avenged on my Oppressors And Vengeance belongâ— to him and he will repay and will destroy the Vineyard with the Plants and Frâ—… thereof and the Bryars and Thorns shall be consumed and he will lay waste anâ— devour and confound all his Enemies in a day when his Indignation goes sorth and his Sword is made bare and his Purpose cometh to pass in rooting out tâ—â— oppressive seed of Evil-doers which have filled his Habitation wherein he sholâ— dwell with cursed Children and a brood of evil Births In the dayes of Christ and his Apostles was the Hand and Power of the 〈◊〉 felt and the Lord gat himself a Name and a Glory and he caused his mâ—…lous Light to spring forth and his Day to dawn and the Day was manifest thaâ— many Prophets and Wise-men had desired to see but was not in their time feeâ— by them and his Power was made known and his Arm was made bare in the sight of many Nations and in that day his Glory was spread abroad and â—is Truth and Way was exalted and his glorious Gospel was declared through 〈◊〉 Earth and the sound of his marvellous Works went forth into all the World Judgment and Mercy was known and Righteousness and Peace was witneâ—… among men and Life and Immortallity was brought to Light through the Gospel and the Word of Life by which all things were created and by which they stand was handled seen felt and tasted and the Lord God in that Age was known to dwell with his People and to walk in them and his Covenant was established with many and his Promises were fulfilled Redemption Deliverance and Salvation was revealed even Christ Jesus the Son God the Prince of Peace And Righteousness was made manifest in the Sons of men and revealed in many who saw God's Glory and were Witnesses of his Majesty and Dominion and were gathered unto him in the Bond of Peace and were his Sons and Daughters and were led by his Spirit in all his Wayes of Truth and Righteousness And many went forth into the World and declared through Nations the things of Gods Kingdom which was come to them and was discovered within them and the Lord God spake from Heaven by his Son unto them and they were filled with the Holy Ghost and with Power And the Lord was with them whom he called and made them Wise and their Word powerful and their Message effectual and their Weapons were mighty through God and strong Holds were subdued and the Powers of Death and Darkness were subjected and the Hearts of thousands were turned to God and the Gospel was preached in power through the World and many were brought to God out of Darkness into Light and from Satans Power unto God And the Earth was filled with Light and the mighty and the wise were confounded and the bonds of cruel oppressions were broken and they that set themselves against the Lord and his Way were confounded and scattered and brought to nought though they were many in that Generation How did all the chief Priests and Scribes and Pharisees Elders of the People and Rulers and Governours lift up themselves in the Pride of their hearts and took counsel together and persecuted the Innocent and put to Death and Imprisoned the Children of the Most High How did they in the dayes of Christ persecute and seek for his Life till they had taken it from the Earth by their subtilty and wickedness The Apostles and Ministers of Christ were persecuted some were put to death and others suffered grievous things for the Name of Christ and were made a Prey and a Spoil unto Destroyers whose wickedness encreased against the Way of God till it was fulfilled in its measure and the Wicked with their work were dashed to peices and the Lord gave his Way and Truth and Servants dominion and power over all his enemies and whole Nations were brought to the knowledge of God and his Wayes and his Name was glorious and his Kingdom was exalted in the Earth and many were his People who were gathered by him and his powerful Word through the mouth of his Ministers whom he ordained and called who were Fisher-men and such like who were chosen to fulfil his Will and to do his Work and not many Wise-men of the World were called but God chose the foolish things to confound the wise then as he doth now and such were honoured by the Lord and Bearers of his Name and of his Message and Glad-tidings though they were contemned of men yet unto such he gave the authority to overturn the wise and to out-reach the wisdom of this World for they were learned of the Father and had the knowledge of his Wayes though they were unlearned in the Arts and Crafts of men which stand more in pollicy and subtilty then in the Fear and Wisdom of God and in that day the Lord was with his People while his People were with him and he loved them while they stood in his Counsel and he gave them dominion over all their Enemies and they were a Terror to the whole World while the Churches stood in the dread and terror of the Lord of Hosts yea all bowed under them and their feet trod upon the high places of the Earth and they were blessed of the Lord above all People even till they waxed fat and were increased in treasures and thought they had need of nothing and then they forgat God and rebelled against him and became perverse in their wayes and grew into strange Idolatries and Errors and left the Way of Truth and cast God's Law behind them and the Power of Godliness ceased and the form grew and it was exalted more then Power and love waxed cold when iniquity abounded and men became Lovers of themselves more then of the Lord and the Lord and his marvellous Works which had been brought to pass were forgotten and hardness of heart and unbelief entred and then false Prophets and Antichrist came in which Christ had prophesied of and established the form of Godliness without the Power and subverted many even whole Houses and Countries from the simplicity of Christ Jesus so that many became insensible and grew past feeling of the Power and operation of God and their minds became blinded and their ears stopped and God was grieved who had brought up Children and they forgat him and rebelled against him for the Churches became corrupted and lost the Life and Power of God and the Holy Ghost and became Idolaters and Worshippers of Idols and as you may read Paul prophesied that many should depart from the Faith and give heed to seducing spirits and the doctrine of Devils and grievous Woves should enter not sparing the Flock but seeking to devour it and would make havock and merchandise of Souls through coveteousness and filthy Lucre and perillous times would come wherein there should be a Form of Godliness and not the Power and in that Generation before and sooâ— after his decease this
tell us plainly Are you Redeem'd from Pâ—… 〈◊〉 are you such as oppress the Seed as Pharoah did And tell us who was the Inâ—… of â—…our Images and who was the Former of all your graven Images 〈◊〉 not they all invented and come up since the Apostles dayes which ye have 〈…〉 and what is Purgatory and from what had it its rise and original 〈◊〉 what ground have you out of Scripture for such a doctrine And what is the 〈◊〉 of Faith and what 's Faith and what doth it give victory over and what 〈…〉 it over come and what is the â—aiâ— that hath bin spread over all Nations and 〈◊〉 is the Mountain of the House of God and what are those Mountains the 〈…〉 shall seek to cover themselves under and what are those Mountains that people expect Salvation from in vain and did not Iohn come to throw down the â—…ins and what are the Mountains that he came to throw down and what is the Valley he came to raise up answer us And what is the Sword of the Spirit and whether have ye the Sword of the spirit and the Spiritual Armour and what is youâ— Church defended and upâ—…d by Spiritual Weapons or Carnal are not your Goals carnal Weapons 〈◊〉 your Inquisitions and your killing people aboue Religion are not all these 〈◊〉 Weapons and had ever the Church of Christ such Weapons answer 〈…〉 plainly And do you not expect the Lord will suddenly plead with you and are not 〈◊〉 them that put off the Day of the Lord and cause the Seat of Violence to come near and are not ye them that have Eyes but see not Earâ— but hear 〈◊〉 Hearts and understand not and is not your Eye blind that should see God's Presence and your Ears stopped that should hear his Voice â—nd have 〈◊〉 heard his Voice and seen his Shape if you have what is he like answer 〈◊〉 And what is his Word and where doth it dwell in your hearts or is it without you and can any thing without you purifie you and take away sin 〈◊〉 of your Hearts and must not Christ be within and what are the Fruits and Signs and Marks of a Saint and why do you go Pilgrims to visit 〈◊〉 Bones what is the reason of it and who was the first that â—â—tuted it 〈◊〉 what is the meaning of your holy Water give us Scripture for all these 〈…〉 ces or else the Power of the Lord will tear you to pieces and lay open 〈◊〉 Foundation and none that love God can joyn unto you And can any o◠〈…〉 pardon Sin truly that it shall never more be remembred and are not 〈…〉 sins remembred with the Light in your Consciences sometimes and is there 〈◊〉 a Light in your Consciences that doth convince you tell me plainly And whether do you own That Christ hath lightened every one that coâ—… into the World and what is the Light and do you know Christ as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 before Abraham and have you seen his Day as Abraham did and what 〈…〉 Day of Christ doth the Carnal Eye see it give us your Knowledge and 〈◊〉 Judgment in all these things and lay down your Principles at full and 〈…〉 by the Scriptures what you hold and profess if you would have any to 〈…〉 your Religion otherwise renounce your Church and come out of â—… What is Babylon and the Mother of Harlots and what is spirituâ—◠〈…〉 and Sâ—dom where Christ is crucified and what is the Whore and what 〈…〉 flesh that has stain'd the Earth and what is the Fire that must consume her 〈…〉 Many are jealous concerning you that you are not the true Church 〈…〉 you have drunk of the Whore's Cup who hath made all Nations drunk 〈…〉 if that time be come that she hath made all Nations drunk then how 〈…〉 clear your selves being Nations and Multitudes of People To 〈◊〉 these 〈…〉 I expect your speedy Answer And what is the Death that hath raigned over all and how is Man recâ—… out of it and when and what are the Gates of Hell and what is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that they cannot prevail against and whether your Church may never 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vailed against and whether they be not your Inquisitions Stakes and â—… and killing people that do principally defend your Church and if yâ—◠〈…〉 cease your Inquisitions and killing those you call Hereticks whether 〈…〉 not you be prevail'd against by many other Sects Lay away yoâ—… perâ—… of People that you call Hereticks and do not deaf with them after the 〈…〉 which you have done by Inquisitions and such like and only by sound 〈…〉 guments and the Power of the Spirit defend your Religion And dare you suffer a certain number of us to come among you and pâ—…ch what we hold and a certain number of you shall freely come among us 〈◊〉 freely preach what you hold without Persecution or any Violence as we would expect and have the same from you engage man for man with us and 〈◊〉 no otherwise deal with ours then we deal with yours and take the free liberty to deal with our men as we deal with your men but no otherwise and 〈◊〉 each of the Messengers preach and hold forth what they would have and whâ—â— they really hold and believe and convert the most either of them can to theiâ— own Religion and then let all the World see which have the Power and Spirit of God with them and whether your Ministers or our Ministers do turn the more people from you to us or from us to you and send your Answer whether you will agree to the Premises and if you do send your Messengers when you pleaâ—â— and we will engage in the Lord their Persons shall not be harmed but if they were then take Man for Man Life for Life of our Men sent to you and let that God be the true God that appeareth in most Power and Authority and let him be worshipped forever whose Power converts the most to the knowledge of him out of Wickedness and let that Church be the tâ—… Church which cannot be overcome And as you are willing to be made manifest joyn issue with us in this business and propound your own time when the men shall return and whether the continuance of the Matter be for Dayes Moneths or Years and let each of the men return without harm of Person and this will be a way truly to try and make manifest all things to all the World and whether you or we be in the right Way and of the right Church and use 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Weapon against us but the foundest Arguments you can by words according to the Scriptures and the same Weapons we will use against you 〈…〉 other but the Authority of the Spirit of God and Arguments thereby 〈◊〉 shall be according to the Scriptures the Apostles Writings and the â—…ony of the true Church And hereby in the sight of the whole World let your Church and Faith 〈◊〉 Principles and Practices
