A CONFESSION AND Profession of Faith IN GOD By his People who are in scorn called QVAKERS ALSO SHEWING That the People of God are no Vagabonds nor Idle Dissolute Persons nor Jesuites though they wander up and down and pass from one Country to another and from one Nation to another as they are moved of the Lord in his service And this is to clear the Truth from all false Aspersions By R. FARNSVVORTH London Printed for Giles Calvert at the Black-spread-Eagle near the VVest-end of Pauls 1958. A CONFESSION AND PROFESSION OF Faith in God c. TO all true (a) Act. 11.26 Christians Gods (b) 1 Pet. 1.1 2 3 4 5. Elect and (c) Phil. 1.1 2. Saint of the most High God who are begotten by the (d) 1 Pet. 1.22 23. Joh. 3.5 6 Immortal Word and born again of Water and the Spirit The Church (e) Col. 1.18 Eph. 1.22 23. Eph 5.26 27. of which Christ Jesus is in the Holy Scriptures declared to be the Head And to all faithful moderate People whomsoever wheresoever and by what Names and Title soever known by or distinguished to or amongst the sons of men know ye hereby assuredly That we who of the world are slanderously reported as the people of God were in former ages Rom. 3.8 and who are reproachfully called Quakers do profess and confess testifie own believe and declare as followeth THat we Profess and Confess Faith in God the Father and in Jesus Christ his eternal Son the true God and in the Holy Spirit And we do acknowledge the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the Words of God This we testifie and we are not ashamed to Confess and Profess Faith in God the Father and in Christ Jesus his eternal Son and in the Holy Spirit as the Scriptures saith but we do believe in them and acknowledge subjection and dutiful obedience unto them viz. The Father Son and Holy Spirit And moreover we do hereby declare and testifie to all true Christians Gods Elect what God we do own and profess Faith in even in that God that appeared unto Abraham the Father of the Faithful when Abraham was ninty nine years old and said unto him I am the Almighty God walk before me and be thou perfect Gen. 17.1 The everlasting God Gen. 21.33 The God of Heaven and Earth Gen. 24.3 The God of Truth who is just and right and without iniquity Deut. 32.3 4. The faithful God that keepeth Covenant and Mercy with them that love him and keepeth his Commandments to a thousand Generations Deut. 7.9 The faithful and merciful God who will not suffer his to be tempted above that which they are able but will with the temptation also make a way to escape that they may be able to bear it 1 Cor 10.13 1 Sam. 2.3 1 Sam. 2.2 He is a God of knowledge and by him actions are weighed 1 Sam. 2.3 Neither is there any Rock like our God 1 Sam. 2.2 As for God his way is perfect the Word of the Lord is tryed he is a buckler to all them that put their trust in him 2 Sam. 22.31 and therefore he is worthy to be believed and have Faith in him professed for who is God save the Lord and who is a rock save our God 2 Sam. 22.32 33. He is the great the mighty and the terrible God Neh. 9.32 That God who is the King of all the earth Isa 45.21 22. Isa 45.5 who reigneth over the Heathen and sitteth upon the throne of his Holiness Psal 47.7 8. A just God and a Saviour Isa 45.21 22. Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel and his Redeemer The Lord of Hosts I am the first and I am the last and besides me there is no God as you may read Isa 44.6 Isa 43.11 12. Who is a God near at hand as well as a far off Jer. 23.23 That God who dwelleth in the high and holy place with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit Isa 57.15 Yea the God of patience and consolation Rom. 15.5 the God of hope Rom. 15.13 Iude 25. and that God who is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of all Mercies and the God of all Comfort 2 Cor. 1.3 The God of Love and Peace 2 Cor. 13.11 The King eternal immortal invisible the only wise God 1 Tim. 1.17 God who is Light and in him is no darkness at all 1 Joh. 1.5 The only true God Joh. 17.3 and the Lord our God is one Lord Mark 12.29 For there is one God Mark 12.29 30 31 32 33 34. 1 Cor. 8.5 6. and there is none other but he Mark 12.32.34 And there is none other God but one 1 Cor. 8.4 Isa 44.8 And this is God the Father which we own and profess Faith in and in Christ Jesus his eternal Son who said I and my Father are one Joh. 10.30 upon which saying the Jews took up stones to stone him Joh. 10.30 31. yet notwithstanding the same Christ that the Jews hated we love believe in and own who was delivered up to be crucified for our offences and was raised again for our justification Rom. 4.25 Who is the true God and him we own and profess Faith in and in the Holy Spirit God together equal with the Father and the Son one God over all God blessed for ever Isa 45.6 Joh. 10.30 Rom. 8 9 10 11. Eph. 4.4 5. Eph. 4.30 Rom. 9.5 1 Cor. 2.10 12. Joh. 4.24 Rom. 9.5 And unto us and al true Christians the Saints in Christ Jesus Phil. 1.1 It is given in the behalf of Christ not onely to beleeve on him but also to suffer for his names sake As you may read Phil. 1.29 As concerning the Scriptures c. That which in the holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament is declared and testifyed of to be the Word of God that we beleeve in own and confess to be the word of God according to the Scriptures And that the holy Scriptures of the old and new Testament as they are the Words of God so to be we own Knowing this first that no prophecie of the Scripture came in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the holy Ghost 2 Pet. 1.21 Who prophesied of the grace that should come unto the Saints and us in after ages searching what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signifie when it testified before-hand the Sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow unto whom it was revealed that not unto themselves but unto us they did Minister the things which are now declared unto you by them that have preached the Gospel unto you with the holy Ghost sent down from heaven 1 Pet. 1.10 11 12. And God spake all these words saying I am the Lord thy God c. Exod. 20. ch So the words and sayings of God we do not deny
the joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do seeing then that we have a great high Priest that is passed into the heavens Iesus the son of God Let us hold fast our profession Heb. 4.15 16. as the Scriptures saith and as you may read Heb. 4.12.13.14 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth that we should be a kinde of first fruits of his creatures as you may read Iam. 1.18 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness and receive with meekness the ingrafted word Jam. 1.21 which is able to save your souls as you may read Iames 1.21 As ye have therefore received Christ Iesus the Lord so walk ye in him Colos 2.6 7. The righteousness of faith speaketh on this wise say not in thy heart who shall ascend into heaven that is to bring Christ down from aboue or who shall descend into the deep that is to bring up Christ again from the dead But what saith it The word is nigh thee in thy mouth and in thy heart Deut. 30.11 12 13 14. that is the word of faith which we preach as the Scripture testifieth as you may read Rom. 10.6 7 8. For We preach not our selves but Christ Iesus the Lord as you may read 2 Cor. 4.5 6 7. Therefore they went every where preaching the word Act. 8.6 Then Philip went down to Samaria and preached Christ unto them Acts 8.5 Act. 8.5 And as concerning the Gospel of Christ and the Declaration of the Gospel we are not ashamed to confess for the Gospel it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that beleeveth for therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith as it is written the just shall live by his faith and as you may read Rom. 1.16 17. And as concerning the Declaration Moreover Brethren I declare unto you 1 Cor. 15.1 2 c. Lu 1.1 2. the Gospell which I preached unto you which also you have received and wherein ye stand by which also ye are saved unless ye have beleeved in vain for I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received how that Christ dyed for our sins according to the Scriptures and that he was buryed and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures c. as you may read in the Declaration of the Gospel 1 Cor. 15. But the word of the Lord endureth for ever And this is the word which by the Gospel is preached unto you Rom. 1.16 17. 1 Pet. 1.25 For this the mockers and scoffers that were foretold of and are come in these last dayes who walk after their own lusts 2 Pet. 3.3 they willingly are ignorant of That by the word of God the heavens were of old and the earth standing out of the Water and in the Water as the scripture saith and as you may read 2 Pet. 3.2 3 4 5. Whereby the World that then was being overflowed with Water perished ver 6. But the heavens and the earth which are now by the same word are kept in store reserved unto fire against the day of judgement and perdition of ungodly men as you may read 2 Pet. 3.7 For by the word of the Lord were the heavens made Psal 33.6 Therefore above all things take the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the Wicked and take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit which is the Word of God The * Rev. 19.13 15. Heb. 4.12 Eph. 6.17 Word of God is the sword of the spirit and the sword of the spirit is the word of God Wherefore pray alwayes with all prayer and supplication in the spirit for †Phil 4 6. 1 Pe 3.12 Rom 12.12 Joh 4.23 24. Phil 3.3 Ephes 4.4 5 6 7. prayer is an ordinance of God watch thereunto with al perseverance and supplication for all saints Eph. 10 17 18. Building up your selves ye beloved on your most holy faith praying in the holy Ghost as you may read Jud. 20. Rom 8.26 27. 1 Pet 4.7 And as we profess faith in God the Father and Christ Jesus his eternal son in the holy spirit as the scripture saith own the word of God prayer the ordinances worship of God in spirit truth acording to the scriptures so likewise among the rest we own Ministry Magistracy to be ordinances of God acording to the holy scriptures For as it saith there is one body one spirit one Lord one faith one baptism one God and Father so likewise it is said of Christ that when he ascended up on high he gave gifts unto men For he gave some Apostles some prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and teachers For this end that is to say the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministery for the edifying of the body of Christ til we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulnes of Christ as you may read Ep 4.7 8 9 10 11 12 13. See 1 Pet 4.10 11. Also see Rom 12.6 7 8. And let every soul be subject to the higher power for there it no power which the soul is to be subject to but of God whosoever therefore resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God and they that resist the power and ordinance of God shall receive to themselves damnation Rom. 13.1 2. For Rulers that rule for God in his power and ordinance as aforesaid they are not a terror to good works but to the evil But if they rule not in the power of God by which they are to discern and judge between good and evil it