the Minister said God was to be found and all to obtain Peace with my Maker but it as it were fled from me and was not to be found amongst them and and then this cry was great in me O that I knew the Truth Oh that I knew the True and Living Way to the Kingdom of God! O that I could feel that Testimony of Spirit which they so much spoke of bearing witness with my Spirit that I was in the Sonship though I felt and knew I was in the way according to their Judgment and had the signal tokens of a Christian as they produced from that spiritual progress and operation the Saints and Servants of God went through in Ages past which was as Way-marks set up by Patriarchs the Prophets and Children of Israel in their Travel to Canaan and by the Apostles and Servants of our Lord Jesus Christ in their Spiritual Travel to the Heavenly Canaan through the Regeneration and New Birth But being as I said before often deeply humbled before the Lord and tendred and broken in my Spirit distressed in my Soul afflicted in my Body day and night panting and breathing after the Lord as the Hart panteth after the water Brooks being many times deprived of my natural rest and sustenance mine eyes preventing the night Watches as David said watering my Bed with my Tears being almost overwhelmed in the Floods multitudes of Afflictions compassing me about Wars and Commotions on every side Famine and Pestilence and Earthquakes fearful Sights and great Signs appearing from Heaven these were the beginning of Sorrows and Days of great Tribulation then did the sign of the coming of the Son of Man appear in the Clouds of Heaven with Power and great Glory whose appearance was as the Lightning that appeared from the East and shined unto the West by which it pleased the Father to manifest the way of Life and to reveal his Son in me and by his Light that gives the Knowledge of the glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4.6 He was pleased to give me a glimpse of that heavenly Land and of the Way to the Kingdom of God which I saw to be in and through the Light of Christ Jesus which Lighteth every Man that cometh into the World as it was then Preached and testified by the Servants of the Lord a measure of which I felt in my self which told me all that ever I did secretly condemning every work in me with every word and action that was against or contrary to the mind and will of the Father and also justifying every good word and work that was according to his Will Thus the Lord having opened my understanding and given me in measure a feeling of himself I was forced to conclude as the woman of Samaria did that this was the Christ this was the Way this was the Truth as by daily experience I found by the operation of the Light in my own heart compared with the Testimony that the Saints and Servants of God had given in Ages past and thus in the mouths of two or three Witnesses this Testimony was established and confirmed in me but how to receive and give obedience I knew not the Enemy often raising Doubts and Fears in me often disswading me from embracing the Light with much questioning whether it were the Truth yea or nay Then as soon as the Seed the Man-child appeared the Dragon appeared also ready to Devour the Man-child then the Read-Sea was as it were before and Pharoh and his Host behind and fear fell on every side then appeared Father against Son and Son against Father one Nation against another and still the greatest Enemies were in mine own House and then was I in great distress then was the Dayes of great Tribulation perceiving the Way strait and narrow being to forsake Father or Mother House or Lands Friends and Relations and all old acquaintances and cast down all Crowns Dignities Wisdom Riches or what other Enjoyments whatsoever and deny my self and become a Fool and a Reproach a Scorn a By-word and a Hissing to the Men of the World and take up the Cross daily and follow the Lord through great Tribulation through the Red-Sea through the Wilderness yea even through Death it self then was I ready to faint and to say with them This was a hard saying who can bear it then the Dragon cast out Floods after the Manchild but God prepared a place in the Wilderness and the Child was preserved then was the warfare great between the Flesh and the Spirit the Law in my Members waring against the Law in my Mind doing that which I allowed not and leaving undone that which I allowed with my mind I served the Law of God but with my Flesh the Law of Sin the Spirit indeed was willing to Drink that bitter Cup but the Flesh was weak then when I would have done good Evil being present prevented me then I became as one destitude of all succour comfort and support not knowing whither to fly or how to escape from the dreadfull wrath of God that was then impending over me if I disobeyed then was I forced in the fulness of time not only to stand still and see the Salvation of God but also to resign my self into his Blessed Will and sweetly to Drink that bitter Cup that was given me to Dâ—iâ—k allowing that the Will of the Lord and not my will should be done being willing to undergo any thing so the Lord be glorified and my Soul might rest in Peace being that for which I had long travelled in spirit having been often as it were at the Pâ—ts brink and as it were at the mouth of the Furnace having Drunk deep of the Cup of Judgment and of Indignation and of the Wrath of the Lord for Sin and for Iniquity often travelling as with my Hands upon my loyns pained and crying outin my Soul as a Woman in Travel that longeth for the appointed hour of her Deliverance often in that state blessing the Lord for the Ministration of condemnation which at that Day was glorious to me often doubting and fearing in my self least the Lord should cease striving with me and have left me and given me up to a reprobate Mind and to heardness of Heart being often ready to Dispair of obtaining the promised Land that was before me considering the many lets impediments obstructions hazards dangers which like Mountains of opposition appeared as high as the top of Carmel And thus being assaulted by the Enemy reasoning in my self I was at a point what to do to turn back to Egypt the Land of Darkness or House of Bondage again I durst not knowing the Light in me the Piller of fire that appeared for my Guide and Leadâ—r led me Canaan ward and knowing the Terrors and Judgments of the Lord that had not only passed upon me but was still impending over me for sin disobedience because I offered not up freely nor sacrificed
the Sign must I not be cast out of your Church and into Prison 21. What is his Body of Christ and what is the Blood whether is his Body Spiritual or Carnal or how is the Lords Body to be discerned 22. Whether is the Body one or how many Bodies hath He or how do they Eat and Drink his Blood that Eternal Life abideth in 23. How did they eat the same Spiritual Meat and Drink the same Spiritual Drink which were Baptized under Moses for they drank of that Rock which followed them and that Rock was Christ 24. What is the difference between the Cup of the Lord and the Cup of Devils and the Table of the Lord and the Table of Devils 25. Whether are they worthy Receivers purified from their Sins and sanctified through His Blood seeing His Body was broken and His Blood shed for the remission of sins 26. Whether they that are yet in their Sins do not eat and drink their own condemdemnation not discerning the Lords Body 27. Who is the Head of your Church and Body or who is King Priest and Prophet whether Christ King Pope or Bishop or how many Heads is there 12 Month 1667. Send thy Answer to me at my Prison-house in Carlile T. C. Another sent after about the 4th Month 1667. L. W. I Having all along a desire to be edified in the True Way and Worship of the Living God and an inclination from my childhood to follow after that which is good righteous and unreprovable in the sight of the Lord and to keep my Conscience undefiled and my judgment clear and uncorrupted as the Lord God of Heaven knows from whom nothing can be hid and seeing the ground of the Controversie between thee and me is matters of Faith or Worship and so matters of Conscience to me and such as I cannot easily renounce nor dare not turn from unless my judgment were otherwise perswaded I therefore sent some Propositions to thee to that effect an answer whereof I expected from thee before this time which thing I thought but requisite and very consistant with thy Office and Profession being that which the Ministers of Christ was always ready to do being willing to render a reason of their Faith and Hope to any that should demand it and also to exhort inform and instruct in the Doctrine and Principles of Truth with all meekness gentleness and long-suffering which thing if thou refuse to do let me know upon what grounds for I have not straitned thee for time but thou mightest have done it with deliberation so I desire a sober answer of thee of all and every particular propounded or else a reason why thou wilt not and it may suffice for the present T. C. Now having as briefly as possible given a True and Impartial Relation of all the differences states and proceedings on both sides that is of most importance and concernment and the ground and cause of all as things hath passed and been carried on between us plainly and honestly so far as I know and do remember I shall leave all both his and mine causes and proceedings with all that hath been done to the witness of God in all Hearts and Consciences that gives a true sense and understanding of the nature and property of every word and work and accordingly let the sober moderate and unbyassed Reader or Hearer judge of us and between us and especially such as have known us both after the flesh and the Lives and Conversations of us both among them ziz the Parishioners of Addingam and others in the Towns and Parishes adjacent amongst whom we have lived and with whom we have had to do many of them being privy to the most part of those things and so may the better bear witness to the Truth or Falshood of them being as I have said elsewhere willing to recommend my self to every Mans Conscience in the sight of God and as I own and acknowledge