the Temple , the true Worshippers have been imprisoned and martyred ; The Lord will avenge the sufferings and blood of his Saints , and in due time wil plead their cause against the Oppressors , on whom his hand will then fall heavy , and the Rocks and the Mountains shall not be able to hide them from the presence of the Lamb : and that day who wil be able to abide ? though now men put it far from them .