all others for as the perfection of ancient times under the Law was not to forswear so the perfection of Christian men is not to swear at all And whereas this opposer that I have to deal with brings a Scripture out of the Prophets Jer. 4.2 and thou shalt swear the Lord liveth in truth c. I say this doth not at all make void the sayings of Christ because he is the end of the Prophets who saith swear not at all and whatever other Scripture may be alleadged it is not at all contradictory because Christ the Son is greater then Moses he raigns over the house of Jacob and Joseph who swore in their day Solomon swore but a greater then Solomon is here And whereas the Prophet saith thou shalt swear by the Lord this was to bring them off from all false oaths not to swear by Baal nor other false Gods but they were in those days to swear by the Lord but Christ is come as I have said who is the great Prophet who ends all oathes And whereas it is alleadged that an oath is an end of strife and therefore to be used saith this opposer But I say that whosoever doth bring that Scripture in Heb. 6.17 to maintain swearing contrary to Christ his command they pervert the Scripture for the Authour to the Hebrewes doth not speak there to prove an oath lawful at that time but he is speaking of God making a promise to Abraham and because he could swear by no greater he swore by himself saying Surely blessing I will bless thee and multiplying I will multiply thee and so after he had patiently endured he obtained the promise for men verily swear by the greater and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife the Apostle doth not bring this in opposition to Christ but speaking concerning God who swore by himself concerning his promise and giving his Son Christ who ends the strife and this I further say that those that be in strife and oathes they have not learned Christ one Scripture more I shall add as a confirmation against swearing and that is in Jam. 5.12 but above all things my brethren swear not neither by heaven neither by the earth neither by any other oath mark all oathes are forbidden but let your yea be yea and your nay nay least ye fall into condemnation Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that singing of Psalms is no Gospel ordinance especially not to be used in mixt Assemblies Answ This is false for singing of Psalms according to the Scriptures we own singing with the spirit and with understanding making melody in our hearts to the Lord according to those Scriptures Col. 3.16 Ephes 5.19 And whereas another Scripture is alleadged Jam 5.13 if any be afflicted let him pray is any merry let him sing Psalms this is owned by us but the question will be who are they that are truly merry I say that none are truly merry but the ransomed of the Lord who have passed through many tribulations and fiery tryals whose garments are washed with the blood of the Lamb such shall return to Sion with joy and singing and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads But the songs of the wicked shall be turned into howling and weeping and such we do deny and all such as take Davids words a man after Gods own heart and turn them into Rhime and Meeter and a company of mixt people of proud ones covetous envyous wrathful scoffing and scornful ones for such as these to sing Davids experiences his prayers and prophesies his weenings wastings roarings cryings tremblings and such like this is a great wickedness to speak Davids words and say O Lord I am not puft in mind I have no scornful eye I do not exercise my self in things that be too high c. when both Priest and people are proud and scornful such singing we do deny and as sure as God lives it shall be turned into howling and weeping and bitter lamentation Pr. There is an opinion among them that the spirit is the rule they ought to walk by the spirit is our guide teacher and leader Answ That which was the Rule and guide of the people of God before the Scriptures were written and their rule and guide that writ the Scriptures is our Rule and guide now and that was the spirit of God which led and guided them in the way and truth of God and it is written in the Prophets all the children of the Lord shall be taught of the Lord and this was the promise of Christ to send the Comforter the spirit of truth which should lead and guide them into all truth and this is according to the Scriptures and stands over the head of all gain-sayers and opposers but this is so plain that no reasonable man will gainsay it for as many as are led by the Spirit of God are the Sons of God Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that the Trinity of persons is a lie and that there are not three persons in the God head Answ What the Spirit of the Lord doth own we own and what is written in the Scriptures by the motion of the spirit we own There is three that bear record in heaven the Father the Word and the holy Spirit and these three are One and this we own as for three persons I have not read of such a thing in the Scriptures God is an incomprehensible spirit and is but One Father Son and Spirit three in manifestation but all one in power one God over all blessed for ever Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that the Ministry of England is Antichristian and our Ministers no Ministers of Jesus Christ. Ans 1. Such as are brought up at Schools and Colledges and there learn Aristotles moral and Philosophical Arts and sciences and there take certain degrees and orders as Batchelor of Art Master of Art Batchelor of Divinity Doctor of Divinity and the like and are trained up there certain years and so made Ministers in and by the will of man such are Antichristian but such are the Ministers of England therefore no Ministers of Christ Ans 2. Such as make contracts and bargains with people for certain set stipends and great sums of money as 80.100 200 300. pounds or more or less by the year and will not preach without money such are Antichristian but such are the Ministers of England therefore not the Ministers of Christ Ans 3. Such as denies the Doctrine of perfection the life of pure Religion the work and end of the Christian Ministry Eph. 4.11.12 13. Col. 1.27.28 29. and say that none can be perfect or free from sin while they walk upon the earth but must alwayes live in sin and sin in them such a Ministry is Antichristian But such are the Ministers of England therefore not the Ministers of Jesus Christ Pr. I would gladly know if the Ministers of England be not the Ministers of Christ what
righteousness and this is no new truth but the same as ever even that which was from the beginning which is the same to day and for ever and unto that which all people have erred from is the Lord now bringing them back again unto that they may have union with him in spirit and worship him in spirit and in truth and this is the worship that we own and the true faith which is the gift of God which we are made partakers of which purifies the heart and gives victory over the world and the lusts and pollutions of it and for this faith and no other do we contend against all opposers and gainsayers as many we have met withall within these few years in this Nation of England since the glorious light of truth did shine forth but over them all the truth doth reigne and shall reigne and the Lamb shall have the victory And amongst the many opposers who have appeared by word and writing against the truth I have lately seen a book given forth by one James Livesâ—y a Parish Priest in Cheshire who hath vomited forth a great deâ—l of silthy stuff like smoke from the bottomless pit which darkens the aire and blinds the eyes of some people there away and causes them to stumble at the appearance of truth Now for the truths sake and for their sakes who love it I am made free to write some few things to the chief points or heads in the said book for the manifesting and laying open deceit and removing the stumbling-blocks out of the way