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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A53263	The old leaven purged out, or, The apostacy of this day further opened being a true and faithfull narrative of the orderly prooceedings [sic] and dealings of the lesser part of the congregation formerly walking with Mr. John Sympson, with and against severall souldiers of the army, who (being fallen in with the apostacy of this day, contrary to professed and declared principles, and the many out-goings of the Lord thereupon) are withdrawn and separated from, together with Mr. Sympson their chief abettor, and others, after neer two years labouring whilest while we were in the congregation, and neer two years more since : as also the true coppies of seven of the letters which Mr. Sympson wrote with his own hand, and sent to the congregation an answer to several objections that have been, or may be raised against printing and published the whole : all humbly presented to publique view, not in strife, vain-glory, or to be seen of men, but we hope out of conscience, to endeavor a recovering of the name of the Lord ...	Hathorn, Humphrey.	1658 (1658)	Wing O205; ESTC R32246	96,744	101

the accomplishment of what is behind It is sweet to me now in this confinement to consider that I had a hint of these things by Intellectual vision or dreams before they came to pass In a slumber about Worcester Businesse I saw great O lying upon the ground with most of his great Officers and their mouthes stopped with clay by which I was perswaded that they should not be able to act any more for Christ or fetch breath in his cause which is come to passe Before the dissolution of the long sitting Parliament In a dream I beheld some lusty fellowes binding an old man who when he was bound his cords did break but he was so feeble that he could not rise again and presently after they had left him they caught hold of me and apprehended me It was given in that the Parliament was the Old man and that after they had dissolved the Parliament they should persecute me which I charged upon the memories of some friends to remember I scarce know how to speak of these things because some may think that I speak in wrath when I speak upon a more noble account for the glory of God But let truth be spoken though I suffer in the opinions of some Saints I shall conclude with desiring your Prayers for these things first that I may oppose the enemies of Christ as his not mine hating their wayes yet loving their persons as my own Secondly That I may pray in faith with the Psalmist Psal 119.134 Deliver me from the oppression of man so will I keep thy precepts Thirdly That God might strike my strongest corruptions under the fifth rib by this imprisonment Fourthly That God would anoint me with fresh oyl to Preach and Baptize Fifthly That God would teach me to see how far my suffering may be accounted a Martyrdom in relation to Christs good cause and a Judgement in relation to my unprofitable walking before God and his people for the same suffering may be a Martyrdom for Christ and a judgement to our flesh 1. Pet. 4.16 17. The Lord enable you to ask these things in faith and thoroughly enable you to every good work through Christ to whom be glory everlastingly Amen J.S. From the old Steeple 4th Moneth 3d. day 1654. This a true Coppy of the Originall examined by us Tho. Cary. John Clements Severall Objections against the Printing and Publishing of the aforementioned Transactions relating to our withdrawing and separation from the Souldiers and Mr. Simpson c. As also Mr. Simpsons Letters weighed scanned and answered WE finde a certain rule in Scripture that where a Brother or Brethren walk disorderly they are to be adminished and withdrawn from 2 Thes 3.6 And in case of perseverance in their evill after admonition to he saparated from and all Church relation disowned with them according to Mat. 18.15 16 17 18. Cor. 5 5.2 Cor. 6.17.2 Tim. 3.5 And when this is done they are to be unto us as those that are without but we see no Scripture warrant leading us to publish the sins and evill practices of such persons but rather to leave them unto the Lord to be converted or otherwise as he in his secret will hath determined yea it seems to us rather to savour of malice and revenge then of a Gospel frame of Spirit Answ There are two things to be considered for the making a righ answer to this objection which we desire may be weighed First the nature of the sin such persons are guilty of that is to say whether it be of u private or publique concernment for accordingly the Lord is either more or lesse dishonoured and therefore the Apostle speaks concerning some in this kinde I Tim. 5.20 in these words Them that sin rebuke before all that others may fear painly intimating that if persons who are called brethren have such foreheads of brasse as to commit sin in the face of the sun whereby God is not onely dishonoured in respect of the sin it self but others undone thereby as the sin of the Souldiers is by