For each section of the document, answer the question(s) that follow.
Remonstrance of the Inhabitants of Flushing
(A remonstrance is an official petition or protest written to a government)
Remonstrance of Inhabitants of Flushing Regarding Treatment of Quakers
Who wrote this document?
Right Honorable.
To whom was this document written?
You have been pleased to send up unto us a Certain Prohibition or Command that we should not receive or entertain any of those people called Quakers because they are supposed to be by some seducers of the people
What was prohibited in Flushing and why was it prohibited?
for our part we cannot condemn them in this case neither can wee stretch out our hands against them to punish banish or persecute them for out of Christ God is a Consuming fire and it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God wee desire
What do the authors of this document refuse to do?
therefore in this case not to judge least wee be judged neither to Condemn least wee bee Condemned but rather let every man stand and fall to his own Master we are bound by the Law to do good unto all men especially to those of the Household of Faith
What reason do the authors give for their refusal?
and though for the present we seem to be unsensible of the law and the Lawgiver: yet when death and the Law assaults us: if we have our advocate to seek who shall plead for us in this case of Conscience betwixt god and our own souls the powers of this world can neither attack us neither excuse us for if god justify who can Condemn and if god Condemn there is none can justify and for those Jealousies and suspicions which some have of them that they are destructive unto Magistracy and Ministry that cannot be:
How do the authors justify their breaking of the law?
for the Magistrate hath the Sword in his hand and the Minister hath the Sword in his hand as witness those two great examples which all Magistrates and Ministers are to follow M[oses] and Christ whom god raised up Maintained and defended against all the Enemies both of flesh and spirit and therefore that which is of god will stand and that which is of man will [come] to nothing: and as the Lord hath taught Moses, or the Civil power to give an outward liberty in the State by the law written in his heart designed [for] the good of all and can truly judge who is good and who is evil who is true and who is false and can pass definitive sentence of life or [death] against that man which rises up against the [fundamen]tall law of the States General so [he] [hath made] his Ministers a savor of life unto [life] [and a sav]or of death unto death.
How do the authors use the bible to argue against the law?
The law of love peace and liberty in the states Extending to Jews Turks and Egyptians as They are Considered the sons of Adam which is the glory of the outward State of Holland, so love peace and liberty extending to all in Christ Jesus Condemns hatred war and bondage and because our Saviour saith it is Impossible but that offences will come but woe Be unto him by whom they Cometh our desire is not offend one of his little ones in what [soever] form name or title he appears in whether presbyterian independent Baptist or Quaker but shall be glad to see anything of god in a[ny] of them:
Who do the authors think should be covered under the law of love, peace and liberty?
desiring to do unto all men as wee d[esire] all men should do unto us which is the true law both of Church and State for our Saviour saith this is the Law and the Prophets
According to the authors, what is the true law of the Church and State?
Therefore if any of these said persons come in love unto us we cannot in Conscience lay violent hands upon them but give them free Egress and Regress into our Towne and houses as god shall persuade our Consciences and in t[his] we are true subjects both of Church and State for wee are bound by the law of god and man to do good unto all men and evil to no man
What do the authors of this document intend to do?
and this is according to the Patent and Charter of our Towne given unto us in the name of the States General which we are not willing to infringe And violate but shall hold to our patent and
According to the authors, what document gives them the right to act according to their conscience?
Shall remain your Humble Subjects the Inhabitants of Vlising written this 27th of December in the year 1657
When was this document written?
by me Edward Heart clericus.
Tobias Feake
The marke of William Noble
William Thorne, senior Nicolas Blackford
The mark of Wm. Thorne Junior
Edward Tartte The mark of Mica[h] Tue
John Storer
Nathaniel Hefferd The mark of Phillip Ud [ ]
Beniamin Hubbard
The marke of William Pidgion
The marke of George Clere
Elias Doughtie
Antonie Field
Richard Stocton
Edward Griffine.
Nathaniell Tue
Robert ffeild, senior
Nicholas Parsell
Robert Field, junior
Nittkcolas Parnell
Michaell Milner
Benjamin Hubbard
Henry Townesend
George Wright
John Foard
Henry Samtell
Edward Heart
John Mastine Seijt dat Jan Masteyn hem versocht h[ ]
Henry Townesend dat hij seijn naem weder daer [ ]
John Townesend stellen.
Edward ffarington gingh naer eduars huijs en d[aer
onderteeckent
