already enjoy and Possess and so the Apostles brought them to a further examination not to look at things visible but to examine themselves whether they were in the Faith for he that is in the Faith is not in that which is visible Prove your selves know you not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except you be Reprobates 2 Cor. 13.5 Now they who came to witness Christ in them knew the Resurrection and the Life in them and Witnessed the Life of the Son of God to live in them and they in it and this was a further State then looking at visible Things which were in remembrance only of his Death and blessed are they who have an Eye to see and an Heart to believe these things And now the Apostle spake unto wise Men and bad them â—udge what he said 1 Cor. 10.15 So that Novices or they that were young or Babes had hâ—rdly been able to discern if he had spoken such things to them but he spoke to wise men which could judge of what he said and ver 16. thus he said The Cup of blessing that we bless is it not the Communion of the Blood of Christ And the Bread which we breakâ— is it not the communion of the Body of Christ ver 17. For we being many are one Bread and one Body for we are all partakers of that one bread and that one Bread was Christ who said I am the Bread of Life and this they witnessed and these are great Mysteries and they whose Eyes are towards visible things cannot see them and what a Nâ—ise and a Stir hath been made these many hundred Years and what killing and persecuting about things that are seen And since the Mystery hath been lost and the Key which opens the mystery how People have waded in the dark till they have lost themselves and are sunk down into utter Darkness as hath been manifest about visible things which do corrupt how many have been killed about this Bread and this Cup which are visible since the Apostles Dayes and how many Institutions and Laws have been made about this and have fought like Swine about the husk and discern not the Life neither the Lords Body It is endless to declare what stir they make about this Bread and this Wine in the Church of Rome which I shall not now stand to particularize much but however after the Priest hath consecrated it they conclude it to be the very Body and Blood of Christ and yet a thing which may be seen and that is a temporal thing and so give it Names past numeration And what work have they made about times and dayes when it was fit to be received and how many Decrees have been made about these things Anacletus caused a Decree to be made that all were to come to it under pain of Excommunication and Victor denounced that those should be interdicted from all Service when they should receive the Sacrament that would not be reconciled to their Neighbours of all Grudges and Hatred again Clepharanius one hundred Years after Anaâ—letus commanded that all that professed Christ or bare the Name of Christians being of the Age of twelve or fourteen Years should at least once a year at Easter receive the blessed Sacrament Fabianus decreed that they should receive it three times in a Year and Innocentius the third decreed it should be kept in the church that it should be ready at all times lest they that were sick should want to spiritual comfort of it and Honorus the third confirmed the same and Austin concluded the Eucharist to be of absolute necessity for Infants And what a stir hath been in the reformed churches so called about this and what disorderly work and what high Imputations they have gained to it whenas they commanded the Parishes to buy it and then sell it them again that the Priest must have a Offering at Easter also a token of a piece of Lead a token that they are at Unity with the Priest or else they may not have their Bread and Wine again for which they paid before and this hath been called a great Mystery HAP XII Concerning Ministers and their Office under the Law and the Gospel BEfore the Law was given forth there were divers did offer Sacrifice and builded Altars unto the Lord as Seth Abel Melchizedeck A braham Isaac and Jacob who were Guiders and Directors of People in the Way of Righteousness who instructed their Families in the Fear of the Lord but after the Law was given forth Aaron and his Sons and they were to offer Sacrifice according to the command of the Lord and to perform the Worship that God had appointed for that Time and Age at the Tabernacle and Temple there were Levites who bore the Ark and looked to the Vessels and pitched the Camp and divers other Services as Singers and Readers of the Law and Prophets on their Sabbath Dayes and Porters and the like and all these pertained to the First Covenant and Priesthood which was to have an End both the Priesthood and the Law and the Service thereof for it was but to continue till the Substance came Now Christ being come to the End of the Law for Righteousness unto all that believe made after the Order of Melchizedeck and not by a carnal commandment he offered up himself once for all and became the Author of eternal Salvation unto them that believe put an End to the first Worship and Priesthood Before he was offered up he chose Disâ—iples unto him twelve and also seventy and endued them with Power and many did believe through their Words and they were not Men of great parts but as they were fitted by the holy Ghost that gave them Utterance and they were sent out not to preach the Law but the Word of the Kingdom and many did believe and grew and were confirmed in the Faith and after Christ s Ascension the holy Ghost was poured forth upon them in a more ample Manner and it did bring to their Remembrance as Christ had foretold and they received great Gifts for the Work of the Ministry some were Prophets some Apostles some Evangelists some Pastors some Teachers and all made Ministers by the Spirit for the Work whereunto they were chosen and many were converted and did believe then they that had the Word of God to publish travailed as they were led and moved by the Spirit to publish the glad-tidings of the Gospel and when the Believers were many and many young in the Faith they ordained Overseers or Bishops or Elders who were sound in the Faith to watch over them that were begotten but mark they were approved men and faithful and of blameless lives not given to Covetousness neither did tyrannâ—ze over them in rigour but were apt to teach and instruct in Love Gentleness and they that had been ancient Labourers in God's Work did so who had received a Gift to minister unto others and as to be
Spend it upon your Lusts and by your Greatness grind the Face of the Poor when you are become strong in the Earth and have spread out your Boughs so broad that nothing can grow that is near your Shaddow and yet talk of God at a distance but you know him not but live in Carelessness and Ease and Liberty of the Flesh and pleasing the carnal Mind the Mighty Day of the Lord is at hand which shall come as a Thief upon you and require all your Souls at your Hands and take them away and then whose shall all these things be And all you poor blind People of the World of all Sorts who follow the blind Guides and Teachers of the World who know not the Path of Righteousness themselves but live in Covetousness Pride Oppression seeking for their Gain from their Quarters in the steps of their Fore-fathers the false Prophets which the Lord declared against by Jeremiah Isaiah Ezekiel and Hosea and Christ cryed out against such blind Guides as led the blind and the Apostles declared against such whose Hearts were exercised with covetous Practices and them you set up for your Teachers who are not taught of the Lord and they walk in the Broad way and you follow their example and yet you have a green Tree to worship under which seems beautiful in your Eyes you talk of a God and Christ and of his Gospel and Ordinances but know him not nor his Will nor how he will be Worshipped but according to the Customs and Fashions of the Nations as the Heathen do and follow the Traditions of men and live in Pride and Fulness and at Ease Lust and Envy in Covetousness and Double-mindedness in Drunkenness and Riotousness Sports Pastimes Pleasures Gaming Playing nourishing your Hearts as in a day of Slaughter wanton wild in Swearing Lying cursed speaking in foolish jesting in filthy Communication in Laughter and Folly which is Madness the dreadful God of Heaven and Earth is arising in his Power and his Day is coming upon you that shall rip up your Hearts and you shall see that you are Heathens and know not God although your Idol-Shepherds and Hirelings have told you you were Christians because you came one day in seven and heard a few Words spoken from the Imagination of their own Brain and all the Week long and Year long live in Carelesness and in all the Abominations before mentioned and many more and yet you hate to be reproved and hate to be reformed Dreadfull is the Day that is coming upon you all sorts of carnal Professors and vain Talkers and busie Minds which talk of that you cannot witness Terror Terror Dread and Wrath Vengeance in Flames of Fire will God rain upon the ungodly and Snares and turn them into Hell with all them that forget God Think on this Oh all you careless wanton earthly-minded People whose God is your Belly who glory in your Shame who mind earthly things and turn his Grace into Wantonness and sport your selves as in the Day-time and never consider your later End and slight the day of your Visitation and so dye in your Sin and will lie down in everlasting Misery except you repent Terrible and dreadful is the day that is coming upon all the World and all you who make mention of the Name of the Lord but not in Righteousness in the many Sects and Opinions and Judgments in Babylon Confusion and Error the Lyon hath roared who will not fear the Lord hath spoken who can but Prophesie the Lord hath roared out of Sion and uttered his Voice from Jerusalem he will send a Fire in the Gardens that you have made and consume all the Thickets round about it and you shall be ashamed of the Oakes that you have chosen and of the Trees you have worshipped under and the Groves where ye have commited Fornication with other Lovers and have forsaken the Lord and joyned your selves unto Idols and now your hearts are become hart and you will have none of the Wayes of the Lord nor will that Christ should reign over you for you hate his Light which shews you Sin and Evil and would turn you from it and out of Blindness and Ignorance but your wills lead you and the crooked Wayes of the Serpent you follow but now is the time near finished all your Joy shall be at an end and all your Lovers shall forsake you and you shall mourn and howl ye careless People who live in Deceit and are wise to do Evil and mighty to work Wickedness but to do Good have no Understanding Awake awake Arise arise and stand all up to Judgment let the Heathen be awakened for the Lord shall roar out of Sion and utter his Voice as a Whirlwind and the Heavens and the Earth shall shake and the Mountains shall melt at his Presence and all the Hills shall melt before him and all the Isles shall flee away at his Presence who is risen to take Vengeance upon all the ungodly and all shall be slain before him Assemble your selves and come all ye Heathen and gather your selves together round about for the Lord will plead with you as in the Valley of Jehoshaphat and there will he sit as Judge to give every one their Portion according to their Work Awake all you that are asleep and stand up to Judgment the Angel of the Covenant is come and the time of Harvest draws neer the reaper is come with his sharp Sickle and is come for the Press is full and the Fat 's overflow for their Wickedness is great Multitudes Multitudes shall be slain and bound in Bundles and cast into the Lake and into the Valley of Decision the Sun and the Moon shall withdraw their shining and the Stars shall fall and loose their Light yet a little while and time shall be no longer but you will be swept into the Pit where shall be weeping and wailing and gnashing of Teeth and overturned as Sodom and Gomorrah and you shall know there is a God who is pure and holy who will judge you not according to your Words and feigned deceitfull Hearts but in Righteousness And so all dread his Name and fear him and tremble before him and bow your selves and submit unto him lest your Perish forever from his Presence and be tormented with the Devil and his Angels in the Lake of everlasting Fire And all you ungodly think on this for this shall be the Portion of your Cup forever who slight the day of Gods Love and Visitation and turn his Grace into Wantonness his long-suffering shall come to an End and his Spirit will not alwayes strive with you and then he will arise in his Wrath and take Vengeance upon his Enemies and bind the Tares and the Briars and Thorns in Bundles and cast them into everlasting Fire where is perpetual Exilement from the Presence of God and from the Lamb forever and ever and from the Light of his Countenance and this as the Lord
it Gregory annexed three Petitions in the same Dies qui nostros c. Innocentius Priests in the upper Part of the Church called the Quire should kiss one another that Pax should be born to the People blessed with hands chalices came out of the Hebrew ceremonies Christ at his Ascension blessed his Disciples and Surgius from this ordained Agnus Dei seven hundred Years after Christ's Ascension to be sung of the clergy at the time of communion and often turning the Priest to the Altar and wheeling about when he saith Dominus vobiscum or Oratis Fratres these came from the Hebrew Rites when the Mass is ended the Deacon turns to the People and saith Ita missa est which words are borrowed from the Pagans they were used in the Sacrifices of Isis that when the Sacrifices were done this was the watch-word that the People might depart and of this sprang the custom of singing Ita missa est signifying that all Service was ended Mass is an Hebrew Word signifies an Oblation and Sacrifice with all circumstances concerning the same Alexander inhibited that they should not sacrifice but once a Day Telesphorus ordained three Masses to be said â—n Christmas-day the first at Midnight when Christ was born the secoâ—d in the Morning when the Shepherds visited him the third further on the day as at the third hour Foelix decreed that Mass might be said but in Places consecrated and none were to meddle with the Mysteries of consecration but the Priest Anacletâ—s ordained that no Mass should be said but in the Presence of two at the least lest the Priest should say in vain to bare walls Dominus vobiscum the Lord be with you whâ—n none were present and so on this wise one Piece and Scrap was added to another with much more which I shall not trouble the Reader with by which Peoples minds have been drawn from attending on God's Spirit to hearken to these foollish ceremonies and invented charms and so have been led in Ignorance and into the Region of the Shadow of Death where many have taken up their habitations and Babylons Merchants have traded these many hundred Years with such Merchandize under the Name of Apostolical Ordinances and holy Institutions CHAP. XI Concerning the Passeover and the Supper THE Passover was a command of God by Moses unto Israel while they were in captivity in Egypt which God manifested his wonderous Works in the Land of Egypt and in the Field of Zoan for their deliverance Exod. 12.3 4 5 6 7 8. That every family shall take to them every man a Lamb according to the House of their Fathers a Lamb for an House and where the Family was little the Neighbours were to joyn with him ver 21. Then Moses called for all the Elders of Israel and said unto them draw out and take a Lamb according to your Families and kill the Passover and ye shall take a bunch of Hysop and dip it in the Blood that is in the basin and sprinkle the lintle and the two side-Posts of the door with the Blood and none of you shall go out of doors until the Morning ver 22 23. The Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians and when he sees the Blood upon the lintles and Posts he will not suffer the Destroyer to come into your Houses to smite you and ye shall observe 〈◊〉 thing as an Ordinance for thee and thy Seed forever ver 24. And it shall come to pass when the Children shall say unto you whâ—t means this Service ye shall say it is the Sacrifice of the Lord 's Passeover who passed over our Houses in Egypt and smoteâ— the Egyptians And this was the Ordinance which was performed and this is that Passeover which Christ sent his Disciples to prepare according to the time Prescribed because it became him to fulfil all Righteousness and he being not yet Sacrificed up the Offering was not ended but now he being offered up this is to be Witnessed in the Spirit and in the Hearts of his People who were marked and bear his Spot when a destroyer comes to Execute vengeance upon the Wicked he passes over his Seed which bears his Image And when Christ came with the twelve and sate down in the place appointed in the even the same Night he was betrayed And he said unto them I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I Suffer Luke 22.15 17 19. And he took Bread and gave thanks and brake it and gave it unto them saying this is my Body which is given for you 〈◊〉 do in Remembrance of me likewise the Cup after Supper saying this is the Cup of the New-Testament for you in my Blood ver 20. and this he gave as a Sign and a token to the Disciples that as often as they did eat the Bread and drink the Cup they should remember him and it should show forth his Deâ—th till he came again and this was Practised by the Disciples according as Christ had said unto them therefore the Apostle said 1 Cor. 11.23 That I received of the Lord that delivered I unto you that the Lord Jesus the same Night he was betrayed took Bread and brake it and said take eat this is my Body which is broken for you after the same manner also he took the Cup when he had supped saying this Cup is the New-Testament in my Blood this do ye as often as ye do it in remembrance of me ver 24 25. For as often as ye eat this Bread and drink this Cup ye shew forth his Death till he comes and so he putteth them upon Examination ver 28. Let a man examine himself and so let him eat of this Bread and drink of this cup ver 29. For he that eats and drinâ—s unworthily eateth and drinketh Damnation to himself not discerning the Lord's Body But Believers grew in the Knowledge of the Mystery which was revealed through the Spirit and came to see beyond these outward things and things visible 2 Cor. 4.28 While we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen for the things that are seen are Temporal but the things that are not seen are eternal So that which was given for a sign to be observed in remembrance of Christ till he came was visible to wit the Bread and the Cup which he gave to the Disciples at Supper which they were exercised in for some time in the time of Weakness while their Eyes and minds were much outward but they came to look at things which are beyond time and things they saw which are not seen in time but things that were Eternal and this they fed upon and so the Corinthians grew up in the Life and knew the Flesh of Christ and his Blood and they did eat his Flesh and drink his Blood and had Life in them now they which eat his Flesh and drink his Blood need nothing to put them in Memory of that which they
reigned but three years The next Emperor was Gordianus in the year two hundred and forty who was more moderate towards the christians so that the sixth Persecution ceased but after he had reigned the space of six years he was slain by Philip the succeeding Emperor Philippus who slew Gordianus who was called the first christian Emperor who slew Gordianus and began with blood he with his Son Philip governed the Empire seven years about the year 246. it is said this Philip with his Son and Family was converted by Fabianus and Origen it is said that both he his Son were slain by Decius one of his own Captains and though being the first that brought in Christianity into the Imperial seat but the name of Christianity would not save him being out of the Nature beginning with blood it was required at his Hands and Anthetius Bishop of Rome after Pontanius Damasus saith that this Bishop was put to death because he recorded the deaths of the sufferers and here was the Beginning of that which they call the Legend of Martyrs in the Chucrh of Rome The seventh Persecution began by Decius who succeeded Philippus in the Year 250. by whom was moved a terrible Persecution against the Christians which is noted to be the seventh Persecution Fabianus being a married man and had a Wife was chosen Bishop of Rome this Doctrine of Devils forbidding to marry was not yet brought in which the Apostle to Timothy prophesied of no not in the Church of Rome nor for two hundred and fifty Years after Christ so the Emperor Decius put him to death and gave forth a Proclamation that all that professed the Name of Christ should be put to death Origen suffered many bonds wrackings torments for Religion yet afterwards it is said he sacrificed to Idols and was excoâ—municated yet afterwards repented And Nicephorus saith of this Persecution under the Emperor Decius that it was easie to number the Sancs of the Sea as them that suffered under him Cheremon a married Bishop fled with his Wife into the Mountain of Arabia and never was seen more the prohibition of Ecclesiastical men or Ministers marrying was not yet begun no not in the Church of Rome although they plead Antiquity for their Institutions and Practices the Emperor reigned but two Years and was slain by the Barbarians about this time divers Bishops suffered and others were condemned to mettal mines Cyprian Bishop of Carthage was banished these had no Power yet to give forth Laws or Inquisitions nor to force things upon People for they had not the outward Authority then though divers things which were unsound crept in by little and little even among them About the year two hundred and fifty five Valerianus together with his Son Gallienus came to be Emperors who reigned together at first they were moderate to the Christians for about two or three years insomuch that in the Emperors Court there were many Christians but afterwards being moved by an Egyptian was stirred up to persecution which was about the year two hundred fifty nine this Emperor was stirred up to persecute the Christians which was the eighth persecution being instigated by the Egyptian who was great in his court telling the Emperor that the Christians were the cause of all the Evils of Famine â—nd Plague upon the Empire divers Bishops and many hundreds were put to death besides Stephanus suffered with six more that were leading men also Lawrence suffered who was pinched with Fire-Tongs and laid upon an Iron Grate or Grid-iron red hot and so broyled to death In the sixth year of the Reign of Valerianus Gallianus having lâ—id for the space of three years in prison which Claudianus and Bossa his Wife were pâ—t to Death for being Christians likewise Fructuosus Bishop of Tarraconia with two Deacons were burned the same year for being Christians this Valerian the Emperor reigned seven years and was taken in the War by the King of Persia who made him his block to take horse on to his dying day and though the Christians in this time were much darkned yet they were much more justified in the Sight of God then the Heathen Emperors who came all or most of them to a woful End of their Cruelty and Tyranny and Murder for the Hand of the Lord who distributes Justice equally to every man according to his Works found them out and Gallianus the Son of Valerianus who joyned with his Father in persecution had many earthquakes and thirty Rebellions and Insurrections raised in his time in the Empire in nine years time and this stopt their persecuting of the Christians somewhat and after Gallianus the Emperor succeeded Claudius who reigned two years and after him Quintilianus the Brother of Claudius who continued only seventeen Dayes about the year two hundred seventy four in this time the Christians had some rest from Persecution The nineth Persecution began under Aurelianus who began his Reign mildly but soon after moves the nineth Persecution about this time many Christians suffered and some of the Bishops of Rome and Sixtus and Dionysius and many others in the middle of his Reign there was a Council of the Christians at Antioch the Emperor seeming not to be against it nor them but afterward he was about to seal an Edict for further Persecution of the Christians but he was so terrified with thundring and lightning that it stopt his Tyranny in the sixth year of his Reign he was slain about the year 276. After him succeeded Tacitus who reigned but six Moneths and Florianus reigned next who reigned but sixty Dayes and after him reigned Marcus Aurelius Probus who reigned six years and four moneths in this time there was no Persecution but the Christians had rest as in matters of Religion but he was slain by his Souldiers in the year two hundred eighty five Carus with his two Sons Carinus and Numerianus succeeded Probus in the Empire the Reign of which Emperors continued in all but three years Carus was slain with lightning and Numerianus was also slain Carinus the other Son reigned alone in Italy with much Wickedness who afterwards was slain by the hands of the Tribune at Rome so that from the latter end of the Reign of Valerianus unto the Reign of Dioclesian there seeming to be about forty four years in which there was little Persecution of the Christians but they had rest and enjoyed their Worship in quiet and they were kept under Sufferings and the Law and did not exercise Authority over the Consciences of the rest as afterwards they did when they came to have Power in their hands although as I said before divers things were brought in by the Bishops of Rome in this time which were much disagreeing with the Apostles Dayes yet they held part of the true Worship and bore a Testimony against the open prophaneness and cursed Idolatry and pride of the Heathen Emperors who killed one another for the Imperial Seat and in this Testimony that
Marcellus succeeded one Lucina a rich Maid of Rome dying made Marcellus her Heir and gave him all her Substance and from that time saith Pollidore Lib. 1. the Bishops of Rome were greatly inriched and he began to grow up in earthly Honours higher and higher But Constantine the Emperor about the Year 318 caused a Cross to be made of Gold and precious Stones and to be born before his Army instead or a Standard when he went to fight against Maxentius Maximinius and Licinius these were the last Persecutors of the Christians in the Roman Monarchy which this Constantine did vanquish and set the Christians at Liberty who had been persecuted about three hundred Years and so afterwards this Cross others began to imitate and set up in their Churches and became a flat Idol notwithstanding after this some Persecution was stirring in the eastern Countries yet in Rome and the western Parts there was no general Persecution for many Years also in the East Part he subdued those Tyrants we read of no Persecution against the Christians until the Time that John Wickliff suffered which was when the Spirit of the Heathen was entered into the Bishops of Rome and Popes who had retained the Name of Christian but lost the Life and the Power he began with Fire to persecute the Members of Christ. But long before this Time the Wisdom and Power of God was much lost among many of the Bishops of Rome and also divers others that the Apostacy was entered in and they made great Contentions about Easter and about Dayes which should be fasted and some were for two and some were for three and some were for forty Dayes all the Churches of Asia and their Bishops were for keeping it the fourteenth Moon as Eusebius saith lib. 5. For Asia observed the Feast of Easter and they called a great Council together and decreed that it should be observed the fourteenth Moon upon what Day soever in that Week the Moon fell and appointed fasting-dayes and Meetings and Synods in all Parts met together about this trivial Matter in the Year 199. at Rome likewise there was a Synod gathered together wherein Victor the fourteenth Bishop was President and the eastern Churches decreed it the Day aforesaid and Fastings before it and a western Church decreed it to be the Day wherein Christ rose from Death to Life but Victor Bishop of Rome with the adjoyned Congegations pronounces flatly all the western Churches to be excommunicated Persons and gives them up to Satan so that it became a Proverb That the Bishop of Rome must judge all and be judged of none this was about the year one hundred ninety nine after Christ when they had respite from Persecution And Ireneus Bishop of Lyons he was of Victor's Mind that it ought to be celebrated on the Sunday only yet reproved Victor Bishop of Rome Peter's Successor as they say for cutting off all the Churches of God in Asia for such a trivial Thing And Polycarpus and Anicetus contended about trivial Things and although there was much Good in them both yet this weakened the Christians and led the Minds of People out into the Observance of outward Things and neglected the Life and Power Luâ—ius the two and twentieth Bishop of Rome about the year 255 and Stephanus who succeeded him a great contention in their Time about baptism the Matter was whether they that returned from any Heresie shall be re-baptized or be received in with Prayer and laying on of Hands only and so here was a great jangling and contention about outward things which were getting up as Idols and Cyprian Bishop of Carthage judged that Hereticks had no Way to be purged from Error but by Baptism but Stephanâ—â— was greatly offended with Cyprian for this After Stephen Sixtus succeeded and Dionysius writes unto him how that all Cilicia Cappadocia Gallatia and the bordering Nations how greaâ— Synods had decreed that they would not communicate with them because they re-baptized Hereticks and saith further the greatest Synod of Bishops hath decreed that such as renounce any Heresie should first be instructed and then washed and purged of their impure Leaven and thus they wrangled and â—angled about Things with one another and brake into Fractions notwithstanding many of these Men suffered under the merciless Cruelty of the Heathen Emperors likewise they excommunicated one another and called Councils and censured one another and hurt the spreading of Truth amongst them that believed in the Name of Jesus all this is to shew that they were declining and coming to Loss in this Time though so near the Apostles Time and though they suffered under the Emperors and found Peace with the Lord yet many Practices and Institutions were made which are not according to the primitive Times which ought not to be binding to all Generations afterwards because of the Antiquity of them as the now called Church of Rome would have all to receive as Apostolick Doctrine But to return to Constantine the Emperor when Peace was established in the empire he set forth a general proclamation or edict not constraining therein any Man to any Religion but giving Liberty to all Men to exercise their Religion whether Christians or others which Thing was taken well by the Romans and all wise Men this Licinius joyned with Constantine in the Government of the empire seemingly favoured the Christians joyned with Constantine in setting forth an edict for the Christians Liberty yet afterwards he had great Hatred towards Constantine and conspired his Death reâ—ecting the Christiâ—n Râ—lâ—gion and persecuted them who said He would become an Enemy to the Christians for that in their Meetiâ—gs and Assemblâ—es they prayed not for him but for Constantine so cast the Christians into Prison and persecuted them within his Dominions and many were put to Death but at length he was slain after several Battels between him and Constantine by the Souldiers in the year 324. Constantius the Emperor the Father of Constantine dyed a natural Death and was buried at York Dioclesian dyed at Salena as some say by his own Poyson in the year 319. he was the chief of the seven Tyrants in the tenth Persecution Maximinian the second who was hanged at Mazâ—lla by Constantine in the year 310. Thirdly Galerius who was plagued with a terrible Disease Severus the fourth was slain by Maximinian the Father of Maxentius the wicked Tyrant who was banished by Constantine in the year 318. The sixth was Maxentius who dyed not long after in the year 320. Lastly Licinius was overcome by Constantine and slain about the year 324. And thus the Lord plagued the Cruelty of the Heathen Emperors who knew not God but hated his Appearance and rewarded them according to their Deeds The Christians in these three hundred years wherein were the ten Persecutions they were Sufferers under the Power of the Dragon who ruâ—ed in the Emperors and then they were not Persecutors having not the outward Power in their
that were given to them that had no Portion among their Brethren in the Land but these Bishops Presbyters and Priests have a great Part of some Counties and Diocesses for their Revenue and their inferior Officers Tythes of such things as were never tythable under the Law so what damnable Deceit and Hypocrisie is this is it any other but the Pope's Yoak an absolute Apostate for Hundreds of Years and must this be received and enjoyned as Apostolical Doctrine Oh for Shame let it never be mentioned among them that call themselves Ministers of Christ neither of any who profess themselves to be Christians But to return to the Levitical Priesthood no Tythes did the Priests receive under the Law of the People for those belonged to the Levites Exod. 13.2 that were appointed over the Tabernacle to bear it and to take it down and to set it up to serve Aaron and his Sons and to keep the Instruments thereof and for the better ordering of things they were divided into three parts the Coathites the Gershonites and the Mararites and these received Tythes of the People and delivered the Priests did not all so our Tythe-taking Priests are contrary to the Law and first Covenant and the Gospel also and therefore to be looked upon as no other then Anti-christians but to return to Aaron's Priesthood in the first Covenant they grew and multiplied and then the Priests were divided into twenty four Ranks or Courses of which our Prebends Deans and Chapters take their Example or Imitation so to serve by their Turns at Cathedrals as they are called or else from the Church of Rome which is worse but the latter I am rather enclined to believe because there was no such Name of any Ministers among the Jews neither in the primitive Church truly so called but the Priests gave Attendance to execute their Office and burn Incense as his Turn came and hereupon Zecharias who is said to be of the course of Abiah Luke 1. The Levites that were Singers were divided into twenty four Ranks also or Courses of which I believe the present Quiristers or Surpless-men do imitate and will bring the Levites for a Proof concerning their Office but we cannot receive Judaism for Christianity neither their Practice for Apostolical Ordinances in the Church of Christ. The Priests and the Levites being separated for the Work of the Lord in the Tabernacle and Temple ministred according to the command and ordinances of the first Covenant which were only Figures of things to come and Shadows of things that were but to continue until the time of Reformation and then they all had an End both the Priesthood and the Levites and their Service and Office and Maintenance and Tythes ended as the Apostle saith to the Hebrews The Priesthood is changed and the Law is changed by which they received these Tythes for the Work aforesaid but to descend and to come unto the primitive time we shall see whether Tythes were paid or no to Gospel-Ministers in the second Covenant In the Fulness of time God raised up another Priest Christ Jesus who was not of the Tribe of Levi nor consecrated after the Order of Aaron so he pertained to another Tribe of which no man gave Attendance to the Altar he obtained a more excellent Ministry and of a greater and a more perfect Tabernacle not of the former Building he being the Sum and Substance of all the Figures under the first Covenant he put an End to the first Priesthood with all its Shadows and carnal Ordinances and changing the Priesthood which had a Command to take Tythes of their Brethren there was made of Necessity also a Change of the Law and a disannulling of the Commandment going before Christ Jesus when he had finished his Office upon Earth by fulfilling all Righteousness he offered up himself through the eternal Spirit a Sacrifice unto God without Spot the Apostles and Ministers who were made Partakers of the Divine Nature and of the Word of Reconciliation did not look back to the former Ordinances of the first Priesthood but testified an End was put to them and witnessed against the Temple wherein the Priests ministred Paul and likewise Stephen were stoned and against Circumcision saying It was not that of the Flesh and against all the outward Ordinances of that Covenant and called them Carnal and preached up Christ Jesus and his Doctrine the new and living Way which was not manifest while the first Tabernacle was standing they preached freely the Everlasting Gospel and did not desire or require setled Maintenance but were ministred to only by them who had believed their Report and were turned to Christ Jesus and were made Partakers of spiritual things though they often denyed that which was given unto them here was no Tythes spoken on either to the Jews or Gentiles who believed At Jerusalem and thereabouts such was the Love and Unity of Heart among the Saints in the Apostles Time that all things were in common and none wanted so likewise the Church gathered by Mark at Alexandria in Egypt followed the same Practice and the Church at Jerusalem and Philo Judeus saith in many other Provinces the Christians lived together in Societies In the Church of Antioch Galatia and Corinth the Saints possessed every man his own Estate where the Apostle ordained that a weekly Offering should be made of the Saints that every one might offer freely of that which God had blessed him with which was put into the Hands of the Deacon of the Churches whereby the poor was relieâ—ed and other necessary Services were supplyed In the next Age monthly Offerings were made not exacted but freely given as appears plainly by Tertullian Apologet chap. 29. where he upbraids the Gentiles with the Piety and Charity of the Christians he saith Whatsoever we have in the Treasury of our Churches it is not raised by Taxation as though we put Men to ransom their Religion but every Man once a Moneth or when he pleaseth himself gives what he thinks good for no Man is compelled but left free to his own Discretion and it is not bestowed in Vanity but relieving the poor and for Maintenance of poor Children destitute of Parents and aged People and such as are cast into Prisons for professing the Christian Faith and that this Way of Contribution continued till the great Persecution under Maximinian and Dioclesian about the Year 304. as Eusebius witnesseth â—nd so dâ—th Tertullian Origen Cyprian and others Also about this time some Land was given to the Church by them that believed the revenue thereof was distributed as other free Gifts were by the Deacons and Elders to the poor for the fore-mentioned Uses but the Bishops or Ministers medled not with them Origen saith It is not lawful for any Minister to possess Lands given to the Church to his own Use. Cyprian Bishop of Carthage about the Year 250. testifieth the same and sheweth how the Church maintaineth
THE DAWNINGS OF THE Gospel-Day AND ITS LIGHT and GLORY DISCOVERED By a Faithful and Valiant Follower of the Lamb and Labourer in the VVork and Service of God and a Sufferer for the TESTIMONY of JESUS Francis Howgil Who Dyed a Prisoner for the Truth in Appleby Goal in the County of Westmerland the Twentieth Day of the Eleaventh Moneth One Thousand Six Hundred Sixty Eight And the Dragon was Wroth with the Woman and went to make War with the Remnant of her Seed which keep the Commandments of God and have the Testimony of Jesus Christ Rev. 12.17 And they overcame him by the Blood of the Lamb and by the Word of their Testimony and they loved not their Lives unto Death Rev. 12.11 Printed in the Year 1670. To all the faithful Friends and Followers of Christ Jesus in Scorn call'd Quakers Dear Friends THE Remembrance of the Author of these Books is fresh upon me as I believe it is upon many more that knew him and indeed he can never be forgotten by us whose blameless and innocent Life and Conversation when amongst us was a good Pattern unto us for he was a Man of a meek and gentle Spirit and was very careful and tender to all in whom the least Appearance of Truth manifested it self and his Travails and Labours were great for the Truth 's sake to beget People to the Lord being not satisfied to eat his Bread alone as many yet living in England Scotland and Ireland can testifie where he laboured and suffered and he was a Man of a tender and broken Spirit and constant in his Love to all his Brethren and a great Care he had over all the Flock of God and his Faithfulness to the Truth was a Crown unto him unto his latter End and his Name for his Constancy to the Lord and his Truth shall be had in Remembrance by Generations to come I have here drawn up a short Relation of his last Tryals and Sufferings at Appleby which being not heretofore published I thought meet to incert them before his Books as followeth and remain A Friend to all that love the Lord Jesus Ellis Hooks London the 3d Day of the 5th Moneth 1676. A true Relation of the Tryals Sufferings and Death of Francis Howgil who dyed a Prisoner for the Testimony of Jesus in Appleby in the County of VVestmorland the 10th Day of the 11th Moneth 1668. in the 50th Year of his Age. THE said Francis Howgil about the latter End of the 5th Moneth 1663. being in the Market in Kendal about his ordinary Occasions was summoned by the high Constable to appear before the Justices of Peace then present at a Tavern who tendred him the Oath of Allegiance as they said and committed him to Prison till the Assizes at Appleby so at Appleby he appeared and had the same Oath tendered in the Court by the Judges and for not taking it was indicted only he had Liberty to answer to the Indictment the next Assizes in the mean Time a Goal Delivery being at Appleby he was required again to enter into Bond for the good Behaviour only to ensnare and to bring him into further Bonds and for denying was committed Prisoner A further Relation of his Tryal at two several Assizes is as followeth Being at the Assizes he had free Liberty of Speech and good Audience before the Judges and great Men of the Country and many others and indeed the Lord made him without Fear and girded his Heart with Strength and opened his Mouth in Wisdom so that he gained upon his Adversaries for which Glory is given to God who was a present Help to him in the time of Need. Before the Judges sate F. H. spoke to the Clerk of the Assizes and told him he did not know whether they expected his Appearance then or not the Clerk said You have done well and that he would acquaint the Judge and he should only engage to him to appear the next Assizes to answer the Indictment against him and that he should not appear in Court Francis bid do what he would In the mean time Sir Philip Musgrave so called a great Adversary to the Truth and the great and chief Prosecutor of Francis had informed the Judges against him As that he was a dangerous Person a Ringleader and a Keeper up of Meetings of dangerous Consequence and destructive to the Peace of the Nation so then they concluded he should appear in Court and so the Clerk informed him and told him about what time he should be called So the Court began Judge Twisden gave the Charge to the grand Jury in which he said There was a Sort of People who under Pretence of Conscience and Religion who seemed to build upon the King's Declarations from Breda and under Colour of this hatched Treasons and Rebellions and gave the Jury Charge to enquire and present such that the Peace of the Nation might be preserved so they impaneled the Jury and Francis was called to the Bar and the Judge spake as Followeth Judge speaking calmly to him said The Face of things was much altered since the last Assizes made a large Speech to him and the Country telling him That all Sects under Pretence of Conscience did violate the Laws and hatched Rebellions not saith he that I have any thing to charge you with but seeing the Oath of Allegiance was tendered to you the last Assizes and you refused to take it it was looked upon that such Persons were Enemies to the King and Government and said I will not trouble you now to answer to your Indictment but I must do that the next Assizes in the mean time you must enter into Recognizance for the good Behaviour To which F. H. answered I desire Liberty to Speak which he had without Interruption and said as followeth F. H. Judge Twisden thou very well knowest upon how slender an Account or none I was brought before thee the last Assizes where thou were pleased to tender me the Oath of Allegiance though I believe both thee and the rest of the Court did know it was a received Principle amongst us not to swear at all many Reasons I gave thee then many more I have to add if I may have Audience for it may appear to you an absurd thing and Obstinacy in me to refuse it if I should not render a Reason I am said he none of those that make Religion a Cloak of Maliciousness nor Conscience a Cloak to carry on Plots or Conspiracies the Lord hath redeemed me and many more out of such things and seeing I am engaged to appear at the next Assizes I desire no further thing may be required of me Judge You must enter into Bond this dangerous time and therefore consider of it and tell me now or before the Assizes end The second Day of the Assizes he was called again F. H. Seeing thou art pleased to let me answer to my Indictment which I am willing to do I have been of
to me I have a Wife and Children and some Estate which we might subsist upon and do Good to others and I know all this lyes at Stake but if it were my Life also I durst not do but as I do lest I should incur the Displeasure of God and do you judge I would loose my Liberty wilfully and suffer the spoiling of my Estate and the ruining of my Wife and Children in Obstinacy and Wilfulness sure nay Judge Jury you see he denyes the Oath and he will not plead to the Indictment only excepts against it because of the Form of Words but you see he will not swear and yet he saith he denies the Indictment and you see upon what Ground And then they called the Goaler to witness and swear that the last Assizes F. H. did refuse c. which he did and the Jury without going from the Bar gave in their Verdict Guilty and then the Court broke up that Night The next Day towards Evening when they had tryed all the Prisoners Francis was brought to the Bar to receive his Sentence Judge stood up and said Come the Indictment is proved against you what have you to say why Sentence shall not be given F. H. I have many things to say if you will hear them 1 st As I have said I denyed not out of Obstinacy or Wilfulness but was willing to testifie the Truth in this Matter of Obedience or any other Matter wherein I was concerned 2 dly Because Swearing was directly against the Command of Christ 3 dly Against the Doctrine of the Apostles 4 thly Even some of your principal Pillars of the Church of England as Bishop Usher sometime Primate of Ireland he said in his Works The Waldenses did deny all Swearing in their Age from that Command of Christ and the Apostle James and it was a sufficient Ground and Doctor Gauden late Bishop of Exeter in a Book of his I lately read he cited very many ancient Fathers to shew that the first three hundred Years Christians did not swear so that it is no new Doctrine To which the Court seemed to give a little Ear and said nothing but talked one to another and Francis stood silent and then the Judge said Judge Sure you mistake F. H. I have not the Books here Judge Will you say upon your honest Word they denyed all Swearing F H. What I have said is true Judge Why do you not come to Church and hear Service and be subject to the Law and to every Ordinance of Man for the Lord's sake F.H. We are subject and for that Cause we do pay Taxes Tribute Custome and give unto Caesar the Things that are his and unto God the Things that are his to wit Worship Honour and Obedience and if thou mean the Parish Assembly I tell thee faithfully I am perswaded and upon good Ground their Teachers are not the Ministers of Christ neither their Worship the Worship of God Judge Why it may be for some small things in the Service you reject it all F. H. First it is manifest they are time-servers one while preaching up that for divine Service to People that another while they cry down as Popish superstitious and Idolatrous and that which they have preached up twenty Years together make Shipwrack of all in a Day and now again call it divine and would have all compelled to that themselves once made void Judge Why never since the King came in F. H. Yes the same Men that preached it down once now cry it up so they are so unstable and wavering that we cannot believe they are the Ministers of Christ 2 dly They teach for Hire and live by forced Maintenance and would force a Faith upon Men contrary to Christ and the Apostles Rule who would have every one perswaded in their own Minds and said Whatsoever is not of Faith is Sin and yet they say Faith is the Gift of God and we have no such Faith given but yet they would force theirs upon us and because we cannot receive it they cry You are not subject to Authority and the Laws and nothing but Confiscations Imprisonment and Banishment is threatned and this is their greatest Plea I could mention more Particulars then the Judge interrupted Judge Well I see you will not swear nor conform nor be subject and you think we deal severely with you but if you would be subject we should not need F. H. I do so judge indeed that you deal severely with us for Obedience to the Commands of Christ I pray thee canst thou shew me how that any of those People for whom the Act was made have been proceeded against by this Statute though I envy no Man's Liberty Judge Oh yes I can instance you many up and down the Country that are premunired I have done it my self pronounced Sentence against divers F. H. What against Papists Judge No. F. H. What against the Quakers so I have heard indeed so then that Statute which was made against Papists thou let'st them alone and executest it against the Quakers Judge Well you will meet in great Numbers and do increase but there is a new Statute which will make you fewer F. H. Well if we must suffer it is for Christ's sake and for well doing Francis then being silent the Judge pronounced the Sentence but spake so low that the Prisoner though near to him could scarce hear it The Sentence was You are put out of the Kings Protection and the Benefit of the Law your Lands are confiscate to the King during your Life and your Goods and Chattels forever and you to be Prisoner during your Life F. H. A hard Sentence for my Obedience to the Commands of Christ the Lord forgive you all So he turned from the Bar but the Judge speaking he turned again and many more Words passed to the same Purpose as before at last the Judge rose up and said Judge Well if you will yet be subject to the Laws the King will shew you Mercy F. H. The Lord hath shewed Mercy unto me and I have done nothing against the King nor Government nor any Man blessed be the Lord and therein stands my Peace for it is for Christ's sake I suffer and not for Evil doing And so the Court broke up the People were generally moderate and many were sorry to see what was done against him but Francis signified how contented and glad he was that he had any thing to loose for the Lord 's precious Truth of which he had publickly born Testimony and that he was now counted worthy to suffer for it As for the time of F. Howgil's Sickness which he endured with much Patience and Cheerfulness it begun the 11th of the 11th Moneth 1668. and continued till the 20th of the same Moneth and then he departed this Life having then for the Testimony of Jesus been Prisoner four Years and eleaven Moneths he was not unsensible of the Decay of his outward Man sometime before which
moved him to a Disposal of his outward Estate and the setting of his House in Order his Love was very dear to his Brethren and Fellow-Labourers with whom he had laboured and travailed in the Work of the Ministry in Testimony whereof he left to each of them something as a Remembrance of his Love and also was mindful of the Church and left a Legacy to be distributed amongst the poor of the Houshold of Faith in the Parts where he lived And though the time of his Departure did draw nigh and his Sickness encreased yet in all that time he was in perfect and good Remembrance and oftentimes very fervent in Prayer and uttered many comfortable Expressions to the great Refreshment of those who were with him And about two Dayes before his Departure being attended by his dear Wife and several Friends he begun to say unto them Friends as to matter of Words you must not expect much more from me neither is there any great Need of it as to speak of Matters of Faith to you who are satisfied only that you remember my dear Love to all Friends who enquire of me for I ever loved Friends well or any in whom Truth appeared and truly God will own his People as he hath everhither to done as we have daily witnessed for no sooner had they made that Act against us for Banishment to the great Suffering of many good Friends but the Lord stirred up Enemies against them even three great Nations whereby the Violence of their Hands was taken of I say again God will own his People even all those that are faithful and as for me I am well and content to dye I am not at all afraid of Death and truly one Thing was of late in my Heart and that I intended to have writ to G. F. and others even that which I have observed which Thing is that this Generation passeth fast away we see many good and precious Friends within these few Years have been taken from us and therefore Friends had need to watch and be very fâ—iâ—hful so that we may leave a good and not a bad Savour to the next succeeding Geneâ—ation for you see that it is but a little time that any of uâ— have to stay here And often in the time of his Sickness he said He was content to dye and that he was ready and praised God for those many sweet Enjoyments and Refreshments he had received on that his Prison-house-Bed whereon he lay freely forgiving all who had a Hand in his Restraint And he said This was the Place of my first Imprisonment for the Truth here at this Town and if it be the Place of my laying down the Body I am content Several Persons of note Inhabitants in Appleby as the Mayor and others went to visit him some of which praying that God might speak Peace to his Soul he sweetly replyed He hath done it and they all spoke well of him And a few Hours before his Departure some Friends who lived several Miles from that Place came to visit him he enquired of all their Welfare and prayed fervently with many heavenly Expressions That the Lord by his mighty Power might preserve them out of all such Things as would spot and defile And a little after he was saying something concerning Weeks or a time after which Persecution should be ended but his Weakness was so great and his Voice so low that it was not fully heard A little Season after he recovering a little Strength further said I have sought the Way of the Lord from a Child and lived innocently as among Men and if any enquire concerning my latter End let them know that I dye in the Faith in which I lived and suffered for And after these Words he spake some other in Prayer to God and sweetly finished his Course in much Peace with the Lord. George Fox's Testimony CONCERNING Francis Howgil NOW concerning Francis Howgil who was one of the Lord's Worthies that preach'd his everlasting Word of Life from about the Year 1652. until the Year 1668. He was convinced of God's eternal Truth and received his Gospel in the Year 1652. the same Day that he had been preaching in the Morning in Furbank Chappel in the Afternoon he was convinced by a Messenger of the Lord and several others that had been Teachers were convinced by him as John Audland and others He had a great Acquaintance with the highest Sort of Priests and after he did receive the Lord's Power and the Word of Life he was a Torment to them and he did confess to some of the Priests that the Knowledge of God and his Truth he knew no more of whilest he was amongst them as to the inward Enjoyment of it then a Child of five Years old And he and John Audland that had received some Money for preaching at a Parish called Colton in Fornace Fells in Lancashire when they had received the Gospel freely and the Word of Life from Christ they were commanded of the Lord to go and return that Money back again to the Parish and People from whom they had received it which they did and this made the Priests more to rage and the Professors So as the Son of God came to be revealed in him he began to know his Command and powerfully and freely to preach him and his Word of Life this did he and John Audland all the Dayes of their Life after their Convincement preached Christ Jesus freely as they had received him and turned many unto God And no sooner was his Mouth opened but the Priests Magistrates and Professors began to rage against him and began to be offended at the Word of God and the Gospel and sometime after cast him into Appleby Goal in a nasty stinking Prison in the County of VVestmorland and there they kept him for a time in the latter End of the Year 1652. but the Lord God delivered him out of the Mouthes of those Lyons whom God after overturned both Priests Magistrates and Professors And so after he was set at Liberty he grew valiant and bold for the Name of the Lord and travailed up and down on Foot preaching the everlasting Gospel and went to many Steeple Houses to warn both Priests and People of the Day of the Lord that was coming upon them and directing of them to Christ Jesus their Teacher and Saviour and travailed a foot through the Countries to London and was moved of the Lord he and John Cham to go and admonish O. Cromwel after he was newly made Protector and went to some of the Steeple-houses in London and other Meetings declaring to them the Day of the Lord and the Word of Life and where they might find it And after this he travailed through the Countries to Bristol preaching the Word of Life and after went into Ireland with Edward Burroughs and preached the Word of Life there to both Magistrates Priests and People under great Sufferings and many were begotten to the