will be otherwise yet acting and ruleing in the power of God they are for the encouragement and praise of them that do well and so are to them the Ministers of God for good as you may read Rom 13.3 4. Concerning Magistracy that rules for God c. MOreover how Magistrates that rules for God according to thē holy scriptures of the old and new Testament are to be qualified and by what power and for whom they are to act The spirit of the Lord spake by me and the God of Israel said he that ruleth over men must be just fearing God as you may read 2 Sam. 23.2 3. Rulers for God must be just men and fearing God as God hath said and such are as the light of the morning when the sun ariseth without clouds ver 4. Therefore they that are so must needs be good examples and not hate the light in others nor them that walk in the pure Religion spoken of Jam 1.27 Which is
but own them so to be according to the Scriptures of the old and new Testament as aforesaid But unto the Wicked God saith What hast thou to do to declare my statutes or that thou shouldst take my covenant into thy mouth seeing thou hatest instruction and castest my words behind thee as you may read Psal 50.16 17. As the holy Scriptures are the words of God so the wicked are not allowed nor appointed by the Lord to preach or declare them as the statutes of God nor take his covenant into their mouth as God hath said And the reason is because they hate instructions and cast his words behind them But such as are instructed and taught of the Lord Isa 48.16 17 c. 1 Pet. 4.10 11. who love his Instruction and hear his word they may preach and declare his statutes c. as they are thereunto directed and led by the holy spirit of the Lord for the words of the Lord are pure words as silver tryed in a furnace of earth seven times purified as the Scriptures testifieth Psal 12.6 Have not I written unto thee excellent things in counsell and knowledge that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth that thou mightest answer the words of Truth to them that send unto thee Prov. 22.20 21. For the preparation of the heart in man that * Isa 50.4 5 Lu. 12.12 is taught of God and the answer of the tongue is from the Lord Prov. 16.1 And saith the Lord Ye shall lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul as you may read Deut. 11.18 And again saith the Lord observe and hear all these words which I command thee that it may go well with thee and as you may read Deut. 12.28 But saith the Lord if they had stood in my counsel and had caused my people to hear my words then they should have turned them from their evil ways and from the evil of their doings as you may read Ier. 23.21 And saith the Prophet Ieremiah Mine heart within me is broken because of the Prophets All my bones shake I am like a drunken man and like a man whom wine hath overcome because of the Lord and because of the words of his holiness as you may read Ier. 23.9 But if that true prophet of the Lord had been here now and his bones had shaked would he not have been mocked and reproachfully called A Quaker or Shaker c. and might he not have been excommunicated or cast out from amongst men as A Quaker without any just cause and all such also as trembled at the word of the Lord as many now adaies are and for being faithful to the Lord and owning his power and the words of his holiness as the true Prophet did But the Prophet Ezra saith as followeth Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel as you may read Ez. 9.4 And saith the Prophet Ezekiel The word of the Lord came unto me saying Son of man Eat thy bread with quaking and drink thy water with trembling c. Eze. 12.17 18 There was the word of the Lord that came to him and here are the words and sayings that proceeded from the word But if any eat their bread with Quakeing and drink their Water with trembling now according to the sayings of God declared from the word of the Lord will they not be mocked and called Quakers in much scorn And must they not for owning the power of God and his works be cast out from the societies of great professing men Would not such have cast out the Prophet Ezekiel and such as these Scriptures makes mention of if they had been here in these times Ezek. 12.17 18. Dan. 10.7 8 9 10 11. Iob 21.5 6. Iob 37.1 Psal 38.8 Psal 55.2 Psal 119.120 Isa 66.2 5. Ier. 23.9 Ier. 30.5.6 7. Acts 7.32 Heb. 12.21 And saith the Lord unto Moses who trembled at the word of the Lord and did fear †Act. 7.31 32. Heb. 12.21 and quake I will raise them up a Prophet from among their Brethren like unto thee and will put my words in his mouth and he shall speak unto them all that I command him Deut. 18.18 19 And saith the Lord by the Prophet I have put my words in thy mouth Isa 51.16 As for me this is my covenant with them saith the Lord my spirit that is upon thee my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seed nor out of the mouth of thy seeds seed saith the Lord from henceforth for ever as you may read Isa 59.21 Every word of God is pure he is a shield to them them that put their trust in him Ad thou not unto his words lest he reprove thee and thou be found a Lyar Prov. 30.5 6. And saith Christ Jesus the eternal son of God Math. 7.24 25 26.27 28 29. Joh. 15.7 2 Pet. 3.2 Jude 17. and the true God he that is of God heareth Gods words John 8.47 And because we are of God 1 John 4.6 and hear his words we are bound as a necessary duty to profess faith in him and do confess it before men And they that are ashamed to do it they may justly fear that Christ will be ashamed of them For saith Jesus Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation of him also