own which purifies our consciences from dead Works and keeps our minds undefiled by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost Tit. 3 5. The third accusation is That we deny the Sacrament which is an Ordinance of Christ. Ans. For the word Sacrament there is no such Scripture which speaks of a Sacrament therefore we do deny you and your Sacrament and your Bread and Wine which is carnal and feedâ— the carnal which must die and your communion is in that which is carnal in the creatures and Drunkards and Swearers have fellowship together with you in those things and all lyars covetous ones prophane and idolatrous ones eats of the bread and drinks of the cup and sits at the Table which is the Table of Devils And this is your Sacrament which stands without in carnal bread and wine and feeds the carnal which oppresseth and murders the Seed of God within you and you say Christ hath left that as an Ordinance for you to practice which is false which we deny but the Supper of the Lord we own The Cup of blessing which we bless is it not the communion of the blood of Christ And the bread which we break is it not the communion of the body of Christ for we being many are one bread for we are all partakers of that one bread 1 Cor. 10.16 17 21 22. And this is the bread which came down from Heaven he that eateth thereof shall never dye And this Bread we all eat of and this cup we all drink of and this is that which is practised and commanded in the Church of Christ and so we sit at the Table of Christ and cannot sit nor have fellowship with the Table of Devils And they who sit at your Table and your Sacrament and eat of your Bread and drink of your Wine they dye for it is not the bread of life and you who eat and drink it do not discern the Lord's body for it is spiritual and your Sacrament is carnal and so you eat and drink damnation to your selves not discerning the Lords body feeding the carnal with the carnal and so we deny your Sacrament to be any Ordinance of Christ or the Supper of Christ 1 Cor. 11.29 The fourth Accusation is That we deny the resurrection of the Body Ans. And that is false for at the sound of the last Trumpet the dead shall be raised they that have done good shall arise to the resurrection of life they that have done evil to the resurrection of condemnation And we preach Christ risen from the dead and if the dead rise not then is our preaching vain and your faith is also in vain and you are yet in your sins who know not this resurrection Christ risen from the dead in you 1 Cor. 15.14 15 16 17. But some man will say How are the dead raised and with what bodies do they come 1. Cor. 15.35 Thou fool that which thou sowest thou sowest not that body that shall be but bare grain it may chance of wheat or of some other grain but God giveth it a body as it pleaseth him and to every seed his own body There is also celestial bodies and bodies terrestrial and the glory of the celestial is one and the glory of the terrestrial is another there is one glory of the Sun another glory of the Moon and another glory of the Stars for one star differs from another star in glory So also is the resurrection of the dead it is sown in corruption it is raised in incorruption it is sown in dishonor it is raised in glory it is sown in weakness it is raised in power it is sown a natural body it is raised a spiritual body 1 Cor. 15.35.36 37 38. Now this I say unto you all That flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of Gâ—d neither doth corruption inherit incorruption 1 Cor. 15.50 51 52. But this is to you all a mystery who are in the first nature whose understandings are not enlightned by the light of Christ who live in your forms notions and professions of these things in the Letter feeding your carnal minds with the Letter which is death and killeth and so your minds are drawn from the Light of Christ within you into outward observances of meats and drinks bread and wine divers washings carnal Ordinances which were figures of the time then present Heb. 9.9 10. and you deny Jesus Christ the Substance who is the true Light that enlighteneth every one that cometh into the World Now to the Light in you all I speak which Christ Jesus hath enlightened you withall and if you love this Light it will lead you out of all your carnal Ordinances and Worships and divers Washings which stand in the first covenant which was before Christ and is done away in Christ the second covenant and it will lead you to worship God in the spirit and into the doctrine of Christ to yea and nay in all your communications But all who are got up high in forms and profession you are not yet come to yea and nay but are out of the doctrine of Christ and walk contrary to the Light of Christ in your consciences which Light shall be your condemnation that hate it John 3.19 20. though you be got up high in your forms and notions and words of the Saints conditions who spoke in the light and from the life And you who have the form but not the life shall be condemned by the life and you who hate the light shall be condemned with the light and life which gave forth the Scriptures The fifth Accusation is That we do not honor Magistrates nor are subject unto Authority but are disturbers and breakers of the peace Ans. Justice we own and righteousness and all who love the Light of Christ which he hath enlightened them withall it will lead them to act Justice And all Magistrates I charge you in the presence of the living God to act according to that which is pure of God in the conscience And all Magistrates who act according to that of God in the conscience are honored by those who fear the Lord and walk in obedience to that in the conscience and those who act justice according to that in the conscience they do not bear the sword in vain for that in the conscience is according to the law of God and all you Magistrates who are set over the people to do Justice and execute the lavv upon offendors this is the Word of the Lord to you To mind the Light of Christ in your consciences and it vvill cause you to act according to the place of a Magistrate But if you suffer Svvearers and Drunkards or Lyars or Oppressors or false Weights or Strikers or Quarrellers or Fighters and do not punish them or Whoremongers or Idolaters or idle persons vvithout a calling thou that passeth by these things dost not act justice according to the lavv then thou acts not
