must have Tythes paid them as they were then all that Law say they is abolished since Christ came in the Flesh save that sweet morsel of Tythes which is so pleasant to their pallat like Achan's wedge of Gold and Babylonish Garment Josh 7.21 which they covet as much as he did and would save alive as Saul did the King of the Amalekites and the best of the spoyl as Sheep Oxen and Fatlings c. 1. Sam. 15.9 even so they would have Tythes kept up above all the rest of the Ordinances Ceremonies and Services of the first Tabernacle and that shadowy Dispensation Tythes is the sweetest of all many of the rest would be trouble and cost to them and diminish their Revenue So these they confess to be abolished and why not Tythes say I Of what institution was Tythes Or for what term more then the rest that they must not be abolished with the rest I know no cause but the reasons aforesaid crept in amongst their Ancestor or Mother the Church of Rome in the Night of Apostacy Then again there is that in Luke 11.42 where Christ said Wo unto you Scribes and Pharisees c. from which they infer that Christ allowed the payment of Tythes under the Gospel indeed so say I that Christ there allowed the payment of Tythes the Scribes Pharisees being as under the Law but not under the Gospel its true he condems them for the neglect of weightier matters as Judgment c. may not I accordingly condem both Priest and People now he said they Strained at a Gnat and swallowed a Camel may not I say so now to them that makes so much ado about Tythes and neglects things of greater weight as departing from Iniquity as Swearing Lying Coveting Stealing Oppressing Defrauding Cozening Drinking Cheating Adultery Fornication and many more things of greater weight walking in disobedience to what God hath manifested by his Light in their Consciences doing that which they ought not and leaving undone what they ought they are at best but like the Pharisees Sticking at the outside things as Tythes Ordinances of the Church so called Conformity and the like Traditions required by Men but never shew so much zeal and diligence to keep their Consciences clear and to observe what is required of them by the Lord they 'll pretend a great zeal for the Church and Government c. but when appears so much zeal for God and the keeping of his Commandments and of loving him with all their Heart But to come more positively to the point of his allowing of Tythes in this place I say I grant it for they were then under the Law and the Law was but a fulfilling For he came not to destroy the Law but to fulfill it which he did observe in the dayes of his Flesh untill he had offered up himself a perfect and everlasting Sacrifice then he said It is finished then came in the Second Covenant and took place of the First it being disanulled the Second was Established when his Blood was shed by which Salvation was obtained For without shedding of Blood there is no Remission So may not we as justly Condemn then the Tything Priests and other fiery Zelots in our Age who is so Exact for their Tythes as if Salvation depended in that particular and is very negligent in seeking after Righteousness Piety and Reformation of Life but contrarily if any seek after God or the knowledge of his Way and Truth then they cry out of such with open mouth as Fanatick Schismaticks Seducers Erroneous persons who seek to be Wiser then their Forefathers What is become of them say they that the Way and Worship that served them cannot serve you but you must have a new Way of your own contrary to Church and State I now remember some of the same Spirit said to the Apostles They were setters up of strange Gods bringers in of new Doctrine turners of the World upside down away with them they Taught the People against the Law and the Customs of the Place and People they were not worthy to live so that I see by experience They that live after the Flesh persecute those that live after the Spirit in every Age but I shall not here insist but as I have said before to that of Luke he spoke to them that was yet under the Judaical Laws but so am not I and was a fulfilling them as appears elsewhere by his saying to John about Baptism Suffer it to be so now for so it becomes us to fulfil all Righteousness so he was but a compleating that Dispensation but when he came to suffer and was lifted up upon the Cross he said It s finished then he put an end to all the Ordinances of the First Tabernacle and brought in the Second the unchangeable Priesthood which stands for ever after the Order of Melchisedeck Thus much for Tythes as they were due under the Law and no where else and as they were an Ordinance amongst the Jews only in the Land of Canaan and no People else for it s said He gave his Statutes and his Judgments to Israel to every Nation he did not so but I am no Jew therefore not under that Law but rather of the Stock of the Gentiles as is believed and Tything among the Gentiles I never yet read of and Christ the end of the Law for Righteousness sake and the Heart and Life of what the Law figured out being come neither Jews nor Gentiles ought to be any longer under Shadows and Figures c. But again when their claiming of Tythes by vertue of the Mosaical Laws is overturned and will not hold plea Jure Divino as they say then they betake them to another that is Jure humano or The Civil Laws of this Nation by which Laws say they Tythes is established and setled to them say the Priests by vertue of their Place and Office as a most competent Livelyhood for them and their Families In answer whereunto I say that the radix and grand Original property of this Title and Claim did and doth still arise from the Mosaical or Levitical Law which is disanulled and done away in Christ as is before proved and hence they are accounted a Spiritual propriety and therefore a pretended Spiritual or Ecclesiastical Law and Court is kept and appointed by Episcopal Authority within their several jurisdictions distinct from their Civil Laws only for the tryal and recovery of Tythes and such other matters as they account Spiritual and this Levitical Institution is the sole Basis and Foundation upon which their Civil Law depends and the Foundation being taken away the Structure or Building falls so that being disanull'd in Christ the Civil Law hath no more power so that the Title of Tythes is lost Now again every Law is or ought to be grounded upon Equity and sound Reason and Righteousness and for some conscientious and pious honest end and purpose as the Preamble to all Laws do
pour you out a Blessing c. But your words have been stout against me saith the Lord ye have said It is in vain to serve God and what profit is there in keeping his Commandments and in walking humbly before him And therefore ye count the proud happy and sets up them that work wickedness and those that tempt God are delivered Now the next place which some account as formidable as all the rest is Luke 11.42 Christs own words saying Wo unto you Pharisees ye Tythe Mint and Rue and all manner of Herbs and neglect and pass over Judgment and the love of God these things ye ought to have done and not to have left the other undone These are the main grounds being under the Law of the first Covenant upon which the Ordinations Titles Claims and Propriety of Tythes do or ever did arise or spring and upon which all the Disputes Acts Decrees Laws and Tryals at Law Differences and Sufferings of what kind soever do originally arise and descend by which the reader may observe the rise and institution of Tythes and the end thereof and the observation of them from Moses or the Levitical Law downwards till Christ the end of the Law for Righteousness sake to all them that believe Rom. 10.4 I shall now proceed to give my Reasons whereupon I deny the Payment of Tythes First The Reader may take notice of the Institution of Tythes and by whom Here is Moses the Servant and Prophet of the Lord who was faithfull in all his House and was a Witness through Faith of those things which should afterward come to pass Hebr. 3.3 4. this was he whom the Lord chused and sent into Egyt for a Prophet