of things as they are made manifest by the Lord to the Light in you I speak that in it you may be able to understand truth in what I say and by the truth to judge of things that differ for such as the Tree is such is the fruit an evil tree cannot bring forth good fruit neither can one Fountain send forth sweet water and bitter Now as concerning a Book given forth by John Stelham Priest at Terling in Essex who having an evil eye because God is good and being filled with indignation because God hath mercy on his own Seed whom he hath blessed hath out of the abundance of his heart spoken it forth Now the way to know that which is spoken in darkness is to read it in the light and if his Testimony in any thing as coming from him is to be believed it is that which is concerning his own condition and if his estate and condition be such that in it he can receive the things of God and minister them to others then they may be received but if his condition be such that in it he cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God then that which cannot receive cannot minister and so he is to be silents and none to expect the things of God from him being neither fit to reprove nor to rebuke but to be reproved and rebuked as will appear as followeth The ground in him and the heart out of which this abundance of words in his Book proceeds in it as he declares is yet the root of all error and of all sin is in him and seen by him not mortified and that he hath an old lying heart and flesh wherein there dwells no truth no good thing a sinful wretch and worm subscribing himself the sinful John Stelham as in his Introduction in pag. 80. and p. 117. Now therefore we having found out the root and the ground to be a root of Errror and the ground of Deceit and a heart wherein dwells no truth nor no good thing therefore from that which is unclean shall we not expect that which is clean to proceed nor truth from that wherein dwells no truth but from the lying heart and deceitful tongue hath the Lord delivered us so that if we be called revilers and be rebuked and a charge laid against us as to contradict the Scriptures of God and be called Antiscriptural Antichristian and Antispiritual we have now learned to know whence it doth proceed even from the lying heart and flesh wherein there dwells no truth and we can bear it because we know that til that heart be taken away and a new heart known wherein is truth we must be reproached and spoken evil of falsly for his sake who hath taken away the old lying heart and hath given us a new heart wherein truth dwelleth and where truth proceeds out from and herein are we manifest from the children of this generation and herein are the two states known and the two conditions of men according to the testimony of Scripture and the parable which Jesus spoke Luke 6.39 Can the blind lead the blind shall they not both fall into the ditch And ver 45. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good And an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh And hereby is the Tree known by his fruits and the heart of the wicked was ever filled with lying and vanity and understanding was hid from them the Lord was grieved with such that did err in their hearts and had not known his wayes Psal. 119 70. Psal. 140.2 and this was an evil which was under the sun that the hearts of the sons of men were full of evil and madnesse while they live Eccles. 9.3 And such a heart was in the Scribes and Pharisees a lying heart wherein dwelt no truth filled with evil thoughts as Christ said Wherefore think you evil in your hearts Mat. 9.4 and out of the heart did arise all false accusations calling the truth blasphemy and the way of it heresie and such who be in the state as John Stelham confesseth he is was never appointed by the Lord to watch over souls But such where Christ did dwell in their hearts and because they were sons God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into their hearts Eph. 3.17 Gal. 4.6 and such had truth in their hearts doing the Will of God from the heart and did draw near unto God with a true heart in full assurance of Faith having their hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and their bodies washed with pure water these did not profess the things of God in an old lying heart wherein dwelt no truth but called upon the name of the Lord with a pure heart and said that the end of the commandment was charity out of a pure heart and of a good conscience and of faith unfeigned from which some swerved in the Apostles dayes having turned aside unto vain jangling and such desired to be teachers of others but the doctrine is corrupt and the Mysterie of Faith is not held where the heart and conscience is not pure and the Lord is good unto such who be of a clean heart Now as concerning the Scriptures John Stelham's Testimony from the old lying heart wherein dwelleth no truth is this That the Scriptures are the Word of God and truly so called and the Letter and Scripture is all one as p. 3.4 but to contradict that himself he saith in p. 5. the Letter taken strictly is but legal administration using these words The Letter killeth i.e. the bare legal command without a promise of power or pardon as a bare Letter void of strength life and spirit it leaveth all men under a killing sentence and curse Let them that have understanding judge Again as concerning the Letter in page 6. he expresseth himself thus The Spirit is given by it And in the next words saith the Scripture is but instrumental to the Spirit Now mark the Letter taken strictly being legal without a promise of power or pardon void of strength life and spirit the Spirit to be given by this which he confesseth is void of strength life and spirit and is but instrumental to the Spirit whether this be not contradiction and confusion let them that read judge For in reading these things which he hath published many may seal to the confession of his own condition to be truth but that which he hath declared of the things of God to be false for now the Light being broken forth such doctrine cannot be received nor believed that thâ— Spirit is given by the Letter but that which is declared in the Letter was given forth from the Spirit vvhich vvas in them which spoke it forth but people may long have the Letter and think in it to find God and eternal life and may dye in
sound of Christ as a light hath never been heard where sin and iniquity is discovered but that which hath brought forth these things may well be called an untimely birth which ntver saw the Sun not never knew the light which Christ hath enlightned every man withall which cometh into the world for a little of this fruit doth manifest that tree from whence it springs so we shall judge the tree by it's fruits Another fruit from this tree is to give his testimony of the Law of Faith which is this How far the Law of Faith may be said to be written upon every mans heart is not given unto me to understand only this glimpse I have of it That it appears to have had an influence upon the heart of man by those sacrifices which were offered up to God before the publication of the positive Law wherein as well Cain as Abel offered sacrifices Gen. 4.4 Answ. This testimony doth not proced from the word of Faith in thy heart for that would give an understanding how the Law of Faith is written in the heart as well as how the Law of Works is written and this thy glimpse which thou sayes thou sees from the proposing of the promise and the influence which thou sayes thou seest upon the heart of man by the Sacrifices of Cain as wel as Abel offered unto God if this thy pretended light and glimpse which is so far of Christ be truly weighed and tryed it may prove but a vain vision and a divination of thy own heart as all who consider thy testimony of the Law of Faith in saying that the discovery thereof ariseth from what is without and that it had never been known nor never thought of nor never would it or could it rationally have come into the heart of man to have conceived such a thing but from the declaration of God in his promise Here it doth appear Faith is a mysterie to thee and thy eye hath not seen it nor the ear heard neither hath it entered into thy heart to conceive Faith in the working and operation of it And in that thou sayest well that it was not given thee to understand how it is written upon every man's heart and thou had done well if thou had not stretched thy self beyond the line of thy knowledge and understanding for thou thy self confessest that unto those first believers Abel Enoch Noah Abraham Isaac Jacob Moses David Daniel and the rest there was communicated unto them a Spirit of Faith and a Light sutable and proportionable whereby they were enabled to behold Christ who was the object of their Faith Then if it did arise from the Spirit of Faith within them the Light of Christ who was the Author of their Faith it did not arise from the Declaration of God in the promise without