the Light for my Leader Guide and Salvation so I am willing that all my deeds should be brought to the Light and that which I do or have done that is not justifiable in the Light let it be condemned by Light and I ashamed and this is to do as I would be done unto also these my Papers that I have sent to him they are now made publick and so are no longer his and mine only but other Mens to judge and consider of In my first I desire as I would often have willingly embraced that he or any other of his Function and Profession would give me or us a sober moderate visit or meeting at their own time and place allowing us person for person that there we might dispute the differences in Religion between them and us in a sober moderate spirit which to us is of great price and if in the Spirit of meekness he or they could convince us that we are schismatical and erroneous c. as they have frequently affirmed and preached behind our backs whether in denying of Tythes or in any other thing whatsoever I can say it for my self and believe it for many others that if in our Consciences we were convinced thereof we would reform our Judgments and pay Tythes and submit in any other thing whatsoever as really and conscientiously as any People in the Nation without either suing at Courts spoyling of goods excommunications cominations imprisonments or the execution of any Law whatsoever and if this be not very equal and reasonable let all sober People judge and whether it be not the part and place of Men professing that Function and to be Ministers of Christ and Overseers in the Church that Spiritual Men might War and overcome with Spiritual Weapons and by the Armor of Light and the Power and Demonstration of the Spirit of Christ Jesus that as the said L. W. hath oft Preached it may be known to whom the Lord hath given the Urim and the Thummim but these they use but in words only but instead of dealing so with us they 'l turn us over to a Consistory Spirituâ—l or Ecclesiastical Court so called which as I may truly say is as Carnal and Earthly a corrupt Court at this day as any in the World I know of and to the Secular Powers and Civil Magistrate c. and when we are brought before them and answers to what is Charged against us pleading matters of Conscience the Doctrine of Christ or His Apostles or the priviledge of the Church in a Gospel Dispensation then they cry hold your peace we have no thing to do with that Dispute it with your Ministers you shall not Preach here c. And all we can get of their Ministers is Rogue and Rascal Erroneous and Schismatical Fellow or Audacious Saucy youth I 'll humble you we 'll take a Course with such Refractary Fanatick as you are ere long c. So having the Sword by their thigh and the Law by their side thus are we preyed upon by
the Lord amongst the assembly of his People as my body I lay down upon my Bed expecting to take its natural rest my Soul also was inclined to take its sweet repose in God and in my contemplation the care of the Churches and the concerns of the Flock of God came weightily upon me so that my natural Sleep was wiped away from mine Eyes and in my Meditation with my God these things following rose fresh in me and the delivering of them to you came greatly upon me so that I felt a real necessity upon my Soul to arise and write And a cry run through me and the Mourning of my Spirit and the Lamentation of my Soul was very great for the division of Reuben oh for the division of Reuben there was great searchings of Heart oh many a Sigh oh many a Groan oh many a Lamentation is made by many a tender Heart and many a broken Spirit for the division of Reuben which at this Day were great and many so that it came upon me in the Dread and Fear of the Eternal God to Warn all the Churches all the Called of God all the Professors of his Name High and Low Rich and Poor Man and Woman to beware of Divsion even the Division of Reuben the First-born therefore take heed take heed all you that were First-born or First begotten to God who were as the First-fruits of the Spirit in this last Age and Dispensation Oh let all be Advised I humbly intreat you and in the Counsel of God do I hereby Warn you all to beware and avoid Division for that House that is Devided in it self and against it self cannot stand oh let me advise and warn you in the tenderness and brokenness of my mourning Soul as Joseph did his Brethren of old see that you fall not out by the way oh feel feel the melting compassionate Spirit of Joseph whose Bowels broke towards his Brethren and he wept upon their Neck oh that innocent Spirit of Joseph he sought no Revenge when they were fallen into his Hand and there sheaves came bowing to his sheave and the eleven stars did obeisance unto him he was not lifted up nor exalted with Pride though Lord of all Egypt as he said but was full of Compassion and wept over them when they were smitten and terrified with Guilt only innocent Benjamin wept upon his Neck Oh see his care to his Brethren fall not out by the way And as our faithful Father Abraham said to his Nephew Lot let there be no strife between us for we are Brethren and the Canaanite and the Perizite they dwell in the Land they will see it and behold it and this will agravate the Sin and the Lord will greatly be dishonoured by it Oh see the Care and Peaceable Spirit of faithful Abraham how he sought to preserve Peace and Love and even as it were submitted to his Nephew Lot the whole Land is before thee take thy choice and let not us strive for we are Brethren so here was no superiority nor exalted Spirit in Abraham but he works by Love Oh my dear Friends be you all warned and take heed of Division for we are now upon our Travel and upon our Return out of Egypt as Joseph's Brethren were and the Lord hath given us Favour in the sight of Pharoah's Princes and hath given a large supply to the Souls of us and our families who was sorely afflicted with Famine yet in all this there is no cause of Division let no ones Heart be exalted or lifted up because of Gods Love to them We are now Returning to the premised Land the Land of Rest and Peace Therefore let us return in Peace and dwell in Love together for Love is of God and he that dwells in Love dwells in God and this Love thinks no Evil it s no maintainer of Strife nor no begetter of Division And take the Advice of the Apostle mark them that cause Division and avoid them and from whence comes War and Strife and from whence comes all Division do they not rise from fleshly self-seeking Lusts that War against the Soul And is not the accuser of the Brethren concerned would not he accuse us one to another and set us at variance one with another and provoke to sell and betray one another into the hands of the Medianites to be Bondslaves in Egypt again And what is the matter the accuser works upon is it some party coloured Coat the Father is pleased to bestow upon one more then another or upon some dream of Exaltation or being Prefered one above another or is it about some Trifle Jangling or questions of Words thus the Enemy laboured of old and wrought Division and thus he would Work now if he be not watched against Oh therefore all take heed and labour to keep near the Lord every Man for himself and every Woman for her self labour to keep out that Spirit that would provoke to strife and to contention oh let it enter into none nor being entered keep possession in any for where Strife is there is Confusion and every Evil work so if any thing would arise at any time that tends to Strief or would rend and make Division in the Bowels of the love of God I desire all to watch against it shut it out crush that Cockatrice timely kindle no such fire nor blow up that Flame with words but in the meek spirit of Jesus quench it and rather give place to wrath for a soft mild answer turns it away always remembring the words of the Apostle Why do you not rather suffer wrong and suffer your selves to be defrauded and set them to judge that are least in the Church that a speedy end may be put to it And as Christ himself said he that would be Chief let him become Servant and as I have washed your Feet even so wash you one anothers Feet Here was a blessed Example of Humility laid down and the lording of the Gentiles reproved And truly Friends they that stand single in the light and counsel of God whose Eye is impartial may clearly See and distinguish in all matters of Debate and Controversie what spirit Rules for if the Lambs spirit be there there is Innocency there is Tenderness there is Humility there is broken Heartedness that spirit that is from above is Gentle Meek and Lowly easie to be entreated it is not stubborn proud nor self willed it hates not Reproof as Fools but it loves the Reprover as a wise Man so they that are of this spirit they are of Abraham's Seed and of Abraham's Faith let there be no strife between us for we are Brethren they will readily comply and follow after Peace knowing that the Lords Honour and the Honour of his Truth is concerned so let the fruits of the Lambs spirit appear in all let the Lambs nature come up and rule in all that the Lamb and his followers may have the Victory so shut out all Pride all