Treason False-swearing Oppression c And that not to the ruine of a few but the whole Nation yea to the crucifying and destroying of the Cause and Interest Christ contended for in the late Wars with the losse of so much precious blood we do then conceive that they ought to be rebuked before all that the Nation against whom they have sinned may know that we disown such wicked practices being contrary to the light of nature much more of grace which is also the more to be weighed in regard that Publique Sinnes brings Publique Judgements so did the sins of the Rulers in Israel upon the whole mation And therefore Pilate himself being forewarned by his wife not to have a hand in the death of our Lord Jesus being an innocent person without doubt did foresee how sad it would be with the Nation upon that account and therefore took water in the presence of the whole Court and published before them all that he would have no hand in his death and what a Judgement hath there been upon the Jews ever since for that publique sin And how did the Apostles afterwards testifie against the Rulers publiquely for their sin in so doing And if lawfull to speak in that manner against them then certainly it cannot but be as lawfull to write In the next place as the sin is to be considered so the Estate Quality and Officer of such persons who commits it And herein also sinne is the more aggravated for when Souldiers or Magistrates have professed before God Angels and Men what they would do for Christ his glory and poor afflicted people in administring of Justice and Righteousness relieving the oppressed and breaking yokes as also to improve all their Military civil power for the same whereunto they were called and intrusted both by God and man shall instead thereof take the Crown from off Christs head and put it upon their own and make use of their Power and Force to oppresse a Nation and do violence to all that will not bow down to their Lusts Also maintaining Antichristian Laws to force the consciences of the Lords People and all this contrary to their professed and declared light which is the more considerable in regard they have been Instruments in the Lords hand to pull down the late King with his Son other abettors for the like abominations now committed by themselves we then do humbly apprehend that not onely a Personal but National reproof is to be given them according to the nature of their offence and the capacity wherein they stand so that it seems to us not onely to be our Gospel Liberty but our Gospel Duty to publish by whriting the sin of the Souldiers with their abettors Objection The aforesaid Scripture although it speakes full as to their being rebuked before all according to the nature of their offence with the capacity wherein they stand which we must

ground of our seperation and with-drawing to this day so as that the name of the Lord is greatly reproached thorough these Misreports concerning us it might therefore hereby appear that the cause why we do so is for such sins as are publikely scandalous and sinful that so whatever becomes of our persons the truth may be vindicated Reas 3. That all who fear the Lord in uprightness of heart may consider and see it 's their duty to with-draw and seperate from all such persons For what saith the Apostle Know you not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump Purge out therefore the old leaven c. And may it not be spoken with grief of heart that the lump or generality of the Churches in this day are much leavened with a luke-warm sensual selfish spirit seeking the honor and favor of men for their own advantage rather then setting the Lord before them and approving their hearts to him and indeavouring after the advancement of his glory in the world which comes to pass in a great measure for want of doing their duty to such persons in this particular Reas 4. That if it should please the Lord to call any or all of us further to suffer herein or upon such like account it may appear we suffer for his Name sake and not as evil doers the mouthes of many professors having been already opened in this respect though wee could wish it hath not rather been to palliate and cover over their own Apostacy Reas 5. Because thus saith the Scripture Them that sin to wit in the sight of all men as these have done and that against the light of Nature and Grace rebuke before all that others also may see and fear and do no more so wi●kedly for as Jannes and Jambres Korah Dathan and Abiram with their company withstood Moses in the work of GOD in their day so these likewise do resist his cause and truth in our day proceeding from iniquity to iniquity Reas 6. That so such as are unknown to us and have been already engaged in this work of seperation may bee incouraged and not discouraged and may know that whatsoever their afflictions and trialls are thereupon the same are also accomplished in others of their Brethren upon the same account that so from a spirit of love to truth we may be strengthning one anothers hands in so blessed