Prince and Deliverer to the Children of Israel Exod. 3.10 Acts 7.34 35. and having brought them to Mount Sinai the Lord spake unto Moses saying Tell the Children of Israel You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on Eagles Wings and brought you to me Now if you will hear my Voice indeed and keep my Covenant then ye shall be my chief Treasure above all People though all the Earth be mine and ye shall be to me a Kingdom of Priests and an holy Nation Then Moses proposed to them what the Lord had said to him and the People answered unanimously All that the Lord hath Commanded we will do and Moses reported their words unto the Lord Exod. 19.3 4. c. So the Lord calling Moses and Aaron only up into the Mount said I am the Lord thy God that have brought thee out of Egypt c. Thou shalt have no other Gods besides me and he delivered to them his Precepts and his Law by the dispensation of Angels Exod. 20. c. Also he commanded them not to make unto themselves gods of silver or gold verse 23. Then he commanded Moses to make an Altar of Earth or Stone whereon to offer the burnt-offerings and peace-offerings c. And see saith he that a Tool be not lifted up upon it verse 24.25 Then he delivered to him the Temporal or Civil Laws Exod. chap. 21 22 23. c. So Moses wrote all the Laws and erected them an Altar under the Mount and Twelve pillars according to the Twelve Tribes of Israel and sent of the Children of Israel who offered Burnt-offerings Beaves and Peace-offerings c. and with half of the Blood he sprinkled the Altar and the rest he put in Basins And he read the Laws and all the words of the Lord to the People who said All that the Lord hath said we will do and be obedient So Moses sprinkled all the People with the Blood and said Behold the Blood of the Covenant which the Lord hath made with you touching all these things Chap. 24. Then the Lord called Moses up into the Mount saying I will give thee Tables of Stone and a Law and Commandments which I have written that thou mayst Teach them to the People And Moses took his Minister Joshua and went up and Moses was in the Mount forty Days and forty Nights and God spake unto Moses to speak unto the Children of Israel that they should offer unto the Lord an offering of Gold Silver Brass Purple Scarlet and fine Linnen Oyl and Spices and precious Stones c. And that they should make the Lord a Sanctuary that he might dwell amongst them and that it should be according to the express Pattern shewed to him and also that he should make an Ark in which the Testimonies of the Covenant should be placed describing the fashion of the Tabernacle and the Order Place and Fashion of all the appurtenances thereunto belonging every thing was to be made placed and erected according to the express Patern shâ—wn to him in the Mount chapters 25 26. Mark what I say Moses having read the Law and the Book of the Covenant in the audience of the People they said All that the Lord hath said will we do and be obedient chap. 24.7 8. Then he took the Blood of the Covenant having with the one half sprinkled the Altar with the other half he sprinkled the People and the Covenant was confirmed for almost all things were by the Law purged with blood and without shedding of Blood is no Remission Hebr. 9.22 mark here is the establishment of the first Covenant which stood in meats and drinks and divers washings and carnal Ordinances which was imposed untill the time of Reformation Hebr. 9.9 10. mark here again which was but a Figure for the time then present and could never make the Comers thereunto perfect as pertaining to the Conscience But Christ being come an High Priest of good things to come mark by a greater and more perfect Tabernacle that is not made with hands nor not of this building I say also Christ Jesus being come who was the end of the Law for Righteousness sake to all that believe and the Substance of all Shadows Antitypes and Figures he hath brought in a more excellent Ministry being a Mediator of a better Covenant established upon better Promises wherefore coming into the World he saith Sacrifices Offerings and Burnt-Offerings for sin thou wouldest not which are offered by the Law but a Body thou hast prepared as it is written Lo I come to do thy Will O God by the which Will we are sanctified saith the Apostle mark He taketh away the first that he might establish the Second Now if the First Covenant had been faultless there should no place have been for the Second but finding fault with them under the First Covenant and why because it was not possible that the blood of Bulls and Goats should take away sins for in those Sacrifices there was yea and is a remembrance of sins every year so that the Commers thereunto is not made perfect so finding fault with them he saith Behold the days come that I will make a new Covenant with the House of Israel and with the House of Judah not
Belial and also what becomes of the Posterity of many of the Priests that are gone are they not already in many pâ—ces crouching for pieces of silver and morsels of bread yea even to such as their Fathers persecuted search and see if it be not so But to proceed this not answering his desire and end more mischief resting in his heart against me he cited me to the Bishops Court but for what I know little save that he himself said for all manner of Tythes since he became Incumbent in that place notwithstanding what was done as aforesaid his Libel I never got they commonly being Scrools of Lyes so the Court proceeded to Excomunication whereupon he procured a Writ called Excommunicate Capiendo and thereby cast me into Prison about the latter end of the seventh Month 1663. where I have continued these four years during all which time he never did so much as give me a visit in my Prison-house nor never laboured to convince me or regain me either by exhortation information or instruction c. as is provided and enjoyed in the Articles to be enquired of in their Visitation read Article the 10th concerning Ministers duty to Popish Recusants and other Sectaries nay he would never so much as allow me a fair sober Discourse to reason the case or matter in difference but when I have met with him having sometime gone to his house is soon as ever my judgment differed from his or that I either opposed or questioned any thing he said or held out forth-with he broke into passion and fury sometime buffetting me with his fist as he hath often done both to his own hearers and others other times calling me rogue and rascal with such like vilifying tearms in great fury Threatening he would humble me c. But still all this not answering his ambitious spirit and covetous ends he yet deviseth more mischief and presently he casts about to compass my little parcel of Land as Ahab did Naboth's yea worse then Ahab for he never profered me the rate in money 1 Kings 21.1 2. c. I read Ahab being sad and dejected because of Naboth's answer Jezebel his Wife could soon cure that malady saying to Ahab what art not thou King Arise and be merry and I le give thee the Vineyard so he soon devised a way to kill and take possession c. And indeed whether L. W's Wife hath not been a deviser and abetter against me it is questioned by some but I leave it to the Lord and themselves and he goes on in Law untill the Sheriff returned I could not be found although I was in his Custody and that the Priest L. W. knew well enough upon which false return a Writ of Outlawry came forth against me and then they knew where to find me for thereupon the Sheriff's Clark gave another Mittimus to the Goaler for me And untill that time I never had the least notice neither from him or any one of the Kings Officers save only that his Wife did once say I laid for contempt and that her Husband would take another course for his Tythes c. and the Jayler keeping me more strict then my Fellows I required a reason of him he said he had received another Mittimus for me I asked him for what cause he said he knew not but it was at L W's Suit I desired a sight of it if he pleased he said yes if I would give him thirty pence I said it were but reasonable