Tree of Life that is in the midst of the Paradise of God and their names shall be written in the Book of the Life of the Lamb from henceforth and for ever It being my aim and intent at this time to present unto publick view and to the manifested Light and Judgment of all pious and sober Men not only my discent state and condition from my Childhood but rather my estate and condition in Spirit in all the gentle leadings drawing and carryings on of my Soul by the Lord from the day of the dispensation of the tender Mercy and Love of God by his light dispensed and made known in me unto this present day of my Sufferings for his Name and Gospel and also to give a Relation of the ground and cause of my Sâ—fferings the Person by whom and the manner how with a breviate of my Testimony and Judgment in the matters of this Treatise in as much brevity as possible whereby to clear my Conscience and answer the witness in others in the sight of God AS for my discent to speak after the manner of Men I sprang of mean though honest Parents according to the Flesh my Father being a Husbandman in the County of Cumberland I according to his pleasure was educated sometimes at School sometime with Herding and tending of Sheep or Cattel sometime with the Plow Cart or Threshing Instrument or other lawfull Labours according to the manner of that part of the County in which I lived yet such was the love and tender mercy of the Lord who always had respect unto the meek and lowly in heart and dwells with the the contrite and humble in Spirit and shews kindness and mercy to them of low degree that he was pleased to visit me with his everlasting Love which often presented unto me my state and manner of Life and by the same Love and Light he made known unto me that his Way and Worship was a purer holier Way and cleaner Life then yet I had attained unto and withall gave me to see the evils and miserable effects of that state and condition in which I lived according to the Fashions Customs Ways and Worships of the formal World which secret drawings I felt time after time as a small still Voice inwardly calling for Righteousness and Holiness of Life and as it were saying This is the Way walk in it Read your own States for thus I was induced to seek after the Lord and to make further enqâ—iry into the Way of God out of which I perceived my self and then not knowing where the Lord was to be found nor that it was he that stirred and drew by his Love in me I gave my self to Reading and searching of the Scriptures which was then Preached by the Man made Ministers and also generally believed by the People they taught to be the Word of God and the alonâ— way to the Kingdom and to the knowledge of God his Way and Worship and believing their Doctrines I did with much diligence and zeal press after the knowledge of the Scriptures giving up my self to Hear Sermons learn Catechisms and the like after the manner and general Practise Taught by the then Preachers sometime more Strickt then the rest whose comliness seemed to Transcend the precedent Generation of Priests and their way of Worship yet it pleased the Lord not only inwardly to break my rest in spirit but also outwardly to afflict me with Bodily afflictions for I was afflicted from my youth up and from my Childhood the rod of Correction was upon me inwardly and outwardly inwardly known to my self alone and outwardly apparent to most or all that knew me after the flesh some concluding I was in a Consumption some in one Disease some in another and then by the advice and will of my Father according to the flesh I sought to and proved many Doctors and Physitians for the restoration of the health of my Body but they like the Priests were all Physitians of no value for none did remove the cause nor take away the effect which still remained with me and upon me as a motive spur or whip to drive me forward to get an interest in the Lord who through the riches of his Love did spiritually apply my Bodily afflictions for the Health and Salvation of my Soul inwardly drawing my affections and desires after Him still presenting to my view and raising in my unerstanding a way more Holy and Pure and more agreeable to his Will then the way I was in drawing me from one degree of Grace to another and from one Dispensation to another according to his good Pleasure and Wâ—ll then I began to affect those that separated from the formal Worships and pubâ—ick People who sâ—emed to be a People of more reformed lives and judgments and of more circumspect Conversations and chused rather to settle and joyn with those called Independants who at that day were beautiful and glorious to that glimmering Twilight estate that I was in they being then pretty tender and low I often adjudged my self inferiour unworthy and undeserving the Fellowship and Society of such a People yet still I pressed forward desiring to attain unto that state which was before me which by the eye of Faith I saw and to apprehend that for which I was apprehended in the Love of God yet was I often tossed in my self like restless waves in a troubled Sea not feeling peace nor stability with the Lord I often besought the Lord in secret in the brokenness and contrition of spirit to clear my understanding and judgment and make me to know his own Living Way Truth and People Sects and Opinions then abounding one saying this is the way anâ—tâ—er saying that is the way one saying lo Christ is in this or here another saying He is in that or there thus every Denomination and Judgment construing wresting and interpreting the Scriptures to their sundry Tenents and forcing meanings from them to answer their Principles and to maintain every of their interpretations as authentick Truths in all which I was as one without Foundation tossed with every of their windy Doctrines iâ— stâ—ll rested with me Man was created for Gods glory I being ever and anon judged and condemned in my self for Sin and Disobedience for the Law was come by which is the knowledge of Sin and the Commandment being come Sin revived and I died and having as it were wrought Death in me by that which was good then Sâ—n by the Commandment became exceeding Sinful and then was I driven to seek for Peace night and day early and late in publick and private Fastings or Feastings or Family Devotions whatsoever running from one House to another and from one Town to another from one Assembly and Worship to another even as it were from Sea to Sea seeking the Word of the Lord as Amos said Amos 8.12 in all their Sabboths Lectures Humiliations or Thank givings diligently observing every Ordinance so called in which
freely nor did not for sake all freely but like Ananias and Saphira though I had parted with much yet would have kept a part back and if the Lord had cut me off as they were I must have justified the justice of the Lord in my Soul and Conscience which daily witnessed against me as it were sealing and confirming this Testimony to me and in me that I should never find Peace nor Reconsiliation with the Lord untill I gave obedience to the Light and came into society with the Children of Light viz. the People by the World called Quakers and came to the Worship that stood in Spirit contrary to all the Wayes Worships and Services of the World set up in the wills and limitations of Men which I saw to be only Formal and Traditional and no less then Idolatry as they then stood in the Will-Worship being prescribed and set forth at the Wills and Pleasures of Men and established by the then present Powers Government and Authority as by the Independant Church Faith the Presbyterian Directory the Episcopals Common-Prayer Book and such like may more fully Testifie none being to question or object against any thing that was or is believed by their several Churches and Assemblies or prescribed in their Rules or Canons Directories or Service-Books though never so much dissatisfied in Conscience without undergoing the Censures or Abjudications of their particular Societies and Churches so called But they that are come to the Light and Liberty of the Sons of God and to live and walk in the Spirit and by the Spirit they know the Anointing which abideth in them which is truth and no lye which Teacheth them in all things to follow the Lamb only whithersoever he goes and the leadings of his Spirit and not the formal trash and traditional precepts of Men and so they are ceased from Man and his teachings knowing the Lord is come to Teach his People himself whereof I being perswaded in my own heart and this Testimony aforesaid standing in me viz. that I should never know Peace with God in my Soul untill I obeyed and followed the Light which I daily felt striving in me and with me in my Meditations and Communications with my own Heart secretly condemning me for my disobedience and works of darkness I was in the fulness of time constrained to yeild and resign my self into the Will and Lap of the Lord as Esther did either to Live or Perish resolving as I said before freely to drink that Cup which had so long appeared bitter but was then made sweet and wholsom as the Waters of Jericho being seasoned with that power that makes every bitter thing sweet and hard things easie then was the Arm of the Lord made bare and stretched forth for my deliverance and his strength was perfected in weakness being brought into subjection and made willing to bear his Cross then his Yoke was made easie and his Burden became Light then he that sat in Darkness saw great Light and he that dwelt in the Land of the shaddow of Death upon him did the Light shine in that Day did he cause the Deaf to hear the Blind to see out of obscurity the Lame to walk the Dumb to speak and the Tongue of the stammerer to speak plainly even then when mine Ears hearkned to the Word that was near in the mouth and heart the righteousness of Faith which the Apostle Preached Rom. 108. Even then when I cast away my Jewels Ornaments Images c. Menstruous cloaths Isa 30.21 22. and my own Righteousness Faith and best Performances which was but as filthy rags in comparison of the excellency of that Glory revealed in and through the Son of righteousness which arose with healing in his Wings then did he give rain unto his Seed even the former and the latter in his Season and upon every Mountain and Hill made he Rivers and Streams to run then was the light of the Moon as the light of the Sun and the light of the Sun was sevenfold even in that Day when he bound up the breach of his Servant and healed the stroke of his wounded he opened the Prison doors also and set the Captive at liberty and let the Oppressed go free then he made the Lame to leap as an Heart and the tongue of the Dumb to sing for joy the crooked paths did he make straight and the rough ways plain and smooth he brought down the mighty from their Seats and exalted them of low degree then he filled the Hungry with good things and the Rich he sent empty away then did joy spring forth as the Mornning and gladness did arise as the Sun even then when Peace did run down like a River and Salvation as a mighty Stream then was the time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord even then when the Bridegroom came out of his Chamber and the Bride out of her Closet then was the Marriage Supper of the Lamb