Lord Jesus their Saviour and Teacher there was Truth and Life by them And after Henry Cromwel the Deputy of Ireland banished him and Edward Burroughs out of Ireland through the Instigation of the Priests and other Magistrates but the Lord overturned them his Adversaries also And so continuing in the Labour of the Lord till the Year 1661. he was imprisoned at London when the Monarchy People rose with many others though clear and innocent from that bloody Act for his and their Weapons were spiritual and they sought another Kingdom And after he and they were set at Liberty he still continued in the Work of the Lord travailing up and down the Nations and coming into the North at Kendal the Magistrates sent for him out of the Market and tendred him the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy and because for Conscience sake he could not swear in Obedience to the Command of Christ his Saviour they committed him to Appleby Goal in the Year 1664. and there they kept him from Sessions to the Assizes in a smoaky Hole and at last they premunired him and his Body being almost spent in the Service of the Lord being a weak man there did he offer up his Life as a Sacrifice of his Faith for the Lord Jesus Christ's Truth and dyed a Prisoner for the Name of Jesus in the latter End of the Year 1668. and so laid down his Life as a Testimony against the Persecutors Breakers of the Command of Christ and his Blood doth cry for Vengeance though he could say The Lord forgive all hâ—â— Persecutorspunc who having the Mind of Christ desired the Good of all yea the worst of hâ—â— Enemies and in that Desire of the Good of all did he labour travail seeking their Good and their Eternal VVelfare in the Inheritance of Life that fades not away of which he was an Heir and is entred into Rest and the Possession of the same And now this peaceable Man the persecuting Priests and Magistrates have gotten their Desire to shut up in Prison this Servant of the Lord to Death for obeying the Command of Christ but how they will answer it before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords the great Judge at his Tribunal Day which hastens apace let them consider with themselves for if they went into everlasting Punishment that did not visit Christ in Prison what wâ—ll become of such as cast him into Prison in his Members And so they made his Wife a Widdow and his Children Fatherless who have none to cry unto but the Lord who will relieve the Widdow and help the Fatherless The Place of his outward Habitation was in Greying in Westmorland a man known to be of good Report before he received the Gospel freely from Jesus which he declared freely and great Sufferings and Tryals and Reproaches and Scorns and hard Labours in the Work and Service of the Lord he went through and many vain Disputes Priests and Professors of all Sects rose up against him but the Lord in his Power gave him Dominion over them all Who ended his Dayes in Peace in the Truth of God and the Lord's Service and Testimony for his Name and for the keeping of and obeying the Command of Christ his Lord and Saviour And therefore all Friends and Brethren that are begotten by him through the Word of Life and others live in the same Word that lives abides endures forever that is a Hammer a Fire as a Sword to all that is contrary to that which is holy and pure so that in the Truth Power and Word of Life the Lord God may be glorified in you all the Dayes of your Life And blessed are all they that aye in the Lord they rest from their Labours and their Works will follow them G. F. Richard Pinders Testimony CONCERNING Francis Howgil AS concerning our dear Brother in the Lord Francis Howgil the Author of these ensuing Writings he was a Man so well known through the Churches of Christ in his Day that much need not be writ concerning him as by Way of Testimony to those that knew him and his Spirit and Manner of Life and Conversation yet I having had a full Knowledge of him especially in the time of his long and tedious Imprisonment in the Town of Appleby in Westmorland where for his Testimony sake he ended his Dayes and laid down his Life as a Testimony for that Truth that he had testified of so largely both in preaching the Gospel and in these ensuing Books which he writ at several times according as the Lord put it into his Heart and as there was Occasion to answer Truth 's Opposers and after many Years Travails and Labours in the Work of God he through the Envy of some great Persons in that Country was made Prisoner at the foresaid Town of Appleby they having nothing justly to lay to his Charge yet knowing that it was his Principle not to swear at all Christ having forbidden it they put the Oath of Supremacy and Allegiance unto him and only for refusing to swear he was premunired they in the least laying nothing of Misdemeanour to his Charge and when the Judge pronounced the Sentence of Premunire against him he only replyed It is a hard Sentence being only for the Exercise of my Conscience but the Will of the Lord be done and prayed the Lord might forgive them all that had any Hand in it and so after the said Sentence being committed Prisoner he continued a Prisoner several Years in which time I was very conversant with him and I must give this Testimony for him that I never heard him in the least murmur or repine in all the time of his Imprisonment but alwayes appeared as a Man wholly given up inâ—o â—he Will of God and when at any time we had been speaking of his long Imprisonment constantly he would have said The Will of the Lord be done and such was his godly Behaviour and Conversation in the time of his Confinement that he greatly gained the Hearts and Love of the Goaler's whole Family and all others of the Town that knew him and had any Acquaintance with him and even to this Day when his Name is mentioned they are all ready to say he was a Man that truly feared God so that he left an exceeding good Savour behind him in that Place And as for the Course of his Time and Dayes in this World I have this to say he was born of honest Parents and brought up to some Learning according to the usual Custom of the Country and in his Youth and tender Years was one that sincerely thirsted after the Knowledge of God and the Lord was good unto him and gave him Discoveries of divine things unto his Soul 's great Comfort and he was an early Owner of the People of God called Quakers and walked with them and was alwayes ready to suffer with them as at any time called by the Lord thereunto he was one greatly
Thomas Carlton's TESTIMONY CONCERNING Francis Howgil MAY we lament for the Death of any Man Whose Dayes and Years and Life is as a Span Then sure for this our Friend that 's now remov'd Who was so universally belov'd And if we may his Praise in Poems speak Who universally Mens Good did seek Of what we know we 'll only testifie Because we saw him live and also dye To Appleby this innocent Man was brought The Cause was Envy Malice or else nought By such as thought to had him ruinated And in his Interests themselves have stated But God who hath the Righteous in Protection Nulls and frustrates the Wicked Ones Projection Now our Intent in brief's to give a View What of his Life since that time we well knew Being thither brought a Trap they soon prepared Because he could not swear he was ensnared They so delighted that Oaths should abound That they resolv'd to force Men Nation round And if deny then Prisonment during Life And thus they ruinated Man and Wife And did expose whole Families to Distress Making Wives Widdows and Children Fatherless Yea all confiscate that they did enjoy They by this Edict thought for to destroy I well remember when this Trap they laid And in the same this innocent Man betray'd They did insert it in their weekly News Giving the World their Aâ—l for to peruse And vauntingly to elevate their Glory Said they had snapp'd him in a Premunire Like shameless Men deluding their own Act With their vain Glory when their Trap had snapp'd And if they knew a Man to swear was loath Then call him in and tender him the Oath Thâ— they made Crime enough for to deprive A Man of Liberty Estate and Life Oh inhuman sure they are no Men indeed ' Tâ— Pity England any such should breed They needed not for Oaths they have anew Such as preceding Ages never knew Judge Turner he this wicked Sentence past On him and others whose Bonds yet do last Thinking thereby to terrifie the Just Who could not live in their Excess and Lust But their Designs and Weapons prove but vain Their Purposes and Ends for to obtain Lest I digress I shall return to that Which at this Time I principally aim'd at That is to give a certain true Relation And that indeed with little Reiteration Of this my Friend unto the World's View Who worthy is as after I shall shew My Heart is sad this Subject to indite So is my Hand and Pen the same to write Yet in the Lord I Contemplation find Augments my Joy and satisfies my Mind Because his faithful Course he finished As sacredly as he his Life had led He was a Man with Vertues pure endued He chose the Good all Evil he eschew'd And from a Child religiously affected He many a Soul to the Way of Peace directed The Secrets of God's Kingdom he well knew And them to many a tender Heart did shew He did delight of heavenly things to speak In 'th Fellowship of such as them did seek He lov'd the Company of Man or Child That was not with Iniquity defil'd The Fellowship of such as God did fear He in his Heart and Soul did love right dear He was a lowly meek and humble Mind In that I known no Man he came behind With Wisdom Patience Faith and Vertues pure He was possessed and them retained sure God's everlasting Gospel he did preach his Witness pure in many he did reach A pratling scribling Quaker they him call'd Because he did confound their wise Men all For grave Deliberation he exceeded As grave within as outwardly gray-headed His mild Deportment unto every one Makes many an Heart now sad when he is gone Yea many a Soul to Righteousness he turned Yea as a Star he shone or Light that burned He was well learn'd in the Way and Work of God To what he knew he alwayes faithful stood He was a valiant Souldier for the Lord And well knew how to handle his spiritual Sword Of any Man he never turn'd his Back Nor of his Faith he never made Shipwrack Yea when he shot his Bow abode in Strength His even Hand did bit for Breadth and Length These Things I say and what I say I know For he to me my secret Thoughts did show He was the Minister of Christ to me And did resolve my Doubtings inwardly When not a Word to him I did express Nor he before had never seen my Face Surely he was God's Oracle to me And spoke as though my inward Thoughts he see And since that time I never sought a Priest Neither was troubled with itching Ears at least True 't was the Gift of God in him did open He surely hit if that his Tongue had spoken He was no Accademian as he said But in our Northern Regions he was bred Whereby this Observation may accrew That Jeremiah prophesied true Because he said out of the North should come A Nation that should ruine Babylon Confound her Gods and break her Idols many And desolate make her Land as ere was any As Warriors expert at Babylon they aim Their Arrows sharp and keen shall not return in vain And this my Friend of whom I speak was one Amongst many Worthies more that shot at Babylon Which out of the North arose a Climate that 's so cold Wherein Ezekiel saw a Fire it self unfold Which surely will consume Babylon that whorish Woman And all her Spots unvail by the Brightness of its Coming The Work this Man hath wrought with others moe Ages and Tears to come the Effect will shew The Arrows they have shot right sharp and keen When they are gone will sink in 'th VVhore and Queen Succeeding Ages the Effects may see Her deadly Wound incurable to be Then their Memorial shall blessed stand Who died Captives in their Native Land And now dear Francis thou thy Life compleated A Martyr true that never Foot retreated Thy Fame thy VVorth thy Praise I cannot note Who stood so true and stagger'd not a Jote Children unborn shall praise the Lord for thee When thy heroick extant VVorks they see Now from their nasty Goal thou art released To where thy Joy and Peace shall be encreased Though thou in Mesech for a long Time sojourned And as a harmless Dove in private mourned Being constrain'd in Kedar's Tents to dwell No Mate whereto thy Grievances to tell Nor add Relief to thy oppressed Soul With their vile Deeds and Words that were so foul Was Lot with wicked Sodomites sore vexed Was not thy righteous Soul as sore perplexed Had David greater Cause for to complain Then thou hast had in Appleby to remain Or was the Prophet Jeremiah more oppressed Then thy poor Soul with them hath been distressed But that thou hadst the Lord for thy Relief Who satisfied thy Mind and eas'd thy Grief And now hath heard thy Cry and thy Complaint And thee set free from under their Restraint Let now the Teeth of the Persecutors grind Thee for
a Prey no longer they shall find Though their Reward for such things be to come They may be snapp'd as they snapp'd thee ere long Sure Appleby may now its Loss bewail It hath no more such to detain in Goal No Man so fit your Differences to end 'Mongst Lawyers now your Money you may spend None so discreet wherein to put your Trust Your light Esteem declares your Loss is just He well deserv'd why was he disregarded Why was your Love to him so much retarded Oh! Slavery surprized Fear was the Thing Lest you should be counted Rebels to your King The Proverb holds when in Adversities Few Friends appear but many Enemies This is alwayes the temporizing Strain Sight Honesty and Countenance prophane Oh sure thy poor that in thy Prison lies His Loss laments with Sobs and watry Eyes For he to them exhibited Relief And by sweet Counsel often eas'd their Grief He as a nursing Father was to them And all the oppressed that unto him came Yea many a Soul that him to visit came With great Refreshment did return again Those that in Travail Dayes and Miles had spent Him for to see returned not discontent Who ever sought him and returned sad He for all Sorts Relief and Counsel had And what he had he freely distributed So that his Foes his Name have well reputed He never to his Enemies bore Grudge Nor in his Heart no Malice he did lodge He lov'd no Strife but alwayes sought for Peace He cans'd the Love of Friends and Foes encrease There was no State nor no distress'd Condition For which he know not Balm or was Physician Some may object how do I these things know Our frequent Intimacy them did show He certainly was born of the Spirit above His Life declar'd to all he dwelt in Love I well remember when I stood him by At Side of his Death 's Red where he did lye His Weakness great did make my Eyes to run My watry Cheeks he fix'd his Eye upon I from my heart desired God would please Either by Life or Death to give him ease Turning his Eye by his Reply I saw That he was ready but he thought Death slow It breaks my Heart now when I do remember His Care and Love which over all was tender Oh! the Want of him to my Soul is a Loss â—et I contented am to bear the Cross Being God's Pleasure I dare not repine But freely in his Will all Things resign Because I see all outward Comforts fail 'T is Peace with God will only me avail Therefore to that I shall apply my Mind The Residue of those my Dayes behind Desiring to compleat my Course and Faith As piously as I believe he hath That in God's Service I my Life may spend And his Reward my Soul may reap in 'th End Therefore we slight that persecuting Spirit That of Eternal Life would disinherit For who among them now have gain'd their Peace By persecuting him to his Decease But their Reward in the End will sure be Pain Though they at present their proud Will obtain Desist I shall Oh Lord take thou the Praise Throughout my Life of all my Words and Wayes So farewel Reader this I do commend Unto thy View and shall remain thy Friend Thomas Langhorn Thomas Carlton The unchangeable Testament and Will and Counsel of Francis Howgil left to his Daughter Abigail Howgil DAughter Abigail this is for thee to observe and keep and take heed unto all the Dayes of thy Life for the regulating of thy Life and Conversation in this World that thy Life may be happy and thy End blessed and God Glorified by thee in thy Generation these Things I bequeath unto thee and counsel thee ever to observe being the chief Thing alone I have to bestow upon thee which I prize more then outward Riches do thou so also and observe and keep my Sayings and I charge thee before God and by the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ that thou observe what I say the which I am moved of the Lord to leave thee behind and in tender Love and Affection unto thee my Daughter that the Lord may give his Blessing unto thee and make thy Wayes prosperous and thy latter End Peace First of all know this I was never born to great Possessions or did inherit great Matters in this World but the Lord hath alwayes endowed me with Sufficiency and enough and hath been as a tender Father unto me because my Heart trusted in him and did love the Way of Righteousness from a Child I have no great Portion to bestow upon thee of the things of this World yet of that little which I have and that God hath blessed me with something I shall give thee which I shall not mention here but thou wilt know at my Decease but thy dear Mother I rather commend thee unto whom I trust will provide sufficiently for thee unto whom my Heart hath been upright before the Lord she had a sufficient Portion and Dowry when I married her the which I shall be sorry much to lessen or impair and whatever was hers if it please the Lord I decease before her I freely leave unto her as was ever my Intention and Purpose which hath not neither shall alter through the Strength of God as God only knows and bears me record and shall be manifest unto all in due time as it is unto the Lord who hath been with me in the midst of many Troubles Tryals and Sufferings and hath lifted up my Head above my Adversaries because I only trusted in his Name which at all times I found as a Refuge and a present Help in the time of need and so will be unto thee if thou fear his Name and trust in him forever And now dear Child hearken unto the Words of my Mouth and listen unto my Counsel ponder these things I leave behind me unto thee to observe that thy Dayes may be long upon the Earth and blessed and comfortable unto thee and an Honour to God in thy Generation at that time when thou wast born and brought forth was a time of deep Exercise and Trouble with me not from the Lord who alwayes spoak Peace unto me and did sustain me but by Reason of the Adversary of Mankind who alwayes seeks to devour the Good in all and is the Sower of Discord and Mischief in the Hearts of them who fear not the Lord neither abide in his Counsel in whom he enters as any Place is given unto his Temptations and corrupts the Mind but though it was a great Tryal that came upon me the Lord kept my Heart in Uprightness unto him and gave me much Patience so though the Earth had been removed into the midst of the Sea and all outward things had run into Confusion and Nature had changed his Course the Lord gave me a Resolution and Strength as not to be troubled neither offended because he did support me at that time wast thou born and therefore
I was moved to call thy Name Abigail which signifies the Father's Joy or Delight for in thee I was comforted that did mitigate my present Trouble and my Counsel unto thee is That thou remember thy Creator in the Dayes of thy Youth and fear the Lord in thy Youth and learn to know him and serve him all thy Dayes first seek the Kingdom of God and the Righteousness thereof it 's not far from thee it 's within thee it consists in Life and Power and it stands in Righteousness Truth and Equity Justice Mercy Long-suffering Patience Love Light and Holiness this is the Being and Center thereof therefore seek not lo here or lo there without thee in this or that outward Observation for mâ—ny seek there and never find it but seek and thou shalt find wait and thou shalt receive if thou enquire in what must I seek and what must I wait in how must I seek I inform thee thou must silence all thy own Thoughts and thou must turn thy Mind to that which is pure and holy and good within thy self and seek and wait in that in the Light of Jesus Christ wherewith thou art enlightened which shews thee when thou dost Evil and checks and reproves take heed unto that and it will shew the evil Motions and Thoughts and as thou lovest it it will subdue them and preserve thee for the time to come out of Evil for though thou be born into the World a reasonable Creature yet thou must be born again and be made a new Creature or else thou canst not enter into God's Kingdom thou must know the Seed of the Kingdom in thy self of which thou must be born and formed again into God's Image I have told thee God hath sown it in thee a Grain of it a Measure of it a Portion of it a Measure of Light and Truth of Righteousness and Holiness keep in thy Mind to that and love it and thou wilt feel the heavenly Father working in thee â—nd begetting thee to Life through Jesus Christ that hath enlightned thee and thou wilt feel the Power of the Lord strengthning thee in thy little and make thee to grow in the Immortal Seed of his Kingdom and out grow and over grow all Evil so that thou wilt daily dye to that and have no Pleasure in it but in the Lord and in his Goodness and Vertue shed abroad in thy Heart which thou wilt tast and feel within and have Joy and Comfort therein love the Lord with thy Heart and Soul even him that made thee and gave thee a Being and all things in Heaven and Earth and still wait for the Knowledge of him in thy self he is not far from thee but near unto thee and unto all that call upon him in an upright Heart and do thou enquire of thy dear Mother she will inform thee she knows him and the Way to Life and Peace and hearken unto her Instruction God is a Spirit a pure Spirit of Light and Life and Power he that searcheth the Heart and shews thee when thou dost Evil or think'st Evil or speak'st Evil and shews unto Man and Woman their Thoughts that which shows the Evil is Good and that which shews a Lye is Truth this is within take heed to it this is called God's Spirit in the Scripture believe in it love it and it will quicken thy Heart to Good and it will subject the Evil here is thy Teacher near thee loving it and if thou act contrary it will condemn thee therefore take heed unto this Spirit of Truth and it will enlighten and enliven thee and it will open thy Understanding and give thee to know what God is and to do that which is good and acceptable in his Sight this Spirit never errs but leads out of all Error into all Truth O Abigail believe my Words they are the Words of God and Truth be not wanton but sober minded in thy Youth and wait on the Lord within hearken unto him God is Light immortal Life immortal Truth immortal an everlasting eternal Spirit he speaks spiritually and invisibly within the Hearts and Consciences of Men and Women hear what he speaks and obey his Voice and thy Soul shall live fear to offend him or sin against him for the Wages of Sin are Death therefore prize his Love in thy young and tender Years and do thou read the Scriptures and Friends Books and take heed unto what thou readest to obey it as far as thou understandest and pray often unto the Lord that he will give thee his Knowledge and open thy Understanding in the things of his Kingdom search thy Heart often with the Light of Christ in thee manifest and bring thy Deeds to it that they may be tryed and examine thy self how the Case stands betwixt the Lord and thee and if thou seest thy self wrong humble thy self and be sorry and turn unto him and he will shew thee Mercy and take heed for the time to come that thou run not into the same Evil again keep thy Heart clean watch against the Evil in thy self in that which shews it therein there is Power and thereby thou hast Power to overcome all Evil And dear Child miâ—d not the Pleasures of Sin which are but for a Moment and the End is Misery but keep under and cross thy Will and Affection so thy Mind will have no Pleasure in the Evil but in Good and thou wilt feel the immortal Seed springing up in thee which God's Peace and Love is to O Abigail these are great and weighty things not to be slighted accompany thy self alwayes with them that fear the Lord and fear and worship him in Spirit and Truth and lead a holy and a blameless Life and Conversation deny not them but love them and suffer with them take heed that thou follow not the hireling Teachers who preach for Gain and Lucre and abide not in Christ's Doctrine believe them not heed them not they do People no Good but thou wilt see them thy self they have an outside Shew of Godliness sometimes but deny the Power of God and true Holiness remember I have told thee who have had perfect Knowledge of them but be sure that thou let nothing separate thy Love from God and his People those are his People that keep his Law and obey Christ's Voice and lead a holy Life and they were ever hated and belyed and persecuted and evil-spoken on alwayes by bad and evil loose People these are God's People and his Love and Peace and Blessing is with them do thou grow as a natural Branch up among them of the living Vine and continue all thy Dayes in Obedience unto God's Will and thou wilt feel Joy and Love in thy Heart which above all things covet after and thou shalt attain and obtain everlasting Peace which the Lord grant unto thee according to the Riches of his Mercy and Love which endure forever and ever Amen And now Abigail concerning thy well
in the room of Abraham for ordering the House of God to see that the Seed of Isaac be Inheritors which is like to be deprived by the Egyptian Brood Rep. My Desire is that they may be guided by the Spirit of Abraham who denyed his Country and if they walk in the Light they will be like him and will see that Things be ordered in the Nation in Righteousness but if they will take thy VVord who is the Isaac that thou would'st should inherit thou wilt present them Ishmael But is it not the Inheritance of Tythes and Augmentations and to have People to fall down to worship the Image that they have set up that is it thou would'st have ordered for who are of Abraham are of the Seed which the Promise is to and such you stir up the Magistrates and People by your Flatteries and Lyes to have a Law to keep them in Bondage and so them that dwell in the Light see it is the Egyptian that thou would'st have to inherit And further thou art telling of some that profess high Attainments which hath put the Kingdom in confusion and a flame and thou sayst they ought not to suffer the preaching of the Word to go down nor the Sacraments to fail There is profession enough in the Nation but little Possession and all who profess high things and do not possess them are Hypocrites And now blessed be the Lord Christ is come and made manifest which is the highest Attainment and he comes not to send Peace on the Earth but a Sword and he shall confound the mighty and lofty and they that have lived at ease shall be poured from Vessel to Vessel and now is War proclaimed betwixt Michael our Prince and all the Inhabitants of the Earth and all Inchanters and Deceivers and all such as have made Merchandize of Souls are now made manifest and now the Nations are angry and the men of the Earth are afraid and now Gog and Magog compasseth the Camp of the Saints about and the Beast upon which the Whore rides and the false Prophets and as many as have traded with the Beast and the Whore are troubled for her sorrow is coming in a day and all the Powers of the Earth cannot nor shall not uphold her for she shall be made desolate and burned with Fire and now thou and the rest of the Merchants are troubled and are petitioning to the Powers of the Earth to uphold you I say unto thee and unto all that joyn themselves against the Anointed which is now appearing who was dead and is alive and lives for evermore You shall all be broken and your eyes shall consume in their Holes Gather your selves together howl ye Caterpillars strengthen your selves build up your batteries cast up your mounts for a mighty and terrible one is coming up against you his voice is as the roaring of a Lyon he is greedy of his Prey he shall devour at once and he is bringing about his Determination to cut off every one that withstands him and no VVeapon formed shall prosper the eternal VVord is preached and the Angel is flying through the midst of Heaven with the everlasting Gospel and by it shall Antichrist be consumed And because this Gospel is declared and preached and witnessed thou art angry But that which thou calls preaching the VVord is nothing but thy own Imaginations This they have preached long enough and what hath it done all your divining None hath been turned from his Iniquity And as for thy Sacrament thou wast complaining of the Pope's Emissaries and here thou art one Thou mayst return thy Word back from whence thou hadst it And all who come to witness the word and the preaching of it and the Body and Blood of Christ which is the Saints Communion and the Supper of the Lord will deny all your Inchantment and all your canker'd rusty worm-eaten Divination and all powers which seek to uphold this which was and is Abomination to the Lord they must partake of her Plagues let all consider God hath overturned all the Powers that have pretended to establish Religion by a Lavv whenas they have but established a Form a Husk and so Satan hath crept into that and all the Priests in this Nation have they not transformed into every Image vvhat vvay soever Authority and the Povvers of the Earth bend and so have made merchandize and sold that vvhich is not Bread and so have deceived the People And further thou sayst The Apostle requires them to mark them that cause Divisions diligently And thou goes on and reckons up many that have been polluted in Religion and thou sayes he will cast her into a Bed of Torment if they do not repent Rep. They who are turned from the Light of Christ are turned into Division and they that have not the same Spirit by which the Apostle spake that said so are divided from Christ and from the Body and from the Saints and are in Contention And here I charge thee and all the Priests in England that you are divided from Christ and turned from the Light who prophesie for Hire and divine for mony who go in long Robes who are called of men Master who have the chiefest Place in the Assembly and stand praying in the Synagogue who go to Law with your Hearers and who give Meanings upon the Scriptures who add and diminish who speak but that which you have gathered from other mens Words there doth Sects and opinions strife and division arise And here thou art marked by many in the County of Durham praised be the Lord to be one that is divided from the Light and causes Division who took away Four Oxen for five Pence Halfpenny and so they have turned away from thee and all vvho stand in that Nature wherein thou stands And therefore thou art petitioning that thou might have a Law to bind us under thy Witchcraft wherein the Nations have been deceived And it is true God hath overturned Kings and Princes and Dukes and Earls and Emperors for the sake of his chosen Ones and all they vvho have made an Image like the true God and like the Gospel and have made a Decree and whosoever now make a Decree that any shall fall down to worship any thing which is contray to the Light of Christ in the Conscience God hath hewed them down and he will hew them down who go about to limit the Holy One who is Lord over all and who will have Dominion over the Consciences of men and the time is already when Jezabel is to be cast into the Bed of Torment and all who commit Fornication with her whether they be Kings Emperors Dukes or Earls they shall all go down with the Dukes of Edom into the Pit and with the rest of the Uncircumcised and the Saints shall rejoyce in their overthrow And thou sayest There is yet little doth appear in England but the old Beast under new Habits acts his old Tragedies
the Lord hath uttered his Voice before his Army for his Camp is great as a Lyon and is greedy of his Prey as a young Lyon he will not spare but devour and destroy all the Uncircumcised and cut off from the Earth even all the abominable Tremble tremble O Earth before the Lord and all ye careless Sons and Daughters that live at Ease in the Flesh in Wantonness and in Mirth a Day of Howling is coming upon you a Day of Sorrow and Lamentation Howl howl and weep ye that spend your Dayes in Vanity in Lust and Pleasure killing the Just ye Drunkards your Throats are as an open Sepulchre your Throats shall be dryed up and parched with the Flame of the Lord's Indignation the Lion shall be famished Diver 's End is your Portion you covetous greedy Deceivers Oppressours Lyars Swearers proud envious contentious Quarellers ye vain airy light Minds ye are â— Dust and will have your Portion in the Lake that burns Tophet is prepared Hell hath enlarged her self the Grave stands open to receive you the Pit hath opened her Mouth the Deep shall swallow you up ye rebellious and stiff-necked Generation who fear not the Lord but add Sin unto Sin behold the Day is coming ye shall wish the Mountains to fall upon you and the Rocks to cover you and shall seek Death but shall not find it The Arm of the Lord is stretched out the Hand of the most High is against you you fruitless Trees that cumber the Ground you shall be cut up by the Roots and cast into the Fire ye Lyars Swearers cursed Speakers ye proud and covetous double Dealers and Hypocrites which say in Word what you are not in Deed and make a Profession of the Name of God but depart not from Iniquity the Trumpet of the Lord is blown out of Sion the Alarm is sounded out of the holy mountain let all the Inhabitants of the Earth tremble a Noise of War and Rumor of VVar is heard his Sword is furbished and brandished to make a great Slaughter and the slain of the Lord shall be many Oh ye Potsherds of the Earth will ye strive against the Lord will ye set Bryars and Thorns in Battel against him who shakes the Heavens and makes the Earth reel as a Cottage who dryes up the Face of the deep and cuts off all the fresh Springs and makes the Cedars fall and pours down Snares upon the wicked Fire and Hail Storm and Tempest and Pillars of Smoak this shall be your Portion to drink the mouth of the Lord of Hosts hath spoken it O foolish People unwise when will you seek after Wisdom Wisdom hath lift up her Voice in the Streets but you have stopped your Ears as deaf Adders and say in your Hearts we will not have Righteousness to rule over us but we will walk as our Fathers and worship as other Nations do and as them whom the Lord hath cut off out of the Nations as untimely Fruit and are perished with the Uncircumcised Fear fear tremble tremble ye careless Ones ye hard Hearts ye Rocks shall be broken ye Cedars shall fall ye strong Oaks shall be cut up by the Roots your Root shall perish ye Mountains shall melt ye wild savage Creatures that are as wild Asses upon the Mountains a Moneth is coming wherein you will be found and a Day is at Hand wherein you shall see him whom you have pierced yea behold the Judge of all the World stands at the Door even of the quick and dead and he comes in the Clouds with Power and great Glory and every Eye shall see him and every Heart shall melt and all Faces shall gather Paleness and all Knees shall smite together and every Tongue shall confess his Judgment just when he shall execute his Wrath upon you and sweep you into the Pit and blow you away with the Whirlwind of his Wrath and then you shall be judged out of the Book of your Consciences Therefore fear fear and repent repent and prize your time while you have it and mind the Light of Christ Jesus that shews you your Iniquities and Sins and it love and it will turn you from Sin and Unrighteousness to Christ Jesus from whence the Light comes and it love and it will judge all your vain Actions and bring Condemnation upon all the Deceit and lead you to true Confession and Forsaking and to know the Lord is pure and holy and nothing that is evil can dwell in his Sight And so remember you are all warned in your Life time lest you be swept away into the Pit and perish forever and ever and there be none to deliver you and unto you this is the word of the living God whether you hear or forbear F. H. THE FIRST General Epistle Written to the Camp of the Lord In ENGLAND TO all the Seed of Abraham who are Jews indeed and Israelites in whom is no Guile who are of the true Circumcision made without Hands Who are of the Off-spring of David and of the Church or the first-born who are the first Fruit unto God Ye royal Off-spring of the Rock of Ages who have come out of the everlasting Washing My dear Brethren called Quakers who have eaten your Bread with Fear and Trembling whom your Brethren have cast out Oh how I love you my Soul is knit unto you my Heart and Life breathes after you I am one with you in Suffering and in Joy ye are the choicest of the Flock ye are the fairest of all the Children which are brought forth Oh my beloved Ones though I be among the Tents of Kedar as without where the Voice of the Lord hath neither been heard nor known yet you I forget not if I do let the Tongue cleave to the Roof of my Mouth and let me never speak more in the Name of the Lord who is my Life and the portion of my Cup forever Oh! what shall I say unto you none knows your Beauty nor Innocency nor Glory but them who are redeemed out of Kindreds and Nations and Tongues and People and Countryes who follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes For the Name of my God and your God who is living and lives for evermore is in your Foreheads you are his Off-spring and the Fruit that came out of the Eternal VVomb begotten by the Eternal VVord of Life which lives forever and are nourished at the eternal Table in the everlasting Mansion-house of my Father which is in Heaven None so fair none so beautifull none so Glorious none so Rich you are crowned with Love forever you are clothed with Righteousness forever you eat of the Tree of Life which heals the Nations and of the Bread of Life that nourishes you up forever and drinks of the living VVaters which run fresh beautiful and cool in it you are bathed and suppled and made white you are builded upon a Rock storms cannot move you tempests cannot make you afraid in this you have been and
whom we bear Witness and have the Witness in our selves even so do they unto us but the Servant is not greater then his Lord and therefore we that are baptized for the Dead and stand in Jeopardy of our Lives often we have a Cloud of Witnesses which endured the same and therefore the same Baptism and the same Cup must be drunk by all that follow him Well my dear Brethren your Sufferings I know and I know he of whom you bear Witness bears up your Heads who hath called you thereunto above all that which is done unto you as you stand in his Will and Counsel Well as dear Brethren and Companions in the same Tribulation Kingdom and Patience of the Saints as Witnesses of the same Faith as they were which are gone before you you are made Partakers of the same it is made manifest and revealed in you by the same God in which Faith they had Power and you have Power and endure as they did and as he did even the Contradiction of Sinners Well our God is on our Side and takes our Part and therefore my own Bowels in Patience endure God will bring forth your Righteousness as the Sun and your Enemies shall be ashamed and I know and you also know it is for the Advantage and the Furtherance of the Gospel of Christ and endure in Patience and long-suffering and look not out and the Lord in due Time will enlarge your Border and the eternal God of Power be with you chosen Ones for the Lord's Work you shall have your Reward nay he is come and his Reward is with him I know you have it and witness his Power and his Presence with you So my dear Ones in that which limits all and chains all and keeps under all Deceit dwell and abide forever in the living Power which makes the strong Man bow down and the Devils tremble and the unclean Spirits roar and the Power you know where is your Life that all the Powers of the Earth cannot reach and therefore do the Potsherds of the Earth strive in vain to set Bryars and Thorns in Battel against him in vain do they rage for notwithstanding all that God hath set and will set his own Son upon the holy Hill of Sion Glory unto him forever Shout out for Joy oh ye Sufferers for him who are set free by him and your Freedom can none take away for he is greater then all even him in whom ye have believed standing in his Power Wisdom and Counsel who is near you that none is able to pluck you out of his Hand for he hath the Keyes of David who opens and none shuts and binds and none can loose even he who rebukes the Wind and Seas and they obey him and causes a great Calm and causes the Water to abate nay to stand of a Heap and dryes up the Tongue of the Egyptian Sea that his ransomed Ones may go over into the Rest and he that hath and doth believe in him is entered into the Rest where we all meet in one in him who is the Judge of all the World the Light of the World and our Life who believe in his Name but the Condemnation of all the World who walk in Unrighteousness forever and ever For with the pure and upright he dwells and his Throne is established in Righteousness forever and ever And unto our God who lives forever shall all the Powers of the Earth bow to whom be Glory and eternal Praise of all his Redemed Ones forever and ever F. H. O All ye Sons of Sion and ye Daughters of the King who is glorious within who have waited for the Bridegroom Oh my beloved Oâ—es you who have long sitten in a solitary Place and have been as a silly Dove without a Mate and have been as a Widow desolate and as a parched Heath you that have wandred up and down in the long Night of Darkness and knew no Rest but were as one cast off by all and all that passed by you laughed at your Sorrow you have been as a Hissing and as a Proverb to all and as a Mark to shoot at by all your Faces have been as the Tents of Kedar parched and your Skin withered for Want of Refreshment and as a dead Tree that bears no Fruit Oh ye who have come through great Tribulation and have suffered the Loss of all the spoiling of all even the greatest Riches the chiefest Jewels who have lost all your Knowledge and Wisdom and become Fools for Christ's sake and have parted with all and have suffered the Indignation of the Lord to pass over all and have drunk of the Cup of Fury at the Hand of the Lord who have suffered Hunger Famine Pestilence and Earthquakes and the darkening of the Sun and the Moon lost her Light and the Stars have fallen and the Pillars of Heaven have been shaken the Earth hath been removed out of its Place as a Cottage and you have cryed out in the midst of all this He hath forgotten to be gracious and his Mercy is come to an End the Womb hath been shut up Desolation and Sorrow Loss of Children and Widowhood in a Day came upon you Oh ye tossed afflicted and not comforted that have been as Eunuchs dry and barren as in the Drought of Summer that have been as Pelicanes and as a Dove who hath sorrowed for the loss of her Mate and as one in Sorrow for the Loss of her first-born who have been in Bitterness and none could comfort you I am one with you your State I know I love you eternally yea you are my Brethren and Sisters forever sealed in my Heart and engraven to be read forever I see you I behold you I kiss you and embrace you with an holy Kiss of everlasting Love which overcomes Death and Hell which Love thinks no ill ye that are made Partakers of this Love know what I say ye that have waited for him and wait and suffer the spoiling of all I am marryed unto you I came forth of the same Womb which is Eternity free forever free-born not in Bondage because the PRINCE OF THIS WORLD is judged and cast out and the Glory of the Lord revealed Come forth ye Sons and Daughters of Jerusalem which is free from above utter forth your Voice sing aloud the Bridegroom is come and is coming and ye that have suffered the spoiling of all rejoyce for evermore lift up your Voices as Trumpets he is come he is covered with Righteousness as with a Robe his Countenance is as the Morning his Eyes are brighter then the Sun his Voice is Life Eternal Salvation is round about him he dwells in eternal Life Life is in his right Hand and Joy is in his Presence and Peace for evermore he is a tryed Stone he is a Rock which the Righteous fly to he hides his under his Wings and covers them with his Feathers Beauty Beauty Glory Glory Eternity Eternity Almightiness Almightiness Power
ye high Cedars and mighty men put on your Strength and gather together all your Forces which you have trusted in call upon your Gods and all your Southsayers and Diviners together for now he is come and the Daughter of Sion now laughs you to scorn and Jerusalem the free Citizens do wagg their Heads at you for he will now plead the Cause of the Poor against you who have been too strong for them and now all that hear this shall tremble For he will make Jerusalem a Praise in the Earth and from it do the Law and the Prophets come forth Awake Oh Arm of the Lord and put on Strength as in the dayes of old to redeem thine own Inheritance which hath long been by the Heathen laid waste and hath been trampled upon by the Uncircumcised art not thou he which was and is and is to come who wilt not give thy Glory to another Arise and shine forth in thy Brightness thou Star of Jacob and Sun of Righteousness and let the Earth be filled with thy Light and Glory that Generations to come may call thee blessed Dry up the Tongue of the Egyptian Sea confound the Wisdom of this World which never knew thee neither would own nor receive thee make the Diviners and Sorcerers mad who have scattered thy Sheep from the everlasting Fold and have healed the Hurts of thy People deceitfully and have caused them to err in telling them thy Power nor thy Arm was not to be looked for now as in the Dayes of old nor thy immediate voice nor word was to be looked or waited for now in the Earth and so have deceived the People with their lying Divinations which they have spoken from the Imaginations of their own Hearts and have laid a stumbling-block in the Way as the Son of Nebat did who made Israel to sin But Oh Lord thou seest how thy own Seed lyeth scattered and ravenous Beasts make a Prey upon it and the Devourers swallow it up therefore hast thou appeared in thy Love and Power for thine own Name 's sake and wilt not suffer thy Seed to be trodden upon any longer by the Prince of Darkness nor his Children whom he hath begotten in his own Image Arise shine forth thou everlasting Covenant of Light and Peace by which and in which all our Fathers believed and so obtained a good Report and were redeemed out of Captivity to serve the Lord forever with one Heart and Mind and worshipped in one Spirit in which Faith they laid hold upon the Perfect Righteousness of Christ made manifest in them and were justified but hath been hid for many Generations in the time of Anti-christ's Reign and all the world hath wondered after the Beast and hath received his Mark but now is the Night far spent and the Day is at hand wherein all that hath been hid shall be made manifest and the Number of the Beast is read and known by all that are redeemed from under his Power and now the Beast and the False Prophet is seen and the Man of sin is made manifest in this the day of his everlasting Power and the brightness of the Sun of Righteousness who is the Light of the world hath made him manifest who is come and coming Glory unto him for evermore who alone is worthy to take the Kingdom Wherefore all honest-hearted in and under all Forms of Professions who have travailed and are weary and all you that have kindled a Fire and have warmed your selves at the Sparks thereof and yet still you lye in Sorrow Oh all ye that have panted and thirsted after Righteousness who have wearied your selves in seeking among the dead Graves and Tombs for a Saviour but have found no Rest and who have followed Lo here and there in this Grave and the other Sepulchre builded on this and that Sand and still swept away your State I know you have no Peace in the eternal Rest I say unto you while you look without you your Eyes may consume in your Holes and your Expectation fail and you will be still complaining For your sakes who are weary and have found none to direct your Way a few Lines I am moved in Compassion to write unto you and if you will not receive it you will not believe if one should rise from the dead for I have obtained Mercy from Christ through his free Grace who is risen from the Dead and saw no Corruption by which Grace I am saved from Sin and cleansed from Unrighteousness after long and sore Labour and Travail under Pharaoh the Oppressour from under whose Dominion I am brought to worship the living God in Spirit and Truth in his Temple where he dwells in Righteousness forever And for the simples sake who have erred for Lack of true Knowledge as I did in Times past I shall declare unto you a little in short of my Travails in Egypt's Land where Darkness is so thick that â—f ye wait but diligently to see your selves you will fell it also From twelve Years old I set my Heart to know that God which the World professed and which I did read of in the Scripture which Abraham Noah Moses and the Prophets and the rest of the Fathers worshipped and I did fall into the strictest Worship that was in that Part wherein I lived and often I desired to be alone and attended much to reading and Meditation and then as I was sober and serious alone I began to see that all the Sports and Pastimes and such as Youth delight in naturally were Vanity and they lasted but for a Moment and while I was in Folly and Wantonness doing of them the Nature which was run into Transgression had Pleasure in them but as soon as I was come from among them I was judged in my self for what I had done and often made me weep then I resolved in my Will that I would never do so again and for some time did restrain from the common Practice of those things that I had walked in but as soon as I came amongst those again I acted those things again which before I did see to be Vanity but long before that I was checked for many things and so I walked often condemned in my self when I was serious and had no Peace and then not knowing what to do in much Sorrow when I was alone I had a Desire to be alone where I might not hear nor see any Folly acted and did not go to the former Exercises although something in me hankered after it but when I yielded not unto it I was glad and had Peace and then I began to oppose my Fellows with whom I had walked in Wantonness and then they began to revile me and hate me and scorn me yet notwithstanding I mattered not then I read much and prayed in Words often three or four times a day but I knew not where God was but in my Imagination imagined a God at a Distance and so went on and then
greatest Glory and I saw they would have all fall down to it else no Communion in the midst of all these and much more which is Death to speak on but only that all honest-hearted may see themselves where they have rested and also may not trust any more to a Reed of Egypt after all this no Peace nor no Guide I found and then the Doctrine of Free Grace as they called it some preached That all Sin was done away past present and to come and so preached Salvation to the first Nature and to the Serpent that bore Rule only believing this and all is finished to this I hearkened a little and so lost my Condition within but still whither ever I went this was spoken in me His Servant thou art to whom thou obeyes and so I being overcome by Sin I had no Justification witnessed in me but Condemnation Then some preached Christ within but they themselves were without had but Words and yet they said All must be within unto which my Heart did cleave and spoke of Redemption and Justification and all within and of God appearing in Man and overcoming the Power of the Devil and then that in my Conscience bore Witness it must be so and I was exceedingly pressed to wait to find it so and something breathed after the living God and a true Love I had to all that walked honestly in what Profession soever and I hated reviling one another and that they should smite one another and persecute one another and with the Sufferer I alwayes took Part but still I saw though they spoke of all things within and of a Power to come that they enjoyed not what they spoke for the same Fruits were brought forth till at last I saw none walked as the Ministers of Christ nor none that pretended to the Ministry had any such Gift neither Pastor nor Teacher nor any such Members as were in the Apostles time So at last having passed up and down hurried here and there I saw all the Teachers of the World that they sought themselves and fed poor People with dead Names and Deceit and that they were not the Ministry of Christ and so I saw them all in Deceit who did not abide in Christ's Doctrine and I got my self quit of most of them for ever as I dissented from their Judgment they hated me and persecuted me So at last there was something revealed in me that the Lord would teach his People himself and so I waited and many things opened in me of a time at Hand and sometime I would have heard a Priest but when I heard him I was moved by the Lord and his Word in me spoke to oppose and often as a Fire I burned and a Trembling fell upon me yet I feared Reproach and so denyed the Lord's Motion and it was revealed in me to wait and I should know his Counsel and the Word of the Lord was in me The Time was at Hand when the Dead should hear the Voice of the Son of God and it burned in me as Fire That the Day was near when it should not be Lo here nor there but all his People should be taught of the Lord but still my Mind ran out and out of the Fear into Carelesness for the Cross of Christ I knew not and yet I say I was wiser then my Teachers I met with in that Generation I do not glory in it for Condemnation is past on it all forever yet still I had ever as my Mind was turned to the Light pure Openings and Prophesies to come and a Belief that I should see the Day and should bear Witness to his Name and so when things opened so fast the Wisdom of the Flesh catched them and so I went up and down preaching against all the Ministry and also run out with that which was revealed to my self and preached up and down the Country of the Fulness that was in the old Bottle and so was wondred after and admired by many who had waded up and down as my self had and we fed one another with Words and healed up one another in Deceit and all laid down in Sorrow when the Day of the Lord was made manifest for I was overthrown and the Foundation swept away and all my Righteousness and Unrighteousness was all judged and weighed and all was found too light And immediately as soon as I heard one declare whose Name is not known to the World but written in the Lamb's Book of Life forever in eternal Record forever as soon as I heard him declare That the Light of Christ in Man was the Way to Christ I believed the eternal Word of Truth and that of God in my Conscience sealed to it and so not only I but many hundreds more who thirsted after the Lord but was betrayed by the VVisdom of the Serpent we were all seen to be off the Foundation and all Mouthes were stopped in the Dust and so we stood all as condemned in our selves and all saw our Nakedness and were all ashamed though our Glory was great in the VVorld's Eye but all was Vanity And then after all this I was ignorant what the first Principle of true Religion was but as I turned my Mind within to the Light of Jesus Christ wherewith I was enlightened which formerly had reproved me for all Vanity and also as I did own it it led me into Righteousness and when I turned to it I saw it was the true and faithful VVitness of Christ Jesus and then my Eyes were opened and all things were brought to Remebrance that ever I had done and the Ark of the Testament was opened and there was Thunder and Lightning and great Hail and then the Trumpet of the Lord was sounded and then nothing but War and Rumour of War and the dreadful Power of the Lord fell upon me Plague and Pestilence and Famine and Earthquake and Fear and Terrour for the Sights that I saw with my Eyes and that which I heard with my Ears Sorrow and Pain and in the Morning I wished it had been Evening and in the Evening I wished it had been Morning and I had no Rest but Trouble on every Side and all that ever I had done was judged and condemned and all Things were accursed whether I did eat or drink or refrain I was accursed and then the Lyon suffered Hunger and the Seals were opened and seven Thunders uttered their Voices mine Eyes were dim with crying my Flesh did fail of Fatness my Bones were dryed and my Sinnews shrunk I became a Proverb to all yea to them who had been mine Acquaintance they stood afar off me the Pillars of Heaven were shaken and the Earth reeled as a Cottage one Wo poured out after another and I sought Death in that Day and could not find it it fled from me and I sought to cover my self any Way or with any Thing but nothing could for the Indignation of the Lord was upon the Beast and the