and honorable a work Rea. 7. If Pilate was so sensible of the innocency of Jesus Christ that he could do no less but in the presence of the Court and the whole multitude take water and wash his hands saying these words the better to clear himself from being guilty of his blood I am free from the blood of this just man look ye to it Doth it not much more concern us in such a day as this when our Lord in his members and cause contended for in the late warrs is again crucified afresh put to open shame to take this water of our publike testimony in the presence both of Saints and Sinners and testifie our dislike of and seperation from so great iniquity as also the persons guilty thereof And if our Lord Jesus could charge upon the Jewes all the righteous blood shed from Abel to that day and Peter Act. 3.13 and so Stephen Act. 7.51 52. likewise charge them for retaining their forefathers wicked spirit though they pretended otherwise manifested in denying betraying delivering up and killing of Christ and the Saints who were witnesses to the truth in that day May not wee justly fear that if we should be silent in this day the guilt of their blood which was shed in the late wars as also of the sufferings of the Saints formerly and yet imprisoned for their faithfulness to the despised cause and interest of Christ who did and do offer themselves so willingly may be found upon us when the Lord makes inquisition for the same and we come to be partakers of that judgement which we are perswaded will lye heavie upon all that shall be found guilty more or less Reas 8. Because of the so plain discovery through a generall silence of a Laodicean or luke-warm spirit for Christ in this day which the Lord loaths and threatens to spue out of his mouth But on the contrary commends the Churches of Ephesus and Smyrna c. for their zeal and faithfulness in discovering of and not bearing with sin nor sinners yea the Lord delights in such who offer themselves willingly And the Inhabitants of Meroz are cursed with a bitter curse not because they appeared against Gods cause and people but for standing Neuters and not coming forth when an opportunity was offered to his help against the mighty So in Psal 94.16 there seems to be another plain word of instruction in this case where the Prophet by way of Proclamation hath these vvords Who will rise up for me against the evil doers Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity He doth not say as some say novv Sit still and let God alone for he will finde out wayes and means to do his work in his appointed time himself for he hath power at command why do you trouble your selves more then a great many wiser men No So the Lord seems to speak in this day as once Iohn said Who is on my side who And although such poor creatures as vve are can adde nothing to him yet he loves to see us shevv our good affection and to do vvhat vve are able and he hath so appointed that the foot yea the feet of the poor and the steps viz the indeavours of the needy shall tread down the lofty City And the least of the Flock shall draw them out c. And it may not be forgotten how that the Parliament in the time of the late war as they took notice of Neuters by way of dislike on the one hand so they did very kindly resent the constant good affections of others on the other hand Reas 9. When sin comes to be National First in respect of the sin it self Secondly in respect of the persons committing it being in a National or publike capacity Thirdly And contrary to professed and declared light as the sin of this day is and persisting therein after many admonitions so as that we may truly say of the transgressors of this day as the Spirit of the Lord by Isaiah said of Israel of old Wo to the rebellious children saith the Lord that take counsel but not of me that cover with a covering but not of my spirit that they may add sin to sin that walk to go down to Aegypt and have not asked at my mouth to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharoah and to trust in the shadow of Aegypt c. Now as in verse the eight the Prophet is commanded to go write is before them in a Table and note it in a Book that it may be for

the time to come for ever and ever that this is a rebellious people c. so ought we to do the same if we would be found faithful to the Lord his despised Cause People in our day as the Prophet Isaiah was in his the sins and persons committing them in our day being very like the sins and persons guilty thereof in that day And though to bear up a sutable testimony in this day be as irksome unto us as it was to Jeremiah chap. 20.8 9 10. yet when we consider what encouragement he had from the Lord to hold on his way and not to return to them and though they might lay many snares for him he would stand by him and make him as a fenced City and brazen walls against them and be with him to save and deliver him We are comfortably perswaded that he will likewise be with us his poor nothing creatures in this our testimony if we be found faithful herein unto