shall the son of man be ashamed when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy Angels as you may read Mark 8. â—8 And that which in the holy Scriptures of the old and new Testament is declared by the holy Spirit to be the eternal word of God That we beleeve in own and confess to be the word of God which liveth and abideth forever as the Scriptures saith and as you may read 1 Pet. 1.22 23. Through faith we understand that the Worlds were framed by the word of God as you may read Heb. 11.3 God who as sundry times and in divers manners spoke in times past unto the Fathers by the Prophets hath in these last dayes spoken unto us by his Son whose name is called the word of God Rev. 19.13 Whom he hath appointed Heir of all things by whom also he made the worlds as you may read Heb. 1.1 2. And he upholdeth all things by the word of his power ver 3. In whom we have redemption through his bloud even the forgiveness of sins who is the Image of the invisible God for by him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth and he is before all things and by him all things consist as you may read Colos 1.14 15 16 17. For the word of God is quick and powerful John 1.1 2 3 4 5. sharper then any two edged sword pierceing even to the devideing asunder of soul and spirit and of
to visit the Widdows and Fatherless in their distress and to keep themselves unspotted of the World When the righteous are in authority the good people rejoice but when the wicked beareth rule the good people mourn Prov 29.2 For the righteous considereth the cause of the poor but the wicked regardeth not to know it verse 7. And if a Ruler hearken to lyes all his servants are wicked as you may read Prov 29.12 Therefore how just and upright ought Rulers to be that they may not encourage the wicked and cause them to rejoice in their wickedness and cause the godly to mourn and be sad Judges officers which God comanded and ordained in the time of old to be set up in all the gates throughout the Tribes 1. They was to judge the people with just Judgement 2. They were not to wrest Judgement 3. They was not to respect persons 4. They was not to take a gift for the Lord saith A gift doth blind the eyes of the wise And 5. They was not to pervert the words of the righteous But 6. That which was altogether just they was to follow as the Lord hath said and as you may read Deut. 16.18 19 20. And 7. When a controversie did arise between man and man so that it came before the Judges to be determined the Judges was enjoined by the Law of God to make diligent Inquisition to the end that they might before judgement find out the truth or falshood of the Witnesses and if the judge by diligent enquiry c. found out the Witness to be a false Witness and testifie a false thing against another 8. Then he was to have passed the same judgement upon the false Witness that he should have done upon the other that he witnessed against if his testimony had been true as you may read Deut. 19.15.16 to the end of the chapter Judges are forbidden by the Lord and by his Law to wrest the Judgement of the poor in his cause as aforesaid And 9. Judges and officers are required by the Law of God to keep them far from a false matter 10. the Lord doth forbid Judges for slaying by false judgement the innocent and righteous and again Judges are forbidden takeing a guift as you may read Exod. 23.6.7 8.11 Also the Lord saith Thou shalt not raise a false report 12. Nor put thy hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous Witness 13. Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evill 14. Neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgement the Lord doth forbid it Exod. 23.1 2. And Moses in his charge to the judges commandded and charged them First to hear the causes between their Brethren And 2. To judge righteously between every man and his Brother and the stranger that was with him And thirdly That they should not respect persons in judgement But 4. That they should hear the small as wel as the great And 5. That they should not be afraid of the face of man for saith he The judgement is Gods and the judgement that it too hard for you bring it unto me and I will hear it as you may read Deut. 11.16 17 18. Deut. 16.18 19 20. And by the Law of God he is pronounced accursed that perverteth the judgement of the Stranger fatherless and widow Deut. 17.19 Jehoshaphat the King of Judah when he returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem 2 Chron 19.1 He set Iudges in the Land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah City by City Ver 5. And charged them or said to the Iudges 1. Take heed what ye do 2. For ye judge not for man 3. But for the Lord 4. Who is with you in judgement Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you take heed and do it 5. For there is no Iniquity with the Lord our God 6. Nor respect of persons 7. Nor takeing of guifts And he charged them saying Thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord and with a perfect heart See 2 Chron 19.5 6 7 8 9. And such Judges Magistrates and Officers we own and honour in our hearts and souls who rule for God by the holy spirit and according to the holy Scriptures of the old and new Testament God is our Witness that we ly not And if any would have such owned to rule for God and honored with the honor given from God who are not led by his holy Spirit but act contrary thereunto and contrary to the holy Scriptures then speak it out plain For all such as are owned and honored by the only true God we honour and own And as concerning the office and duty of Rulers and Magistrates or officers and