Righteousness Truth Faith and Worship without the Power of God even likeness of the things that the Apostles and Saints held in the Power of God And hereby is the World deceived though Antichrist hath taught them to Plead Scriptures and Prove by Scriptures â—…t the Apostles did the same things and held the same Profession yet being now held and professed out of the Power of God and not in the same Spirit that the Apostles were in 't is but of Antichrist and deceivable and leads captive the souls of men into destruction Oh therefore that the World and all that dwel therein would consider the danger of that deceivable Spirit of Antichrist and how he deceiveth mankind and would turn from him and forsake the wayes and works of Antichrist that they may be saved and not destroyed Oh! all ye called Christians 't is time to consider what Spirit ye are of and what Spirit leads you and how ye may escape his delusions for the Day of the Lord is come and he is gathering People out of the wayes of Antichrist and setting them free from his cruel Bonds to serve the Lord in Liberty and Freedom of the Spirit of Christ Jesus and blessed are all they that witness this where Christ reigns and Antichrist is subdued with his works and fruits and discovered and destroyed by the Spirit of the Lord and the brightness of his Coming who comes to judge the World in Righteousness and Truth 11. These things are said in general of Antichrist Now it remains to be shewed What the Government of Antichrist is in it self and where it is in beeing and who the Subjects of his Kingdom are That Antichrist the Man of Sin hath a Government a Kingdom a Power an Authority a Rule and a Dominion which is indeed his Government this is not doubtful to any but acknowledged by all but what this Kingdom and Government is many are Ignorant Now the Kingdom and Government of Antichrist is not the Government and Authority of some particular man in some particular Countrey and Nation upon Earth distinct from all other persons and Nations as if such a particuler visible Kingdom and Authority were Antichrist's Government and none besides But the Authority Kingdom and Government of Antichrist is more invisible more hidden as it were more spiritual and undiscernable unto the sons of men then any visible outward Kingdom is And indeed the Kingdom of Antichrist is the Authority and Power of Spiritual Wickedness of Spiritual invisible Iniquity or the Rule and Dominion of the Son of Perdition of the Man of Sin exercised in the hearts and Spirits of all ungodly men This is the Kingdom and Government of Antichrist an Authority of Spiritual Wickedness a Power of the Mystery of Iniquity and of invisible prevailing of the Son of Perdition in and over the hearts of the Sons of men not onely of one person or in one Nation or Kingdom of the World but in all sinful persons and over all Nations of the Earth Antichrist's Government is such throughout Kingdoms of this World even a Spiritual Power of Wickedness a Dominion and Authority of the Mystery of Iniquity ruling and raigning in the hearts of many men even of all sinful men of all unjust men of all unconverted men through all Nations in the World So that it may not truly be said that Antichrist's Kingdom and Government is onely the particular Authority of any particular man in a particular Nation of the Earth and all others Men and Nations are free but it is as I have said the Authority Power and Rule of the Spirit of Wickedness of the Mystery of Iniquity in the hearts of all evil men in all Nations through the World And this is truly the Kingdom of Antichrist in it self 12. This Government is placed and set up and chiefly the place and beeing of it is not only in all Nations at large but in the Hearts even in particular Hearts of the Sons of men in the Heart and Inward Parts of man is the place where Antichrist's Government is his Authority Power and Dominion is in the Hearts of the Ungodly in the inward Parts of Transgressors in the Heart Antichrist that Man of Sin dwells and works according as it is written 2 Thess. 2. 9 10. speaking of the Man of Sin Whose coming is after the working of Satan with all lying Wonders and with all Deceivableness of Uurighteousness in them that perish His dwelling and working is in them that perish in the Ungodly in the Hypocrites in all â—…aters in all false Worshippers Thus it is manifest That the Government of Antichrist is in the Heart not only to one man in some Nations but in the Hearts of all such men mentioned in all the Kingdoms of the World even the Mystery of Iniquity the spiritual Wickedness the authority and power of that spirit that is against Christ and contrary to him which is the Rule Kingdom and Government of Antichrist dwelleth and worketh in the hearts of the Sons of men even like as Christ Jesus dwelleth and walketh in his Saints as it is written so accordingly doth Antichrist dwell and walk in all that are the Subjects of his Kingdom Yet notwithstanding the Government of Antichrist is in the hearts of men originally there as having got dominion and Power over the seed of God and placed it self in the heart which is its seat and where Christ should reign yet the Government of Antichrist is not so spiritual so hidden and invisible in the heart but that it appears outwardly and visibly in the actions and fruits of men so that the outward actions and works of men are 〈◊〉 and sinted with the spirit of Antichrist and his government apaears visible in Antichristian Ways and Works brought forth by men the Sinfulness of men the Hypocrisies of men the Idolatries of men and the false Principles and Doctrines of men which appear visibly are the Works of Antichrist and his Government stands in these things in these Works he Governs men and to the doing of them he leads and rules men by his authority and power which is in the Hearts of men And thus Antichrist's Government appears visible and outward and is in the outward Actions and Works of men to be seen in the World as well as the working of his Power and Authority is in the Heart inwardly And also Antichrist's Government is extended not only as first dwelling and working in the Hearts of the Ungodly nor secondly as over the Works of men particularly but over the Governments of many Nations and Countries in general is Antichrist's Power and Rule extended so that the Governments of the World are leavened and tasted with Antichristian-power and authority in many Nations even the spirit of Antichrist hath possessed many hearts many Works and not only so but many Governments amongst men and this hath appeared and broken forth visible in all the works of Unrighteousness Injustice Oppressions and Persecutions brought forth in
could not be believed if it were spoken of the several and particular Operations and Manifestations of the everlasting Spirit that was given us and revealed in us but this is the sum Life and Immortality was brought to light Power from on High and Wisdom was made manifest the Day everlasting appeared unto us and the joyful Sun of Righteousness did arise and shine forth unto us and in us and the holy Anointing the everlasting Comforter we received and the Babe of Glory was born and the Heir of the Promise brought forth to Reign over the Earth and over Hell and Death whereby we entered into everlasting Union and Fellowship and Covenant with the Lord God whose Mercies are sure and infinite and his Promise never fails and much might be spoken but this is the sum we were raised from Death to Life and are changed from Satans power to God and gathered from all the dumb Shepherds and off all the barren Mountains into the Fold of eternal Peace and Rest and mighty and wonderful things hath the Lord wrought for us and by us by his own out-stretched Arm. And thus we became Followers of the Lamb whithersoever he goes and he hath called us to make war in righteousness for his Name sake against Hell and Death and all the Powers of Darkness and against the Beast and false Prophet which have deceived the Nations and we are of the Royal Seed Elect Chosen and Faithful and we war in Truth and just Judgment not with Weapons that are carnal but by the Sword that goes out of his Mouth which shall slay the Wicked and cut them to pieces and after this manner was our Birth and bringing forth and thus hath the Lord chosen us and made us an Army dreadful and terrible before whom the Wicked do fear and tremble and our Standard is Truth Justice Righteousness Equity and all that comes unto us must cleave thereunto and fight under that Banner without fear and without doubting and they shall never be ashamed nor put to flight neither shall ever they be conquer'd by Hell or Death or by the Powers of Darkness but the Lord shall be their Armour Weapon and Defence for evermore and they that follow the Lamb shall overcome and get the Victory over the Beast and over the Dragon and over the Gates of Hell for the Lord is with us and who shall be able to make us afraid Then having thus armed us with Power Strength and Wisdom and Dominion according to his Mind and we having learned of him and being taught of him in all things and he having chosen us into his Work and put his Sword into our hands and given us perfect Commission to go forth in his Name and Authority having the Word from his Mouth what to cut down and what to preserve and having the everlasting Gospel to preach to the Inhabitants of the Earth and being commanded in spirit to leave all and follow him and go forth in his Work yea an absolute necessity was laid upon us and wo unto us if we preacht not the Gospel for when we looked abroad and beheld the World behold it was altogether Darkness and even as a Wilderness and desolate and barren of good Fruit and Death reigned over men and no good Fruit was brought forth to God but Leaves we beheld upon every Soul and all men and people were made drunk with the Wine of Whoredoms and the Whores Cup they had drunk and was committing Fornication with the great Whore and she reigned over the Kings and peoples of the Earth and the Antichrist was set up in the Temple of God ruling over all and having brought Nations under his Power and set up his Government over all for many Ages even since the days of the Apostles and true Churches hath he reign'd while the Woman hath been fled into the Wilderness and the Man-Child caught up to God Christ said Antichrist should come and put on the Sheeps cloathing and be inwardly a ravening Woolf and Iohn saw that Antichrist was come in his dayes and he went forth then from the true Church and went into the World and deceived the World and ever since his Kingdom hath reigned over Nations for then he begun to exalt himself and it is sixteen hundred years since all which time Antichrist that hath had the Sheeps Cloathing but inwardly a Ravener and hath ruled and reigned and this we saw and perceived in the very time of our birth and bringing forth and we behold Nations as a Wilderness untilled and mens Hearts as the fallow Ground unbroken up and not plowed nor sown with the good Seed of Gods Kingdom so that we saw all states and orders of men corrupted and degenerated from what they ought to be and from what God had once ordained them As for the Ministry first we looking upon it with a single eye in the Light of the Spirit of God which had Anointed us we behold it clearly which formerly we had been stumbling at and much doubting of that it was not the perfect Ministry of Christ for many years before not to be of Christ nor sent of him nor having the Commission power Authority of Christ as his Ministry had in the days of the true Churches but in all things as in Call practice maintenance and in every thing else in fruits and effects we found it disagree and be wholly contrary to the true Ministry of Christ in the days of the Apostles and likewise we truely beheld it to be in Call practice and Maintenance and all things the very same in fruits and effects with the false Ministry and false Prophets and false Apostles and Deceivers of old and this I do testifie and am able to prove in the Spirit and Authority of the Lord that the publick Ministry as now it stands generally is wholy degenerated from what the true Ministry of Christ once was and differs and is contrary in all things to what Christ's Ministers were and agreeth and is equal in all things with what the false Prophets and Deceivers were thoughout all Ages and this I charge upon it in the face and view of all men to whom this may come for this we saw concerning it in the beginning and our first assurance And as for other Places and Orders of men and Callings we saw them also corrupted and degenerated and evil and iniquity abounding among all sorts of people and blindness and darkness covered the face of the Earth and of the World and all people were in their Transgressions and making void the Law of God and that it was time for the Lord to work and to arise to ease himself of his Adversaries and as for all Churches so called and Professions and Gatherings of people we beheld you as all in the Apostacy and degeneration from the true Church not being gathered by the Spirit of the Lord nor anointed thereby as the true Members of Christ ever were but to be in a
that will not sware contrary to the Law of Christ must be counted Evil-doers and Popish Recusants and punished and this is not for any Evil in us but because we cannot transgress the righteous Law of our God and also another Decree which takes hold upon them that travell to worship God on the first day of the week whereby the Innocent doth suffer and are like to suffer and not for Evil-doing is any occasion against us but because we will not stay from the Worship of our God but are made to travel that we may meet together to Worship him with such other Decrees which sheweth unto all men that they seek occasion against us concerning the Law of God not having occasion by doctrine or conversation or any other thing so for righteousness sake are we persecuted and not for evil-doing some are persecuted because for Conscience-sake they cannot stay at their own houses but are moved by the Lord to declare the Name of the Lord abroad in the Nation many by a decree are taken and punished as for vagabonds and this is an occasion concerning the Law of our God and Christ was persecuted and put to death by an unrighteous Decree for they had an unrighteous Law as they said and by it he ought to dye and unrighteous laws and decrees were made against the Apostles whereby they were commanded to depart out of their Towns and to preach no more in the Name of Jesus and by such decrees were the Apostles persecuted So that this may shew unto all that our fore-fathers who were of the Seed of God some were persecuted unto death by unrighteous decrees and statutes and as it was then so it is now he that hath an eye to see may see the same as ever was is come to pass in the Earth the seed of the Serpent striving against the Seed of God and persecuting it where it is brought forth by unrighteous decrees how did the late Bishops of England persecute the harmless What Laws and Ordinances were then brought forth whereby violence was done against such as feared the Lord and then was the seed of the Serpent striving against the Seed of God And this is given forth to shew unto all the World the cause of persecution in its first ground to wit the irrecoverable enmity which is betwixt the two Seeds the one continually hating and persecuting the other and seeking the overthrow each of other and the enmity betwixt the two Seeds is the cause of strife the one being Innocent and the other unrighteous so it is not for the persons sake or any other thing that the Just are persecuted but it is because of the Seed of God which cannot bow nor worship the seed of the Serpent that is the first cause of persecution Again all may see what unrighteous Laws and Decrees were and are brought forth to persecute the Innocent whereby they have suffered in all Generations for Righteousness sake and not for Evil-doing also it may be seen that it was the Wise the Learned the Presidents and Chancellors and chief Priests and Scribes who were and are the very active persons by whom the Seed of God is persecuted and even such as were and