the death as he was For these forementioned Reasons among others that might be given are we encouraged to publish our proceedings from the day of our first withdrawing to the day of our separation being the substance of three years labouring or thereabouts for the Name and Cause of our Lord Jesus and therefore give us leave to contend earnestly for the faith of the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus once deliver'd to the Saints and for common Justice and righteousness which hath been sealed unto with so much of the Saints and others blood in the late Wars though now it be very unworthily betrayed not by Enemies but professed Friends many of whom are Brethren in Church-Relation We hope we can as in the presence of the Lord that searcheth all htarts however others may judge of us profess our selves very disirous to follow after those things which makes for peace so far as the shooes of the Gospel will carry us but to have peace with Dishonesty Injustice Unrighteousness Lying Deceit or Oppression c. is contrary to the mind of the Gospel of peace any of which sins should Paul himself been found guilty of were ground sufficient by his own Argument for the Church of Corinth and so by consequence for any other Church to refuse Communion with him therefore to have peace upon this account is to have peace where God would have war and to bring our selves under that wo pronounced against those who call evil good and good evil that put darkness for light and light for darkness c. And if any shall yet blame us for appearing in this publike way give us leave to say unto them as David said unto his brethren when he came into the Camp of Israel What have we now done is there not a cause Adding hereunto also the report gone out amongst many of those from whom we are separated saying That if we could prove any thing against the Souldiers they were ready to do their duty towards them as well ae we Wherefore it is very requisite that others should see the matter of fact and judge whether from the whole we had not just ground for this our withdrawing and separation and we also hope that such among them who are sensible of the evil testified against will bear with us in what we have done therein But if any shall say of us deridingly as Michal said of David How glorious was the King of Israel to day who uncovered himself in the eyes of his servants as one of the vain fellows shamelesly uncovereth himself c. Give us leave for answer to say as David said It is for the Lord otherwise we had rather be silent then displease any much less those whom we dearly love in the Lord. But if this be to be vile we shall yet be more vile we hope in our own sight also and although flesh may in some respects be ready to shew it self in this case yet if all things be duly considered there is little reason for it for where flesh would shew it self it is for some advantage but it seems to us as if there were little fleshly advantage to be reaped by it for flesh naturally loves a good report of all especially among the generallity of professors but do we not hereby yea have we not already lost the good report of men and of Brethren too Again flesh loves the Rulers favour where there is hopes of honor profit or preferment c. But on the contrary do we not hereby hazard our Estates and lives and all But admit that flesh will be shewing it self as we have sufficient cause to fear and as we have experience and may too sadly complain thereof in our own souls in the best and most warrantable Work the Lord may require of us yet this ought not to be matter of discouragement but of caution Pray therefore for us all ye faithful ones in the Work Kingdom and patient expectation of our Lord Jesus to whom this especially is directed and on whose behalf in a great measure this Testimony comes We humbly intreat that you would beg of the Lord that flesh may receive a rebuke every way What temptations we have and do meet withall none knows so well as our selves it being sometimes suggested to us That it were better to lay down our Testimony and venture no further then run the hazard that may follow thereupon but when we think of that Scripture Well done good and faithful servant thou hast been faithful in a little I will make thee Ruler over much enter thou into thy Masters joy c. It is then matter of encouragement to us to persevere therein considering also how easie a thing it is for us to lose the Crown of our Testimony Rev. 3.11 by declining the Cause of Christ we through Grace have been and yet are engaged in although we may not lose the salvation of our own souls which puts us in mind of Barnabas of whom it was said He was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost exhorting the Saints at Antioch to cleave unto the Lord with full purpose of heart yet afterwards this good man received a check by joyning with John whose Sirname was Mark who left Paul in the Work at Pamphilia that Paul testifies against him for so doing and afterwards we do not hear of Barnabas in any further Work for Christ as formerly he had been so good it is to stick close to Christ in an Evil day And have we not also this further promise Because thou hast kept the word of my patience I also will keepe thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth It would have been too long and tedious to have inserted the whole matter as it was publikely debated in the whole Congregation drawn from those six scandalous sins laid to the charge of the Souldiers then amongst us