of the simple as for my own particular I am satisfied and I know many more in this Nation who have received of the fulness of God and have drunk of the sweet and pleasant streams that have sprung from the Fountain of Sion and have received satisfaction and can no longer drink of the dury muddy filthy streams that springs from the well head of Babylon nor can any longer trade with the deceitful Merchants of Babylon for the day of her calamity is come and the Lord is discovering the witchcraft and sorcery of her Merchants unto thousands is this Nation and other parts who can buy her Merchandize no more but to come to the matter in hand and the first things I meet with in the Book aforesaid in the first page are some reliques or remainders of some old wares which this Merchant of Babylon hath taken back again from something formerly sold by him which he casts in to fill up the measure of the other which he hath compacted together to make sale of which I may passe over and come to the matter and its possible when the Merchandize is opened I may find some of these reliques and may return them back again with the other deceitful wares unto this Merchant of Babylon for the Children of Sion loaths them and will no longer buy them Pr. Is the written word Gods Answ The written words or sayings of the holy men of God so far as they are not corrupted in the translations I own to be a true testimony or declaration of the eternal word and being given forth from the moving of the spirit they are good they are words of God and dearly owned and prized by us and were given forth to be read believed practised and fulfilled but He cannot be written with pen or ink whose Name is called the word of God Pr Then in the next place what ever humane doctrines or opinions you meet with which thwart contradict or oppose the written word reject Answ We who fear God and are led and guided by the spirit of God which leadeth into all truth we do not act things contradictory to the Scriptures though to dark understandings something may be so judged as sometimes in the dayes past the chief Priest and great professors Judged the Ministers Christ who denyed the outward commandments and shadows of the Law which were commands of God written in the Scriptures as the Temple Sabbath circumcision Priests tythes osterings and the like and brought people to the guidings and leadings of the holy spirit and the holy unction within them but the Priests of England do act things invented by humane wisdom and that which doth oppose and contradict plain Scriptures as first their carnal and man-made Ministry being brought up at Schools and Colledges and so made Ministers in and by the will of man contrary to Paul who neither received it of man neither was he taught it but by the Revelation of Jesus Christ Gal 1.1.11.12.15.16 2 Their man-made Churches which God never commanded to be built in the Gospel ministration but on the contrary said God that made the World and all things therein seeing he is Lord of Heaven and earth dwelleth not in Temples made with hands c. 3. Their carnal call by ringing of bells 4. their standing praying in the high places there and being called of men Master contrary to the plain words of Christ Mat. 23. who saith unto his true Ministers be not ye called of men Master c. 5. Their long prayers and studied Sermons as they call them their singing of Davids experiences in Rhime and Meter which they doth not witnesse in themselves nor hearers their sprinkling of Infants an invention of man never commanded by Christ nor practised by his Apostles their yearly set and forced maintenance and many other things are done and acted by the Priests of England which doth contradict and oppose plain Scriptures and they have no example for such practices but are humane inventions and therefore we do deny them and turn from them and testisie against them and know assuredly that God will overturn them The next thing I meet with is a saying of Austin which the Priest brings which makes nothing for his purpose but is altogether against the end for which it is alleadged for Austin speaks there of the teachings of Christ and labours to bring from the teachings of men the words are these nec tu me nec ego te sed ambo Christum audi veritatem loquentum audi Christum dicentem neither hear thou me nor will I hear thee but let both of us hear Christ hear the truth speaking hear Christ teaching the words are sound and good for all flesh is to be silent and Christ must speak in male and female Ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me saith Paul 2 Cor. 13.3 And the anointing which ye have received of him abides in you saith John and ye need not that any man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you 1 John 2.27 which teachings of Christ Austin in this place speakes of which this opposer Livesey would apply to the Scriptures without and so pervert his words above mentioned But the words of Austin do not bear such a sense as Christ speaking in the Scripture but hear Christs teaching and so let him that hath an ear to hear hear what the Spirit saith Pr. Furthermore I find a Scripture quoted Isay
through all the figures Tythes before the Law to Melchisedeck the similitude like the Son of God Tythes under the Law to the Levitical Priesthood and speakes of the change of the Priesthood and of the Law and disannulling the Commandement and in the beginning of the eight chapter sums up all in one now saith he of the things that we have spokn of and Tythes was one of the things this is the sum Jesus Christ who is a Priest for ever not after the order of Aaron but by the power of an endless life who is the end of all likenesses the sum of the signres Types and shadowes the end of the first Priesthood that received Tythes and the end of the Law and so an end of Tythes and all who take or pay Tythes now it is a denying of Christ to be come in the flesh and such are Antichristian and all Lawes and Statutes which are made by men for the payment of Tythes God will overturn and throw down and the true Christians who are subject to the Ordinances and commands of Christ cannot obey but testifie against such Lawes which have been made in the dark times of Popery which the Priests of England who deny the Pope in words yet are upholden and maintained by his maintenance which never any of the true Ministers of Christ did as this opposer doth in words confess that the Apostles took no Tythes but I shall leave this point and go on and leave Tythes and all set and forced maintenance to fall with the hireling and carnal-man-made Ministers And whereas this opposer and gain-sayer is speaking of expounding adding and giving meanings upon the Scriptures and brings the expounders of the Law and Paul confounded the Jewes and the like and then numbers himself amongst them and saith we are Christs Ambassadours when he is manifested to be a lyar a false accuser Preaching for hire and is one in nature with those blasphemers who said they were Jewes but were not as these say they are Ministers of Christ but are not but are the Synagogue of Satan Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that the Church of England is no true Church Answ That which is commonly called the Church which this opposer went about to prove to wit a place built with mens hands is no true Church neither are the Saints that meets in those Idolatrous places but a company of mixed people of proud covetous heady high-minded ones scoffers and scorners lyars and swearers drunkards and all manner of ungodly persons meets in those places and all the whole body of that worship which is maintained and practiced there is quit another thing then what was practiced in the true Church and so not the Church of Christ which is his body which he hath Redeemed with his own blood that he may present it without spot unto God not having any spot or wrinkle or any such thing Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that there hath