are zealous in their Observances and Sabboth-keeping and such like it was not the Poor nor the Foolish only which the Devil made use of to do his work but it was the Wise and the Learned and the Chief in Authority and such like it was such in whom the seed of the Serpent ruled who were the active men against the Servants of God Also it was through the evil Counsel of such as were Teachers and Scribes and Handlers of the Law and it was through the false Accusations of the chief Priests unto the Governors and Elders of the People and so it is now at this day as I have proved and also the Righteous were persecuted upon the false Judgment of others and they were falsly adjudged to be Deceivers and Blasphemers and Evil-doers and upon this account were they persecuted and as being falsly reputed to be destructive to Government and Revenue of Kings and upon such like and that they made void the Law of God and were Movers of Sedition and upon such accounts as these was the Seed of God persecuted as it it at this day and all men that read this with moderation may come to the good Undestanding upon what account and by what Instruments and by what means the seed of the Serpent hath persecuted the Seed of God even from Cain unto this day And this is to go abroad into this Nation and into the World and it is given forth from the Suffering-Seed of God to clear it self in the sight of all men that not for Evil but for Good are these Sufferings laid upon it But behold the Lord heearth and regardeth the Cry of the Poor and of the unjust Sufferer and he will remember his Mercy and his Covenant with his own Seed and when it passes through the Fire he is with it and thought it be afflicted it cannot be forsaken though the Lord hide his Face from his people and suffers most grievous things to be done against them by the wicked yet it is but to try them and to prove them that they may be found faithfull to him and the Seed of God shall reign in the Earth and the seed of the Serpent and his head shall be bruised and is bruised already and it bruiseth its heel by following after with persecution and cruelty but the Seed of God shall arise and is arisen and praiseth the Living God for evermore It plainly appears that the Suffering of the people of God in this Age is a greater Suffering and more Unjust than in the dayes of Christ or of the Apostles or in any time since Queen Maries dayes brought not forth a Suffering more cruel and in many respects as doth appear First What was done to Christ and the Apostles was chiefly done by a Law and in a great part by the due execution of a Law and also the Martyrs in Queen Maries dayes had more just Examination and a more Just Prosecution in Law than the people of God have now for now it is a matter of Conscience among some of the Magistrates in England to cast men into Prison and confine them and to cause their Goods to be spoiled without any Law or the due execution of a Law which is utterly contrary to the Charters of England and hereby it appearts the Suffering to be more Unjust because what the Persecutors of old did to the People of God they did by a Law and by the due execution of a Law but now many are caused to suffer deeply whom the transgression of no Law good or bad can be charged against and others suffer without the due execution of a Law Again herein it doth appear to exceed the Suffering of the Saints in former Age in that many suffer now cruel things about trivial
thereof and in this same Spirit is the Father alone worshipped and by it God is known and his Promise is fulfilled it witnessing in all things unto the Father and is the Earnest of the Inheritance which fadeth not away and by it know we the deep things of God which the World by wisdom knoweth not and thereby are we seal'd and bound up in Covenant with the Father This is known to you that are Children of the Light and hereof you have the Witness in your selves and of God you are approved and not of men And all ye my Brethren who are call'd into the Work and Ministry of the Gospel unto whom the Word of the Lord is come and the Gospel of Christ to you committed Dwell in the Life of God and feel his Power and Authority and live in the same Life of which you minister to others that you may bring People to God and may effectually turn them from the dominion of sin unto the Dominion of Christ Jesus People may be guided out of Darkness in the marvellous Light Cry aloud spare not proclaim the Mighty Day of the Lord in all the Earth and fear ye not neither be ye dismay'd at the Face of any man but be bold and valiant for the Truth upon Earth and give your Testimony as you have receiv'd from God and preach Christ Jesus the Light of the World unto all People that they may receive him and be converted and live For Blindness and Darkness hath cover'd the whole Earth and all have gone astray from the Lord as Sheep without a Shepherd Therefore awake ye them that sleep and cause the Deaf to hear and the Dead to rise that such as have been stray'd may be gather'd for this is the fulness of time he is now seeking his Sheep that have been lost and bringing them Home that have been stray'd and you as Instruments in the Lord's Hand hath he chosen into this Work Therefore get on the Strength of the Lord and preach the Gospel of Peace even the Power of God that Sinners may be converted and the Wounded healed and the Weak may be strengthned and they that are ready to dye may be restored to Life and Salvation This is the Work of the Lord whereunto you are called therefore all who unto it are called be faithful unto the end and not only by word but by Life and Conversation also hold forth the Way of Life For you must feel that in your selves of which you minister to others and you must hold forth the Life the same which you minister in words and thereby shall you be made manifest to that of God in all People and God's Testimony shall answer for you And see that in all things you divide God's Word aright not crying Peace to the Wicked nor healing up the Wound falsly but that true Judgment in all things may be brought forth by you to all people Judgment to the Fat and Bread to the Hungry they that are Naked must be clothed and they that are falsly covered must be made bare Improve the Gift which God hath given you to him only and not unto your selves Be not hasty to utter words before the Lord but wait for Power from on High that the Way of God unto Salvation may be faithfully and truly held forth by you unto all people And faint not though your Burdens and Tryals be many but bare all things patiently love not your lives unto death that the good Work of the Lord may be accomplished which he hath begun by us and made prosperous and powerful in our hands unto this very day you have the Witness of this Our Cause is good we seek Truth and Righteousness that it may be established in the Earth and people may be brought unto God unto this God hath called us and hath owned us in it and will never forsake us for the Work is his and the Power is his and whatsoever he will he bringeth to pass and therefore why should we doubt or be weary For we shall see the Travel of our Souls the Scattered shall be gathered and a Remnant of the Seed shall be brought in which is scatter'd in every Nation as dry Bones unable to live How shall we hide that Treasure which God hath given us from them that perish for want thereof Or How shall we rest satisfied till the scatter'd Sheep be brought Home to the Fold Our Hearts are troubled to see so many Thousands walking in thick Darkness and to see the Seed of Israel devoured by the Destroyer Therefore my Brethren let us put on strength the Lord is with us let us make War in Righteousness for the Lord against all the Powers of Darkness let us continually be armed to do and to suffer all things for the Name of the Lord that People may be instructed in the right Way we know no man can have power over us but what is given them from above and all that which comes to pass against us is not worthy to be compared with the Crown of Glory and that Inheritance of which we have already received the earnest and sealed with the spirit of Promise and the Fathers Name is written upon us therefore in all things unto which he hath called you be faithful and obedient that his Work may be accomplished And all ye Children and Babes in Christ that are begotten of God and are thirsting and seeking after him in Truth and Righteousness he whom ye seek is coming to raign amongst you and his Dominion shall be set up and enlarged and the desire of your Hearts shall be fulfilled Righteousness and Truth shall meet in one and Judgment and Mercy shall be exalted Wait upon the Lord and feel his Power and his Presence continually that you may grow as Plants of Righteousness and may partake of the Heir-ship with Christ being crucified to the World and become dead to all its Wayes and no more you to live but Christ to live in you through the Light which he hath lightned you withall hath he given you an entrance into the Inheritance of the Father And as you walk in the Light you grow into Fellowship with the Father and with the Son Abiding in the Son you cannot sin for he keeps you from the wicked One and he hath no power over you that abide in Christ who is the Power of God which is the Salvation of all that believe and a Condemnation of all that believe not therefore all you that are convinced everywhere hearken to the Voice of the Lord that your Souls may live and mind the Power of God and the workings thereof in your Hearts which conquereth Hell and Death and subdueth all the Powers and Wayes thereof and every one be obedient to the Lord as Children of one Father that of his fulness you may receive and be filled therewith and meet together in every Place and as the Day approacheth exhort one another that you may grow up in Unity as
winnow some and to try them and to draw the hearts and minds of others into a Snare out from the obedience to Christ Jesus which do become Mockers and Despisers and Subverters of the simplicity of the Gospel of Peace and of the Ministers and Ministry thereof which is the Power of God unto Salvation and there is no other though some harden their hearts through unbelief and blind the Eye till they be past feeling through rebellion against the Truth which they hold in unrighteousness and not in the Power of God having made the offence of the Cross to cease yet boasting in the Liberty of Christ while they are unmortified having run from the Judgment and not truly came thorow it in the finishing of Condemnation and that spirit that goes out of the Cross is subverted and seeks to subvert others from the Truth as it is in Jesus and that spirit is denyed fellowship with though it have the conformity in the Hypocrisie Wherefore this is the Word of the Lord God unto you that err after that spirit Be awakened be awakened and remember and repent and come to your first work to that which condemneth you lest the Lord by his hand of Wrath and Judgment upon you make you an Example and of Misery and Destruction to all that shall hereafter deny the Lord and his Truth Hear and consider to the Light in you all I speak have you another Truth then that which hath been known and declared from the beginning is there any other way to Life then which we have been Witnesses of who have not handled the Word of God deceitfully amongst you nor sought yours but you nor preached our selves but Christ Jesus and hereof we have the witness in our Consciences in the Holy Ghost and is there any other Salvation then that which God hath manifested which is Christ Jesus the Light of the World Be awaked and consider Wherefore then do you separate your selves disoderly and resist the Word of Life which once begat you towards the Lord Consider what you are doing and whither you are walking the End of your way is Perdition and that is accursed which preacheth another Gospel How do you dishonour the Lord in the sight of the Heathen before whom you discover your Nakedness and your Shame doth appear having put off and cast aside the Armour and Weapon of Truth whereby you might have been defended But Scorners and Fools take occasion through your disorders and confusions to blaspheme the Name of the Lord and it is through you Be stirred up and consider and search your hearts and come to the tryal ye that vex the Lord's Soul and grieve his Spirit lest it cease to strive with you and you be wholly given up to fulfil wickedness till there be no place nor time of repentance found and this is a warning to you all in the Presence of the Living God that you may return to your first love to fear before the Lord and to walk in his Truth if there may be mercy and to fulfil his Will which is the Light which you are lighted withal by Christ Jesus who is the Lamb of God the Way the Truth and the Life the Author and Finisher of Faith and there is not another And know this ye that deny him that is given yea unto you all he will deny you before his Father and of all your Blood I am clear thus far whether you resist or receive who am the Lover of your Souls sometimes loved of you while you were Lovers of the Truth and am now a Witness for the Lord and his Truth and against that spirit which leads you in the Rebellion against the Government of Christ which is Order and Peace out of which you have erred to the piercing of your own Souls and though you now exalt your selves against me and the Truth and boast your selves as though you reigned yet in the day of the Lord shall the Light in you all which is now darkned bear witness to me and of my faithfulness in reproving you and the Truth is for ever dear to me and my soul delights no less in it though you rebel against it in the heady exalted presumptuous high wilful spirit which is not subject to the Government nor Authority of the Ministry of Christ but Truth is over you all and the Mountain of the Lord is established above you all and all your words and works and boastings and feignedness and disorders are denied and in them we have not fellowship but the contrary and do in the Authority of the Lord even by the same Authority which hath begotten us unto God and called us and carried us in his Work unto this day deny you all in the ground and state wherein you stand till repentance and turning from whence you are fallen to the Light which Christ hath lighted you withal And all faithfull Friends this is the Word of the Lord God to you hear and fear walk in the Truth which you have heard and learned and received of the Father in it dwell and live and know there is no other then that which is made manifest which is sure to you all and cannot deceive nor be deceived and be not shaken in mind nor troubled though some deny the Lord but let their fall be a Warning to you to be more watchfull to be kept to the Lord lest you be tempted and dwell in the Mountain of Holiness which no Beast can touch where is a hiding place to preserve you in the time of tryal And I charge you all in the Presence of the Living God of Life let your minds be setled and hearts staid in the Truth which is the Foundation of God and know the Armor of God to gird you up to God where no offence is taken against Christ nor against the Way of Truth but the Power of God doth remove that which would be offended and tramples upon that which gives the offence and in this you will be preserved until the day of Salvation and beware of that spirit that boasts above the measure and of that which makes the offence of the Cross to cease for there hardness of heart and unbelief enters and so another is followed then the Light and another joyned to then Christ Jesus and there is the way to perdition who goes from the Light within them they deny God and his Truth and follow the imaginations of the soolish heart and runs in rashness and in the forwardness and that ground receives the unclean spirit in again with seven worse and the latter end is worse then the beginning and this Truth doth not change which is the begotten of the Father but is the same for ever So in it all be faithfull and fruitfull to the Father in your Places and Callings shewing forth in all wisdom and pure conversation among yoâ—… Enemies to the putting them to silencâ— when they speak evil of you and be Examples of Holiness one to another that