Moreover we should thereby have given occasion to some to have given a Reply to many things which we suppose will hereby be avoided But if any notwithstanding our indeavors shall adventure to blemish the Truth and Cause we do hereby contend for we trust the Lord will give us wisdom to make an humble and sober Reply ●o such persons if need be And therefore for the better clearing of truth to the understanding of the Reader some Marginal Annotations are onely added whereby the matter of fact is proved by the Armies Declarations and Engagements c. whilest they pretended to be faithful to the cause of Christ whereof the Souldiers aforementioned were then and still are Members besides several particulars proved against them all being contained in our first paper and after that comes in our gradial proceedings against them and their Abettors upon their perseverance in so great evill that so it may appear we have walked according to Rule in order to the convincing and recovering of them if the Lord had so pleased We know upon perusall of the subject-matter contained in this Book there will be many infirmities and weaknesses shewing forth themselves therein but we hope the Lord hath given you such bowels of tenderness as to pass them over and rather be eying the drift and scope of what is intended hereby and therefore shall take up no more time in an Epistolary way but leave it unto the blessing of the Lord with this Exhortation to you as well as unto our selves Let every one that nameth the Name of Christ depart from iniquity hating even the garment spotted by the flesh that so at the appearing of our Lord Jesus he may say unto us Well done good and faithfull Servants enter you into your Masters Joy Signed in the name and by the appointment of the greater number of the Congregation who have seperated from those now walking with Mr. John Sympson Humphrey Hathorn Caleb Ingold John Seely John Portmans THE Old Leaven purged out OR The Apostacy of this day further opened A true Copy of our first Paper to Mr. SYMPSON and the other part of the Congregation after we were withdrawn upon the account of the Souldiers declaring the grounds and reasons of our withdrawing Dated the first day of the fourth month 1656. Delivered in writing at London-house the next first day after the date hereof by six of our Brethren accompanied with the whole Onely the Marginal Annotations were since added to prove what we have asserted in the body of our papers Dearly beloved Brethren Sisters in our Lord Iesus Christ HAving spent some time together and apart to seek the Lord for counsel and direction since we absented our selves from you having had as we hope some sorrow and grief of heart that we cannot with any comfort partake with you at present of those Ordinances our Lord Jesus hath left his people to be exercised in until his second coming and appearance and we trust have endeavoured in some degree of sincerity to search our own hearts concerning those sins laid to our charge as Vncharitableness Pride Rashness Self-will'dness Arrogancy c. which we must acknowledge to be in as in too great a measure yet doubtless this we may speak to the glory of the free Grace of our Father in Jesus Christ That notwithstanding Satan togegether with the body of sin we carry about us hath had great advantage to blemish that blessed Cause and Interest we have been so long contending for we may we hope declare That in ●●plicity and godly sincerity this Work hath been managed by us and also that it is out of love to Truth as well as on Truths behalf we are so far engaged It is in the conclusion of our waiting upon and seeking to the Lord much upon our hearts to lay before you the Truth we are so much under a Cloud for that if the Lord will we may find such a fruit of this our seeking to and waiting upon him as will bring most glory to God and comfort to you and us and the provoking the Churches of Christ in this Nation too generally fallen in with the iniquity of this day Dear Brethren and Sisters and longed for in the Lord You very well know how for some years together the Lord hath been risen out of his holy place to punish the Inhabitants of the Earth for their iniquity and notwithstanding those Inhabitants have and do under a form of godliness get into Zion yet so narrow hath the Lord been and still is in his search at this day that the sinners in Zion are afraid for he hath set up his fire in Zion and fornace in Jerusalem and will not leave till he hath throughly purged his floor in which great Work we find that his own people have