so that the mysterie of Faith vvhich is held in a pure conscience is yet to be learned vvhich vvas vvitnessed amongst the Saints So vvhen thou vvrites again of the Lavv of Works or the Lavv of Faith or the discovery vvhich the Lord maketh to his creature under the diversity of these administrations keep back to the measure of the gift of God and then vvil thy testimony be no larger then thy knowledge vvhich is a guilt hath spread over many in these days but this I say Blessed is the man which doth not condemn himself in the thing vvhich he allovveth and vvhich doth not destroy himself vvith the breath of his ovvn mouth but there is a generation which their own breath as fire shall devour them Again concerning the Light which every man is enlightened withal which is thy stumbling-block and rock of offence as it is unto all the rest whose deeds are evil Thou saist God hath not annointed it to that Work nor laid the weight of eternal salvation upon the shoulders thereof it being too weak for that service Answ. Him hath God annointed who is the Light of the World and hath enlightened every man that cometh into the World and there is no work of eternal salvation wrought but in the Light which every man is enlightened withal and this Light is of him and from him which bears the sins in his own body and is not too weak for that service which the Father hath given him to do and this Light is Christ. And whereas some say Hath every man Christ Every man hath Christ to save or to condemn him Christ is as truly the condemnation of those whose deeds are evil as he is the Saviour of them that believe and as those that believe in the Light are already saved by Christ so also those that believe not in his Light which he hath enlightned them withall are already condemned And so Christ is near unto every one to answer every mans work according to the nature of it whether he serve sin unto death or be found in the obedience of truth unto eternal life for now is the day appeared to try every mans Work of what sort it is and now are many offended because the Light is broken forth and their eye is evil because the Lords is good But wo unto the World because of offences if any have the Spirit of a King let him search out the cause of the offence which is now broken forth amongst the children of men that the enmity which is in all sorts of people of all professions should rise up together and become a body the wicked joâ—ning hand in hand preaching and printing and crying for unity which they are making up of enmity that they may be strong against that which the Lord hath now brought forth in his Light and Power to be Witnesses unto him in every place wheresoever he doth call them witnessing forth his Mercy and Truth by which iniquity is purged out and preaching the Gospel to every creature whereby they may come to the knowledge of the truth that they may be saved But in the World it is so come to pass in these days that he that can but give reviling terms and hard speeches against the Light which Christ hath enlightned every man withall calling it natural or insufficient and if they do but revile those whom they call Quakers and put this in the beginning of his Book then it passeth with toleration and hath as good approbation from the World as any of the Priests have for their Ministry but if any man begin to speak of the Light within and the Annointing within and the Word of Faith in the heart and of the Mystery of Faith in a pure conscience and of the sprinkling of the heart from an evil conscience and of believing in the Light as Christ said such a one speaking of these things and not directing his speech in open reproach against them called Quakers the peoples hearts will be fiâ—led with jealousies lest he be one So that even the Light is become a reproach unto them and their derision daily but the Lords hand is
over the world purifieth the heart and maketh man obedient and faithfull unto Goâ— as he lives in it till he hath fought the fight of it and overcome his spiritual enemy power of darkness which hath led man from his Maker into sin and transgression so as the gift of God did largely shew forth it self in the said servant of Christ by opposing and renouncing Errors stopping the mouths of and many times convincing gainsayers 3. And though his bodily presence and his speech to some seemed weak and contemptible yet we can in the truth bear witness that he was a man both of a solid spirit and quick understanding and delivered weighty things in his ministring as were felt by such as were unprejudiced who were impartial sober and staied in their spirits and the innocency and uprightness of his life and conversation so many have a certain knowledge and can give their testimony thereof that I shall need to say little as to that and he labored for peace unfeigned love and unity in the Truth amongst people witnessing against that spirit and those things in any which would either make division or cause offences or stumblings in any thing contrary to the Gospel of peace and salvation wherein the mystery of the everlasting and true fellowship consisteth and he truly preached the Cross of Christ and true judgment to such spirits as would live in a form and notion of Truth out of the life power and true obedience who though they may profess great matters in words and strain after high things in the carnal comprehension yet are but in the state of such as were dead as unto whom the Gospel hath in judgment beeâ— preached that they might be judged as men in the flesh buâ— live according to God in the Spirit as that follower of Christ and Minister of righteousness R. H. hath held forth who walked in his integrity to the Lord and â—â—tained his first love and habitation in the truth being over all such changeable spirits as would lead from it into any ways or things tending to be get prejudice division or offences in the minds contrary to thâ—â— pure love which stands in the living unchangeable Truth Anâ— this I must needs say touching that man that I never felt more of the presence and love of God accompanying him theâ— I did in that time we were sufferers and conversant togetheâ— in Newgate before his decease And he viz. R. H. was taken away in a time of suffering and tryal for the testimony of a good conscience being in the year 1662. in which many of the Lords people were under persecution especially in the City of London for the exercise of their tender consciences in meeting together in the worship of God as the Saints and true Christians in the Primitive times did and diverse others of the innocent and faithful servants of Christ who were sufferers upon the same account in Newgate London laid down their lives for the â—estimony of Jesus about that time as he did being for the most â—art taken weak and sick in prison and as was judged by the most part their hard imprisonment and deep suffering being crouded together in great companies the hot season in prison â—nd in holes was the occasion and beginning of their distemâ—er and sickness whereon they died before they were discharâ—ed of their imprisonment So as he nor they did suffer nor â—ere taken away for any evil-doing or in wrath or judgment â—ut in the peace and love of God as to them-ward having paâ—iently endured and faithfully finished their course with joy â—nd fulfilled their testimony in faithfulness as seeing him â—hat is invisible having received a crown of glory and life â—hose memorial lives with us and is for ever blessed and â—hus the Lord hath many times taken away the righteous â—â—om the evil to come who through faith have received a â—â—od report and left an everlasting testimony behind them And now blessed are all they that in faith patience and sinâ—â—rity do follow the Lamb unto the end whithersoever â—e goeth â—hether it be through tribulations persecutions or what sufâ—â—rings soever for such are they that keâ—p their habitations 〈◊〉 the power and love of God and such overcome by the blood 〈◊〉 the Lamb and the word of their testimony and shall reign â—ith Christ as victorious Conquerors in his everlasting kingâ—â—m over death and darkness and the power of it and such 〈◊〉 abide in the love of the Truth and Faith of Gods Elect do 〈◊〉 and witness that seed which God will exalt over the earth â—â—â—ore which he will root out and overturn his enemies that his 〈◊〉 plant may take deep root and spread to the ends of the 〈◊〉 And so all friends who have received the love of the Truth and the knowledg of the life and power thereof wherein is immortality to the faithful and obedient Be valiant for the Truth upon earth and live in true love unity and peace always minding and folâ—owing those things which make for peace and feel the true and constant love and fellowship in the Gospel of peace life and salvation And so blessings from on high will fill your hearts and the glory of the Lord will be your rereward in the everlasting inheritance of life with the holy seed which will out-live all