but one the same to day yesterday and forever who is the Foundation of God and abides forever was preached unto you all to be the Way the Truth the Life and Salvation and there is none besides him why then are there Divisions amongst you and some for one and some for another And herein are you carnal and your minds abroad and not'staid upon him which gives the increase and all this is to be judged with the Life of God Wherefore I beseech you in the Fear of the Lord as you love him and his Glory yea as you love your own souls Come to the Light which lets you see all this and condemns it and strive not one with another nor exalt not your selves one above another but let all that be condemned and all your evil Surmisings and foolish Jealousies separate Worshippings Backbitings be brought to Judgment and let condemnation pass upon it all never more to appear to hinder your Fellowship with the Lord and know the Life of God in you all which is but one which is not at strife nor divided and let that arise that all Vails may be taken off and Hardness of heart judged and the Countenance of the Lord may shine upon you when that exalted spirit which has appear'd in some is brought down of which I charge you all to beware lest there be a total departing from the Lord and his Name be reproached through you among the Heathen and it had been better for such they had never been born Therefore I say unto you all lay it to heart till the Judgments of the Lord take it away and purifie your hearts from all these things which ariseth out of that which is not of the Father that my joy may be renewed who have been in travel for you tell Christ be formed in you that he alone may rule in you over all those things which are at enmity against the Life and hinders your growâ—â— And if you yet harden your heart against Reproof who are stubborn well the Lord will ease him of his Adversaries and break you as a Potter's Vessel And though you oppress the Life of God for a moment yet my Peace with him â—â—â—ll these things never take away but over all these things I tread am not offendâ—â— in him who is my Peace forever And though those things cause sadness of heart yet the Lord giveth no cause of Sorrow to them that are faitful to him but will arise to confound all Deceit and Deceitful Workers who err from his Way and count the Knowledge of his Wayes a Burden and of you all though you perish I am clear who am not hated of the Lord though falsly judged by his Enemies over whom I trample as the Dust and the Living God gives Victory over you all I am not of this World E. B. Something of TRUTH Made Manifest In Relation to a Dispute at Draton in the County of Middlesex in the first Moneth last In Opposition to the False Account given of it by one Philip Taverner in his Book stiled The QUAKERS ROUNDS OR A Faithful Account c. FOrasmuch as one who hath I suppose ambitiously stiled himself Mr. Philip Taverner hath taken in hand to set forth to the view of the World an Account and Relation of a Dispute hapning in the eleaventh Moneth last at Draton near Colebrook to which Relation I am a little engaged to write something by way of answer thereunto that all people may know the Truth and being the Truth is somewhat concerned herein that is the Reason wherefore I have taken in hand to write a little by way of answer to his Relation being without any prejudice towards the man as concerning any Wrong he hath done to me though me as well as the Truth he hath wronged as may appear to such who desire to know the Truth It 's true a publique dispute I had the time and place mentioned with a company of Priests and this same Philip Taverner was one of them and the occasion of the Dispute was thus I being a few weeks before at a Meeting with some Friends in the said Town one Richard Goodgroom in his relation mentioned was present at the hearing of what was spoken but at that time did not object any thing though afterwards in London and other places he went up and down in a backbiting manner and gave forth That I had held forth blasphemous Doctrines or the like whereupon I much desir'd a Dispute for the tryal of those things and it was accomplished and that day the Truth was much made manifest and Deceit confounded And as to all the things objected against me by Richard Goodgroom which he would have seemed to have taken great occasion thereby as if some great matter of Heresie and Error had been utter'd by me I say the very Truth of all these things was demonstrated according as I had laid them down and his Arguments against them made of none effect And though such as hardened their Hearts might go unsatisfied and in greater Unbelief then they came yet I am sure the Upright-hearted and such as desired the knowledge of the Truth were wholy satisfied and this many can give Testimony of with me And though by his Relation it may appear otherwise to some yet wherein he hath related falsly it shall fall upon his own head and his Folly shall truly more appear in the End then he would have or seem to cause any in me to appear at this present and so he might with more Credit to himself been silent then to have meddled in that wherein he hath shewed himself so imperfect For I believe That this same Philip Taverner hath given a Relation of four times as much as he did speak at that Meeting and hath related as though he spake that which he never uttered by so many times fo much as I have said and hath not related so much by many times as was spoken by me and them of my part as many may witness Which Work of his seems not to be perfect neither yet altogether honest as sober Men may judge but such a thing must redown more to his own Dishonour then to the Truth 's Disadvantage And first As to the Title of his false Relation which is stiled The Quakers Rounds or A Faithful Account c. To this I answer That the very Frontispiece and Title of his Book savours of a vain light scornful spirit and so every Spiritual Man may judge of it to be so But why dost thou Philip Taverner say A Faithful Account but that to confirm Falshood with audacious words having a shew of Confidence upon it thereby the more easily to enter ento the Hearts of the People as if it were irreprovable coming also from the hand and under the hand of a Mr. Philip c. having so stil'd thy self to make thy Fame great and to publish thy Work under a seeming Authority but hadst thou had more Humility less
hath been and what he hath done how hath this cloud of Folly cast a stink and darkness upon his former brightness and glory and nobleness and is this the end and final farwel of once noble Oliver what only the sight of an Image carried and set up Hath the City of London and the Nations to better Memento of him But oh had he been faithfull to the end to God he would have left a more lively and heavenly Character to have been read for his sake then an Image of him and such Idolatrous practises and my life could have sorrowed upon some considerations passed through me about this business and for some hours my spirit could not rest and in the very time it lay upon me to write this And after all this said my spirit Where are all the old Priests now and his ancient Teachers who once had a great zeal against all these things and against all such practises Where are they now are they blind also said I that they cannot see this abominable Idolatry and cry against it had they any hand in it or were they Consenters to these things What is become of them Is their zeal for the Lord and against Idolatry quite gone thought I they might have prevented this disgrace to their old Master who hath served them well and set them in great places and put them in large Benefices and they might have done something for him when he is dead and have prevented this Folly and Idolatry which is acted upon him this day for certainly all people in the Nation that fear God will be offended and judge in their hearts such work the framing of an Image and sounding Trumpets and beating Drums before it and cloathing Horses in Mourning and Trayling their Pikes and even the very Honourable of the Nation clad in Mourning and following this Image and all this stir and cost and preparation for many Weeks before-hand and such decking in Mourning Attire of great and noble Men and all but to accompany an Image from one place to another whereby people are deceived who might look upon it to be the Burial of Oliver Protector whenas it was but an Image made by hands decked trimed in a vain manner as if it had bin some Poppit Play which if it had been indeed his Bones they had accompanied to the ground in such a manner that had bin less condemnable and I should not had ought against it But for the Wisemen in the Nation to be chief in these things and to exercise themselves in such Folly and Vanity this grieves the Righteous Soul and if I should justifie it the Lord would condemn me but the shame will fall upon themselves that acted it and chiefly upon their Priests and Teachers because they were consenting to such Vanity and piece of Popery as this was And had these old Doctors and Teachers feared God and their Hearts been aright towards him they would have endeavoured the stopping of this Abomination and another way might have been thought upon whereby a more lively and godly Monument of their old Master might have stood to Generations What shall the making and visiting and carrying and setting up of a dead Image for foolish people to gaze upon and run wondring after in their wicked minds Must this be all the Monument And shall we have no other Representation of once noble Cromwel Is his Life and former Glory and Nobleness shaddow'd with the sight of a dead Image Alas This presents nothing at all to such as fear God but Folly and Ignorance Vanity and Idolatry and when they look upon it they shall be grieved in their spirits and vexed when they can find no more Monument of that once noble man but an invented â—…ge and Picture and the Priests shall be ashamed and may have the greatest rebuke for they that lead the people have caused them to err And now upon the whole matter from the very beginning to the end thereof I do declare against it and that a fearful Abomination hath been committed in the sight of the Lord in relation to this Image and you have vext the Lord's Soul and his Hand you shall feel upon your Consciences and the weight thereof in the time to come the spending of so much of the Creation and wasting Money and other things the Lord will lay to your charge and the whole City hath been abused with running and wondring after the work of your own hands And now all you that have gone to gaze and wonder after an Image What saw you What beheld you What wondered you after ought except folly and vanity and a dead Image whereby the man and his Nobility was abused in honour to whom they say it was done And when many dayes were spent what were you the better What were you edified were you not convinced of your 〈◊〉 Folly And might not your Wickedness reprove you And did not the Liâ—… in your own Consciences check you and prick you and condemn your vain minds that wondred after Folly Though now you may be hardned yet 〈◊〉 day you shall confess when the Witness of God in you doth arise and bring all your deeds to remembrance then shall you say This work was Abomination and 〈◊〉 great Sin in them who invented it and caused it to be brought forth and your selves that 〈◊〉 wondred after it and the Judgments of the Lord are against all these things E. B. A MESSAGE PROCLAIMED BY Divine Authority From the chosen Assembly of the Redeemed People in England to the Pope chief Bishop of Rome and to his Cardinals Jesuits and Priests and all other the Officers of the Romish Church where it shall meet with them through the World That they may appear and come forth to Tryal and shew if they have the same Faith Power Spirit Authority and Government as had the Apostles and true Churches before the Apostacy And this is a full Invitation and Challenge to the whole Church of Rome and the beginning of Controversie with her for the perfect manifestation of the long hidden Truth betwixt them that are in the Truth it self and such as have the Form but not the Power that all things may be brought to Light and true Judgment WHereas we a poor despised and rejected People among the Nations of the Earth yet Dreadful and Mighty because the Majesty and Presence of the Lord God is with us who hath called us and chosen us and gathered us and redeemed us from among men out of Kindreds and Multitudes and Peoples into one Body and one Spirit out of all the Sects upon the Earth and we are of one Mind and one Soul having Fellowship with the Son and with the Father being come through great Tribulations and many fiery Tryals and are refined and purified and made clean and white in the Blood of the Lamb being fully recover'd out of the great Deluge of Darkness and Apostacy which hath overflown and drowned the whole World and