that I knew upon what account I was so dealt with but no account could I have untill I bought a Coppy thereof of the Sheriffs Clark yet being as a Child very ignorant in matters of Law having never been concerned in matters of Law nor never had occasion at any Court with any person whatsoever save this with him I let it go on in singleness of heart resolving to leave the issue to the Lord knowing he was all-sufficient and chusing rather patiently to suffer then to involve my self into such dubious unseen troubles and vast expences as of the Law doth produce especially being so uncapable of things of that nature and thus it continued in suspence I still waiting to see the effect untill about a year after he stirred again and sought through smooth words subtilly to have enticed some of my Relations to have given him a Composition for me telling them one while Ten pounds another while Twelve or Sixteen pounds would do it pretending to shew them all the favour imaginable if they would do any thing and when his blandilocutions could not prevail then he sought to terrifie them with threats saying he had a Writ ready and the Sheriff would come and take possession and all I had would be Confiscated to the King c. also the People and Neighbours adjacent with great exclamation pressing them to compound saying it was pitty it should be forfeit which put them to a point not knowing what to do some of them gave me an account once and again with tears and great grief and vexation I as often before desired and also discharged them not to meddle in it it was my own and I knew not that it could go for a better Testimony I had nothing but what I had received of the Lord the loss was like to be solely mine so let him and me alone for what he could inflict I was to bear and that he could go no further then the Lord permitted and what he intended for evil the Lord turned to good and I hoped to be preserved and provided for upon which they were disswaded and would not be induced by him So by the aforesaid Writ he called a Jury and by compulsions summoned my Brother and others that farmed my Land to give an estimate of the Annual value of it and also what Goods and Chattels I was possessed of about two years before viz. the time when he began that Suit intending to make all Confiscate from that day forward so the Jurors gave in their Survey at Six pound per annum c. in the year 1666 Then after he had done all this what through the Exclamation of my Relations and Neighbors for the satisfying of them and what through the advice of others my Friends I procured a Reversal resolving to joyn Suit and try with him and never more I did neither to this day nor before in matters of Law proceedings in my own defence and how the Lord prevented or confounded him in his proceeding I know not but to this day his expectation hath perished and it is between three or four years since he begun and indeed I can truly say it was freely offered and not it only but Liberty and Life also if it had been required into the Will of the Lord feeling and enjoying his Peace and Presence I am satisfied and can say it is enough and in the uprightness of my Heart I desire I may honour him with life liberty and substance while this
a proceeded to have damnified me any further So seeing thou yet intendest to add weight and oppression to the afflicted and oppressed little enough if thou give me a true account of my supposed transgression which I expect thou wilt forthwith do by this Bearer either in word or writing without any further deferring for sure thou hast not gone about to impose all this upon me that thou hast done and yet intends to do by adding affliction to my bonds but thou canst and will give a reason in every particular wherefore which I expect of thee without any further evasion or otherwise I may conclude thou canst not So that I say again in tender love to thy Souls eternal Peace do I desire thee to ponder well these things and receive the Advice of thy Friend herein for I know there is a Witness in thy Conscience that will receive me from which thou canst not flee nor hide thy self Day nor Night to it I appeal and know thou that it s not that I am weary of Sufferings or am so married to the World that I cannot part with it for though the Devil may have power to Dispossess me of an External Inheritance as he hath had power to cast into Prison yet will I wait upon the Lord knowing he is able to subdue Satan under his Feet and thou could have had no power against me if it had not been given thee so if thou willt not be advised for thy good do what thou hast power to do as for me I have so much Faith as to Trust in the God of Jacob and Patience to endure all these things knowing the Captain of my Salvation was made perfect through Sufferings who will be Glorified in the Sufferings of his Saints whom my Soul honours and glorifies above all So be Exhorted and Warned in time lest this stand as a Witness against thee in the Day of the Lord's Indignation for this was in my heart from the Lord to warn thee of so I shall be clear of thy Blood Carlile the place of my outward restraint and inward peace the 14th of the 9th Month 1664. By one that desires from my heart the welfare of thee and thine and to be found in the exercise of love to Enemies Tho. Carleton This second I sent to him after I was Outlawed L. West HEar and understand let thy patience shew forth it self a little to hear read and receive home this herein inserted directed to thee how long will it be ere thou cease to add oppression to the oppressed Wherefore hast thou Outlawed me when in Prison Hadst thou no way to accomplish thy design and obtain thy covetous desire and end but by Treachery and Deceit and by stealing Law against the Innocent Oh how eager hath thy desire been after the dwellings of the Righteous and that without any just cause for which thou hast often refused to give a reason or shew the cause Thou knowest on the day of my Commitment I asked thee what thou couldst demand before many Witnesses also I writ to thee for an account and my Relations desired an account of thee but none yet wouldst or rather couldst thou truly and justly give Oh! be ashamed be ashamed and blush that ever thou should profess a Priests Function and deal so Treacherously as thou hast done was thy cause so evil and thy plea so bad that thou must steal Law to obtain thy greedy desire Is thy love so much professed to my Fathers Children at an end and is envy wrath and malice crept in instead thereof Oh! the Heathen shall condemn thee for this yea the Earth shall open her mouth and the very Beasts of the Field and Fouls of the Air shall abhor and be astonished to hear and see thy proceedings herein The Tribe of the Priesthood will be ashamed of thee and all such Sons of Levi well did Jacob say Instruments of Cruelty was in their hands yea I may say Cruelty in the highest degree pride tyranny and oppression is their way and path well speak the Prophets that which is now come to pass yea seen and felt Micha 3.5 11. Ezek. 13.18 19 22. and chap. 22.25 26 c. Isa 56.11 Oh the oppression of the Priesthood of England the Earth can scarce bear them and among them all canst thou produce a president for Covetousness Cruelty and Oppression surely thou knowest not what spirit thou art of but thy fruits will discover thee by and by if a Man should tell of thy dealings to thy Function how thou hast beat me with the fist of Wickedness persecuted with all thy might sworn or caused to swear deceitfully and how illegally thou hast done and that for filthy lucre sake to obtain the gain of oppression would they tollerate thee and not be ashamed Oh blush to hear of thy corrupt Conversation thy own hand shall witness against thee and thine own heart shall condemn thee for these things thou hast not only dealt Treacherously with me but with the Kings Officers also by causing them to return I could not be found when thou hadst me in Prison and they had me in Custody surely thy Master will deceive thee and thy nakedness treachery and deceit is and will be laid open and made more publick then thy