of as oppressive and should deliver your Brethren up to the Devourer and Spoyler who have born a Part of the Suffering in the Nation 's Distress and Grief in the greatest Calamity would you be thus done by would you bear it well I will not â—omplain but I will shew you the Ground and lay it before you that if it be possible you may be ashamed and repent lest the Lord also avenge himself upon you as he did upon the Enemies before you Have not many of you in England been acting in the Steps of the prophane when the Lord hath given you what you sought after Liberty and Freedom in those Things and now you labour by all your Strength and Power to oppress them who walk blameless before the Lord and men also Oh what Is all your Preaching and Praying and Fighting and Warring come to this that none must declare the Mind of the Lord except it be in your Way or Will or Time under pain of Bonds and Banishment Fines and Imprisonment Stocking Whipping Stoning And you that have been Sufferers your selves now come to be chief Oppressors and Opposers of the Lord in his Way and all manner of Lyes and Reproaches you cast upon the Truth and you take Part with the rest of the Priests and Deceivers in the Nation which took Part against you when you were for the Lord and number us among Transgressors of every Hand to make the Truth odious to all from the least to the greatest and yet you would be accounted Christians and if you say you have thus learned Christ I say you know him not Can you limit the Ocean from flowing or can you command the Wind that it blow not or can you stop the Windows of Heaven that it rain not upon the Earth If you cannot at all do it all lie down he that reproves God let him answer it Have you given counsel to the Lord or have you been his Instructer or can you limit him in his Way if you cannot no more shall you be able to stop his VVay who is riding on in his Povver and overturns all the VVorld's VVisdom Povver and Strength and who is able to resist him who dryes up the Face of the Deep and saith to the Sea be still and to the Mountains be removed and they are so and he will advance his own Glory and Power against all mens wills and Laws which stand in man's Will and will break all your Cords as a Bulrush and overthrow all your Counsel and make it even with the Earth and Shame shall cover all his Opposers and therefore learn Wisdom Oh ye Potsheards of the Earth and cease to strive against the Lord and his Power which will be too strong for you and you shall not be able to limit him nor stop him in his Way who runs his Course as a Gyant and bruises all his Enemies Heads and cuts them in Pieces by the two-edged Sword of his Mouth which he hath put into the Hands of his Saints who follow him in the War and our Conquest is through Suffering Glory unto him forever who hath counted us worthy to suffer for his Name sake and to be brought before Rulers and Councils for his Name sake that the Scripture might be fulfilled in us in this Day as it was upon our Brethren who went before us And Oh ye Rulers of Ireland who have been Professors and Affecters of Liberty and for suppressing Cruelty behold now the Lord hath sent to try you and you are found in the same Footsteps when you are tryed as them that the Lord cast out before you and in the same Nature of the chief Priests and Elders and Councils who breathe out Threatnings and send out Warrants and Inquisitions to bind all and to send up all bound too before you that so Evil you say may be prevented in time and take reports from the Priests and false Prophets of the Nations who are Lyars evil Beasts whose Mouthes the Lord will stop and bring shame upon them who are Flatterers and have flattered the Powers and Rulers before you till they were all cut off and now they flatter you and cannot hold up their Divination without you help them what Gospel is this they preach when a few poor despised People who are hated of the World that the Sound of them makes them afraid Oh that ever you should be so ignorant to joyn to Baal but let him plead for himself and they stand by their God and their Gospel and if they be not able to defend themselves let them perish But them who come in their own Name you receive but them who come in the Name of the Lord and seek none of your Tythes nor Augmentations nor your Advance them you cannot bear should be in the Nation who are not troublesome to any nor desire to eat any man's Bread for nought and these you call of an evil Life And Men who have devoured their own Estates and others also and Drunkards and all manner of unclean Persons these may have Liberty Oh! do you think that he sees not your doings and that he will not call you to an account for these things and you must know our Country and calling I say unto you who live in Envy and Wrath if we declare unto you ye cannot believe But God gives no account of his Matters unto man where do ye read O ye foolish People and slow to believe but that the Ministers of Christ were called out from their outward Employments into the Lord's Vineyard contrary to their own Wills and were Ministers contrary to the Will of man and did mind the Calling of God to his own Work both the Prophets and Apostles and Ministers of Christ and also they Preached the Gospel who were never Church-Officers in all their life-Life-time as you may see Acts 8.4 But you say that was in a time of Persecution And what is this Time How many have been Persecuted from Town to Town from City to City put in Prison haled out of the Synagogues as most part of the Nation of England can VVitness And you in Ireland are following your Leaders who are in this Generation and fill up your measure also but Persecution was ever blind But you say They suffered for well doing but we justly Let that in your Consciences be Judge Would you not have judged Paul as you do us who went into the Synagogues on the Sabbath day and disputed and in the Markets daily and Christ who was their Example and ours also in the Synagogues he taught and in Ships and Towns and Villages and Desarts and wandred up and down and the Ministers of Christ had no certain dwelling-place and the Multitudes that followed them would you not have said These men are evil livers Your Generation said so then and that they were Sowers of Sedition and Heresie and Ring-leaders of Sects and Setters forth of Strange Gods and are accused to be the Disturbers of the Peace and
was there any of them that stood in the Gap or turned People from their Iniquity till the Lord broke out in his Wrath as Fire and laid the Land waste and the House of their God waste which you burnt up and will you now joyn with Moab and will you build again those things which you have once destroyed then you make your selves Transgressors think not thus in your Hearts that the Lord hath given you Dominion over the Nation to walk after your own Wills and joyn unto Deceit and that you may establish those things again which the Lord was wroth with and if you hold up those by your Laws and your Power and your Prisons and your Sword which is the People of the Lord's Curse I speak of the Teachers who are in Balaam's Way and greedy dumb Dogs who can never have enough and bestow the Nations Tythes and Lands and Riches which is the Lord's Treasure upon them that they may cry up Deceit and flatter you both you and they will fall together And Friends I am plain with you the Hand of the Lord is against them and all the Power of the Nations shall not save them from his Indignation And therefore be wise O ye Rulers and do not you think to take Counsel against the Lord and prosper nor prescribe not the Lord a Way for his Thoughts are not as your Thoughts nor his Wayes as your Wayes For he hath chosen the weak Things of this World to overthrow the Mighty your Eyes have seen this without and he hath revealed his Will to them and in them whom you look upon but as weak things and base things and in them he is making known his Eternal Power to overthrow the World's Wisdom and Might which is in the Fall and Curse from whence all Heresies and Blasphemies and Sects and Opinions flow and come forth and he is bringing his own Work his mighty Work to pass even to overthrow and overturn all the Power of the Beast and the false Prophet and shut them into the Pit and the Decree is gone forth and sealed and shall not be altered though all the Powers of Darkness joyn against him and although you should make a Law as the Jews did to take away the Life of Christ yet it did but little avail them for he hath carried on his Work through all Generations notwithstanding all Opposition and this is he in whom we trust and do not you think that you are able to limit the Lord by whom he must declare his Name or how or where or in what time but in his own VVay and Time and if he command and will us all mens VVills must be broken though still the holy men of God suffeâ—ed as such and so accounted as Disturbers of Peace I say the Devil's Peace must be broken and though the false Prophets of his Nation cry Peace unto you when you walk in the Imagination of your own Hearts and though you cry peace unto them yet one is come and coming to take peace from you for all your Peace and Agreement that you make against the least Appearance of God in his Servants it will be dashed to pieces And if they were to depart from the presence of God who fed nor the Saints neither clothed them nor visited them in prison but were to depart with the Devil and his Angels into everlasting Fire what will become of you who instead of clothing encourage the people to rent them off us and instead of feeding us give Command to depart because we are Stangers and instead of visiting them in prison you put them in prison and send for them one hundred Miles to be dragged to your prisons and before your Judgment-Seat in whom he is made manifest And now O ye Council at Dublin your Order hath so gratified the Devil and all the prophane in the Nation that they judge your Order was not large enough as that they had not Liberty to banish them who have been long Inhabitants in the Nation and therefore they tell you their Readiness to fulfil your Orders upon this Account and desire your Directions what to do further yea you have made all Lyars Drunkards cursed Speakers and prophane rejoyce and have strengthned the Hands of the wicked and so Judgment is turned backward and Righteousness cannot enter but all these things are recorded and you shall one Day remember what you have done And Friends it 's nothing to us we lay down our Heads in Peace notwithstanding if it had been done by them who had never professed any thing of Liberty of Conscience and Tenderness it might have been born but here your double Hypocrisie is made manifest Oh that ever you should be so led but why do the Heathen rage and the People imagine a vain Thing for he will exalt his Son upon the Hill of Sion and then wo unto them that have joyned their Power to uphold the Beast and the false Prophet for all must go into the Lake together where the Worm dyes not nor the Fire goes out to be tormented with the Devil and his Angels forever And therefore I say unto you Repent and turn to the Lord and seek Judgment and Righteousness that so you may judge for the Lord and break off all Oppression and entertain the Strangers who seek not yours but the Good of the Nation and that all people might know the Lord and worship him in Righteousness that so your dayes might be prolonged in the Land and the Lord of Heaven and Earth might rule over you in Righteousness and that he alone might be exalted in the Nations which hath not been known for many Generations but only all have lived with the Name without his Life and Power in Deceit and all Manner of Unrighteousness and the Lord is wearied and will ease himself of his Adversaries and his Glory shall no longer be given to another Cork in Ireland the 8 th of the 11 th Moneth 1655. AN EPISTLE TO THE Church of Christ BEING MY BRETHREN WHO ARE MADE PARTAKERS of the RICHES OF THE LOVE of GOD IN Christ Jesus In and About the CITY OF LONDON DEar Brethren who are called to be Saints by the Word which proceeds from the Throne of God the Lamb in which you have believed and denyed your Country and followed the Calling of the Lord and are become Children of Abraham and Children of the Promise Grace and Everlasting Peace be encreased amognst you who have believed the Testimony of his Son and are made Partakers of the common Salvation which was delivered unto the Saints and now made manifest in this his own Day according to his Everlasting Love to his Seed which Seed we are which are come up out of Egypt from whence he hath called his Son great is my Love unto you all and it 's the Love that I love withal which is stronger then Death and hath broken the Covenant of Death and now is become a broad River from
whence Streams of Refreshment flow which make the Heart glad and the Soul to rejoyce in the Land of the living Oh my dear Ones who are anointed with the holy and living Oyl which he was and is anointed withal who is the Life you have received into your Hearts which teacheth you all things and is the Truth which abides forever and as you abide in him and he in you you are made Partakers of Eternal Life and because he lives you live also Now dear Ones having set your Faces towards Sion and towards the holy Tabernacle where he dwells look not back but all mind your Leader and Captain who hath chosen you to follow him in the War and to be Partakers of his Glory and Crown as they are faithful to his Commands which are not grievous to them who deny themselves therefore you all have known the Terrours of the Lord and the Indignation of the Almighty while you were in the disobedient Nature and in time past when you were in the Alienation and without the Knowledge of the true God in the World and worshipping dumb Idols even as you were led by the Enemy of God who ruled in you and seeing while you were in that Nature captivated unto divers Lusts which the Wrath of God hath come upon and you having tasted of the Cup of Wrath and that with the living God nothing that defiles can have Fellowship but with Doubting and Trouble and with Fear and Condemnation in you and not true Peace nor Assurance you did witness then but now being changed in your Minds by hearkning to his living Word which killed you while Sin ruled which brought Wrath and works Death now to the disobedient but now hath he changed your Minds and brought you subâ—ect and hath subjected the Adversaries under your Feet who have believed in him and have given up all to the Death of the Cross Oh my dear Ones stand all in that pure Freedom and your Measure which hath been obtained through the Death of the Cross and which Peace and true Liberty you have already obtained hath been purchased at a dear Rate and therefore dwell every one in that Measure and be diligent in the VVork of the Lord and press on that all may be subject by him who is the Light and Guide that he alone may have the Preeminence who is the Head of all Principalities and Powers in whom you have believed and received the VVord of his Power which is eternal to whom be Glory and Praise fâ—r evermore which VVord after it had judged and condemned Sin in the Flesh now gives pure Peace and Life to all who believe in it and are judged by it and it seals you and is the Spirit of Promise and bears witness in your Spirits as you act according to its VVill and therefore now all deâ—r Friends being all sensible of your Guide and Teacher shut him not up in a Corner but wait that his Word may be preached for a Testimony to all the World and the Nations of the World that so the End of it you may come to see in you and the utmost Part of it may be given in Possession to the Son that he may alone be glorified And all DEAR FRIENDS wait in Patience and be circumspect every one over your own Hearts that there be no fainting nor looking back amongst you but that you may all keep out that which would lead you into the Rebellion and it may be cut off that so you may come to the End of your Hope the Salvation of your Souls and watch one over another in the living and not with the Evil but cover one another and bear one another and if any fall by Temptation admonish and restore them in Love and let not Strife nor Contention be among you but all be low meek and gentle one to another that so no Pride nor Presumption nor fleshly Exaltation may be amongst you but that you may every one walk as Ministers of Righteousness in your Place and so preach Righteousness in the Earth that the Lord alone may be glorified who is enlarging his Kingdom in this the Day of his Power and in his Strength we run and are not weary fulfil our Joy and grow up as living Branches of Righteousness and bring forth Fruit in him who hath called you and begotten you by the Word of his Power to a lively Hope by the Resurrection of the dead incorruptible which hath changed you from Death to Life my Desire is to you and my Heart is enlarged when I think upon you and my Prayers are to the living God whom I know hears for you that you may all walk to the Praise and Glory of his Grace which hath saved you from Sin and will save you as you abide in it and will be sufficient for you to keep you single and without Stain and present you perfect before the Throne of God which is Grace God Almighty of Life and Glory be with you all my dear Brethren and preserve you all in the Arms of his living and eternal Power that you may all have Dominion by the Blood of God which is Life Eternal over all Sin and be cleansed by it from all Uncleanness and so receive the Eternal Reward the Inheritance with the Saints in Light which is the Inheritance of Jacob over which God reigns forever and blessed are they that come to witness this Forever the Lord of Life be with you all and preserve you under his Everlasting Shadow that so you may be brought to see the Lord and be ever with him who lives forever and ever and unto whom be Glory and Praise forever Amen Amen Dear Friends Glad would I hear from you that my Bowels may be refreshed for our Labour and Travail hath not been a little and our Suffering in this desolate Land my dear Brother E. B. whose Love I know is dear to you all I have not seen towards five Moneths I am in Hope I shall shortly the Work of the Lord prospers abundantly blessed be the Lord in such a wicked Generation as this is but Hell hath opened her Mouth against us and all is on Fire Councils and Head and Tail Rulers Officers Priests and all the Heathen are on an Vproar and so we must pass through Fire and Hail and Pillars of Smoak pray that we may be preserved for the Work whereunto he hath called us to gather the rest that are scattered and to turn them to the Shepherd and his Fold that they may lye down with you in the same Everlasting Fold and herein we war and strive and fight with Beasts but strong is the Lord who hath covered us and girded us with his own Armour and hath taught our Hands to War and our Fingers to fight in this the Day of his Power unto whom alone be Glory and Praise forever and ever Your dear Brother in the living Fellowship and Brotherhood which all that come to know must lay down their
are not yet agreed and so being out of the true Faith in which the Saints had Fellowship in the unity of the Faith they are all in Distraction and Confusion Head and Tail in the Jarr in the Strife about Words and a form of Words And how many Confessions and Forms and Images are there set forth and people still Ignorant of the Mystery of Faith which is held in a pure Conscience and want that which is the Evidence of things not seen and want that which should let People see him who is invisible And oh how are People lost in the midst of these feigned formal Divinations and how are the Rulers in most Nations lost in the midst of their Counsels being gone from that which should be a Terror to Evil-Doers and should be for the Praise of them that do well And what if all people in all Nations were constrained under a Penalty to hold such a Form of words and to consent to such a Confession Doth this any more but make Hypocrites when a man is not first perswaded of those things in his mind by the Spirit of Truth Is this any more but Feignedness How long hath the God of this World blinded the Eyes of People whole Cities Towns and Countryes because they have gotten a formall Confession made by a Priest who is out of Christ's Doctrine in the Steps of the false Prophets and in the Practice of the false Apostles and deceitfull Workers and when they have made a Confession of a Catechism as they call it and have gotten over the Words and can say them over now judge they have Faith and are sound Christians when they are Ignorant of the first Principle or of Faith towards God and so are carried on in the Mist of Darkness and Ignorance and know not yet Repentance from dead Works Object But some of the Rulers and Potentates of the Earth may say We have not persecuted them for well-doing but for Heresie and Blasphemy and Sowers of Sedition and because they have not suâ—mitted to obey our Constitutions and Laws Answ. Deceit hath never wanted a cover hitherto neither hath or can the Serpent want Subtilty for it's nature by which he liveth Nebuchadnezar made a Law that whosoever would not obey should be cast into the Furnace and might not all his Magistrates have said to Shâ—â—rach Meshach and Abednego that they were not subject to the King's Decree and therefore judge they suffered Deservedly and did not the Jews who were Uncircumcised in Heart say when they took up Stones to stone Christ We stone thee not for thy good Works but thou being a man makest thy self God and the Jews stoned Paul and Stephen and put Peter and John in Prison they said they were movers of Sedition and Ring-leaders of Sects but the Chief Priests and the false prophets had alwayes their Hands in conspiring against the Life of the Just but persecutors were ever blind and yet were so conceited that they saw that they said to Christ are we also Blind but the Seed of falshood hath sitten as Judge long and hath laid the Heritage of God waste and hath set it self in God's Temple as the true heir and Judged the heir not worthy to live and Thousands of Thousands have been put to Cruel Deaths and a numberless number hath suffered since the Apostles dayes and since the Apostacy came in yet these which have done these things would be called Christian Magistrates and Ministers of Justice and those Teachers who have called to the Rulers to punish such as Hereticks and Seducers they would be counted the Ministers of Christ and such Nations who are out of the Life they would be counted Holy Oh! nay Christ came not to destroy Mens Lives but to save them and all you Rulers in all Nations who go under the Name of Christendom who are upon the Earth and all you Teachers that are therein whose Actions Lives Doctrines Principles and Practices are contrary to the Life of Righteousness and contrary to the Doctrine of Christ and the Practice of the holy Men of God you are all out of Christ's Nature and out of the divine Nature in the Dragon's Nature and in the corrupt Nature in the Nature in which all the disobedient and rebellious are in who are Heirs of Wrath and eternal Vengeance therefore repent ye of your Iniquity and tremble before the Lord God of Heaven and Earth who is roaring from his dwelling Place and uttering forth his dreadful Voice at the Sound thereof all Nations shall fear and be astonished and the fenced Cities in which you dwell shall be horribly afraid Behold the time of restoring is come and coming and the Year of God's Controversie with Sion's Enemies is approaching near you and he who sits and judges in Righteousness hath shewed himself and will rule over the Heathen as with a Rod of Iron and will pour forth his Plagues upon all the Families of the Earth that call not upon his Name but despise it and trample upon it the Earth is filled with Violence Cruelty and Oppression yea it is broken forth as a Flood and the Nations are covered with Unrighteousness as with a Garment the Beast hath exercised his Power and hath overcome and prevailed long over the Heritage of God and the Mountain of the Lord's House is made desolate all is void and without Form Deceit enthroned Truth trampled upon Judgment turned backward and the Devil reigns a King Equity hath found no Place Mercy is shut out of Doors Cruelty is entertained Temperance and Moderation have no Residence Lust Uncleanness Excess Riotousness and Wantonness are loved as though they were the Way to eternal Felicity Pride Hypocrisie and Dissimulation are taken Pleasure in Sobriety and Meekness have no dwelling Place but are thrown aside Folly and Madness are set up as the greatest Wisdom and the Wisdom which is from above counted the greatest Folly the Fear of the Lord is slighted God's pure Law thrown behind their Backs the Nations and the People therein are compassed about with Darkness as a Wall and with Ignorance as a Curtain and with Blindness as with a strong Fence they are situated in the Region of Death and at the Side of the Pit and yet say No Evil shall come near us nor Sorrow touch our Tabernacle and are in a dead Sleep of Security wrapt up in the Slumber of Iniquity involved in utter Darkness folded up in the deep Pit of Ignorance and desire not the Knowledge of Wisdom neither to walk in her Path but her Way is grievous unto them and the Eye-lid of the Morning is unto them as the shadow of Death Nevertheless he that weighs all things in an even Ballance before whom all Nations are but as the Drop of a Bucket he is appearing in his Power and thundring from his holy Place who will make the Nations shake as an Olive Leaf the Isles tremble before him who is uttering forth his Voice as the Sound of
pure Spirit if thou waitest in the Manifestation of the Spirit these Things thou wilt see to be Truth though hid and vailed from the World that lyes in VVickedness as thou comest out of its Nature I have not written for to please Men of corrupt Minds who glory in VVords and outward Appearances and glory in natural Parts and in Sounds and are erred from the Life but to the simple-hearted and for the strengthening of the weak and for the understanding of the simple and that which thou seest in the following Discourse which thou canst not close with let it alone and judge nothing before the Time in thy Wisdom that is earthly or in thy Reason but in that and to that of God in thee I desire to be approved and to nothing else and shall be made manifest in the day of the Lord that is dawning in the world and many have seen it to appear in Power and Glory wait thou in thy own particular that thou may'st feel thy own Condition and see thy own State and that which lets thee see thy own Condition will let thee see the Lord and what I have declared of him to be true I am thy Friend in Truth and wish Good to all Men. F. H. SOME OF THE MYSTERIES OF God's Kingdom DECLARED As they have been revealed by the Spirit THROUGH FAITH THE Lord God of the whole Earth who lives forever even the God of Abraham the God of Isaac and Jacob whose Throne is established in Righteousness forever who rideth upon the Heavens and shines forth in his eternal Excellency from the Firmament of his Power he is manifesting himself in his Power as in the dayes of old and revealing his Righteousness as in the Years past and pouring forth his Spirit upon his Sons and Daughters according to his Promise and they that believe come to be made Partakers of the Blessing of the everlasting Hills even the Lord who appeared at Sinai unto Moses his Servant in the Bush who rose up from Mount Seir and shined forth in his Brightness from Mount Paran and came with ten thousands of his Saints even he from whose right Hand went a fiery Law so that the People could not behold his Glory the same is he who hath now appeared in this the Day of his Power and is appearing whose Glory shall dazel the Eyes of the World whose Brightness shall make dim all the World's Glory and stain its Wisdom and shut it up in utter Darkness that it shall not appear to have any Existence or Being and the Shadow of Death shall fly away and all the haughty and lofty Princes of this World shall be horribly afraid the Beasts shall go into their Dens when the day appears and the Lambs of the everlasting Fold shall come forth and be fed in the fat Valleys where the Springs of Life compass about all the Banks and rejoyce in their Shepherd and shall say The Lord is my Shepherd which many at this Time do admire and say What hath the Lord wrought who have seen his Wonders in the dayes of old and have seen his noble Acts which the Fathers have told of who are fallen asleep and are at Rest in the Lord and now many is God bringing to see what they witness to be true and to have the same fulfilled in themselves Honour and Praise unto him forever who is the Stay Strength of all his People forever And the day of the Lord is broken and the Light hath appeared that manifesteth all Things which are reproveable and the Day-Star is arisen in the Hearts of many and they are come to see that fulfilled in their Hearts which Peter exhorted them to wait for and to take heed unto the sure Word of Prophecy until the day appeared and did dawn in their Hearts which day when it appears and to whom it appears discovereth all things and maketh all things manifest as it is declared by the Spirit of Truth in the Scripture of Truth and every Man's Work shall be tryed of what Sort it is and of what Nature it is and this day hath appeared to many Praises to the Lord who have waited for it and now they see every thing in its Ground and Rise and every tree and fruit is seen according to its kind whether good or bad and every Man's Work is obvious to every one who are in the day and upon whom the Morning of Righteousness hath appeared and the Sun of Righteousness hath shined upon whereby that is seen in every one by the Light which is truly called day by the Lord who causeth it to spring from on high which is reproveable and condemnable and also whatever is justifiable and unreproveable is seen by the day of the Lord appearing in the Heart The Day of the Lord what it is and to whom it hath appeared discovered and how it is seen GOD is a Spirit his day is spiritual and is seen with a spiritual Eye it 's pure Light pure Brightness the pure shining forth of the Lord in his glorious Excellency the pure shining forth of Eternity Life putting forth it self in its Brightness Holiness shedding it self abroad in its Glory Purity spreading it self in its immeasurable Excellency and can only be seen as it is in it self by the Children of Light that are born of it there is a natural day there is a spiritual Day the natural day receives its Brightness from the Sun the spiritual day receives its Brightness from the Sun of Righteousness by whom it 's brought forth without whom nothing was or is made or brought forth but by him who is the Fountain of Life and as the natural day receives its Clearness from the natural Sun and is discerned by the natural Eye of a natural Man and all things natural are seen and discovered by and in the natural day and are perspicuous and obvious to him that hath his natural Sight even so from the Sun of Righteousness the Lord of Glory Light and Purity the day of God receives its Brightness and is issued out from him by the Rayes of his Brightness and is discerned and seen only by the spiritual Eye of the spiritual Man who is the Image of the Father brought forth in Life and in his own Nature and Quality that is to say from God the Father of Life by Christ Jesus the Life of men the Light of the World and this is the Birth which is born from above which is of the Nature of the Father and the Son and of the day and he only comes to behold this day and discerns all things of the Father's Kingdom by it and likewise discerns all the hidden things of Dishonesty and the Works of Darkness which are brought forth by the Prince of Darkness who is shut up in eternal utter Darkness which is his dwelling-place forever which is his Residence and shall be the Residence of all the Workers of Iniquity that bear his Image forever Object But some
Now that which shews a man Evil after it be committed is the pure Appearance of God And that which shews a man the Temptations when they arise that is the same now this they call Common and that which preventeth a man and keeps him back that he lend not his Heart nor put forth his Hand to commit Evil but restrains a man from it is not that saving out of evil and that which stops the Adversary in his Way that he enter not but preserveth the Creature out of Defilement and saves him from it is not this saving is not this the same thing that the Apostle who was well acquainted with the Grace of God and of its Operation wrote of to Titus That Grace of God which brought Salvation which had appeared and doth now appear to all men which taught them self-denyal to deny worldly Lusts and also to live godly or like unto God in this present World and now doth the same is not this sufficient to believe in and sufficient to save Now I do not say but there is a greater measure let out unto them that are converted unto God then is to them that are convinced of their Evil by the same Grace yet still it is one and the self-same thing one Gift yet a greater Measure of one and the same pure Vertue and Power which is given to them that obey the Life which is already made manifest by its Appearance unto all Object But some will be ready to say that this is Errour and that which is contrary to the Scripture and to orthodox Teachers that the Grace which is saving is near all men and hath appeared to all men To that I answer Though grace be saving in it self even the grace that hath appeared to all men and may be truly called saving grace yet to them that believe not in it neither are taught by it it convinceth and shews Evil and checks and judges for it yet there is no Variation nor Change in the Gift of God but as it worketh upon different Objects for Faith and Unbelief are two different things as Light and Darkness are different and so the Word of his Grace is the Savour of Life unto Life that is to say unto them that believe and is the Savour of Death unto Death unto them who are in the Unbelief who indeed are dead while they live yet here is the same Grace and the same Word of Grace yet here are different Operations so the Lord killeth and maketh alive yet the same Lord the Spirit convinceth of Sin and reproveth for Sin and also consolates and comforts here is Diversity of Operations yet the same Spirit which never alters Object But further some may say If that it be saving Grace or at least a degree and a Measure of saving Grace that hath appeared to all men then how is it that all are not saved by it Answ. Because I would all stumbling blocks were removed away that the Path might be made plain that all might come to believe in that which is God's Gift in which there is Power and Sufficiency therefore I am constrained by the Grace of God to declare of it and to bear witness to it thus largly which I know will be to the Edification of all that hunger after Righteousness All are not saved by it because they believe not in it neither are taught by it yet its Validity Power and Vertue is nevertheless in it self and though them that are careless and heedless say We feel no Power nor Sufficiency in it to save us from Sin yet this makes not void their Confidence who have receiâ—ed it and know its Power which hath given them Power and also Sufficiency to do the Will of God what though Unbelievers who are in the Alienation say there is no Beauty in Christ neither Fâ—rmnor Comliness this makes not his Glory void who is the express Image of the Father full of Grace and Truth the Disciples saw it and bore Record of him who were in the Faith and the Pharisees said he had a Devil who were in the Unbelief but in brief this is my Testimony that the Grace of God the perfect gift of God which shews Ungodliness and leads from Ungodliness all that are taught by it is a sufficient Teacher of it self I mean as the Power of Christ through it is made manifest unto all them that hearken to it Paul a Minister of the word of Reconciliation who was rapt up into the third Heaven where he saw things unutterable came to be tempted and buffetted with the Messenger of Satan and Fear and Doubting rose up in him and he prayed unto God thrice and this answer was given unto him my grace is sufficient for thee so this is evident to all Understandings who are opened by the Lord that which shewed him the Temptations and Satan's Messengers and Satan's Buffetings was sufficient to preserve him and so is it for all who singly are kept to it and in it sufficient to shew Ungodliness because of its Purity and to lead from worldly Lusts by its Power and to teach the Will of God and to live like unto God in this present World and this Testimony I bear of it and to it even what I have felt and tasted and handled of its Sufficiency and Vertue and Power of its Operation for the Confirmation of the same Truth which is believed by many Brethren and also for the Information of them who thirst after the Lord and for the Opposition of all the Gain-sayers and Opposers of it which Testimony I commend to that of God in every man which will witness me herein in the Day of God when all Hearts are opened and all Falshoods and Truth is made manifest in the mean time shall rest in that which I have declared of in which there is pure and perfect Peace A Word to you wise Men of this World who are glorying in the Sound of Words and worshipping outward Appearances to all wise and literal Professors who think you are worshipping God aright who think to search into the deep Things of God by your natural Wisdom Learning Parts and Study GOD hath broken open the Seals of the great Deep where the wonderful unalterable things of God are revealed from whence eternal Wisdom is flowing forth to his little Ones whom he hath sanctified from the Womb and his Power and Glory he is shedding abroad and making it to flow forth as though it issued out of a Womb by which Power and Wisdom you are all weighed even by one who is swadled about with Righteousness and girded up with the Girdle of Truth you are all measured as with a Span and are all weighed as with a Scale all your Parts Tongues Languages Interpretations Significations Wisdom that are come to be enjoy'd by them who have believed in the true Light that lighteth every Man which rounds you all as an Heap and measures you all as with a Line your Breadth Length
though with the best of all our Commodities though with Cinamom and Odours and Oyntment and Frankincense yet they will buy none of our Ware nor there 's no Hope of trading with them any more for they are come to know the Pearl which is more precious then Rubies and the heavenly Treasure that doth not rust and the Word which is sweeter then the Honey and the Honey comb there 's no Hope of them but this is the Misery they will not be content with what they have found but impart it to others and so beget a Dislike in other Peoples Minds to the best of all our Merchandize However them that are gone from us and deny our Mother and her golden Cup and deny all her Merchants great and small not only them that trade in Wood and Vessels and Brass and Iron but even them that trade with the best Merchandize as Gold Silver precious Stones Pearls fine Linnen Purple Silk and Scarlet however let us excommunicate them and give them up to Satan and let us call to the Beast with his seven Heads and ten Horns who is scarlet-coloured dreadful and terrible and let us accuse them of Heresie Schism and Blasphemy and call them Seducers Deceivers and false Prophets and let us brand them with Names of Reproach as Sectaries and say they are seditious and rebellious and mutinous and they are Enemies to Church and State and all good Government Peace-breakers factious and pestilent Fellows that bring all the Nations into an Uproar and if that will not do let us petition to Kings Princes Dukes Parliaments Protectors and Councils that some speedy and effectual Course may be taken for suppressing of these Hereticks and for stopping of these blasphemous Doctrines as that the Steeple-house is not the Church and sprinckling of Infants no Ordinance of Christ and singing of Psalms by Tradition no Part of the true Worship of God and it may be shall get some Law or Act of Parliament against them or call them Vagabonds and get them whipt abroad and put in Prisons while we take away their Oxen and Goods at home and so by this Means it will stop others whom we traffick withal that they will not dare to hearken unto them for if they will not buy our Wares and take our measures by a Glass in Love to it yet because of Fear of Imprisonment or Loss of their Goods or Estates they will be constrained to trade with us But alas it is otherwise with us now then it was in Queen Mary's Dayes when Mass Mattens and Even-songs Processionings Ave-maries Creeds and Pater-nosters took up most Part of the Time and went off among People for spiritual Worship at a good Rate neither is it with us now as it was in the Dayes of Bishop Laud our great Metropolitan and the rest of our Mother's Merchants then would Common Prayer translated out of the Mass-Book into the English and Creed Letany Pater-noster with a Lord have Mercy upon us or we beseech thee to hear us good Lord forty Times over in a Quarter of an Hour with some of David's Psalms turned into Meeter by Hopkins and Sternhold Masters of Musick sung with Organs with Choristers and Boyes with bowing to the Altar and such like Merchandize which was then precious in the Eyes of our Mother's Children then whosoever would not be obedient to all the Rites and Ceremonies we branded them with the Name of Puritans and Non-conformists and haled them before Sessions Courts and Magistrates cited them to appear before the Bishops served them up to the High-Commission-Court before the Lords Spiritual and Temporal falsly so called and there the Flesh was gnawn to the Bone and Ears cut off stigmatizing and burning with Irons Imprisonment and Banishment Now as People came nearer the Day they began to suspect all this as not to be the spiritual Worship of God having no Ground nor Footing from the Spirit of Truth nor Example from the Scripture nor from the primitive Churches then they over whom our mother once reigned began to question her whether she was the Lamb's Wife yea or nay And whether our Predecessors and Brethren were the messengers sent out by the true Church yea or nay And whether the Ordinances and Practices were the Institution of Christ and his Apostles yea or nay in the primitive Times And the Day dawned upon them and the Spirit came to be revealed and did shine into their Hearts and they began to search the Scriptures and to compare the true Church which was cloath'd with the Sun and crown'd with the Crown of twelve Stars with our mother Mystery Babylon and they began to compare the Apostles and ministers in the primitive Times with our Predecessors Babylon's merchants and also compared the Institutions and Ordinances which were delivered to the true Church with the Institutions Rites Ceremonies and Inventions of our mother Mystery Babylon and so they found all out by the Revelation of the Spirit and by searching of the Scriptures they found out the Rise of our mother after the Woman was fled into the Wilderness and that she sate not as a Queen upon Nations Kindreds Tongues and Peoples till after the Woman did fly away upon the Wings of an Eagle into the Wilderness for a Time Times and half a Time and likewise they found out that our Predecessors and Fellow-merchants were not like the ministers of Christ in the primitive Times neither our Doctrines and Ordinances like the Ordinances and Doctrines which were once delivered to the Saints before ever we merchants set sail or floated in a Ship on the Sea And so finding our City to be raised up in its Glory since the Glory of God was lost in the Earth and finding our Queen Mystery Babylon ruling in our City since the Lamb's Wife fled and finding us merchants to receive her Traffick from her City since the Faith was lost that once was delivered to the Saints and did see our Creeds and Beliefs and Pater-nosters our Prayers and our Hymns that they are quite another Thing which was Part of her Traffick they have concluded and that upon infallible Grounds warranted by a Cloud of Witnesses in the Prophets and Apostles that our mother is a Whore and her Predecessors are her merchants and that our Ordinances are and Traffick hath been invented by some of our mother's children which are Apostates and they have found us out And now alas a Ship will be hardly able to ride any more upon the Waters nor the Sea will hardly bear up our Vessels any more the Nations the Kindreds the Tongues and the Peoples are almost dryed up especially in the North Regions they will not buy our merchandize any more our Ships are like to stand still and our merchandize is like to be all shipwrackt therefore let us take counsel lest all the Sea dry up and we all sit down in Solitariness and our Song be turned into wo worth the Day misery and alas Therefore now it
down the Altars of Baal and thrown down the high Places did they say it 's requisite and convenient that our Priests and the Levites and the Congregation do meet at the Altar of Baal or at the high places Or did the Apostles bid the Gentiles who did believe go to their Idols Temple again and say it was a convenient Place to worship the true God in And have you forgotten that Exhortation or Precept Abstain from every Appearance of Evil And though some know an Idol is nothing in the World how be it there is not in every man that Knowledge and is it not yet called by most of you yet The House of God House of Prayer But as you did begin so will you end to carry no Traffiqe but for your Mother Mystery Babylon And thus Reader I have led thee through many things from the rise of the Whore and through the most of her merchants and through the most of her Traffique merchants of divers orders and Ranks but I find them all to trade with nothing but Inchantments and Sorceries which hath long bewitched the Nations but the time is come that she is manifest with her Merchandize and Sorceries and turned from by me and many thousands more which is my exhortation to thee that so thou mayst come to the Church which is in God and to the Elect assembly and to know the Seed which is heir of the promise and of the Life which is without end Which Mystery Babylon with all her merchants have sought to Destroy since she got up to ride upon the Beast who hath compelled all both small and great to worship him and also all Nations to buy the Whores Merchandize and Traffique which hath deceived the Nations and bewitched them but the time is come that she shall be hated of her Lovers and they shall forsake her and her Merchants shall say Alas alas which day is dawning and dawned which discovers the Whore the Beast and false Prophet with all their Sorceries and the Lamb shall reign and the holy men of God and Prophets shall rejoyce over her when the smoak of her Torment ascends up forever and ever which the Lord hasten saith my Spirit Amen A Warning to Friends to beware of such who had departed from the Faith FRiends and Brethren who have heard believ'd and received the Word of Truth as it is in Jesus and kept the Word of his Patience which will preserve all that abide faithful in this Day of Tryal and Hour of Temptation wherein Satan is let loose for a Season to try them that dwell on the Earth even to try your Faith and Patience and Love that you may be made manifest unto all that love the Lord my Bowels earn after you all and my Spirit is vexed in me for the Lord's Inheritance which the old Dragon which was and is a Deceiver seeks to destroy and root out But all who stand on the Rock and are built thereon the Gates of Hell cannot prevail against you therefore dear Friends be more circumspect and diligent because dangerous Times are come and coming wherein many shall depart from the Faith and give heed to the Deceit of their own Hearts and will endeavour to subvert and overthrow the Faith of some and will labour by all Means to make your Hope vain and your Faith void and they themselves having made Shipwrack of Faith and put away that far from them which works the Answer of a good Conscience and now seek to devour all and destroy all especially the weak and unstable Minds but blessed are they that are not offended and that turn not aside for a Thing of nought after lying Vanities which the Wrath of God will come upon and be revealed upon to the utmost because they have not the Truth and this could not have come upon them but that they take Pleasure in Unrighteousness whose Hearts are filled with Mischief and the whole Course of Nature set on the Fire of Hell being filled with Unrighteousness and now it pours out of their unclean Vessels to defile all who come near it or touch it Friends I say all be awakened for this Spirit could not have come forth nor appeared but first there was a Departure from the Faith and then giving heed to the lying Spirit and Doctrine of Devils their Understandings being darkened have brought forth these Fruits whereof all that dwell in the least Measure of Truth will be ashamed and therefore give no Place to the Devil nor to none of their lying deceitful Confusion nor enter not into consulting with it none have done or shall do but they shall be defiled dwell in that which savours Words the Ground from whence they come and that discerns Spirits take heed of feigned Words and feigned Humility and feigned Tears and feigned Joy touch not taste not handle not but all keep your Garments clean lest you be turned out of the Lord's Camp as they are and be a Vexation to the Children of Light which would be a Lamentation And therefore having seen the Deceit and having heard it judged with the Life of God which answers that of God in every Man and being warned and your Eyes have seen and your Ears have heard that which the least Measure of God cannot but abhor therefore stand not gazing and wondring and sparing one and accuse another for from Head to Tail it is all accursed and cursed is the Father of it and the Womb that brought it forth from this time forth and for evermore and all that shelter under it who have been disobedient here shelter and all who would have the Offence of the Cross to cease that so they may glory in the Flesh will find a Shelter here but the End is Death and Bitterness greater Tribulation then before will come which the Lord will hasten that all who have turned the Grace of God into Wantonness may receive a just Recompence of Reward Flames of everlasting Wrath which shall never be quenched never heed it the same came in the Apostles time after they had planted the Devourer entred and there arose from among them that had believ'd Men speaking perverse things and were proud self-willed treacherous high-minded and presumptuous of which Generation these are the same who are turned from the Truth Life and Power of God after their ungodly Lusts and having started aside from the holy Commandments of God and having slain God's Witness now make merry and call it greater Glory this will God confound for thus is the Enmity got up again which is not of himself but of another and he will not give his Glory to another keep out all feigned Love and foolish Pity and all Imitations and all sloathful Spirits and all those that run gadding up and down in Idleness and Foolishness and are not diligent in their Places all such Practices are denyed and therefore every one be diligent in your Places and Callings and there abide and all wait to
have your Minds stayed that you may adorn the Truth by a chast sober and holy Conversation and your Lives preach and answer the just in every Man that so Truth may be exalted above all Deceit And Friends keep your Meetings on the first Day at your several Places where you might hitherto have waited in Stilness and Quietness but it hath not yet been prized as it ought and you may all yet learn and see all those that run up and down being heady and self-willed that still run after Words and never come into the Obedience of the Truth and now are turned out where they were before nay worse and a Fan will yet come and all that stumble at the Cross shall all fall and they that get above it deny the Power of God But Friends since the Truth hath been declared among you you have not known a Want and that makes the careless and the full now to loath Manna the least of which if you had had in Time past would have been accepted unto you And so now all you who have kept your Garments clean whom the Lord hath preserved out of the Snare of the Enemy below and dwell in Love in Meekness and Peace one with another and grow up in the Wisdom of God and Life of God and now see that all keep in the Fear look to your own every one in Particular that you may savour and discern all Deceit and keep the Faith that so you may see Victory daily and do not talk of things above what you enjoy and let none think of himself above what is meet and he that is least shall be Minister And so the Lord God of Life preserve you all in Uprightness that you may come through all this Mud and Dirt and may find your Strength renewed and the Power of the Lord more made manifest the Desire of my Soul is to the Lord for you all fulfil my Joy in your Obedience to the Truth as it is made manifest in you and the God of Life and Power be with you all who are of an upright Heart I am yours as you continue in the Faith which hath been declared and revealed in as many as have believed F. H. THE Invisible Things OF GOD BROUGHT TO LIGHT BY THE REVELATION OF THE ETERNAL SPIRIT Who was an Eye-Witness of the Wonders of the Lord in the Beginning Wherein is declared the Felicity of all Things in the Beginning and the sad Estate of all Things after the Transgression How all the reformed Churches so called in Christendom are yet in the Apostacy The Estate of the true Church before the Apostacy and her State in the Apostacy and the Glory that shall appear after the Apostacy By one who believes God will shine out of Sion in perfect Beauty again after the dark Night of Apostacy F. H. The Light of the Moon shall be as the Light of the Sun and the Light of the Sun as seven Dayes and he will destroy in this Mountain the Face of the Covering cast over all People and the Vail that is spread over all Nations Isa. 25.7 AN EPISTLE TO THE Reader or Readers TO the upright-hearted Reader in all the Regions of the Earth wherein this may come who have walked in the Thick Fogs and Mists which have arisen out of the bottomless Pit which have been raised up since the Transgression which have dimmed your Eyes and hurt your Sight so that you could not behold the pure caelestial Being nor him that dwells in it whose Presence gives Life nor any thing within the Vail because the Vail hath been spread over all Nations and it hath been so thick that it hath been hard for any to rent it and the Night of Apostacy and Darkness hath been so long since the Woman fled into the Wilderness and since the Manchild which was born hath been caught up to God that few or none for these many Ages past have come to see the End of the Night but have mourned without Hope and few or none have seen or have been able to discern the time of the Woman's Return out of the Wilderness again into which she fled and few or none have seen to the End of the times after which she should return Mens Sight in the Apostacy hath been so dim and in the Vexation that when the Man-child which was caught up unto God would appear again few have had Faith to believe or Sight to behold him or an Understanding to discern of the times But Praises be to the Lord God everlasting who hath opened and is opening the Windows of Heaven and showring down his Wisdom as a mighty Rain and his Knowledge as the Morning Dew and an Understanding is pouring forth as the Water out of the Bottles of Heaven and as the Water Spouts so that Ages Times Things Dayes and Years are measured and seen And him that was before all things is beholden by whom all things were made who hath been as in a far Country all this long Night of Darkness but the time is fully expired and now is he returning and his Appearance is as a Morning without Clouds as clear as the Sun and as pure as Christal and now is he scattering the Clouds Fogs and Mists as with the East Wind and his pure Breath clears the Air and by his Arm which is mighty is he renting the Vail of the Covering according to his Promise and revealing himself in his naked Glory that the solitary may rejoyce and the feeble may be comforted and them that have erred may come to a good Understanding what I have writ thou must read me only in that which is invisible and eternal in thy self else I am sealed from thee my Words are a Riddle the Dreamers of this Age in the Apostacy say Immediate Revelation is ceased and not to be looked for yet I must needs bear my Testimony against them all for what I have here written I neither received of Man nor from Man nor Books nor other Words but by the Eternal Spirit who saw these things and was an Eye-Witness of them and God through it hath revealed them in me and to me that I might bear my Testimony of the hidden things of God which are eternal although I have made Use of the Scriptures and the Saints Words and cited some it is not for my sake but thine who readest that so every Truth may be confirmed by two or three Witnesses if thou wait to know and find the Key of David who opens in what I have declared thou wilt see the State of things before the Fall and after the Fall and how all Men in the Fall have corrupted themselves in all Administrations thou wilt see the State of the Church before the Apostacy in the Apostacy and what shall be after the Apostacy and if thou cannot reach into the things as they are declared judge them not before the Day appear in thy self for till then they will be obscure to