heady and high-minded men and covetous and Proud and went in the way of Balaam for Gifts and Rewards and that through Covetousness with feigned words made Merchandize of Souls And are not you like them that Iohn saw were coming in in his dayes That went out from them and that went into the world that were of the world and spoke of the world and the world heard them and which the World went after and are not you of them that have deceived the whole World that hath been of the Whore that hath caused all Nations to drink her Cup and of them that have made War against the Saints and against the Lamb of that stock of the false Prophets that wrought Miracles in the sight of the Beast and the World wonders after the Beast and the Beast hath carried the Whore and he hath compelled and caused all to worship him and the Whore caused all to drink of the Cup of her Fornication Are not these things so may not the Witness of God in all mens Consciences truly answer hereunto and condemn you to be such as were the false Prophets and the Hirelings and the Deceivers against whom the Prophets Christ and the Apostles gave witness Yea it is manifest that you are in the same way and of the same Generation and that you follow the same spirit because you shew forth the same works And are not you like the Papists and the Iesuits was it not by the Authority of the Pope of Rome that your very way of making Ministers was ordained at Schools and Colledges and was it not the Papists and in their dayes that the general part of your Church-Discipline and Government the Call of your Ministers and Practise of them and Maintenance of them was it not first set up by the Papists Was not this way of Tythes first established by the Church of Rome and do not you follow the Papists herein in receiving Tythes and Gleab-lands and Easter-Reckonings and Midsummer-Dues which you hold up and would destroy them that will not give you such things and therefore are not you like the Papists and Jesuits yea we know that the Church of England is but newly come out of the Womb of Popery and hath the Symptoms thereof upon her at this very day in many things yea the Testimony of God in all people may witness hereunto And so it is the very trick of the Whore to cry out against others and to charge others with that which she is guilty of her self but now it will not cover them to slander others that themselves may seem clear for the Lord is opening peoples Hearts and giving them a Spirit to discern all things And whereas the Author speaks against the Quakers for crying against Cuffs Caps and for using Thee and Thou and for crying against Pulpits and Hour-Glasses and for such things and for owning Revelation and for holding the free Grace of God to be given unto all and because of Trembling and Quaking and saying Our Writings are given forth by the same infallible Spirit that the Scriptures were given out by and for crying down the Ministers Maintenance and for calling some of them Vipers and Serpents To all this I answer It is your Generation that makes a great noise about thee and thou and Cuffs and Caps for we in plainness and simplicity do speak the proper Language thee and thou to a single Person and it is the proud and exalted Minds of Men that are offended hereat which Pride and Arrogancy hath eaten out the very Sincerity and the property of Speech also and you are offended at us because of it and for crying against your Cuffs and Boot-hose-tops and Ribbands and Points we cry against all these things as not becoming the Ministers of Christ but as being of the World in the Pride and Vanity and Superfluity abusing the Creation which the Lord will judge among you And as for having an hour-Glass and preaching thereby and as for your carnal Bells which you call people by we do disown these things and say They are old popish inventions for the Ministers of Christ never limitted their spirits to an hour-Glass neither had they a carnal Bell to call people to their Worship and as for Revelation we do own that the Spirit of God doth reveal Truth to us and God hath revealed Christ in us and none ever shall know God but by Revelation For none knows the Father but the Son and he to whom the Son will reveal him And as for Free Grace we say The Grace of God hath appeared to all men and it teacheth the Saints to deny Ungodliness but the Wicked turns it into wantonness and doth dispite unto the Spirit of Grace and we also say That who now speaks or are moved to write forth by the Spirit of God they speak and write by the same Spirit that is infallible that the Scriptures were given forth by And as for your Maintenance it is altogether Abominable and Oppression to the Nation and the Lord is against it your taking Peoples Goods and casting them into Prison that will not pay you Wages and give you Tythes against their Consciences And be not offended at being called Vipers and Serpents for these are the Works of venemous Vipers and stinging Serpents which persecute the Servants of God and cryes to the Magistrates for help against a poor People that useth no Weapons at all against you saving that of the Spirit of God and though we do thus to you to the false Ministers to cry against them and give our witness against them in the Name of the Lord yet we do not deny the true Ministers of Christ nor speak any thing against them which are the true Ministers that have received the Ministry of Righteousness by the Gift of the holy Spirit which all that are true Ministers do receive their Ministry thereby And whereas thou sayest we are bitter Enemies to the Doctrine of Iustification and agree with the Cavelierish Party and would silence godly Ministers and are Iâ—suitical and such like things thou falsly chargeth upon us and that we have a not able faculty to delude ignorant unstable Souls c. Answ. These are but the Author's Reproaches and his Slanders he hath filled his Mouth with against the Innocent and he hath set his Tongue on the Fire of Hell to slander the â—ust and the Innocent and all these things we bear in patience counting Reproaches for Christ our chiefest Riches and thus to the substance of this Paper I have given an answer whereby all that love the Lord and desire to be informed in the Truth may receive satisfaction for it is seen that that Generation of Priests are joyned with the prelatical Cavelierish Party and this is known at large in the Nation in the North especially and so as I said they would fain slander others that themselves might seem clear but the Lord will rebuke him and his lying Tongue and the Innocent shall be delivered
Laws and Decrees which have been set up in the days of Ignorance and yet stand whereby the Lord 's dear Children are afflicted and oppressed at this day and establishest such a Government which is justly according to God in which Righteousness and Truth Justice and true Judgment may run down and all the contrary may be stopped and chained and limited and confounded and then that which thy Father leâ—t undone the Lord will fulfil through thee And doing these things the Lord would make thee truly Honourable and Happy and Blessed in this life and in the Life to come but in doing the contrary the Lord will make thee a Curse and take thee away in his Judgments and thy Name shall be left a Reproach to Ages forever And if thou Rulest in Oppression and Cruelty and sufferest the Innocent to be Destroyed for want of True Judgment then shall thy Dayes be Fewer then thy Father's if thou be Disobedient to him the Lord shall cut thee off and thy Memorial shall Roâ— and this is the Word of the Lord God to thee And as for this Afflicted and Sojourning People They desire nothing to thee but Truth and Peace and Righteousness and no more of thee but Justice and true Judgment and that they and their little Ones which to them are brought forth may sojourn in Peace and quietly pass through the Nations till they come to the Land of Promise and they may not carry of the Glory nor Riches of this World with them nor seek great Places of Honour from thee nor be hurtful to thee nor the People nor to Mankind in their sojourning only what the Lord Commands them that they must do and what he forbids that they must not do For they have chosen the Lord to be their Leader and to give him their Obedience in all things and thy Government so far as it is according to God they will not destroy nor rebel against but are true Friends thereunto and subject in all things And if thou walkest with the Lord and chusest him for thy Councellor and abasest thy self and altogether exalt him and preserve his People that fear him then shalt thou prosper and thy Name shall be greater then was thy Father's and the Numberless Number of this now distressed People will be unto thee a Strength and stand by thee in thy Day of Trouble and defend thee and thy just Government and their hearts shall cleave to thee and thou shalt prosper for their sakes and none of thy Enemies shall have power over thâ—e to Destroy thee though many may seek for thy life Wherefore my Friend Awake awake and now consider The Day of thy Visitation is present and thy Father's is past and now thou hast a time to gain unto thy self Everlasting Honour and Renown or otherwise to leave thy Name a Curse and a Reproach for evermore Do thou hearken to the Voice of the Lord and fear his Dreadful Name and bow before our God that made Heaven and Earth who rules in the Kingdoms of Men and pulleth down one and setteth up another at his Pleasure and as he will and he will make thee know that he lives and reigns over all and doth whatsoever he will and if he smites thee none shall heal thee and if he wounds thee none shall comfort thee Therefore take him for thy Councellor and beware of the wicked Counsels of men for thou hast may Enemies and they would rejoyce to see thy Fall and if the Lord be not on thy side thou canst not long stand but if thou be obedient to him and preservest his People and breakest down all Oppression then thy Enemies shall fall and thy Foot shall tread them down and the Terror of the Lord shall be upon all that hate thee but thus shall it be done unto thee if thou be disobedient to him and rejectest his Counsel by his Servant I am thy Friend and a Lover of thy Soul and seek thy Happiness in this World and in the World to come known to many by the name of Edward Burroughs The Original of this was delivered to him a few dayes after he was proclaimed Protector To thee Richard Cromwel chosen to be Protector and chief Magistrate Governour of these Nations of England Scotland and Ireland a faithful Presentation and Salutation by a Servant of the Church WE are rightly and truly sensible in all things of the Mighty Hand of the Lord God who brings all things to pass by his own Power and according to his Will and in Heaven and Earth and over the Kingdoms of men he ruleth and reigneth he buildeth up and breaketh down he planteth and plucketh up and he pulleth down one and setteth up another and who may say What dost thou or Why dost thou it for he is a Great God and Mighty and his Majesty is terrible and all things in Heaven and Earth and all the Sons of Men are at his disposure whose Dominion is from Everlasting to Everlasting and he may be feared and had in Reverence by all Creatures that have Life and Breath And in particular we are sensible of his Great and Mighty Power who hath of late Years in these Nations once and again overturned and overthrowed and changed at his Pleasure Times and Powers and Authorities and Dominions and he hath brought down the Mighty from their Seats and stained the Crowns and Glories of the Honourable and broken the Stout-hearted and the Oppressors of their Governments as Potsherd one against another and made the Highest of Men of no respect before him for he hath pulled down and set up whom he would according to his Will and in all these things hath his Hand been the very Doer and Accomplisher thereof that he might be known and feared amongst all people through the whole Earth who is the Dread and Terror of Men and Nations And as for thy Father the late Protector Great things and Honourable did the Lord do for him in raising him up and casting out his Enemies before him and giving him Victory and Power and Renown through Nations and we know the Lord shewed Favour to him and gave him Strength Wisdom and Valour and a right Spirit and he was called of God into that great Work to subdue the grievous Cruelty once ruling over tender Consciences and to break down the great Oppressions which for Ages had caused the Just to groan and the Lord was with him in Victory and went before him and was his Defence and preserved him from great Dangers and from the Wills of all his Enemies and made him prosperous against them all but yet we know to say no more of him He did not wholy fulfil the Will of the Lord nor the Work which he begun but became Disobedient and abused his great Deliverances and Authority and did not set free the Oppressed altogether but left Mountains of Oppression and grievous Yoaks of Bondage unbroken down and unsubdued and the Lord smote him and took him away