Proclamation was that I might either render my Body or be Outlawed which thing was done in obscurity and deceit but I must be more publick and plain with thee it may be to rip up thy skirts that thy nakedness may appear thy filth and putrifaction though as a chief Priest yet one of the Whores Children for the light manifests thee so to be and all thy crooked deceitful serpentine paths and by the Children of Light thou art seen and shalt be made apparent to them that is yet under the yoke of oppression thy Name shall rot and the memorial of thy Seed shall stink in thy Generations to come a Testimony I have to bear against the workers of Iniquity and for that end the Lord hath called me forth and brought me not only to believe but also to suffer for his Name which Name I have as a Rock a Shield and Helmet of Salvation in this day of great Tryal and in the Strength of the Lord am I resolved to hold forth my Testimony valuing all with it as dross and dung and doth believe that through it I shall undergo all and be able to make War in Righteousness and by his Power shall tread upon the neck of the Scorpion and Adder and on the crown of the head of thee and all the Oppressors of the Lords Seed who at this day is made objects of your Cruelty yea by the Power of the Living God we both do and shall tread you as chaff in the Streets So take heed how thou proceedest least Gods witness in thy own heart break thy rest for the first Priest that imprisoned for Tythes in Cumberland was made a spectacie of his wrath and he is the
every one of them and if any one do plead himself free by their Law then as some of them hath said they know what to do they have another baâ—t to catch us with which they know will hold and that is tender us an Oath and because we will not swear like themselves then either fine or imprison or banish c. and having got us into Prisons for Tythes or such things there they let us lie as dead Men out of mind never owning nor regarding us in any thing from year to year unless to envy and straiten our Liberty c. by stirring up and provoking the Goalers against us who being willing to do the Priests and Magistrates a favour hath often shown their severity to the hazard of the lives of the Innocent in their Custody whom they have called sometime their sheep and yet preyed upon us not allowing us the Liberty they allowed to Fellons and Murderers c. yet still the Lord was with us and wonderfully preserved us to his praise when Men rose up against us to have swallowed us up with open mouth blessed be His Name for evermore And also whether it were not requisite that he gave me a true and particular account of every of his demands and claims whatsoever or of any other difference if any had been betwixt us before he had thus far proceeded to have damnified me having done what in him lay to deprive me of all save only my life which I have yet for a prey And also whether it had not been his place and duty pretending to be a Teacher and Instructer of othersâ— a Mâ—nister and Pastor or Elder in the Church being reputed a Learned Orthodoxical Divine and sometime professing himself my spiritual Father but such measure aâ— I have had from him are no spiritual instructions to me I say if so whether he ought not to have answered my Queries and also my other Papers sent to him which he never would do to this day thereby to have informed and cleared my judgment and understanding being things appertaining to Faith and Religion and the Profession and Worship of Christianity and so matters of Conscience to me let all sober wise Men judge Also I shall appeal unto all sober and conscientious Men and Women and refer my self to the witness of God and the illuminated understanding in all whether ever any of the Holy Men of God did so with any person in the Church or out of the Church Believer or Infidel as he hath done with me yea or nay or whether ever you read of any of the Apostles or Ministers of Christ in Ages past that denied to give a Reason of their Faith and Hope in Christ Jesus and to Instruct Exhort Inform Teach Reprove Rebuke c. as he hath done or whether you read of any Ministers of Christ that sued at Law for the maintenance of their Bellies spoyled and Persecuted Excomunicated out of their Church into Prison sought Mens Liberty Heritage Estate and yet can shew no fair nor just cause as he hath done yea or nay Whether ever any Ministers of Christ did swear lye and beat with the fist of wickedness as he hath done yea or nay or whether ever any Ministers of Christ was so inclined to drunkenness and to frequent Ale-houses that they needed to be restrained by a Fine as his wife hath done with him yea or nay All which with several such like deeds which I shall now omit I need not go far to prove being his own practice doth notoriously evidence and testifie the same sufficiently known to many that knows both him and me and by what is before related Now considering the many Disputes Contentions Strifes suing at Law spoiling of goods casting into Prisons and the great unparalell'd sufferings that have been occasioned in this Nation in these late years about Tythes and the great objections and exclamations made against us for denying them about which I have a share being deeply concerned and involved therein together for the quietness and peace of my spirit upon which this thing hath long rested â—xcites me to cast in my mite and lay down my reasons and grounds whereupon I have denied them and suffered for the non-payment thereof tho weakest and unfitest of many thousands for such a work yet according to what I have received and am perswaded of I shall lay down in truth and simplicity and that chiefly for the satisfaction of such as desire to be satisfied and for the stopping the many objections and maledictions of others made in secret behind my back by some of my Neighbours especially the people called Independants in that part who most of any hath condemned me for suffering so much for such small trivial matters as they say being as it seems a small scruple in their Consciences and such a more as they can easily swallow now though in the beginning rise and growth of their Religion their Judgment was wholly against Tythes in a Gospel day yea some of them preaching in great zeal against them Condemning the Institution of them saying They were clear contrary to the maintenance of a Gospel Ministry and yet when they saw that Tythes were like to be the only wages maintenance and reward of their preaching being generally established by the Laws and Cannons of England for that end rather then they would want that sweet morsel and goodly Garment and the Fleshly ease that came thereby and suffer any thing for the denying of the same they could soon through their Christian Prudence or Policy cure that Malady and for the better digestion of that Diet make to themselves a stomach Pill or two to Cure that Crudity and so rather Suppress Extirpat Hide or let fall one of their Principles then either want that delightsome livelyhood or beloved Benefice or yet either suffer any thing either in Liberty or Estate for the holding that Principle throughout So for the Considerations aforesaid I shall endeavour to answer the general Objections Principly made against me and my Brethren in this case and what I hold and believe concerning them 1st Objection is Abraham's Returning from Chedarlaomer from Rescuing his Nephew Lot Melchisedeck met him and blessed him and blessed the Lord in his behalf and brought forth Bread and Wine and set before him c. and to him Abraham gave a Tenth of the spoyls Gen. 14.18 Heb. 7.4 Answer To this I say I never find it a president or rule for me suppose he gave a Tenth it was a voluntary gift he was neither commanded by God nor compelled by Man and if he had not given I think he had not sinned and that which he did give was but a Tenth of the Spoils taken at the Victory and so no rule for me being no Soldier at any such Slaughter and so not partaker of any such Spoils so if it be binding to any as I think to none it is to Soldiers and not to Plowmen and what if he in