this Nature he offered and was not accepted for he was in the Imitation out of the Life out of the Power in Feignedness and this was self and not the Lord that moved him The Jews in the Prophets Time who were in Cain's Nature in Envy and Maliciousness grinding the Faces of the poor and oppressing the needy and chopping them in Pieces as Flesh for the Pot they brought Sacrifices Oblations Burnt-Offerings kept Fasts Sabbaths and New Moons and all these Things and lyed swore and dealt falsly and left no room for the poor and yet they said the Lord was among them the Lord sent his Servant the Prophet to tell them the Lord was weary of them and of their Oblations why they were out of the Faith out of the Life out of the Power and Deceit lodged in their Hearts Covetousness Envy Murder Oppression and Violence as ravening Wolves hunting for their Prey the Prophets prophesied for hire their Priests bear Rule by their Means and people were one with it and liked it and loved it should be so the End of those things was Misery the Judgment of God came upon them they were scattered among their enemies their prophets slain and for their sake Sion became as a plowed Corn-field and Jerusalem a Heap and now he that offered an Ox was no more accepted then if he slew a man no more then if he blessed Chemosh Ashteroth or Baal all was Sin and to be condemned by the power out of which they were gone The Scribes and Pharisees in Christ's Time great Worshippers devout Men devout Women zealous Men for Temple Priests Tythes Dayes Sabbaths Oblations and were acting all those Things that were commanded in or about the Worship of God yet Christ said unto his Disciples Except your Righteousness exceed the Righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees ye cannot enter the Kingdom of God they might have said which at least they did in their Hearts this Man sayes he is the Son of God and yet saith and teacheth his Disciples another Righteousness then is commanded in the Law and moreover tells them Except their Righteousness exceedours they cannot enter into God's Kingdom where is there in all the Earth any better Righteousness then ours we do not as the Heathen worship Idol-gods we keep the Sabbaths and purifie our selves and pay Tythes and keep the Ordinances given by the Lord to Moses and our Fathers well these Things they were doing but they were but dead Works they were out of the Faith out of the Power and had not God's Word abiding in their Hearts from which their Power and Ability should have come to have answered the will of God here was self-righteousness although they did the outward things which were commanded of the Lord yet they were dead works their Temple left desolate worship desolate Jerusalem compassed about with Armies not one Stone left upon another which was not to be thrown down they scattered among the Heathen their Priests slain and their Oblations ceased Plagues and Judgments pursuing whithersoever they went did all those things save them from wrath all their works dead worships and self-righteousness save them were they accepted oh nay rejected a Seed of Falshood a crooked Generation an hypocritical Generation these things with many more which I could instance all shewing that Man in the Transgression of the Life of the Power whether he sinned or wrought that which he might judge was righteous yet they were but dead works Obâ—ect But some may say What sayest thou to their Generation of Ministers Preachers and Ordinances we live in a Gospel-time and are under Gospel-Ordinances and they teach that Man is redeemed by Christ from Sins past present and to come and the Ordinances that we practise now I hope you will not call them dead Works Answ. I say the Ministry in these Nations made by man's will and by the will of the Flesh and that are seeking their Gain from their Quarter and are suing Men at Law and throwing Men in Dungeons and Holes to the Loss of some mens Lives already and hundreds have been and are like to be spoiled only to uphold their greedy devouring Nature who have ravened and devoured like evening wolves some mens Estates wholly and sometimes taken ten fold the Value who raven from place to place from one end of the Land to another and into other Nations also for filthy Lucre or a greater Benefit I say they are in the Fall in the Transgression Death rules in them over them and they are Ministers of Death and never brought any to God but of them many other Brethren who are in the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ have born a large Testimony which any considerate wise prudent and reasonable man may see them to be Ministers of Death demonstrated by many sound Grounds and unanswerable Arguments and the Scripture of Truth clearly bearing witness to the same and so I refer the Reader to those things and shall content my self at present in what I have said in this particular Now as to the Worship or Ordinances or Practices themselves I come unto and shall speak no otherwise of any thing then God by his eternal Light and Spirit hath made me understand in the true Ground of things else I know well how to be Silent Now this I say to all Sects Opinions and Fellowships though they be divided into many Heads or Societies man acting or performing any thing of worship Ordinance or any practice whatsoever which the Scripture declares hath been or ever was though they should do it in the same manner sutable in every Circumstance to that which others did till all or every man come to believe in the power again which man went from in the Transgression all that he doth is Self-righteousness and dead Works Preaching dead Prayer dead Baptism dead their Communion dead their Conferences dead their exhortations dead their Fasts dead their Offerings like as if one had offered a dead Beast under the Law or a Lame Lamb which had been abomination even so I say till man come to that which he hath lost in the Transgression till man find the Power the Life the Light the Messiah and feel him in them to Work move and lead guide and act all will be accounted with the Lord Self-righteousness dead Works dead Fruit and if all would examine and try they might see the Nations almost spread over with dead men in Adam and dead Works abound and coverings which God will Rent and lay all waste together false Rest imitated Forms and representations without Life I say till men come into the Power again that Adam went from and so died in that Day cannot do any thing well-pleasing to God and whosoever comes to that again passeth every step through Death and denyes himself and all Self-actions self-righteousness and must come to be bare and Naked again even as he was before he came out he and his wife were Naked and were not ashamed
nourished with the VVater of Life which is not an Element nor elementary but is caelestial and springs up in them that believe unto everlasting Life and come to be born of the Water and the Spirit and enter into God's Kingdom Dominion Power Life Wisdom Excellency and eternal Glory happy is he that believes and abides in Patience unto the End Now since the Dayes of John the Kingdom of God hath been preached and as many as were ordained to eternal Life believed and many in the Day when Christ was manifest in the Flesh believed unto whom he declared the Mind of the Father and by him was the Father glorified he fulfilled the Law and did many Works and Miracles by the Power of the Father and herein was the Father glorified and them that did believe in him their Faith was strengthned and he opened the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God to his Disciples and bore witness and prophesied the Destruction of Jerusalem and of all their Worship and said No more at Jerusalem nor at Samaria but the Time was coming when they that worshipped the Father should worship him in Spirit and Truth and declared against the Pharisees Righteousness and said to his Disciples Except their Righteousness did exceed the Pharisees they could not enter the Kingdom of God and yet the Pharisees performed all the outward things commanded but were in the Idolatry and did not believe in the Life Now he declared of his Suffering many things and also how he would go away and how he would come again and would not leave them comfâ—rtless but these things were hart to be believed then by his Disciples and further he told them he must be betrayed and suffer and rise again and when the Hour was come that he was betrayed when he was with his Disciples even the same Night he was betrayed he took Bread and broke it and blessed it and said take and eat this is my Body which is broken for you this do in Remembrance of me and after he took the Cup and after he had supped saying this is the Cup of the New Testament in my Blood as often as you drink it do it in Remembrance of me 1 Cor. 11.23 24. And Matthew Mark and Luke delare the same and this was real Bread and real Wine which was a Representation of that which was to be enjoyed in the Spirit and never intended for any further thing but as a Figure or a Representation of the Bread of Life and of the Cup of Blessing which afterward they came to be Witnesses of and as oft as they eat and drank they did shew forth the Lordâ—s Death till he came Now this was practised among the Disciples after he was risen from the dead and did converse with them at many times and exhorted them and comforted them and instructed them and told them that they should be Witnesses of his Name unto the Ends of the Earth and gave them Commandment to teach all Nations and baptize them in the Name of the Father Son and holy Ghost and did promise to be with them to the End of the World and told how the Comforter would come and that the Father would send him in his Name even the Spirit of Truth which was with them and should be in them to be their Teacher Leader and Guide and bring all things to their Remembrance Now that which he gave them as a Figure and to be a Sign unto them of the clearer Manifestation of himself which afterward came to be fulfilled and they Witnesses of it who grew up in the pure invisible Being and did see the Mystery through the Revelation of the Spirit which did more clearly shew unto them the Mysteries within the Vail for as I said of Water it was a Sign of a good thing to come so the Bread and the Cup was also a Sign of a good thing to come as all outward Figures were but they that did believe and grew up in the Faith in the Seed Christ they came to see the Substance in whom all Figures end and had Communion with him within the Vail after he was ascended where he was before now the Apostle he spoke as to wise men judge ye what I say 1 Cor. 10.15 16. The Cup of Blessing which we bless is it not the Communion of the Blood of Christ the Bread which we break is it not the Communion of the Body of Christ And Ver. 17. For we being many are one Bread and one Body for we are all Partakers of that one Bread mark all they that did believe though they were many yet they were one Bread and one Body and were all Partakers of that one Bread which Bread was the Flesh of Christ. Joh. 6 48. I am the Bread of Life And Joh. 6.51 I am the living Bread that came down from Heaven if any Man eat of this Bread he shall live forever and the Bread that I will give is my Flesh which I will give for the Life of the World Now I speak unto wise men and let the Wisdom of God in them manifest judge what I say for where the Body of Christ is witnessed and the Flesh of Christ known they know that which all the Figures end in the Manna that God gave no Israel in the Wilderness they dyed that did eat thereof which was as pure a Type of the hidden Manna as lively a Type as Bread outward which was but a Type of the Flesh of Christ and both they that did eat the Manna and they that eat the Bread outward and drank the Cup outward are both dead but he that eats the Flesh of Christ and drinks the Blood lives forever and he that eats the hidden Manna hath overcome Death and lives forever and feeds upon the Bread of Life feeds upon eternal Life Now this is a Mystery to the Papists who are Idolaters who have sprung up in the Apostacy though they have Scriptures as it was to the Jews John 6.52 who strove among themselves and said how can this man give his Flesh to eat And so the Papists who strive about the Flesh of Christ and his Blood and yet have the Scriptures and they say it 's in the Bread and in the Wine after Consecration and so they worship the Imaginations of their own Hearts not discerning the Lords Body and have Killed thousands and taken away the Lives of thousands because they would not confess their Idol to be of God And the Protestants they are setting up the Bread and the Wine and contenting themselves therewith and are making an Idol of it and come not to discern the Body of Christ but one saying he hath a carnal Body and another a Fleshly Body another a Mystical Body and another sayes his Body is divided from his Members and so speak out of thick Darkness their own Imaginations and have no communion with the Body of Christ neither know the Flesh of Christ which is the Bread of Life which is given
of the Gospel and the Foundation and the Tryer of Spirits and the Touch-stone and say it 's the Foundation of their Faith and Religion and so are all in the distraction one Envying another and Persecuting one another about the words of Truth spoken from the Spirit of Truth which cannot be understood again but by the same Spirit and so all them that have not the Spirit of Truth are in the Apostacy And all Sects Judgments and Opinions that have risen up since the Apostacy from the Faith that was once delivered to the Saints when the woman Travailed and brought the man-Child which after because of the Dragon's Power fled into the VVilderness and her Child caught up unto God all the Faith and worship that since is sprung up since the VVhore hath sitten as a Queen in Majesty is all denyed the Ground of their Worship Laws Traditions Inventions and all their invented Practices and Forms and Images and Likenesses are denyed and disowned as to be the Dress and Attire of the Whore which hath allured People through her enticing pretences and shews of Holiness when indeed all is but spiritual Adultery and this must be all turned under again the Whore's flesh Burned and her Attire plucked off and her Nakedness appear and her shame to them that have committed Fornication with her and they shall be ashamed of themselves and of her and abhor themselves and abhor her and Destroyed shall she be and the Lamb's Wife shall be beautified and come out of the secret Place into open View out of the Solitary Wilderness into the beautiful place that the Lord will bring her into and the time times and half time is out the thousand two hundred and threescore Dayes are at an End and he bears witness of it who saw her fly away upon Eagles Wings into the secret place which was prepared for her for these Dayes and Times appointed and I say he that knows the Counsel of the most High in this matter can account the time times and a half and the Dayes and what shall be after the dayes be expired which is at an end blessed is he that sees believes and Understands he shall see that which yet hath not appeared neither can it be believed by the most though it were declared but yet a little while and the Earth grows ripe and an Ear will be opened in many who cannot yet hear and for a little while in this I shall be silent and Treasure up that which the Spirit hath revealed till the time be fully accomplished which God hath determined and then his Glory shall be revealed and all the former things which have lived since the man of Sin hath been Exalted shall all dye and an utter Consumption shall be of all the changeable Laws made since the Apostacy and the many changeable Dresses of the Whore and Attires in which she hath appeared and Imaginary worships into which all have run since they were Apostatized from the Faith all this shall be disannulled and come to an End and be Blasted forever the Spirit of the Lord saith Amen How the Woman that was clothed with the Sun and had the Crown of twelve Stars upon her Head which did flee into the Wilderness comes out again after the great Whore is judged and her Child that was caught up unto God comes to appear again NOW after the time times and half a time after the thousand two hundred and threescore Dayes she returns after the Whore is judged and the great City Babylon is fallen which hath made the Nations drunk and brought forth Children in Fornication who had drunk the Blood of the Saints in the Apostacy after the Whore was judged and the Voice was heard in Heaven of much People that sang Halelujah Salvation and Glory and Honour and Power who witnessed to the Righteousness of God's Judgment And a Voice came out of the Throne saying praise our God all his Servants and ye that fear him both small and great Rev. 19.5 6. And I heard as it were the Voice of many Waters and as a great Multitude and as the Voice of a mighty Thunder saying Halelujah for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth the Whore is now judged the Mother of Harlots condemned with all her Inchantments and Sorceries Now the Lamb's Wife appears who is the Mother of the man-child which was caught up unto God she that was cloathed with the Sun with the glorious everlasting caelestial Light she is both the Mother and the Wife he that hath an Ear let him hear Now Jerusalem that is from above spiritually so called who was the Mother of all the Saints before the Apostacy she appears again and comes to be the Wife of the Lamb and the City of the Saints and the Mother of them that are born from above this shall be and is made manifest to some but a numberless Number shall see it and the Day hastens greatly and she is appearing again and her solitary Garments shall be put off and as she was beautifull before the VVhore made the Nations drunk clothed with the Sun and had the Moon under her Feet and a Crown of twelve Stars upon her Head and though she became Child-less and also as a VViddow and the Remnant of her Seed slain and destroyed so shall she appear again in Glory and Beauty as before and shall be made ready yea mine Eye hath seen it she is making her self ready as a Bride for her Husband and unto her is granted that she shall be arrayed in fine Linnen clean and white even arrayed in the Righteousness of the Saints which is not self-Righteousness the Garments of the Harlot and her Lovers but in the Righteousness of Christ the Lamb her Husband and Child also and she shall now bring forth many more Children though her Seed hath been slain yet a numberless Number shall appear and ten Thousand Thousand shall be brought forth by her and glory in her and reverence her and rejoyce in her forever and they shall be all clad in the same Robe which the Husband the Lamb is clothed withal and the same the Lamb's VVife this VVoman is â—lâ—thed withall and the same shall all the Children by clothed withal the fine Linnen the Righteousness of the Lamb which was dead and slain since the Foundation of the World but now alive and lives for evermore and here a heavenly Family appears now after the Apostacy and this shall be seen by all that have an Eye that can see through and beyond the Smoke of the Pit that hath darkened the Air while the Beast and Dragon have had Power but now hath her Child appeared again the man-child hath appeared again and he that was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day saw whither he was taken up to the Throne of God Rev. 12.5 and on the same Lord's Day he saw him after the Woman was fled and the Remnant of her Seed was made War with and slain in the Earth where the
1658. Whereas there is a pernicious Sect commonly called Quakers lately risen who by Word and Writing have published and maintained many dangerous and horrid Tenets and do take upon them to change and alter the received laudable Customs of our Nation in giving civil Respect to Equals or Reverence to Superiors 〈◊〉 Aâ—â—ions tend to undermine the civil Government and also to destroy the Order of the Churches The People called in Scorn Quakers are risen up from under the Powers of Darkness and they are come forth from the rising of the Sun where the Morning hath appeared without Clouds and though set at nought by you yet they are a mighty People and of the Royal Off-spring even â—f 〈◊〉 Family who is the first-born of every Creature and the Heir of 〈◊〉 things the Shout of a King is among them who is greater then 〈…〉 Apollyon his living Presence is with them and they shall come upâ—◠〈◊〉 Hypocrites and Dissemblers as Mortar and Clay and though you 〈…〉 â—orns high push every Way with them against the Lamb 〈…〉 yet your Horns shall be broken by him who is their King by 〈…〉 of Salvation which is now lifted up far higher then the Horn 〈◊〉 an Unicorn and you shall be as Ashes under their Feet we are not ignorant of the swelling of the Sea nor of the Strength of the Beast which hath risen out of the Sea we were not ignorant of his Strength in New-England but he is brought among the Quakers and dwells in their Tabernacle who is able to make War with the Beast and his Followers though you have cast up your Banks very high and fortified your selves as the Pope by his Inquisition yet you must be gone over and made level and yet not by Clubs nor Staves nor Whips nor hot Irons Cain's Weapons the Weapons of the Murderer which you have taken up which shall be broken though your Bows be as Steel yet they shall be broken by the Arm of the Lord the Quakers Strength And what are the horrid Tenets and dangerous things they hold out that you open your Mouthes so wide The horrid and dangerous Tenet is They alter the laudable Customs of our Nation would'st not thou judge Reader when there hath been so many great Words and Accusations that some capital Fact would be laid down But behold the capital Fact the Quaker will not put off his Hat nor his Coat nor none of his Clothes to his Equals nor to a persecuting Fellow who hath a few Buttons and a few Ribbons who calls himself a Superior and here is a Crime indeed which deserves Banishment and Death nothing below this will be able to satisfie Justice for this Crime by the Judgment of the Law-makers of Boston And when became this such a laudable Custom that it is worthy of so much Praise Ye blind and ignorant People have you not read the Scripture He that respects Persons commits Sin and he that hath Mens Persons in Admiration will transgress for a Morsel of Bread And ye never learned this of Elihu this laudable Custom as you call it he said I know not to give flattering Titles to Man for in so doing my Maker would take me away but Envy hath eaten out all Knowledge out of your Hearts And is this your Church-Order to take away mens Beasts Kettles Pots Sheep and Pewter Or is this your Order to fine men five Shillings every Day they come not to your Synagogue or because men cannot break the Command of Christ and swear among a Company of cruel covetous blood-thirsty men to fine them five Pounds Tell the Nations when this Order was made in the Churches among all the Orders and Directions that Christ and his Apostles gave to Believers and to the Churches to be observed I never read of any such as these Oh Ignorance Folly and Madness what fine five Pounds a piece if they will not joyn with you in Worship nor come to hear a covetous Hireling dream an Hoâ—r what banish them that will not come to you what put to Death if they come again Greater Cruelty never appeared among all the persecuting Emperors of Rome in the greatest Apostacy Well if this be your Church-Order it is Time for the Lord to arise and scatter you and blessed shall he be that bears his Testimony for God against you though to the Loss of his Life his End shall be Peace By denying all established Forms of Worship and by withdrawing from orderly Church-Fellowship allowed and approved by all Orthodox Professors of the Truth and instead thereof and in Opposition thereunto frequent Meetings themselves insinuating themselves into the Minds of the simple or such as are least affected to the Order and Government of Church and Common-wealth You that have established such a Form of Worship and such an Assembly as this that if any come into your Assembly and speak the Word of the Lord for the Edification of the Hearers so that Peoples Minds may be informed you pull them out by the Hair of the Head and stop their Mouthes with Napkins or Gloves and if any reprove him that doth so disorderly you send him to Prison and fine him it is time to withdraw from such disorderly Assemblies as yours are And if this be the Order of your established Form approved of by Orthodox Professors then the Church of Corinth was not Orthodox for there one might speak one by one that all might hear and be edefied and comforted but this is accounâ—â—d Disorder in your Church and by your Rulers and they that walk according to that Order approved of among the Saints of old must beâ—r the Name of disorderly Persons and the Sentence is Prison and be fined and be whipped Indeed Amaziah the Priest of Bethel was of your Priests mind and of the Mind of your Rulers and Assemblies you may read your Example when Amos the Herdsman said The Songs of the Temple should be turned into howling and prophesied against such a Generation as you are Hear this ye that swallow up the needy even to make the poor of the Land to fail Amos 8.4 There is your Example ye Rulers of New-England who take away poor Peoples Estates Goods and cast them in stinking Holes tear their Flesh from off their Backs as you have done to many poor People who are dear to the Lord Amos 8.7 Hearken what the Lord's Sentence was to such a People The Lord hath sworn by the Excellency of Jacob surely I will never forget any of their works ver 8. Shall not the Land tremble for this and every one mourn that dwelleth therein And it shall rise up wholy as a flood and it shall be cast out and drowned as by the flood of Egypt read the 9 and 10. I say Amaziah was of your Mind he sent to Jeroboam and said Amos had conspired against Bethel and the Altar their Church-Assembly and against the Land so that it was not able to bear his Words Amos
and Justices with Persecution falls flat to the Ground We are no Boasters but rejoyce in our sufferings for Christ's sake neither are we weary but are willing to bear and suffer till the Lord arise and plead our Cause and our sufferings are Recorded and the Lord hath considered them though men would not and hath overturned many and Rebuked many for our sakes and it is he that Justifies us and who art thou that Condemns us the Testimony of our Innocency and the causeless suffering hath a Witness in many thousands Hearts who are not like thine as Flint and what uncivility hath any to lay to our charge as against Mâ—gistracy whom have we wronged or what Violence have we done to any except thou Judge that incivility because we do not Complement Bow and flatter and make feigned Addresses like thy Generation and this your Highness and the other your Excellency and another my Illustrious Lord and the next Week or next Month call them Traytors Tyrants and Usurpers and as I told thee before that which was order among the Churches is accounted Disturbance by thee which evidently manifests that you are in the Apostacy and out of the Christian Religion which was Professed and Practiced among the Primitive Christians and for any known wickedness among us I am out of all doubt if thou hadst any thing thou wouldst preach it upon the House top known wickedness hath God redeemed us from which thou yet Wallowst in and yet takest delight in And therefore all these known Wicked abominable falshoods Lyes are come forth besides the abusing of our words and false representing what we have written as our Doctrines to the World and this thou hast done sometimes added to our Words and sometimes detracted from them and sometimes addest thy own Collections then presentst them to publick view as our Errors and Blasphemies and as for Courts and Justices Magistrates and Rulers many of them hitherto have ruled by the Dragon's Powers and not by the Power of God in that many have incouraged the Evil-doers and have not listned to the cry of the Oppressed therefore hath the Lord God overturned them and their day is past and our charges against their Wickedness and Persecution neither our Testimony neither our sufferings have fallen to the Ground but stand as a Record against them And thou saist It is high time for all the redeemed Ones and sanctified Ones and Children of Grace the Favourites of Heaven Honest Godly sincere Christians Children that will not Lye to improve their intrust in God for this sinful divided Nation What dost thou own any to be redeemed and Sanctified or to be Children of Grace or that do not lye and yet cryest out of Perfection as Blasphemy or that any should come to or live by that which is perfect if thou excludest the Quakers to be any of these they will not findm any redeemed Sanctified Honest Godly sincere Christians and all your Improvement and your intrust which you have in God and in Christ will but amount to a small dram you all of you hitherto as you have said have improved your intrust and have sought God as you have said by your Prayers and Humiliations for the suppressing of that which you call Heresie and yet you have had no answer neither hath he listned nor will he listen nor bow down his Ear unto because your Hearts are full of Abominations and as for relapsing into Popery you never came out of it witness the Priests Popish Ordination their Popish Attire your Popish Mass-houses your Cross and Bells your Popish Tythes Easter-reckonings and Mid-summer dues your Popish Colledges your Popish Crosses and your Popish Images in and about your Idols Temple and because of the holding up of these things the Hearts of many of God's People are made sad and because you would hold up your Religion by Swords and Clubs and Persecute others who dissent from you in this you are one with the Papists And is this all thy Reformation that thy godly Ministry can bring forth You have travailed in vain and spent your strength for nought and because of these things the Hand of God is against all in the Nation who hold them up and who is he that can alter the Counsel of the Lord and God will not be reconciled to the Nation till these things be done away because of these things and many more grievous Oppressions which have been holden up therefore God hath broken them in the midst of their Counsels and confounded them in the midst of their devices and will confound and overthrow all deceitful Workers and unprofitable talkers such as thou art and one Hill shall fall after another till there shall be a great plain that the ransomed of the Lord may walk over and Worship the Lord together in Spirit and Love and Truth in Joy and gladness of Heart even as when Israel kept the Feast of Tabernacles And now I shall come to let the Reader see how thou hast falsified our Words which thou hast added thy own Imaginations to and then hast quoted our Books to make People believe they are our words whenas they are thy own forged lyes the which I shall return upon thee First Thou sayest George Fox In Truth defended saith that Preaching the Word Praying and singing are no Appointments of Christ whenas he saith no such thing but the Hireling Priests divinations and feigned Prayers and other mens words in Rhime and Meeter are the Inventions of men and not the Ordinances of Christ. Secondly Thou saist E. B. In Truth defended saith The Priest taking Tythes in the time of the Law was Evil and proved them to be false Prophets and Deceivers Whenas he saith quite contray that the Priests took Tythes under the Law according to the Command of God but now the Priesthood was changed and the Law was changed and them what Preach for Hire and seek for their Gain from their quarter or take Tythes are in the steps of false Prophets and Deceivers and no Ministers of Christ. Thirdly That it 's dangerous for the ignorant and Unlearned to read the Scripture and the Ministers of it are the Ministers of Death Now thou hast detracted from the Words There it is said that it is dangerous for thee to take the Scripture to War against the Saints withal and to make a trade with it and give carnal Exposition and then sell them for Money Fourthly Thou tellest of one Master Kellet in Lancashire and his Queries Whether did not Christ Institute his last Supper with Bread and Wine and R. H. saith the Bread which Christ called his Body is his Church which words thou hast mangled and perverted as thou hast done the most thou hast medled with and there is no such man as Master Kellet the words are these in Truth 's Defence p. 103. Christ did not â—peak of Bread and Wine but he took Bread and brake it and said This is my Body and we
old Writers whom you call Heathen seven Years and other latter Popish Writers and Aristotle's Philosophy any Part of the Gospel and to frame up a Speech adout Religion out of your old Commentaries which were made in the Night of Ignorance and to mix Scripture with them is this the Gospel and to get a Patent from a Protector a Parliament or a Committee to preach at such a Place is this like Gospel may be a great Seal at it and then stay whether the People would have you or no and force Maintenance from them and plead your Letters-patent for your lawfull Call like an Indulgence from the Pope and to claim all the Tythes of a Parish and all Oblations Obventions and Mortuaries is this like the Gospel or like the best reformed Churches you talk on in that you call your Covenant and to set up the old Mass-houses baptized Bells Hour-glasses Clerks to say Amen Church-wardens is this like the reformed Churches and to gather money from House to House to buy Bread and Wine and then mutter a few Words over it and give it to People on the mid-day like a Dinner and call this the Lord's Supper or a Sacrament and to baptize Infants and get Money for registring a Name and call this an Ordinance of God is this like the reformed Churches in the primitive times and to take Money for marrying of People is this Gospel-like to preach over the dead and observe other Cereonmies like the Popes Exequies is this like the best reformed Churches Nay which of all the reformed Churches so called who are broken off from Popery in something have not deny Tythes Is there any Ministers among all the Protestants in Europe but they have wholly relinquished Tythes as to be no Gospel-maintenance as Germany and the Eastern Countries France Geneva and Switserland and many others yet these treacherous Priests of England boast of the Purity of Doctrine Worship and Discipline beyond all and these must go under the Name of Godly learned Ministry and if this be Godly what is Ungodly if this be learned what is Ignorance and to stay at a Village Twenty or Thirty Years if there be gain enough if this be Laboriousness what is Idleness and what Havock and Spoil have you made within these twenty Years in this Land more then the corrupted Bishops did before Oh what Havock have you made and Spoil of Mens Estates in this Nation within these few years which were called years of Liberty if the Chronicles were searched amongst all the Protestants in Europe the like parallel could not be found neither hath there been the like Wickedness acted many dyed in prison for denying your insatiable Desires and because you demand Things contrary to the best reformed Churches which you say you press after you must deny all the things before mentioned before any judicious man will believe and therefore it is in vain for you to cover your selves with a Cloak of Hypocrisie for God hath opened an Eye in Thousands that you will never be able to blind though you stir up Smoak and Dirt and Dust and Fogs and mists of Ignorance that darkens the Air yet they will see through it and by the Breath of his mouth in whom they have believed it will all be scattered but however it is just with the Lord to let loose upon your backs the old Prelates and Bishops to be Tormenters of you and make you Drudges and Slaves as you were formerly and it is just with the Lord to let the Dragon's Power over you all again and to bring a Scourge upon you and the People that have hearkned to your Lyes and Deceit that the Helper and they that are holpen may fall together that the Blind and they that have chosen the Blind for a Leader may both fall into the Ditch together into the Pit that they may never rise again Yet know this Oh Nation and the Inhabitants therein there is a People in thee which is precious and so accounted of the Lord that have not joyned to your Back-sliding but have kept their Integrity and their first Love neither have they joyned to your Brittleness and Instability neither have they sought themselves but the Good of the Nation and all the People therein and though they have had many Provocations as from the cruel and merciless Cruelty of Self-seeking Men yet they have born and suffered knowing Vengeance belongs unto the Lord who in his Day will recompence Fury upon his Adversaries and scatter them as the Wind scatters Clouds and so are in Peace and Quietness under the Shadow of him who hath brought them forth with a mighty Hand and out-stretched Arm notwithstanding all Opposition which hath been very great even by all Parties and Interests hitherto and little or no Regard hath been had to this People but they have been as for a Prey and for a Spoil unto all and unreasonable Men have plowed long Furrows upon their Backs and they have had no Helper in the Earth but on the contrary every one hath lent his Hand to bow them down and tread upon them as Ashes under the Soles of their Feet and yet no Evil to lay to their Charge but false Surmises and receiving the false Representations of corrupt Men whoâ—â— Hearts have gainsaid any Appearance of Good that ever appeared if it crossed their ignorant corrupt Minds What hath this People come to harm thee O Nation that thou makest them thy Butt to shoot at and they are become the Object of your Scorn and Derision What have they plotted or contrived Rebellion Have they gone out upon their Enemies and sought Vengeance against them as every Party hath done else besides Except it 's become a Crime to speak the Truth and bear Witness against the Hypocrisie and Deceit of Treacherâ—us Men and to lay their Iniquities before them that they may see and be ashamed and turn from their Evil which hath provoaked the Lord to Anger and because of their Rejection of God's Counsel they cannot be established And for the Sake of this Remnant he will confound and overthrow on the right Hand and on the left all that rise up against them though they should never open their Mouthes as to plead their Innocency yet the Lord will and condemn them that rise up against them and plead the Cry of the Oppressed that cry unto him Day and Night which the Lord hath heard and considered and is come down and hath begun his Work though man doth not see it and hath poured forth a Spirit of Confusion upon them who have Ill-will to the Lambs of Christ's Fold and who shall act any Thing further as to think to root out the Heritage of God their Counsel shall be turned backward and their Enterprize cursed for God he hath determined to lay the Top-Stone with Shouting and that which he is building he will finish and of a Truth this is the Family which he hath chosen which his Love is unto
to Lighc in the Hearts of the Sons of Men that they may see his saving Health and feel him and have Union with him who is the Author of Eternal Salvation in all that believe which Salvation God hath shed abroad richly in the Hearts of his People and his plenteous Redemption which many are made Partakers of and therein their Souls are satisfied and their Flesh rests in Hope and their Hearts are filled with Joy and Gladness and he which hath revealed this will perfect his own Work which he hath begun in them that believe and keep the Faith unto the End shall see the Top-Stone brought forth with Shouting and Victory with Joy Therefore Dear Friends and Brethren look not out neither faint when you are tempted and tryed but eye the Lord who is near to deliver and to administer Strength in Weakness of which I do not doubt but you have felt whose Arm is made bare to save and to defend all the upright in Heart in the Hour of Tryal and in the Time of Temptation and your Work shall not be in Vain for that whâ—ch is ministred from the Life shall not pass away unfulfilled but every one shall answer and bear Witness unto it in the Day of the Lord So in the Long-suffering and in the Patience and Meekness all dwell and in Love with one another and bear with one another and strengthen one another and be subject one to another in the Truth knowing your Works are one and the Message one which you have all to bear Witness of impose not upon one another but leave every one free to the free Spirit of the Lord in himself to be directed and guided in his Service and judge all that down which would beget into Strife for that Spirit will not gather unto God but scatter there hath been Hurt done already in that Place in striving and Contention which hath done Hurt for they that should be Builders should not bite one another and devour one another and so come to destroy them selves and others for that which would be greatest must be least and he which is least and Servant of all shall be exalted for with the humble God dwells and the lowly he leads in the Way of Peace for we are not sent to preach our selves neither to set up our selves but the Lord 's Christ who humbled himself to the Death of the Cross and gave his Life a Ransom for many and he is our Example and he alone is to be exalted and to have the Preeminence and they that exalt him he will exalt and they that honour him he will honour and self is excluded and glorying and boasting excluded by all the Children of Wisdom and that alone to be gloryed in which crucifies to the World and leads to Unity with God and Fellowship with Christ in the Eternal Rest. The Arm of the Lord be wâ—th you all and keep you in hâ—s Wisdom that you may finish your Testimony in Faithfulness and be clear of the Blood of all Men and so lay down your Heads in Peace when the Work is finished which the Lord hath appointed unto you that you may come to inherit the Crown of Glory which fadeth not away and be Partakers of God's eternal Excellency which doth excel eternally all the Glory of the World and the Renown thereof which fadeth away We have received divers Letters from divers of you and also we have heard how two dear Brethren have given up their Lives as a Sacrifice unto the Lord whose Life and Death was precious in his Sight in which I heartily rejoyce that they suffered so valiantly and boldly for his Names sake who laid down his Life for them and by it they are redeemed up unto God to live with him in that Life and Love which is everlastingly pure and satisfactory of which I am most certainly perswaded they had an Enjoyment of and Assurance and thereby had Joy and Peace and strong Consolation in him who hath reconciled all Things unto himself in one who is the Head of the Body which he hath redeemed which is his Church by the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant by which every Member thereof is compleated and presented Perfeâ—â— in Jesus Christ our Light and Life our Crown and Rejoycing to whom be Glory forever and ever Amen And be tender and watchful over them that are convinced and let all your Lives preach before them and be their Example in all Things and keep them all down to their own that they may feel the Power of the Life immortal which you have born Witness of and exhort all to Stedfastness and not to look out at the Rage of the Enemy for that hath appeared which must conquer which cannot be subject to the Wills of corrupt Men Christopher Hâ—lder is arived here who declared unto us the Affairs of the Gospel in those Parts and all the Letters which came over unto our Hands will be sent carefully as they were directed So the everlasting God of Life Power be with you all is the Prayer of him whom God heareth Who is your dear Brother in the Suffering and Long-Suffering of God and in the Fellowship of the Gspel of Peace F. H. THE DECEIVER OF THE NATIONS DISCOVERED AND HIS CRUELTY Made manifest How he hath deceived the Nations and wrought his Works of Darkness more hiddenly under the Mask of Higher Power Holy Church and so persecutes the Righteous Seed and makes them suffer under the Name of Evil-doers in these latter Dayes More especially his Cruel Works of Darkness laid open reprov'd in Mariland in Virginia and the Sad Sufferings of the Servants of the Lord there by his Cruel Instruments Sent back unto them again that they may view their Work again and repent and be ashamed lest the Wrath of God sink them into the Pit as it hath done many before them who have opposed the Lord. GReat and many have the Tryals and Sufferings been of the Faithful Witnesses of God in all Generations by the Seed of Evil-doers who would not that Righteousness should reign and Truth have the Dominion because then the Glory of their Kingdom that standeth in Falshood and Deceit would be stained and blasted and not be had in Honour and Admiration Therefore the Devil who was a Lyar and a Murderer and an Oppressor from the Beginning hath labour'd by all his Power to deceive Mankind that he might exalt his Throne and Kingdom which consisteth wholely of Iniquity in the Hearts of the Sons of Men that so he might be honoured and worshipped and his Unrighteous Decrees fulfilled and himself admired above the true God which made both Heaven and Earth and all things that are therein who alone ought to be worshipped and honoured above all who is blessed forever whose Kingdom stands in Righteousness Equity Truth and Peace forever Therefore Satan being cursed and banished from the Presence of the Lord forever being full of Enmity Wrath and Rage Murder
cast into the Lake and all those tyranous cruel wicked changeable murderous Laws which he hath made and forced upon Men to uphold the Power of his Dominion shall be trodden under Foot and be had in Contempt and Dishonour by all the Followers of the Lamb who is gone out conquering and to conquer and shall subdue his Enemies and overcome them and slay the wicked by the Sword that proceeds out of his Mouth And Oh what a Havock hath the Devil made in the Earth since the Dayes of the Apostles since he hath got the Form of Godliness and hath transformed himself into all outward Appearances of Worship and Anti-christ hath been exalted above the true God in the Earth and hath turned Christian in Name and hath preached Christ in Words and hath covered himself with the Sheeps Clothing the outside that he might not appear as he is an Enemy to the Power and Life of the true God that so he might deceive and hath deceived Thousands for since the Dayes of the Apostacy that the Power and the Life hath been lost the Devil and Anti-christ have turned Law-makers and Law-givers and Law-executors and Rulers of Nations and Kingdoms have made Spoil in the Nations under that Name of higher Power nay further Anti-christ hath turned Church-Member nay Church-Officer Preacher and a great Ordinance-man a Preacher a Prayer a Singer a Baptizer a Worshipper of the strictest sort in the Nations and hath taken up the visibles Actions and Practices of the Disciples Apostles Ministers and Believers so far as they have been outward and now in these things and by this stolen cover deceives Peoples and opposes the true Christ and his Life and Power and coming in the Spirit and yet notwithstanding all this large Philactary and long and large Garment yet the in-side is Devilish Hellish Murderous Cruel ravenous and devouring And who will but look back and take a view from the Beginning of the Devil's Kingdom until Christ was manifest in the Flesh shall finde these things true that under the Name of higher Power and under the Name of Holy Church he hath destroyed the Naâ—iâ—ns and hath laid waste God's Heritage and hath defaced his Image and destroyed his Workmanship and hath laid all the Blame upon the Righteous Seed and condemned them for Evil-doers for not being subject to Authority for Law-breakers and for Seditious and Tumultuous and for Heresie and Errour and Blasphemy and as Ungodly for all the Righteous Prophets and Believers in former Time were Judged and suffered as Ungodly in the Account of the Devil and his Agents as though he and his Instruments had been the greatest Friends of God and of Believers And who will but view the Scriptures of Truth from the manifesting of Christ in the Flesh till his Ascention and also afterward may see that the Devil under the Name of higher Power and under the Name of Authority hath made Spoil and Havock of men and their Estates and hath killed and destroyed the Just as Evil-doers and have exacted upon the Righteous by wicked Impositions and Cruel corrupt Laws made to uphold his Authority which standeth in Darkness And the false Church under the Name of a Holy Church hath sentenced them as Blasphemers as Erronious and as Enemies to God who kept his Commands and did the Will of our Heavenly Father as the blind Jews in their ignorance judged Christ as a Blasphemer and as an Enemy to the Law and Crucified him and Persecuted the Apostles and put them in Prison as Seditious and Tumultuous and as Pestilent and assaulted the House of Jason and beat and abused Scourged and Whipped them with Stripes and loaded them with Reproaches and haled them before Magistrates and Rulers and falsely accused them and followed them from place to Place and stirred up the ruder sort and cryed out Help men of Israel for they turn the World upside down and so Persecuted them from City to City as Evil-doers And after the dayes of the Apostles when there was a defection made from the Faith and the Power was denyed and lost yet the Form retained then Mystery Babylon began to rise and the Murderous City began to be builded and the Nations to drink of her Fornication and swallowed down her deceit Then began the Nations to be Waters and Kindreds and Tongues to reel to and fro Then all became as a Sea with Waves and Boisterous then the Beast rose out of it and he got the Name of Authority and higher Power and then turned against the Righteous and made Laws in the wicked Nature that all that would not be subject to him must be killed and they were Killed under the Name of Evil-doers for that Title they must bear and both the Beast the first and the second with the Mother of Harlots shed the Blood of the Saints as Erronious Seditious Blasphemous all this long Night of Anti-christ's Reign they that keep the Testimony of Jesus have been Killed Destroyed Persecuted some as being Enemies to the Higher Power and some as Law-breakers and Seditious and some as Erronious and Dangerous so these many hundred Years hath the Devil been exalted and Anti-christ advanced under the Name of Christ and under this Title have killed and wasted the Creatures and destroyed the Creation by the Name of Higher Power and by the Name of Holy Church and by the Name of Christians hath devoured and destroyed Thousands by Cruel Deaths Tortures Blood-shed Fining Prisoning Hailing to Prison Whipping Scourging the Righteous as Malefactors and Evil-doers them that were dear in the eyes of the Lord and were not defiled with the Abominations of the times and all them that bore Testimony to Righteousness were condemned for Unrighteous and censured as evil-doers and thus in short all may see how the Devil hath disguised himself and transformed himself into the likeness of Truth as an asserter of Righteousness and a Vindicator of Holiness and so hath deceived the Nations and led them into Blindness that he might hold up his Kingdom and Government in the Earth and that he might be Worshipped and Honoured above the True and living God and who hath but taken a view of the Ecclesiastical Histories of the affairs of things since the Apostacy may clearly see that great and many have been the sufferings of the Righteous by this Generation of Evil-doers who have got the Name of Higher Power and also of Holiness and so have turned against the Saints and faithful Witnesses of God who lived in the Life and Power thereof and have shed their Blood and made Havock and Spoil of God's Heritage and have destroyed his Workmanship and have made the Hearts of the Righteous sad whom God never made sad But what need I go backward to Ages and Generations past to demonstrate this when our Age and Generation bringeth forth so many and sad Evidences of these things which if the Sufferings and sad Persecutions were summed up of these seven Years last past
in England a larger Volumn might be made then hath been in many Years past and yet this Spirit which hath made them suffer hath pretended more Righteousness then before both in that which is called Church and State but the devilish Enmity of that which would be call'd the higher Power hath been such which hath transcended the cruel Actions of the Beast in former Dayes under the Name of Holiness and Propagation of Gospel and Religion the Power of Godliness hath been despised and them that have walked and lived in it have been set at nought and persecuted imprisoned whipped scourged afflicted and tormented and have been killed all the day long but many of them who have been the Actors of these Cruelties they are sunk as a stone into the Sea and God hath overturned that Horn and broke it off although it exalted it self high a while and reigned one Hour with the Beast in compelling forcing the Righteous by their wicked Instructions unrighteous Decrees But Reader if thou wilt hear the Beast's Judgment the Harlot's Censure they will tell thee This hath been done only to that People who were not subject to the higher Power nor to the Faith of the holy Church and therefore though they have been afflicted and have suffered yet it was not for well-doing but for Evil and so it is just upon them and that as hath been done it hath been for the Glory of God and for the Peace of the Nation but the greatest Deceiver never wanted a Cover nor the greatest Transgression an Excuse to hide its Deceit And now when the Lamb hath appeared to make War in the Earth with the Beast his Followers Gog Magog gather together all the Powers of Darkness with their whole Strength are mustered up to withstand and the Dragon Beast Whore and false Prophet all joyn in one Battel to resist to keep their Kingdom Reader thou canst not be ignorant of the War that is begun in England and the Battel hath been hot for a short time and though the Oppression hath been great upon the Beast and the Whore's Party yet their Power is weakened and their Strength more feeble for the Lamb prevails and his Followers shall overcome although the Way by which he and they overcome even by Suffering the VVorld will not own yet happy are they who love not their Lives unto the Death and that do suffer the spoiling of their Goods for his Names sake and his Truth 's sake their Reward shall be great And now Reader thou shalt see what Rage the Devil is in who hath got the Name of higher Power and the Mother of Harlots who goes under the Disguise of holy Church in America of the Dragon's Power thou hast heard in New-England how he hath compelled or at least would compel all to be subject unto him or else would kill banish and destroy and lay waste all that will not bear his Image and receive his Mark and the Harlot which is decked there she hath shed the Blood of the Saints because they would not drink her Cup of Fornication so seek to destroy and to lay waste the Heritage of God and to root out the Righteous and all they have done unto the dear Servants of the Lord must go upon the Account of Evil doing and â—o the Seed of Evil-doers thou may'st see is one in their VVorks in their Judgment in their Practice in all Generations And the Indians whom they judge to be Heathen exceeded in Kindness in Courtesie in Love in Mercy unto them who were Strangers altogether unto them and not of their Nation nor People which is a Shame to the mad rash Rulers of Mariland that have acted so barbarously to their own People and them that came to visit them in the Name of the Lord that instead of receiving them and the tender Visitation of God's Love wholly rejected them and made Order after Order and VVarrant after VVarrant for prisoning banishing and whipping of them who came unto them in the Name of the Lord in such Heat they were that I have seen fifteen VVarrants out against one Man in a little Time and in one Province the which I shall not trouble the Reader with all which VVarrants are for taking of one Man and the Accusations or Things laid to his Charge the same as that the old Enemy of God used to accuse withal dangerous to their Province and destructive to their Church a seditious Person and a Blasphemer and so though none of these Things were true yet he must suffer with the rest who stood in God's Counsel and did his VVork and testified of him all that hath been done must go upon the Account of Evil-doing And thus the Devil hath holden up his Kingdom in all Ages by laying Things to the Charge of them that did the VVill of the living God that thereby he might cover himself and that People who are in Ignorance might believe they suffered as Evil-doers that so he might keep his Kingdom in Peace and all People subject unto his Power of Darkness And Oh what Havock and Spoil have these Rulers in Mariland made upon their own People and their own Inhabitants in a short Time what fining Force have they used what Spoil have they made of many poor Peoples Goods and how have they exceeded in Cruelty and what torturing and prisoning and whipping and scourging have they made not only of Strangers whom they ought to have received and entertained especially seeing they sought not themselves but the Good of them all and their Country but also upon their Inhabitants And how have they grinded the Faces of the poor and instead of protecting them in that Province and saving them from VVrong have themselves been the chief Instruments of doing them Harm and wronging them and oppressing them and yet not for Evil-doing it may be for not doffing a Hat or because they cannot learn to be swift to shed Blood and these are become so great Crimes in these Mens Sight that five or seven or ten Pounds or more which are great Sums among poor People will not satisfie for such Offences as they look upon them But what have they no weightier Matters to call Councils about but to make Laws and Orders in their proud envious Nature to fine them who cannot flatter nor complement these are no Rulers for God but for the Beast and and in his Power they act and have done all these wicked Things for which the Lord God will plead with them when he riseth in his Power to make the Mountains melt and to shake terribly the Earth and plead the Cause of the Poor who have no Helper in the Earth and yet this would be counted a lawful Authority and the higher Power whose VVorks demonstrate them to be from the lowest Pit of utter Darkness and their VVorks to be VVorks of Death and Darkness and the God of the World having so blinded there mens Eyes