its enemies and remain when the enmity of the wicked and the seed of it is removed and gone So the Lord exalt his Name and Truth and promote his Kingdom over all that is contrary to himself that he alone may have the glory and preheminence whose right it is G. W. Waltham in Essex the 27 of the 11 month 1662. Epist. pag. 4. lin 30. for attained read retained pag. 5. lin 16. for so as he read so as neither he Reader this following Testimony was given forth by our dear Friend Edward Burroughs before he finished his testimony by death for the Truths sake which I thought fit here to insert RIchard Hubberthorne was born in the North part of Lancashire and was of very honest Parents his Father was a Yeoman of the Country and had a good Report of his Neighbours for uprightnâ—sse in all his dealings and Richard was his onely Son who was inclinable from his youth upwards to Religion and to the best way always minding the best things and following the company of good men and was never known to be addicted to vice or malignity nor ever following any evil course of life from his Child hood but fâ—â—red the Lord and walked uprightly before him and 〈◊〉 faithful according to the Light and knowledge received in all things and his natural disposition temper was meek and lowly and loved peace among men he was brought up with his Parents in good education according to the custom of the Country and in time of the late Wars he was disposed ro go into the Army and was in Scotland most of the time till the Land was reduced and he
deceit in Westchester and of his free-will hath given me not only to belâ—eve but to suffer for his Name sake who hath called me out of my own Countrey and from my Father's House and to go in obedience to his command whithersoever he shall call me While I was young I girded my self and went whither I would and then I yeilded obedienâ—e to my own will and to the will of man and was a man-pleaser but the Will of God I knew not neither was obedient to his commands but when the Lord was pleased to reveal his Son in me and make known his Will unto me to enlighten me with his true Light which hath enlightened every one that cometh into the World and by it let me see my self to be a stranger to him and knew him not though I was grown mighty in the Aegyptians Wisdom and was in love with the World and in the favour of men and in a profession and words of man's wisdom exceeded others being in a form of godliness but was ignorant of his Power and his Word but when his Power was made manifest and his Word spoke within me which Word was in my heart and was as a fire or a hammer and this Word being made manifest within me my Conscience being awakened by the Light of God which did convince me of sin and did testifie against all my words and actions and that just judgments of God were revealed from Heaven against that Nature I lived in and the Trumpet of the Lord was sounded within me and the Earth did tremble and the Viâ—ls of the wrath of the Almighty were poured down upon me and the powers of the Earth were terribly shaken the foundation of Wisdom and Earthly Knowledge was shaken and the Judgements of God were upon the outward man and my flesh was wasted off my bones and the bones smote one against another and I knew the Lord to be terrible and this Word powerful in burning up and hammering down the lustful nature I lived in in pleasure and wantonness in pride and fulness which the Word of the Lord was declared against and this Word I witness spoken from the Lord 's own power within me which made my flesh and bones to tremble exceedingly and did cause pain in all my loyns and paleness of face my comeliness was turned into corruption and my joy into lamentation and I was brought to the bed of sorrows where I cryed out in the bitterness of my spirit and I had no ease nor rest day nor night for the hearing of the ear which I did hear and the sight of mine eyes which I did see I heard the sound of the Trumpet the Alarum of War within me terrors wo misery and destruction was upon me in my trouble I cryed in the evening Would God it were morning and in the morning Would God it were evening and the terrors of the Almighty being upon me my acquaintance and familiars stood a far off me for they knew not the power of the Lord nor the Judgements of my God which I do witness to be revealed and made manifest in me and the Lord raised up in me a love to his Word by which all the powers of the Earth did tremble and the Earth it self was shaken by it and by this Word was I called to go and declare it as I had received it from the Lord to those who lived in the same Heathenish nature without the knowledge of God and to declare the Judgements of God against sin and ungodliness as they were made manifest in me And by this Word was I called to forsake Father and Mother Lands and Living to go in obedience to the Lord who commanded me not to take thought what I should eat or what I should drink or wherewith I should be cloathed but cast my care upon him And this I witness the Lord's care and those whom the Lord calls into his Work and who labour in his Vinyard need not complain to the World for want And for yeilding obedience to the Lord and his commands and not giving obedience to the corrupt Will of man who commands me contrary to what the Lord hath commanded do I suffer under the persecution of those who are set in the place of Rulers and Magistrates professing themselves to be Ministers of the Law of England and to act Justice according to that Law and do bear the Names of Major Justices of Peace and Magistrates and say they act according to the Law of the Nation and present Government but they are seen to be in the generation of those who were ever persecutors of the righteous Seed where-ever it is brought forth and the Servants of the Lord in all ages were ever persecuted by that generation professing to be Ministers of Justice But that which is acted is cruelty persecution and injustice and the righteous suffer whom the Law was not made for but for the lawless and disobedient and was added because of transgression The righteous Law af God was to be inflicted upon transgressors breakers of the Law but the unrighteous Law of men is inflicted upon the righteous who walk blameless and are proved no transgressors but in obedience to the Lord do witness a good conversation towards God and towards men our consciences bearing us witness in the sight of God And those who are Rulers of the City and Rulers of the Synagogue under whom I suffer imprisonment say this is their Law That if I will home into my own Countrey aâ—â— to my Father's House and stay there and depart this City I may be free upon this account else I shall remain in prison And this is contrary to the command of the Lord for he hath commanded me out of my own Countrey and from my Fathers house but my own Countrey dwelling and Fathers house the World knows not that which I am called from they know the natural man knows that which is natural And this is contrary to the Law of the Nation for the Law of the Nation doth not confine any to stay at one place nor to be kept from any one City being proved no transgressors nor breakers of the Law But I seek a Country and City whose Builder and Maker is God and truly if I had been â—â—â—dful of the Country I came forth and did love the pleasures delights and flesh-pots of Egypt which I am called from I might have had opportunity to have returned thither but in obedience to the Lord I had rather suffer affliction with the people of God then enjoy the pleasures of Egypt And you who say I have no lawful calling I do witness the same Word of God the true prophets of the Lord were commanded by to declare against all sin and ungodliness by the same Word do I declare against it where I am commanded of the Lord and am called out of the same calling that they were into the same Work of the Lord that they were and so I do