no Inheritance among the Children of Israel Numb 18.20 21 23 24. for the Tythe which the Children of Israel offered was to be the Levites Inheritance and out of them they were to extract a Tenth which they were to offer as an Heave-offering unto the Lord which was to be given unto Aaron and his Sons verse 26.28 only when they were come into the Land of Canaan Joshua by the appointment of Moses set forth Forty eight Cities with their Suburbs which the Children of Israel gave of their Inheritance at the Command of the Lord Joshua 21.1 2. c. Then again I read Deut. 14.28 29. beside the Tythe they were to bring year by year unto the Lord at the end of every three years they were to bring forth all the Tythe of their Increase and lay it up within their Gates and thither should the Levites come because they had no Inheritance among them and the Strangers the Fatherless and the Widows and should Eat and be filled that the Lord might bless Israel in all the works of their hands Deut. 26.12 13 c. Again Deut. 18.3 4. They which offer Sacrifice whether Bullock or Sheep shall give unto the Priests the right shoulder and the two Cheeks and the Maw and the First-fruits of the Corn the Wine and Oyl and the first of the Fleece of the sheep c. Then again Nehemiah when he came he saw the House of God was forsaken and the Portion of the Levites had not been given but every one was fled to his own Land he reproved the Rulers and set the Levites in their places and caused all Judah to bring their Tythe of Corn and Wine and Oyl into the Treasuries c. and appointed the Wards of the Priests and of the Levites every one in his Office Nehem. 13.10 11 12 30 c. Also King Hezekiah appointed the Courses of the Priests and Levites by their turns every Man according to his Office hence it is said Zacharias was of the Course of Abia and executed the Priests Office before God as his turn came Luk. 1.5.8 and commanded the People to bring in part for the Priests and Levites that they might be Encouraged in the Law of the Lord So the Children of Israel brought in abundance of First-fruits Corn Wine Oyl and Hony and of the increase of the Field and the Tythes of Bullocks Sheep and of the holy and consecrated things the Tythe of all things in abundance yea so much as they eat and were satisfied and there was many heaps laid up in store and Hezekiah commanded them to build Chambers and in them they laid up all their Tythe and their First-fruits and their dedicated things and set Overseers over them to whome they committed the charg of them who destributed with fidelity to their Brethren great and small by course 2 Chron. 31.2 4 5 6. to vers 14. c. And in Nehemiah 10. they were all sworn and sealed to fidelity both Priests and Levites Porters Singers Nethinims and all the Children of Israel to keep the Law and the Ordinances of it and to bring in all the First-fruits the Tythe and the dedicated things Corn Wine and Oyl c. into the Chambers and Treasures c. Then Ezekiel setting forth the glory of the Temple and measuring it with the measuring Reed he shews who shall be admitted to the service of the Temple and who not he also divided the Land into four Portions one for the Priests one for the Levites one for the House of Israel and one for the Princes Ezekiel 44. and chapters 45 46. also he sets forth the Offerings of the Princes and their Ordinances as Meat-offerings Drink-offerings Burnt-offerings Sin-offersings Trespass-offerings and Peace-offerings c. also the Sacrifices of their New-moons their Sabbaths and solemn Feasts c. Also Amos coming to cry against the Idolatry in Jeroboam's time and against the Princes and Prophets of Bethel he calls their Princes Kine they oppressed the Poor and destroyed the needy and multiplyed Transgresssion in Gilgal and said bring let us Drink c. and yet they would go to Bethel and bring their Sacrifices in the Morning and their Tythes after three years they could offer Thanksgiving and proclaim Free-Offerings and this they liked then as the Priests of our Age loves Free-offerings and give ye now so they might live in their sins but the Lord swore by his Holiness he would take them away with Thorns and their Posterity with Fish-hooks and he gave them cleanness of Teeth and scarceness of Bread He with-held the Rain in its season and he sent Blasting and Mildew and Pestilence and Sword amongst them Then again the Prophet Malachi cries out against the Priests how they dispised the Name of the Lord they said the Table of the Lord was not to be regarded and said it was polluted and snuffed at it when as it was they that polluted it by offering unclean Bread the Blind the Lame the Torn and the Sick for Sacrifice Mal. 1 6 7 8. Go offer it to your Princes saith the Lord and see if they will accept it from you you have fed your selves and served your selves and not the Lord For who among you saith he will shut a door or kindle a fire on mine Altar for naught verse 10. Cursed be the Deceiver that hath in his Flock a Male and sacrificeth a corrupt thing And chap. 2. O ye Priests saith Malachi this Commandment is for you ye have broke the Covenant of Levi even my Covenant of Life and Peace ye have been partial in the Law if you will not hear and consider to give glory to my Name I will corrupt your seed and cast dung upon you faces and will curse your Blessings chap. 2.2.4 5 c. for the Priests lips should preserve knowledge and they should seek the Law at his mouth c. but ye are gone out of the way ye have broken Covenant and caused many to fall c. And in chap. 3. he saith Behold the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his Temple but who may abide the day of his coming for he sitteth to try and fine as silver yea he will fine and purifie the Sons of Levi mark it is the Sons of Levi that they may bring Offerings of Righteousness and he will come near them to Judgment and will be a swift witness against the Adulterer false swearer and those that keep back the Hirelings wages that vex the Widow and the Fatherles and oppress the Poor and Stranger and fear not me saith the Lord for from the days of your Fathers saith he ye are gone away from mine Ordinances and have not kept them Will a Man rob God saith he yet ye have robbed me in Tyths and Offerings ye are cursed with a Curse Bring all the Tythe into the store-house that there may be meat in my House and prove me therewith and see if I will not open you the windows of Heaven and
if Sons then Heirs and Joynt-heirs with Christ now Heirs doth inherit but no unclean thing doth inherit therefore Sons and Heirs must needs be sanctified throughout and must needs be born again of the Holy clean Seed that inherits and the Apostle said Ye are the Off-spring of God and the Off-spring of God must needs be Holy for as the Root is so are the Branches and as the Tree is so is the Fruit. But I shall return to my former Subject again viz. the Second Covenant the Light or Law written in the Heart which we have received and therefore are not looking up to the Mount that might not be touched and that burned with Fire nor at Blackness and Darkness and Tempests nor at Figurative and Shadowy things Hebr. 10.1 and 12.18 22. c. but we are come to Mount-Sion the City of the Living God to the New and Heavenly Jerusalem c. and to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant and to the unchangeable Priesthood that endureth for ever for the Law maketh Men High-Priests that have infirmities that continueth not by reason of Death but the word of the Oath which was since the Law maketh the Son High-Priest who is Consecrated for ever and therefore he is the surety of a better Testament and such a High-Priest becomes us and such a one have we need of who is holy harmless undefiled separate from Sinners Yea this was his Work I say still and the end of his coming to separate and savâ— his People from their sins and this is Christ Jesus an High-Priest of our Profession a Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisedeck who is worthy of more Glory then Moses inasmuch as he that buildeth the House is worthy of more Glory then the House now Christ is a Son over his own