at hand then was the Day of joy and gladness when sorrow and sighing fled away then was the Day of mine espousing when my Maker became my Husband Hosea 2.19 20 23. and the Bridegroom and Bishop of my Soul when I was betrothed unto the Lord then was the Marriage in Cana of Galilee known John 2. which was the only Marriage Christ and his Disciples were called to where all the Water in the Vessels was turned into Wine which maketh glad the heart of Man and comforteth the Living Psal 104.15 Eccles 10.19 such did Israel of old Drink in the Land of Promise Deut. 32.14 here was the first and beginning of Miracles that Jesus wrought shewing forth his Glory it was here also he Healed the Rulers Son which was ready to Die his second Miracle wrought in Galilee John 4.50 54. here also was his first appearance to his Disciples after he was risen from the Grave Matt. 28.7.10.16 17. here also was his first appearance and working of Wonders in me and to me which when I saw I believed as his Disciples and the Galileans did John 2.11 and 4.45 then he whipped out the Buyers and Sellers out of the Temple and overthrew the Tables of the Money-changers then I knew the Tabernacle of the Lord was with Men and that he was come to Teach his People Himself and great was the Peace of His Children as Isaiah said chap. 54.13 then did I witness the Covenant changed the Law changed the Priesthood changed the Offerings Oblations Sacrifices and Ordinances changed the Service and the Worship changed and all the Shadows Types and Figures abolished which was but a Shadow of good Things to come Hebr. 10.1 and the Tabernacle and Sanctuary changed Heb. 10.20 and the Vail removed and the New and Living Way to be Revealed which he hath prepared for us through the Vail that is to say his Flesh for even to this Day while Moses and the Old-Testament and the Law is read the same Vail remains over and untaken away 2
Tabernacle of clay is undemolished for he alone is worthy of all Glory and Thanksgiving from me for evermore For he brings to nought the understanding of the Prudent and turns the wisdom of the Wise men backward and confounds the Wisest Ahithophels so that their vain hope perisheth and their Expectation is cut off Now all this he hath wickedly done against me and that for no just cause as in the sight of the Lord nor no cause pretended save some small Tythes as Hens Easter-Reckonings c. which was no doubt very inconsiderate in comparison of what he hath done for I have been much perswaded that when he begun with me he could no way reckon Five shillings for his Collectors took in kind that which was most material as Corn and Hay as I have before related and for Wooll and Lamb I had none and for other Goods I had but a few it may be a Cow or two but seldom if ever three which things could amount to no great value suppose it were for two or three years an account whereof I have often required of him I have also written to him for an account also my Relations have desired an account of him but to this day none could I have from him also I have written to him that we might fairly and soberly Discourse of the Title of Tythes profering if I were convinced that they were Lawfull to pay them without all that to do and withall warned him â—o cease from his wicked proceedings being perswâ—ded they should not go unpunished by the Lord a true Transcription whereof hereafter follows as they were sent him in several Papers at several times which I have inserted for the Readers better satisfaction LEwis I am informed there is a design in thy Heart to deprive me of mine inheritance left me by my Father Is this the fruit of thy Ministry and in this dost thou do as thou wouldst be don unto Hath Satan filled thine heart and rooted Covetousness so deep in thee Take heed to thy ways search and see what spirit thou art of and what spirit it is that suggesteth this in thee enter into consideration with thy self and commune with thy own heart whether thou wouldst be done unto so yea or nay or whether it be thy place to covet thy Neighbours Goods or Inheritance methinks thou shouldst not be ignorant what became of that Woman Jesabel for coveting Naboth's Vinyard and what the reward of Covetuousness is the Scriptures are full observe the words of the Wise Man that said lay not in wait O wicked Man against the dwelling of the Righteous spoil not his resting place enter not into the Fields of the Fatherless c. and whatsoever is written is written for our Learning thou hast often repeated that Command that saith Covet not thy Neighbours Goods nor any thing that is thy Neighbours and is thy heart now going after thy Covetousness Weigh these things with thy practise Why shouldst thou destroy thy own Soul thou that holdest Scripture for thy Rule will it justifie thee in this thing Or where hast thou any such Rule in it amongst all the Conversations of the Saints And do not think but thou must be brought before the Tribunal of God there to give an account of all thy deeds done in thy Body and there thy person will have no more respect then mine though now it may all thy Pomp thy Dignity and Riches will stand thee in no stead neither justifie thee in his sight who hath said The wicked shall not go unpunished thou hast deprived me of my just Liberty already and if that cannot content or satisfie thee surely no more will mine Estate for the more thou obeyest that envious and covetous spirit the more it will draw thee on untill thy Soul be shut up in the Grave out of which there is no redemption So I desire thee have respect to thy Souls everlasting health for these and such like as thou art often found in are not the fruits of a Gospel Minister for Christ and his Apostles never taught any such Doctrine and truly whilst thou art of this spirit and conversation thy Ministry will not profit to wards God nor thou canst never turn many unto Righteousness its true thou mayst make some Proselytes but I think few Converts it appears thou came not to seek nor gather us but ours so that thy end is thy own and therefore accursed so unless thou repent thou shalt certainly bear the indignation of the Almighty for little or nothing hast thou Ministred unto me either in Doctrine or Practice but that which savours of Death and such Ministration deserves no maintenance So I desire thee as one that respects thy Souls everlasting welfare and in love thereunto I send this unto thee and not in any respect to my own interest as the Lord whom I serve knoweth in whose presence I am but that thou mayst cease to bring so deep guilt and weight upon thy Soul but rather repent of thy wicked purposes and seek unto the Lord if peradventure the thoughts of thine heart may be forgiven thee for according to outward appearance one would think thine Estate were sufficient to satisfie thee that thou shouldest not reap where thou sowedst not and covet my penny that hast so many pounds remember the Parable of Nathan to David But thou may object and say there is a reason thou hast a proper right and due unto it To this I answer as I have formerly done if thou or any of thy Function will appoint the time and place where I or some other of my Companions in bonds may meet with you and according to Scripture sound Doctrine and the Spirit of Truth convince me or us that such things is just and due and properly belong to your Ministration or that Christ and his Apostles did ordain constitute or allow any such Ministry or Maintenance after he had offered himself a perfect Sacrifice having thereby abolished all Types and the Law that made nothing perfect I say if thou or any of you can or will convince me or us of the lawfulness of paying Tythes we should neither suffer Imprisonment loss of Estate or Goods nor the Execution of any Law to pass upon us for denyal of Tythes but rather pay them as conscientiously as any one whatsoever And this were but the place and duty of your Function and indeed if it were not matter of conscience to me I could not have suffered such detriment loss and imprisonment in the patience and content as I have done by thee and I am yet resolved to suffer more before I offend Gods Witness in my Conscience And further I demand of thee what the sum or value is that thou claimest of me being reckoned up together for I have been deprived of my just Liberty a full year and upwards which is a penalty beyond my offence or any pretence of offence that thou hast shewed me So that I think thou needed not
same God to day and can save so take heed betime least the judgments of God fall heavy upon thee and labour not to incur the wrath and displeasure of the Almighty upon thy Soul for thy deceit violence spoyling and persecuting is and will be a token of perdition when my innocent suffering is and will be a token of Salvation and that in Christ Jesus So be warned I advise thee once more and repent and amend speedily lest the plagues and arrows of the Almighty fall heavy upon thee for this I am bold to tell thee in the Name of the Lord that the Lords wrath is kindled against such which will not cease nor quench till the workers of Iniquity be cut off that have added affliction to the afflicted and usurpingly exercised lordship over the Heritage of God for your treachery deceit and folly hath and is appearing to all Men and Gods controversie against you is begun for your end is destruction whose God is your gain and your belly whose mind is on earthly things yea the Stone of your Wall and the Beam of your Timber the very materials of Babel's Building shall cry out against the Builders and the Stone you have rejected is become Head viz. Christ Jesus the Light and if thy patience can read it and apply it so do if not how willt thou bear and answer the Lord when these things fall upon thee Carlile the 13th of the 3d Month 1665. From a Sufferer for Truth and Righteousness Tho. Carleton These Queries following I propounded to him occasioned by some Discourse between us about their Sacrament and Conformity which he seemed to charge upon me as the sole cause of my imprisonment having the like confounded Architectors of Babel either lost the original cause else finding the weakness and inconsideratness of it was ashamed and so let it fall For I said to him that