Uncircumcised over the Nations again for the 〈…〉 re more justifiable in the sight of God then these who Profess him in Words and yet are Reprobate unto every good VVork Therefore come out of Babylon all People and Potentates of the Earth and drink no more of her Cup of Fornication and receive no more of her Traditions nor inventions for the Ordinances of Christ and partake no more of the Sins of this false Church which hath drunk the Blood of the Prophets and slew the Saints under the Name of Blasphemers and under the Name of Hereticks as the Jews of old did who had the Words of the Prophets without the Life and were in Error themselves and in the Blasphemies who killed the just One and Crucified Christ as a Blasphemer and the Members of his Body as Hereticks Plagues and Woes are prepared of the Lord God and Thunders Storms and Tempests are to be poured upon the Seat of this Whore and the Seat of the Beast for dreadful is the day of the Lord which is coming upon all Flesh which shall wither as Grass and the hâ—lls shall melt and the Rocks shall cleave the high and lofty shall bow the strong Men shall be afraid Terror shall come upon all Hypocrites and fearfulness and weakness upon all the Mighty and Valiant and upon all that have Warred and striven with carnal weapons and all Worshippers in the Flesh the Sword of the Lord shall come over all which is ready furbished and brandished which shall be soaked in the Blood of Bulls and the strong and the Fat and the Mighty and the slain of the Lord shall be many for the notable Day of the Lord God is appearing such a day as hath not appeared since the Apostacy for God's Controversie shall be with all the Inhabitants of the Earth at the Sound thereof the Nations shall be afraid and the Isles shall Shreek and the Mighty men shall fail for God hath determined to cleanse the Earth of all the fruitless Trees that cumber the Ground and to makeâ—h overflowing Scourge pass throw the Nations to sweep away the Refuge of Lyes Idolatry and Superstition Will-worship vain Human Traditions of men and to make all Flesh to bow before him Therefore all People who look to escape the Judgement of the Lord God which is coming upon the Nations flee flee for your lives out of Babylon out of Sodom and Egypt spiritually so called hasten and come out to meet the Lord God lest you be overthrown in those cursed Cities whose Sins have reached up to Heaven make haste and come out and be not upon your reserves and consult not with Flesh and Blood partake no more of her Sins lest you partake of her dreadful Plagues and of the Cup of the Lord 's fiery Indignation which is the Portion of all the Inhabitants of that City for they shall drink it And all ye Princes and People in Germany who are called reformed who have denyed the Church of Rome in some things and who judge you are come to a good Degree of Reformation I must needs say unto you that the Reformation your Departure from her is yet but weak poor and feeble and you are come but a little way I may say unto you as the Prophet said you must rise and go from that which you are now in which you judge to be the Worship of the true God for it is not your Rest indeed you have departed and cast off some things which are but circumstances you stick still in the old Ground and if you take not heed the Leaven of the Whore's Sorceries which is yet among you may quickly leaven you all again into one Lump and bring you back again within the Walls of that bloody City and you that are Princes will not want Temptations to draw you back to associate your selves again with the Church of Rome that now thereby you may be strengthned against the heathen for if you should enter into any Association with them or give any consent unto such Temptations you do but go down into Egypt for Help then will your latter End be worse then your Beginning and your Bondage and Thraldom will be greater then it was before and I must tell you plainly the Lord will pare the Heathen and exalt their Horn and they shall be as a Scourge and as the Lord's Battle-axe to bring down the Pride and Haughtiness of that blâ—ody City which hâ—th drunk the Blood of the Saints and they that have yoaked others shall now be yoaked and they that have cruelly tyrannized over others shall be tyrannized over and that which hath led others into Captivity Bondage and Thraldom shall go into captivity bondage and thraldom and the Heathen shall rule over it Therefore ye that are called Protestant Princes or Reformed and to all People within your Dominions look not back for help from spiritual Sodom Oh let it never enter into your Hearts you are yet in the Suburbs of that City therefore come further off and out from it for you still retain too much of the Government of that City and too much of their Form Ordinances Institution and Doctrine and judge them to be Apostolick and Catholick but wait you to know the Power of God in your Assemblies which changes the Mind and Heart within for bodily exercises profiteth little you have had Tryal enough of that but what Life and Power do you enjoy which was from the Beginning before the World began Is there no forcing and compelling amongst you about Religion and Hire for your Ministers And do you not limit and stop that which the generality cannot agree unto and brand it for Error and Heresie and is there no killing about Religion nor making men suffer about matters in Religion may every one speak freely of the things of God what he hath received freely of the Lord as they did in the Primitive Times when the Church was in Purity Forcing ought not to be amongst you and you put too great a Price upon outside things which at the best are but Shadows of spiritual things which are to be revealed in the Heart and know you this that they that worship the Lord aright worship him in Spirit and in Truth and they who come to witness the New Covenant come to know the Law of the Spirit of God and the Life revealed in their Hearts by which the Sons of God are led into all Truth and they need not go back to the Tables of Stone nor to literal Precepts for a Rule for their Rule is within to wit the Spirit of God which the Father hath promised to pour forth upon his Sons and Daughters by the Mouth of his Prophets and that they need not say know the Lord for all shall be taught of him from the least to the greatest who are come to the everlasting Covenant and to the Blood of sprinkling which purifies the Heart and sprinkleth the Consciences which speaks better things to all
hasty heady Teachers and Speakers which know not the Lord's Voice cannot profit the People at all and all these tellers of Dreams and dreamers dream in the Night but what is the Chaff to the Wheat but he that hath heard God and knows his Voice and his Word which is a Spirit may speak it freely and that will answer the just in all People and the Witness of God will testifie in all Consciences to the Truth thereof and feels the Power of it and will remember it when the dreamers that dream will be forgotten And all ye that are broken into many Opinions and Sects and divers Judgments wait that you may know that which will unite you to God and one unto another that you may come all to be of one Heart and of one Mind and of one Soul into the Unity of the one Spirit as the Saints of old were in and many there are now unto whom the mind of the Lord is known blessed be the Name of the Lord forever and that you may all come to know him that healeth the Nations and leadeth out of Wars and maketh them to cease to the End of the Earth for VVars saith the Apostle James proceed from Mens Lusts and so wait in the Light which Christ hath given you for Power from God to be revealed in you which killeth the Lusts in your selves That your Swords may be broken into Plow-shares 〈◊〉 your Spears and VVeapons of War into Pruning Hooks then the Occasion and Ground of War is gone then you will come to be Follwers of Christ who came not to destroy mens Lives but to save them and to love Enemies anâ— bless them that curse you and do Good to them that hate you and pray for them that despightfully use you and persecute you and this is the Way to conquer the Spirits of your Enemies Therefore stop not your Ears nor slight 〈◊〉 the Day of your Visitation for the joyful Sound of the everlasting Gospel is now to be preached again unto all Nations Kindreds Tongues and People and towards you in Germany is that coming wherein Remission of Sins is obtained and Life and Immortality is brought to Light and blessed and happy will you be if you be found worthy to receive it which many Nations and People have put away from them and thereby have made themselves unworthy of everlasting Life And now this is a Message of Love and a free Gift unto you the Princes and People and Rulers in Germany that you may all be warned to be in a Readiness to meet the Lord in his Judgments and also to receive the tender Proffers of Life and Salvation to you and your People Nation Rulers and ruled may be happy and so come to witness Blessedness and Peace in all your Habitations which the Lord hath brought many unto in this the Day of his mighty Power wherein he hath shewed himself in the Earth and made many Witnesses of his noble Acts and of his wondrous Works that he hath done amongst us to the Intent they may be Testimonies thereof that other Nations may be invited to taste and see how good and gracious the Lord is who is the Light of his People and how pleasant the Way is that lighteth every man that cometh into the World and these Things I testifie unto you who have tasted how good and pleasant his dwelling-place is and how precious the Fold of the Lord is and how green and pleasant are his Pastures into which he leadeth his Sheep unto them hath he given everlasting Life and perfect Assurance of his Love forever These Sayings are faithful holy just and true and blessed is he that hath an Ear to hear and a Heart ready to receive understand thaâ— which is now declared of they even they shall be Witnesses of the same Glory in themselves and not only believe because of the Sound and Repâ—â—t thereof but see handle and understand these things in their own Hearts and feel it in their own Breasts So this is God's Visitation of Love to you 〈◊〉 Oh prize it lest it pass over your Heads and you never attain unto the Comfort of that which belongeth unto your eternal Rest and Peace From one who loves the Lord and all the Children of the Light and 〈◊〉 the Salvation and Welfare of all Men who is at perfect Unity with 〈◊〉 the Creation of God F. H. From England the 26 th of the 1 st Moneth 1661. THE GLORY OF THE True Church DISCOVERED As it was in its PURITY IN THE PRIMITIVE TIMES ALSO A Manifestation how and when the Apostacy came and how long it hath continued in the Church ROME proved to be in it because she differs in Doctrine and Practice from the Church of Christ in the Apostles Dayes Published for this End that People may be informed and their Understandings opened to discern the Times and Seasons and see the Difference between the Lamb's Wife and the Mother of Harlots By one who desires that all may come to the Knowledge of the Truth and be saved and walk in the Light of the Lord. F. H. TO THE Reader or Readers GReat hath been the Wisdom which God hath shed abroad in the Hearts of his People and made known unto his Servants through Ages wherein he hath made known his Mind and Will at sundry times and in divers manners sometimes by Types sometimes by Shadows and Representations sometimes by Dreams sometimes by Visions sometimes by Prophecy there was not the least Ministration but it had a Glory in it and the one living God manifested his Mind unto the Sons of men who feared his Name in every Generation and shewed unto them and signified his mind unto them what he was and shewed unto them how he would be worshipped and they that were obedient unto that which was made manifest in every Age and Ministration found Acceptance with the Lord and the Peace of God in their Hearts After man had transgressed and gone from his Maker and lost the Guide of his Youth and broken God's Covenant then Blindness came upon him and a Vail was betwixt him and his Maker and man increased and grew in an earthly Part and lusted after earthly Things which fed and increased that Part and the Image of God was lost in which the Creature delighted yet notwithstanding such was and is the Love of God towards his Creation and to his Workmanship that he did not utterly cast off man forever but followed him to draw him back again out of the Transgression to have Unity with him who was his Maker and when man was gone unto Darkness the Lord stooped so low as to come near him and to that State he was in and made a Covenant with man when mans Heart was outward upon outward Things and gave him Commands outward and Statutes and Ordinances outward that he might worship therein which were Shadows and Types of some better Things to come and these were the Ordinances of
the first Covenant which pertained to the changeable Part that was above the Seed but they typed forth more heavenly Things which were to be revealed in due Time and when the Seed came to be manifested and raised up they had an End and the Cloud passed away and the Day did spring forth in Clearness and he brought forth which restored all that believe unto God viz. Christ Jesus then did God more clearly manifest himself in the Earth through his Son who had the Will of the Father and declared it who rent the Vail and put an End to the Shadows and blotted out the Hand-writing and ended the Types and Figures and all that believed in him who was the End of them and the Sum of all he overthrew the Nature in them which was changeable unto which they pertained until the Time of Reformation which was when he was sacrificed up a Propitiation for the Sins of the whole World and they that did believe and received him came to be the Sons of God and declared the Mind of God as it was revealed and as the Spirit gave Utterance and many did believe and did grow up and became of one Heart Mind and Soul and worshipped God with one Accord and in the Spirit and in the Power of the Father and separated from the Jewish Worship and the Form thereof and met together in the Power of God and glorified God and spoke of the Things of his Kingdom unto all that waited for it freely and the Lord was honoured by them and glorified in them But soon after the Mystery of Godliness was brought forth the Mystery of Iniquity began to work and opposed the Work of the Lord and transformed into the Similitude and outward Appearance and Form and yet lived in the Flesh and there began to be an Apostacy and a Deviation from that Glory and Power which was once revealed and Anti-christ wrought with Signs and lying Wonders and got the Words and hated the Life and Power and them that appeared in it and then they that were under his Government and Reign hated the Reign of Christ and said in their Hearts We will not have him to rule over us though in Words they confess him and then persecuted and drove the true Church into the Wilderness and set up Imitations and Inventions and Traditions and vain Customs which they have called Apostolical and holy Institutions which are contrary unto primitive Institutions and Ordinances only brought in by them when Darkness began to spread over the Earth when the Bishops in the first three hundred Years after Christ began to contend about Dayes and Times and Meats and Drinks and Rome began to claim Superiority over all Churches call'd Christian the Pope became as a Law-giver I have led thee through divers Ages and Times as briefly as possible may be to single out the Original and Beginning of those things and who were the first Ordainers of them betwixt this and the Apostles Dayes which are now accounted as holy Institutions The State and Glory of the true Church in this Treatise thou wilt see before the Apostacy and the State in the Apostacy how she fled into the Wilderness and how Mystery-Babylon was raised and the false Church called her self visible many of her Doctrines and Practices which are contrary to the primitive Church are here discovered and the Authors and Formers made known whereby thou may'st come to see a Difference in the Ordinances of the true Church and the Traditions and Inventions of the false Church which are too much contended for in this Day by them who say They are come to the true Reformation according to the Primitive Times but thou wilt see as thou comparest their Practices with the Primitive times to be quite contrary and to be but Smoak and that which has darkened the Air clouded Peoples Understandings and hath led them into Ignorance and Darkness so that the Way of Truth hath not been discovered unto many but the Lord is arisen and that which comprehends time is made manifest and all that which hath got up in the Apostacy is viewed and seen and laid open to the View of all that they may depart out of these things which are but the Inventions and Traditions of Men in which Eternal Life is not to be had Read with Meekness and in that which is spiritual in thy self through which the things of God are made manifest for with that I have Unity and in that as thou livest and walkest I bid thee farewell F. H. The principal Heads treated upon in this following DISCOURSE 1. THE State of the Church from the Manifestation of Christ in the Flesh to the End of the Apostles briefly discovered 2. The entring in of the Apostacy and the Declination from that Purity and Doctrine Worship and Practice downward unto this present Age and Time 3. The Reformed and Separated Congregations called Parochial proved in the Apostacy compared with the Primitive Times in Worship and Practice 4. A few Words unto all how they may come out of the Apostacy to the true Church which is in God the Lamb's Wife 5. Concerning Baptizing or sprinkling Infants 6. Concerning the Sign of the Cross and ordaining of Parishes and Parochial Churches 7. Concerning Swearing by the Gospel as it is called and Kissing the Book and Bishoping of Children the first Authors shewn 8. Concerning Fasts and Feasts and Holy Dayes their Institutions and Foundeâ—s in the Apostacy 9. Concerning Priests Vestures and Garments and Bells their Authors Shewen which are Practised amongst Christians as Apostolick Institutions 10. Concerning the Mattens and singing of Psalms by Course in Musical Tunes and Supplications and short Prayers called Letanies their Authors shewn 11. Concerning the Passover and the Lord's Supper and the Ceremonies about it 12. Concerning Ministers and their Office under the Law and under the Gospel 13. Concerning the Ten Persecutions under the Heathen Emperours and how divers Vain Traditions and Institutions got up among the Christians in those Times and Constitution among the East and Western Churches after the Apostacy was entered in the first 300 400 Years after Christ. 14. Of the Decrees of the Church of Rome and Ordinances which are held as Apostolick Institutions 15. Concerning the General Councils since the Apostles Dayes which belonged to the Church of Rome their Decrees not infallible but are contradicting one another 16. Concerning the Worship of God and whether Kings and Rulers ought to compel in Spiritual Things declared and some Scriptures cleared and divers Objections answered about this Thing 17. Concerning Oathes in the first Covenant and the Lawfulness thereof and the Unlawfulness thereof discovered in the New Covenant in the Gospel-times though the Apostates mingle Ordinances of both together 18. Tythes in their first Institutions unto whom they were one according to the Command of God declared and that Tythes are no Way lawful to be received neither sought for by any who are Ministers of the
now mark this that by which the Apostle gathered them from the Jewish Temples and Priest-hood and the Gentiles from their Idols Temples was by the Preaching of the everlasting Gospel to wit not the Law nor the Ordinances of the first Covenant but the Power of God and the word of Reconciliation for the first Covenant of the Jews made not the Comers thereunto perfect as pertaining to the Conscience Neither the Gentiles Idols Temples nor Worships made them perfect as pertaining to the Conscience but rather made them worse and more corrupted Heb. 9.9 But the Preaching and publishing of the Word of Reconciliation that did it was committed to the Disciples it was received and believed in by many both Jews and Gentiles as at Ephesus and elsewhere and they were made a Habitation of God through the Spirit Ephes. 2.22 Now mark this they preached not up the Letâ—er of the Law nor that which was written in Tables of Stone for the first Priest-hood that was ended and the Ministry of that and the Vail was over their Hearts while Moses was read and their ability stood not in the Litteral knowledge or in that which was written But they were able Ministers of the New-Testament of the Spirit and so all that did believe both Jews and Gentiles who received the word of Faith which was nigh in the Mâ—uth and in the Heart Rom. 10.8 they grew up in the Knowledge of God and of his holy Spirit and great Gifts grew amongst them as of Prophecy of speaking with Tongues of Interpretation and there was diversity of gifts and diversity of Operations yet all by the same Spirit which the Apostles were made Ministers of and which they that did believe and receive and received gifts from it and knew the Operation of it which wrought in them mightily to the throwing down the strong holds 2 Cor. 10.4 And the principalities and Powers of Darkness and to the Translating and changing of them from Darkness to Light and from Satans Power to the Power of God even into the Kinâ—dom of his dear Son Col. 1.13 And several Congregations in divers Places were all one Body whereof Christ the Life was the Head in which they had believed and of whose Power they had tasted grew up in Knowledge and Wisdom and gifts and the Day of Christ approached which Abraham saw And they exhorted one another and admonished one another and when they met together at several Places every one according to the Gift of God as he had received not from the Letterâ— but from the Spirit did and might administer to the Edification one of another and to the building up and comforting one another in the most holy Faith which gave them Victory over Sin which Faith was wrought in them by hearing of the Word that was nigh them in the Mouth and in the Heart which was the Word of Consolation which was in the Beginning Moreover when they met together they might Prophesie one by one and every one Exercise his own gift to the edification and Comfort of the Body as the Spirit did lead them in Order and if any went out from his Measure he was judged by them that were in the Spirit Furthermore they that had believed the Gospel which was published to them for remission of Sin they grew up into great Enjoyments and Attainments in the righteous Life of Christ which was manifest in them And though first they knew the Ministration of Condemnation and the sentence of Death yet afterwards came to know the Ministration of the Spirit and the sweet Assurance and Testimony of it bearing Witness to the Spirit that they were the Sons of God and they were made Heirs according to the Promise Heb. 6.17 and were made joynt-heirs and co-heirs with Christ in the Kingdom which is Immortal which faâ—es not away and did dome to know Mount Sion and the City of the living God Heb. 12.22 and it were large to speak of the Glory and the Transcendent Excellency of the Church of Christ which became a purchased Possession to him in the Primitive Times or the first hundred Years after the manifestation of Christ in the Flesh. But take notice of this that they that were sent out who had received freely of the Father of Christ and of the Spirit Ministred freely as they had received freely without making any Covenants or enquiries after worldly revenews but went from City to City Preaching the Gâ—spel of Christ freely as they hâ—d received without any conditionâ— frâ—m the People And as many as believed and received the Gospel did Minister freely their Hearts being open unto them who had declared unto them spiritual Things Acts 4.34 Mat. 10.8 c. So that we read of no compulsion or forcing Maintenance from any of the Cities whether they believed or not believed the Father took care of such Harvest-men and and what they received was given freely and there was no Complaint though often they denyed that which was proferred to them and thâ—ir Câ—re was to make the Gospel of Christ not Burdensome or chargeable but rather their Hands should Minister unto their Necessities Acts 18.3 Again though divers gifts were given unto the Disciples before and after Christ's Ascension as some to be Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists some Pastors some Teachers and some Elders or Bishops yet they were all made Ministers by the holy Ghost yet it were large to speak of the Power and of the Wisdom and of the Enjoyments of God in that day and time and of the Gifts and of the order which was in the Church at that time But in a Word the Son of God was made manifest and gave them an Understanding and they knew him that was true Truth it self and Christ was revealed in them and manifested to them the Hope of their Glory Col. 1.27 Furthermore they come to see over the new Moons and Fâ—sts and Feasts and Dayes and Times and Meats and Drinks and none could judge of them or ought to judge of them in those Cases for they saw the Body Christ for the man-Child was brought forth and the Woman was Cloathed with the Sun who had the Crowd of twelve Stars upon her head who brought forth the holy Child Jesus who saves his People from their Sins In whom all Shadows Types Figures Representations end This in short was part of the Glory of the Primitive Church which would be large to speak of as it was in the first State of its Purity But hereafter some fuller thing the Lord may bring forth in his own time and day CHAP. II. Concerning the entring in of the Apostacy and the Declination from the Purity of Doctrine Worship and Practice and when it began downwards from the entring of it in until this present Age and Time CHrist the true Prophet which Moses spake of whom the Lord raised up and manifested in the Fulness of time he prohesied and declared of false Prophets that should arise Mat. 7.15 Beware of
false Prophets that shall come unto you in Sheeps cloathing which are inwardly ravening VVolves ver 16. ye shall know them by their Fruits and in Mat. 24.11 But many false Prophets shall arise and deceive many and this came to be seen and fulfilled in the Age of the Disciples and Johâ— testified 1 Jâ—hn 2.18 Little Children it is the last times as ye have heard hat Antichrist should come even now there are many Antichrists whereby we know that it is the last times they went out from us but were not of us chap. 4.3 So they entred in then and went out from the Light from the Power of God which the Apostles preached for the Remission of Sins and Jude testified against such as were entred in who were in Cain's way that were degenerated and killed and in Balaam's way for Gifts and Rewards and yet preached up the words which the Apostles spoke but for filthy Lucre and had Mens Persons in Admiration because of Advantage And Peter said that false Prophets and false Teachers should arise that should bring in damnable Heresies that should deny the Lord that bought them and many should follow their pernicious Wayes 2 Pet. 9.22 And the Apostle wrote to Timothy the Bishop or Overseer that the Spirit spoke expresly that in the last times some should depart from the Faith giving heed to seducing Spirits and Doctrines of Devils speaking Lies in Hypocrisie forbidding to marry and abstain from meats c. 1 Tim. 4. And again Paul in 2 Tim. 3. saw the Apostacy coming in and perillous times should come that men should be lovers of their own selves Covetous Boasters without natural Affection Truce-breakers false Accusers despisers of them that are good Traytors heady high-minded Lovers of Pleasures more then Lovers of God men of â—oâ—rupt minds reprobate concerning the Truth having a Form of Godliness but denying the Power and as the same Apostle saith in another Place were Enemies to the Cross of Christ and these went out into the World and this is 1400. Years ago and upwards Then the Mystery of Iniquity began to work and wrought and they went out and did not preach up the Jews Religion the Ordinances of the first Covenant but they preaâ—hed Christ in Words and transformed into the Form of the Apostles Words but denied the Cross and spoke those things they ought not for filthy Lucrâ— Sake and there was the Beginning of the Hirelings that care not for the Flock and those went out into the World and many followed their pernicious Wayes and there held the Form but denied the Power and â—o indeed preached another Gospel and they lived in the Liberty of the Flesh held people in the Liberty yet proselyted them into a kind of Faith which was feigned and these kind of false Apostles and deceitful workers led many after them and there was the beginning of the Apostacy and they published these things in the World and when the Name of Christ came to be in Reputation and the preaching of the Gospel to be in Request then they for filthy lucre went out with the Words and retained the Form not the Jewish Form altogether but the Form of the Saints worship and practice which were in the Church of Christ which were elect and precious and they grew to such a Head and to such a Body and became such a Number and yet Gainsayers and in Cain's Way for they were out of the Power and out of that which mortifies the Deeds of the Flesh and they spread themselves over Nations and Kindreds over Tongues and peoâ—ple and Nations and Kindreds and Tongues and people have now got the Name of a Church and the Seat thereof came to be great the false Church the Harlot Mystery Babylon the Mother of Harlots which had denyed the Husband Christ the Power of God her Seat was set upon Nations Kindreds Tongues and People and these were her Seat and John said these were the Waters which he saw the Whore or false Church sit upon and she turned and all her Children against the free Woman the Lord's Spouse the Lamb's Wife and made her flee into the Wilderness for a Time Times and half a Time and she reached forth her Golden Cup a fair out-side but full of Fornication within and she claimed Christ to be her Husband and sate as a Queen and the Kings of the Earth John saw in the Revelation drink of her Cup and bewitched by her Sorceries and then all the Nations becoming Water and unstable being drunk with Fornication staggered up and down and reeled up and down and stood in nothing being out of the Power which should have stablished them and then a great Beast arose out of these Nations Kindreds and Tongues and People which are these Waters with seven Heads and ten Horns and then these Apostatized Disciples or Ministers which preached for filthy Lucre and them that believed them sheltered them under the Beast and cryed who is able to make War with the Beast And the Kings of the Earth gave their Strength to the Beast which arose out of the Waters and now the false Church gets upon him these that had the Form of Godliness out of the Power and rides upon the Beast and he carries her and hath done this many Years and she hath travailed in the greatness of his Strength and then Laws began to be made about Religion and then began compelling we heard of none in the Primitive times nor in the true Church but now the false Church calling her self by the Free-Woman's Name and getting on the outward Dress and Habit and Attire saith I am she have I not the Form and Ordinanes which were practised in the Apostles Daves who doubts of that may look into the primitive times and see that I am conformable to the Form which was amongst the first Christians in things that are outward and thus she hath deceived the Nations Rev. 18.23 Now Rome look to thy Beginning and read thy Original and view thy Antiquity VVe will grant thee every Dram and every Hour of time these thirteen hundred Years and prove thee to be in the Apostacy in Doctrine and Practice from the primitive time after the first hundred Years after Christ was manifested in the Flesh And Christendom look about thee for thou art measured and thy Compass is seen If Natioâ—s and Kindreds and Tongues and People have drunk the VVhores Cup since John's Dayes as will be made manifest then what Cause hast thou Rome to boast of Antiquity and Universality for that doth the sooner prove thee to be a Harlot then the true Church and thy Universality which hath long been boasted of proves thee no more to be the true Church of Christ then the Sea can prove it self to be a Rock for if Nations Kindreds and Tongues and Languages and People universally be the Waters that the Whore sits upon and the Beast rose out of the Waters Now read thy self we have measured thee as in
a Service for such a Day and such a Worship for such a Day we find not in the first hundred Years after Christ. And for your Lent which one of your Fathers invented and this was his Ground because God had the tenth of the increase of Tythes due to himself and for his Ministers under the Law therefore it was necessary that the tenth part of Dayes should be allowed as Tythes to the Lord Oh! Gross ignorance and palpable Blindness mid-Night it self came upon you in the time of your Visibility when the True Church was fled into the Wilderness As though the Lord was not the Lord of all Dayes and as though all dayes were not his and to be used to his Glory And your prohibiting Meats and distinguishing of Meats one Holy for such a day another for such a day Flesh one day and Fish another day as though there were not the Flesh of Fish or one thing were clean and another Unclean And this invented Trumpery hath been observed for Catholick and Apostolick Doctrine but by whom we must needs tell you by the Nations Kindreds and Tongues and People upon which the Whore sits and out of which the Beast rose And we will grant you antiquity enough this many hundred Years and yet we will prefer the Primitive Times before you and bring their Doctrine and Practice to reprove you though we do not desire to go in Cain's Way and to kill Creatures that are out of the Doctrine of Christ and contrary to Apostolick and Catholick Doctrine which wrestled not with Flesh and Blood but with spiritual wickedness whose Weapons were not carnal but spiritual and yet they hâ—d great might in them and threw down by these weapons that which never could be by carnal 2 Cor. 10.4 Again your forbidding to Marry which is reckoned by the Apostles Doctrine to be a Doctrine of Devils and contrary unto that the Apostle's Doctrine was Marriage is Honourable in all Estates the Bâ—d undefiled Heb. 13.4 And seeing you plead Peter was at Rome and Peters Chair and that the Bishop of Rome doth succeed him and hath the Keys as Peter had Why do you exclude the chief Bishops as you account them from Marrying and divers other Orders seeing Peter had a Wife and seeing that it is Catholick and Apostolick Doctrine before you could claim the Name of visible Church that a Bishop should be the Husband of one Wife and should not be Covetous nor no striker nor given to Wine nor filthy Lâ—cre c. But since the Bishop of Rome hath Appropriated to himself to be the Head of the Church and the chief-Bishop over all â—he Catholick Church it hath been manifested how much covetousness and covetous Practices have been Acted as Money for Pardons and Indulgences and get Money for the living and the dead and the invented Purgatory hath filled your Coffers and your Meritorious works have been Sold at a dear rate Insomuch that a poor Woman who hath lost her Husband and he deceased must pay ten Shillings for a mortuary that he may be Prayed for or some of your Merits may be accounted to him which you have in store as a Stock to sell to any who come with a Prize in their Hands And from whence have you all these Tythes have you not borrowed them of the Jews and yet you are no Jews and such things we do not read among the Jews were Tythable Pigs Eggs Hens and Geese to omit greater matters and the Smoak passing up the chimneys and that which you call your Peter-Pence And this is contrary to the Catholick and Apostolick Doctrine which Peter would have been ashamed to ever have mentioned either amongst Jews or Gentiles And now I would ask you a Question or two seeing John saw the true Church flee into the Wilderness the Woman that was cloathed with the Sun who brought forth the Man-child what cause have you to boast of Visibility or Universality Now when were you in the Wilderness if your Church hath not been so then it Demonstrates that your Church is not the Woman cloathed with the Sun for she did fly into the Wilderness as with the Wings of an Eagle Secondly Whether hath your Gospel been universally publickly preached these sixteen hundred Years or nay And is it the very same that was Preached in the first hundred or two hundred Years seeing that John saith that all Nations did drink of the Whore's cup of Fornication And then Nations were Waters seeing he saith the Gospel shall be preached again to Nations Kindreds and Tongues which clearly demonstrates there was a time when the everlasting Gospel was not preached to the Kindreds Tongues which are the Waters upon which your Church is Situated And it is evidently manifested that yours hath been another Gospel then that which was preached in the Apostolick Church and in the Catholick Church the first hundred or two hundred Years after Christ was manifested in the Flesh Much might be said to Demonstrate the Truth which is in Hand that there hath been an Apostacy the Beginners thereof came forth in the Apostles dayes and afterwards grew into a Body and became like a great Sea which according to the best Ecclesiastical writerâ— which have given a Narrative of the first five hundred Years declared that there was great loss within 300. Years but in five hundred Years or less the very Power of Godliness was denyed and very much of the Form And though your pleads Antiquity for a Thousand Years for these things aforementioned which they would be hard to prove For although it should be granted them yet we will joyn issue with them in this thing and are able to prove all these Doctrines and Practices not to be as it was in the first two hundred Years except they will own such as taught the Doctrine of Balaam and taught the Doctrine of Devils and went in Cain's and Chore's Way for an Example It were not hard to prove the introducing of all these things before mentioned and how they have come in by degrees one Council that rose out of the Waters ordaining this another ordaining that and so have risen up into this great Body of Darkness some of the Practices borrowed from the Jews and some from the Heathen and some invented of themselves in latter Ages so that the Worship that was in the Spirit and in Truth in Christ's and the Apostles dayes is turned from and such a numberless Number of vain Traditions Ave-maries Creeds and Pater-nosters and such a deal a do as there is about their unbloody Sacrifice of the Mass that they are glad to be counted by their beads on strings as many very well know By all that which hath been said may easily be Collected that there hath been a great Deviation and Apostacy from the Doctrine and Practice of the Primitive times thus far as I am descended I leave it to the Reader to judge and compare these things with the Churches Doctrine and
is the mighty Power of God alone which must be waited for and believed in and received and made manifest in the Hearts of the People or else they cannot come out of the Apostacy nor see to the End of those Things that are to be abolished and this is that which must be witnessed by every Man that comes to be a living Stone of the holy City and a living Son of the free-Woman and true Member of the Heavenly Jerusalem which God hath caused to descend which is the Mother of all the Saints and the Womb that brings them all forth and the Breast at which they all suck and are satisfied and nourished up to everlasting Life These Sayings are faithful and true and blessed is he that heareth believeth and receiveth them And this is a Testimony of the People called Quakers whom God hath brought out of the Apostacy to the Beginning again to see the Brightneâ—s of the Day of the Lord wherein there is not a Cloud Furthermore it is manifest how many Things have been introduced and brought concerning Worship and Ordinances and are taught to be Doctrines of the primitive Times whenas they be brought in by Men of corrupt Minds in latter Ages which had lost the Faith once delivered to the Saints and had lost the Gospel-Order and compelled People by outward Law to submit unto them and yet all those Things they would fasten upon the Scriptures and bring some Scripture which they pervert as a Cloak and a Cover to blind People withal but I shall descend to some Particulars CHAP. V. Concerning sprinckling Infants AND first concerning Baptizing or Christening Infants as it hath been called which is without prescribed Command or Example commanded or ordained by Christ or his Apostles although many in these latter Ages have wrested the Scriptures thinking thereby to make their own Inventions to be reckoned or accounted to be the Ordinances of God and the main Ground which the greatest Rabbies have given hath been from these or the like Scriptures Go teach and baptize all Nations Mat. 28.19 But this is nothing at all to prove baptizing of Infants here Teaching was to go before Baptizing or Discipling as the Words may be rendered for they were not like to be Discipled which were untaught now Infants not being capable of teaching so are not capable of being made Disciples now to baptize Infants or sprinckle them with Water which are untaught and not capable of being Disciples is a ridiculous Thing and to do it so as the Church of Rome uses it and they who are separated from them is contrary to the Scriptures and there is no mention made of Water at all nor Infants and their other Scriptures they have offered for Proofs to prove this an Ordinance of Christ and why only because Christ took up Children into his Arms and blessed them and because he said Whosoever enters into the Kingdom of God must enter as a little Child these Scriptures have been tendered for good Proofs but the spiritual-minded will judge of the Weakness of them who offer these Things for a Proof But again it hath been said and accounted Orthodox that Baptism came in the Room of Circumcision but how they will prove it is yet unknown to many for the Scriptures make not mention of any such thing for one Type did never type out another but every Type typified a Substance Now Circumcision was a Type or a Figure and cutting off the Fore-skin was a Figure of Circumcision and cutting off the Fore-skin of the Heart now Baptism with Water is a Type or Figure 1 Pet. 3.21 which typed out the spiritual Washing or Regeneration and if Baptism of Infants came in the room of Circumcision then how do they agree in a Parallel the Males were only circumcised and why are the Females now baptized if Baptism came in the room of Circumcision Another Thing which hath been alledged for a Proof is that which Christ spoke to Nicodemus John 3.5 Except a Man be born again of Water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God from whence it hath been inferred by many that Baptism of Infants was absolutely necessary to Salvation Christ spoke of that which did regenerate and make anew and cleanse the Heart and of the clean Water which the Prophet Ezekiel spoke of which he would pour upon his People visible Water cleanseth not the inside neither doth regenerate but the Water which Christ giveth to every one that thirsteth to drink is the Water of Life and this washeth the inside and cleanseth the Heart and this is the washing of Regeneration which whosoever comes not to know cannot enter in the Kingdom of God because that which is deâ—â—led is shut out but they thaâ— do not loâ—k after the Substance have made an Idol of the Figure but the Church of Rome themselves which were the first Invenâ—ers and Setters up of this human Institution have said That this mâ—st be received by Tradition and not from the Scriptures because it could not be approved as a Commandment witness Claudias Espontiâ—â— a Popish Bishop at a Council at Pysoy in France 1500. and yet this Doctrine hath been held out to the Nations for Catholick and Apostolick which the primitive Churches made no mention of neither the Apostles taught any such Doctrine but was preached up by such who went out of the Light and from the Power into the Nations which became as Waters for the first Ordainer of Baptism of Infants and that they should have a God-father and God-mother was Ignatius Bishop of Rome long after the Apostles Dayes when Rome was got up into Pride claimed Authority over all Christian Churches to impose upon them whatever they listed for Doctrine and such dark things as these have been brought forth whereof mention might be made of many Things and what unsavoury Words as God fathers and God-mothers are used not only amongst them but also amongst the Protestants to this day who is God's Father or who is God's Mother is this Apostolick Doctrine as though God was begotten by Generation indeed is it not Blasphemy to affirm such things and also to hold up such things all which demonstrates these things to be in the Apostacy And therefore you who profess your selves that you are come out of the Apostacy and are reformed Churches for Shame leave off practising and pleading for the upholding such things which the Scriptures do not own or else the Practice of the Saints in former Ages will judge you And it hath been reckoned as absolute necessary to Salvation and therefore Victor Bishop of Rome did institute that the Children might be christened by a Lay-man or Lay-woman in time of Necessity because Infants were often in Danger as Polydore makes mention Lib. 4. CHAP. VI. Concerning the Sign of the Cross and ordaining of Parish Churches LIkewise the Sign of the Cross and the Chrisme are invented things which are in the Apostacy and therefore
to magnifie the glorious commendation of Martyrs made a Statute that a yearly Oblation should be had in memorial of them and Gregory would that Mass should be said over their Tombs or Graves now Priests read the original of your service over the Graves of the dead and see if this be Apostolical The Fast of Wednesday and Fryday was appointed the one day Christ was crucified and on Wednesday Judas purposed in his Mind to betray him Gregory was he that ordained that neither Flesh Gregory appointed nor any thing that had affinity with it as Cheese Milk Butter Eggs should not be eaten on such days as were Fasts and here came in this Doctrine of Devils Soul-mass-day this was begun by Odilo that was Provost or Provincial of Cluniacensis Order upon the Occasion he heard about Etna the burning Mountain of Sicily oftentimes great Lamentations and Cryings and Weepings were heard which he supposed to be the Weepings of evil Spirits that bewailed because the Souls of dead men were taken from them by the Petitions and Sacrifices of well-disposed Christians therefore he appointed his Covent to make a general Oblation for All-Souls the next Day after the Feast of All-Saints and this great Institution was ordained about the Year 1002. and so all whose Eyes God hath opened will see all this Heap of Invention hath been practisee since the Beast rose out of the Sea and the Whore hath sate upon the Waters which is since the Apostles Dayes CHAP. X. Concerning Priests Vestures and Belâ—s which are practised among Christians as Apostolick Institutions THE Jews high Priests had Vestments and the rest of the Priests who offered Sacrifices and Oblations at the Temple and Tabernacle Lev. â— 6 7 8 9. 13. And Aaron the Priest had a Coat girded with a Girdle and clothed him with a Robe and put a linnen Ephod upon him and put a Breast-plate upon him and a Mitre upon his Head and Aaron's Sons had Coats with Girdles and Bonnets as was commanded by the Lord and in chap. 16.4 and he put on a linnen Coat and linnen Breeches with a Coat and Mitre and girded it with a Linnen Girdle and these were the holy Garments and these Garments were to be put off in the Holy Place and divers other Garments and Vestments which were worn by the Priest about the Temple-Worship and Sacrifice which were Shadows of better things and of more holy Garments but this was in the first Covenant that made nothing perfect which was faulty and was to continue until the time of Reformation But Christ being come and offered up all Shadows had an End and they preached up the everlasting Offering and him who offered up himself once for all Now Christ sent out his Disciples without great Provision as to Attire for they were to take neither Staff nor Sâ—rip nor Shoes nor Money nor Brass in their Purses and yet they were to go among them that were like Wolves renting and tearing devouring and destroying and there was no great Likelihood of obtaining any earthly thing from such while in that Nature but the Apostles liâ—ed by Faith Mat. 10.9 10. and Luke 10.3 4. and they were not to take two Coats and the Apostle in his Travails was often in Necessities in Hunger and Cold and Nakedness and did not go in costly Array nor in disguised Habits but in his old Age wore sometimes a Cloak among the Churches which he sent for to Troas an ordinary Garment 2 Cor. 4 8 9 10. 6.4 to ver 11. 2 Tim. 4.13 and John the Baptist who was a great Prophet had a Coat made of Hair and a leathern Girdle about his Lyons Mat. 2.3 and the primitive Christians wandered up and down in Sheep-Skins and Goat-skins being destitute of whom the World was not worthy Heb. 11.37 38. But after the Apostles Decease deceitful Workers and evil Beasts and they that abode not in the Doctrine and Ordinances of Christ went out into the World and the World went after them and so lost both Power and Form of Godliness and invented things some from the Heathen and much from the Priests under the Law Sextus the first commanded that the Corporis should be of linnen Cloath only and that of the finest and purest and forbad that Lay-men should handle the hallowed Vessels and namely Women were prohibited hallowing the Priests Vestures and Altars and Cloathes Diversity of Vestures of sundry Orders were much what taken from the Example of the Hebrew Priesthood was practised and ordained by Stephen Bishop of Rome and Sabinianus decreed first that the People should be assembled together to hear Service at certain hours by ringing of Bells and John the 22d Bishop of Rome ordained that Bells should be tolled every day three times and that then every man should say three times Ave-Mary as Polidore saith Lib. 6. The Invention of Bells was from Imitation of the Hebrews because the high Priest had in the Skirts of his uppermost Garments little Bells to ring when he was in the holy Place within the Vail And the Banners and Trophies which are hung up in Churches were taken from the Heathen which did bear them to signifie the conquest of their Enemies these have been set up in the Churches so called by some of the Bishops of Rome to declare as they said the Triumph of Christ over Death and Hell Now all Nations who are called Christians look to your original and from whence these Practices have risen and those things are continued even amongst the Protestant Churches are either from the Jews or from the Heathen or from the apostatized Bishop of Rome long after the days of the Apostles and so these Hoods and Surplices and Caps and Bonnets and Cowls and Tippets and Miters and Canonnical-Coats and Girdles and divers strange attires it is like to prove these things we must have Aaron's Breeches brought in and the linnen Ephod and his Son's Girdles and Coats and Bonnets and the high Priest's Mitre and all these Candlesticks for a Gospel-proof CHAP. X. Concerning Mattens and â—inging of Pâ—alms by course in musical Tunes and Supplications and short Prayers called Letany THE Jews under the Law had many Officers which belonged to the Temple-Worship among which were Singers as the Sons of Corah and the Sons of Asâ—ph and Eâ—rahites and the chief Musicians c. and divers Psalms were given forth by the Spirit of God by David and others upon several occasions sometimes after Victories and sometimes when he felt the Presence of God and the working of his Power and who were Eye-witnesses of his wondrous Works as the rest of Israel were many times as at the Dedication of the Temple and also when they came out of captivity Neh. 7.44 12.27.42 43. Psal. 149.3 150.3 4. and all these singers of Songs pertain to the Temple and the first Covenant and to that Priesthood which could not continue by reason of the Faultiness thereof Heb. 8.7