House which House are we if we hold fast our confidence and hope to the end wherefore he is able to save to the uttermost those that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them but this they still doubt of and cannot believe who are yet wading in the frothy unstable Waters and stumbling in the dark being tossed with every windy vanishing Doctrine and is not come to the breakings of the Day to the Light the Son I mean for its the Sun and Light that makes Day and makes all things manifest Ephes 5.13 John 12.36 I say they cannot believe that Doctrine that any should be saved to the uttermost and no marvel for they are Strangers to the Covenant of Promise the Light and to the vertues and effects of the Light which until I received and obeyed I was as doubtful as they and did object against it as incredible but I was of them the Apostle foresaw that spoke evil of things they knew not for I had not then known nor tryed the Light though it was in me yet I loved darkness rather even so do they now who spakes against Light and the sufficiency of it they speak evil of that they know not c. in that thing they corrupt themselves But to proceed I say Christ Jesus is come the New and Living Way who is King Priest and Prophet so the Covenant is changed the Priest-hood is changed so there must of necessity be a change of the Law also and then Tythes and Oblations must needs cease Hebr. 7.12 For verily they that were of the Sons of Levi who received the Office of the Priesthood had a Commandment to take Tythes of the People but it is evident that after the similitude of Melchisedeck there ariseth another Priesthood who is made not by the Law of a carnal Commandment as the Sons of Levi and Aaron was nor Consecrated by a carnal nominal Bishop as Priests are now but he was made and ordained by the Power of an endless Life and this is no other then the Son of God who is Consecrated for evermore and saith the Apostle with this assertion There is verily a disanulling of the Commandment going before because of the weakness and unprofitableness thereof mark here is a disanulling of the Commandment what Commandment The Law of the carnal Commandment by which the Priests the offspring of Levi received their Office and the Commandment by which they took Tythes of the People read Hebr. 7. throughout so the Priesthood being no more of Levi nor the Sons of Aaron then there is no more Law nor no more Tythes after the First Covenant for the New Covenant is established the New and Living Way is made known and the unchangeable Priesthood being brought in the First Covenant and Priesthood must needs give place the Law must needs be abrogated and the Commandment disanulled and the first Tabernacle and Sanctuary must needs be turned out and then all the Rites and Ceremonies and all the Appurtenances and Ordinances of that Priesthood Tabernacle and Sanctuary must needs be turned out also then no more room for Tythes being an Appurtenance or Ordinance of that Covenant when Christ the Spiritual Eternal and Unchangeable High Priest is come and we say he is a greater and more perfect Tabernacle for the First that stood in meats and drinks and divers washings and carnal Ordinances was but imposed untill the time of Reformation being Figures for the time then present mark and but shadows of good things to come Hebr 9.10 and 10.1 and 8.5 Now when doth the time of Reformation enter that you may shake off the first Priesthood Tabernacle and Ordinances Is it not now high time for People to amend repent and reform Is it not time for Men to work out their Salvation Is it not time to make their calling and election sure Is it not time to turn from Darkness to Light and from Satans power to God Is it not time to seek the Kingdom of God and the Righteosness thereof If so then is not the time of Reformation come Is not the Spiritual appearance of the Son of God come Is not the Comforter that leads into all Truth come Is not the sound of the Everlasting Gospel come Is not the time in which the true Worshippers shall Worship the Father in Spirit and Truth come Is not the Light that was given for Salvation to the ends of the Earth come Is not the Light that gives the knowledge of the Glory of God come Is not he that convinces the World of Sin of Righteousness and of Judgment come Is not he that is the Way Truth and Life come Is not he that saves his People from their Sins come And is it not now a time of Reformation Is it not now time to die unto Sin and awake unto Righteousness Is it not time to put on the New Man which renews into the Image of God and brings into Righteousness and Holiness else in vain hath the many and large Professions of England been and to what purpose hath it carried the name so long of a holy and reformed Nation if the time of Reformation
hold forth which is the Key that opens the mystery ground intent and end of every Law and Statute whatsoever so that of Henry the 8th about Tythes doth not institute enact or ordain settle or impose them as a Temporal Civil Injunction but they are there called Spiritual gifts belonging to holy Church and because many doth deny the payment c. so this Act doth but enjoyn the payment of them as a supposed due and right formerly belonging to holy Church and therefore doth but at the utmost repair strengthen and preserve that which was like to decay but doth not set up any new structure property or title so the reasons of this Law being taken away which is that they are a supposed due this Act is nulled These before mentioned being the only main Grounds and Reasons whereupon Tythes are claimed and payed which I hope is satisfactorily answered indeed some more frivilous Objections are made as what will not many say to save themselves when they are in an exigent yea brawl menace perhaps beat with wicked fist revile or scoff and it may be set an Officer on one and hale him before a Magistrate c. I say many more they make to little purpose as that in Luke 18. where the Pharisee payed Tythes of all he possessed which hath little in it unless they would be condemned with him as a Pharisee with their outside holiness others say Thou shalt not muzle the mouth of the Ox that treadeth out the Corn I say so too if they be Oxen let them be unmuzled and live of what they tread out which is so little that they never durst rely upon it yet but they are more idle then such Oxen c. this is like their plowing in hope and sowing in hope which for the most part fails before they either plow or sow for in which of the Priests did ever the hope endure untill he reaped the Fruit of his plowing or sowing but rather first he must know what Stipend there is what Tythes or Gleab-lands or other Revenue belongs to the Incombent and how it doth arise this you may say is too true Again say they He that gathers a Flock let him eat of the milk of the Flock indeed so say I but they either get no flock gathered or else their Flock is barren and gives no milk or otherwise the milk they give doth not satisfie which makes them pull tug and draw so hard for milk meat and maintenance from others pertaining to another Flock which they never gathered as daily experience teacheth to their shame and to the shame of all that are gathered by them Again say they If we have sown unto you Spiritual things is it a great matter if we reap your carnal things I say it s no great matter but rather the part and duty of a Christian but to whom have they sown Spirituals I am sure not to me for L. W. hath Ministred nothing to me but that which is Earthly and savours of Death as I have elsewhere said which deserves not my Carnals nor any other maintenance from me not that I am strait-handed or so knit and joyned to the things the Lord hath endued me with but I can destribute them freely to such as sow Spirituals and Ministers freely from the mouth of the Lord or to any other in necessity but L. W. as is well known hath no such necessity for all his eager pursuit after my Carnals these Three or Four Years last past but he hath coveted an evil covetousness to set his nest on high but thereby hath not delivered his Soul from