believe they will and see your folly that under his Name whom thou callest Sir Robert Bindlosse under his name and patronage they may appear as a cover to veil their imperfections Therefore R. B. to thee I say Be wise and fear the Lord and run not on in the broad way with such a one who doth confess in his answer to the first query that he doth not attain the same knowledge and understanding of the Gospel as the Apostles attained Therefore thou R. Sherlock thy knowledge is brutish and thy understanding sottish as the Scripture saith for none knows the Apostles condition and knowledge but with the same understanding and in this thou deniest it and thou art in another knowledge and understanding and art in another doctrine and the true Gospel thou dost not know and thou art to be held accursed as the Scripture saith Gal. 1. And so here thou hast given satisfaction to many that stood in doubt though to all the children of light thou wast known and all things shall work together for good to them that love God Rom. 8. therefore R.B. take heed what thou sets forth under thy Name and Fathers for if thou see a thief and consent with him thou art guilty And R. Sherlock the Queries that were sent to thee thou callest them scrupulous and the Letter which was sent to thee as a Libel Why dost thou slander the innocent and simplicity but of thy generation we look for no other whose mouth is ful of slanders Thou slanderer in thy Epistle to the Lady thou slanderest privily under a colour who flatters her where thou art telling her of love stirs her up to envy as in p. 46. and incensing her and wouldst stir her up against them whom thou callest Quakers so thou might'st have as well have incensed her against Moses who was a Judge over all Israel quaked and David who was a King quaked so all that are vertuous will own us who deny opinions for them we deny and there thou art who livest in opinions and as thou speakest of some to strike at the root of many infections and errors which are overspread amongst you the Lord Jesus Christ hath raised up a Light in his children that they are striking at your root and laying open the deceits and bringing forth his own Work to his own praise And thou sayest All men do worship God and Christ with one heart and one mouth and after one manner is not onely decryed but also dismist our congregations and since the pale of Ecclesiastical Discipline is pulled down by whose coercive Laws all men were kept within the limit of the true Faith Here I charge thee to be a lyar Was the true Faith and the Worship of God maintained by an outward Law Thou Traytor have they pluckt down the true Faith and the Woship of God or your old Ceremonies Thou seducer how art thou tormented by that which hath pluckt down the traditions Tremble for the hand and sword of the Lord is against thee as it was against them thou dissembler and envious one the Law was not made for the Church which is the pillar and ground of truth which worships God in the spirit but for such envious persons as thou art who hast cleared thy Church Worship here from the true Church and Worship of God to the view of all honest hearts and thou art tormented because the freedom is given for the liberty of tender consciences to worship God his own way even in spirit and in truth as in John 4.23 24 And thou sayest Since under the name and priviledge of liberty of conscience licentiousness of opinion hath got footing And this thou seems to father upon the Magistrates We who are in the Light of Christ Jesus which doth exercise our consciences towards God and man all opinionâ— licentiousness we deny therefore thy mouth must be stopt O slâ—nderer which soweth dissention for since the Lord hath opened the Magistrates understanding with the Light of Christ in them the same light doth give freedom to the light in others consciences which worketh into tenderness of conscience teacheth to exercise a good conscience towards God man such Magistrates do not make a Law over the consciences of men which thou seducer brutish fellow wouldst have a law upon but the law is against such as thou art and so thou hast shewed thy self to be in the frantick state heresie which thou talks on and many such speeches as thou hast in thy Epistle to Sir R. Bindloss as thou callest him And whereas thou speakest of your church and hope your hope will perish your church and all who are in the Light will be ashamed of your church And thou art he who art of the Devil who dost promote lies and untruths which is of thy Father the Devil Joh. 8.4 but God is coming with his mighty power to chain thee up thy Father the Devil the old Dragon who is the Father of lyes and thou art one of his servants who blindeth the understandings of the people who are in the unbelief and seeks to poison their affections with vanities and lying slanders And in thy conclusion thou wouldst not have him to perish with the blind and giddy but if he follow such as thou art he doth follow both and in the ditch both will perish together And thou speaks to him of walking in the paths of the just and righteous and such thou privily slanderest and their way hatest thou who walkest in the steps of the wicked and with those that forget God and thou must be cut down with the sword of the Almighty God To that in thy Conscience I speak when thou art in the terror remember me for that in thy conscience wil condemn thee and witness me And Friend to the light in thy conscience I speak under whose Name this Book goes there is thy Teacher if thou lovest it which is the Light of Christ if thou lovest it it will teach thee as thou goesâ— up and down and shew thee the way of the just for it is just it will condemn thee if thou hate it And when the Book of Conscience is opened thou shalt witness what I speak that it's truth to thy soul. Pr. And whereas thou sayest You do neither pretend to any such sublime and eminent gifts neither do you nor ought you to depend upon any such immediate revelation but do use such means and helps which God in all ages hath afforded to people viz. by study and industry in the Schools of the Prophets Schools thou sayest they had at Bethel 2 King 1 3 5. And Elisha 's Colledge was so full that they enlarged it 2 King 6.1 1 Sam. 14 20. and upon the Hill of God 2 Sam 10.5 10. Rep. Here let all these Scriptures witness against thee that thou art no true Prophet no Minister of Christ who witnessed the end of the Prophets and were all taught of God which
opened which were blind and now in the Light of Christ the Way is seen which leads unto God the Father of Light and in it all false Prophets and false Teachers they do see and by them cannot be deceived who come in sheeps cloathing and are beautiful outwardly decked with the Saints words but inwardly ravening Wolves And now their covering comes to be taken of which was none of their own and now the Wolf appears ravening against the Lambs of God for the day hath made them manifest and of them the Lambs of God are aware and in innocency are preserved and in the pure Wisdom which is not of this World in it they see and comprehend the Serpents Wisdom subtilty craftiness and snares which for the righteous seed are laid but in the Eternal Light made manifest to the seed a way is seen out of them all and by the Eternal Power of the pure living God of life deliverance out of them all is witnessed Eternal pure living praises to him for evermore Given forth from the love of God to the souls of those who desire to know the truth to take away all stumblings and cut off all occasions from all minds that in the Light of Gheist the truth they may see to be clear from all slanders and false accusations which from the unclean spirits proceeds which goeth out of the mouth of the Dragon to devour the innocent but from the Dragon and all his Floods the innocent are preserved Given forth from him who a witness stands for the truth of God against all deceit R. H. Written from Mondlesham in Suffolk the 29. of the 3. Month 1655. The distance between Flesh and Spirit c. THis is the Word of the Lord to all people as I am moved of the Lord to clear the scandals and false accusations cast upon the righteous seed and as the seed of God in all generations have suffered reproaches from the World so now the same seed where it is brought forth suffers by this generation of evil doers and is afflicted and tormented and shamefully accused now in England whom you call Quakers And you say we deny all the Ordinances of Christ and you say we do not honor the Magistrâ—tes nor are subject unto Authority but are disturbers and breakers of the peace which is false The first accusation You say we deny Repentance Ans. And this is false for Repentance is the gift of God and this gift we have received and his free grace which teacheth us to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts Tit. 2.12 by repentance we have forsaken sin as it was discover'd to us by the Light of Christ which he hath enlightned us withall and so the mercies of God we have found according to his promise and are sent of the Lord to preach Repentance to all people who would have all men come to repentance and to the acknowledgement of the truth that they might be saved 2 Tim. 2.25 And with the Word of the Lord as they are moved of the Lord do many go now with this Doctrine into your streets into your markets into your synagogues and into your cities to call you to repentance before the wrath of the Lord come upon you and both sons and daughters now are sent to preach this Doctrine amongst you from the Lord and for obeying the Lord herein are they reviled by you and persecuted and falsly accused And thâ—s is left for a Testimony against you from the Lord and shall bear witness against you The second Accusation is That we deny Baptism Ans. The Baptism of Christ we own which all the Saints were baptized into which was by one spirit into one body as in 1 Cor. 12.13 and by this baptism we do witness the washing away of sin not onely the washing avvay the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience towards God But sprinkling of Infants vve deny which there is no Scripture for And all you who from your imagination do imitate Johns Baptism and so go into the vvater and say you are believers and have right to the Ordinances of Christ but you to be believers we deny vvho are not yet come to repentance and your Water-baptism vvhich is but an imitation from the letter for the Lord never sent you forth nor commanded you either to preach or baptize as they did vvhom you go about to imitate vvho are not yet come to repentance nor to the first principle of the doctrine of Christ nor to ovvn the light of Christ in your consciences which should exercise them and lead you to vvait upon God and lead you to repentance And the Faith of believers you know not for the mysterie of Faith is held in a pure conscience 1 Tim. 3.9 vvhich you cannot vvitness which hates the Light of Christ vvhich should exercise your consciences and so your minds and consciences are defiled and vvith that mind you talk of faith and of the Ordinances of Christ and of Water-baptism vvhich serveth unto us for a figure as the Apostle saith 1 Pet. 3 21. And Jesus Christ was baptized by John by water that he might fulfil all righteousness Mat. 3.15 And John was a Prophet and Christ is the end of the Prophets and Johns baptism was but a figure for he said he did but baptize with water but Christ is the end of all figures types and shadows and did fulfil them for he fulfilled all righteousness and Johns Ministry and Johns baptism and he that fulfilled all righteousness the same baptizeth which John did bear witness unto and all men came unto him Joh. 3 16 but he baptized none with water But this is a mysterie to thy dark mind which knows not the baptism of Christ nor Johns doctrine nor Jesus Christ the true Light which enlighteneth every one that cometh into the world vvhich John bore witness unto John 1.9 but goes to hold up the types and figures which Christ came to fulfil and so deniest Christ to be come in the flesh to fulfil all righteousness and so thou art an Antichrist who holds up the figures which Christ came to fulfil and so thou denies the Scriptures and Christ who said he came to fulfil all righteousness and the Saints baptism thou art ignorant of which is by one Spirit into one body 1 Cor. 12.13 And Paul who was a Minister of Christ and preached the Gospel did bring many into this baptism and he was not sent to baptize with water but to preach the Gospel and all the Churches which he preached unto came to witness Christs baptism with the Holy Ghost and with fire by one Spirit into one body and were baptized into Christ who was the head of the body Rom. 6.3 and by this baptism we are thus washed from all filthiness of flesh and Spirit but your imitated baptism of water we deny who live in your filthiness of flesh and spirit whose minds and consciences are defiled but the baptism of Christ we
prayer in the Spirit and who are moved by the Spirit morning or evening or at meals or otherwise and this is truth let J.S. gather what he can from it Further he saith If we teach one another why do we condemn them for teaching But to this I have answered Preaching or Teaching by the Spirit we own and without the Spirit we deny and because we say we own all that which is Gods as Baptisme the Lords Supper and Sabbath c. yet doth disown in practice their Water Baptisme and their form of breaking of Bread and Wine and their forms of Church fellowship and their form of keeping a Sabbath this he charges to be contradiction but it is not so in the sight of the Lord though I.S. falsely so judge it for their Baptism and breaking of Bread and Wine and their Church-fellowship and keeping of a day I say their exercise in these things we do deny to be of God as in measure is proved and may be further if need require and I say we own that which is Gods and which is led unto by his Spirit and practised in his fear and counsel yet we do deny all their Imaginations of any thing which God commanded doth own the command of God and yet doth not contradict our selves though I. S. falsely so judge of us Further he charges us with self-contradiction concerning speech and silence because we check some for speaking and yet speaks or writes our selves but this is the same with the former and the same answer will serve that speaking that which is not in the Spirit we check which is not the voice of Christ but of the stranger and yet doth own that which is spoken by the Spirit of God and herein doth not contradict our selves Further he saith We contradict our selves concerning Conscience and Laws because we say there must be no Law concerning Religion viz to bind any man to worship in this or the other way and to bind him from this or that way of Worship and yet in exhorting the Rulers that their Laws be according to that in the Conscience but in these words there is no contradiction for the Laws being according to the light in every mans Conscience that Law will not binde or limit the conscience from this or that way of worship in Religion for that Law is unjust which binds or limits the pure conscience of any man but that Law which is contrary to the light in every mans conscience is oppression and we bear witnesse against it and though we do say no Law must be laid upon Religion that is to say to binde any mans Conscience to or from such a form of Religion and though we further say that all just Law is and should be according to every mans Conscience yet in this there is no contradiction And whereas J.S. speaks of such Laws who persecuted prisoned and crucified for the testimony of a good Conscience God hath hewen down in all ages saith he Let the Rulers of England take notice of this from the mouth of one of their Teachers And further I adde so will God hew down in this Age all those Lawes by which many are persecuted and prisoned as he hath done in other Ages therefore let it be considered by them And he saith The Magistrate is not to level his Law with every mans conscience and light and this he speaks in opposition to us but he needs not for we say the same that some mens Consciences are defiled and we do not desire the Laws to be made according to mens several Opinions and defiled Consciences but according to the light of Christ Jesus in every mans Conscience which is but one in all and is according to the Law of God and every just Law will be according to it and though J.S. by his own meaning would make it appear Contradiction in our saying no Law must be concerning Religion and yet saying all Laws should be according to the light of Christ in the Conscience Now by these words we do not mean that we would have a Law according to Religion but no Law to limit to or from this or that manner of Religion And this doth very well agree with our saying Let all your Laws be according to the Light of Christ so by his misinterpretation of the first he makes it appear to be contradiction to the second but it is not in the light of the Spirit of God And further R. F. saying the Law of God answers his Justice and the Light of Christ in the conscience answers the Law of God which is perfect according to that in the Conscience these words J. S. charges with two Errors but let the Reader try where the Error lies and not believe J. S false deduction from R.F. plain words which are simply uttered though subtily wrested And J. S. speaks as if some would have Magistrates to make Laws to binde themselves from striking at Offenders Blasphemers Gospel and Church disturbers c. In answer to this We are not they that would have any Magistrates to bind themselves from striking at offenders who are truly able to judge of Offences we own that such should be punished according to the offence but the Magistrates Law reacheâ— but to the outward man to keep that in peace and good order and not to the inward man to binde or limit that And as for Blasphemy and Gospel and Church disturbing we find many Magistrates not able to judge thereof but many on the other side calling â—â—th blasphemy and reproving of sin in Teachers and people Gospel and Church disturbing and so by false judgment making such offenders which are not and so abusing their power and condemning the innocent rather than the guilty and these are such as J. S. speaks of where the strong man armed keeps the house and these are rather a terror to well-doers then to evil and such Magistrates and such Laws by which the just are oppressed and the hands of the wicked strengthened will the Lord confound in a day to the glory of his name and to the refreshing of all his People who are now every way oppressed by evil men both by Teachers and People And as for the rest of his Book it s but of the same nature with the former and not worth answering to onely his lyes I do deny and his first following is that all our doctrines are raised upon the ruines of the Scriptures excellency and authority this is false neither doth his proof at all make it good His second lye is that our corrupt Tenents are built upon false and novel Interpretations and this is two lyes together our Tenents are not corrupt neither do we build any thing which we hold upon false Interpretationâ— His third lye is that it is pride that hath bred and doth feed our Opinions and Practices and this is also false and to prove it hath wrested some of E. B. words His fourth lye is that unbelief