Ministers according to the new Testament He that ruleth for God must rule with diligence Rom 12.8 One that ruleth well his own house in the first place 1 Tim 3.4 Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour 1 Tim. 5.17 For Rulers that rule by the power of God are not a terror to good works but to the evil wilt thou then not be afraid of the power do that which is good and then thou shalt have praise of the same as you may read Rom 13.3 Is any power for the praise and encouragement of those that do good but the power of God and is not that the highest power which every soul is required to be subject to if the soul be not required to be subject to any powers but the powers of God which are the higher powers then ought every Ruler amongst men before they rule for God having Souls to let their souls in the first place be subject to the higher powers which be of God And then being ordained and impowered by the power of God to rule for him they will not be a terror to good works because good works they are brought forth by vertue of the power of God and by the same power in him and powers comunicated by him to men to rule for him they are to be defended and encouraged by the men of God that rule and minister for him to the praise of his but to the evil Whose works proceeds from the power of the Devil 1 Joh 3.8 10 12. They are a terrour who are in Gods power ordained and impowered to be Ministers of his justice and peace wilt thou not then as aforesaid be afraid of the power of God do that which is good and thou shalt have praise of the same For he that rules therein is the minister of God to thee for good but if thou do that which is evil be afraid for he beareth not the sword in vain for he is the minister of God and therefore ought to discern between good and evil to the end that he may not discourage them that do well under pretence that they do evil nor to encourage them that do evil under pretence that they do well For if he err from the power of
God and want discerning he may turn his sword against that which it is to defend and preserve where it is not born in vain and for want of discerning and being gone astray as aforesaid may nourish vice and profanenes so be a discourager of them that do well and an encourager of them that do evil if he know not the power of God or be erred from the same and have not his soul in subjection to it That he may know them that in the power of God have their souls subjected thereunto and are doing good by vertue of the same and abstaining also from evil in all its appearances Therefore whosoever resisteth the power of God by which his ministers of justice are ordained to rule for him they resist the ordinance of God and shall receive to themselves damnation Rom 13.1 2 3 4. And to that power and ordinance of God are we subject for conscience sake Rom 13.5 And the Law is good if a man use it lawfully Knowing this that the Law is not made for the punishment of a righteous man but for the lawless and disobedient for the ungodly and for sinners for unholy and profane for murderers for manslayers for whoremongers for them that defile themselves with mankind for men-stealers for lyars for perjured persons and such like being the fruits of the flesh and as you may read 1 Tim 1.8 9 10. Galat 5.18 19 20 21. But the fruit of the spirit is love peace long-suffering gentleness goodness faith meekness and temperance against which there is no Law as you may read Gal 5.22 Gal 5.24 25 26. 23. And they that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts and are neither desirous of vain glory nor of provoking and envying one another ver 24 26. Written the 3. day of the 10. month commonly called Decemb 1657. Who are no Idle Wandering Dissolute Persons nor Jesuites and who are no Vagabonds c. SVch as are moved and directed and commanded by the Lord God and his Spirit to go and declare his mind and will by the Assistance and according to the appointment thereof though they goe from one Nation and Country to another accordingly as aforesaid yet notwithstanding they are neither Idle Wandering Dissolute persons nor Iesuites nor Vagabonds Abraham was called out of his Fathers house Gen 12.4 Read Ge. 12. ch Gen 13. c. and native place to go abroad according to the directions of the Lord and did so and were as a stranger and sojourner in a strange Land yet he were neither an Idle wandering dissolute person nor Jesuite nor Vagabond no more are his seed now though falsely they are accused to be so Moses went down into Egypt from Midian Exod 3.1 Exo 38.9 c. where he had been a keeper of Jethro 's sheep to do the will of the Lord yet he were neither an idle wandering person nor a Jesuite or Vagabond though Pharaoh the king then of Egypt falsly accused the servants of the Lord to be idle fellows or to take the people off from their work And Pharaoh the king regarded not the words of the Lords messengers but accounted them vain and as the false accusing spirit did then so doth it now though the persons guided thereby profess more then Pharaoh did and accuseth them to be idle wandring dissolute persons or Jesuites and Vagabonds that are not no more then Moses the servant of the Lord was then Elijah the servant of the Lord was not an idle wandring dissolute person nor a Jesuit nor Vagabond Exod 5 4.5 6 7 8 9 vers c. though he passed much up and down the country in obedience to the Lord and went to beg or ask som relief of the widow of Sarepta And if any of the Lords messengers should do so now would not this generation of men accuse them for running wandring abroad a begging so accuse them to be idle wandring dissolute