I never thought Nonconformity to their Church and Sacrament had been the cause but rather Tythes as my Mittimus signified he answered no no it was it and nothing but it meaning Nonconformity L. West PErceiving thou blamest me for want of Conformity to the Church Ordinances and Sacraments as if that were the sole cause of my imprisonment and thou pretending to be a Minister in the Church and to the Church give me a full and positive answer to these following Queries according to Scripture sound Doctrine and the spirit of Truth that so my judgment may be rightly informed and if I have been erroneous and schismatical I am willing to reform when I am thereof convinced 1. What is the qualification of a Minister of Christ what is his Gifts and Endowments and how and from whom are they obtained 2. How is a Minister of Christ to be called sent what is their Ordination or whether thy Call Ordination or Ministry be from him to whom wast thou sent and to what end or whether there be not some that run unsent and never profit the People according to Jer. 23.32 3. What dost thou Minister from in thy self or what dost thou Minister to in the People or wherein doth thy gift and ministration conâ—â—â—t 4. What is the Gifts and Parts of a Minister of Christ what is the gifts and parts of a Minister of Antichrist or how do they differ one from another 5. Whether is a Minister to be Servant to and in the Church or to exercise lordship over the Church and Heritage c. as the manner of the Gentiles is 6. Whether is covetousness pride wrath malice envy swearing lying drunkenness fornication oppression robbery theft idle and corrupt communication and such like of the Spirit of Christ or Antichrist 7. Whether they that do such things do believe in God and have Faith in Jesus Christ or can be either a Minister or Member in his Church and Body having not obtained Remission Redemption and Salvation from those things 8. What is the Church of Christ or how many Churches is there whereof doth it consit whereon doth it stand where and by whom is the Foundation thereof laid and how is it preserved Holy and without Spot or whether is it subject to corruption and change yea or nay 9. What are the Ordinances of the Church what are the Precepts Rules and Canons therein to be observed and to whom doth the Rule and Government thereof belong 10. Whether doth these Ordinances of the Church belong unto all Men or whether is all Men under the Rule and Government thereof or what is the qualification of those that have a right therein and the priviledge of those that are Governed thereby 11. How many Ordinances are in the Church when and by whom are they instituted to what end and for what time 12. What is Baptism who is the Baptiser with what and to what are Men Babtized 13. How many Baptisms are there and how do they differ one from another 14. How are they Baptized that are Baptized into the death of Christ and are Buried with him in Baptism or how is the Baptizing with Fire and the Holy Ghost 15. Whether doth dipping and sprinkling in water England's present Church Form in Baptism make one a Member of Christ or whether is any unclean thing a Member of Christ yea or nay 16. Whether they that were Baptized and ingrafted as a Member in the Church if they perform what was therein promised viz forsake the Devil and all his works the pomps and vanities of this wicked World and all the sinful Lusts of the flesh and believe all the Articles of the Christian Faith and keep Gods holy Will and Commandments and walk in the same whether they must not be excomunicated and cast out of your Church and into Prison and suffer loss both in body and estate yea or nay according to John 16.2 17. What was those Ordinances and Traditions that Paul forbad the Collossians to touch taste or handle which though commanded by Men was to perish with using which Ordinances Christ blotted out and nailed to his Cross as being against such as he had quickned and raised by his Spirit 18. What was those Meats and Drinks those Holy-dayes New-moons and Sabboth-dayes which was but shadows of good things to come or is not the Churches yet under those Ordinances Traditions and Shadows and knows not the Light of the glorious Gospel revealed which Christ commanded to believe in 19. What was the Philosophy Traditions and Rudiments of the World which had like to have spoiled some and which those that were dead with Christ were not to be subject to but if Pope and Turk should have power to set up their Traditions Rudiments would you not be subject and Preach them up for Doctrine 20. What is the Sacrament of the Lords Supper which thou would have me receive how is it distributed and received or what is the qualifications of the worthy Receivers and if I Eat and Drink the thing signified viz. the Body and Blood Spiritually and so difist from
pour you out a Blessing c. But your words have been stout against me saith the Lord ye have said It is in vain to serve God and what profit is there in keeping his Commandments and in walking humbly before him And therefore ye count the proud happy and sets up them that work wickedness and those that tempt God are delivered Now the next place which some account as formidable as all the rest is Luke 11.42 Christs own words saying Wo unto you Pharisees ye Tythe Mint and Rue and all manner of Herbs and neglect and pass over Judgment and the love of God these things ye ought to have done and not to have left the other undone These are the main grounds being under the Law of the first Covenant upon which the Ordinations Titles Claims and Propriety of Tythes do or ever did arise or spring and upon which all the Disputes Acts Decrees Laws and Tryals at Law Differences and Sufferings of what kind soever do originally arise and descend by which the reader may observe the rise and institution of Tythes and the end thereof and the observation of them from Moses or the Levitical Law downwards till Christ the end of the Law for Righteousness sake to all them that believe Rom. 10.4 I shall now proceed to give my Reasons whereupon I deny the Payment of Tythes First The Reader may take notice of the Institution of Tythes and by whom Here is Moses the Servant and Prophet of the Lord who was faithfull in all his House and was a Witness through Faith of those things which should afterward come to pass Hebr. 3.3 4. this was he whom the Lord chused and sent into Egyt for a Prophet Prince and Deliverer to the Children of Israel Exod. 3.10 Acts 7.34 35. and having brought them to Mount Sinai the Lord spake unto Moses saying Tell the Children of Israel You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on Eagles Wings and brought you to me Now if you will hear my Voice indeed and keep my Covenant then ye shall be my chief Treasure above all People though all the Earth be mine and ye shall be to me a Kingdom of Priests and an holy Nation Then Moses proposed to them what the Lord had said to him and the People answered unanimously All that the Lord hath Commanded we will do and Moses reported their words unto the Lord Exod. 19.3 4. c. So the Lord calling Moses and Aaron only up into the Mount said I am the Lord thy God that have brought thee out of Egypt c. Thou shalt have no other Gods besides me and he delivered to them his Precepts and his Law by the dispensation of Angels Exod. 20. c. Also he commanded them not to make unto themselves gods of silver or gold verse 23. Then he commanded Moses to make an Altar of Earth or Stone whereon to offer the burnt-offerings and peace-offerings c. And see saith he that a Tool be not lifted up upon it verse 24.25 Then he delivered to him the Temporal or Civil Laws Exod. chap. 21 22 23. c. So Moses wrote all the Laws and erected them an Altar under the Mount and Twelve pillars according to the Twelve Tribes of Israel and sent of the Children of Israel who offered Burnt-offerings Beaves and Peace-offerings c. and with half of the Blood he sprinkled the Altar and the rest he put in Basins And he read the Laws and all the words of the Lord to the People who said All that the Lord hath said we will do and be obedient So Moses sprinkled all the People with the Blood and said Behold the Blood of the Covenant which the Lord hath made with you touching all these things Chap. 24. Then the Lord called Moses up into the Mount saying I will give thee Tables of Stone and a Law and Commandments which I have written that thou mayst Teach them to the People And Moses took his Minister Joshua and went up and Moses was in the Mount forty Days and forty Nights and God spake unto Moses to speak unto the Children of Israel that they should offer unto the Lord an offering of Gold Silver Brass Purple Scarlet and fine Linnen Oyl and Spices and precious Stones c. And that they should make the Lord a Sanctuary that he might dwell amongst them and that it should be according to the express Pattern shewed to him and also that he should make an Ark in which the Testimonies of the Covenant should be placed describing the fashion of the Tabernacle and the Order Place and Fashion of all the appurtenances thereunto belonging every thing was to be made placed and erected according to the express Patern shâ—wn to him in the Mount chapters 25 26. Mark what I say Moses having read the Law and the Book of the Covenant in the audience of the People they said All that the Lord hath said will we do and be obedient chap. 24.7 8. Then he took the Blood of the Covenant having with the one half sprinkled the Altar with the other half he sprinkled the People and the Covenant was confirmed for almost all things were by the Law purged with blood and without shedding of Blood is no Remission Hebr. 9.22 mark here is the establishment of the first Covenant which stood in meats and drinks and divers washings and carnal Ordinances which was imposed untill the time of Reformation Hebr. 9.9 10. mark here again which was but a Figure for the time then present and could never make the Comers thereunto perfect as pertaining to the Conscience But Christ being come an High Priest of good things to come mark by a greater and more perfect Tabernacle that is not made with hands nor not of this building I say also Christ Jesus being come who was the end of the Law for Righteousness sake to all that believe and the Substance of all Shadows Antitypes and Figures he hath brought in a more excellent Ministry being a Mediator of a better Covenant established upon better Promises wherefore coming into the World he saith Sacrifices Offerings and Burnt-Offerings for sin thou wouldest not which are offered by the Law but a Body thou hast prepared as it is written Lo I come to do thy Will O God by the which Will we are sanctified saith the Apostle mark He taketh away the first that he might establish the Second Now if the First Covenant had been faultless there should no place have been for the Second but finding fault with them under the First Covenant and why because it was not possible that the blood of Bulls and Goats should take away sins for in those Sacrifices there was yea and is a remembrance of sins every year so that the Commers thereunto is not made perfect so finding fault with them he saith Behold the days come that I will make a new Covenant with the House of Israel and with the House of Judah not