the power of evil but hath consulted confusion to his shame So Still I say the grand Title stood in the Mosaical Institutions all which pointed at Christ and Christ being come they fall flat and to them a period is set for its Evident for some hundreds of years after Christ there was neither Claim nor payment of Tythes nor no setling or confining of Ministers to such and such Parishes or Places but they that received freely preached freely and went from one Country to another and from one People to another as they were drawn by the Spirit of the Lord and in those dayes there was no setled nor forced maintenance belonged unto them but they who received Spirituals and were brought into the Faith and Fellowship of the Saints they administred of their Temporals freely without any injunction as many hath done in England these late years and the Lord having opened the Hearts of many as Lydia they called them into their House being open to distribute to their Necessities so that they that set forth without money or scrip c. wanted nothing yea I believe many of the Lords Ministers and Servants called Quakers hath Travelled in these late years many Hundred of miles from one People and Nation to another having been persecuted and beat and haled to Prison and out of Prison here and there amongst a strange Nation and People which they knew not who when they set forth could not assure themselves of one Nights lodgings or one meals Meat and yet they were in every place sufficiently provided for and had no want they only cast their care upon the Lord and lived upon the Gospel being Preachers of it and by the Faith of the Son of God as did the primitive Christians in the Apostles dayes and some Hundred of years after untill the power of Christianity was lost and the Apostacy crept in and then they fell into Forms and Immitations Rome being the leading Church setled Bishops Vicars and Priests and erected Monasteries Abbeys and Religious Houses and placed them there and brought in the old Rites and Customs of the Jews again under a colour of Zeal and Piety perswading the People to give gifts to pious uses so enjoyning them to one thing after another until their Traditions were received as Canonical and amongst the rest brought in this of Tythes again which for a long time was payed at the Owners pleasure either to the Poor or to the aforesaid Monasteries and Religious Houses for pretended Spiritual uses and when they saw that the greater part destributed their Tythes to the Poor Pope Alexander the third did restrain the Peoples freedoms Anno 1180. And Pope Gregory ordained that Tythes should not be destributed to the Poor but to the Mother Church Anno 1274. And Pope Pius the Fourth ordained the payment of Tythes upon penalty of Excomunication by a Council at Trent about the year 1560. And thus they crept in again as they fell from the Power of Godliness then they began to build again that which was before destroyed and so brought in these old Ordinances again in immitation of the Mosaical Law and so came to force and compel a maintenance for a Priesthood and Ministry which was not of Levi's Linnage which was never used nor known amongst the Christians in the purity of the Gospel but being little acquainted or read in
the State of the Church as it did descend from the Primitive times downwards to this Day I shall be more sparing in things thereunto pertaining and for the further satisfaction therein and how Rome and other Churches fell from their Primitive purity and how they brought in Tythes and the Relicks of Judaism again and every external extant Ordinance or Tradition now allowed and established throughout all Europe I refer the Reader to A. Pearson's Book called The great Case of Tything and also to Francis Howgil's Books the one called The Glory of the True Church Discovered in its Purity where he proves Tythes no Gospel Ordinance the other called The Great Case of Tything once more Revived c. where the State of the Church in the Primitive times and downward from year to year and the bringing in of all the Romish Stuff and Superstitious Trash is sufficiently treated of and may be satisfactory to any sober Reader that desires to be instructed Now it appears clear that that Law by which Tythes was payable and due under the First Covenant was only Established among the Jews as I said before and that in the Land of Canaan being a peculiar People to whom he gave his Laws and his Statutes for ever as it s said Psal 147.19 and it s believed we are not of the Jews Genealogy neither of the Offspring of any of the Tribes of Israel according to the Flesh and therefore if Tythes were yet an Ordinance in force as to the contrary is sufficiently proved ought not to be paid by us by vertue of that Law and Covenant we being of the Gentiles Stock by Nature is authentical and so hath nothing to do with the Ordinances of Israel according to the Flesh who was the natural Branches unto whom pertained the Law and the Covenant and the Oracles of God and they fell through unbelief and by their fall we came to be ingrafted and we stand by Faith which is the Gift of God a Mystery held in a pure Conscience and not by the Observation of the Ordinances of the Jews and the First Covenant So let the blind Priests and Doctors lay their hands upon their mouths and be ashamed of their gross absurdity and stupid Sences being mudled and jumbled in obscurity with their many Arts and Sciences multiplicity of Tongues and divided Languages one pleading one thing and another pleading another until they become like Froth upon the Waters which while not touched appears material and substantial but if once handled wasteth and vanisheth away so doth their windy deformed Doctrine and typical Tenents who hath long Preached and talked of a Covenant of Grace which is still a Mystery or as a Book Sealed to them while they are studdying and musing in their Greek and Latin Libraries not at all perceiving the Vail or the Wall of Partition that stands between them and the Covenant of Grace unbroken down and removed One other Objection is in my mind which is this speaking of Melchisedeck who received the Tenth of the Spoils from Abraham it s said Levi who received Tythes payed Tythes in Abraham and further he saith Here men that die receive Tythes but there he received them of whom it is Witnessed that he liveth now what objection can be made from these words Here Men that die receive Tythes but there c the words hath Relation to two times or places or as here or there as here in this time and there in that time for the Law being 430 Years after Abraham or after the Promise was made to Abraham Galat. 3.17 must needs be nearer to the Apostle or to the days of the Apostle then the day that Abraham gave the Tenth of the spoyl to Melchisedeck by so many years so that he might well say here when he spoke of the Sons of Levi and there when he spoke of Melchisedeck but if any say it hath Relation to the very Age and Day when the Apostle spoke it which is disputable yet I may say now as he said then Here Men that die receive Tythes yea such as are dead while they live and not only receive Tythes but persecute imprison and in a manner rob for Tythes such as doth not give contrary to Law or Custome but I allow not such I may say here Ministers in England Swear Lye Covet Oppress and Persecute exceedingly for Tythes and yet pretend to be Gospel Ministers but I say again I allow not such neither believe they are Gospel Ministers so this makes little in my judgment for Tythes under the Gospel Then again There he received Tythes viz. Melchisedeck of whom it is witnessed that he liveth and Christ is said to be a Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisedeck Now if any infer from hence that Tythes or First-fruits belongs to Christ as being or coming in Melchisedeck's Order I say rather it hath reference to his immutability and unchangeableness then taking of Tythes for it s said He was without descent without beginning or end of dayes and if it related to Tythes first I say to that it was but the Tenths of the Spoyls and not of all his