been a night of a Apostacy ever since the dayes of the Apostles now the life is risen which guided the Apostles Answ There hath been a dark night of a Apostacy since the dayes of the Apostles and the sheep of the Lord they have been made a prey upon and have been scattered all this cloudy dark day not that the Lord hath not had a people through all ages even in the darkest times but they have been under great sufferings and great tribulations and it is also true that the life and spirit is again risen and the Almighty God by his power is bringing people back unto that which the deceivers and the Antichrists went from and the foundation of many generations is raised up and the Rock is witnessed amongst those who are the reproach of many people which shall dash to pieces all that strive against it time will make it manifest Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that the Scriptures are to be taken literally c. Answ The Scriptures are not of any private interpretation neither can any man by his learning or wit understand or open them but the same spirit that was within the holy men of God which moved in them and gave unto them an understanding must give unto people now a knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures and of the things of God and not another spirit Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that they ought not to swear at all no not when called before the civil Magistrate Answ We have Christ amongst us who is the truth who teacheth us in righteousness to let our yea be yea and nay nay in all things and we have the Scriptures of truth which testifie of Christ amongst us where it is plainly written in Mat. 5.33 34 35 36 37. and given forth as a command of Christ among many other things which he had been speaking of in that same Chapter speaking of things in old time which Christ ownes in their place but he gives forth Lawes in a more strict manner for example ye have heard that it was said by them of old time thou shalt not kill and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the Judgement But I say unto you that whosoever is angry with his Brother c. shall be in danger of Judgement Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time thou shalt not commit adultery but I say unto you that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart Mark these sayings here is mentioned what the Law faith and then what Christ saith who is the perfection of all things and so he goes on and saith again ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time thou shalt not forswear thy self but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oathes but I say unto you swear not at all Mark these words as he spoke to the perfecting of other things so of this of swearing he doth not say that it was lawful to swear before a Magistrate as some say now but there is nothing more plain he puts an end to all swearing not onely of vain and frivolous oathes in common speaking but also all oathes whatsoever for as he spoke absolute in other things so in this for no doubt if an oath had been lawful to be taken in the Gospel times he would have mentioned it in this place but it is so far from holding forth such a thing that it is absolutely forbidden the Law saith thou shalt not forswear thy self but perform thine oathes to the Lord but I say swear not at all neither by heaven for it is Gods Throne nor by the earth for it is his footstool neither by Jerusalem for it is the City of the great King neither by thy head because thou caust not make one hair white or black but let your communication be yea yea nay nay for whatsoever is more then these cometh of evil so by this it is plainly manifest that Christ hath ended
shepherd but the day of the Lord is dawned and the Lord hath opened our eyes praises to his holy Nime and we desire that their eyes may be opened that they might see their filthiness and repent that their souls might live Thus I have gone through his 20. particulars and what is truth I have owned and what is not I have denyed and turned it back again into the old bottle from whence it sprung I shall hasten to an end for it is out of my life to wade in such muddy filthy stuff as this is onely for Truths sake to remove the stumbling block out of the way of the simple And now whosoever thou art that reads this let not prejudice enter into thee but in the feare of God weigh and try things and hold fast that which is good The next thing I meet with is some questions which he propounds and then goes about to answer or give his censure I may speak somthing to the questions and to other things as the Lord moves Qu. What may we rationally and Charitably conceive or judge of the Quakers pretended piety and sanctity have the truth of grace in them or no Ans Wicked ungodly men such as I have found this Priest a Lyar a Blasphemer a false accuser have nothing to do to judge of the Piety and Sanctity of the people of God but they themselves are reserved for the judgement of the great day when the â—ord Jesus shal be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God that obey not the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ who shall be punished with evelasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power when he shall come to be glorified in his Saints and to be admired in all them that believe this day is comming on apace wherein the deceits of all deceivers shall be made manifest and this know that our Piety and Sanctity is not pretended but true and firm proceeding from the true root and sure foundation and we have the truth of grace in us by which we are taught to deny the deceitful Ministry of Antichrist and all ungodly lusts and pleasures and to live a godly and sober life in this present World Some things I take notice of in this opposers pretended answer to this first question which he chargeth upon the Quakers which justly falls upon his own head false doctrine saith he begets false Piety now what can be falser doctrine then to deny perfection and cleansing from sin this opens a door to wickednesse and strikes at the life of Religion denying the very end of Christ his comming and being manifested which is to destroy the works of the Devil so this is the ground of the bad conversation and fals piety and whereas he seems to strike at the converfation and practises of those called Quakers I leave it to all sober people to judge whether the Quakers or the Priests walkes more strictly and soberly and which of them deny themselves the most for those who are found most in solf-denial are the lowest disciples of Christ and whereas he queries how can a good life and an ill belief stand together corrupt head corrupt heart commonly go together corrupt principles breeds and seeds corrupt practicer all these considered they fall heavy upon the Priests and carnal professors for how can there be any worse belief then to believe that people shall never be pure nor clean nor overcome sin while they live this is the ill belief from whence all the corrupt practices have liberty but we own no such faith but our faith is the gist of God which purifies our hearts and gives us victory over the World the lusts of it and so a good belief and a good life stands firme and fast together and whereas he speakes of the power of Goddlinesse and the powen of sin cannot dwell together I say that the Priests of England are so fur from the power of godlinesse that few are come so far as the forme of godlinesse but are spending their time like dreamers keeping people in the dark alwaies learning but never able to come to the knowledge of God 2. Qu. What is the Religion of the Quakers Ans Our Religion is not known to the World nor ever can be learned by a wordly principle but the sum of it is this to love God with all our hearts and our neighbours as our selves to visit the fatherless the widdows in their afflictions and to keep our selves unspotted from the World and whosoever shall learn our Religion