1411 credibly informed that their communicating at fuch an unfeafonable time would not only per- fwade men that force compelled them, but allo draw them to ruine others that durst not imitate them, they refolved to delay for a fitter oppor- tunity, becaufe God will have mercy and not fa- crifice; and our Liberty is not alwaies our Duty, nor muff be uled to other mens deftrueiion.Thus violence croffeth the Authors ends. XXIII. Shortly after, when loch thoughts re- turned, and many thought it meet to )oyn in the publick Affemblies, the OxfordOath and Aa of Confinement was put in execution, and drove them all away : For the reafòns aforefaid had fa- tisfied them not to defert the fouls in all Cities, Corporations and places where they had Preached ; and fò they were fain to hide them- felves to avoid fix months imprifonment in the common Gaols ( whither fome of us were Pent;) fo that if they had come to the Parifh- Churches, to Common- prayer or Sacraments, they had expofed themfelves to multitudes, of witneffes, and fo to certain imprifónment : Ex- cept in force odd corners of the Country where they were ftrangers (about five miles -fromCor- porations or acquaintance) where their example would have wrought little on any in the Cities, or that,had known them : So that the Oxford Mt, molt effectually forbad them coming to Church, or holding Communion with any Parifh- Churches within five miles of any finch City, Corporation or Village where they had Preach- ed fince the of Oblivion : This they could not avoid. XXIV. Yet many Minifers were afraid of iris trodu-
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