Authority over all the Europian Nations as doth fully and largely appear in those pithy and ponderous works of the before recited Authors A. P. and F. H. this Title of Tythes having such a pleasant delightsom relish it hath been still retained amongst all the Reformed Rulers in Church and State who hath so largely professed to cast off the Papistical Yoke Now I shall proceed to say something to those my Neighbours and Parishioners amongst whom I have had my conversation in times past and a society when I wrought the will of the Flesh who have known my manner of Life from a Child I say to such what have I done what have I thought what have I acted or spoken that hath deserved any such measure as I have received from L. W or what evil have I done or what occasion have I given to any Mans person good name or estate at any time especially since I associated amongst the People called Quakers let him you or any of you or any other Person come forth that can justly charge any thing against me wherein I have damnified any one the value of a penny and have denied to give satisfaction or have offered violence to any ones Dog and I shall willingly upon due proof make acknowledgement and satisfaction to the utmost of my power for blessed be the Lord my Righteousness and Redeemer there is no thing upon my Conscience and Spirit but what is between the Lord and my own Soul in matter of my Testimony yea everlastingly magnified be the Righteous Lord my preserver to whose praise I desire to speak it that though L. W. and many others have sought occasion and have waited for my halting or falling they have not yet seen it nor got no occasion against me save about the Law and Worship of my God or the holding forth my Testimony and Exercise of my Conscience towards him for which I have been reviled mocked and reproached amongst you yea the Children in the Streets have played upon me with their Tongues this I speak to their or their Parents shame but was as joy and rejoycing to my Soul being for Righteousness sake the Blessing of the Lord was with me and mine Enemies knew it not nor they that dwelt in Darkness saw it not This further I have to propound to you whether ye can allow of it or that it would be justifiable in the Law of Equity and true Judgment that my Servant should Sue you at Law make spoil and carry away your goods and cast your persons into Prison and after all seek to make your Estates forfeit and confiscate and all for the wages and recompence of the Service he hath done for me which of you would approve of such work or of me in keeping such a Servant would you not rather say to me if I have hired a Servant and employed him pay him and maintain him also why doth he trouble you What have you to do to pay him for my work seeing he is my Servant Is not this the case between me and you Is not L. W. your Minister and also your Servant And by what Law or Reason ought I to pay him for doing your service Hath either you or he a President in all the Scriptures of any such unequal deeds Did ye ever Read of any of the Churches or Servants of God in Ages past that used such things I trow not If I had destributed voluntarily it had been one thing but being sued and compelled thereunto therefore I complain may not I say to you why do you hire more servants then you can pay Or why do you keep more then you are able to maintain Else why am I thus persecuted for his maintenance May not I speak this to your shame being so many as I may say for one Servant you are either hard Masters and very penurious and strait-handed to your Servants or else your Servants are very lavish proud profane and prodigal and hath much maintaining Did ever any Minister of ours called a Quaker come among you to sue and cast into Prison for their maintenance and livelihood or what would you say if they should I believe you would condemn both us and them and indeed we should be greatly ashamed if they should for my part I had rather Administer to the last mite then any such cause of aspertion should be given against us and also testifie against them as no Ministers of Christ that Preaches for any such ends if they be Gospel Ministers let their Gospel maintain them or let them labour with their hands though many have said we are a disorderly and unmannerly People but I affirm we have better orders and manners amongst us then you have for your Servants are become your Masters and Lords it over you and both in that and many other things disorder and confusion is come over you as they that built Babel of old I remember well what Malachi saith complaining of the Priests Mal. 2.2 3 c. to verse 9. I will send a Curse upon you I 'll Curse your Blessings yea I have Cursed them already Behold I 'll corrupt your Seed and spread dung upon your Faces and ye shall know that I have sent this Commandment unto you that my Covenant might be with Levi my Covenant was with him of Life and Peace the Law of Truth was in his mouth for the Priests lips should preserve knowledge but ye are departed out of the Way ye have caused many to stumble at the Law ye have corrupted the Covenant of Levi saith he therefore have I made you contemptible and base before all the People mark now Is not this the case and condition of the present Priesthood and Clergy of England those neutralists that are neither Ministers of the Law nor Gospel hath not the Lord made them contemptible and base before all the People yea where shall a Man come and have any Discourse about them but the most part if not all doth generally conclude they are Covetous vile proud and profane Persons Oppressors Drunkards Men-pleasers Time-servers Turn-coats Heady and High-minded lovers of Pleasures and filthy lucre more then of God having a Form of Godliness but denying the Power but their folly shall be and is made manifest it shall proceed no further said the Apostle May not I say the Merchants of this last Age hath exceeded all that ever went before them they can trade on those dayes called their Sabboths or Lords-dayes and prohibit all others from either trading or labouring in their lawful and honest vocations but if they 'l Play Drink Revel Swear and be Profane there they may have liberty enough on those Dayes Also whether any have need of their Merchandice or not or will come and Trade with them or not or will take any of their Commodities from them or not yet they have a Law and by that Law compel them to pay and that even their own Rates what they demand and if any refuse then
they 'l menace and thunder out their Comminations and Excomunications and some they 'l cast in Prison it may be till Death and yet cloke themselves over with the name of Gospel Ministers and plead innocency and say its the Law that requires it and binds Men to be subject to Ecclesiastical Canons and Censures now wherein doth their innocency appear unless in putting a white Coat above a black one a Popish dress and if the Figure be true they are but outside Pharisees appearing white and clean without and that in Apparel only Yea I may say they are as wise expert Marriners in that Babilonish Wisdom as ever Trafficked or Sailed upon the Waters of the Great Whore they can Sail with any Wind that blows within the Circuit of Babylons Coasts but that Prophesie comes to be fulfilled upon them Evil Men and Seducers shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived c. But blessed be the Lord the Day is dawned that declares them and the Light that makes them manifest with their all Abominations and the Son is appeared that will disperse them as the Morning mist so that their skirts shall be uncovered and their nakedness shall be laid open and their visage shall be no more Vailed for the Judgment of the Great Whore is come and coming wherein all her Merchants shall weep and mourn because no Man buyeth their Merchandice any more So this Mite of my Testimony I have cast in being but a Mite indeed in comparison of the many weighty praise-worthy works given forth by many of the dear and faithful Servants of God upon this very Subject in this very Age from the breakings forth of the Glorious Light in them revealed and made known And for the clearing my Conscience in the sight of the Lord I refer this to publick view and give this Testimony to my Countrymen and Acquaintance or any others that yet see not the difference between us and the Priests in this very point and partly for satisfying or silencing of others especially the People of the Independants or Congregational Church at Melmerby so called who though as I have said before they once made the non payment of Tythes an Article of their Judgment yet have of late since I became a sufferer for them whisperingly or clandestinely condemned me in secret more then many if not all others that have less profession and seem more profane rendring me foolâ—sh and unwise to suffer so much and so long for such a trivial external tempory matter as they call it but to me it was and is no smâ—ll matter being to the Contrary perswaded in my Conscience and knowing by good experience and assured Testimonies that I must stand or fall by obedience or disobedience to the manifestation of the Lords