which is the one true religion must own that principle of light which is of Christ which shines in the conscienoe and stands as a witness against all sin and evil and leads out of the Worlds Lusts and vanities into holiness and Righteousnesse which exercises the conscience towards God and man and leads in the way of Justice and Righteousness for our Religion doth not admit of any sin or iniquity whatsoever but is holy and pure by which we are joyned to God and have unity with him and worship him in spirit and truth 3. Qu. Is it your duty to indeavour the conviction of them Ans We are convinced long ago of the evil of the Priests of England and of the deadness and emptiness of their forms and dead observations and the Lord hath turned us from them and have converted us from evil unto good and we are his and in vain it is for all the Priests in England with all their cunning craft to convict or draw us back again no no we are drawn by the cords of everlasting love out of that thick mire and Clay which they and thousands of their hearers stick fast in and it is our desires and also our endeavours to draw them out of it that they may feed with us at the Lords Table and eat plentifully to the satisfying of their hungry souls And whereas he speaks of prayer to God for us alas poor man his prayers we deny God hath no regard to him and his prayers they are abomination because of his great wickedness Therefore before he talk of praying for others let him repent of his sin left God cut him down and cast him off for ever Furthermore this opposer vomits up more of his filthyness and wickednes saying now they cast by the written word saying salvation is attaineable without Christ Oh! horrible wicked lyar Gods vengeance hangs over his head Scriptures we own and Christ alone our salvation Further he goes on and saies Quakers are hereticks therefore are to be rejected and left to the civil Magistrates Cognizance Ans By this I smell his wicked spirit no lesse then blood would satisfie that spirit but the Lord hath put a curb in their mouthes that 's the spirit of an heretick that would punish the bodies of people and not the spirit of the true Apostles for they wrestled not against
flesh and blood but against principalities and powers against spiritual wickedness in high places but I shal pass by some of his chaffy stuff and leave it to be blowne away by the breath of the Almighty and so come to the next 4. Qu. Whether are Quakers witches Ans I answer no but the Lord hath raised them up by the power of his spirit to testifie against all the sorceries and witchcrafts and inchantments which are found amongst the Merchants of Babylon the black priests who have been clouded with blackness who have long beguiled unstable souls and made Merchandize of them such as led people from the Spirit of God were witches and bewitched the Galatians and such now in England who draw people from the light life and spirit within to carnal observances without such are they that bewitch and beguil poor souls Now whereas this opposer doth bring some Scriptures whereby his intent is to prove the Quakers witches but I shall examine them the spirit of God saith he sets out impostors to the life sometimes comparing them to deceitful Merchants who can set a fair glosse upon their false ware to which I say who are more deceitful then those Merchants of Babylon the covetous Teachers who heapes a great deal of fluff together nay sometime steal a Scrmon and set a fair glosse on it and sell it to the people and when they have sold it once over and received money for it yet they oftentimes sell it over and over again and so cheats and cozens the people then he alleadges 2 Pet. 2.3 they are said with fained words to make Merchandize of souls here he hath learned of his master the Devil to leave out part of the Scripture the Apostle saith thus and through covetousness shall they with feigned words make Merchandize of you this hits the pricsts and strikes very near them and the Apostle further marks them out spots they are and blemishes sporting themselves with their own deceivings having eyes full of Adultery and that cannot cease from sin begniling unstable souls an heart they have exercised with covetous practices whether this toucheth the priests of Eng. or the Quakers I leave it to the wise in heart to judge Another Scripture alleadged 2 Cor. 2.2.17 for we are not as many which corrupt the word of God but as of sincerity but as of God in the sight of God speak we in Christ now how can those speak in Christ that denyes Christ in them and oppose his light within as the parish priests do and so are not like the Apostles Another Scripture I find quoted Eph. 4.14 that we hencefotrh be no more children tossed to and fro with every wind of Doctrine by the slight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lay in wait to deceive But those called Quakers do not go about to draw people from God but to bring home to him that they may be presented perfect in Christ Jesus as in the 13. verse of the said fourth Chapter which the priests of England deny and sayes none can be perfect in this life and so deceive your souls by their slights and cunning craftinss Another Scripture alleadged by this opposer is 2 Tim. 3.8.9 but read from the beginning of the Chapter and there as in a glass thou maist read the Character of the parish Priests of England read the Chapter thorow and then try and let the light of Jesus Christ in thy conscience Judge without partiality Another Scripture is in Jude the 11. the words are these woe unto them for they have gone in the way of Cain and run greedily after the error of Balaam for reward and perished in the gain-saying of Core these are the several Scriptures which the adversary brings to prove the Quakers to be witches but to those whose eyes are in any measure opened there are not many such Scriptures that so nearly touchea the covetous priests and deceitful Merchants of England but their folly shall be made manifest to all in Gods day of light some other frothy things are spoken of by this adversary as tying of Ribbands or Bracelets about mens wrests oh horrible deceiti I am sure few people in all England do slight and cast off such bables more then we do and as for his speaking of falling into trances srantick postures grovelling on the ground soaming at the mouth and such like frothy stuff all this doth arise as smoke out of the bottomless pit which God will blast and hath already blasted for the Lord hath opened the eyes of thousands in this Nation to see the envy and wickedness of those who have invented such wicked lies against the people of God and they see and have found them lyars and God is causing the light to shine forth and the beauty of his people begins to appear which hath long been marred and stained by reproachfull lying and backbiting tongues Quest 5. Whether are the Quakers to be tolerated suffered or to be punished by the civil Magistrate Answ If the Priests might be judges they would soon have their hands in blood though little cause there is for it but onely their trade is like to go down and therefore if these men be suffered their Diana will fall they are nearly related to their brethren the Priests in the dayes of Christ who cryed out crucifie him crucifie him though Pilate a Magistrate sound no fault in him and as it was then so it is now the servant is not greater then his Lord we cannot expect better things from this wicked generation but sufferings and reproaches stocks and imprisonment but the Lord is our support and we magnifie his name that we are of that number who are counted worthy to suffer for his