helpers in the Work of the Gospel and all that were ordained were ordained by the holy Ghost although it is true they had the consent of the Brethren and the church in that thing and there were also Deacons ordained which served to look to the Widows and for the Ministration of the poor and these were faithful men and had also a Gift Stephen was one full of the holy Ghost and these were helps unto the Apostles also there were some faithful Widows who were Examples to the younger Women and to instruct them and to be Patterns unto them and were as a Body knit together in Love and served the Lord and strengthned one another in the Faith and served one another in Love and all these forementioned served the Lord freely and willingly and not for Rewards and Gifts and Benefices and earthly things â—n short this was the State and Glory of the church in that time and these are the Minâ—sters we read of in the primitive times But since the Apostacy hath entred in and the power of Godlinesâ— hath been denyed there is such a numberless number of Names crept in we never heard of them and so many Offices and yet none of that Work done which the ministers of Christ did but certain new invented things â—rought in for Worship and Service and the Power despised and men seeking Offices and great Titles and great Benefits and great Revenues and the Heritage of God is laid waste and the Earth become like a Wilderness unplanted with good and the Sheep and scattered And so all may compare these ensuing Names and Offices with the Apostles dayes and the primitive Church and see if they be alike First of all the Pope his Holiness Christ's Vicar Universal Bishop Metropolitane Bishop Lord Cardinals which were but Priests at the first ordained to baptize the Heathen who came to Rome when the Seat thereof began to be had in Honour but now they are swelled big and become Princes and the only Men to govern States also Monks of divers Orders and Fryars of divers Orders Hierom's order of Austin's Order Gregory's order Carmalite Fryars Cross or Crouchet Fryars of Dominiâ—â—s order of St. Francis's order Bennet's order and all of these orders sprâ—â—g up and were ordained in the midnight of darkness within this four hundred Years at the most as were easily proved and Trinity order and Brigandine order of Jesuites and Hermits and Anthony's order and Clunisencies order and Nuns sprung up first of one St. Clara one order then Brigidia a widow to the time of Urban the fifth in the Year 1370. And all these kind of orders were destitute of the true order of the primitive Church and their Service was appointed by them that ordained them and these practised the patched Inventions that were given them for Worship which have not concord with the primitive Doctrine but borrowed from the Jews or Heathen all these kind of Offices and Officers have been acting their parts this many years and have led People into superstitious Blindness and further from the Lord then ever But to come to the reformed Churches so called and there is so many Officers and Names but few that do accord with the Apostles times either in Name or Nature as Metropolitan-Bishops Arch-Bishops Lord-Bishops we heard not of Lord Timothy or Lord Titus Bishops before mentioned but to come on to other orders Arch-Deacons Deans and Chapters Preâ—enâ—â— and these must attend on some old superstitious Buildings call'd Cathedrals or Minsters and there perform a Service somewhat like the former and these are enjoyned their Service like the Levites and Priests of old by turns and course as once in a moneth or two it may be and have a hundred or two hundred pounds in the year for the same and hardly stir from thence till they dye except some greater advance offer it self also Commâ—ssaries Procters and Apparetors and these are subsâ—rvient to the former then Chancellors Vice-chancellors Doctors of Divinity Batâ—hellâ—rs of Divintty Doctors of Art Masters of Art Batchellors of Art Graduates Under-Graduates and these belong to the former then Prelates Parsins Vicars Priests Curates and Church-Wardens all which Titles and Names and Officers if they be but compared with the Scripture there will be hardly any parallel either concerning Office Work or Doctrine And notwithstanding all these Orders and Sorts who are fitted by humane Learning or natural Study though divers years exercised therein are not skilled in the Word of Righteousness neither have the Tongue of the learned to administer a Word in Season to the weary nor to turn the Sinner from his Sins and thus the Form of things Titles and Names are holden up but who seek after the Power of God or to be made able Ministers of the Spirit Litteral Ministers enough while maintenance lasts but the Ministâ—â—tion of the Spirit few are acquainted with and if there be any such it is well if he be not persecuted so in that which I have said the understanding will see that there hath been a great Apostacy since the Apostles dâ—yes in the Ministry in Doctrine in Worship and Practice divers of which I have touched upon to the Intent that they that enquire after the Lord may depart out of the midst of Ignorance and come to worship Gâ—d in Spirit and Truth and in the Temple made without hands and be joyned to the Church which is in God which the Gates of Hell prevail not against though many will claim Authority from the Apostles few will own their Life neither walk after their Example so take but a few more Institutions which are called Apostolick to this Day among them called Christian Churches Cletus the third Bishop of Rome was the first that wrote this Title that is Greeting and Apostolick blessing he ordained the order of Priesthood Everastus the fifth Bishop of Rome ordained that Priests should be honoured and that they should be shaven Alexander the sixth Bishop of Rome ordained that Matrimony should be only solemnized and that the married should be blessed with the Priest there was the beginning of being married by Priests Sixtus about the year 114. after Christ the seventh Bishop of Rome ordained holy water and ordered that it should be strowed abroad in christian Houses and when the People met to worship Telesphorus the eight Bishop of Rome ordained that the communion should be laid upon an Altar and that lay-People should not touch the holy Vessels nor the holy Garments of the Priests he ordained Lent which was to be kept by the Clergy in the year one hundred forty two Higinus the nineth Bishop ordained the Communion to be celebrated three times at Christmas and that Lent should be fasted Pius about the year 147. after Christ the tenth Bishop ordained that chrisme should be ministred as baptism and that children should have God-fathers and God-mothers here was the beginning of this great Ordinance and he ordained that Easter-day should be kept on
should be the greatest and said unto them The Gentiles exercise Lordship one over another but it shall not be so amongst you and though Peter and the rest of the Apostles who were in the Power of God had that which did open into the Kingdom of God and shut out that which did defile yet this we are sure of he sold no Pardons nor Indulgences for Gain and filthy Lucre as many have done whom you call Peter's Successors and Christ's Vicar and Universal Bishop and visible Head but it is manifest how the Pope became visible Head and Universal Bishop not because of any Work or Labour in the Doctrine of Christ or the Work of the Gospel but by means of the Roman Emperor for while the Christians were under Persecution and Suffering there was no talk of visible Heads or much of Universal Bishop for then Rome had no more Priority then the rest for the Churches at Constantinople at Jerusalem at Caesaria at Cyprus and Alexandria for the first three hundred Years they had as much Power in their several Churches as Rome had and often the Elders or Bishops of the afore-said Churches did reprove sharply the Bishop of Rome but at last above five hundred Years or upwards Phocas to aspire to the Empire of Rome he murthered his own Master Mauritius and his Children to attain unto the Empire so at that time Boniface the third was Bishop of Rome and Phocas somewhat fearing and willing to have Boniface his Favour condesceâ—deth to all his Petitions and grants him to be Universal head-Bishop over all Christian Churches and there was the first rise of Rome â—s visible Head for this frivolous Reason of being Peter's Successor could never have raised him to that height but then the Emperor's Power and Authority became to be the more forcible Plea for before that time the Bishops of Rome were chosen by the Emperor's consent but after he had got Power Emperors could not be chosen but by the Popes consent and then came the Bishop of Rome to be a visible Head and be called Universal Bishop Christs Vicar a Lord spiritual over all the Churches and in process of time Lord temporal over all the Empire And thus your Church of Rome became magnificent and great to sit as a Queen upon the Waters Nations Kindreds and Tongues as you acknowledge your Church of Rome hath spread over and here is a Head and a Body which are joyned together in Union Christ is the Head of the true Body which is his Church and his Wife and Antichrist he is the visible Head of his visible Church and Wife Mystery-Baâ—ylon The next piece of Merchandize which the Authâ—r brings forth to view is Purgatory and prayer to be made for the dead and also prâ—yer unto Saints and the Authors proof is 1 Cor. 3.15 wheâ—e he Apostle speaks Every mans Work shall be tryed and that Work whâ—ch will not abide the Fire must be Burnt and this the Author calls The Fire of another World and Prayer for the Dead he proves out of 12 of Maccabees and prayer to the Saints he sayes it's lawful to Pray in this Wâ—rld unto good People and Paul while he lived did Pray for others and also did beg their Prayers And the Angel in the first of Zachary prayed for Iâ—rael and there can be no harm in Praying to them that can Pray for us Answ. They that dwell in the shadow of death are lik to speak out of thick darkness they that have made a Covenant with Death are loath to have it broken and they that have a mind to continue in Sin while they live have a mind to put the Evil day afar off Judgment afar off Evil-doers will never have it time to give account for their Evil deeds and so put it off till they are Dead and to another World and let â—he Devil have Prehemience in their Hearts while they live and reckon their Sins venial and Light faults this is contrary to the Doctrine of the true church of Christ and contrary to the Apostles Doctrine who said The Wages of Sin is death and there is no Sin goes Unpunished nor Unjudged and Sion is redeemed through Judgment and by the Spirit of burning and Purgatory is a Fiaction falshood and a Lye and there is no cleansing from Sin in another World Solomon saith As the Tree falleth whether to the North or to the South so shall the Tree lye and the Word of God who have received it in their Hearts which is as a Fire that purifies and the Blood of Christ is that which cleanseth from all Sin and there 's not any cleansâ—ng from any Sin but by it and there is no cleansing in another World but Purgatory hath been invented and Prayer for the Dead that thereby the Pope might be enriched and sell the invented Prayers and Aâ—e Maâ—â—es and so cheat People of their Money and there 's no Sacrifice to be offer'd for the Dead who dye in their Sins nor no Remission after this Life And as for praying to the Saints the Scripture makes no mention of and though Paul did Pray for others and beg the Prayers of others yet he prayed not for them when they were dead neither did beg the Prayer of the deâ—d but prayed for them who were Believers in the true Church and desired the Prayers of them that were living Members and were alive and lived in the World and were redeemed out of it and the Angel prayed not for the People of Israel when they were dead and that which thou calls Jeremy's prayer in the Maccabees was never spoken by the Spirit of the Lord nor the Offering was not made in the Will of God and the Prophet saith Though Abraham know us not and Israel be ignorant of us yet thou O Lord art our Father And the Lord said unto David Seek my Face and call upon me in the day of trouble and I will hear and Answer Not upon Mary Peter and Paul Dominick and Anthâ—ny Again it 's contrary to the Practice of the Saints in the Primitive times and contrary to the Doctrine of Christ who said unto his Disciples Whatsoever you ask in my Name the Father shall give it to you He doth not speak of any other Name neither is any Prayer or Supplication accepted of the Father but in the name of Christ alone So these Doctrines are false and Doctrines of Devils never commanded nor Practised by any of the Saints in the Primitive time but only have been invented and practised by the Apostatesâ— who have Erred from the Faith and Practice which was onâ—e delivered unto the Saints which the church of Rome hath made Ship-wrack of in many things which I have made appear and I shall proceed to more particulars to manifest it lest any should be beguiled with such deceitful Babylonish Merchandize which the Nations are too much corrupted with already The next false Doctrine which the Author layes down is That
Forms by number and Tale they are as much Idiots as the rest are who know not the Spirit to pray by And so this is no Authority to prove your Practice Apostolical and holy as for variety of Prayers and Worships it delighteth the carnal mind indeed but they that worship God in Spirit and Truth they Pray by the Spirit and in it as David and Christ prayed whether seven times five times or three times and with understanding and that which they prayed in was not various but one and it 's by that one Spirit which is not various by which the Sons of God cry Abba Father and the variety of your formed charms Bablings upon your Beads God hath no regard unto but is a Smoke in his Nostrills all day And they that have exercised themselves in these things have not the Witness of God in their own consciences that they are accepted of God and so I shall proceed to another Doctrine called Apostolical and Holy and that is about Meats whether they may be lawfully eaten at all time The Author confesseth they forbid certain kinds of Meats but it is but aâ— certain times and they are forbidden not as they are Evil and the Creatures of God but because they are forbidden by the Church and his proof is the Apple which Eve and Adam eat was not Evil in it self but being prohibited so to eat that which is good of it self is not ill but to eat contrary to the Superiors mind and order this is Evil. The Bible and Scriptures ought not to be read but leave is to be asked of the Superior because there are many hard Passages which they which have little or no learning as Peter testifies in hâ—s second Epistle chap. 3. some â—nderstands it one way and some another and therefore it is the fittest for Learned men to judge of them and they must judge whether People be in a capacity to read them Answ. And why are Meats forbidden aâ— certain â—imes is this like Apostolick Doctrine are not all Times and Seasons in the Hand of the Lord and are all good to them that believe and to the pure all Things are pure all Times and Seasons all Meats and Drinks being sanctified by the Word which made them all holy unto all that do believe And if you forbid them not as they are Creatures of God but because they are forbidden I say who did forbid them or when were they forbidden by Christ his Apostles or the true Church of Christ in their Dâ—y but on the contrary Christ taught That which goeth in at the Mouth and â—n at the Belly doth not defile the Man but that which proceedeth out of the Heart which is corrupted And Paul said What is sold at the Shambles may be eaten and no Question made for Conscience sake for to the clean all Things are clean and to the believing all Things are pure and who hath limited such Meats for such Dayes and such Times the true Church No but the Church of Rome â—ho are going on in that Doctrine the Apostle spoke of 1 Tim. 4. which he reckoned a Doctrine of Devils but here is your Argument that must bring you off because you forbid it not at all Times I say if it be a Doctrine of Devils to forbid at all Times then it is some Part of the Doctrine of Devils to forbid at any Time seeing Time and Things are all good in the Hâ—nd of the Lord but if this Doctrine should hold what would become of your Dog-dayes and of your Lent which has been patched up Week by Week by divers Popes and of your Wednesday Friday and Saturday Fast so by this Account of yours half of the Year is either unholy or else some Meat is unholy for half of the Year but there are few but see your Blindness that in this much need not be said but only thus that which may lawful in it self when it is prohibited by the Lord unto any particular then it becomes evil for whatsoever is not of Faith is Sin But Christ alone unto whom all Power is committed hath the sole Power over the Heart and Conscience and for any to make Injunctions and Prohibitions contrary to him the same is Anti-christ and so the Practice which your Church commands is not Apostolical but you bring Yoaks upon the true Disciples Necks which they that are made free by the Son cannot stoop unto neither joyn with for whosoever doth goes into Bondage And Christ is the supream Power unto whom all Power is committed and when he justifies what superior can condemn And there is no need of asking leave of them that are Superiors which reckon themselves as so seeing every man stands clear in the Sight of God when he transgresses not against the Supream Law of Christ in his Conscience and to offend any Superiors who lay any Injunction contrary to the Command of God is not to offend God neither to break his Command 2 dly It seems all Parts of Religion are monopolized by Mystery-Babylon in which Rome is comprized not only Patents and Pardons sold for eating of Meat but Authority and License must be given to every one that reâ—ds Scripture a Thing which the Apostolick Church before the Pope had a Being knew nothing of but on the contrary some were exhorted to read the Scriptures and some were commended for reading of the Scriptures and for searching whether the Things were so as Paul testified and in this they were counted more Noble then they â—t Thessalonica but now it is become an ignoble Thing and not at all to be 〈◊〉 to read the Scriptures without Patent or Licence in the Church of Rome's Account who have laid down Ignorance to be the Mother of Devotion but the Danger is because there are hard Passages which are not understood when the People have little or no Learning as the Author saith was it for Want of natural Learning that Peter complained they wrested the Scriptures and therefore is it for Want of Natural Learning that the Scriptures are not understood and for Want of this they must not be read as the Author saith Ignorant Man what was Peter such a great learned Man a poor Boat-man of Fisher-man whom the Scripture saith was illiterate in the Acts When they beheld Peter and John and that they were illiterate Men and saw their Boldness and took Notice they had been with Jesus What! was it Want of Natural Learning that Peter spoke of then he spoke against himself for he was illiterate but it was such a Learning that they wanted as this Author wants who is untaught by the Spirit and unlearned in the Doctrine of Christ and such wrest the Scriptures and do not understand hard Sayings because the deep Things of God are revealed through the Spirit of God and not by natural Learning as this Author who would sell Licences and Pardons for reading the Scriptures as they have done for eating Flesh in Lent but a Story
Saints Sabbath is a stranger to the church of Rome he that hath overcome the World and the Devil only knows God's rest and the true Sabbath of which the Jews was a Figure and the Sunday thou callst it is no more a Sabbath reckoned by the Lord of Life then that which thou callst Saturday for every day is kept Holy to the Lord by him that witnesses the work of Redemtion and this is according to the Apostolick Doctrine and if because of example the Christians whom you are pleased to Stile Sectaries do observe the first day of the Week in the Power of God for his Worship then they are as much if not more to be heard then you and have as much Solid reason on their side as you and thou must not think to carry the Matter on with such frivolous Arguments as this to advance Mystery Babylon for this is a knowing Age blessed be the Lord wherein the Wisdom of God is revealed and that which comprehendeth all shadows Types Dayes Times Years Meats Drinks Washings and other Figures they are all seen over and he is come manifest which is Head of the true church and not the Pope who was is and is to come Life it self Truth it self Power Strength and everlasting satisfaction to thousands and ten thousands who have believed and to a numberless Number which are yet to be gathered into God's Sheep-fold and into the narrow way of Christ which will deny and doth deny upon good Grounds and infallible Testimony from the Eternal Spirit that the Church of Rome is either in whole or in part any part of the true Church of Christ. And seeing this valiant Champion hath made so fair a Proffer That 〈◊〉 their Priests Jesuites and Catholicks over all the World will turn to the Sectaries Way as he calls them if they can but get a clear and satisfaâ—tory Resâ—lâ—tion to the following Doubts Answ. I am one which do acknowledge my self to be reckoned by him as a Sectarian yet as a Sectarian is reckoned by the true Church of God in the Primitive Time in the Apostles and Christ's Dayes I do not reckon my self as such and that I am a Minister of the everlasting Gospel I dare not deny seeing a Necessity is laid upon me to acknowledge the same yet herein I do not glory but in him who hath call'd me for the Work sake and I know the Teaching of Christ Jesus and his Doctrine and no other Thing these many Years have I published but that which I received of the Lord and from him by his Spirit which is according to the true Faith and Godliness which was in the primitive Church before ever Rome did lay claim to be the only true catholick Church excluding all others but her self to be in the Way that leads to Salvation I which am as one amongst many Thousands which God hath manifested his Mind unto shall answer in clearness and according to Apostolick Doctrine and the Manifestation of his Spirit but when I have so done I am afraid this Champion with the rest of the Priests and Jesuits and the rest of the Catholicks over the World will hardly own his Challenge or confess that Doubts are answered yet however if it satisfie but one of a Thousand I have my Reward and shall put it to Tryal The first thing the Author who it seems knows the Mind of the Church of Rome in all things both as to Doctrine and Practice which they do allow of and the contrary they will deny he knows to the full or else he would never sure have made such a bold challenge The first thing that they would be resolved in is Whether any can clearly shew that any Teachers Doctors or Ministers are sent of Almighty God to preach and reform the Roman Catholick Church and that they are not some who say the Lord saith when the Lord hath not spoken unto them neither sent them Ezek. 13.2 Answ. What the Roman Church and their Members will take for a satisfactory Resolution as to themselves I sometimes question and do doubt the resolving of the most but however by the same Commandment that the Apostles did evidence their commission that they were sent to reform the Church of the Jews also them that had made Defection from the Faith amongst the Gentiles this may be shown 1. The Apostles of Christ Jesus did declare their Commission which they had received from Christ and for other Proof they sought none amongst them that were Auditors or Hearers but the Witness and Testimony of God unto which they desired to be approved in the Sight of God 2. They shewed the Jews that they held the Types and Figures but did not receive or believe him who was the Substance in whom they all ended they were sent to bear Testimony to the true Light that lightetâ— every one that cometh into the World and to preach down Dayes Times Moneths Years Fasts Feasts Sabbaths Circumcision Temples and Offerings the Priesthood and the Sacrifice which were but to continue until the time of Reformation and the bringing in of a better Hope by which they drew nigh unto God and had an Access unto him and they declared their commission against a voluntary Humility and worshipping of Angels all which things the Church of Rome do stick in and vindicate for Apostolick Doctrine and many more things which the Church of Rome is run into contrary to the true Church of Christ and therefore had need of Reformation So that which is contrary to the Doctrine of Christ and the Apostles and Practice of the primitive Church in the first hundred years is in the Apostacy but Rome is in many Practices and Doctrines contrary to the true Church therefore needs reforming And so God hath manifested himself in this his Day of Power and hath discovered the Church of Rome to be contrary in Doctrine and Practice to the true Spouse of Christ and hath stirred up and moved many by his Power and Spirit to preach the everlasting Gospel and to declare also against the Defection of the Church of Rome and her apostatizing from the Faith and they are not of those whom the Prophets spoke of which ran and the Lord sent them not for them were the false Prophets in Israel and they were manifest by their Fruits of which there are great Store in Rome who are manifest by their Fruits and they are such as are in Cain's Way who would kill and such as are Seekers of Gain from their Quarters and such as take the Jews Tythes and these the Lord nâ—ver sent to be Teachers or Ministers to bring to the Knowledge of Christ but we deny all these things and your Church in the very Ground and Foundation and know that it will be swept away when the Beast is taken alive upon which your Church now rides then shall you see that that which you long put off among People as Apostolick Doctrine will not be received any more
in Heresie in Schism so that there is an absolute Defection from the Life and Power of God which was manifested in the Apostles dayes and therefore the Church of Rome is not the true Church What I have said as to the Doctrines and Grounds which have been laid down by the Author I shall refer it and the Answer unto God's Witness in every Man's Conscience and if I hear any more of the Author his great Boasts or ambitious Challenges which may reach to all that do dissent from the Church of Rome as to be Hereticks I shall engage in the Strength of the Lord to vindicate the Truth however opposed and shall further if God permit be ready to give a more large and full answer unto the Doctrines and Practices and Worship of the Church of Rome and prove them to be contrary to the Scriptures and the Apostolick Doctrine and the Faith that was once delivered to the Saints So in what I have said I hope may convince the Author of his vain Assertions and them that are enclined towards Babylon it may put a Stop to that which would too readily close with every thing which goes under the Name of Antiquity But in what I have said upon the whole Matter I hope will be sufficient unto all who read with a single Eye without Prejudice and unto such I say the Lord give them an Understanding that they see and discern the Way which leadeth to Life and Felicity from that which leadeth to the Chambers of Death and the Pathes that take hold on Destruction A GENERAL EPISTLE TO THE Seed of God DEar Friends every where who have believed in our Lord Jesus Christ and called with an holy Calling to the great Salvation of God which is manifest in this the Day of his Power keep your first Love and let not the Threats of Men neither the Browns of the World affright you from that which you have prized more then all the World now the Sun is up and a time of scorching is come and that which hath not Root will wither now every Ground will be tryed and blessed is the Good that brings forth the Seed which must inherit the Promise Oh let not the Cares of this present Life choak that which God hath begotten and seeing the Lord hath so marvelously wrought for us hitherto in the midst of great Opposition let not your Faith fail nor your Confidence in God who delivered Jacob of old out of his Adversity and Israel out of all his Troubles whose Care is over his People now and having seen the Emptiness of the World and its Way and Worship let nothing blind your Eye again and let not the things present nor things to come separate you from the Love of God in Christ Jesus and mind not them that draw back to Perdition but let it teach you all more Diligence to be as those that press after Glory Immortality and Everlasting Life the Way of God was ever hated by the World and the Powers thereof never heed the rough Spirit nor the heavy for their Bound is set and their Limit known but mind the Seed which hath Dominion over all and forsake not the assembling of your selves together in which you have found God and his Promise and Power amongst you and Blessing your Understandings opened Oh rather suffer all things then let go that which you have believed fâ—r whoso doth will loose the Evidence of God's Spirit in them and their Peace and Joy will be lost the Lord God preserve you all unto the End faithful Your Dear Brother for the Testimony of Jesus F. H. Aâ—â—elby Goal the 10th of the 3d Moneth 1664. A Visitation of Love Peace and Good-will from the Spirit of the Lord sent unto the whole Flock of God now in this their Day of Tryal and Hour of Temptation DEar Friends and Brethren who have been called to believe by the holy calling of the Lord unto Sanctification and Holiness that ye might inherit the Promises of God and that your Souls might live in the Land of the living and partake of his Goodness that you might admire him and praise his Name forever And seeing the Lord out of his rich Love and Mercy hath visited you who sometime sate in the Region of the Shadow of Death and were cast out of his Presence in the time of Unbelief seeing he hath caused his miraculous Light to shine upon you in his gracious Visitation of you and hath given you to believe in his Name prize his Love unto you and let not his gracious Benefits slip out of your Minds lest your Hearts be filled with other things that will corrupt your Hearts and make you an unmeet Habitation for the Lord to dwell in and among Dear Friends hear my Brotherly Admonition and Exhortation for the Lord moved in my Heart to write unto you and in the Bowels of his kind and tender Love and Motion of his heavenly Spirit to stir up your pure Minds and Consciences unto Stedfastness in the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ and so much the more that you all be watchful seeing the times be perilous for now the Adversary goes about roaring and ravening on the right Hand and on the left to destroy and devour that which God hath brought forth in you that so he might regain you too under his Power and Government and that ye might revolt from the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ that stands in Power and Righteousness which is come and hath been of a Truth manifest in great Glory and this is an Hour the Power of Darkness is let loose to try the Faith and them that dwell upon the Earth and he is let loose for a Season blessed are they that hide themselves under the Shadow of the Almighty and under the Wings of Christ Jesus who is given for a Redeemer a Saviour and a Preserver of Men that the wicked One touch them not and now the Devil rages because he knows his Kingdom is but short and but for a small time is like to stand in many because a stronger then he that rules in the World is come and hath began to dispossess the strong Man and bind him and cast him out and now he rages and stirs up all the Temptations within and without and all his Instruments to joyn with him to make War for him that he might not rule who is the Heir of all things and given for a Leader and to be the Head of the Body his Church in which alone he hath Right to rule because the Lord of the whole Earth yea of Heaven and Earth hath put all Power into his Hands to bind and to lose to bring out of Captivity and to lead Captivity Captive that Life and Immortality might again inhabit in the Sons of Men that Truth and Righteousness might sway that Mercy and Love might sit on the Throne that his Salvation might take hold on the Ends of the Earth and his Power made known
unto forever in the perpetual Covenant of Life which can never be broken which will ouâ—â—â—â—â— Death and Hell and all the Lord's Adversaries who would not acknowledge the most â—igh to rule in the Kingdoms of Men and to have the Power and only Authority in the Hearts and Consciences of Men which is his only Right and he never yet did give nor will give this Honour and Glory to any other though the Devil and Satan who hath made blind the Nations hath usurped and laid Claim to that which only belongs to the living God of Heaven and Earth and he hath long reigned in the Earth and now his Subjects plead for his usurped Power and Dominion and are loath to let any Part of it go or fall but we certainly know the Victory is the Lamb's and his Followers and though you be in the War and in the Hardship and Suffering and as killed all the Day long yet your Bow abides in Strength and the Lord will cover your Heads that your Enemies shall not touch your Life as you keep near the Lord and glorious will be the Triumph and great the Glory and Victory unto all that continue unto the End in the Hope and Faith which is manifest from our Lord Jesus Christ in your Hearts by which you have been purified and sanctified and made meet and worthy to be an Habitation for the living God the Crown of Glory the Riches of the Kingdom which is without End shall be yours and your Souls shall forever be bound up in the Bundle of Life and ye shall shine as Stars of God in the Brightness of his immortal Power forever and ever and have ye not received an Earnest of the same already and hath not God doubled and redoubled his Grace upon you and in you from Time to Time have not you eaten of the Grapes of the Land already which those which were brought from Esâ—col by the good Spies in the Land of Israel were not to be compared unto let your Hearts be comforted and do rejoyce in Hope for the Inheritance which God hath promised you who will perform his Promise and make good that which he hath said notwithstanding all the Opposition of all the Sons of Amaleck and you shall see it feel it and be made Partakers of it taste it handle it enjoy it possess it even that which shall satisfie your Hearts to the full only be of a believing Heart look not out neither think the Time long nor the Lord slack for you hitherto have been provided for in your Way since you set your Faces towards Sion and the Lord hath been your Leader and in the Front and his Righteousness hath been your Reward and so will continue with you unto the End forever true and most faithful we have found him in the Time of need Most tenderly beloved the Lord God our Almighty Rock and Everlasting Refuge moved in my Heart to greet you with these Lines for in his Name Power and holy living Life which is fresh and powerful in my Heart do I say Peace Good-will Mercy Love Life Joy and the Encrease of all heavenly and spiritual Blessings in Christ Jesus be multiplyed among you to the confirming of you and establishing of you in the most holy Faith which is begun and to the finishing of the blessed Race which you are begun in and to the strengthning of you by his Almighty Power in all your inward Man to make War and to overcome to fight the good Fight of Faith to the laying hold of eternal Life and to the obtaining of the Crown of Glory and Diadem of Righteousness which shall be set upon the Heads of all the Lamb's Followers through Tribulation which Rubies are not to be compared unto neither the fine Gold of Ophir but the hidden Treasure the durable Riches the everlasting Peace the white Rayment the glorious Clothing of the Lord the Righteousness of the Saints you shall possess Oh dearest Hearts most dearly and entirely beloved of the Lord and me what might I say to make all your Hearts glad even as mine is at this Time though melted into Tears of Joy for your sake because the Lord hath made you so freely and willingly to take his Yoak upon you and to bear his Cross and to despise the Shame and to endure the Reproach so willingly Oh blessed blessed blessed from the Lord God forever I pronounce you in his Name and Power that ever lives only Potentate to whom belongs Glory and Honour forever and ever Amen Dearly beloved true it is as it hath been foretold by his Servants that they that will live godly in Christ Jesus much suffer Persecution because of the Enmity that is in the World in whom the Love and Peace of God dwells not although they will make mention thereof in Words but in Works deny him as is very evident this Day by them who would not be counted Heathens but Christians and yet hate his Life and Appearance and they are grown so blind and impudent through the Unbelief that is in them that they cannot discern the Fruits of the Spirit where they are brought forth neither can believe though it be declared unto them and as is manifest would not let God have any Honour or Worship if it suit not their Blindness or their corrupt Laws which they make not only to stand by God's Law but even to cross it and gainsay iâ— and are so impudent as to say That to worship God is Crime enough if they think meet to call it so whether to Banishment Death or Confiscation and yet will say Cursed is he that parts Man and Wife and again Whom God hath joyned together let no Man separate and Cursed is he that spoils the Fatherless and doth oppress the Widdow and the like and yet cannot see themselves in the very Act. Well Dear Hearts although it be your Share to partake of the Heat of the Dragon's Fury yet you are not alone and though you be counted unworthy by these corrupt Judges to live in your City Family and your native Land because you will not deny that which God hath wrought in you and manifest to you by his Spirit and conform to them in their Blood-thirstiness and Cruelty therefore they by their unjust Seâ—tence have pronounced you to be banished out of your native Country and from your dear Relations and yet say it 's just and think that their Statute which is like a Spiders Web will be their Shelter which they have made even as the Jews did against Christ his Apostles the Romans against the primitive Christians even the same they would do for Mahomet Baal and Milcham if there were a seeming Law to be their Shelter Well what shall we say but that they are in Cain's Way and themselves banished from the Presence of the Lord and would have all wander as they after the Paths of the Heathen and after the Customs of the Nations and the corrupt Traditions
of Men and sport themselves over the Heritage of God what doth he that sits in Heaven and they that are in the heavenly Places in Christ Jesus and will not the Lord have them in Derision who mâ—ke a Mock of Sin and rejoyce in Iniquity as though it were the high Way to Felicity Well though the Archers have shot hard at you and hâ—ve come in their Strength against you yet the Lâ—rd hath preserved you that you do not break your Ranks and I feel the Lâ—rd hath put Courâ—ge in you and Wisdom in your Mouthes to withstand yâ—ur Adversaries and the Lord is on your Side the Cause is his the Worship is his the Glory is his you suffer for and be assured he suffers with you and so are his People afflicted with you and in this be comforted that you are not alone though you be counted Fools it 's for Christ's sake though reckoned disobedient it 's because you keep his Commâ—nds and though you be represented as vile and evil and as Transgressors so was Christ so have his Saints been in every Generation since the Devil hath had Dominion in the Hearâ—â— of the fallen Sons of Adam What should you be troubled at thiâ— nâ—y rather rejoyce that the Scripture is fulfilled of you in our â—ge as Christ prophesied unto his Disciples That they should speak all manner of Evil falsely for my Names sake and be 〈◊〉 out of their Assembly and hailed before Rulers and Judgment-Seats for my Names sake but rejoyce and be exceeding glad And also it cannot but appear unto all People who are moderate that it 's only his Names sake you suffer for yea even the Lips of your Adversaries and the Words of your Judges do demonstrate no less that it 's not for any Evil at such a Meeting then it must needs be for your good doing there and to worship God any where but where they would have you is reckoned Crime enough to banish you Oh have not they bewrayed themselves and will not this enter into other Hearts not yet concerned to consider O surely yea and the Devil and his persecuting Enemies shall loose by it and the Truth shall be a Gainer Well Dearly Beloved you know even as the Gospel was preached to others before and as it came unto us and as we did receive it so it was declared unto you in all Simplicity and you have not been beguiled by it nor the Messengers of it of whom some are at Rest and fallen asleep and their Life and Spirit is with you and among you It hath been told you that all must be given up and all must be denyed and the Cross must be born and all must dye to the World before they could receive Christ or be made alive unto him and before the Enmity could be slain or the Peace witnessed which you have found true and happy are you that have believed and keep in the Faith And now beloved though our Adversaries think this is a loosing time and this is the Way to bring us and Truth in which we have believed into Disesteem I tell you the Truth in the Word of God unto you this is the Time of gaining unto many and shall be unto more and this is the Way the Lord hath suffered to come pass Persecution that your Faith and Hope may be tryed from Hypocrites and that it may be made known unto others that you possess something that others possess not that makes you willingly and cheerfully deny that which otherwise might be precious unto you if could be enjoyed in the Truth and them that have lifted up themselves against us may see and be convinced of their Weakness and that they overprized that which now in this Day stands in no stead and have undervalued that which is able to carry them that truly believe through all Difficulties and Distresses as it hath done you hitherto blessed be the Lord and will confirm you and establish you forever When they had crucified the Lord of Life they thought they had brought all to an End but then his Life Power and Glory was more and more manifest and Thousands more did believe and they thought to have stiffled all in Jerusalem and then it came to be preached to all Nations though they think to dam up the Way of Truth and stiffle it here and us I tell you nay the Fame thereof shall reach to the Ends of the Earth and the Sound thereof unto the VVorld's End and Salvation through it shall be known from Sea to Sea we have a glorious Effect thereof in our own Day as ever was in any Age and in so short a Time as I may truly say as the Prophet said The Lord hath wrought a Work upon the Wheels and hath done it through weak poor Instruments that his Arm and Power might only appear and that he alone might have the Glory and therefore be of believing Hearts and look not at the Blackness and Darkness of the present Time but before it and let none trouble you neither be ye troubled at the Words or VVritings of any evil Spies or discontented Minds for that would weaken some Papers I have seen of that Nature abroad which the Life of God judgeth And moreover if any come unto you with any new Doctrine try it in the Light your selves before you joyn to it or if any come with a Shew of Humility and tell you of another Appearance or in another Way then through the Light of the World and gather not to you but seek to make Dissension and Discord and to beget a Dislike in you either of the Truth or Persons of any who have believed receive not that into your Hearts Moreover you know how many have doted about needless Disputes and have busied Friends Minds about Trifles and have begot a Heat in them and have been hurried up and down in the Wind a while and all hath erâ—ed in nothing Moreover if any come and tell you that they who have preached the Word of Truth among you would reign over you and usurp Authority over you and seek Dominion mark for such are unsubjected Spirits for I know the Lord bears Record and be you also Record that they which have laboured among you have not preached themselves But Christ and have not sought yours but you and the Good of all your Souls I have heard such Murmuring sometimes of the Sons of Corah against some who were faithful Men who are fallen asleep and against some living who so have done their End hath not been good But I can say unto you with a clear Conscience and of them who are deceased and them that are living as Gideon said to the Men of Ephraim when they said he should reign over them he answered and said The Lord shall reign over you even I speak of all the ancient Brethren who have laboured and suffered in the Work of the Lord until now I know they only sought that the Lord might reign in
you and over you even as he doth at this Day for which I thank the Lord and I am satisfied hitherto in what is done and I have my Reward and it 's with me O dear Friends this I speak unto you that you might abide in Love and keep in Unity one among another even as you did see us one to another at all Times Oh dear Hearts dwell in Love in Meekness speak all the same Thing be kind to one another and tender and easie to be entreated one of another and be pitiful and merciful one to another and bear and forbear one another for Christ's sake who hath born your Infâ—rmities in Times past be like minded and truly I speak it your Comfort your Faith Obedience Suffering and Self-denyal thus far is come abroad and hath strengthned many and hath made them willing to be Companions with you in Life or Death their Prayers are for you their Praises are of you their Blessings are with you and so is mine who am the Lord's and yours in Life or Death and if we shall not see one another any more in these Earthly Tabernacles God's Heavenly Will be done And these Lines I send unto you as the best Thing I have to greet you with my whole Heart which is as tender as a sucking Child to you all Farewel Farewel everlastingly in the Life of Christ Jesus in which I write unto you Farewel Your Dear Brother and Companion in Tribulation F. H. Send a Copy of this to Bristol and Hartford and else-where where any are sentenced THE Great Case OF TYTHES AND Forced Maintenance ONCE MORE REVIVED THE True state thereof enquired into before the Law under the Law among the Jews likewise under the Gospel the true Ministers of Christ their Allowance shown likewise in the Corruption of time since Christ how Tythes have been introduced wherein Antiquity is searched and the Judgment of the Fathers of the Church in several Ages produced besides the Scripture it self examined in all which is clearly proved Tythes and forced Maintenance are no Gospel-maintenance the Scriptures answered divers Arguments confuted and Objections answered which are brought by the Ministry of this last Age. Also the Institution and Division of Parishes and their Rise which are published for the Benefit of all who desire that Gospel-Order might be established again in all the Churches of Christ. F. H. THE EPISTLE TO THE READER Impartial Reader THou hast here recommended once more unto thy View what from Time to Time and from Age to Age hath been not only the grand Cause of invocating Councils but also hitherto even the Ground of great Dispute and Controversie if thou thâ—s Treatise do with a single Eye peruâ—e and ballance the same in just and equal Scales thou wilt find it of so muâ—h Validity as will poise thy Judgment to give Censure that this â— a clear true Demonstration of the Matter in Hand if thou be serious in thy View sincere in thy Heart and single in thy Mind as willing to know the Radix Rise and Ground of the Matter herein handled then wilt thou find thâ—â— the very Key which will aright and may without Scruple open unto thee and demonstrate the very certain infallible and sure Testimony as well of theâ—r Original Rise Growing Begetting Constitutâ—ng Setling Confirming Upholding and maintaining of them viz. Tythes all which that thou may'st be clearly informed may'st thou find as by Step and Step herein traced thou wilt find their Original as first how Tenths were given before the Commandment was given forth to the Jews thou wilt also find their growing and their Institutions thou may'st clearly see and wherefore they were so instituted thou wilt find them when confirmed and when corrupted and thou wilt find them when lawful and when not lawful thou wilt find them when they were to be payed and thou wilt find a Time when they ought not to be payed And because the Ministers of our Age as we have daily from them do vaunt and boast themselves of the Orthodox Fathers of their Church therefore wilt thâ—u find by a narrow Search and a single Eye in the reading hereof unto which I do advise thee and that in Patience and Sobriety thou wilt as one unbiassed ballance the same here may'st thou have their Opinions and Judgments also and their ancient Fathers quoted thou wilt have at large their own Words all which as by this Treatise is intended to inform thy Mind and be as a President how they are now in this our Age apostatized from what they were and now at length become as Usurpation or abused and for thy more full and perfect Understanding how they were continued and imposed thou may'st also read the Orders and Decrees of many great Councils their Opinions Judgments and Impositions from Time to Time in many Ages past thou wilt see the Testimony of the holy Martyrs and their Verdict and last of all the Scriptures discussed the Arguments confuted the Questions answered and the Objections razed which the Ministers of our Dayes do produce or in Times past have been produced as the Basis or Ground from which they infer and lay their seeming fair Foundation these thou wilt all see sufficiently clearly and evidently confuted their Structure defaced their painted Building demolished their Foundation unbottomed and they themselves if their old Root of Coveâ—ousness were not so strongly centured in them might be convinced there is not one Stone left but all is overturned and the Bottom viewed that thereby this Babel's Foundation may now be thrown down at the last which hath had so many Batteries and Assaults against it tha as it is the last so it is indeed a weighty Piece which if Truth might have Place and Error and Deceit which since the Apostacy is crept in once rooted out then needed there not another of this Nature for this indeed doth bolt the Door and if sensibly felt arightly understood and the Truth of it assented unto then would there be no Entrance but though all this may not take hold with the worldly Priest yet herein have I Hopes that Truth therein being so sufficiently demonstrated may take Place and Footing in every honest Reader so far as that he may not only be informed but convinced and not only so but being convinced by this which doth so candidly manifest the same he may in the Zeal of his Heart own 〈◊〉 and stand in the Defence thereof vindicating the just Cause thereof and witness with his Seal that this is true which if unbiassed he peruse it doth evidently appear unto me he cannot but own as he is willing and aminded to own Truth One Thing more is also in this Book inserted to wit the Sufficiency of Allowance to the Ministers of Christ in Gospel-dayes according to the Doctrine of Christ and the Apostles and it were well if Magistrates and Superiors would weigh it and that they would with the infallible Eye of pure Judgment labour
to discern the same lest they decree and uphold that which in this Case they ought not to wit Tythes lest the Lord be angry for their so doing it being so repugnant to the Testimony of Truth And so let every honest Reader weigh and diligently and seriously consider whether he ought to uphold Truth or Error Light or Darkness I assume he will say that he ought to uphold and maintain the Truth and to stand by it and for it then let me ask him a Sober Question in the Sobriety and Calmness of Spirit and I desire that in the Coolness of the Day he may answer it according to the Witness of his Conscience my Question is this whether he doth not believe after that he hath had a serious View of this Piece that he meets with such valid Arguments such Clearness of Demonstration as may or doth convince him that the Imposition of Tythes now in Gospel-dayes is absolutely out of the Doctrine of Truth and ought not so to be and if so convinced whether he ought not to side and adjoyn with that of God in his Conscience in a Testimony of this Nature and so partake with Truth which is a duty ought to be and is incumbent upon every Christian Man's Heart which is the desire of him who is a Well-willer to Sion's Prosperity E. G. THE Great Case OF TYTHES AND Forced Maintenance ONCE MORE REVIVED SInce the Seat of Anti-christ hath been set and his Throne Exalted so high as it now is and he himself exalting himself above all that is called God and not only so but he hath laboured to make void the Laws and Commands of the Lord and his Christ concerning his Church and likewise to set up his own Institutions and Commandments which are repugnant and eontrary to the commands of Christ and the Practice and Example of the Apostles and Holy Martyrs of old who laid down their Lives for the Testimony of that Doctrine and Faith which they had received of the Lord Jesus Christ the Saviour of Man-kind and knowing the Practice and the examples of Christ and his Apostles and holy Witnesses they continued in their Doctrine to hold forth still the same in Purity and to keep it unviolated even to their Death that they might shew themselves forth to be followers of their Master Christ Jesus and to abide in his Doctrine and walk according to the Primitive Example notwithstanding all the Opposition and contradiction of Anti-christ and his Followers which hath been great through many Ages since the Nations have drank and the Kings of the Earth of the Wine of the Whore's Fornication and the way that Anti-christ and the false Church have had to exalt themselves hath been by Policy Craft and Deceit in perswading the Nations that that which was once given and offered freely unto the Lord for his Works sake is now made of necessity and claimed as Divine right to them and their Ministers notwithstanding both the Doctrine the Worship and Practice be altogether inconsistent with the Primitive times truly so called But seeing the Ministry of the false Church who abode not in the Doctrine of Christ but hath violated it and now hath turned against the Saints the Ministers and Seed of the free Woman hath not had Power by vertue of their Doctrine to work upon the Hearts and consciences of People so as to open them and make them freely willing to minister earthly things to their Ministers because indeed most People in the Nations 〈◊〉 not perswaded that they have ministred Spiritual things And therefore the false Church hath perswaded the Powers of the Earth who have drunken of her Cup that is their duty to force and compel all to give 〈◊〉 her and her Ministers as of divine right whether People be perswaded 〈◊〉 no that they are sent of God and make the Scripture a Clâ—â—k to cover their force or Injunctions and produceth the Example of the 〈◊〉 Christians for a cover though they do nothing at all of the Work of the Apostles or Ministers of Christ in converting of Souls but rather Ministring their own Inventions and vain Traditions of men instead of the true Ordinance of Christ yet however Maintenance they must and will have though they do none of Christ's Work and are so Imperious and Arrogant as to reckon Tythes the tenth part of the encrease of the Earth whatsoever and of every man's labour and Merchandize yet this they would perswade all People is by divine right and a Gospel-institution And this hath been received by many in our last Generation whose minds have been darkned with the cloud of Ignorance for a Truth and for any to withstand or deny it hath been counted Error and Heresie no less then a curse from Mystery Babylon did come upon all such as did Gain-say also some with loss of lives as Hereticks upon this account and in this last Age many Imprisoned for divers years even until Death and many have suffered great Spoiling of their Goods ten or twenty Fold more then that which they pretended due and yet all this People must believe is Gospel institution and divine right The consideration of which thing hath been an inducement unto my Heart of late to make a true and a narrow search of the Lawfulness or unlawfulness of this particular thing not only enquiring the true State of Tythes amongst the Jews but also in the Primitive time and amongst the ancient Fathers of the Church whose Doctrine hath been approved among the most faithful Members of the Church of Christ downward untilâ— this last Age. First of all to speak of the tenths which were given before the Commandment was given forth to the Jews Abraham in his return from redeeming his Nephew Lot after the Pursuit of Chedâ—laoâ—er the King of Elam with the rest of the Kings â—oyned with him having recovered his Nephew Lot with all his substance and all the substance of Sodom Gomorrah was met by Melchizedeck King of Salem and Priest of the most high God who blessed Abraham and brought forth Bread and Wine and gave unto 〈◊〉 and to the rest who were with him unto whom Abraham gave the Tythes of all the Spoil that he had taken from the aforesaid Chedorlaomer and the rest of the Kings Chryâ—â—stome understands the Text only to â—e of the Spoils whereof Abraham made Melchizedeck a partaker by giving him the first fruâ—ts of his Martial performance And Jerom often stiling it Decimas spoliorum praâ—â— and Victoria that is the tenth of the Spoil of the prey and of the Victorâ— And this is made one of the main basis or Ground for probation of Tythes due before the Law which is but only a free gift of Abraham to Melchizedeck of the Spoil he had taken and that but once that we read of take notice of that not of his Familys Labours or industries but of the spoil of what he had taken And it is very clear that it was a