season they will fall and perish of themselves and the Good Old Way and Truth and the pure Religion only will remain and let them cry one against another and rebuke one another and meddle not thou with that but only let thy Laws and Authority preserve mens Persons and Estates from the Wrong one of another that all men may live peaceably under thee and no man wrong his Neighbour's Person or Estate and that 's only thy Place to rule in outward Affairs but not to Rule over any mans Conscience to compel him to such a Worship or to limit from such a Worship in Religion that belongs not to thee but to the Lord who alone will be the Ruler and Guide and Exerciser of his People's Consciences and if thou dost meddle therein thou shalt not prosper nor be blessed in thy Deed So leave the establishing of Religion to the Lord and let all these Sects manifest if any of them have the Spirit and Power of God in them and with them and let them shew their Weapons of the Spirit for only such as have the Power and Spirit of God in them will overcome and such will be increased and grow and thou nor none can hinder and such that want the Power and Spirit of God in and with them may flourish in their Form for a while but they will be blasted and wither and it s in vain for thee or any to uphold such or endeavour to establish them but if thou meddlest on these accounts it will undo thee and confound thee therefore be wise and know what the Lord requires of thee perfectly for if thou leavest that undone which God requires then shalt thou be condemned and if thou dost that which he requires not then shalt thou not be free And this is written in Love to thee to inform thy mind how to walk towards the Lord and the People over whom he hath set thee And as for the maintaining of Ministers Let that alone also and be not troubled about it for it was ever the false Prophets and Deceivers that preached for Hire and went after Gifts and Rewards and sought Money and Gifts of people and they that do the same now were never sent of God nor are they such as shall convert people to God for who are true Ministers of Christ will not seek to thee nor to men for Wages nor Tythes nor Money but live of the Gospel and not compel great sums of Money from people to maintain them in their Families in Pride in Fulness and Idleness such things are great Oppressions in this Nation and a horrible filthy thing in the Sight of God and because thereof will the Lord's Judgments come upon the Land If thou wert but rightly sensible what casting into Goals and what suing at Law of poor People and what spoiling Peoples Goods by Restraint and all for and about Tythes and Priests Wages it would make thee admire the Wickedness of that Generation but do thou let them alone for they do shame themselves and undo themselves and lose the Hearts of all good People by their own doings and stand over them all in God's Authority and know a measure of the Spirit of God in thy own heart and thereby thou wilt discern and try and judge of the spirits of all men and their Religion and the Spirit will lead thee in the pure Religion to worship God in Spirit and in Truth So let not thy mind be cumbred at all about establishing Religion nor about maintaining the Ministers but be faithful to what the Lord requires of thee and learn his Will and do it and then thou wilt be Blessed and Honoured in this world and in the World to come And Friend Know thou that the Lord is doing of a great Work in these Nations he is raising up a Seed to serve him and to worship him aright and the God of Heaven is setting up a Kingdom over all the kingdoms of the World and he hath a Controversie with all sorts of people in as much as Corruption and Degeneration is entred amongst all and all must be purged of all Orders of men and the Evil cast out the Work of the Lord is Great and Mighty and he requires no help of thee nor any man whatsoever for his own Arm will bring it to pass yet he would not have thee to gain-say his Work and strive against it and seek to quench what the Lord is bringing forth if thou dost it then shalt thou be condemned and the Lord will speedily execute his Judgments and Remove thee and overthrow thy Power and Authority into Destruction wherefore be passive in this matter and look thou at the Lord and protect and defend mens Persons and Estates from Wrong but meddle not with their opinions and professions in Religions to exalt any of them nor yet to persecute them And thus Friend according as it lay upon me from the Lord I have written this unto thee in dear and pure Love God is Witness and I have cleared my Conscience to thee thus far and if thou fall by thy own Transgression it will lie upon thy self I have warned thee and I am clear and if thy Fall comes remember thou wast advised Who am a Lover of Iustice and True Iudgment and a Friend to this Common-Wealth and to thee wisheth well in the Lord E. B. London the 18th of the 8th Moneth 1658. This was delivered to him in the Eighth Moneth 1658. To the Protector and his Council THE Lord God will shortly make you know that we are his People though we be accounted as Sheep for the Slaughter yet our King of Righteousness will break you to pieces if you harden your Hearts and Repent not And seeing that Love will not draw thee neither the Gentle Leadings of our God have any place in you yet Judgment shall awaken you and his heavy Hand of Indignation shall lie upon your Cousciences and you will be scatterred and distracted to pieces E B. This was written in White-Hall in the Tenth Moneth 1658. to Richard and his Council For the Parliament YE that sit in Counsel that are assembled for the Nations Good hear ye the Word of the Lord God which is towards you all Rememember the Cause of God and of his People remember the Groanings of the Poor and give ear to the Cry of the Oppressed and relieve the Guiltless Sufferers and break the Bonds of Iniquity and let the Oppressed go free do this lest you perish And remember the Old Good Cause that is decayed and hath long been laid waste let it be once more revived in the Nations that God may bless you Remember the first Engagement which was for Freedom and suffer not the Exercise of pure Conscience to be trodden down by Oppressors but seek ye seek ye the Glory of the Lord and the Safety of his People and the Freedom of such as are oppressed and be not ye Oppressors nor Adders to the Sufferings of the
Iron Rod over the world and whatsoever he saith it is done for his Word is an Everlasting Command If he saith to a man Live it is so if he saith to a man Dye it cometh to pass and if he give Peace to a Man or a Nation none can make War and if he make War with a Person or in a Nation no man is able to make Peace For why he hath all Power in his Hand and to him all Judgment and Authority is given he is the Son of the Living God the Everlasting Creator he was and is and is to come his Eye beholdeth all things and his Arm compasseth Heaven and Earth and what his Purpoâ—â— is he hath alwayes and will ever bring it to pass if he set up Rulers they must Rule and if he pull them down none can hinder whom he will he Honoureth and if it be his Pleasure he bringeth men to Shame if he break a Nation down none can build it up and if he confound Powers and Authorities in the Kingdoms of men they all fall as withered Grass before him â—ehold ye men He is so Great and Mighty and of so great Authority that whatsoever he saith it is done and whatsoever he willeth it cometh to pass and none is able to resist him and overcome his Power when his Pleasure is to accomplish a Work by him all things are that be and all things live that have Life and through him all things move and of his Fulness every Creature in Heaven and Earth receive And this my Master is altogether Honourable in Birth and otherwise and altogether Mighty in all his Works he is Just and Merciful full of Goodness Righteousness and Truth all Vertue dwells in him and his Judgement and Mercy his Authority and Meekness and his Wrath and his Love they are Companions And what are ye before him or How shall ye be able to resist him or to turn backward what his Purpose is concerning you and this Nation for ye have no Beeing nor Breath without him Behold ye men ye are verily as the Dust before the Wind so are ye to him soon blown away and your Place not found as the Grass before the Mower so are ye before him soon cut down and withered and your Beauty utterly extinguished as a Potters Vessel under an Iron Rod even so are you to him he can immediately break you never to be bound up as a Drop to the Fountain so are you to him soon dryed up and made nothing Wherefore ye Men ye Mortal Creatures ye Ignorant Persons Sons of a Transgressor ye Dust and Ashes for thus you are in comparison of him this Mighty Prince hearken to his Message which cometh to you from him Hear and Fear and be not Stout-hearted against the Lord God that is about to speak unto you As for this little Island of England wherein your present Place and Beeing is It is an Island which the Lord hath shewed great Favour unto in Ages past and in this present Time and I must tell you he hath a Purpose of Love towards it and to Honour it in the view of the World though through great Tribulations and he hath an intent of great Good unto it For he hath a Seed a precious Seed in it scattered abroad and he hath a People that fear his Name and have walked in his Wayes and he hath made them and elected them and what they are it is by him that he may dwell among them and have the whole Government over them all yea he hath a speedy Purpose verily concerning this Nation and he will purifie it in Judgment and refine its Inhabitants through the Fire of Tribulations that it may be pleasant to him and fit to do his Will He hath a purpose to work some great thing in it I must tell you as he hath said unto me so to do He will have his Name exalted and reverenced in this Island and his Terror shall be sent out of it through the World and his Branch from it shall spread over the Earth he doth purpose in his season to take it into his own hand and to sway the Government thereof with his own Scepter and to set up Righteousness alone and to overthrow all Oppressions and Oppressors and the Kingdoms of this World must become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ. True it is Such hath been the coming to pass of Time and of Things for many Ages by past that my Master hath been as it were banished from the Nation and hath not been suffered to enjoy his Right but hath been expelled even as it were by the force of Satan and Antichrist who hath long usurped Authority over the Inhabirants of this Nation and in my Master's absence Lamentable Injustice Cruelty Unmercifulness Tyranny and Oppression hath been exercised upon the Inhabitants and the poor Creatures have been held in great Slavery by their Rulers that have ruled by the Dragon's power and been kept in great Blindness and Ignorance and under great Oppression both in Body and Spirit by Antichristian Teachers for this many Years even while the great King hath been absent and as it were gone into a far Country even all this time hath Antichrist and the Devil ruled and reigned and hath made and executed Oppressing and Tyrannical Laws and Decrees both in Church and State and all the Nation hath been out of right Order and laid waste and barren of good Fruit and it hath been as a Wilderness by reason hereof and men that have ruled for many years have not ruled singly by my Master's Authority but by another power though not without the knowledge of my Lord neither as though he had not Power to have done otherwise but for his own Pleasure he hath suffered it thus to be and let men go on to rule and govern in their own Wills and after their own Lusts and people have walked wickedly towards him and towards one another and all this he hath suffered not as if he gave Toleration for it for his Messengers now and then and his Witness in peoples Consciences have been reproving their Ungodly wayes and he hath often shewed his dislike by divers Wayes and Tokens and many Judgments and strange Overturning to the way and proceeding of both Rulers Prophets and Teachers of this Nation but yet they have gone on against his Mind and contrary to his Will notwithstanding his Reproofs and Judgments not that he had not Power to have executed his Pleasure in Wrath upon them and to have destroyed them altogether and have made the Nation a Heap and as nothing long before this day for Power was in his Hand to have done it But he hath been Long-suffering and of great Patience and born all things and taken the Injustice and Cruelty and Wickedness and Idolatry and all Unrighteousness that hath abounded in the Nation upon himself and suffered under it and born it for its season while woful and lamentable Oppressions have
Immortal Life I am known to you where I desire only to be known of you and though I have been as weak amongst you and in fear and trembling yet the Lord hath been strong and mighty in his Spirit and though I have been as poor and lowly before you yet the Lord hath filled me and you with his Riches and given victory and authority even in your presence though many times I have laboured in Tryals and under great Burdens amongst you and in much opposition by many potent Enemies that have appeared against the Lord yet the Lord hath carried above all and given dominion over them through his eternal Spirit and of these things you are Witnesses Oh when I remember the dayes past and how the pretious presence of the Lord hath been with us and amongst us while I was with you as I hope it is at this day and will alwayes be continued I say the remembrance hereof even of the goodness of the Lord filleth my Heart with holy Praises and the same I desire for you that the Love of the Father and his Presence which hath been is and shall be may be alwayes fresh in your remembrance that you may be comforted for evermore And at this present I know nothing but that the Lord in his Presence and Love and Life is more large and precious then ever and he hath opened his Fountain and we receive of his fulness more abundantly he hath made us strong and we are rich in him even at this day to give our witness for his Name and against Antichrist and all the powers of Darkness in as much Boldness Plainness and Faithfulness as ever yea it is in our Hearts to be as diligent and valiant in the Work of the Lord and to publish his Name and to proclaim the destruction of Antichrist's false Church false Ministry and Worship now more then ever Oh how are our Hearts filled with zeal to go on in this Work we have no fear of man upon us not of him that can but kill the Body we are not afraid of the Storms and Threats and Persecution of the Ungodly for we fear the God of Heaven and him we reverence and worship in our Hearts and not mortal Men whose breath is in their Nostrils and who are as Clay and their Substance soon desolved and what shall these do against us they can effect nothing without the Lord who is our Shepherd that keeps us and as for the Work of the Lord we find it goes on and is prosperous and the Flock of God every where is pleasant and they grow in Knowledge in Wisdom in Faith and in Patience and the Power and Presence of the Lord is with us as ever and Truth keeps its Authority and the Lord hath blessed it with a good Report even to the confounding of our Enemies to perceive the Constancy and Boldness and Faithfulness of the People whose destruction hath long been threatned and waited for but we are yet alive even in him who lives for ever and we live because he lives in us and it is well with us even because he is our saving Health and we can speak of his Praise because he speaks by us Meetings are very large and precious every where in these Parts because of the Presence of the Lord God who is the Fulness of all and filleth all with his Mercy Peace and Blessings and that the same be continued unto you even that you may be filled with the Fulness of God and ever comforted in him is the desire of him who is yours as he is the Lords Sommerset-Shire 25th 4th Moneth 1660. E. B. A TESTIMONY Concerning the BOOK of Common-Prayer So called Being an Answer to an Objection Whether it be not in it self and as practised in this Nation heretofore and at this present the True Worship of the True and Living God Answ. 1. THE Book of COMMON-PRAYER so called in its first Institution and Practise in this Nation did not but differ little from