up in pride and that would do or say any thing for his hire he should bring those Scripture to plead for swearing and that lawfulnesse of oathes in all which the Apostle took God to witnesse his love to the Saints and labour in the work of his ministry signifying to all that understand how that he spoke the truth and did not lye and kept to his yea and nay according to Christs doctrine and did not swear at all Now further to prove swearing Lawful John Tombs brings This fifth argument That which hath a necessary use for the benefit of humane society is not unlawfull but some swearing hath a necessary use for the benefit of humane society ergo Answ This argument is thus disproved and both the major and minor to be false For to break any command of Christ is of no necessary use for humane society but to swear any oath is to break his command ergo For Godlinesâ— is profitable unto all men in all their societies bat he that swears goes from Godlinâ—sse into ungodlinesse and trangression which trangression is of no use nor service amongst Christians so that John Tombs might as well have thus stated his Argument that to break Christs command is of benefit to humane society therefore to break Christs command is lawfull c. and might thus have proved it that excâ—pt we break Christs command we cannot preach for hire nor sue men at the Law for tythes nor live in pride ease and vanity nor keep our places of profit and benefit which is necessary for our society of Priests ergo But we whose eyes God hath opened do see that all his book tends to the perswading of people to swear when Christ hath said Swear not at all and that which he now would swear for again he vvould svvear against for the same advantage profit vvhich he hath in his eye yea or he vvould persvvade all men not to svvear and bring Scripture to prove it upon the same account so that vvhat he doth in this kind is because of advantage for tvvo years since he did not preach this doctrine nor vvrite those arguments Novv it being proved that the follovvers of Christ and believers in him are not to svvear at all then all those promissory oaths upon vvhich John Tombs hath grounded his other propositions is not to be taken But again to prove an oath of supremacy to King Cesar he brings the example and rule of Christ and argues thus If the Lord Christ in the dayes of his flesh did ackovvledge Cesar as supreme Governor in his dominions and did subject himself to his jurisdiction in ansvvering before the Roman Deputy and vvas obedient to his parents real or supposed then all Christians even the highest Ecclesiastical Prelate should be subject to the King as supreme Governor in his Dominions and for proof of this he brings Mat. 22 21. vvhen the Pharisees shevved sus the Tribute money Christ bid them Give unto Cesar that vvhich vvas Cesars unto God the things that are Gods so then it vvas the tribute money that vvas due to Cesar but doth this prove that Christ did swear or vvas any example of svvearing to Cesar or account Câ—sar the head of the Church Ruler in Ecclesiastical things so that this Scripture proves the contrary then for that which thou brings it for those Pharisees that brought the money to Christ said they knew that be respected no mans person but taught the way of God in Truth so then if Christ be our example and rule in this then to the supream King or Kings we must not respect their persons but give them their due which is that tribute whâ—ch hath their own superscription upon it and we must teach the way of God in Truth give unto God the things which are Gods which is all honour glory and rule in spiritual matters and give to Châ—ist alone the prâ—heminence which is head of his body which is his Church and we must not swear at all neither for nor against any man for Christ did not swear neither for nor against Cesar and we must live peaceably with all men nor envy nor fight for nor against any man and this is quite contrary to what Jo. Tombs would perswade people or to what he understands from the Scripture which would make people believe that Christ was an example of the oath of supremacy to Cesar so that people may well be blind ignorant who hath such Teachers But we also shall follow the example of Christ as 1. Tim. 6 13. who did witnesse a good confession before Poâ—tius Pilate and this is a good confession before any King or Ruâ—er now to say that we have obeyed the Truth from our heart and have not broken the Commands of Christ by swearing for or against any neither have we transgrest the example of Christ in respecting any mans person neither do we in our hearts envy any man King Ruler or people but hath love even to our enemies and can do good to them that hate us and can pray for them that persecute us and do desire and daily labour that all men might come to the knowledge of the Truth that they might be saved And this good Confession we can witnesse before the King or any in Authority and say that God is our witnesse and our Conscience also bears us witnesse in the sight of God as the Apostle did and we can say also that we speak the Truth before God and lye not for our eyes is not blinded with gifts and rewards neither have we taken Oath Covenants nor Protestations for Parties Powers or Religions but since we knew the way of Christ we have walked in it and kept to his Commandement Oath which is yea nay in all things so have not entred in condemnation with those that are given to change but the unchangeable Priest the unchangeable Covenant and unchangeable Law hath been our Rule and of this we need not be ashamed but in Gods power and Authoritie can we hold up our heads when others do bow down their backs alwayes crouching under every power and change of Government as Davids enemies did Psal. 69.23 for that is their place condition as the Apostle doth witness Rom. 11.10 Again Jo. Tombs saith that Paul a Saint was subject to the judgement of Cesar and appealed to him then he acknowledged him supream c ergo Answ. Paul was a Prisoner for the word of God and testimony of Jesus and appealed to Cesar for justice because he was unjustly accused and had not done any thing worthy of bonds or of death therefore according to their Law he ought to be set free but Paul did not call Cesar the supream head of the Church and chief Ruler in Ecclesiastical things for if Cesar had been the supream head of the Church of which Paul was a member he would have needed but little appealing unto for setting of him at liberty but in such
Arguments as Tombs hath used is manifest the ignorance of foolish men wherein their folly appears to all men as the Scripture saith 2 Tim. 3.9 And whereas thou sayest that there is holy and harmlesse Christians and many upright soules whose Consciences are very tender and many godly persons that have excepted against that Oath and the lawfulness of taking of it as fearing it may take away the liberty of their Consciences which is dearer to them then their lives Ans. These that are so are in a better condition then thy self and to such thy ministery if received would beget them from their holy and harmlesse state into trangression of Christs command and from the tendernesse of Conscience into hardnesse of heart and now to answer their objections thou tells them that it was imposed for excluding of the Popes jurisdiction c. if so why doft thou preach it up to be imposed upon the holy harmlesse godly Christians who are redeemed from the Popes power and jurisdiction and is come into the doctrine of Christ and into the life of Christ which is out of all such Oaths Thou art a miserable Comforter to tender Consciences but thy end is seen therefore thou canst not deceive many but for those that thou hast before mentioned who are holy harmless upright and godly which are tender of an Oath they ought to be thy Teachers who thy self art far from righteousness or tenderness of Conscience therefore for thee it is a shame to be an imposer of Oaths upon tender Consciences who professest thy self a Minister of Christ who did forbid all swearing and his Ministers did preach against it and said Above all things swear not at all lest they fall into condemnatien and not into the obedience to Christ's command therefore they that fear God will turn away from such 2 Tim. 3.5 Now saith John Tombs the grand objection against swearing is our Saviour words Mat. 5.34 35 36 37. and Jam. 5.12 which words saith he doth seem expresly and fully to forbid any swearing at all excluding some sorts of Oaths by name and the rest by general terms that our communication should