In April 1679, he was charged with seditious utterances and a warrant was issued for his arrest, but he was not found. According to William Boyden, Josias was heard saying that, Lord Baltimore was a traitor and he could prove it, that people were fools if they paid taxes. He was also heard saying that it was time for people to speak their minds and say anything for it was not treason and he hoped within a few years to have more honor in the country than he ever had prior.