precious Gift and Light in my own Soul and Conscience I therefore value not the Judgment of any Man or People being from the Light the Line of True Judgment and Rule of Life to me and to be accounted a Fool is no new nor strange thing for a Fool I am to their Wisdom as was the good and precious Servants of God in Ages past For the Wisdom of God is foolishness with Men and casting things upon me behind my back becomes them not it were more Christianly for them to Admonish or Instruct me face to face and to give me their Advice and Reasons in matters of this nature which if I found to be more weighty sound and agreeable to the Witness of God in my Conscience I should be very ready willing and glad to receive them and be informed by them I am neither so far remote nor so much a stranger to them though my Principle may but this way they chuse not but makes War and fights as Men that beat the Air hiddenly or a far off slighting and contemning my Principle and me for its sake above most of People as though I had been Poysonous and Infectious where I came prohibiting some of their Society and Members so called to have any Fellowship or Converse with me or to receive either Books or Papers from me or come where I was and one of their leading Teachers G. Nicholson by Name denied to make good their own Principles and Tenents held forth in their own Defence against us and also to make good several contumelious aspertions cast upon us in my Hearing by him and others and also denied to give an account of his Faith and Hope in Christ Jâ—sus saying It was in vain c. with several such like matters which I shall now omit and yet these People will be Slighting and Villifying us in secret indeed we have much more cause to have disesteemed them and their Principles having more knowledge of both them and it when we were amongst them then ever they had of us or ours and in villifying our Principles they speak evil of things they understand not being a Treasure whose worth and value they never knew the mystery whereof is hid and sealed from that state and nature they live in we have known theirs but they never knew ours yea for my own part I can truly say in the Light and Presence of the Lord that I had more love and affection in my Heart for those people then any other Profession that was from the Light yea many a time I could have mourned in secret and been willing to have undergone great hardship that they might have been won and gained to the Lord yea I could as it were have plucked them out of the fire many a time other times my spirit hath been weighed and burthened yea filled with indignation against some of them that were Elders Teachers and Leaders that caused the rest to Err who like the Pharisees of old have Shut the Kingdom of God as it were but I am sure they have drawn backward and hindred the work of the Lord both in themselves and others for they would neither enter themselves nor suffer those that would but have made War against the Light in themselves and others and I testifie they are Strangers to the Covenant of Promise Christ Jesus the Light the New and Living Way who is the Light of the World John 8.12 Who is in the World and the World knows him not and lighteth every Man that comes into the World John 1.4 5 6 7 8 9 unto whom John came to bear Witness and yet how few will believe how few doth receive John's Testimony though he was sent from God to bear Witness of the Light and all hold John as a Prophet also how few do receive Christs own Exhortation who said While you have the Light believe in the Light that you may be Children of the Light John 12.36 no marvel if they receive not ours may it not well be said unto them Behold ye Dispisers and wonder I will work a Work in your day which though a Man declare it unto you yet will you in no wise believe Acts 13.41 mark ye Despisers
they will be as a broken Reed but all keep low and mind the narrow Way that leadeth unto Life the self denying way 't is but a few that find it yea peradventure but a few of that few that professes to walk in it The broad way the way of the World lies very near on every hand it is soon stepped into if once ones Eye be turned aside then it appears delightfull and hath a show of Beauty in it but it leads to the chambers of Death And my Friends those things I laid before you in my former Epistle I hope I need not here reiterate or make repetition of but as I was enjoyned by the Lord to deliver them unto you so I would have all Male and Female to ponder them in your Hearts that all may be clear and I clear of all And Friends keep your Hearts clear of the spirit of this World of all the Ways Fashions Pleasures and Alurements thereof shake your selves from them live loose to them for things may be Lawful to them and by their Law that may not be Lawful to us by our Law The Law of the spirit here is our rule so take heed of measuring by their Rule for our Rule being spiritual exceeds all their carnal Rules and our Righteousness must exceed theirs also so all minding the Rule and minding the Line none needs go out of their Way for it exceeds all the Lines and Rules of Mans making so come to the just measure the measure of Truth for unjust measures are abomination in the sight of God And all shake your selves from all the Whorish Babilonish brats from all her Customs from all her Ways and Worships partake not of them come away come away hasten hasten out from among them bid adieu to all her Glories and escape for your lives as Lot did out of Sodom before Gods destroying Angel go forth for his Wrath is kindling and his Fury is coming up into his Face and who shall stand before him Oh therefore come come away linger not hasten hasten to little Zoar the City of our Refuge which God hath appointed for us come give up give up all in pure obedience follow the Lamb even the Lamb of God that takes away the sin and finisheth Transgression and breaks the bonds of Death oh give up leave all and come away and wait to feel the Blood of sprinkling the Blood of the Lamb to sprinkle the posts of your Doors that the destroying Angel may not enter but may pass over you as he passed over his Israel of old for I know it from the Lord and can declare it unto you that God hath a Remnant at this Day as he had in that that are in Covenant with him And those are they that hath obeyed Truth in their inward parts and hath kept their Garments unspotted of the World and hath walked with God in the simplicity of their Hearts they are his he hath Chosen them out of the World he hath called them by his Name and espoused them to himself and whosever toucheth them touches the apple of his Eye God will take care of them and will be their munitioned Rock he will pass by them and spare them as a Man spareth his onely Son that serveth him oh therefore retire retire to the Lowly Meek and self-denying Spirit of Jesus live in the possession of it so shall you be Heirs of Life and Glory in and through Christ Jesus and Citizens of the New and Heavenly Jerusalem whose Walls is salvation and Gateâ— praise and though fear may surprize the hypocrite and astonishment cease upon the Disobedient and Rebellious yet you shall â—â—and as Mount Zion that cannot be moved the Lord God Almighty will strengthen your stakes so that not a stake of Jerusalem can be removed nor a Cord of Zion ever â—e broken the Mouth of the Lord hath said it Oh therefore all sink down sink down to the pure Principle of God in the inward Man the just Mans path the shining Light of Jesus Christ oh let that Guide all and Order all and then may we say with David thy Word o Lord is a Light unto my feet and a Lanthorn unto my paths indeed and so in the Light feel the Love the first Love renewed and strengthened again oh strengthen strengthen that little that yet remains that it may grow warmer and warmer and not colder and colder for where iniquity abounds there Love grows cold and undoubtedly in such the Life declines therefore feel universal Love to grow to fill to run through all for Love worketh no ill to his Neighbour it is the fulfilling of the Law as faith the Apostle so if any one Male or Female have declined have walked disorderly have turned aside from the holy Commandment from the Footsteps of the flock of God from the holy Order of the holy Life and Gospel of Jesus Christ it stops the Currant of Love both in themselves and others oh let such return return repent and amend and bow to the Righteous Judgment of him to whom all Judgment is committed and at the Footstool of Jesus truly humbled in true Tenderness and Contrition of Spirit wait to feel the Currant and Streams of Love from God the Father to flow in and heal again and to restore again that so the heavenly sap vertue and universal love may be felt to spring run and ascend again through every member or branch that love and good will in all may grow and increase and the contrary nature may decline and that root in which enmity self-love pride and contention stands may be daily subdued and slain that all may bow to the Cross and be subject to the Power the heavenly Power of God oh feel it feel it in your Souls to live oh let none resist it in themselves nor in others for whoever resists the Power resists the Ordinance of God so prise it prise it my dear Friends retain the sense and savour of it in your selves let not that be lost in any high nor low rich or poor old nor young there is a living Beauty and Comliness in it still it is beyond all professions or prescribed Forms or imitations of Mans making there can no form nor likness be made of it so the nature and work of the Power being possessed and lived in it will preserve all in Love Unity and Peace and Heavenly fellowship and spiritual oneness out of all jars strifes discords or divisions And the God of Peace and Love will be with us and delight to do us good and will undoubtedly cherish and maintain his own heavenly Birth and righteous Seed which by the over shadowings of his heavenly eternal Power he hath begotten and raised in all his regenerated ones So to the pure gift of God I Recommend you all my dear Friends Brethren and Sisters that in it we may all hold the mistery of Faith in a pure Conscience even that Faith that gives Victory and Dominion over the