Volunâ—â—ry thing and freely given and there is a good shew of reason in it that it was by Way of gratitude unto Melchizedeck to requite his kindness who brought forth Bread and Wine unto his Souldiers after a great Pursuit which refreshed both him and his Souldiers which was a great sign and a courtesie if Abraham had not given the tenth of the Spoil he had not sinned so an Example of this naâ—ure â—â—nnot be a binding Law to future Generations for if the Ministry 〈◊〉 is last Age will make this a binding rule we may as well requiâ—e of them 〈…〉 Wine of every Priest for our selves and whole Families and every Officer may require Bread and Wine of every Parish-Priest for himself and all his Souldiers for the one example is as binding as the other both of them being Voluntary The next passage that seems to have any weight in it about Tythes is Jacob's Vow This Stone saith he which I will set up as a Pillar shall be God's House and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee This was an extraordinary occasion and more then an ordinary appearance from God unto Jacob before when he went from his Father to Haran to take a Wife of his own Kindred And the Lord appeared unto him as he laid his Head upon a Stone the Night being come and said unto him I am the God of Abraham the God of Isaac and the Land whereon thou liest to thee will I give it and to thy Seed and it shall be as the Dust of the Earth and thou shalt spread abroad to the East West North and South and in thee and thy Seed shall all the Families of the Earth be Blessed He called the name of the place Bethel viz. the House of God because of the Glorious appearance of God and of his great Promise made unto him which he did believe as may be seen more at large in the whâ—le Chapter So Jacob's Heart being opened and filled fall of Joy and Faith he promised again unto the Lord and vowed a Vow saying If God will be with me and keep me in this way that I go so that I câ—me again to my Father's House in Peace then shall the Lord be my God and of all that he giveth me I will surely give the tenth unto thee which he performed after twenty Years as Josephus saith in these Words by Oâ—â—ering unto the Lord the â—â—â—th of all his substance which he had got 〈◊〉 â—â—rar after that he returned unto that place where God did appear unto him and made his Promise unto hiâ— then Jacob performed his Promise unto the Lord. But unto whose Hand he gave this tenth appears not for 〈…〉 the Priest hood was solely annâ—â—â—d to the first-bâ—rn â—f Families 〈…〉 well with the Sanctifying of the first-born commanded in Egypt hence it comes that Melchisedeck is commonly reputed to be Shem the eldest Son Noah but that is Câ—ntrovetâ—l and so I shall let it pass But it is thought by some that Jacob payed his vow unto the Hands of Isaac his Father and gave unto him the tenth of what he had gotten as being the chief of the Family then living and a Priest also but as is said before these two instances of Abraham and Jacob are only Voluntary and free Gifts as a return of thankfulness unto the Lord the 〈◊〉 having got a great Victory over his Enemies and â—he other having received a great assurance of the Lord of his Promise and Blessing with him did bind them to it But we do not read that they were at all oblieged by any special Commandment as to give so much though 't is granted that after Jacob had vowed he was oblieged but these are no binding Examples unto future Generations especially them that pretend they are Ministers of the second Covenant the Gospel there is no other mention made of Tythes before Moses his time unless some will dream as they will needs do that the Levitical Law was written before the Creation Yet some of the Ancients seem to have observed a respect had to the quantity of what was as a part of the yearly encrease Consecrated in those times of the Lord that even in the first memory to Sacrifice Cain's Offering was not regarded they say because he did not well or aright divide what he offered as if some quota pars were at that time required But this reason was from no other cause then the mis-translation of the Text in the story of Cain where the Jews read it If thou offer well but not divide aright hast thou not Sinned be quiet unto which agrees the Text of the Septuagint when as the true Translation out of the Original is thus Why is thy Countenance cast down if thou do well art thou not accepted if thou do Evil Sin lyeth at the Door But most agreeable to the Text is that he gave with a grudging mind and not of the best and first of his Fruit for it is expresly said that Abel brought of his first Fruits but Cain only of his Fruit of the Ground Abel giving then unto the Lord a portion of the best the other not regarding of what worth his Offering were So here is not any certain quantity noted but the mind of the Spirit of him that offered and the quality of the Oblation or gift So the chief thing to be noted from this is That Cain was an Hypocrite and offered with that mind and Spirit with which he slew his Brother and so his Sacrifice was not accepted But this is no Plea or Ground at all for the Payment of Tenths as due Tythes were never commanded to be payed by the Lord to any but Israel whose Law was given forth four hundred thirty Years after the Promise as saith the Apostle Neither were they ever payable but by the Jews after they came to the Land of Canaan and to Levi's Tribe only and to the Jewish Priests that had no Inheritance allotted them by the Lord of all the Land of Canaan or beyond Jordan but only the tenths according to the command of the Lord for the Offâ—â—â— of the Priesthood and for the service of the Tabernacle How among the Jews Tythes were payed or judg'd to be due the yearly encrease being either Fruit of Ground or Cattel in the Law of Fruits of the Ground first the first of the first ripe were offered to the Priest in ears of Wheat Figs Barley Grapâ—s Olives Pomegranates and Dates of these seven only the first Fruits were payed in what quantity the owner would Next the Theruma or heave-offering or first Fruits of Corn Wine Oyl and Fleece and the like were given to the Priests but it being not determined by Moses of what quaâ—â—â—iâ—y this Offering should be the Jews anciently judg'd it to be enough at the fiftieth part but so that no necessity was that every one
Protestants the Bohemians being descended from the Waldenses they did profess and held out that all Priests or Ministers ought to be Poor and to be content with free gifts or what the People freely offered them so faith 〈◊〉 Sylvius in his Bohemian History And it is one of John Wickliff's Articles whose Works are as much esteemed of by the Protestants of England and Bohemia as despised by the Papists and their Clergy having his bones taken up and Burnt 41 years after his decease and his Articles condemn'd by the Council of Constance his own words are That Tythes were and are a free gift as among the Christians and only pure Alms and the Parishoners may for the offence of their Curates detain and keep them back and bestow them upon others at their own will and Pleasures And his Proposition aforesaid is maintained by that godly Martyr John Hus who was Burnt for his Testimony at Constance but take his own words That the Clergy are not Lords and Possessors of Tythes and other Ecclesiastical Goods which are freely given but only Stewards and after the necessity of the Clergy is once satisfied they ought to be Transported to the poor And again if the Clergy do abuse the same they are Theves and Robbers and saocriligious Persons and except they do repent by the just Judgment of God they are to be condemned Likewise Ambrose Preaching upon the 16. Luke Give an account of your Stewardship c. From hence he infers That the Clergy are not Lords but rather Stewards and Bailiffs of other men's Substance furthermore Jerom writing to Nepotianus a Clergy-man saith How can they be of the Clergy which are commanded to contemn and despise their own substance and yet to take away from a Friend is Thieft to deceive the Church it is Sacriledge and to take away that which should be given to the Poor Likewise Bernard in his Sermon upon these Words Simon Peter said unto Jesus Luke 17. from thence infers these words viz. Truly the goods of the Church are the Patrimony of the Poor and whatsoever thing the Ministers and Stewards of the same not Lords Porossessors do take unto themâ—elves more then sufficient for a competent living the same is taken away from the poor by Sacrilegious cruelty Also Eusebius in his Treatise upon the Pilgrimage of Saint Jerome writes thus If thou oft possess a Garment or any other thing more then extream necessity doth require and dost not help the needy thou art a Thief and a Robber And Isidore in his Treatise de summo bono Chap. 24. saith Let the Bishop know that he is the Servant of the People and not Lord over them These and divers more Authors that worthy man John Hus instanced at a Disputation in the University of Prague in Vindication of John Wickliff's seventeenth Article which was that Tythes was a free gift in the time of Christianity and accounted as pure Alms. At the reformed Church in Geneva they live upon free gift and Tythes of all sorts are taken up for the use of the State and laid up for the publick treasury And that good man William Thorp of whom I made mention before who gave a large Testimony against divers abuses crept into the Church it being the Mid-night of Popery being complain'd of by the then Popish clergy and brought to examination in the Year 1407. being accused before Thomas Arundel Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and Chancellour of England He gives a very clear Testimony about Tythes how that they were no Gospel-Maintenance In his answer he saith That in the new Law neither Christ and his Apostles took Tythe of the People neither commanded they the People to pay Tythes neither to Priests nor Deacons and Christ and his Apostles preached the Word of God to the People and liv'd of pure Almes or free gifts but after Christ's Ascension when the Apostles had received the Holy Ghost they travelled Labouring with their Hands and also he saith that Paul when he was full Poor and needy Preaching among the People he was not Chargeous unto them but with his Hands he Laboured not only to get 〈◊〉 own living but also to relieve others that were Poor and needy And further he saith Tythes were given on the old Law to Levites and Priests but our priests time not of Levi Ergo by the Law our Priests cannot challenge Tythes for as the Priesthood is changed so is the Law but since Chrâ—st in the time of his Ministry and also his Apostles lived by pure Almes or else by the Labour of their Hands for the Servant is not greater then his Lord At which Words the Bishop said unto him God's Curse have you and mine for thus Teaching And further the said William Thorp saith that those Priests that do take Tythes deny Christ to be come in the Flesh unto when the Bishop said Heard you ever Lozell speak thus and further the said William saith that the covetousness and Pride of the Priests destroyes the vertue of the Priesthood and also stirs up God's Vengeance both upon Lord's and Commons who suffer these Priests charitably and the Arch-Bishop said thou judgest every Bishop Proud that will not go arryed as thou dost by God I deem him to be more meek that goes every day arryed in his Scarlet Gown then thou in thy Thread-bare blew Gown This is an Answer much like a Lording Bishop and a Tything Priest but I refer the Reader to the whole Discourse and Testimony of Williams Thorpe which is large in Fox his Acts and Monuments Likewise William Swinderby in the Articles that are charged against him is That for an evil Curate to curse his Hearers or Excommunicate them for with-holding of his Tythes is nothing but wickedly and wrongfully getting from them their Money for if saith he that the Priest or Curate be a wicked man as most of the Tything Priests are If the Parishoners do pay him Tythes they are guilty before God of upholding him in his Sin and Evil deeds and further saith he that whereas Christ's Law doth command to Minister freely to the People the Pope with his Law sells for Money whereas Christ's Law teaches his Priests to be poor the Pope justifies and maintains Priests to be Lords Also with him doth agree Walter Brute as is manifest by the Articles charg'd against him viz. That no Man is bound to pay Tythes in Gospel times 2. That if the Parishoners shall know their Curate to be bad they ought to hold from him their Tythes 3. That if any Priest receive any thing by way of bargain or yearly Stipend in so doing he is a Schismatick and accured 4. That if we be bound to pay Tythes in Gospel times then are we debtours to keep all the whole Law for to say that men are bound to one part of the Law and not to another is not true for this were to prefer one part before another and to set the
Good and mind not only one Member but the whole Body heed not them that draw back that is no President for you to follow but them that press forward and are not offended in the time of Hardship heed not them thâ—t will tell you they can keep their Hearts upright to God and retain their Love to Truth and Friends and yet will not afford their Presence in your Assemblies but escape Suffering and deny the Cross and neglect their present Duty for that is Deceit and their own Hearts will deceive them put not off till to morrow defer not the time till you can see some more Ease and some greater Calm beware of that for then Coldness Fearfulness and Slavishness will enter in and you will lose your Strength Moreover if any have begun well and be perswaded of the Truth of that they have believed and continue not unto the End and do not finish such will be reckoned foolish Builders that could not finish and all will mock them and neither God nor Men can or will believe them but our Adversaries will glory over you Again when any suffer or are brought into Bonds for Christ and the Gospel sake seek not to get out by any indirect Means neither make any Covenant with thy Adversary who would sell both thee and all Faith and Hope for Money that encourages Deceit and that Spirit would buy it self out of the Service of God and grow weary give no Place to that be content every one with your present Condition till God arise and plead our Cause and make our Innocency and Righteousness appear as Noon day and make his Adversaries his Foot-stâ—ol which undoubtedly he will do and make all know the most high ought to rule and will rule in the Kingdoms of Men and not give his Glory to another neither suffer another to take it be conformable to none that go about under Pretence of Love to perswade or counsel you from your Duty to God neither submit to them that would betray you of your Peace heed not the Frowns of corrupt Men nor the Counsel of them who mind their own Bellies Pleasure Ease Profit and earthly things let not natural Affections and Love either to Lands Wife or Children blind your Eyes but love them and receive them in the Lord and enjoy them as though not stand loose from all things and out of all Entanglements and cast your Care upon the Lord who careth for the Fatherless and the Widdow and them that have no Helper in Earth give no Occasion or Advantage to any that would turn your Hearts aside from following the Lord left their Love betray you give up all you have and enjoy to the Lord and his Service and your Souls Bodies and Spirits as a Sacrifice unto the Lord that he may accept you and pour forth and continue his Blessing amongst you never heed the Threats of them that are as the Oaks of Bashan nor of the great Men of the Earth that mind their Pleasure and Lusts who shut you up in Prison and hale you before Judgment-Seats for the Worship of God and falsly accuse you and condemn you when God justifies you the Moth shall eâ—t them up as a Garment and stain the Glory of all Flesh that withstand the Lord and they shall melt away as Snails and as the Fat of Lambs and as the Kidneys of Rams and God will bring the Recompence of their own Deeds upon their own Pates and wound the hoary Scalp of every one that doth wickedly who toucheth God's anointed and doth Harm to his Prophets and persecutes his Children surely Judgment is not far from the Dwellings of them who have requited the Lord thus as to render him Evil for Good and God will be avenged on such a faâ—thless merciless perfidious People as this and of such a Spirit which rejoyceth in Iniquity and makes a Mock of Sin and hates all Reproof and would clock over all Mischiefs with the Name of pure Laws and Authority and Decrees of the holy Church and yet persecutes and gainsayes the highest Power of God in things spiritual that pertain to the Conscience The Beast and false Prophet and Mother of Harlots have joyned together and flatter one another and joyn their Strength together against the true Church and Heir of all the World and would under Pretence of doing Honour unto him shut him out of the Earth and kill his Subjects and destroy the Children of the free Woman under Pretence of suppressing Heresie turn Judgment into Gall Hemlock and Wormwood and instead of relieving the Oppressed add to their Burthen Friends dwell above all these things and the Devil and his Rage the Earth is the Lord's and the Fulness of it we cannot be banished from God's Presence neither shall they fulfil their Determination or ever be able to root out that Testimony which is among us for Princes shall be given for its Ransome and Kingdoms and Nations for its Prosperity The God of Power strengthen you all that you may quit your selves like men of God like Children of the most high whose Inheritance is not here in the World but in the Kingdom that fades not away The Lord God of Power be with you and make you consider what I say and to receive this my true Love unto you all for the Lord's sake who partakes with all the suffering Members of Christ in their Bonds and shall and can rejoyce in all your Comfort and Joy The Peace of God dwell in your Hearts and his heavenly Light shine upon all your Tabernacles that you may be as beautiful in the Eyes of the Lord as the Roses of Sharon and blossom as the Lillies of the Valley and yield your Fruit as the Fig-tree that casteth not his Fruit The Lord takes our Part let none doubt of that and pleads our Cause let all consider that our Enemies shall see it and be troubled at this and time shall manifest it therefore be of believing Hearts and trust in the Lord so shall you never be confounded neither be ashamed but be as Mount Sion that cannot be moved and as the Mountains are round about Jerusalem so shall the Mercies of the Lord compass you about from this time forth and forevermore Friends Faith is sealed in my Heart and Love in my Reins and Gladness in my Soul and Peace in my Conscience so that none doth or can hinder my rejoycing praised be the Lord forever and ever Amen The Lord's Servant and yours in all true unfeigned pure Love F. H. THE TRUE Rule Judge and Guide OF THE TRUE CHURCH OF GOD DISCOVERED AND Born Testimony unto what it is and wherein it consisteth In Opposition to the pretended Catholick Church of ROME her Rule Foundation Guide and Judge Being returned in Answer to Captain Robert Everad his Book tituled An Epistle to all Non-conformists wherein his main Reasons Grounds and Allegations laid down in his Book are examined and discoursed with wherein the Faith once
had not that Sufficiency which many look upon now they have to wit natural Tongues and Languages yet it was sufficient in them to give them Wisdom to declare the things of the Kingdom of God to the Salvation of many that did believe through their Words it was sufficient to comfort Paul and Silas when they were shut in the inner Room and their Feet fast in the Stocks when there was no outward Cause of Joy but rather of Sorrow yet they were made to sing and rejoyce because of the great Comfort and Joy that the Spirit of God filled their Hearts with again it was sufficient in the midst of great Conflicts and Tribulations which Paul and the rest suffered for the Gospel's sake and for Christ's sake and yet as Suffering did abound it was sufficient to make Consolation to super-abound to ballance the Suffering and to make it easie Fifthly It is that everlasting Covenant which the Lord promised by the Mouth of his Prophets in â—ormer Dayes that he would fulfil in the latter Dayes or after times That he would write his Law in their Hearts and put his Spirit in their inward Parts and that they should not teach every Man his Neighbour saying know the Lord for they shall all know me from the least to the greatest and again in another Place I will pour upon them the Spirit of Prayer and Supplication and they shall see him whom they have pierced and again I will pour out my Spirit upon all Flesh and my Sons and my Daughters shall prophecy c. And this was fulfilled at Pentecost in Jerusalem when the Disciples met together and the Promise of the Father came to be fulfilled and the Unbelievers said They were filled with new VVine and the Lord hath a Care of his People through Ages and hath not left them comfortless not without a Guide and a certain and sure one too which Spirit is manifest among some Non-conformists whom thou takest Liberty to call Sects and the Sufficiency of it is witnessed praised be the Lord in our Assemblies both as to convince to convert to save to judge to guide to instruct to comfort and is that alone in which all true Christian Men can worship God in the Silence of all Flesh fleshly Motions Thoughts it 's that that giveth Assurance also of Acceptation with God and is that which makes the Prayers of the Saints as sweet Incense in the Nostrils of the Lord it is that which makes the Words of him like Butter as pleasant as Hony or sweet Oyl who speaks by it through it and from it whereby the Hearts of many have been pricked and the Thoughts of many have been revealed and many have been comforted with Joy unspeakable and filled with pure Love from the sensible Feeling of the Sufficiency of its Power operating in the inward Man even as when the Harvest had been gathered in and the Press been full of Grapes and the Fat 's had overflown with Abundance so that they could have rejoyced and sung and danced for Joy as sometimes David did when the Ark of God was brought from the House of Obed-Edom and placed in Jerusalem when David danced for Joy and all Israel was filled with Gladness what might I say for the Certainty Sufficiency and All-sufficiency of this holy Spirit of God I might fill my Mouth with Arguments and time might fail me in Speech to speak of the Excellency Certainty and Infallibility thereof against all Opposers and Quarellers In a Word it is that alone means through which God conveys Eternal Life to all Man-kind and it is that Rule by which all the Sons of God were led Rom. 8.14 It is that only sure Guide Judge Way Rule in which there is Certainty and Assurance of the Love of God to Man-kind it is that by which the Deeds of the Flesh are mortified and men quickened and enlivened unto God in their Hearts in which the Saints are accepted by which they are regenerated and through which they become Heirs of the Promise what shall I say but this let all Flesh be confounded before it and all Deceit stop its Mouth and all the Sons of Men bow before it all Councils and Churches all Rulers and Elders all Reason and Comprehension all Words and Writings of Men and holy Men yea of the Scriptures of Truth it gave them all a Being it was and is and is to come and will remain when all visible things are past away it is that by which God will plead with all Flesh and bring a Consumption upon all the honourable of the Earth and burn up the Mountains and make the Hills to melt and make all a Plain before him therefore make room make room make way ye Potsherds and cease all your contending and babling and bow to it and learn of it in your Hearts which R. E. like an ignorant Man calls a private Spirit that your Souls may be saved in the Day of the Lord and you may escape his Wrath which is to come against all Resisters of it Sixthly Your Catholick Church falsely so called who hath Erred from the Spirit the infallible Guide though you much boast of it both in Doctrine and Practise abundantly insomuch that your Faces seem altogether to look another way and your course to arrive at another Haven then the Apostles and all the Primitive Christians attained unto to wit everlasting Happiness and Rest of their Souls and acceptation with God in their performances and Sacrifices which they offered unto him in the Spirit of which they and all that believe in it and have received it received perfect assurance in their Hearts by the immediate Spirit of God and likewise the Protestants in general whether Lutherans or Calvinists or other Sects known by denomination are of so narrow and a pinching Spirit as that you would Pinch and shut up the Universal love of God unto all Mankind in a narrow Corner and monopolize the free Grace of God that hath appeared unto all Men that teaches all Men that receive it to deny all Heresie Falshood Opinions and Humours private Spirits and Spirits of Error which leadeth from all these and is sufficient to lead out of all Ungodliness and worldly Lusts and to do that which is acceptable in the sight of God and this all Sects since the Woman cloathed with the Sun fled into the Wilderness viz. the true Church and all parties have laid claim to and excluded all other that were not of the Opinion as from having any share in it as though it were given only to such a company of Men that succeeded the Apostles and by Arts and parts and Natural Language in the Course and Term or Years and at such such places as the Apostles were sometime conversant at and other Sects besides you who have kept more nearer in Conformity in Doctrine and Worship and unto the Apostles then you have done they have laid claim to the Spirit of God and to
and Monks commonly and frequently go to confess their Sins and to receive Absolutions before they come to Rome and so continues to this day I cannot forget indeed the notable Miracle wrought by Austin the Monk of which R. E. glories so in wrought at Cometon in Oxfordshire touching the Doctrine of due Payment of Tythes a profitable Doctrine to Austin and his Monks the first Bishop of Canterbury confirmed by a Miracle and such as it is you shall have it About the Year 600. as it is said Austin comes to Preach at Cometon in Oxfordshire the Priest of the place complains to him how that the Lord of the Manour would not pay his Tythes Austin Questioning the Lord aâ—out the fault in his Devotion he stoutly Answered That the Tenth sheaf doubtless was his that had the Interest in the Nine and therefore would pay none presently Austin denounceth him Excommunicate and turning to the Altar to say Mass publickly forbad that any Excommunicated Person should be present there suddenly a Dead Corps that had â—een buried at the Church Door arose and went out of the Church and stood while the Mass continued which ended Austin comes to thâ—s living or dead whether you will and charges him in the Name of God to declare who he was he tells him That in the time of the British State hujus Villi Patronus and although he was often urged by the Doctrine of the Priest to pay his Tythes yet he never could be brought to it for the which he saith after he was dead he was carried to Hell Austin desired to know where the Priest that Excommunicated him was buried thâ— dead shewed him the place where he makes an Invocation of the dead Priest and bids him arise because they wanted his help the Priest arises Austin asks him if he knew that other that was riâ—en he tells him yes but wishes he had never known him for saith he he was in all things ever averse to the Church and a detainer of hâ— Tythes a great Sinner to his Death and therefore I Excommunicated him But Austin declares that it was fit Mercy should â—e used towards him and that he had suffered long in Hell for his Offence You must suppose the Author meant Purgatory wherefore he gives him Absolution and sends him to his Grave whâ—re he fell again to Dust and Ashes he gone the Priest new risen tells that his Corps had lien there about 170 Years and Austin would gladly have hâ—d him to have â—ontinued on Earth for instruction of Souls but could not thereto intreat him so he returned to his fâ—rmer Lâ—dging The Lord of the Town standing by all this while and Trembling was now demanded If he would pay his Tythes but he presently fell down at Austin's Feet weeping and confessing his Offence and submits to pay Tythes and receives Pardon and became all his Life time a follower of Austin Besides the common Legend of our Saints it is in some Volumes put alone for a most observable Miracle and it is found to be bound up at the end of the Ms. Liâ—e of Thâ— Becket Arch Bishop of Canterbury written by John Degraâ—deâ—ono and it remains in the publick Library at Oxford there also it is relâ—ted in Jâ—hâ—nnes Anglicâ—â— his History Aurea Bâ—sides Seâ—len in his Histâ—ry of Tytheâ— makes mention of it and in the 274. page of this Book And as concerning the Miracles which are reported by certain Jesuites to be done in the West Iâ—dies by them of that Society after they had converted them to the Christian Faith as they call it in confirmation of their Doctrine they write of great Miracles that were wrought by them how that with Holy Water They had Calmed the Sea in great Tempests and with Holy Water they had driven Mice out of the Country and how that by Holy Water they had made Barren Women to bear Children See Cope's Dialogue the first page the 18th And many devised and fained Miracles are Storied among you and kept up to deceive and blind the People withal Dead Images have been forced to Sweat to Weep to Laugh and to Shift themselves from place to place and as among the Panimâ— and Infidels the Image of Jupiter was able by art to cry aloud Let all the Christians be Banished the Country Euseb. l. 8. even so among the false Christians Images have been able to speak whatsoever his Keeper or Sexton listeth and the Image of our Lady hath been able to attend her own Candle and other Images have been able to Heal all Diseases believe it who can Nicholaus saith in the Church of God the Priests often times deceive the People with fained Miracles for Lucre's sake and thus the World hath been born in Hand that Images were not only bare Images but had some secret divine Power hidden within them but I shall conclude and say as Hierome saith The Truth of Christ shall devour and consume the falshood of Anti-christ and all his fained Miracles and lying Wonders and Inchantments and Sorceries with which he hath deceived the Nations Alexander Hales saith p. 4. quâ— 53. men 4. In the Sacrament it self there appears Flesh sometimes by the conveyance of Men and sometimes by the working of the Devil And hath not R. E. heard and read of a certain Catholick of theirs and no Lay-man neither not many Ages ago that did pennance at Pauls Cross and made a publick Confession of his Dissimulation when he pricked his Finger and made it Bleed when he gave that which you call your Eucharist or Sacrament of the Altar as you call it unto the People to delude them making them believe that as the phrase is Christ by Miracle had conveyed the Blood into the Bread after the words of Consecration but enough of this hath been said by others and written largly of by other Hands and Pens so that I need not say much But Miracles be not ever more undoubted proofs of a true Doctrine nor such absolute Signs of a true Church nor such infallible Arguments as from Heaven as R. E. saith his are And so I conclude with that which Austin said unto Faustus the Manichee Ye Work no Miracles and yet if ye wrought any at your Hands we would take heed of them And Jer. 23. saith The false Prophets have deceived my People by their Lyes and by their Lightness and by their Dreams and Miracles And so hath this false fained pretended Catholick Church done deceived the Nations and bewitched them with such Lying fabulous Stories and false and ridiculous Miracles and Sorceries and Inchantments as is above-mentioned and many more of the like Nature might be mentioned but that I would not be tedious to the Reader which if they were all sum'd up would hardly make up a Heavenly Argument and Proof as R. E. saith it doth That their Church is the only true Church and fit to be the Rule and Judge of all matters of Faith And now Reader view over their Miracles
Angels Worshipping Relicks worshipping Images Transubstantiation Purgatory sprinkling of Infants prove to us from the Scripture in thy next that these were Apostolical and Infallible Doctrines delivered and taught by the Church of Christ in the Apostles time or in the first hundred Years after Christ and thou will not only gain me but many more to receive and imbrace the Catholick Church of Rome for an absolute Rule and Guide unto which all on Earth ought to be subject unto which if thou dost not we will take it for granted thou darest not lest thou ingage thy self in such a Controversie as thou never ingaged in yet by which thy and your Folly will more and more appear unto all I shall not trouble neither my self nor the Reader any further in traducing R. E. in his multiplicity of Words although the main and weighty Arguments and Reasons as R. E. looks upon them are answered which I commend unto thee and to the Witness of God in every Man's Conscience to try and search out where the difference and weight lies and the Truth and as the measure of God's Spirit in every Man's Conscience doth close with or against if it can what I have said about R. E. his Epistle for unto that I dare stand to the Judgment of and in it as every one believes and walks I bid my Reader Farewell Westmoreland this 18 th of the 5 th Moneth 1665. F. H. A General Epistle To the Dispersed and PERSECUTED FLOCK OF Christ Jesus IN THE DOMINION OF ENGLAND AND All Parts and Regions where this shall come who have believed in Christ the Light of the VVorld and now suffer for his Names sake DEarly Beloved whom God hath called and redeemed out of the World and the Vanities thereof to follow the Lamb in the Regeneration through the Cross and Suffering in this Age wherein the Whore Beast and false Prophet and all that have drunk of her Cup and have received the Mark of the Beast and are led aside to believe Lyâ—s that proceed out of the Mouth of the time serving flattering deceitful Workers of this Generation who are all joyned together iâ— theiâ—â—â—rength and Power to act every Way against the Lamb and his meck Appearance who takes away the Sins of the World and against all them that are made clean through his Blood and are come out of the Pâ—llutions of the Wâ—rld and to make War against the Râ—mnâ—nt of the Seed of God who are begetten again to the lively Hope of Christ Jesus and to the Inheritance that fâ—des not away and to root out and destroy and weary out through cruel Suffering the Saints of the most high that so the Prince of Darkness might rule in his full Power and Authoriâ—y in his Instruments and Servants without Opposition or any Gain-saâ—ing And as God out of his everlasting Love hath redeemed and translated many from great Darkness wherein they have bin hâ—ld in the time of Unbelief into his marvellous Light to walk in it and to bring forth the Fruits of the Day of Light Faith and Righteousness to the Praise and Glory of his Grace who hath called them and translated them for that very End to shew forth his Power and Glory in the Earth who have been quickned and raised by it out of the Grave that they might bear Witness thereunto and testifie of it both in Word and Work against the World and the God thereof who now rules in the Children of Disobedience therefore is his Wrath the more kindled and his Fury great against them that are departed out of his Kingdom and will not yield their Hearts and Necks to be subject any more unto his Yoak by whom they have been enslaved and held Captive under many and divers Lusts which the Wrath of God is revealed against and to be revealed against and because they are made free by the Frightness of the glorious rising of the Sun of Righteousness in his Power and quickning Life in their Hearts which hath broken his Yoak of Bondage and destroyed the Law of Sin and Death which sometimes had Power over them but now being made Conquerors of them through the Power of Christ the old Dragon the Deceiver of the Nations who is out of the Truth labours by all means to bring them back again under his Yoak and his Devices are not a few which are set on Foot at this Day to make all bow unto him which the Children of Light are not ignorant of who are and have been watchful against the mysterious working of his Power within and also without in his Instruments who have received great Power from him to propagate his Kingdom that stands in Wrath Evil doing and Cruelty And therefore all had need to watch and be circumspect that they that are escaped be not ensnared and entangled again lest their Bondage be greater and the Yoak heavier then before Therefore the Lord moveth often in my Heart to exhort all unto Watchfulness and Diligence and so much the more because the Dayes are perilous and the Times dangerous and the Temptations many on every Hand so they that look out are in Danger to be ensnared and let in the Enemy and Fears and Doubts and Unbelief enter and questioning in the Haste Can God deliver or will he deliver or hath he any Regard unto our Afflicâ—ion And because the time seems long and they cannot see to the End thereof their Hearts fail and their Faith is in Danger to be shaken and they lose their States therefore it concerns every one to watch and pray that they enter not into Temptations neither be overcome with the wicked One neither of the fading Pleasure Profit and Ease that the Children of this World do enjoy which is but for a Time and then is the Beginning of endless Misery Therefore all dearly beloved look over all the Sufferings and Troubles and Temptations and Necessities and over the Devil and all his Works to the Beginning and to that have an Eye which was before they had a Being to the Lord God everlasting who made Heaven and Earth have an Eye and let your Eye be fixed on him which destroyes the Devil and all his Works and will reward the Workers of Iniquity according to their Deeds with everlasting Torments Dearly Beloved who have been under great Sufferings Losers for Christ's sake and the Gospel's in this Age like as many faithful Witnesses have been in former Ages I am a Sufferer with you and am sensible of your Griefs Affliâ—â—ions Necessities and Tribulations which are many and do bear and suffer with you all in my Heart and in the true Sence and Feeling of you all dispersed every where where God hath placed you in the Earth my Heart Soul Life and Spirit breatheth forth unto you all and your Burden is mine your Afflictions are mine your Sufferings are mine I do weep with them that weep I am sorrowful with them that are sorrowful and what which is a Grief
according to the Innocency of our Hearts do thou judge us and plead our Cause And further we have laboured that Sin might be beat down and that all every where might have been turned from it unto the living God and that Righteousness might have been advanced and Truth have taken Place in all Mens Hearts both in word and deed that Christ who is professed in Words might have ruled in the Hearts of all Men that make mention of him that so God's Blessing might have been felt and known by all and the Souls of all saved from the Snares of Satan and out of that which the Wrâ—th of God and his Judgments come upon And Lord God of Heaven and Earth thou knowest how our Adversaries have sought Occasion against us for no other Cause but for the Matter of the Worship of the living God and unto God's righteous Judgment Seat we dare appeal do thou judge us and reward us according to our deserts if ever we have contrived the Hurt of any Man or Men or have sought to violate any righteous Law of Man which stands to the well-governing of a Nation or Country in the things that pertain to the World yet how have we been falsly represented slander'd belyed mis-reported hated back-bited persecuted and killed as all the Day long and reputed we are as not fit to live in our native Land neither to enjoy our own Wives and Children a thing common to all men Christian and Heathen neither to breath in the common Air And how many grievous things have been heaped and are daily upon our Backs that we are factious seditious Enemies to Magistrates to the Ministers of Christ Plotters Conspirators against humane Government Enemies to the King disobedient to the Laws Broachers of Heresie Authors of Sedition Enemies to the Church and State And this the Devil who was a Lyar and a Murderer and a Slanderer from the Beginning he hath put a lying Spirit in the Mouthes of some and it 's entered into the Hearts of others and thus by them are the Powers of the Earth stirred up and the Rulers to persecute us without any just Cause but this must not be counted Persecution for all the aforesaid things and many more he hath perswaded them we are guilty of and therefore all that comes upon us it must be reckoned as just and is an equal Reward for our Offences and as just punishment for our Transgression and Disobedience and so is no Persecution at all and he hath Witnesses enough to testifie against us as he had against Christ all the Scribes and Pharisees and the Leaders and Rulers of the People with the high Priests Judas and all to testifie against him That he was not fit to live but all cry Away with him even so now he hath all the Rabbies and Elders and all the Time-serving Hirelings who serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but their own Bellies and all formal Professors who profess him in Words but deny him in Works and deâ—pise his Cross with all Drunkards Lyars and Swearers all proud and covetous all wanton and riotous and all that love the Pleasure of Sin for a Season all these will give their Verdict against us There was and is a Generation that called Darkness Light and Light Darkness and Good Evil and Evil Good the Judgment of all such is false and must be Judged and God who hath Immortality and dwells in the Light with whom is no Darkness at all judgeth not as these men and therefore let us never heed the Censures and Judgments of fallen men who err in their Judgment who cannot judge for God or his People but against them let us count it a light thing to be judged or condemned by man seeing the Lord justifies us in his VVork and Service whereunto we are called and all the aforesaid Crimes falsly laid to our Charge he clears us of and we can with a good Conscience and pure Heart bid defiance to all the Powers of darkness and all the Enemies of God and the Lord will clear us more and more as his Power Glory and Light appears in the Earth and brings forth our Righteousness as the Noon-day before our Enemies notwithstanding all the false Aspersions and Reproaches cast upon us in the mean time if we be crowned with Reproaches as Christ was with Thorns and evilly entreated for his Names sake let us bear all things and endure all things with Patience and Hope to the End And though they cover us with Bear Skins and Draff as the Heathens did the primitive Christians and so let all the wild Beasts upon us let us give up our Bodies as a Sacrifice unto the Lord and for a Witness unto his Name and Truth that so we all may witness eternal Rest unto our Souls and everlasting Joy in his heavenly Habitation where all Persecutors and Evil-doers are shut out Dearly beloved of the Lord I write not these things unto you because you many of you do not know them but because you know them to put you all in Mind and to stir up your Hearts to the holy Consideration of these things in these perilous and trying times and in very Truth whatsoever doth lye within my View that might conduce to any or all your Good I cannot withhold it from you because I know it is not only my Duty but I can truly say the Love of Christ constrains me for my Soul Heart and Life is knit unto you in the everlasting Covenant of Life above all the Families of the Earth and the more you are hated the more I love you and the more you are despised and set at nought the more I prize you and the more you are compassed about on every Side with Tryals and Afflictions the more my Soul is poured forth unto the Lord for you that you may be kept stedfast in the Faith and Hope in the Lord unto the End that you may receive his Reward the Crown of Glory which is laid up for all them that love the Appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ and in the Faith do overcome And blessed and happy are all they that keep their Garments clean in this polluted time wherein Wickedness walks with open Face and Ungodliness with an out-stretched Neck and is exalted in great Height and doth corrupt many and the Earth is growing ripe with Wickedness for Destruction for the proud are counted happy and they that work Wickedness are admired and gloryed in as the only brave Men of these times which they make evil through yielding themselves Servants unto Sin and their Lusts. Ease and worldly Enjoyments and immediately drop down into eternal Perdition and it 's time for the Lord to arise and plead with all Flesh for men make void his Law and go about to establish their own in Opposition thereunto for Violence Cruelty and Hardness of Heart and Persecution are the Forerunners of Desolation and Destruction these things do generally abound all is secure and at
that he so vehemently contends for that ought to be observed as well as God's Fear Service it 's but their own Traditions Inventions for that under the Law will not serve As the Lord lives or that he calls Swearing under the Gospel will not serve The Lord is Witness or I speak the Truth in Christ or thâ—s is Truth in the Presence of God or the like none of these will serve but though he the Rulers do say they are Oaths yet when at any time we have proffered willingly to declare the Truth in this or that particular Causes or to make as ample Confession in Demonstration for clearing any Cause in Debate that hath either conduced to the Glory of God or the Good and Profit of any particular Man in the Nation among whom we converse and not without some Attestation of God or of his Wisdom Power and Presence yet it would never yet be received but reckoned as Insufficient though both the Rulers of this Age and A. S. have said it It might be that in private it might but in Judicature never as received though I do believe the most do believe we dare not lye in ordinary Communication much less in Judicature yet we have been set aside as Objects of Wrath as deluded erronious factious seditious Contemners of Law Obstructors of legal Procedings except we would lay our Hand upon a Bible and kiss it and say I swear and by the Contents of the Book and so help me God or else fined imprisoned for Term of Life our Lands and Goods confiscated and we sentenced to be banished our Wives and Children ruinated Husband and Wife parted Children and Parents separated and such Monsters of Christians have we to deal withal in this Age and how many brought into this sad Condition in England as little A. S. knows as cares But for ought I know that he and such as he in such publick Discourses as this of his have blown the Sparks and have kindled a Flame in the Rulers and incensed them and stirred them up to Severity and Harshness against them who fear the Lord and do maintain Peace with all men as much as in them lyeth and keep their Consciences void of Offence towards God which makes us to chuse rather all this Hardship then to offend the Lord who serve and fear his Name and reverence it more then they who seem to honor it and pretend God's Honour through their Swearing But to make amends for this A. S. saith The Magistrates must act by the Law and that enjoyns such a Form of Swearing and they cannot allow it Unto that I answer it had been a more necessary Discourse for A. S. to have exhorted the Magistrates if the Law had been answered in the Substance not to be so severe in the Form and also to have told them where any Law was made contrary to the Law of God either in Matter or Form the Consciences of Believers could not yeild Obedience thereunto when it was repugnant unto the Law of God and not according to the Form thereof and in such Cases to be wary and he and the rest of the Clergy to have advised with the Rulers and Law-makers and to have informed them from whom they receive such great In-comes and Revenues for the Preservation and Peace of all Men tnat they need not stand so much upon the Form seeing that so many conscientious People questioned it so that there needed not such tying up to Form under such great and heavy Penalties as Banishment Confiscation and perpetual Imprisonment but have informed them so that the Truth might have been found out and no judicial Proceedings hindered which I am sure may be without any Swearing true Testimony never being denyed when required by any Magistrate and let but a Penalty be upon him that gives false Evidence or speaks an Untruth about any Proceedings in Judicature or otherwise called to bear Evidence in any Controversie if found let them suffer as them that swear falsly and as perjured and the Case is one and here all Scruples and Contentions about Swearing would end and there would not be the least Obstruction in legal Proceedings or in Administration of Justice and let me tell Doctor Smallwood and the rest of his Brothren that if they would move such a thing in Parliament peradventure it would be readily received from them and in so doing they would do as acceptable a Piece of Service and as well-pleasing to God and would conduce as much to the Peace and Tranquillity of the Nation as any thing that ever they will do in their Age or hath been effected many Ages and so all these Heart-burnings Contentions and evil Surmisings and evil representing one another would cease and end and which if not effected nothing can be looked for but sad Suffering and great Oppression and Persecution which will provoke the Lord to Anger and ever did against all them that were the Cause of it in Ages past But I come to his second Argument Second Argument Some without any Colour Reason or Possibility of Proof will needs have Swearing a ceremonial Rite but God ranks it with his Fear and Service therefore it must needs be moral and therefore what at all Times as well under the Gospel as under the Law as well among the Gentiles as the Jews tends to the Glory of God that is not a ceremonial Ordinance nor forbidden by Christ but such is Swearing and therefore it cannot be thought to be prohibited Reply It hath been said and often asserted that all the ten Words and ten Commandments were moral and perpetual as well under the Gospel as under the Law then I wonder what A. S. and divers others intend to do with the fourth Commandment if it be moral and perpetual and to be observed in the same Manner and with the same Service as then commanded and the same day and time then he and most of them who contend most for the Morality of these ten Commandments are great Transgressors and if he grant there was something ceremonial in it and typical or figurative which then was the seventh Day which was given for a Sign of the World's Rest from its Labour and of keeping after it an everlasting Sabbath to the Lord by Man's Cessation from his own Works as God did from his Isa. 58. and the last of Hebrews ver 4. which Jewish Observation of the seventh Day as a Sabbath now though never so solemnly as then commanded will have no Acceptation at all no more then he and he as much that is none at all that never so solemnly swears by the Name of God in such ceremonious Way as the Jews did of old or goes beyond the bare Asseveration or Testimony of Truth with some Attestation of God's Power and Veracity which hath never been denyed which to do we do not only think but know it to be a superfluous Ceremony to Judaism not to say Brat of Jewish Extraction
were good as they stood related to the end wherefore they were commanded instance the Worship at Jerusalem and the Service there and the place where God had promis'd to place his Name yet Christ said as foreknowing the End of all the aforesaid Worship which appertained to that Covenant and therefore he said to the Woman Joh. 4.23 but the Hour cometh and now is when the true Worshipers shall Worship the Father in Spirit and Truth for the Father seeks such to Worship him and 24. vers God is a Spirit and they that Worship him must Worship him in Spirit and Truth 2. Cor. 3.17 From hence it is clearly evident for this was before he was offered up that then was the time that neither at Jerusalem nor in the Mountain of Samaria it shall be only said they worship the Father though at Jerusalem was the place Deut. 1.1 2 5. of Worship formerly and the Jews held it then and the Worship was that which was commanded to wit Sacrifices and Offerings and many other legal Services which belonged to them to perform according to the command of God and if Swearing or Oaths was any part of the Service of God as in that Covenant as we with A. S. do grant Deut. 10.20 You shall fear the Lord and serve him and Swear by his Name then I say that Swearing amongst the rest of the Worship is included but saith Christ neither at Jerusalem nor this Mountain but they that worship shall Worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth so that the time was then but came on more afterwards to be fulfilled that both the place and the worship and Service that belonged to the place they should no more Worship the Father with and in but in the Spirit and in the Truth and this may be in Answer to that which A. S. makes a great adoe with in his Book how that Christ said Swear not at all it was before his Death and therefore they that Argue saith he That swearing was prohibited only and ended in Christ's death cannot plead that all Oaths were prohibited but that command of Christ Mat. 5. because he spake this in his Life time I say â—o did he this Jo. 20.21 22 23. And he may as well Argue that Christ destroyed the place of Worship at Jerusalem and the Worship also and came not to fulfill it as he saith he did and why but because he spoke this before he was Crucified and so did he Swear not at all and why may not A.S. conclude with us that this is a commodious place to interpret and explain Christ's meaning in those words in the 5 th Mat. 23 and 24. and so the Words may truly be understood thus ye have heard that it hath been said of old time thou shalt not forswear thy sâ—lf but shalt perform unto the Lord thine Oaths Exod 20.7 and Deut. 5.11 but the Hour cometh and now is when I say unto you that say more then the Law hath said Swear not at all neither â—y Heaven nor by the Earth but let your Yea be yea and your Nay nay for whatsoever is more then these cometh of Evil and yet whatever may or can be said A. S. will needs conclude That all Swearing is not forbidden and why because it hath been the praâ—â—ice of holy Men and also an Angel this Argument is of little force so was it the practice of holy Men to offer Sacrifice and burn Incense and as for the Swearing of the Angel Dan. 12. and Revel 10.6 to prove the lawfulness of some Swearing these have been answered over and over and over again though A. S. will take no notice of it though I perceive he hath read the Arguments that have been used as Answers to these things though he will not seem to take notice nor to reply to confute the Arguments but rather minds his own and to assert what may seem to mâ—ke for his purpose as to the matter he hath taken in Hand but as for good Men's Swearing and the Angel's Swearing if their Example would â—uâ—tifie the lawfulness of Swearing yet they could not be any president to us who are under the Gospel of the Son that is greater then the Angels by the dispensation of whom the Law for Oaths Tythes offerings oblations and other legal Rights and Rudiments were given which Son also all the Angels of God are bid to Worship for the Apostle saith Hebr. 2.5 For unto the Angels hath he not put into subjection the World to come but that is committed unto the Son under whose Ministration and subjection we are who said Let your Yea be yea and you nay nay and speak the Truth and do the Truth and bear witness to the Truth who said Learn of me and these things we have learned of him unto whom all Power is committed for he is counted Hebr. 3.3 more worthy of Glory then Moses though Moses was faithful in his House as a Servant but Christ as a Son which is that great Prophet that Moses Prophesied of which all are to hearken unto with whom the Father is well pleased being made so much better then the Angels Hebr. 1.4 as he hath â—y Inheritance obtained a more Excellent Name then they vers 5. for unto which of the Angels said he at any time thou art my Son this day I have begotten thee vers 6. Again when he bringeth the first â—egotten into the World he saith let all the Angels of God Worship him of the Angels he saith he makes them minâ—strâ—ng Spirits and a Flame of Fire but unto the Son he saith thy Throne oh God is forever and ever the Scepter of Righteousness is the Scepter of thy Kingdom for if the Words spoken by Angels wer stedfast and every Transgression received a just recompence of reward how shall they escape Hebr. 2.3 who do not only neglect the command of Christ but labour to pervert through their Strengâ—h of their own reason the ministration of the Son who is the sum and substance of all Shadowy and Typical Ministrations and therefore A. S. and all concerned look â—o it who would introduce Judaism and the Mosaical Observations upon the Neck of Christs Disciples and as Laws in his Kingdom and whether would not this prefer the Servant before the Son yea or nay and his Ministration before the Ministration of the Son though the one is not against the other but the one pointing at the other and in the latter the first is fulfilled the Truth declared the Truth spoken the Truth lived in and the Truth confessed in every matter wherein any Christian is concerned which is the sum and the matter which all Oaths in their highest and greatest Ordination could or can effect In the 40 th page of his Book he saith our Saviour saith Amen Amen 24. times in John's Gospel which he saith St. Ambrose will needs have to amount unto an Oath and he cites Apoc. 3. These things saith the Amen compares it with Isa.