be yea yea nay nay and what is more cometh of evil or of the evil one yet saith he We must of necessity find out a limitation of the speeches as we do and the limitation is this that is frequent vain light prophane unnecessary customary passionate swearing or in secular matters of no importance in these Scriptures are forbidden Ans. Indeed it doth plainly appâ—ar that thou must of necessity either disprove Chrisâ—'s words or else deny thy own seeing they are contrary the one to the other so therefore thou saist that it was those oaths abovementioned that was forbidden by Christ and the Apostles And I shall shew it plainly that thou hast no necessity to limit Christs words to vain and prophane swearing but only that thou wouldst have thy words true and his false for Christs words in Mat. 5. doth not intend such Oaths for he speaks of the true Oaths which was used among the Jews and such Oaths as Christ told them they were to perform for it was not said in old time that they should perform vain light prophane unnecessary customary and passionate oaths but such as they were to perform betwixt the Lord and them the solemn vows covenants which they made in old time to their Kings and one unto another the Christians now by the command of Christ was not to swear these Oaths neither any Oath true nor false so that Christ is not to be limited to intend vain Oaths when as for instance Christ mentions the Jews swearing who was in the Commandment who did deny all vain customary false and passionate swearing so that Jo. Tomb's limitation is taken away and Christs meaning must be as large as his words which is not to swear at all by any Oath but to keep to yea and nay in all promises professions and engagements upon all occasions and so to keep out of the condemnation whereby all peoples consciences may be kept clean to the Lord in all things and they brought to the exercise of a good Conscience for the Lord is now teaching his people himself and bringing them to obey the doctrine of his Son in which they may find peace for their souls and not to be in bondage unto such Teachers as are given to change with every Government who preach as the false Prophets did for handfuls of barley and pieces of bread such are they who preach the lawfulness of swearing or sinning against Christs command but the Lord hath made them manifest and is redeeming his Elect and Chosen from amongst such who have made a prey upon people and fed upon their sins but not upon the life which the Saints was in An Answer to a Book called A just Defence and vindication of Gospel-Ministers and Gospel-Ordinances Put forth by J. G. in which he prâ—tends an Answâ—rs to E. B's Tryaâ— of the Ministers and other things against the Quakers But on the contrary hath manifested that he is altogether ignorant of the Gospel-Ministry and Ordinances as will appear to him to him that reads this Answer with desire to understand the Truth and so to receive satisfaction And instead of clearing the truth in any particular he hath falsly charged God Christ the Holy Spirit the Primitive Churches and the Quakers with such thingt of which they were never any of them guilty as will appear in the following Testimony Given forth from him who desires the edification and satisfaction of all in things appertaining to the Kingdom of God R. H. Psal. 59. The Workers of iniquity have no knowledge there is no faithfulness in their mouth their inward part is very wickedness and with their words they shew forth the same WHatsoever is written or acted against the Truth and those that walk in it is but a fulfilling of the Scripture of Truth which saith The way of the wicked is darkness and they know not at what they stumble Prov. 4.19 although the stumbling-stone be the Light the Foundation of many generations in rejection of which many go about to build and would be approved one of which I shall here mention John Gaskin who would defend and vindicate the Priests their Preaching Practice and Maintenance though contrary unto Christ his Apostles his Light and his Words declared in Scripture as will appear And first That his Testimony may be received he begins in an appearance of feigned humility and begging of Pardon for his slâ—ps and impertinencies and rudeness of stile used against the Quakers saying his work is not with Eloquence nor Humane Arts. In the examination of which we do find that he hath often slipped and used much impertinency of speech and rudeness of stile and neither Eloquence Spirituality or true Humanity in his Works many of which being so plainly seen to all is accounted not worth printing again But something here is mentioned
fruit and when they had gathered a Flock might eat of the Milk when they had sown spiritual things amongst a people they had power to eat and power to drink and so it was ordained that they who preached the Gospel should live of the Gospel but it was not ordained that those who preached the Gospel should live by forced maintenance or by making merchandize of mens Goods Estates of which the Priests in England for which thou writest this defence are guilty Again thou goest about to defend the Priests sprinkling of Infants saying It is a sign or seal of salvation page 64. Ans. If this be true that all children thus sprinkled with water have the seal of salvation by the resurrection of Jesus Christ and are by this baptism made partakers of Grace and united into the Church as Members of the Church why do you say both Priests Professors that there is no falling fâ—om grace Have not many been so engrafted into the Church received that seal whom you now call Hereticks and Deceivers Why do you so confound one principle with another For we have been already so engrafted into the visible Church and made partakers of that Grace which you say it 's impossible to fall from And thou bring'st Calvins words which saith That although there be but a little water cast upon our heads yet notwithstanding it is not a vain figure for the Heavens are opened upon us and God speaks in it as it were from Heaven and Christ is there present with his blood as Witnesses of the usage and operation of the Sacrament and saith Baptism is a token and proof of our cleansing or a seal and character whereby God confirmeth unto us that all our sins are cancelled and abolished and that they may never be rehearsed nor imputed So then by this he that hath a little water cast on his head he hears God speak in it Christ being present with his blood washes away all sin and this is a proof of his cleansing So why dost thou and the Priests speak and write against us as being fallen from Grace and departed from the Truth seeing we have received as wel as you the seal of the Covenant and proof of clâ—ansing and cannnot faâ—l from it if your doctrine be true But as for sprinkling Infants thou hast not brought one Scripture to prove it but saist Baxter against Tombs hath proved it and quotest Calvin and Beza as if their words were plainer proof for thy purpose than any Scripture for there is no Scripture without invented consequences that is a precept for it and when thou hast wearied thy self canst not prove it thou saist whatsoever may be proved from the Scripture by consequence to be the scope and meaning of the Scripture is sufficient proof p. 73. Again thou askest us a question To shew thee one command or example in the Scripture for the baptizing of those that are grown up whose Parents one or both were Christians by professing the Gospel of Christ. Ans. If thou knew the Scriptures or didst weigh thy own words it would stop thee from asking such foolish and unlearned Questions for thou self thy confessest that those which were grown up were baptized and that they had also received the holy Ghost before they were baptized and as for them or their Parents being called Christians by their profession many believers were baptized and followed Christ before the Name Christian was given to them as thou maist read Acts 11.26 that after much people was gathered and so became Churches they were first called Christians at Antioch so whatsoever their Parents were called by profession that is nothing to that which thou art about to prove sprinkling of Infants But to conclude thy proof for Infants Baptism thou quotest Rob. Brook who thou saist hath read more Ecclesiastical Histories to find out the rise and beginning of the baptism of Infants in the Church of Christ then all the Quakers and yet he could never find the beginning of it So here all this while thou hast pleaded for that which thou knowest not who was the first Author of and so thou hast run out thy self into meer ignorance but that thou maist be informed and made wiser then thy Teachers and thy learned Readers of Ecclesiastical Histories I shall shew thee the beginning of that Baptism and who first invented holy Water In the reign of Pope Alexander was holy Water first invented Water mixed with Salt and by the saying of these words We bless water mixed with Salt