not been without their refinings in regard of so great filth they carry about them for he saith that he must wash away the filth of the daughter of Zion from the midst thereof and purge away the blood of Jerusalem by a spirit of Judgement and a spirit of Burning that upon all the glory may be a defence The nature of this Work hath been not onely by the Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God in the 〈◊〉 of his Servrnts the Prophets but also by the Sword of a man or the material Sword and herein we find the Saints not onely by their prayers but their persons also have been instrumental making good that Word in the Psalms Let the high praises of God be in their ●●●ths and a two-edged Sword in their hands to execute upon the Adversaries of his glory the judgments written to binde their * * VVas not the vengeance executed upon the King his Issue Nobles Gentry Clergy and other abettors a manifest return of prayer to the Lords people and in part a fulfilling of that Scripture Yea let the army the souldiers from whom we are separated look ouer their Declarations and Remonstrances c. upon this-account See Abridgm Remonst at Alb●ns pag 30-31 o● Book called The Looking Glass and Decl July 19 1650 pag 46 47 of that Book Decl Aug 1. 1650 p 48 49 50. or in a sheet or paper commonly seen Decl after old Parl was dissolved p. 53 54 in their Speech to the little Part p. 55 56 58 61 62 63 of the aforementioned book and we entreat all the churches of Christ in this city and the three Nations to consider how far they encouraged the army therein whether they did not take up arms for the interest and cause of Christ at the invitation of their Pastors and Elders if not so we are not able to judge upon what account churches as churches should be sent unto to take up the material Sword but if t●●e what means this general silence under falling in with the present power upon the old ●●ock of Monarchy who not onely have taken the remainder of the great Houses

them in prison this is no other then the invention of the Pope and his Brethren the Magistrates of Antichrist to support their interest and power over the people and not the mind of Jesus Christ whose appointment is That although his Ministers who administer their spiritual things to others should if they are poor live of the Gospel and reap of their carnal things 1 Cor. 9 10 14. com with Gal. 6.6 yet he hath no where appointed that any should be compelled to hear or maintain them much less presecuted of imprisoned for refusing either but the contrary see Matth. 10.8 11 13 14 com with Luke 10.5 to 10. The Lord in Mich 3 5 doth threaten those priests and prophets that teach for hire and divine for money and prepare warre against him that putteth not into their mouths com with Isa 56.11 All which with much more that might be spoken to this purpose being considered we wonder how such who have so highly declared for Christ against antichrist dare be supporting of such abominations he that runs may read the daylie Oppression of this kind except there be a bowing down to the Golden Image of the national Clergy with her head are forced from many to the oppression of some and the undoing of others and so they oppress a man and his house a man and his Heritage Now it is not so much our selves are likely to suffer if we should willingly walk after the Commandment but the glory of him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvelous light will be so much blemished as is beyond expression And indeed this is much to be lamented that there are so few to bear up their testimony for the Lord against the Evil-doers at this day Likewise our posterities if the Lord should not mercifully ease us of our Oppressors would feel the weight of so great bondage as to be at the will and mercy of one man to dispose of their persons and Estates and this backed with an Army of thirty thousand men and what is likely to be the consequence if the Lord should continue us under this bondage we think that eighth chap. of the first of Samuel from verse 9. to verse 19. to gether with Amos 5.10 11 12. will plainly make out the sadness of our condition and the dislike of such who shall quietly acquiess in and approve of those oppressions and the sad condition also of such who shall be active for such Oppressors and Oppressions Moreover we desire to ask our Brethren who wear the Sword these two questions First Whether they do not receive the unrighteous Wages of Warre in a time of peace Secondly Whether the Wages so received be not to enslave us p A Testimony for this in the former and present imprisonment of many of the servants of Christ for testifying against the abominations of this day to wit Mr. Carew Major General Harrison Mr. Feake Mr. Rogers Mr. Courtny Coll. Rich Sir Henry Vane Major General Overton Vice Admiral Lawson M. Cann Cornet Day and several others some whereof remain in prison to this day and the Soldiers the chief instruments in this oppression yea their General lately to take off the odium that such a wicked act