World and all that nature that in it we may live and by it all may be preserved unto the end That so the Lord God Almighty his Living Holy Name and Eternal Truth may be Feared Served Honoured and Obeyed over all by and through all for He alone is worthy yea Everlasting worthy God blessed for ever and evermore Saith the Soul and Spirit of him who is the Lords and yours in the Unity of the Gospel of Christ Jesus T. C. A General EPISTLE CONTAINING Wholsom Admonition and Advice to Friends in IRELAND and else-where By Thomas Carleton DEar and well beloved Friends Brethren and Sisters who are in some Measure gathered by the Arm of God's Power and have known the blessed Appearance of Life and Salvation to you is the Salutation of my unfeigned Love and in the Fellowship of God's Everlasting Light do I tenderly greet you all and for the clearing of my Spirit of that which for some time hath been upon me do I communicate these Lines in the true Simplicity of my Heart dearly desiring all that love the Lord Jesus Christ To keep low and near the Lord and wait to feel God's living Power in your Hearts unto which we were turned or exhorted from the Beginning for in the Light of the Lord I see there is a Necessity for it For unless the Sense of God's living Power be felt Profession is vain and Meetings are not made profitable for the Mysteries of Life and Salvation and of true Christianity consist not only in any Profession Name or Notion of this or that Principle Article or Creed formed or received in the Minds of Men or Women but in a living Enjoyment and Possession of the Power and Spirit of Christ Jesus the Author and Finisher of the living saving Faith So my dear Friends all wait to feel the Operation of that Power in every Heart and Soul to subdue all to God and to work all into submission and real obedience to the heavenly Will and Mind of Christ Jesus who is come a Light into the World that all men through him might believe hear is the unchangeable standing Rule which every one is to measure themselves by and he or she that is measured or squared by this are as polished Stones for God's spiritual House and he or she that is not squared by this are not fit to be Members of God's Building so all having the Measuring line in your hearts let Judgment be laid to it and so try all things words works behaviours and the Intent of all and from what ground and spirit it doth proceed and this unchangeable everlasting Rule all keep to it and Build by it so shall you be justified with it in the Day of Tryal so all things done by this unchangeable unerring Rule the Law of the Spirit of Life this keeps clean and pure and sets free of all Mud and Confusion Sin and Iniquity and things that bring death and darkness over the Soul and understanding and so cloud the Testimony So let every man and woman by this standing Rule examine themselves and so let them eat speak or act as the Lord shall perswade them and wherein any one doubteth and is not clear in what he or she undertaketh let such forbare and wait in quietness till the Lord clear their way So all take heed and keep to the Rule for in the Lord's Light we see Light and have Clearness and Freedom and Peace but going from the Light without Rule without Guide the Vail comes over Darkness gathers in Confusion and Trouble then Peace comes to be lost So you that have known in any measure the work of Regeneration and of the New Birth through the working of God's Spirit and power in your Hearts by which some unclean spirits have been cast out keep to the Power still and beware of letting in the unclean spirit again for if you do the latter-end will be worse then the beginning And lean not to the World's Wisdom beware of that spirit I advise all for by that wisdom God is not known and if once the Sense and enjoyment of God be lost then man and woman is in a woful state without God in the World so keep out of the world's spirit I intreat you all and live as Fools to it and all its wayes fashions customs for in the light of the Lord I see a great Snare there at this day and too many that make Profession of Truth are like to be split upon that Rock So dear Friends live loose to the world and all the glories of it and seek to be wise in that which is not of this world that you may be loved of God and so dwell in that which can bear the revilings and reproaches of this world and the contradiction of sinners as our Lord Jesus Christ hath left us an Example So beware of looking back to Egypt's Glory again to see any heauty or comliness in that dark Land for from the Lord I see a Temptation attending God's spiritual Israel in this day as surely as ever it attended Israel after the Flesh and many are too prone to desire the pleasures of Egypt again though the best of them be bondage as many to their Sorrow have found yea too many there be that cannot bear tryals and reproaches and the way of the Cross and self-denyal but think it long and wearisom and hard as they did in the dayes of old and so are too ready to murmur and repine and lust in their hearts after this World 's glory again and joyn to its fashions and customs again and so set up Idols again as they did whose Carcases fell in tho wilderness with whom the Lord was displeased So beware of letting in that spirit of destrust unbelief and rebellion against God and his pure Witness in your Consciences and beware of building that which was once destroyed or licking up that which was once vomited or entertaining of that which was once cast out or owning that which was once denyed either in words in works in behaviour in apparel in doctrine or faith hath Truth in you condemned for all idle vain prophane wicked unfound and unfavoury words and brought you into a Form of needful true and sound words keep to it still hath Truth condemned all idle proud prophane wicked and ungodly Actions and all empty airy foolish wanton lustful proud self-willed and Men-pleasing behaviours and brought you into moderation gravity plainness reallity and Truth in Life and Conversation keep to it still hath Truth condemned for decking and adorning the Body with vain superfluous proud needless worldly eye-taking Toyes in Apparel and led you into plain profitable decent needful things keep to it still and fashion not your selves like unto the World nor learn any of their manners nor of the breeding of that Egyptian-Spirit which keeps the Seed in bondage and oppressed the just in the particular and in the general so from the Lord I advise you all and
it they bring from a strange Vine which Christ Jesus will not own and all take heed and keep low in God's Fear And you my Friends that are Rich in this World or have much of the Creation of God do you watch and take heed for there is a Snare and that none of the least which attends that state also and if the Lord hath encreased your store set not your Hearts upon them nor trust to them for he that trusteth to his Riches shall fall for as one said They are not for ever but sometime make themselves Wings and fly away so be not lifted up with them but eye the Lord and possess as though you possessed not and labour to be Rich towards God and Rich in good Works and remember poor afflicted Joseph and be ready to do good and to communicate as said the Apostle and keep your Hearts single and loose to those things and so in God's Wisdom you will see your Way and Service and the End and Use of all And all you Young Men and Women that are single and unmarryed you have an Oportunity to serve the Lord do you keep low and beware of being entangled or brought in Bondage by youthful Lusts for thereby many have lost a good condition with God and brought themselves to Sorrow and Wo both in this Life and that which is to come And above all take heed of joyning Affinity with strange Nations and such as know not God nor obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ for this was forbidden Israel after the flesh Deut. 7.3.4 and for their Disobedience herein God's anger was kindled against them and they were carryed away captive many years which made Ezra the Servant of the Lord rent his Garments and pluck his Hair off his Head and Beard and mourn before the Lord till he and the Elders of Israel resolved to put away their Strange Wives Ez 9 10. chap. And Esau by marrying the Daughters of Heth so grieved his Father and Mother that Rebecca complained she was weary of her Life Gen. 27.46 And Paul advised not to be unequally yoked together Believers with Unbelievers knowing there could be no Union between Light and Darkness nor the Temple of God and Idols c. so keep your Hearts single to God and wait in God's Wisdom to overcome the Wicked One in your own particulars and seek to be marryed to the Lord first and joyned to the Lord by his eternal Spirit which brings into Unity and keeps Chastity in Mind and Spirit unto him and observe the Advice of the Apostle who said The Unmarried cared for the things of the Lord how he or she might please the Lord but the married for the things of this World how he or she might please Wife or Husband So all be watchful and mind your Places and Callings in Christ Jesus but if any one in the Fear and Wisdom of God do see it their way to marry let such seek God's Counsel and be not hasty but wait in it that he or she may enjoy a Wife or a Husband in the Peace and Love of God and to be joyned one by his eternal Spirit and then Meet helps and a Blessing one to another and then the Marriage is honourable and the Bed undefiled so all keep clean and live up to God in all things in all States and Conditions in your Places and Callings whereunto God hath called you that the Lord may take pleasure to do you good and to multiply his Blessings upon you that the Issues of Life and Peace may abound and run through all and rest upon all your Hearts and Souls as the dew of Hermon And the God of Peace and Love preserve us all in his Peace and Love and carry us through all by the Arm of his Eternal Power and guide us all in his heavenly Wisdom to the Praise Glory and Renown of his Everlasting Name who is God alone blessed forever and for evermore Written the 13th of the 7th Month 1676. Your Friend Brother in the Obedience of Truth Tho. Carleton FINIS