among the People that all men sprinkled therewith may be sanctified and purified and this we command all Priests to do as Pliny writeth And herby thou mayest know the first Father or Inventer of this your practice the Pope and not the Apostles so when thou writes again do not so undervalue all the Quakers as thou hast done in this thy Book as to say that they dare not read Latine Books nor have read Histories and thou saist we count it a sin for Ministers to learn Latine but these are but false aspersions for we do not account it sin to learn Latine Greek or Hebrew neither are we afraid to read them but we do so far read and know them that we have found out the Priests deceit by pretending that of the Tongues which they had not and though you preach and practice that which you know not where it had its beginning yet vve knovv hovv deceit came in and how it hath overspread you with darkness and ignorance and because you see not therefore you judge us to be blind but the Light of knowledge is arisen in which we see before the Pope his holy Water mingled with Salt or sprinkling Infants was and see the beginning and end of those dark inventions and our Doctrine and Principles tend to the bringing of people to know a true living Foundation for all their practices and that the darkness of Popery and traditions of men may not always keep people in blindness to practice the Popes inventions instead of the Apostles and Christ's Doctrine who by the bright shining of his Light is leading people to his baptism which is by one spirit into one body by fire and by the holy Ghost such can no longer be kept in that which doth not so much as wash away the filth of the flesh but comes to the answer of a good conscience witnesseth the baptism which saveth as the Apostle Peter saith 1 Pet. 3.21 such are come to the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost Again to fill up thy book thou hast charged many false things upon us so findst thy self work by enlarging thy lyes one after another As first thou sayest some of us have affirmed that Christ did never arise from the grave and that his body is rotted within the grave and that some of us have made a mock of his Doctrine of Justification by the imputation and the
there was the like example But these was warned in their day not to persecute the innocent nor to uphold those that preached for filthy lucre who served not the Lord Jesus Christ but their own Bellies But they hearkned not to the Counsel of the Lord but shut their ears against his Instructions therefore was their day taken from them and their Power given to another that they also might be tryed 2 In the year 1653 a Council of State was called by O C. but they did nothing to take off the weight of oppression in the Nation neither in Spiritual nor Civil things for Pride and the deceitfulnesse of Riches entred into their hearts that they did not regard nor set themselves wholly to do that which the Lord did require them although they were warned of God in their time yet the Yoke of the oppressor was not taken away but under it the Nation groaned and they wrought no deliverance in the earth III. Then the Little Parliament sat in the same year and there was a plant of Righteousnesse tending towards some equity and freedom springing up in them but the strength of deceipt and subtilty in others did quench it before it brought forth any thing to perfection and in that time the Priests fierce persecuting Zeal was so inflamed that many Petitions from several parts of the Nation was presented against the Quakers to the Parliament and their continual clamor Petitions and Addresses and they being not regarded and harkned unto was one cause of the continuance of the Nations bondage and oppression and God never prospered such as received them into their Councils or gave heed to their reports but a Curse and Destruction alwaies followed them in their undertakeings whose ear was open unto such things And in the time of his Power and Government was persecution continued about Religion though much was pretended to the contrary they also were warned and wisely counselled in their day and so was left without excuse IV. Again in the same year was O C. made Protector who had his day and power in his hand to have done good and to have done that which he and others pretended but he joyning with the covetous Priests and their Interests to make his arm strong thereby betrayed the Lord and his People into the hands of sinners And instead of removing Persecution he caused new Acts to be made to Persecute by and so brought a Curse upon himselfe and Family and Tribulation upon those that trusted in him And the Lord did often visit him with reproofs and instructions untill he hardened his heart agâ—inst all reproof and then was he given up of the Lord and of his People to his appointed end as an Example to all Hypocrites and Treacherous ones V. Again his second Parliament was called and fat in the year 1654. In their daies was not the Land eased not freed from its bondage and when they had let in the Priests Spirits and was incensed against the Truth and intending to make Laws to Persecute then were they broken and their power taken from them who in their day was warned but did not the thing which the Lord required of them VI. Oliver's 3d. Parliament which consisted of two Houses sat in the year 1657. they more than any of the rest did draw back into that which they had declared against and they let in the Priests Persecuting Spirit and made Laws for Persecution and many were Imprisoned in the time of their Government because for Conscience sake they could not pay Tithes to the Hireling Priests and because they could not Swear contrary to Christs command Mat. 5. And they had many warnings and admonitions from the Lord which they rejected and so the Lord rejected them as from doing his work VII Then Richard Cromwell in the year 1658. was made Protector whom the Priests flockt to as their Rock of defence that he as their Joshua might lead them into their promised Land which was but a Benefice of Tithes or Augmentation their prayed for Inheritance and they told him that the Gospel was bound up in him and so did cleave unto him by Flatteries as they did unto all the rest before him for their own ends but the suffering seed of God which could not Flatter him was not set free who freely declared unto him the word of the Lord and instructions from the Almighty before his day was over VIII And again his Parliament sate in the year One thousand six hundred fifty nine they continued and did not free the Sufferers and imprisoned ones who suffered onely for the worship of their God and for the exercise of a good Conscience but they went on swiftly in the way of their destruction to impose Worships upon people and to decree unrighteous Decrees and upon that Rock of Religion they were broken as others had been before them though they were exhorted to righteousness and told of the evill that did come upon them IX The ninth Government was again the Long-Parliament who came in with great pretences and resolutions and protestations to make this Nation a Free-Common-wealth not onely in Name but in Nature And they begun well and to call the prisoners up to London who suffered for Conscience sake and freed some of them and many of them intended to take away that great Oppression of Tithes whereby much deceit and many dâ—ceivers are held up in the Nation and then the Priests rage was kindled against them and they cursed them in their pulpits and preached up War against them and themselves get Horses Pistols and Swords to fight for their Tithes and Maintenance and when they were routed then they again petitioned the Parliament some begging pardon and some pleading not-Guilty and the Parliament was so blind that upon their Dissimulation they let in the Priests again and begun to gratifie the Priests and establish Tithes and then the wrath of God broke forth against them and their Destruction was prophesied of and told them that it should shortly come upon them as it came to pass because they would not receive the Lords Counsel in their day X. Then the Army and Committee of Safety so called had the Power and Government in their hands which they did not improve as they might have done for the liberty of the Subjects neither did they receive that counsel from the Lord which would have opened their understandings how to have ruled for him but with corrupt reasonings among themselves perverted one another and confounded their own work reasoning out the good and honest intentions of some that was amongst them until they all became as a heap of Confusion and their work broken to pieces A just reward of their own devices and following the counsels of their own hearts neglecting the Advice of that Spirit of righteousness which should have led and also established them in the work of the Lord in the Nation so as unworthy and disobedient were they cast out XI Then again the Long-Parliament