8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony c. Ans To which I say the Law is light and was written in the heart and the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophesie which spirit is a discerner and a tryer of Doctrines and opinions but that the Scriptures themselves are the touchstone and tryer without the spirit I deny I put it upon Livesey truths opposer to prove but to give a little light to the people who do not understand aright this I say that in tryal of things and spirits there is three things to be considered of that is the tryer and the thing tryed and the Rule to try by Now if I grant the Scriptures to be a rule yet a blind man cannot see them nor walk according to them so that whosoever doth Judge of things or go about to try spirits if he have not the spirit of God in his own particular he cannot try nor Judge aright whereas he speaks of conscience being Regula regulata non regula regulans I say the conscience is not the rule but the light or spirit of God which exercises the conscience towards God man that is the true rule for as many as are the Sons of God they are led by the spirit of God Pr. And whereas he further saith It may not be unseasonable nor unprofitable to give you of this Congregation a short draught of some opinions owned and maintained by the Quakers A. To which I say in the fear of God I declare unto you who are hearers of the said Livesey that to hear a lyar and a false accuser is both unseasonable unprofitable and hear him so long as you will you shall never be profited by him nor converted to God for being out of the Counsel of God himself he cannot bring others unto God and that he is a lyer and a false accuser I shall make it plainly manifest as I come to his charges against those people for I have read over his Book or Papers and I find a great heap of filthy stuff for wanting matter wherewithall to accuse he himself layes a false foundation and then goes to build inventing lies and false things and calls them the Quakers opinions and so heaps a great deal of stuff together and to colour his deceit gathers up several texts of Scriptures and makes a great noise as though he had confuted the Quakers opinions when indeed it is nothing but his own lies and inventions that he hath confuted like unto a distracted man creating imaginations and then fights with his own created images as this opposer doth as I shall make it manifest in due time and so that which he casts upon the Quakers will justly fall upon his own head for where envy lying and false accusing is that Religion is not of God but to turn back his own words is a mellany of froth filth vanity and villanie lies and lewdness errors Heresies and blasphemies which they have invented and through covetousness and love of money have deceived the Nations long with which grieves the hearts of the righteous but the Lord in due time will throw down Babylon and mar all her Wars and spoil all her Merchants and the great Whore which hath made all Nations drunk with the cup of her fornication shall be cast upon a bed of sorrow and all who have committed whoredom with her shall drink the cup of fury and indignation of God and the Beast and false prophets which have deceived the Nations shall be cast into a lake of fire burning with Brimstone But I shall be as short as I may have liberty from the Lord and come to his charges and accusations against those whom he calls Quakers and the first is this Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that salvation is attainable without Jesus Christ Answ That is a wicked lie I detest and abhor that spirit that uttered forth those words there is no such opinion among us who are scornfully called Quakers we profess salvation by Jesus Christ and not by any other thing or things for of our selves we are not able to think a good thought nor speak a good word nor do a good deed but our strength and sufficiency is in Christs and Christ is in us the hope of our glory and by him are we saved and made free from the devils bondage and slavery and from lying and slandering and it it Christ in us that works our works and enables us to perform and do his will and we are Gods workmanship Created in Christ Jesus unto good works and so I testifie that salvavation is attainable in Christ and not without him and that lying spirit in Priest Livesey I do deny and this is his foundation upon which he builds and the foundation being a lie and rottenness the building cannot stand Gods vengeance and wrath is kindied and all lyars and deceitful covetous hireling Priests shall be as stubble before the fire and the Lake is the lyars portion Rev. 21.8 as for the Soriptures mentioned by him I own them in their place and they stand a testimony against the lyar and false acculer and such denies Christ though in words they professe him so let every one who hears or read these lines examine your selves whether or no you be in Christ and Christ be in you for except Jesus Christ be in you ye are Reprobates 2 Cor. 13.5 Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that the Scripture is not the word of God Answ The Scriptures of Moses and the Prophets Christ and the Apostles are words of God a Declaration of the things of God and they testifie of Him whose Name is balled the Word God Rev. 19.13 Pr. There is an opinion among them that every man coming into the world hath in him and connatural to him a saving light Ans As this is laid down it is false invented in a false deceitful deceived heart manifesting his wickedness that gave it sorth But for the satisfaction of the upright I shall declare the truth and that is this we say that Jesus Christ is the light of the world and so it is written in the Scripture Joh. 8 12. and he lighteth every man that cometh into the world according to to the testimony of Joh. 1.9 and though darkness may be over the Nations yet light shineth in darkness but the darkness doth not comprchend the light and this light is a manifestation of the fathers love in Jesus Christ and is Gods true and faithful witness which reproves in secret for sin and evil and doth make it manifest in the heart and conscience and reproves him or her that acts and commits it and that which reproves and makes sin manifest is light as it is written all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light for whatsoever makes manifest is light Ephes 5.13 this light is the key that opens the door where the heavenly treasure is and no man or woman in the world
vain wicked and sottish assertion of this blind Priest so to call it Pr. There is an opinion among them that God is not to be worshiped in places where idolatrous worship hath been performed Ans As for the daies of old what was done then we let passe but as for your steeple-houses which a few yeares since were the Popes Masse-houses God doth not dwell neither is he rightly worshipped there and therefore we do denie them and all your dead performances in them Pr. There is an opinon among them that God is not worshipped with the body Ans God is worshipped in spirit and served with the bodie according to that Scripture quoted by this opposer Rom. 12. 