persons and vagabonds and troublers of the Nation Did not king Ahab then king of Israel accuse the said Elijah the servant of the Lord falsly and say he was his enemy a troubler of Israel but it was not so viz. That he was a troubler of Israel but of the wicked Therefore the servant of the Lord 1 King 19. ch 1 King 17.10 11. to cast off the false accusation charged upon him by the king and to clear his own innocency said to the king that it was he viz. the king and his Fathers house that was so even the troublers of Israel the people of the Lord And so the false accusing spirit in this generation is apt to charge the Servants of the Lord falsly to seek to lay upon them that which the accusers themselves are guilty of as Ahab and his fathers house was when the innocency of the innocent though falsly accused is clear and stands justified in the sight and account of the Lord. The Disciples of Christ sent forth by his own power when he were personally amongst them was commanded to go abroad in the Countreys to the lost sheep of the house of Israel Mat. 10.5 6. Mat. 10.9 10. and forbidden taking thought what to eat drink or put on and commanded to take neither silver nor gold nor brass in their purses yet they was no idle wandring dissolute persons nor Iesuites nor Vagabonds But if any be sent of the Lord now and forbidden to take any silver or gold in their purses This generation would be ready to accuse them to be idle wandering dissolute persons mad men Vagabonds might not the Disciples that Christ so sent have objected and said Lord how shall we do to be provided for when we come amongst Strangers and in other Countries if we must not take any Silver nor Gold nor Brasse in our Purses had we not better take Silver and Gold Brasse in our Purses that we may make provision thereby for ourselves when we come amongst Strangers so stop their mouthes rather then to rely upon them will not they be ready to say These are idle loose fellowes mad men and Vagabonds that wanders about to live upon other mens labours and cannot otherwise tell how to get a living They neither have Silver nor Gold nor Brasse in their Purses do any that have meanes to live on go out thus when they are to go into farr Contries and amongst Strangers except they be idle wandering dissolute persons and Vagabonds such as have no Silver nor Gold to take in their Purses yet notwithstanding the Disciples of Christ that were so sent as aforesaid were neiher idle wandering dissolute persons nor Jesuits nor Vagabonds No more are the Servants of Chrst though they may so go now in obedience to the command and councell of Christ yet this generation of men are ready to accuse them to be idle wandering dissolute persons or Jesuits or Vagabonds as that generation of men accused the said servants of
Christ aforementioned and others that succeeded them Acts 4.13 Acts. 24.5 6. to be ignorant unlearned men and deceivers and turbulent pestilent fellowes mad men and ringleaders of Sects and the like though they was not but that the false accuseing spirit of the world was then and of ancient standing is now yet accustomed with that work Before Christ ascended he called his servants together gave them command to waite at Jerusalem till they was indued with power from on high Saying then shall ye be my witnesses not only in Judea Jerusalem but also to the uttermost parts of the earth Act. 1.4 8. vers Might they not then have objected and said Lord would it not be better if thy excellency would be pleased to chuse out Messengers for thy own work in every Countrey that are native and Inhabitants then to send us as strangers amongst them where we are generally to them unknown shall we not by that be hardlyer thought of because we are not to any of them known and will not that be a meanes to bring us into great sufferings persecutions amongst them Mat. 4.18.19 20.21.12 Mat. 9.9 Tit. 1 16. and when we come abroad in far Countries beyond Seas where we are not at all amongst them known will it not give them cause to say we are Jesuits or idle wandering dissolute persons and vagabonds yet not withstanding what they might have objected against such a sending as leaving estates relations behind them and coming under false censures and great persecution they gave up freeely and went leaving behind them their estates and relations But such as are moved of the Lord to do so now in the crosse to their wills and through the tryall of their faith and exercise of their patience they are hardly judged of by those that are at ease in the flesh and do greatly suffer by reason of the subtilty of the serpent that is clothed over and hid under a pretence and profession of Godliness professing God in words but unto every good work are abominable and reprobate as such like aforetime was When the Church was met at Antioh as they ministred and fasted Acts 13.1 2. the Holy Ghost said Seperate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have appointed them and they being sent forth by the holy Ghost they departed unto Selucia and from thence they passing over Seas sayled to Cyprus Act 13.4 and so to Salamis ver 5. And yet notwithstanding they were neither idle wandring dissolute persons nor Jesuits Act. 18.18 19 20 21 22 23. nor vagabonds no more are such that are sent by the Holy Ghost now though they may pass abroad in several Countreys and over Seas about the work of the Lord now to act by his spirit as they are directed as Paul and Silas afore mentioned did then Likewise Paul and Barnabas they passed much abroad in the countreys after that for after they had been at Salamis they passed through the isle