Except ye eat my flesh and drink my blood ye have no life in you And this is his Supper in eating of which the creature hath life in himself Therefore fly from idolatry I speak unto wise men judge what I say the cup of blessing which we bless is the Communion of the blood of Christ and the bread which we break is the Communion of the body of Christ For we being many are one bread and one body for we are all partakers of that one bread 1 Cor. 10.14 15 16 17. For the bread of God is he that came down from Heaven and giveth life unto the World John 6.33 Then said they unto him Lord evermore give us this bread and Jesus said unto them I am the bread of life he that cometh to me shall never hunger and he that believeth on me shall never thirst John 6.34 35. I am the living bread which came down from heaven if any man eat of this bread he shall live for ever and the bread that I will give is my flesh which I will give for the life of the world v. 51. But the Jews could not belive this neither can this Priest but saith we own feâ—ding on Christs flesh but deny his Supper and so as blind as they But by the life which we receive in eating of his flesh and drinking of his bloud are we manifest to be of those that feed at his Table and cannot have communion at the Table of Devils as the Church of God could not 1 Cor. 10.21 Again He saith that we own baptism with the spirit but deny baptism with water I answer Who come to the baptism with the spirit into one body they are come to the one baptism which the Saints witnessed not laying again the doctrine of baptism which waâ— several but witnessing the one the substance of the other which was necessary to salvation so all those things in which the substance was signified whether circumcision or water is not denied in their time and place when the obedience in them was from the command of the spirit and not from tradition but people now in the ignorance of God and his ways take up things by tradition being both out of the command and out of the substance and such deny the substance where it is witnessed as for this Priest Clapham he hath never ministred water baptism as it was ministred when it was a doctrine from heaven for there is not one in all his Congregation that had first received the holy Ghost nor believed in Christ before he baptised them with water and so both the substance and the figure is denied in him so that in that in which he would accuse another without ground is he upon good ground found guilty And as for denying to give thanks that is false for we are bound in spirit to give thanks always to the Father who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light and whether we eat or eat not we give God thanks and this we are come to witness to pray without ceasing and in all things give thanks for so is the will of God concerning us and in us is it fulfilled and we sing with the Spirit and with understanding also but such take Davids conditions which waâ— made manifest unto him in the sure mercies of the Lord to him and sing his deliverances whose soul is yet in the pit and sing his prophesies who never knew the spirit of prophesie in themselves and say they have roared all the day long by reason of their sins when as they have roared all the day long in fulfilling their sins and iniquities and for the scorners to say they have no scornful eye and for the proud to say they are not puft in mind such singing we deny which is without the Spirit and without understanding also For light is sown for the righteous and joy for the upright in heart so to the light with which Christ hath enlightned every one that cometh into the world I speak which tends to uprightness of heart and unto holiness without which no man can see the Lord those things which are reprovable are made manifest in the Liâ—ht and that which doth make manifâ—st is light which all who be out of it is in darkness and know not whether they go nor what they profit as many now in these days being kept from the light and gate of truth by the doctrines of men and so never come to read in the Lambs book of life which first all must come to know the vials poured forth upon the earth upon the Beast and his works and his sear which is found standing in all them who be from the light they be enlightned withal But the hour is coming and now is when all they that be upon the face of the earth may see the appearance of the Son of God and may receive his power in the measure which his Father hath given them to receive him in therefore every one who comes to see with the light of the Son of God enter into thaâ— which you see to be of him and out of that which you see to be of the World that so the everlasting righteousness and peace you may possess in your obedience to what is made manifest that you may come to see and favour the things of God from those things that be of the World and as every one walks in the light you will be as a sweet smelling sacrâ—fice unto the Lord and knowing and feeling the power of â—he Lord with it the everlasting door vvill be opened and the vvell-springs of life to the feeding of the plants of God with the uncorruptible food which is every word which proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord vvhich vvill be received as that of God in every particular is kept single Again The Priest in his 3 4 5. Section saith That we deny the doctrine of the Trinity and that we hold equality with God and the soul be â—ne being with God and corrupt the doctrine of justification Answ. For a Trinity of persons there is no such docâ—â—â—ne in the Scriptures neither the vvord three Persons nor Trinity and so three distinct one from another eternally as he hath held forth saying Christ is the eternal Son of God distinct from the Father eternally and the Spirit is distinguished from the Father and the Son eternally This is a Tradition of men taught for a doctrine but no doctrine and in denying of that vve do but deny Claphams tradition but as for the Father Word and Spirit which bear record in heaven these three are one and vvas never separated eternally for Christ in the days of his flesh vvhen he vvas in the vvorld said I and my Father are one and said I in them and they in me that they may be one as we are one John 17.11 22. and so this doctrine of the unity of the Father Word and Spirit