1. I boseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice Holy and acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service mark he calls it a service Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that the law is made hy the beast and it is not lawfull to use the law Ans The law which is perfect was made by God and is good just and holy and is for the lawlesse to be as a curb and limit to them which law we own and all just lawes made by men which are according to the law of God we own and therefore do I testifie against Priest Livesey as a liar and false accuser of the Innocent as for all lawes that are unjust and contrary to the law of God such are made by the power of the beast and such lawes we cannot obey but testifie against them Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that there is no mediate call to the Ministry Ans The true Ministers of Christ their call was immediate by the power and spirit of the living God that which is mediate is carnal and Christ is the same yesterday to day and for ever and his call to the ministrie is immediate by his power and spirit and all such as denie an immediate call now I denie them they are not Ministers of Christ but of Antichrist Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that Christ is the original language of truth not Greek not Hebrew Ans As this is laid down Iown it not but this I say that Christ is the fountain and fulnesse and the original of all Truth and the wisest linguist in all the world Grecian or Hebrewcian cannot by all their skill open the door nor suck any sweetnesse from this fountain for it is locked and sealed up and only they that drink at the stream the true light do tast of the sweetnesse and such receive satisfaction and refreshment and are led to the fountain there to drink deep and full draughts to their comfort and consolationâ— Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that the conscience of one man is the light of Christ in an other man Ans This is altogether false and a lying invention of his own and therefore I need not speak to any thing in this charge for the foundation being taken away the building will quickly fall down to the ground Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that baptism of Infants is of the Popes institution Ans Hath this opposer so long been trained up in the Popes way and order and so long continued in the Popes Masse-house and hath he not yet learned all his institutions let him go to school again and he may find it among some of the old rotten trash But saith this opposor this opinion is contrarie to Mat. 28 19 20. Go and disciple all nations baptising them were there no infants in all the world nor in all the nations saith he I answer This command of Christ doth not at all give power to sprinkle infants for they are not capable of discipling or teaching mark that go and disciple all nations baptising them here is discipling before baptising but children are not capable of being discipled so not of being baptized with water and so in this he contradicts himselfe besides it is a thing never commanded nor practised by Christ nor anie that he sent forth and so to Rome he must go and seek the institution of it for the scriptures mentions no such thing as sprinkling of Infants Christ said suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not for of such is the Kingdome of God he took them in his Armes and blessed them but he did not sprinkle water on their faces as the Priests of England do he sets them as a figure and saith whosoever shall not receive the kingdome of God as a little child shall not enter there in Pr. There is an opinion among them that they cannot sin Ans Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin for his seed remaines in him and he cannot sin because he is borne of God 1 Iohn 3.9 But he that is born of the flesh doth sin altogether and so if any man say he hath no sin before the birth immortal be born in him he doth deceive himselfe and the truth is not in him but whosoever doth own the light of Christ that doth make manifest sin and confesse and forsake sin they shall find meroy and walkingin the light the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin and said Iohn hese things I write unto you that you sin not Iohn doth make clear distinction between the two births the one from beneath the other from above whosoever abides in Christ doth not sin whosoever sinneth hath not seen him nor known him c. And whereas he mentions an other Scripture Eccl. 7.20 that with many other Scriptures are spoken to the seed of the first Adam and not to the regenerate seed for as it is written he that is born of God sinneth not Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that men are not now outwardly to expresse their thankefulnesse in a vocal solemn forme of blessing for what creature comforts they receive from the hand of God exempli gratia not to crave a blessing upon their meat Ans This is false and a lie proceeding from the old root for we do own and practise prayer by speaking of words as the Lord by his spirit doth move and owneth the saying of the Apostle where he saith I will that men pray every where lifting holy hands without wrath and doubting such their prayers are acceptable unto God but all lying covetous greedy men who harbour wrath and malice in them the Lord abhors and loathes their services furthermore I say that whosoever doth see with a single eye doth see every creature of God to be good and are sanctisied by the word and so to the pure all things are pure and if never a word were spoken to the hearing of the eare yet the blessing and vertue is felt in the creatures and praises arises and is given to God for his mircies who is over all blessed for ever Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that salutations are unlawfull Ans This is false and untrue as others before
mentioned for salutations of love we own and practice according to Scriptures and what Christ said and commanded as to that we practice if we go into a house we salute the house and if the Son of peace be there our peace remaines but if not it returns back to us again and we shake off the dust of our feet as a testimony against such who reject the love of God and these salutaions we own in the fear of God according to the Scriptures but as for all the vain traditional customes of the world the capping bowing cringing and the like we deny and all vain customarie words which feeds the wrong part we denie and speak in the fear of God as we are moved of God by his spirit as for other things in this particular the ground being taken away the rest will wither as for the scriptures mentioned I own in the true meaning of them and in their places according to the mind of the spirit Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that Ordinances are not now in force we are to wait for immediate inspirations and Revelations Ans All the Ordinances and traditions of men which have been invented and set up in the time of darknesse and night of Apostacie since the daies of the Apostles which be carnal and fading we do deny but all the pure holy and substantial ordinances of Christ which abides and endures for ever we do own and practice as the pure spirit of God doth move and lead us and as for inspirations and Revelations first for inspirations this I say that no man upon earth can know God savingly in any other manner then by the inspiration of the holy spirit for the things of God knowes noman but the spirit of God and no man knowes the Son save the Father neither knowes any man the Father but the Son and he to whom soever the Son will reveal him he that denyes Revelation denies the knowledge of God Pr. Faith came by hearing Rom. 10.14 Now hear and your souls shall live so the promise runs Isai 55.3 Now they say your souls may live though you never hear Answ It s true that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God but where is the word to be found read the 6.7 and 8. verses of the tenth Chapter to the Romans where the Apostle speakes of the word of faith Say not in thy heart who shall ascend into heaven that is to bring Christ down from above or who shall descend into the deep that is to bring up Christ againe from the dead but what saith it the word is nigh thee even is thy mouth and in thy heart that is the word of faith that we preach This was the word that faith came by the hearing of it and this word was manifested in the Prophet who saith come unto me hear and your souls shall live now whereas this opposer saith that we say souls may live though they never hear that is false we do not say so but exhort people to hearken to the voice of Christ that their souls may live and whosoever hears Christ though they never hear a covetous proud priest more who loves money and seeks gain from his quarter yet their souls shall live for such as loves mony and are envious and proud lyars and false accusers were never sent of God and shall never profit people at all such are to be turned away from and whereas this opposer Livesey speaks against Revelations and saies What need have we to waite for