POPERY and the Men that were the Authors of it and that constituted it into that Form and Method as now it is were of much Zeal for their Form and some Sincerity and of more Tenderness and good Conscience towards God in what they knew then were they of the Church of Rome who cryed out against them as Hereticks and the like and they had so much Light from God by his Spirit as that they saw the Idolatry and Corruption of the Church of Rome and did dissent from her and denyed her Worships and Practises in part though they were because thereof persecuted and the Lord stirred up their Hearts to bear Testimony against the Abomination of that time as it was in both Church and State so called and they sought after Reformation and did in some part Reform this Nation and did deny the Popish-Mass and the Popes Supremacy and many Idolatries both in Doctrine and Discipline and instead of the way and manner of Worship as held forth by the Church of Rome these Reformers set up the Common-Prayer to be performed as the Worship of their Church supposing that to be more acceptable then the other and no doubt but the first Institution and Practise thereof was in much sincerity and zeal by many and they were held under persecution and suffered some of them even death â—or denying the Church of Rome and her ways and worships even them who did first ordain and compose the Common-Prayer so called though yet there was much error in their Judgments and darkness in their Understandings and a vail of great Ignorance in many things upon them even while it was brought forth and these things effected in the very beginning and proceedings of them 2. And when it was formed it being imposed on this Nation by force and penalty and set up by compelling all people into the practise of it by violent Laws upon the Bodies and Consciences of men this was great Abomination in the sight of God and made the practise of it detestable unto him for it is contrary to God in the dispensation of the Gospel the way of forcing by compelling constraint through outward Laws any kind or form of worship though in it self never so holy and like unto the true worship yea if the very things that the Apostles practised for worship were imposed on any people by force when as the Consciences of Men were not first perswaded thereunto by the Spirit of God even this were Abomination unto God and not the true worship of him which is not of force but of a willing mind nor in the Ignorance of Mens minds but in the Light risen in their Hearts So that because of Imposing the practise of the Common-Prayer by force it was hateful to God as so practised and the performance of it while it was so held forth in this Nation was no better then the Idolatrous Mass nor no more acceptable to God 3. And as for the Matter in it self partly
the World might condemn him and every sober Subject would cry in their Consciences against him for unjust judgement and cruel proceedings if he upâ—â— report of others through prejudice should act against any people and the Heathen King Agrippa would rise up in judgement against him who would not â—â—â—demn Paul from the Accusation of others without first hearing the Accused â—imself and a Christian King ought to shew as much Mercy Justice and Reason in what he doth as the Heathen Kings have done in the like case And let the King consider this 3. Let him also consider what Enmity and Malice and Rage is in the hearts of these men these Priests I mean of whose Fraternity and Alliance this our Accuser is one and how they seek after innocent blood who are thus ready and â—â—â—â—ard at his first enterance into the Land to present the King with Accusations of Falshood and Reproaches against an innocent people to move his heart if possible to destroy and devour the harmless The spirit and nature of these men are to be considered whose works are often tending to shed blood but if he shall be guided and counselled by such they will lead him into the ditch for they are of the spirit of Envy and Mischief and Mischief rests with them even against all who will not bow under their Authority and submit unto their false Worâ—â—ips And let the King beware of that Generation of men lest they be a snare â—pon him and wound him And I shall now proceed to some other things in his Book to that where he â—aith He doth upon his bended Knees most bumbly beseech the King and the Honourable Parliament that they will first Cut off false Prophets Hereticks and perverse and incorrigible Seducers and â—â—â—â—phemers for these are the Pâ—st saith he of both Church and State 〈◊〉 Answ. I answer to this Many things are considerable to the King and Parliâ—ent and whole Kingdom 1. It is to be considered who these false Prophets Hereticks Seducers and â—â—â—â—phemers are which the Petitioner would have cut off and destroyed â—â—â—m his meaning is of is doubtful for that there are false Prophets Heâ—… Seducers and Blasphemers in these Nations and that very many â—â—is is not doubtful but certainly believed and known but what sort of men 〈◊〉 perfectly who these are distinguished from all others this requireth 〈◊〉 debate and large tryal especially seeing that each sect and sort of â—â—ople cries against others as if they were such and such and this is usual with â—â—â—â—sts Protestants and others to cry for their own Liberty and Toleration a such who are in the right way and each one sort almost desiring and petitiâ—â—â—â—â— the Powers of the Earth against others that are not of their way to deâ—… and cut off such as differ from them as Hereticks and Deceivers but such â—â—â—â—it that seeks to destroy menslives on that account is of Antichrist and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God 2. And if false Prophets Hereticks Seducers and Blasphemers were cerâ—… known and distinguished from others that are not so yet the King 〈◊〉 â—â—â—liament ought not to destroy such and to cut them off from the Earth 〈◊〉 â—…lling of them or executing outward punishments and afflictions upon 〈◊〉 for God hath not committed such power and authority to them neiâ—â—er to be Judges infallibly who are false Prophets Hereticks and Blaspheâ—â—â—â— â—or yet to execute death and outward sufferings upon such as are for these are spiritual matters and Causes to try and judge who deceivers are and to proceed towards Hereticks and Blasphemers and these Cases belong to the Jurisdiction of Christs Spiritual Kingdom and not to any earthly Kingâ— and Rulers at this day 4. And if King and Parliament were able to judge of false Prophets and â—lasphemers and who they are that are such from others that are not yet how contrary to the way of God would it be even to the example of Christ and his Apostles to destroy and cut off by death the lives of such false Prophets and Blasphemers for if men be in an evil way even in the way of Heresie and Error and Blasphemy and be deceived and deceivers of others yet it is not a time to destroy and kill such like as if such should be sent straight to Hell being cut off in their wickedness and in their Error This is not God's way I say for he desires not the death of sinners not to cut men off in their Errors and evil wayes but it s rather the time to instruct and exhort such and to correct and reprove them by sound Doctrine and to win them to the Truth and out of their errors that they may be saved and this Christ and his Apostles gave example for for there were many in their dayes that were false Prophets and Hereticks Seducers and Blasphemers and that were perverse and incorrigible that did Blaspheme against Christ and called him Devil and that did oppose the Gospel and scorned the Apostles and such were Blasphemers and Hereticks but did Christ and his Apostles at all desire that such might be killed and cut off by death Nay they forgave their Enemies and did instruct them by sound Doctrine and sought to win their Persecutors and not to have them killed as this Petitioner would whose Spirit is manifest to be of Antichrist and the Dragon and not of the Lamb and if the request were granted and the lives of such as this Petitioner calls false Prophets cut off then the King and Parliament would rather provoke the Lord against themselves to destroy them then to give unto themselves blessings and peace 5. But they being ignorant who the Deceivers and Blasphemers are and not being equal and just Judges in that case but also divided among themselves about it and it being not committed of God to them to destroy by death of body such as may err in their minds by killing such whom they may suppose false Prophets and they wanting infallible judgement to know who are false Prophets how soon may they destroy and cut off the lives of true Prophets and Christ's Ministers and men that Fear God instead of false Prophets and Blasphemers even for want of true judgement and discerning and because of their own division in judgement in that case for iâ—s possible that some of the Parliament may judge such to be Deceivers whom others of them may judge to be true Ministers and whose judgement then shall stand and also thus it hath often come to pass in the World the true Prophets and Christ himself and the holy Apostles and Ministers of Christ were accounted Deceivers Hereticks and Blasphemers and such like by thâ— Kings and Rulers of the World in former Generations and thâ— true Prophets Christ and his Apostles were persecuted as such and destroyed as such some of them even by the Kings and Rulers of this World till they 〈◊〉 provoked God against them to destroy them and some of them he did bring wrath upon
the sight of God such Commands we cannot yield Obedience unto and yet it is not out of Wilfulness Stubbornness Contempt or Rebellion against the Authority but it is for this End and Cause that we may not sin against God nor against our own Consciences by doing any thing that is contrary thereunto lest we should bring the Wrath of God upon our own Consciences so that all these things rightly considered it doth appear 1. That we acknowledge Magistracy and Authority to be the Ordinance of God to be exercised and executed in the Kingdoms of the World among men 2. That Iust and Righteous men are the only Persons fit to execute Iust Laws and Authorities in the Earth 3. That we acknowledge this present Government of King Charles and that according to the Purpâ—se of God it is now set up 4. That we are to be obedient by doing or suâ—â—eriâ—g in all things to the Authority of the King as the Supream Authority 5. That if in any case we are disobedient thereunto and cannot wholly perform every Command by doing yet it is for Conscience sake to God and that we may not sin against him and not out of Rebellion or Contempt of the King or his Power And all these things truly considered if we do suffer Tribulations Afflictions and Imprisonments under and by this present Authority for and because of our Profession and Practice of Religion without evil or wrong doing to our Neighbours Persons or Estates though we do not in the things contrary to our Consciences obey actively this present Authority yet we are persecuted for the Name of Christ and as so we receive our Sufferings and not as for Contempt or Denial of Authority or as Rebellion against it but for Conscience sake to God our Sufferings are and our unjust Persecution will be upon our Enemies in the effect and reward thereof with great Indignation and Wrath from the Lord God that rewards all according to their works Thus much about Government And now I shall shew what Persecution is in it self CHAP. VI. Concerning Persecution what it is in it self and how great an Enemy it is to the King's Person and Authority 1. PErsecution is when a Person or a People do suffer Tribulation Affliction Imprisonment Bonds or Death whether by a Law or without the Law for and because of his or their Principle and Practice in Religion As when a Person or a People are reproached falsly accused imprisoned or put to death only for and because of their Religions sake when as no evil-dealing in the things between man and man can be justly charged and proved against them but only because they are righteous and walk in the Wayes of the Lord and cannot conform to the Wayes and Vanities of this World but are separated from it in its Prophaneness and in its formal Profession also of Religion and because thereof Sufferings are imposed upon them while yet they walk justly innocently and harmlesly towards all men This is Persecution for Conscience sake and such are persecuted if so be they suffer for and because of Righteousness sake and because they will not deny their Principles nor Profession of ReÌ„ligion nor conform to Times nor Laws contrary to a good Conscience and yet suffer because hereof this is Persecution 2. Persecution is when a Person or a People is afflicted and any kind of sufferings imposed upon them whether by any Authority or without Authority and only because they are of such a Profession and Practice in Religion though yet their Profession and Practice in their Religion is not perfectly according to God nor by the Exercise of that Spirit of God ruling in their Consciences in such their Religion yet if they suffer only for their Religion sake while yet they walk uprightly as men in all outward Affairs relating to the outward Man this also is Persecution and such are persecuted for their Religions sake though not wholy for Righteousness sake and none ought to suffer as such under the Authority of any King Prince or Power but if such do suffer as I have said and that for their Religions sake only so though yet their Religion is not perfectly according to God yet they are persecuted and this is Persecution And thus I have in short described defined what Persecution is in it self and who it is that are persecuted and I shall now shew how great an Enemy Persecution for Conscience and Religions sake is unto the King's Person and Authority Persecution for Conscience sake and for Difference in Matters of Religion is a great Enemy to the Person and Government of the King it is I say a destroying and devouring Enemy and the Fruits and Effects thereof may work terrible Destruction yea this Enemy Persecution hath often wrought Overthrow in Kingdoms Let the King strive to be delivered speedily from this great Enemy which is fierce and cruel and may work woful Effects in this Kingdom also and the King may be more blessed in his Person and Government if he remove far from him this Enemy Persecution 1. It is his Enemy because its Effect is To eat out the Affections of many good and sober People from the King and may make their Love and Affections dye to the King's Government when they behold and consider the Persecution of many good and peaceable People for Righteousness and good Conscience sake whenas no Evil-doing between man and man can justly be laid to their Charge but only for the matter of their Religion and the exercise of their Consciences towards God and if such suffer cruel Imprisonment unjust Fines and grievous Vexations for such Cause it may weaken and eat out the Affections of good People and divert their Love and good Desires from the King and his Government in which such Persecution is brought forth and that which diverts the Peoples Love from the King is his great Enemy and such is Persecution 2. Persecution is the King 's great Enemy Because it may kindle Heart-burnings Envyings Strifes and Murmurings among his Subjects while some are tollerated in the Profession and Practice of their Religion and others persecuted and imprisoned for the same Cause and this kind of dealing exerciseth the King's Subjects in harsh dealing one towards another and gives great Occasion for Quarrelling Envies Debate and Malice one against another even when some execute Persecution upon others hailing them to Prison spoiling their Goods and the like And this kind of dealing I say whilst the Authority of the Land persecutes one sort of the King's Subjects by the hands of others it tendeth much to great Division and Distractions amongst the people and it is not for the King's safety but for his great Dishonour and Disadvantage every way to have the people divided into Heart-burnings and Quarrellings against one another and therefore Persecution is the King 's great Enemy because it worketh such evil Effects 3. It is his great Enemy Because it is contrary to the Trust which