but the repentance and forgiveness of our Enemies And those that do abuse us wrong us ignorantly their sins vvil be sooner blotted out than those who wilfully have set their hearts and tongues to vvork vvickedness for they shall receive the greater condemnation The kâ—â—â—â—edge and life of Truth is that we desire all people may comâ—â—â—to that by it the povver of the vvicked one may be taken avvay vvhich so furiously vvorketh in the hearts of those vvhich receive not the Truth in the love of it but bring forth floods of enmity and bitterness against the Lambs of Christ but the love of God vvhich thinketh no evil neither doth any unto another is that which when it is felt obeyed in all wil dry up those floods from off the face of the earth that there may be a place of rest for the redeemed and elect Seed who only hath the Lord and his Light for their Habitation and the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God for their Armour and Defence Something that lately passed in discourse between the King and R. H. Published to prevent the mistakes and errors in a Copy lately printed contrary to the knowledge or intention of the party concerned and not onely so but also misprinted and abusâ—d in several particulars therefore it was thought convenient for the removing of errors and mistakes to be re-printed in a more true foâ—m and ordâ—r for the satisfaction of others R. H. SInce the Lord hath called us and gathered us to be a people to walk in his fear and in his truth we have alwayes suffered and been persecuted by the Powers that have ruled and been made a prey of for departing from iniquity and when the breach of no just Law could be charged against us then they made Laws of purpose to ensnare us and so our sufferings were unjustly continued King It is true those that have ruled over you have been cruel and have professed much which they have not done R. H. And likewise the same sufferings do now abound in more cruelty against us in many parts of this Nation as for instance one at Thetford in Norfolk where Henry Fell ministring unto the people was taken out of the Meeting 〈◊〉 whipped and sent out of the Town from Parish to Parish â—â—â—ards Lancashire and the chief ground of his Accusation in his Pass which was shewn to the King was because he denied to take the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy and so because that for Conscience-sake we cannot swear but have learned obedience to the Doctrine of Christ which saith Swear not at all hereby an occasion is taken against us to persecute us and it is well known that we have not sworn for any nor against any but have kept to the truth and our yea hath been yea and our nay nay in all things which is more then the Oath of those that are out of the truth King But why can you not swear for an oath is a common thing amongst men to any engagement R.H. Yes it is manifest and we have seen it by experience and it is so common amongst men to swear and engage either for or against things that there is no regard taken to them nor fear of an Oath that therefore which we speak of in the truth of our hearts is more than what they swear King But can you not promise as before the Lord which is the substance of the Oath R. H. Yes what we do affirm we can promise before the Lord and take him to our Witness in it but our so promising hath not been accepted but the ceremony of an oath they have stood for without which all other things were accounted of no effect King But how may we know from your words that you will perform R. H. By proving of us for they that swear are not known to be faithful but by proving of them so we by those that have tryed us are found to be truer in our promises than others by their Oaths and to those that do yet prove us we shall appear the same King Pray what is your Principle R. H. Our Principle is this That Jesus Christ is the true Light which enlighteneth every one that cometh into the world that all men through him might believe and that they were to obey and follow this Light as they have received it vvhereby they may be led unto God and unto righteousness and the knowledge of the truth that they may be saved King This do all Christians confess to be truth and he is not a Christian that will deny it R. H. But many have denied it both in words and writings and opposed us in it and above an hundred Books are put forth in opposition unto this Principle That some of the Lords standing by the King said that none would deny that every one is enlightened Lord. And one of the Lords asked how long we had been called Quakers or did we own that Name R. H. That Name was given to us in scorn and derision about twelve years since but there was some that lived in this truth before we had that Name given unto us King How long is it since you owned this Iudgement and Way R. H. It is near twelve years since I owned this Truth according to the manifestation of it King Do you own the Sacrament R. H. As for the Word Sacrament I do not read of it in the Scripture but as for the body and blood of Christ I own and that there is no remission without blood King Well that is it But do you noc believe that every one is commanded to receive it R. H. This we do believe That according as it is written in the Scripture that Christ at his last Supper took Bread brake it and gave to his Disciples and also took the Cup and blessed it and said unto them And as often as ye do this that is as often as they brake bread you shew forth the Lords death till he come and this we believe they did and they eat their bread in singleness of heart from house to house and Christ did come again to them according to his promise after which they said We being many are one bread for we are all partakers of this one bread Kings Friend Then one of the Kings Friends said It is true for as many grains make one bread so they being many members were one body Another of them said If they be the bread then they must be broken R.H. There is difference between that Bread which he brake at his last Supper vvherein they vvere to shevv forth as in a sign his death until he came and this vvhereof they speak they being many are one bread for herein they vvere come more into the substance and to speak more mystically as they knevv it in the Spirit Kings Friends Then they said It is truth and he had spoken nothing but truth King How know you that you are Inspired by the