Estate and Increase clean and unclean as they are now claimed And secondly I hope you 'l grant Christ a Spiritual Priest and therefore if any will give it must be the First-fruits and Tenths of things Spiritual and not Carnal else there is no agreement nor coherence For Sacrifice and Offerings he would not for he being Spiritual accepts nothing but what is Spiritual and proceeds from the measure of his own Spirit and Truth in every one and herein let as many offer and give unto the Lord as will and as much and as often as they will I allow of it if it be a Spiritual Offering indeed Thus much in Defence of my Innocent Sufferings being thus far convinced in my Judgment and perswaded in my Heart and Conscience I dare not allow nor yield to any thing so noxious to my Conscience and contrary to the Gospel Dispensation and the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus being as is before proved in the first place Figurative imposed for the time then present until the time of Reformation Secondly being only an Ordinance among the Jews and such as were under the Law and not to the Gentiles nor such as are under the Gospel Thirdly being claimed as Spiritual by Divine Institution when as the extent and scope of the Institution is finished and ended and is therefore now no more Spiritual then the rest of the nine parts And lastly being generally Dedicated Payed and Received for the use and maintenance of an Antichristian dark Man-made Ministry who only seeks ours and not us for which the Wisest and Learnedst of them can neither produce Precept nor President from Christ or any other his Apostles Ministers and Servants in the Primâ—tive purity of the Church being an old Ordinance of Moses renovated in the Romish Apostacy and Traditionally dispersed by Papistical
that Despise the Light accounting it as a thing of nought calling it Natural or Diabolical or an unholy thing esteeming it too mean a Meat for your stuffed up Stomachs and cannot yet be digested by you what better Testimony would you have Would you have one arise from the Dead here 's John a Man sent from God and here 's Christ Jesus which rose from the Dead which Death could not bold also we have the Testimony of the Spirit of Truth and having received this Testimony we have the Witness in our selves and can set to our Seals that God is True John 3.35 and that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ Jesus the Light which is the Life and Blood of the Everlasting Covenant though many set it at nought and will not stoop to so small a thing yet all the Powers of Darkness cannot comprehend it it will break thorow them all to your condemnation that are disobedient and for proof thereof I appeal to every of your Consciences in the sight of God and let the Light therein which abideth in you which is Truth and no Lye John 2.27 let it declare for me whether any of you can hide you from it If you take the Wings of the Morning as David said and fly into the uttermost parts of the Earth it will find you out do what you will it will declare the nature of your deeds when you do evil at home or abroad never so secretly when no man sees it will condemn you and when you do well it will justifie and you will feel peace and joy in that Work it will tell you all that ever you did as the Woman of Samaria said Is not this the Christ come and see then they came and saw and believed also not because of her words but by what they heard from him themselves saying they knew indeed that this is the very Christ John 4.42 So be intreated as a Man would intreat his Friend whom he loveth to come with the Samaritans and see wether it be not so as we have said she was but one and that a Woman yet they came forth with her to see if it was he and it was he and they believed but we are many Witnesses and Testifie what we have heard and seen and handled of him So once more I say be intreated to come and see not to come forth after us and follow us as he said Luke 17.21 23. but to turn in your minds I mean to the Light of Christ Jesus in your own Hearts for the Kingdom of Heaven is within you and there hearken to him that is the Light of the World mark the World is set in Mans Heart Eccles 3.11 and when you have heard and obeyed for that is believing indeed I question not but you will be ready to say with the Samaritans That ye know that he is indeed the very Christ So put not off by delays but while the Lord calls do you answer and while he seeks be you gathered Prov. 1.24.26 yea while the Light and Love of God is with you believe in it receive it and walk in it for Darkness comes when no Man shall walk or work John 22 35 36. And the Light of the wicked shall be put out and the spark of his fire shall be quenched Job 18.5 6. Then shall his Wrath and Fury increase which will torment the Conscience for ever where they shall feel the Worm that dies not and the Fire that never goes out then Sorrow Mourning and bitter Lamentation shall fall upon them then may they cry to the Mountains fall on us and to the Hills to cover us even they I mean that slighteth their day of Visitation and hate to be reformed For behold the Days come that shall burn as an Oven wherein all the proud and all that do wickedly shall be as stubble the Day that cometh shall burn them up and shall leave them neither Root nor Branch but to them that fear my Name saith the Lord shall the Son of Righteousness arise with healing in his Wings and they shall go forth and grow as Calves in the stall and they shall tread down the Wicked yea the Wicked shall be as Ashes under the soles of their feet in that Day when I shall do this saith the Lord he that can believe it let him This is my Testimony given forth in the same Love wherewith the Lord my God hath loved me not desiring to Eat my Morsel alone nor yet to conceal the loving kindness of the Lord which is held forth freely unto all of which I am made a partaker according to the measure of that Grace and Love received in Christ Jesus who would not that any should perish but that all Men might come to the knowledge of the Truth and be saved who was the First-fruits of Righteousness leaving us an Example to follow his steps So desiring that all might come to partake of the same Grace with us and walk in the same Light with us where there is no occasion of Stumbling and come to drink of the same Living Water with us which whosoever drinketh thereof shall never thirst again but is satisfied for ever this none knows save they that drink thereof and they are but a few Having for the Reasons aforesaid committed this to publick view it s now other Mens as well as mine to judge of and no doubt may be by some opposed as well as by others approved I therefore desire the discreet Reader having soberly and piously pondred this short Treatise in the fear of the Lord not rashly to asperse either me or it behind my back thereby to make my Principle or Testimony odious in the Eyes of such as are weak and unstable in Judgment but rather having any thing to object against the Truth of any particular herein to make known their Objections to me either by word or writing and I shall be very willing to be Christianly informed or else to give a Christian information and sober Reply for their satisfaction and for the clearing and vindicating of every particular herein according to that Talent of knowledge that is given me to improve and this I hope will be easily granted by such as is willing to do unto me as they would have me or others to do unto them which is according to both Law and Prophets Given forth about the 6th Month 1667. Tho. Carleton THE END To the CALLED OF GOD And true Professors of the LIGHT SPIRIT of Jesus Christ in these Northern Nations To the Called of GOD c. OH my well-beloved Friends Brethren and Sisters in that Spiritual Heavenly Relation that stands in the power of an endless Life do I tenderly Greet you all and in the sensible Feeling thereof do I at this time with much tenderness and fear communicate these following Exhortations unto you Upon the Second day of the Tenth Month at Even after I was returned from waiting upon and serving