is insufficient to maintain his own Cause and to uphold the Rights and Priviledges of his own Kingdom Do you think that he hath need of you or a Multitude of wild and heady Men and Youth to fight in his Cause to uphold his Gospel and Ministry and Ministers Alas no you are deceived in this matter for his own Arm shall do all this and he will do it without you and not be beholding to you in this matter His Gospel nor the Priviledges of it shall not fall the true Ministry the Preaching and Dispensing of God's Word and Ordinances shall not perish though you be silent for the Lord by his own Power will maintain and carry on these things and all others belonging to his Kingdom without the help of Mortal Men or without the help of the Arm of Flesh so that you may put up your Swords and be still in this matter and leave it to God who is sufficient for these things without a multitude of men or without the Arm of Flesh For I must tell you that the faithful Teachers of God's Word and the faithful Ministry desire not your help to prosecute their Cause and the Cause of the Gospel but they trust to the Lord to be maintained countenanced and encouraged by him alone who is sufficient in that cause though its true the false Ministers and the antichristian Teachers through all Christendom for many Generations they have sought unto the Arm of flesh to set them up to maintain and defend them and their Gospel and false Church thus it is through the Popes Dominion and among some Protestants also they cry unto the Magistrates unto the Kings and Parliaments for the making cruel Laws to defend them and to the rude world they cry Help us and save us and defend us by fighting with Carnal Weapons for Heresies and Errors and such like and they stand in their Ministry in their Call to it and Maintenance of it and defence in it by the Arm of flesh and their Church is upheld thereby also but this is but Antichrists way and these are Antichrists Ministers and his false Church hereby is defended in the World and this shews that the Weapon of the Spirit of God is wanted by them which the Apostles had and it s very doubtful O ye Apprentices of London that your Ministers have prayed you and preached you into such a work as that you should stand up to maintain them and fight for them and their church against such that do oppose them but I must tell you if their Defence be not in another hand then in yours they are like to come to perpetual ruin and their Gospel and their Teaching and their Sacraments their Church cannot stand if they have not the Lord's Help more then yours And as for the Universities which you contend for alas many of you are ignorant concerning them and what Abomination is committed among them oh if you knew but the Prophaneness and Ungodliness and Ill-education that is among them it would turn your zeal for them backwards and it s not from humane Studies that the faithful Ministers of Christ come but who are so indeed are made so by the Gift of God's Eternal Spirit both in this Age and in Ages past So that O ye Apprentices Be still be still and do not ruin your selves and your City by Rage and Fury and Disorders upon such a Proceeding for your ground of Quarrel is not perfectly good nor your Endeavour in the Cause aforesaid well accepted with the Lord. But if your Quarrel be upon the account or about the matter of Church and Ministry leave that to the Lord and to your Ministers that they may defend themselves their Church and Ordinances and Worship by the Spirit of God if they have it for that is the Weapon of Ministry Church and Gospel-Warfare and not Carnal Weapons nor the multitude of an Host of Men Let your Ministers come forth in the best authority of spirit that they have and plead the cause of their Worship and Gospel and Ministry like Christians and not like Iews and Heathens for they use Carnal Weapons killing and murdering about Church and Religion that is the Papists Practice and not the Practice of the Saints So that ye Apprentices seeing you state your Quarrel against the Army upon the account of Church and Ministry my Advice is to you Proceed no further upon that ground but give your Trust to the Lord for the maintaining of all things related to his own Kingdom But the Cry is Those Sectaries those Sectaries away with them Your Trouble seems to be concerning them lest they prevail but wherefore are you troubled in this matter like as if you knew not that what the Lord purposeth must come to pass who are of God will stand this you need not doubt and who are not will come to nought and its vain for Mortal Man to oppose the Lord's Purpose but this was the Cry in dayes past How did the Bishops and Prelates in their dayes cry against the Non-conformists as Hereticks and such like even as the Ministers now cry against Sectaries But consider how did the Bishops proceed but in being the chief Cause themselves of raising War against the then Non-conformists thinking thereby to have smitten them all but you know it proved otherwise and as they thought to do unto others so was it done unto them which thing may be an Example to you For as they thought to have destroyed the then called Puritans in like manner were themselves destroyed and this may possibly fall upon you Therefore consider for I tell you as an equal man between you and them that there is more Sincerity towards God and Fear of his Name in some of them called Sectarians then there is amongst you and your Ministers though I do not here justifie the Sectarians so called in all things neither do I in every thing condemn your Ministers but this I say and do know If that you and your Ministers raise a War against those called Sectarians the effect thereof will prove your own Sorrow and their Advantage So this is my Advice to you rest and be still and that will prove your own Peace and Happiness Therefore take heed and beware lest ye oppose and gain-say the Work and Power of God which his purpose is to bring to pass in this his Day who is setting up his Kingdom in the midst of Tribulations that comes upon men The second Particular humbly desired by you is The Freedom and Priviledges of Parliaments as being the Great Charter of the People which you account very dear unto you and by which you hope to see you say a Settlement in Church and State and you humbly conceive that to be the probable means to establish the true Protestant Religion reform the Laws secure the Liberties promote Learning c. Answ. Now Friends do but truly consider and with a humble Mind what the Work of the Lord hath
been in these Nations for divers years and how he hath proceeded to overthrow and overturn Powers and Authorities Princes and Rulers and made them of no account before him and though the Instruments which God hath used in that matter in plucking down Men and Powers have been as much corrupted as those that have been overturned and whenas the measure of Iniquity in one was filled up the Lord threw that Power down even as it were by the Iniquity of another and because of the Oppressions of Rulers amongst us the Nation hath groaned and been left without a Comforter from any man and could not repose Confidence in its Princes and Rulers and this was that the Nation might look unto the Lord and that through him they might be saved and expect healing from him alone and in all these Overturnings you need not fear but the Hand of the Lord hath been in them and his Arm hath suffered and even brought these things to pass and therefore why should you murmer against God be unsatisfied in what he hath done for it s he alone and not another that must settle a happy and lasting Peace both in Church and State and he that must establish true Religion and reform the Laws and secure our Liberties and preserve our Lives and encourage all Vertue it is the Lord that will do all these things for this Nation and it s not any other in whose Hand the Salvation of a Person or a Nation is and how he shall do this and by what means leave that to the Lord limit him not to or from any thing for if the Nation can be but patient and still he will bring to pass these things in his day and season Wherefore O Nation and City Be still be still and be patient under the Hand of God which is upon you combine not Mischief one against another nor desire the overthrow one of another but be still be still this is the Word of the Lord to you be at quiet in your spirits and wait upon the Lord to receive what he brings forth For O ye Apprentices and Young-Men of London your rude proceedings in these causes will but destroy your selves and your City if you proceed any further for what is a multitude of men but as Bryers and Thornes in battel before the Lord if he purpose a Work you cannot prevent it and if he prevent a Work its vain for you to endeavour it these things are in the Hand of the Lord and Nations are unto him as Clay in the hand of a Potter but now I do not speak as your Enemy for I love your City wish it well Alack neither will I justifie the Army nor the men that you oppose in opposition to you for their ways are corrupted I know and their own Ends they seek and they are for Condemnation some of them and their Iniquities are fully ripe and God will bring them down but yet let you them alone the Lord will deal with them and he can execute his Judgement with his own Hand without you and if you can be but quiet for a little season it will make for your Peace hereafter but if your spirits rage and swell you may work Misery unto your selves and to your City but you cannot redeem it from Misery So do no talk of the Church as if you would Fight to uphold it leave that to the Lord for Christ will look to that to Govern it and Preserve it out of all and from all its Enemies and it belongs not unto you but that which the Lord requires of you is Patience and Submission to his Will and to be still till he appears with Salvation and Deliverance to this City and Nation to deliver them from all Oppression and Oppressors whose Coming is at hand and blessed are all they who are found in Patience at his Coming London the 10th Moneth 1659. TO THE Present Assembly MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AT WESTMINSTER The Consideration of a Servant of the Lord upon the Present State of Affairs presented unto you for to read and consider as Informations unto you concerning present Proceedings in this Nation FRIENDS ALL these Overturnings and almost wonderful Changings that do come to pass in this Nation they are all effected through the Justice of the Lord's Hand and his Hand and Power is in and over all these things and it all Particulars which have happened since your first appearing on the Throne were accompted what hath come to pass but hath been accomplished and suffered to be by the hand of the Lord But particularly of the present state of things and this last Interruption which happened unto you Was it not a just Reproof upon you from the Lord though effected in Ambition and by corrupted Instruments For have you not promised great things unto this Nation in matters of Freedom and Liberty But what have you done Even left this Nation travelling under great and sore Vexations and undelivered from the Bondage of Oppressions though you have had time oftentimes put into your hands wherein you might have done good things for the Lord and for this Nation and Righteousness might have been established amongst you and in the Nation but you neglected many precious dayes and effected not many good things It would be large to instance the particular Oppressions that yet remain almost upon all sorts of people in this Land which might have been removed long ere this day had you bin faithful to God But because from day to day you have been rather careless and served your selves more then the Lord therefore hath he suffered you to be interrupted once and again and reproved by a Generation of men as unfaithful as your selves Well But to pass all this though much may be said you are now again at the stern of Government and on the Throne and I dare not but say it is of and by the Lord and that he hath done it contrary to the expectations of many and what his End is in it remains with him but I am sure one Cause is that you may execute part of his Wrath upon that Treacherous Generation of Hypocritical and Deceitful men some of the Army I mean some of whom have been deceitful to God and treacherous to the Nation and who have been fearful Hypocrites by a shew of Religion more then others and have mocked God as it were and his People I need not say to you how that many of them were raised up from a low Estate and instead of servnig the Nation became their Lords and Oppressors they have abused the Lord's Mercy to them and exalted themselves and became as great Oppressors and as grievous to the Nation as ever they were that went before them and some of them took the very Titles and Estates of their Enemies and followed their evil spirit also though the Lord was Long-suffering to them and gave them a day and put opportunity into their hands wherein they might have done good