and are ready to answer all these necessary ends and as well and this is as good and expedient to be put in practice among Christians as interposition of Oaths enjoyned by God in the first Covenant and far more Evangelical and therefore shall conclude with that of Jerome The Gospel Truth admits not of an Oath His eighth Argument is That Christ did never any things without some Ground of reason but no reason can be shewed why all manner of Swearing should be forbidden in a due manner and upon a just and necessary occasion and therefore we may well believe that such Swearing was neither here or any where else forbidden Reply We shall not much dissent or disagree about terms with A. S. that Christ did never any thing without some Ground or Reason but yet we must deny his Conclusion that no Reason can be given why all manner of Swearing should be forbidden first of all there was a time since Man had a being in this Creation when he was in the Image of God and stood in the Covenant of God when there was no Oath neither any necessity thereof Man being endued with Power from God which was placed in him so that he was in a capacity to fulfill obey and serve and believe his Maker without an Oath for unbelief or Sin had not entred and this was before the Fall Gen. 1.26 27. Secondly Christ the unspeakable gift of God who is the Mediator of the everlasting Covenant yea the Covenant is self who is given for a Leader to the People and who is made a Propitiation for Sin and Transgression to end both Sin Transgression and Unbelief which was the cause of the Addition of the Law who leads to the beginning again all that truly do believe and are worthy to be called true Christians or by the Name of Christ to have Union with God again in that Life Power Truth Righteousness and Wisdom in which the Image of God truly consists which was before Sin and Transgression and before the Law which was added because of it which was commanded four hundred and thirty Years after the Promise was made Gal. 3.17 Thirdly After Sin was entred and Death by Sin an unbelieving part got up in all the Sons of Adam so that they could not believe God nor his Promises and yet such was his love unto Mankind considering the State into which they were plunged for confirmation of his Word unto Man he Swore by himself this was the Lord's condescension unto their low and unbelieving Estate all that time and no way exemplary for Christians truly such who are come into the Faith and to the Truth in it self who do believe that all the Promises are fulfilled in Christ yea and Amen who is the Author of Faith and of eternal Salvation to them that believe Heb. 9.12 who prohibited that by his command Mat. 5.23 which sometimes was permitted yea and commanded yea and added because of Transgression and for which the Law and the command for Oaths was only added which he did not destroy because he leads from under the Power of that which the Law came against which is just and good and Holy and the Seed fulfills it and hath Unity with it and with him who is the Judge and Law-giver and Saviour of all that do believe in him from Sin and Transgression Fourthly At that time when the Law was given forth at Mount Sina Exod. 19.20 generally all the Nations were given to Idolatry and to serve and Worship strange Gods as Baal Ashtaroth Chemosh Rimphan and many others as the Gods of Samaria which were said to be according to the number of their Cities and their Idols were called the Sin of Samaria Amos saith They Swear by the Sin of Samaria that did say thy God O Dan lives and the manner of Barsheba lives even they shall fall and never rise again Amos 7.14 Which was no other then the Calves which Jeroboam set up at Dan and Bethel which they feared Worshipped and Swore by therefore God having chosen a peculiar People to himself to Worship and serve him and honour him who should not walk after the manner of the rest of the Nations who knew not God he commanded them to serve him and Worship him and Swear by his Name as Jerome saith well to keep them from Idolatry and that they should not Swear by the Gods of the Heathen as the rest of the Nations did round about yet still this must be considered that this State of the minority of the Jewish Church wherein God gave them Ordinances suitable to their State but it doth not follow neither can it be reasonably concluded that these Ordinances were to be perpetually binding unto all future Generations especially when Christ the Seed unâ—o whom all the Promises are in whom the Law is fulfilled and in whom the former Ministrations end that his Disciples and true Christians should always be bound to these things once commanded especially seeing Christ their Master in whom the Father is well pleased hath prohibited this about Swearing and also did Prophesie of the time to come after his Resurrection and his Ascension that those Visible things which were as a Ministration for a time should end as to the outward exercise and Typical and Figurative appearance of them and that all these things should be revealed within by the Spirit and felt in the Power of God in all that did believe when the Holy Ghost should be poured forth and the Promise of the Father be made manifest Fifthly Now considering that the Name of God is believed in and he is confessed unto and his Christ and that there is not that Idolatry especially outward as there was in the Nations before and after the Flood especially in that which is called Christendom though we dare not conclude that all are Israel that are of Israel or that all are Christians that have the Name yet generally I say the Name of God and his Christ is acknowledged and worshipped and not Idols and false God's therefore there is no necessity of Swearing by the Name of God as there was at the time of the giving forth of the Law but especially among them that the Father will reckon as truly his subjects and Disciples of Christ who are partakers of his divine Nature here is not that necessity among them for they through the Law being dead to it it hath no more Power over them and therefore no reason that they should be kept as under Tutors and Governours seeing that the Age and Ages is come which the Apostle spoke of Eph. 2.7 wherein Christ is revealed the hope of Glory and whom he makes free are free indeed Joh. 8.32 36. Sixthly and lastly The command of Oaths was given for the ending of Strife and Controversies among Men Heb. 6. which hath relation to the Law and to the State of the Jews and their Political proceedings the Apostle brings but that in as an instance or an example and
Gospel and what the Gospel allows of in this particular the Apostle Paul a Minister of the Gospel not of the Letter as he saith himself which some interpret to be the Law citeth this Prophesie of Isa. 45.23 compare it with Rom. the 14 ver 11. for it is written where in Isaiah before cited As I live saith the Lord every Knee shall bow unto me and every Tongue shall confess to God and in Philippians the 2.10 11. That at the Name of Jesus whom the Father hath sent whom all is to obey unto whom all Power is given in Heaven and Earth the Apostle citing again the very words of the Prophet says unto him viz. Jesus every Knee shall bow and ver the 11. and that every Tongue shall confess to the Glory of God the Father so that it cannot be reasonably thought or judged that if God had required Swearing by his Name among Christians as among the Jews that the Apostle thus should alter the words as to put confessing instead of Swearing seeing he sayes he used always plainness of Speech for this had not been plainness and we have better reason to believe the Apostle unto whom the Gospel was committed whom the Son was revealed in who declared the whole Counsel of God and yet never either commanded or exhorted any to Swear or reproved them for not Swearing by the Name of God as the Jews did in all his writings that are extant I say we have better Ground to believe him and his rendering of the words of the Prophet to be according to the mind of Christ where he puts in confession to the Christians which before was Swearing to the Jews as being acquainted with the command of Christ Mat. 5.23 Swear not at all and what-ever A. S. look upon it as to be Heresie and derogatory both to the Sâ—riptures and God himself it is not much matter of Man's Judgment he might as well accuse Christ and the Apostle the one forbidding to Swear and the other for deminishing from the Scripture and altering the Prophets words and though it seems strange to A. S. yet it is not to us that some Men were commanded in the Old Testament for observing some things yea many things which are condemned in the New and yet God is not dishonoured neither the Scripture broken if we see the end of every command and the time for which it served and the Service for which it served as this about Oaths hath been sufficiently declared before to keep the Jews from Idolatry to end Strife among them where it was but among true Christians indeed Strife is ended and Peace is come and they seek it with all Men and that is done away for which the Law was added to wit Sin and Transgression diffidence and Unbelief and Strife and no necessity of them among them and all the morality that doth remain is confession or saying or Testimony in true words in any matter is that which is equivalent with an Oath and is that which is the most conform to Christ and the Apostles Doctrine under the Gospel but I come to his last Argument Twelfth and last Argument The consent of the Christian World the practice of Emperours Kings Princes Councils Bishops and People of all sorts confirm this Truth that Christ notwithstanding these Words Swear not at all had never forbidden Swearing as altogether unlawful 'T is true some of the Fathers in their Homilies and to the People inveighed much against Swearing as though it had been altogether unlawful but it was only against Customary Oaths Chrysostome in his Homily to the People of Antioch preached so much against Swearing that the People were offended he told them he would never leave that Sermon till they would leave that prophane Custome of Swearing but the Fathers were less cautelous but with great Vehemency enveigh'd against common Swearing in ordinary Discourse but not at all intending to take away necessary Oaths but Origen in his first Book against Celsus God is witness of my Conscience and Athanasius yet vehemently declaimed against prophane Swearing yet in his Apology to the Emperour Constantius he Sware again and again the Lord is witness and his Christ is witness All whith clearly shews they did not disallow the voluntary taking an Oath much less in Judical proceedings and the Reformed Churches and the Church of England and the whole Catholick Church in all times and places approved this Doctrine that all Swearing is not unlawful so that it follows that the Church in all Ages was so ignorant as not to understand Christ's meaning or so wicked as to Teach and Practise quite contrary or else Christ never meant to forbid all kind of Swearing to assert the former were to profess all that went before either Dunces or Devils Reply Whatever A. S. concludes thinks he hath not such a consent among Christians as he makes a great flourish of it 's manifest by what hath been said Christ prohibited it amongst his Disciples Swear not at all and likewise James the Apostle agrees in the same Doctrine and the rest of the Apostles also all the Primitive Christians were esteemed so strict exact and cautious of their asserting or promising that there was no need of an Oath among them they kept up the sactity credit of their Posession yea among Unbelievers that it was security enough in all cases to say Christianus sum I am a Christian as Justin Martyr asserts and if they were urged any further to any Oath for matter or manner they repeated this as the only satisfaction they could give there needed no more then the Veracity of their bare record and thus much Bishop Gauden confesseth and also in the 36. page of his Book he says The Ground or Foundation for Swearing now is the Wickedness and unbelief of Men but Christians truly such are brought out of Evil and Wickedness Unbelief and Distrust and there is no necessity among them either publick or private to Swear at all Polibus observes in the better and simpler Ages of the World Oaths were seldom used in Judicatures but after Unbelief and Lying increased Oaths increased as a only remedy to cure and restrain those Evils but let it not be said that those are Christians that name Christ's Name and depart not from Iniquity and since the perilous times came on that the Apostle spoke that Men would not abide sound Doctrine but be lovers of themselves that should have a Form of godliness and deny the Power thereof such went out of the Truth and went into the World and the world went after them and the false Church began to rise to dignity and have the Name of Christian though she consented not to the wholsome Doctrine of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Swear not at all but perverted this as she hath done many other Doctrines and beguiled thc Kings of the Earth and held out her Golden Cup of Fornication and made Emperours Kings and Princes drunk with her Fornication Rev.
God's Creation when all was blessed and at Peace and in Unity and Harmony one with another when Man was the Image of God and you through the rich Mercy and Love of God being called to believe in the Hope and Promise of God and having waited and obtained Life through Jesus Christ whom the Father hath given for Life and the Covenant thereof and of Peace unto all that believe I say it being given unto you of the Father to believe and receive him whom the Father hath sent to restore again all even all receive the free Gift and close therewith according as the Father tenders him unto all believing and obeying his Voice they come to witness Restoration and to be delivered from Darkness and Death and every evil Way and Work into perfect Freedom in due time and to serve the living God in Righteousness and Holiness and to be made Partakers of his precious Promise and of the Kingdom Power and Glory of God that fades not away and of Life eternal and Peace and Joy in the holy Ghost now and forever and makes all his chosen Ones who believe in his Name Partakers of his piteous and long Suffering and of his heavenly and spiritual Blessings in Christ Jesus to whom be Glory forever and ever Amen I say because the Lord hath chosen you and hath wrought Change in you and brought you out of their Pathes whose Habitations are full of Cruelty all that are in Bondage hate you and your Freedom and your Life and Way and there can be no Reconciliation no Concord in the Ground for as it was of old time even so now since Cain slew his Brother so all the Children of the Flesh of the Bond-woman and of the World hated them that were born of the Spirit and were redeemed up unto God to live unto him and glorifie him forever by shewing forth by a holy Conversation that they were so called and chosen of God I hope the Consideration of these things and the Knowledge of them dwells with you and in your Hearts and you see you are joyned to a blessed Company and an holy Assembly who are gone before and are entred into Rest and have precious Fellowship with them who now remain alive unto this Day who have Fellowship with the Father and the Son and in all our Trials and Afflictions are afflicted with us although you have had Exercises above many and have walked through the Region and Shadow of Death inward and outward yet the Lord hath upholden you unto this Day that you may bear in Mind his great and dreadful and wonderful Works and fear before him land honour him and speak Good of his Name and worship him in the Beauty of Holiness which he hath led you into and glorifie him in his Temple comfort and strengthen one another in the Truth and let not the World neither the fading Glory of it overcome your Hearts but in the Dominion of God stand over the World and its Temptations lest you be entangled that you cannot run with Patience and follow the Lord in the Cross the Dayes of our Pilgrimage go on apace the time is short all outward Suffering will have an End and Wrath shall cease to be any more happy are they that continue in the Patience for this Moment of time we have to follow the Lamb here through the War and Tribulation Victory is at the End thereof in the mean time God by his holy Spirit gives daily Hints of his Love in the inward Man unto all stay'd Minds and Assurance of the Victory which makes me often overlook present Suffering and forget the Afflictions that are past and little to heed present things though they seem to frown because the Light of God's Countenance is lifted up and his Favour and Love and strengthning Power felt in the inward Man which ballances all and weighs down the Scale of present Trouble and Affliction so that hard things are become easie and ponderous things light look not out at Trouble and Hardship but rather admire the great Goodness of God that hath so much restrained the Wrath of Men which was great and hath made some of it to turn to his Glory he hath made void the Intention of the prudent and hath turned Counsel backward and hath frustrated the Expectation of the proud and lofty who took Counsel together even as of old against the Lord and his anointed yet for all this God hath established his Son on the holy Hill of Sion and his Saints reign with him sure you cannot but have taken notice of these things and of the Out-goings of the Lord and have considered his handy-Works and say with me the Lord hath created Deliverance upon Mount Sion and hath appeared to the Joy of the Righteous and his Enemies he is making as the Dust under his Feet and is scattering the Devices of the Sons of fallen Adam and making them as the Chaff of the Summer Floor which the Wind scattereth Friends what shall I'say unto you that I love you ye know that it 's no less neither diminuished to the faithful I now give you to know I often remember you upon my Bed and not only so but before the Lord whom I know hath a Regard unto the Supplications of the upright and their Prayers are as Incense and from whom he smells a sweet Savour and gives them to feel and know it in their Hearts so that they come unto him with Confidence having Access through Jesus our Life and Joy unto whom be Glory and Honour forever and ever Amen Dearly beloved what shall I say to comfort your Hearts and stir up your Minds to the Exercise of his Grace in you but the plenteous Harvest of the Lord is come wherein they that have sown to the Spirit and have walked in Obedience thereunto do reap the plenteous Fruits of Righteousness Peace Joy Assurance and pure and perfect Consolation so that all Cause of Complaint is taken away Glory to the Lord forevermore the Vintage is ripe the Press is full and many Fatts overflow because of Plenty and many are filled with the Fatness of God's House the new Wine is drunk that comes from the pure and living Vine Christ Jesus Clusters of heavenly Grapes are possessed better by far then them the Spies brought from Eshcoll which may animate all your Hearts and encrease your Faith and Hope and further this I say unto you God is ready to give bountifully unto all if you be ready to receive and meet to digest his heavenly Food and I am sure you cannot want any good thing neither will his Consolation be withhâ—lden from you but that which the Prophet Hosea prophesied concerning Israel and the Blessings that should come upon them The Lord shall hear the Heavens and they shall hear the Earth and the Earth shall hear the Corn and Wine and Oyl and they shall hear Israel the same you shall feel inwardly to the Satisfaction of all your Souls the
Estate and Dominion and Vnity with God and all the Creatures and how the Lamb came to be sâ—ain and the World that lay in Wickedness came to be framed in Man after the Tempter entred how endless Misery came in upon all after the Transgression p. 185. VI. How Sin entred into the World and Death by Sin and how Man is dead while he lives and all are dead Works that he acteth and the States of all the Sons of Men and their Works may be seen in the Fall p. 177. VII Three Objections answered about this Particular p. 189. VIII Self Righteousness Deeds of Darkness also and dead Works are to be condemned also and Man who acteth them in the Fall p. 191. IX An Objection answered as to the present State of the Ministry of the Nations their Practice and their Worship p. 192. X. How all Men in the Degeneration and in the Fall have corrupted themselves and been Idolaters in every Administration being gone from the Life and Power of God in themselves and having lost the Power of God Man can neither Worship Honour nor Obey God aright p. 196. XI How the Woman that travailed in Birth who was clâ—athed with the Sun and brought forth the Man-Child fled into the Wilderness when the Dragon had Power and the Man-Child was caught up to God p. 211. Darkness and Ignorance expelled by the Light shining forth and the Appearance of the Day p. 217. The Popish Inquisition newly erected in New England wherein their Church is manifested to be a Daughter of Mystery-Babylon p. 237. The Works of Darkness brought to Light and reproved In Answer to John Wells concerning the Word the Gospel and the Way to Christ p. 262. The Mouth of the Pit stopped In Answer to a lying Story called Hell broke loose p. 275. The Heart of New-England hardened through Wickedness In Answer to a Book entituled The Heart of New-England rent p. 299. An Information and Advice to the Army and Committee of Safety p. 324. One Warning more unto England before she give up the Ghost and be buried in the Pit of Darkness p. 333. One of Anti-christ's Volunteers defeated and the true Light vindicated In Answer to a Book called Ignis satuus p. 344. To all Friends and Brethren who have been called of the Lord into that Place of New-England to bear their Testimony for the Lord to the answering of his Witness in every ones Conscience p. 369. The Deceiver of the Nations discovered and his Cruelty made manifest p. 372. Some Openings of the Womb of the Morning to all the Princes of Germany and People who profess the Name of Jesus Christ in those Dominions p. 383. The Glory of the true Church discovered as it was in its Purity in the primitive Times also a Manifestation how and when the Apostacy came in p. 401. I. The State of the true Church from the Manifestation of Christ in the Flesh to the End of the Apostles Dayes p. 407. II. The entring in of the Apostacy and the Declination from the Purity of Doctrine Worship and Practice and when it began p. 411. III. The Reformed and Separated Congregations called Parochial proved to be in the Apostacy compared with the Primitive Times in Worship and Practice p. 417. IV A few Words shewing unto all how they may come out of the Apostacy to the true Church which is in God the Lamb's Wife p. 422. V. Concerning baptizing or sprinckling Infants p. 424. VI. Concerning the Sign of the Cross and ordaining of Parish-Churches p. 426. VII Concerning Swearing by the Gospel as it is called and kissing the Book and Bishopping of Children p. 427. VIII Concerning Fasts Feasts and Holy Dayes their Institutors and Founders in the Apostacy p. 430. IX Concerning Priests Vestures and Bells which are practised amongst Christians as Apostolick Institutions p. 431. X. Concerning the Mattens and singing of Psalms by Course in Musical Tunes and Supplications and short Prayers called Letanies â—hâ—ir Authors shewn p. 433. XI Concerning the Passeover and Lord's Supper and the Ceremonies about it p. 436. XII Concerning Ministers and their Office under the Law and under the Gospel p. 438. XIII Concerning the Ten Persecutions under the Heathen Emperors how divers vain Traditions and Institutions got up among the Christians in those Times and Constitutions among the Eastern and Western Churches after the Apostacy was entered in the first Three and Four Hundred Years after Christ p. 443. XIV Of the Decrees and Ordinances of the Church of Rome which are holden out for Apostolical Ordinances and Institutions p. 457. XV. Concerning the General Councils since the Apostles Dayes which belonged to the Church of Rome their Decrees not infallible but contradicting one another p. 460. XVI Concerning the Worship of God and whether Kings and Rulers ought to compel in spiritual Things declared and some Scriptures cleared and several Objections answered about this Thing p. 463. XVII Concerning Oaths in the first Covenant and the Lawfulness thereof and the Vnlawfulness thereof discovered in the New Covenant in the Gospel-Times though the Apostates mingle Ordinances of both together p. 469. XVIII Tythes in their first Institution unto whom they were due according to the Command of God declared and that Tythes are no Way Lawful to be received neither sought for by any who are Ministers of the New-Covenant and the Everlasting Gospel proved out of Scriptures and Antiquity p. 476. XIX Respecting of Persons and complemental Bowings and worshipping one another and flattering Titles are no good Manners but are in the Transgression and have been anciently reproved and condemned p. 487. XX. Vniversities and Schools of Natural Learning were of no Vse as to the making of Ministers of Christ in the Primitive Times but a Thing introduced and brought in in latter Ages by the Apostates who had erred from the Spirit and then admired and set up Natural Languages and Philosophy that thereby they might be furnished to make Discourses Speeches and Sermons to get Money by and as they are holden up at this Day are made an absolute IDOL p. 490. The Rock of Ages exalted above Rome 's Imagined Rock on which her Church is builded p. 497. I. What the true Religion is and where it is demonstrated p. 501. II. The Church of Rome proved to be the false Church p. 502. III. The Pope proved not to be the Head of the true Church and Christ proved to be the Head of the Body which is his Church and the Rock upon which his Church is built p. 505. IV. Purgatory proved to be an erroneous Doctrine which is held forth by the Papists and their Praying for the Dead proved to be another false Doctrine not commended nor practised by Christ or his Apostles p. 507. V. The Papists Doctrine which saith Christ is really and personally in the Mass and in the Eucharist to be Blasphemous and great Idolatry p. 508. VI. The Papists Mass and their Ceremonies proved not to be Apostolical p. 511. VII
of the Life was not good for that was out of God's Order and Appointment for nothing in man or without man of all that God had made was to stir or act without Commandments now the Son was not honoured by man's Falling but both the Father and the Son was Dishonoured and now the Son or power was not revealed by the Fall but vailed as from men so the foggy Mists of Darkness are scattered the blind doctrines of the VVorld and VVaste Object Some will be ready to say how dost thou say he was in Dominion everlasting then how should he fall that lasted but a while Answ. I say he was made by the Word which abides forever and in it which was in the Beginning with God and was God and God's Son and his Dominion is an everlasting Dominion and his Throne is established in Righteousness forever and ever and in it self it is what it was ever and after the Fall retained the same Power and Authority in it self and so will do forever Man's Power stood in it only out of it he had none so going out of it dyed to it and not any more Power to do or to will or to order or to rule any things but by it but he lost the Feeling of it and the Guidance of it the Virtue of it and Life of it and became dead to it and alive in his Heart and Mind to another Power to wit the Power of Deceit and to the Power of him which hath the Power of Death which is the Devil so God is clear no Fault in him nor in the Power nor Weakness in the Dominion and Authority which he had but Destruction meerly wholly and only of himself and he is to bear his own Burthen Thus man receiving in the Devil's Conceptions who was gone out of the Truth and became one with it feeding upon Knowledge without the Life this was evil thus Sin entered and Death by Sin man cut off from the Power from Life from the Dominion which he had in the Power now man is dead while he lives and in the Day he eat he dyed dead to the Power dead to the Life dead to Good dead to Truth dead to Purity dead to Righteousness estranged and alienated from it the Grave covers him Death hath Preeminence and bears rule and not Life and he gone into its Nature and loves it and imbraces it Oh sad Life oh sad State now his Life cursed which is Death he cursed all his Actions cursed all his Conception cursed all his Works cursed labouring in Sorrow in Travail and Pain and Grief and Sweat and Perplexity Now all may as in a line read the happy Estate of Man before the Fall the sad and deplorable Estate in the Fall which who can declare or who can measure or who can demonstrate the miserable Estate of man dead in Trespasses and Sins and Life swallowed up of Death Death and Destruction lives and man in it and now in the Grave God is not remembred but forgotten Now the World set in the Heart and the Earth in the Heart the Heart becomes earthly and vain Thorns and Bryars spring up and the Earth covers the slain now Death lives and man lives in and one with the enmity and in enmity against God who was before his Life man now in Chains of Darkness when any thing moves Heaven-ward the Power of Death draws the Mind down again into the Pit of Darkness now the Nature of all things in the Earth set in the Heart Beasts Rocks Hills Mountains Dogs Swine and brutish Creatures and man becomes brutish and vain they have all Dominion over him he is a Slave to all all rules over him and Death grew and dead Works brought forth he cannot now perform any thing whereby he can purchase the Love of God nor give a Ransom for his Soul now the Root of Bitterness grew and the Enmity and man in Lust and when his Lust is crost or his Will crost then the Enemy which liveth in him riseth he would kill that and destroy that imprison that and bring it into Bondage that the enmity might be Lord over all and bring the innocent into Bondage that which is nocent is set up and the higher Deceit grows in the Heart the more Stir it makes and the greater Destruction of that which crosseth it and here came in Oppression Murder Cruelty Tyranny Prisoning Imbondaging Revenge Maliciousness and Envy Rage Fury Headiness Pride this is all in the Curse and springs up from the Foundation of the World in the Heart and so being given Way unto and loved grows in Strength and Iniquity multiplies and the Beast grows and the Name great and numberless the Serpent's Root spreads forth it self and sprouts out in the earth and comes to grow great and is admired now the Deeds of Darkness and the Works of Darkness come to be many Envy Murder Adultery Fornication Uncleanness Riotousness Sporting Covetousness Defrauding Cheating Maliciousness Theft Dissimulation Feignedness Hypocrisie Witchcraft Cursed Speaking Railing Reviling Filthy Communication unsavoury Speeches Wantonness Lightness Foolish Jesting Idle Talking Vain Babling Back-biting Swearing Lying Cursing Blasphemy Slandering Pride Arrogancy Vain Boasting Contention Strife Emulation Mischief these and many more are now the Fruits of the degenerate Plant and dead Works and the Works of Darkness in man who was once a noble Plant a holy right Seed now the Fruits of Sodom and the Grapes of Gomorrah whom God destroyed and overthrew are brought forth and the whole Earth is filled with Violence and these be the Fruits that grow and are become great over all Nations which are wrought by the Devil the Father of Lyes who spoke of himself and works of himself in the Dark in the Night out of the Light out of the Day who went out of the Truth and now worketh in all the Children of Disobedience who are out of the Light and out of the Power and here are all the Sons of fallen Adam in the Curse under the Wo and these be the Works that are wrought and brought forth which have stained the Earth and the Father of them and man in whom they are wrought and the Works themselves are all for Condemnation never to be numbred among the Saints in Light nor among their Works Self-righteousness Deeds of Darkness also and dead Works which though they be not counted as bad as the former by them that act in them yet they are to be condemned also and man who acts them being in the Fall CAin who was the first begotten in the Full the Similitude Likeness and Image of Adam his Father who had transgressed and disobeyed and lost the Power and became dead to it Cain I say his express Image out of the Faith out of the Power he brought a Sacrifice and offered in the same Nature he slew his Brother with and envied him who was in the Faith and was accepted of the Lord through Faith in the Power of God I say in
might as reasonably have concluded that the high Priest rent his Cloaths and cryed Blasphemy not so much at thou hast said or I am as of this the next words nevertheless I say unto you ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the Power and coming in the Clouds of Heaven for then the next words are then the high Priest rent his Cloaths and cryed Blasphemy and then A. S. goes on It was enough that Christ denyed not to Swear and the sum of all or the most that he can make when he hath twined about with many Circumstances to prove that he did Swear or consented to Caiaph is adjuring and answered his adjuring this is all I am and thou hast said and therefore what either may or can be said A. S. hath concluded Christ did Swear yet Sect. 27. he tell us that the essence of Swearing is in calling God to Witness and how or where did Christ call God to witness then this overturns his own Argument seeing we do not read that Christ saied any more in his answer then as is aforesaid I am and thou hast said and he sayes To alledge that Christ Swear not because he laid not his Hand upon a Book or kissed or lifted up his Hand is but to trifle yet he says that Ceremony is Ancient as Chrysostome tells him that it 's above 1250. years since if it be but to trifle why are so many Conscientious People in bonds this day in England under a Premunire for these trifles a very shame to Christianity for where any or all of these have been denyed though they have answered the Truth and the whole Truth and as much as A. S. calls an Oath yet this hath been counted insufficient and we know Justinian the Emperour ordain'd the Ceremony that Men should Swearly the Gospel or Book and lay their hands thereon and kiss or the like and though it be so many Years since it was ordained as A. S. sayes this adds nothing to the warrantableness thereof but Custome is proof enough to such a Ceremonious Age as this when Formalities Ceremonies Gestures and Postures are more regarded then the power of God and Godliness and we say such a Ceremony about Swearing is not without the Appearance of evil for the Bible is a Creature made up of many Creatures and laying the Hand and kissing and ordering it in such manner is I know looked upon by many to be Swearing by it and so the most takes it and this were unlawful and therefore better to be wholely avoided then so many suffer because thy cannot do it besides as I said the evil appearance of it for it is not any Gospel Institution but an innovation since the Apostacy entred in and if God had ever judged any necessity thereof or that it had rendred an Oath more solemn the Law would have said something of it and it was never a practice among the Primitive Christians and therefore a vain Humane tradition crept in since which ought to be avoided and and though A.S. says to reply that Christ Swore not though Caiaphas adjured him is vain for an examinate is to answer both in matter and Form according to what is proposed I say it 's A. S. his vain supposition and presumption without Ground so to judge that Christ Swore I say sometime he held his Peace that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophet of him before that he should be as a Lamb dumb before the Shearer as sometime he was both to the chief Priests and Elders to Pilate and to Herod which were all in some Authority and sometime he answered them in the Wisdom of God and sometime he spoke and bore witness to that and Prophesied unto them which was not at all either as to the matter or form of the high Priests adjuring for the very next Words but thou hast said nevertheless I say unto you hereafter shall you see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the Power and coming in the Clouds of Heaven Mat. 26.64 and therefore these show A. S. his Argument to be frivolous and vain and Mark saith the chief Priests accused him of many things Mark 15.3 but he answered nothing either to their accusations or took notice of the high Priests adjuring to answer him in matter and form as A. S. would have it neither did he look upon himself so oblig'd but answered sometime and spoke the Truth alwayes when he spoke and that which alwayes displeased and dissatisfied the Jews when he answered and for ought can be perceived by his arguing that every Examinate is to answer directly to every matter and form to any that pretends Power to administer an Oath or to adjure he goes about to establish the Popes Inquisition and create matter as sometime they did here in England in the height of the Popes domination forged matter out of their own wicked Hearts to ensnare the Lambs of Christ and then to require them to Swear that they might destroy them and accuse them out of their own Mouths even as the high Priest sought to destroy Christ and to ensnare him which methinks A. S. hath said too much in Vindication of his adjuring and will needs have Christ to be of his mind and at last concludes that Christ Swore but it s but upon his own presumption and supposition and is more then ever he is able to make evident from what is written And A. S. tells us over and over again Swearing was a part of God's Worship wherein God's wisdom Power and justice is acknowledged and then incommunicable to any Creature or false God as is answered before so was Circumcision then and the Oblations and Burnt Sacrifice and Offerings and new Moons to be performed only to the Lord and were peculiarly to be performed unto God and not communicable to any Creature and we say and prove Deut. 6.13.10.20 that these were a part of the service and Worship of God and which as we shall grant that an Oath under the Law was commanded as well as these Services or in his own terms an Oath was equally commanded with his Service as is proved above In this he hath no Adversary but what doth this prove in respect of his Argument which makes it more then equally commanded for he will yield that these services were but temporary but Swearing is perpetual and so he hath given it a priority above the rest his Argument all along hath been chiefly drawn from the Mosaick Law that it was joyned equally with Fear and Service under the Law and so hath striven without an Adversary but now it must needs be above the service of God then and yet from the same command he would only prove it for he hath no better strength nor Ground and we may as well alledge as he doth and say consequently to this sort of Service that was commanded by the Lord as well as Swearing for God hath joyned
them together in the Text above said and obligeth equality at all times as well under the Gospel as under the Law yet then A. S. would call this absurd if it be so as it is indeed then we may as well conclude the other absurd because one is standing as well as the other and binding as well as the other by the vertue of this command although he tells us that an Oath in its Substance hath not any Type at all so we say for the substance is Christ the Oath of God in whom all the Promises and Oaths are fulfilled and this is its substance but as under the Law it was a Type of the Substance and not the substance it self and that Circumcision the Passover and the legal Offerings under the Law had as much goodness in them as Oaths had what-ever A. S. sayes and served to as good ends and purposes in that Ministration as they were ordained and conduced as much to the Glory of God and were subservient to but not against the morality of the Gospel for the shadows were not against the substance nor the Ceremonials against the Morals though the Apostle says the Law is not of Faith yet not against it for as ministerial as the Ordinances of the Law were to the Gospel then yet the Gospel may be and now is without it But to conclude this Argument A. S. Were it so indeed that Oaths were Ceremonial then it follows that Christ in this Text did not forbid them for he did not forbid the Ceremonial Law but observed it all his Life eating the Passeover with his Disciples the Night before his Death unless some would Interpret his Words I command you that you do not Swear yet I am content for a Year or two you may Swear by Heaven or Earth as you have been accustomed but after my Crucifixion and Resurrection Swear no more and there let these that disallow Swearing as a part of the Ceremonial Law Argue no more the unlawfulness of Swearing from these Words Swear not at all Reply Though Christ did observe the Ordinances of the Law as being that Ministration appointed by God until the time of Reformation and the bringing in of a better Hope Heb. 9. It became him to fulfill all Righteousness so was he Circumcised and eat the Passover and was Baptized washed the Disciples Feet which were not enjoyned by the Law though not against it and that Ministration not fully ended though he see it must end and spoke of a further thing and of the time then and also it should be ministred more afterward after his Resurrection Joh. 4.20 21 22 23. The time cometh and now is neither at Jerusalem nor this Mountain but they that Worship the Father shall worship him in Spirit and Truth so that he Prophesied of the end of all those things and of the cessation of them which were sometime commanded respecting both the place and the Worship and to them that did believe the Disciples unto whom it'was given to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God then was the time to them it was come even then before Christ suffered and therefore A. S. his Consequence is not true that Christ did not forbid all Swearing from this Text and though he had both Prophesied of a clearer Ministration and laid down in Doctrine a more Evangelical precept then the Law yea and more strict obedience yet notwithstanding many did still hold up these things which the Law commanded though they believed well of Christ yea after his Suffering and Resurrection and that a long time though that the Apostles told them the Substance was come and that there was no more Offering for Sin nor Oblations neither legal Observations to be minded any more yet still many observed them and doubtless as to that formal Swearing that was among the Jews and that vain Swearing too many did continue in it afterward notwithstanding Christ's command but then not submitting made not his command void in it self and there is no necessity to make such an absurd Interpretation as that he permitted them to Swear for a Year or two by Heaven and Earth and then at his passion to Swear no more for after he gave forth the command there was no Permission and yet afterward as I said the Apostles declared against the Shadows and preached up the Substance and as A. S. confesseth the types ceased of themselves but let him know there was a time of Dying to them and they ceased not all at once to them that had observed the Law neither were the Mysteries revealed all at once but as they grew in Faith and Knowledge for the Righteousness of God is revealed from Faith to Faith and though the legal Observations were observed in Christ's time so were they after by many but by right ended in the substance and when he was come though many did not see it till afterward But I come to his 11th Argument Eleventh Argument No exposition of the Text oâ— any other is to be admitted that puts inconsistency betwixt the Old Testament and the New seeing both are Inspired by the same God who is incapable of falshood or alteration whereupon if we be not so atheistical as to deny the veracity or immutability of the most high Tit. 1.2 it must be granted that his word is of eternal Truth Jam. 1.17 his Promises yea and Amen his precepts more unalterable then the Laws of the Medes and Persians nor did our Saviour come to destroy but to fulfill the Law thereupon he enjoyns obedience to the commands of the Pharisees as sitting in Moses 's Chair Mat. 23.2 3. from all which it is apparent that the Old Testament is so far from being contradicted that it is fully confirmed in the New therefore I may well draw this conclusion that these words Swear not at all ought not to be interpreted as to render all Swearing unlawful Deut. 6.13 Psal. 63.11 not without Promise of reward Jer. 12.16 and it was Prophesied before by Isaiah that Christians under the Gospel should Swear Isaiah 19.18 and 4. and 23. and I look upon it as a piece of Manichisme and extremely derogatory both to the Scripture and God himself therefore what moral duty one Man was commanded in the Law another should be condemned in the new Reply 'T is true no exposition of this Text or any other is to be admitted that puts such a difference betwixt the old and new Testaments in matter of Substance but shall agree with Austin The Law is the Gospel vailed and the Gospel is the Law revealed and what was Prophesied and typified in the first is fulfilled in the latter but what shall be thought of them that hold up the Types and Figures of the first as though they were not fulfilled or as though the Promise was not come and he made manifest in whom all Shadows end and though God be unchangeable in himself and incapable of falshood or alteration and I know none who