Revelations c. I say there is not any man that rightly knowes God nor any thing of God but by Revelation for though the Scriptures are given forth and any one may buy them for mony yet none in all the world no not the wisest nor the most learned of men can understand them except the same spirit that gave them forth do reveal and open them For as I have said the things of God knowes no man but the spirit of God And whereas he queries and saith Where hath these men a promise to incourage them thus to waite c I say many and pretious are the promises and the reward of those that wait upon the Lord for be that waits upon the Lord his strength shall be renewed and again wait upon the Lord and he will save thee there were never any that waited on the Lord in vain So I say blessed are they that wait upon the Lord and stand upon their watch and are not weary the Lord will reward them with his everlasting blessings and give them an inheritance amongst the Saints in light Pr. The great object of the Quakers is grounded on the first of Ioh. 2.27 Ye need not that any man teach this makes not for them nor their Revelations but against both See verse foregoing which speaks of Seducers Iohn meanes as is evident that they need not any of those Seducers to teach them but the spirit and the written word and the Ministers of Christ were sufficient Ans O the wickednesse of man when once turned from the holy unction and light of the spirit within how he twines and turnes and confounds himselfe as this opposer doth one while accuses the Quakers with denyal or slighting of the Scriptures and here saith their great object is grounded on 1 Iohn 2.27 what neither be contented to let us own nor disown and then like his Master brings part of the scripture and gives a wrong sense of the other part Ye need not that any man teach saith ye but the Scripture saith thus but the annointing which ye have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things which is truth and is no lye and even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in him Here it s plainly manifest Iohn speakes of the holy unction which taught them of all things and labours to keep the Saints to the annointing within them as a safty against all Seducers and deceivers who laboured to draw from it to their own inventions And this same holy anointing we have received of God to be our teacher we do deny and turne from all such Seducers and lyars as James Livesey for such are not of God neither can enter into the Kingdome of God Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that no reverence is to be shewed no honour nor titles of honour to be given to man Magistrate or others Ans The day of Gods mighty power is come and the Lord is staining the pride and the glory of all flesh and the everlasting Gosple is preached fear God and give glory to him for the hour of his judgement is come Jesus Christ is our Captain and we follow him that did not respect the persons of men neither received honour from men who saith how can ye believe that receive honour one of an other and seeks not the honour that comes from God
onely we are such as do not seek honour nor receive honour from men and this was the Christians practice which we own but in the Lord we honour all men and give that which is just and due unto men honour to whom honour custome to whom custome but amongst the Saints there was no such custome as to Lord one over another that was the manner of the heathens but saith Christ it shall not be so amongst you Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that its unlawful for Ministers to take hire any reward or encouragement for their preaching not Tythes especially Ans To preach for hire Lucre or gain is a great evil testified against not onely in the old time under the Law by Gods true Prophets but also by Christ and his Apostles whatsoever was allowed by God was free under the Law as well as under the Gospel and when any did it for hire or gain it was a loathsome and a filthy thing When Tythes were allowed by the Law of God unto the tribe of Levie they having no other portion or inheritance it was a free thing they people were to offer freely and to bring their Tythes into the store-house and the Priests which were ordained to offer burnt offerings and Sacrifices were to do it freely a figure of Jesus Christs laying down his body freely and in those daies when any did it for hire or gain the Lord sent his holy Prophets to testifie against them as ye may read in Isa 56.10 11. Jer. 5.30 31. Mica 3.5.11 Eze. 34. chap. Hos 6.9 and many others And when Christ was come in the flesh he changed the ministry and also the maintenance and gave forth new commissions though he owned the Law with all its commands and ordinances in its place and whereas he reproves the Pharisees saying Wo unto you Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites for you pay Tythe of Mint Annis and Cummin and have omitted the weightier matters of the Law judgement mercy and faith these ought you to have done and not to leave the other undone And upon these sayings of Christ this opposer Livesey seemeth to be much strengthened in upholding this great Idol of Tythes saith he Were not those times in which those Scribes and Pharisees were the times of the Gospel are they reproved for paying Tythes no no saith he these things ought you to have done saith Christ these things ought not to have been done saith the Quakers Ans Can a Leopard change his spots or can this wicked Priest leave off his lying When did any Quaker say that Tythes ought not to have been paid I leave this as a charge and and weight upon the head of this opposer and surely it will sinke him into the pit at last if he do not with speed repent but to clear the case That was a time before that Jesus Christ was sacrificed up and he did not come to break but to fulfill the Law and therefore saith Christ and so say we These things you ought to have done mark a time perfectly past he doth not say these things ye ought to do or continue but speaking to them who were under the Law and not to the Gospel Ministers whom he sent forth For this was their commission freely ye have received freely give and into what City or Country ye come enquire who is worthy mark he doth not say enquire what sums of money people will give you for preaching or what Tythes or Gleab Lands or augmentations belongs to such a place that was abhorred by them but they were to enquire who was seeking the kingdom of God and if any one was found worthy and did receive them and hear their words they were allowed to stay and abide there and they might freely eat and drink such things as were set before them For the worke-man is worthy of his meat but if any did reject their sayings and did not hear their words they were to depart and shake off the dust of their feet as a testimony against them read Mat. 10. Luke 10. Here was a free Ministry and a free mâ—intenance agreeable to this is that of the Apostle to the Corinthians 1 Epistle 9. chap. where he pleads his power and authority to cat and to drink with such as did receive his testimony which scriptures are much abused by the earthly covetous teachers in these daies perverting the scriptures for their own selfish ends The words of the Apostle are these Have we not power to eat and to Drink mark he doth not say have not we power to take Tythes or 2. or 300 l. or more or lesse by the year but he shewes his power amongst them that he had power to forbear working and so brings several similitudes who goeth a warfare at any time at his own charges who planteth a vineyard and eateth not of the fruit thereof or who feedeth a flock and eateth not of the milk of the flock mark it was cating where they had planted and so he goes on it is written in the Law thou shalt not muzel the mouth of the Oxe that treadeth out the corne and so say we it were unjust to let the Oxe starve that treads out corne but there be some filthy beasts that spoile