unto Paphos Acts 13.6 And did the work of the Lord for which they was sent by the holy Ghosts order and appointment And when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos Act. 13.13 They passing through the countries came to Perga in Pamphilia and when they departed from Perga aforesaid passing over the countries they came to Antioch in Pisidea and did the work of the Lord appointed them by the holy Ghost there also Acts 13. from ver 14. to ver 45. But then as now the Iews the old envious professors being offended at the truth they out of their envy spoke against those things which was spoken by Paul and so was in an errour therein and also for contradicting and blaspheming him and the truth ver 45. Yet they that was so contradicted and as aforesaid was neither Jesuits nor idle wandring dissolute persons nor Vagabonds but they was the dear servants of the Lord and waxed bold against the deceit to declare and testifie the truth of the Lord Act. 13. from ver 45. to ver 50. But though they was neither Iesuits nor idle wandring disolute persons nor vagabonds no more then such as are the Lords Messengers now yet the envious professours the Jews stirred up the devout and honorable women so called and the chief men of the City and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas and banished them or at least expelled them out of their Coasts but they shook off the dust off their feet against them and came to Iconium see Acts 13.50 And the servants of the Lord that were so persecuted and banished were at peace Act. 13.50 51. and justified in the sight of the Lord and the Disciples were filled with joy and with the holy Ghost The professors of them times and the chief men of the Citie and even such as were accounted devout and honorable amongst them they were in great error in being so readie to be stirred up by the envious professors and so raise persecution against the servants of the Lord and banish or expel them out of their Coasts insomuch that they shook off the dust of their feet to be a witnesse against them according to the command and counsel of the Lord Jesus and then the chief men of the City and the professors and as aforesaid they did not believe that the Apostles and servants of the Lord was the Lords Ministers and Messengers that so passed abroad in the countries and over Seas into many Nations no more then the chief men in many Cities and such as are old envious professors and also them that are accounted devout and honourable by men do believe that the Servants of the Lord are the Lords Ministers and Messengers now that passe abroad in the Countries and over seas into other Nations but being envious against the truth they raise persecution against the servants of the Lord and are readie to expel or banish them out of their coasts and call them idle wandering dissolute persons or Jesuits or Vagabonds so void of discerning of truth from error are they being prejudiced in their minds against the Lords Messengers as such in the cursed nature aforetime were and now are that they cannot abide that truth should be trulie declared or entertained in the families and cities and countries where they are but as the witnesse of God ariseth and answers to the judgments of God upon them and that which shall be against them for their disobedience to the truth and envie against the truth and servants and messengers thereof they shall then be ashamed of such their ignorant or wilful actions and crie out in the bitternesse of their spirit against themselves for so acting as aforesaid when the Book of conscience is opened and the judgement of Christ against them is pronounced Therefore while you have time prize it and fear the Lord God so will you not oppose nor persecute his servants and messengers but receive them and delight in the truth as to you it is
revealed And after that Paul and Barnabas had been banished as aforesaid or expelled out of their Coasts at Antioch in Pisidea Heb. 13. and those Regions when they had been in the synagogue there and sate silent till the legal Preacher or Reader had done who after that declared the truth in opposition to the deceit but the enmitie standing in the minds of the old envious professors and citizens as aforesaid they did not onelie act Antichrists part in rejecting the truth declared to cast it out of the peoples affections by contradicting and blaspheming the Lords Messengers but they proceeded further in Antichrists work as to reject and banish or expel the said Messengers of Christ out of their coasts and such an Antipathie there is between Christ and Antichrist that the Antichristians now though formal and feigned professed Christians they cannot indure that the truth and true real Christians and servants of Christ should be entertained and abide in their Coasts but endeavours are used to get a Law to whip them by the advice or consent of the professed Ministers of Christ till blood come and then bannish or expel them out of their coasts who are the Lords true Messengers and Ministers according to the order and appointment of the Holie Ghost and so send them awaie with a Passe to the end that as much as in the will of corrupt man is truth may be kept under from growing and taking place in the peoples hearts and affections but though Antichrist hath now as then he had such as will so act his part under specious pretences against the truth yet the prosperitie of the truth is a torment to the adversaries thereof And when Paul and Barnabas had been bannished as aforesaid yet they were not discouraged but waxed bold in the Lord and afterward went to Iconium and went both together into