would bring upon him Commissionates the Mayor and Sheriffs of the City who employ the baser sort of man Act. 17.15 that like themselves will do any drudgery is put upon them to come to the meeting in Coleman street to interrupt and hale the Lords faithful people to prison for nothing but pleading for and pressing after those good things which himself and the army have been greatly instrumental to lead them into for declaring against their back-sliding from them therefore what man or woman that hath any love to Christ his Cause and People can pay Taxes to maintain such Oppression and Persecution or hold communion with any of them in the Ordinances of Christ in our consciences as wel as in our persons For whatever the Government saith We shall have liberty of conscience it is only to such who can quietly acquiess in their unjust and Antichristian proceedings Fourthly Persecusion of Saints q Besides what is already mentioned concerning the Soldiers being instrumental to imprison the faithful in this day and what is hinted in this place there are some things more particularly charged upon Coll. Kelzey Major Strange Capt. Harrison c. immediately following the sixth head adding hereunto besides the Scriptures in the margent Obad. v. 10 11 12. where Esau is charged for his violence and persecution against his brother Iacob and for standing on the other side when his Enemies dealt hardly with him Then surely they are guilty who uphold the present persecution and say It is possible our Brethren suffer for evil-doing Let also Acts 7.58 comp with chap. 22.20 be considered where Paul after conversion acknowledgeth himself a persecutor before conversion for standing by and keeping the Rayment of them which stoned Stephen thereby consenting to his death And are not the Souldiers who are members of Churches and professed brethren much more guilty who can imprison their brethren themselves and be their Jaylors too Yea some of them to get the applause and favour of man lye in wait to catch the Lords people who visit their Brethren in prison and when they have caught them like Soul Acts 9.2 go to the head persecutor to obtain an Order to keep them there as Mr. Feake was dealt withall at the Tower not long since yea Coll. Eaxter one of the new Lords many times keeping not only the acquaintance but Wives and Relations of the Lords people in his custody from visiting of them which Heathens would abhor to do see Acts 24.23 and yet the plausible pretences these men make are with their Pastors c. and some other professors blinded as themselves like the whore Prov. 30.20 wiping her mouth as if they had done no evil Wherefore we may justly take up the lamentation of the Prophet Psal 55.10 11 12 13 14. which we desire the Reader to peruse particularly for plain it is many of our Brethren and others suffer imprisonment for bearing testimony against the present Iniquity having no evil to lay to their charge and in this that which we would mourn before the Lord for is That some of our Brethren do not stick to say That it is possible they suffer for evil-doing Which word It is possible is no less to us then an indirect justifying the persecutors in their imprisoning of them thereby adding affliction to their bonds wherein we think that Scripture doth truly reach them Prov. 17.15 He that justifieth the wicked and condemneth the just even they both are abomination to the Lord. And in this the Souldiers are altogether instrumental having neither the Law of God or man to justifie their practice by civil Officers And we are sure that good Moses though he might have been owned and honored as Son to Pharoahs Daughter could not in

Secondly I know that Christ knoweth the poverty of some of you but you are rich Rev. 2.9 The Lord hath left in the midst of you an afflicted and poor people and they shall trust in the name of the Lord Zeph. 3.12 Woe be unto the full for they are empty blessed be the empty for they are full Woe be to the rich for they are poor Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God Labour therefore to be poor that you may be rich And if any man seem to be wise among you let him become a fool that he may be wise He that will be nothing shall be something and he that will be something shall be nothing He that hath ears to hear let him hear what Christ saith unto his Church Thirdly some of you live where Satans seat is and yet hold fast the Name of Christ and do not deny the faith of your King Rev. 2.13 Some are labouring in spirit to help Christ to the throne of England Others if you can but give them some comfortable hopes of a place or preferment or some other worldly thing they care not whether the interest of Christ sink or swim they are contented that Satan shall keep his seat and the throne if he will but gratifie their lusts But the Kingdom of England shall be the Kingdom of Christ let Souldiers and Devils and carnal Policy do what they can to hinder it For the Kingdoms of this world are become already to out saith Kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever Rev. 11.15 Fourthly There may be some among you though very few of whom Christ may say I know thy works and love and service and faith and patience and thy works and the last to be more then the first Rev. 2.19 Hold fast this Crown the Lord Jesus doth lay none other burthen upon you and therefore I will not That which you have already hold fast til he come Rev. 2.24 25. But fifthly I am afraid that Christ may say to some of you as to the Angel of the Church of Sardis Thou hast a name that thou livest but thou art dead Rev. 3. There may be dead sinners in a congregation of Saints Oh! What will it advantage you to be in Church Communion with Saints here when you shall keep company with Fiends and Devils and Judases in hell to all eternity Externel priviledges and common gifts in the kingdom of heaven here will but agrivate our condemnation in hell hereafter unlesse Christs findes burning oyl in our Lamps internal and unfeigned graces in our souls Lay a carkass in the midst of a congregation of living men and will the carkass be enlivened by it so the presence of living members in a Church cannot quicken Church members who are dead in sins and trespasses strive therefore rather to be then to be accounted living Christians Sixthly There are some of you concerning whom Christ in the spirit doth inwardly give this testimony that they have a little strength Rev. 3.8 As Christ gave the same testimony concerning Philadelphia's Angel To you that have grace in truth more grace shall be given the weak shall be made strong grow therefore in grace and in the knowledge of the mystery of the Father Son and Spirit And while the lusty youths who are strong in their own strength shall faint and be weary and utterly fall They who have no might shall encrease their strength And they who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with wings as Eagles they shall run and not be weary they shall walk and not faint Isa 40.29.30 Seventhly I would that I had no ground to fear that there are some lukewarm Laodiceans among you whom the Lord will spue out of his mouth Rev. 3.16 One end of our redemption by Christ is zeal in good works Titus 2.14 He who is a professor in these dayes without zeal will not be a professor long The Lord will suddenly bring his furnace to Zyon to burn up the hypocrites and refine the true Saints I do beg this at the hand of my God that you may all in this Looking-glass behold the graces and spots of your souls and behold your several conditions I shall reminde you of that which I moved when I last spake among you That our Brother Wise may be called forth from among you to be a teaching Elder I apprehend that by the grace of God it may be to Gods glory your edification and confirmation in faith and love and my great comfort and refreshment And likewise desire that you will endeavour to walk in the order of the gospel as becomes the Churches of Christ A City may as well be without Government an Army without Military Discipline as a Church of Christ without discipline and government the Lord compleat you in graces gifts and officers in the knowledge and practice of all the ordinances of Christ our Saviour and in the fulness of his Spirit which in the Spirit is and shall be the prayer of him who by grace am made Your Companion and Brother in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ John Sympson 16th day 12th Moneth 1653. from my Prison in Windsor Castle This is a True Copy of the Original Examined by us Tho. Cary. John Clements Brethren in Christ GRace Wisdom Discretion Valour Gentlenesse Meeknesse Zeal and Peace be multiplied upon you through the Knowledge of God and our Father who is God Blessed for ever Amen Rom. 9.5 The word which I have from the Lord unto you at this present is to direct you in the right manner of doing that which is good unto the glory of the Father When we seriously consider how many in these times have held forth most glorious truths and done many righteous things and afterwards have apostatized from the way of truth and righteousness we cannot but conclude that they never did any of them well the heart of foolish man doth not deceive him more in any thing then in holding forth truth and in doing that which is good in it self if we are for truth and do that which is good our deceitful hearts are ready presently to canonize us for Saints when in the mean while we may be rotten hearted Hypocrites It is not enough to do that which is right and just but that which is good must be well done any defect though never so small in an action may make it evil but there must be a joynt concurrence of all Causes and Ingredients to make an action really good There is a broad way to hell in doing that which is materially good Praying Preaching Fasing meeting with the Saints breaking of Bread with them and to them may be a stage upon which a man with the approbation of the Saints may act his lusts and the truths of God in all ages have never suffered more sadly then by some zealous and religious Stage players who