the corne and such their mouthes must be stopped but what are all these sayings to the idle slothful teachers in our age when do they go and plant a vineyard or get a flock or tread out corne when do they goe into other Nations to convert the Turks and heathens they are ready to plead for the maintenance of Gospel Ministers but why do they not do their work the Apostles and Ministers of Christ travelled up and down in hard labors and great sufferings and their great care was to make the Gospel without charge but the Teachers in England they love their fat benefices and large houses and love not to go into the Lords battel but if a larger benefice happen to be vacant they be ready to go thither that iâ— from a little one to a great one but I seldom see a Priest or have known any to be moved or called from a fat benefice to a poor one and so are contrary to the Gospel Ministers who were ordained of Christ and so have no right to their maintenance they that preach the Gospel may live of the Gospel and such as sow spirituall things may reap of the carnal things what is necessary for his body for food and raiment and this is allowable and he that is taught in the word ought to communicate to him that teacheth in all good things freely but not by constraint but saith this opposer who minds earthly things whose God is his belly Let him communicate in all his goods hay hemp flax pige geese I say the Ministers of Christ did never plead so for their bellies and as for Tythes it was never paid amongst the true Christians but the Minister of the Gospel in the seventh chap. to the Hebrews speaking
c. Quakers allow womens preaching as spiritual Ans God hath spoken by his holy prophet saying it shall come to passe in the latter daies that I will pour forth of my spirit upon my Sons and daughters upon my servants and handmaids and where the spirit of God is there is liberty it is not to be quenched neither in Son nor daughter where the seed is witnessed either in male or female to wit Christ who is one in the female as well as in the male and where he rules and reignes he may and ought to speak and this is according to Scriptures but let the woman be silent as saith the Scripture Pr. Papists look upon miracles as signes of the true Church so Quakers Ans This is but the mans imagination because he would have â—oâ—ething to say as for miracles I do not look for them but if any by the power and spirit of God do work miracles as some have done among us we do own it and give God the honour whose work and power it is and not any work of the creature Pr. Papists put a high esteem on visions and Revelations equalling them with or preferring them above the written Word so Quakers Ans True visions and true Revelations seen and revealed by the true spirit I must needs own if a Turk or infidel should professe the truth it s no worse for their professing of it And so I say that which is revealed by the same spirit which was within them that gave forth the Scripture is one and the same with the Scriptreu for the Truth is the same yesterday to day and for ever Pr. The Jesuites say a man may be saved if he will if he will follow the light c. and the Quakers Ans I have formerly answered to this point yet this further I say the saving power is not in mans will but in Christ the light and whosoever believes in and followes the light shall be saved and he that believes not but followes his own will shall be damned Pr. The Papists extenuate imputed Righteousnesse in setting up their own Inherent Righteeusnesse so Quakers Ans All our own Righteousnesse is as filthy rags and we do not set it up but deny it together with all unrighteousnesse but we exalt and set up Christ who of God is made unto us Righteousnesse Justification Redemption and all other things who dwels in us and is our life and we in him and have our peace Pr. Papists say they can keep all Gods commandements perfectly fulfill the law in their own persons so Bell and the Quakers Ans Through the strength and power of Christ that dwels in us we can do all things and his commandements are not grievous but joyous to us and Christ doth fulfill the Righteousnesse of the Law in us who walkâ— not after the flesh but after the spirit and whosoever saith he knowes God and keeps not his commandents is a lyar and the truth is not in him Pr. The Church Papists hold that their Church is infallible which at last is the Pope so Quakers Ans We do not hold the Pope to be the Church neither do we believe the Pope to be infallible any more then the Priests and Church of England Pr. Jesuits say there is no foundation for Insants Baptism in the written word Pr. The Jesuites say baptism is of mans institution so Quakers Ans We are bold to affirme it and say there is no command nor example nor practice in the Scripture for Infants baptism it is an invention of man and I lay it upon all the Priests of England and Papists and all who practice it to bring me a proof of it from the Scriptures or else confesse their sin in doing that which was never commanded nor by any of the Ministers of Christ practised Pr. Jesuites make their Pope a God c. Quakers make themselves Gods curse men damn them to Hell Ans It seemes this Priest is wholly given up to the Devil in venting forth so many and grosse wicked lyes we do not make our selves Gods but denie our selves and take up the Crosse and and follow Christ But we do witnesse that God dwels in us and we never curse men nor damn them to Hell but we testifie against sin which if not forsaken and repented of will lead men to Hell for the wages of sin is death Pr. Jesuites call us heriticks dogs c. and the Quakers calls us the brood of Cain Baals Priests false prophets Seducers c Ans They that are envious and wrathful are of Cains generation and off spring and if we find any of the priests of England in that nature we must tell them the truth it is no other language then what the spirit of the Lord hath given to deceivers and false prophets in times past and the priests of England being found in the same steps and covetous practices we do them no wrong to give them their right names Pr. Papists place most in external observations seeming authority so Quakers Ans The lyar will arive at Hell at last when he hath filled up his measure once more I testifie that we do not place most in outward things but in Christ is our strength who works in us to will and to do of his good pleasure Pr. Papists prefer Jeromes version of the Bible before the Hebrew and the Greek so Fox and others deny Greek and Hebrew to be the original preferring the English Ans Where did ever this opposer hear Fox and others speak of preferring the English before the Greek and Hebrew the English we own in its place and so Hebrew and Greek but not any of these Languages can open the mysteries of God therefore let all flesh be silent before the Lord and let God alone be exalted Pr. The Jesuits cast off prayer to God and pray to Saints c. Quakers have cast off prayer to God when do they pray in their families meetings c. Ans Hâ—re is a Charge and a question laid down the charge is that Quakers have left off praying to God Now if the Quakers have not left off prayer to God then Ia. Livesey is a lyar but they have not left off prayer to God as thousands in this Nation can testifie but pray often both in their meetings and in their families as the spirit of God doth move and guide them therefore is Livesey a lyar Pr. The Jesuites say that the Empire of learning is within the heritage of the Jesuits so Quakers say we are in darknesse all our eyes are out theirs onely open A. Every tree is known by his fruits so we say of the Priests of England after all their talking and profession and having received so much mony see what may be reaped in their fields even a great Crop of corruption pride and covetousnesse reigning in themselves and what can be expected to be brought forth in people but like Priest like people wandring astray like sheep without a