That which he writ to the magistrates who committed him to prison, was
to this effect:
‘Friends,
‘I am forced, in tender love unto your souls, to write unto you,
and to beseech you to consider what you do, and what the commands
of God call for. He doth require justice and mercy to break
every yoke, and to let the oppressed go free. But who calleth
for justice or loveth mercy, or contendeth for the truth? Is not
judgment turned backward, and doth not justice stand afar off?
Is not truth silenced in the streets, or can equity enter? And
do not they that depart from evil, make themselves a prey? Oh!
consider what ye do in time, and take heed whom ye do imprison:
for the magistrate is set for the punishment of evil doers, and
for the praise of them that do well. Now, I entreat you, in time,
take heed what you do, for surely the Lord will come, and will
make manifest both the builders and the work: and if it be of
man, it will fail; but if it be of God, nothing will overthrow
it. Therefore I desire and pray, that you would take heed, and
beware what you do, lest ye be found fighters against God.