the synagogue of the Jews though they had not the command there to stand up as the parish-priests do in the high-places and the said Paul and Barnabas so spake that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed But then as now the unbelievers that were Jewes even great professors they stirred up the Gentiles and made their minds evil affected against the Brethren Act. 14.1 2. Yet notwithstanding they abode a long time speaking boldlie in the Lord but the multitude of the Citie were divided then as now where the truth taketh place in the hearts and affections of some of the Citizens c. and part held with the Jews and part with the Apostles Act. 14.3 4. insomuch that there was then as oft-times now is or of late hath bin an assault made both of the professors and people together with their Rulers to use them that received the truth and the Lords Messengers both despitefullie and stone them Act. 4. Yet they that were thus assaulted by the people professors and Rulers and against them had such crueltie intended they were neither idle wandering dissolute persons nor Jesuits nor Vagabonds no more are such as the envious professors falselie accuseth to the Magistrates to be so now And after that crueltie intended against the said servants of the Lord and as before-mentioned after they left Iconium as it were ordered they went abroad in the Countries without a Passe-port from the said Rulers c. to Listea and Derbe Cities of Lyconia and unto the Region that lieth round about and there they preached the Gospel Act. 14.6 7. but though they so passed abroad in the Countries or Cities and Regions round about without any mans Passe-port or as aforesaid yet they were neither Jesuits nor idle wandering dissolute persons or vagrants no more then such the Lords Messengers that passe abroad in the Countries to declare the minde of the Lord are now though this generation falslie accuse them to be so and are readie to get a Law made intentionallie against them to punish them under such false censures and denominations but yet notwithstanding the innocencie of the innocent stands clear in the sight of the Lord and his servants and messengers that are so accused as aforesaid doth and will stand justified in the sight and account of the Lord when the wicked whoever they are that are troublers of them shal be troubled and justlie condemned before the Lord when he taketh vengeance on them that are the troublers of his children and servants and as you may read 2 Thess 1.4 5 6 7 8 9. v And whil'st the aforenamed servants and messengers of Christ that passed abroad in the Countries and as aforesaid Act. 14.6 was preaching the Gospel in those places and Regions last mentioned Act. 14.19 c. as Listra Derbe and the Regions round about c. there came thither certain professors as Jews from Antioch and Iconiom places and cities where the said servants of the Lord had declared the truth and from one of them places were banished as is apprehended and at the other towards them much evil by Rulers and people was intended as aforesaid who perswaded the people against them and having stoned Paul drew him out of the Citie supposing he had been dead Mark this you that are envious professors and all such as are persecutors and read your examples by comparing the fruits of your envious spirits with the fruits of such as so acted before you against the Lords truth and his messengers c. Howbeit Paul was not dead when they supposed that he he had so been upon the aforesaid persecution and stoning but he rose up and came into the Citie and the next daie he departed with Barnabas to Derbe and when they had preached the Gospel to that Citie and had taught many they returned again to Listra and through the countries to Iconium where so much evil were and had been intended against them as aforesaid and from thence to Antioch and at Antioch in Pissidia they had been banished or expelled out of their coasts as aforementioned confirming the souls of the Disciples exhorting them also to continue in the faith and that we must through great tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God And after that and when they had passed throughout the Countrie of Pisidia they came to Pamphilia and when they had passed abroad in the Countrie and had preached the word in Perga they went abroad in the Countries down into Attalia and from thence passing over Sea sailed to Antioch from whence they had been recommended by the Grace of God for the work which they fulfilled Act. 14.19 to the end Act. 13.1 2. And though they passed so much abroad in the Countries and beyond seas to declare the truth and met with such great persecution and had so much evil intended against them by Rulers and people yet notwithstanding they had not any Passe-port or certificate for their travelling under the hand or seal of any Port-Graves Bailiffs Constables of Castles Conservators of the Peace of Cities Corporations Towns places or Countries and Provinces Sheriffs Mayors Keepers of National Liberties c. nor from under the hand or seal of any called Justices of the peace or any other head Officer or Officers of such aforesaid repective places that ever we read of yet they were no Vagrants nor idle dissolute wandering persons c. No more are the servants of the Lord now though they do and may passe much abroad in the Countries and over seas to do the will of the Lord as he them moves thereunto and without any mans Passe-port c. as the aforesaid servants of the Lord did though they may passe through many tribulations the footsteps of the flock of Christ and pathes to the entrance into the Kingdom of God R. F.