to lay his Mouth in the Dust to see if there were hopes this was it the holy Prophets and Apostles could speak experimentally of and this is the narrow Way and strait Gate c. this was it that pricked Paul to the Heart and made him cry out Oh wretched man that I am c. and this was it which did overtake in an acceptable time these poor despised People called Quakers in our Age And whereas the Libeller in his 11. and 12. pages scurrilously tells of their Trances Distortions Quaking and Trembling comparing them to Conjurers and Bell-Founders c. Rep. That the Holy Ancients passed through such a State I have proved before and when in our day and time the Lord appeared unto us he appeared in the way of his Judgment for Sin and the powerful eternal Word of the Lord which is the Sword of the Spirit pricked many to their Hearts and I being one among them can do no less then give in my Testimony concerning the Operation or Working of the Heavenly Power it wounded as a Sword it smote like a Hammer at the whole Body of Sin in my Bowels it burned like Fire yea so dreadfully it burned that it made by Bowels boyl it pierced as a Sword it broke as a Hammer And then the Pangs of Death I felt in my Members which did make me to roar yea and to Quake and Tremble for this Fire when it burned it gave Light as its the Nature of Fire to do and it discovered to me and these poor despised People the great body of Sin and Death which was indeed terrible to behold and not only so but it discovered the narrowness of the Gate and that there was no going in thereat but by first having all that combustable Body of Sin and Death destroyed and burnt up at this time did great Terror and Amazement fall upon many and this my Opposer must come experimentally to know and witness in this Life or else his latter End will be miserable And as for his telling of a great Change within this 12. or 14. Years I say there is a Change Glory to God for the fame for many are passed from Death to Life and do witnesâ— the work of Regeneration in them and can sing the Song of Sion even the Song of Moses and the Lamb to whom by them and all the Host of Heaven be sung Halelujahs for evermore So here 's great alteration indeed Life and Immortality brought to Light through the Gospel them who were dead in Sins and Trespasses are quickened and made alive they who were Alians and Strangers to God made Fellow-Citizens of the New Jerusalem and the Prodigal Son who had been feeding among the Swine on Husks brought home into the Father's House where there 's living Bread enough yea and Wine also well refined and he saith Eaâ— Oh Friends yea drink abundantly Oh Beloved CHAP. II. of TYTHES THe Tythes Liâ—eller pag 24. the chief Cause of all his grumbling are but a Portion which God himself out of his own Word hath given such as minister about holy things Reply We do not read either in the Old or New Testament that God perpetuated the Levitical Priesthood to be in force in Gospel Times and it s my Faith in God That they who take Tythes or give Tythes in Gospel Times deny Christ come in the Flesh and so are of Antichrist my Reasons are as followeth First That the Levitical Priesthood was by it self a distinct Priesthood which Christ Jesus by offering up himself once for all hath ended Secondly That under that Priesthood the Priests were to have but a Part of the Tythes for the Poor the Stranger the Fatherless and Widows were to be maintained out of it Deut. 14.28 And at the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the Tythe of thine Increase the same year and shalt lay it up within thy Gates and the Levite because he hath no Inheritance with thee and the Stranger and the Fatherless and Widows which are within thy Gates shall come and eat and be satisfied that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the Works of thy Hands which thou dost Mark Reader the Use of Tythes in their first Institution were for the Stranger the Fatherless and Widows they weâ—e to eat and be satiâ—fied of them a very pious Use under that Dâ—spensation and the Priests had only a share with them Deut. 18. vers 1 2 3. The Priests the Levites and all thè Tribe of Levi shall have no Inheritance with Israel they shall eat the Offerings of the Lord made by Fire and his Inheritance 2. Therefore they shall have no Inheritance among their Brethren the Lord is their Inheritance as he hath said unto them 3. And this shall be the Priests due from the People for them that offer a Sacrifice whether it be Ox or Sheep they shall give unto the Priest the Sholder the two Cheeks and the Maw Now if these Priests will have it in these Gospel Dayes as it was ordered by the Levitical Law to the Priests then this Clause of the Law doth tell them what is their Due Share or Portion and what was their Due of the other Encrease is exprest in the afore-going Text the Poor the Fatherless Strangers and Widow were to eat and to be satisfied and then the Priests were to have their Due or Portion as is read in Gen. 47.22 and that Portion was Pharaoh's free Gift there was no Law to enforce treble Damage if not paid Behold the Zeal of the Libeller for Tythes which were only due under the Levitical Priesthood One would think that so zealous a Son of the Church should be prefer'd unto a Benefice if he have none as some say he hath not for he hath stood up for Tythes as stoutly as the Presbyterians did in Oliver's dayes who had then a Law to enforce them with treble Damage but although he and the Priests hold up Levi's Priesthood they have changed the course of it for in Levi's time it was to be stored up for the Poor the Stranger the Fatherless and Widow and the Priests were only to have a share of it and their share or due was of an Ox or Sheep they were to have one Sholder the two Cheeks and the Maw but now they have altered their course they have taken all the Tythes they could get to themselves and have turned the Poor the Stranger the Fatherless and Widow to beg not so much as giving them any share it had been Charity for them to have allowed them something if it had been but the Sholder or two Cheeks it had been better than nothing and since it s by Levi's Priesthood the Priests now claim their Tythes may not the Poor the Fatherless and Widows by it lay as good a Claim to it if not let the Priests or this Libeller their Agent shew us by the Scriptures of Truth when and where they were excluded if
receiv'd and it is the most blessed Treasure for as every one holds it fast they shall know it to be a Bond of Peace even the Peace of God which by his Son Christ Jesus is given unto us which as we abide faithful in his blessed Truth shall never be taken away from us So in a living Sence of this undefiled Love of God do I dearly salute you all where this may come who am your Brother in the Fellowship of the Gospel of Peace who am known to the World by the Name Thomas Wynne Caerwis the 1st Day of the 11th Moneth 1678. Postscript THis infamous Libeller in page 2 and 3. layes down his Charge against the said Thomas Wynne thus Libeller 1st He sayes That all the Writers of the holy Scriptures and all the Saints of God mentioned there were Quakers page 11 14. Secondly That the present Quakers have got the Key of David with which they and they only can unlock all Mysteries p. 11. Thirdly That all Schollars especially the Priests having quite lost this Key cannot tell the Meaning of the Scriptures and that their Hearers have not so much Discretion as Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar bad p. 12. Fourthly That the Ministers of God the Priests of this Church and those that hear them are all running Head-long to Destruction p. 14. He further adds thus viz. These are the main Pillars our Quaker superstructs all his Foolary upon and most justly deserves for his Pains to be rewarded with a Whipping-post that by taking a lawful Dance about that he might assay also to prove the Antiquity of a Lancashire Horn Pipe Reply In all these four Particulars this Libeller doth falsly charge the said T. W. as may be seen in those pages of his Book which the Libeller quotes In p. 14. T.W. saith thuâ— Oh! you Priests of all sorts I beseech you for Christ's sake do not run thus headlong to Destruction and draw the poor blind People after you Reader seriously consider how falsly and wickedly this Libeller hath dealt with T. W. For T. W. doth not say That the Ministers of God the Priests of this Church and those that hear them are all running headlong to Destruction and therefore this Author hath grosly belyed T. W. in this matter But more fully to prove that this Libeller hath grosly belyed the said T. W. take T. W. his own words as followeth p. 21 22. who writing against the Papists Protestants Presbyterians Independants and Anabaptists I know saith he there are some particular persons of each of you who are come so far to be led guided by the holy Principle in them that they dare not scoff nor jear any but are troubled to see any others do so who have shewed their Moderation so much as they themselves have not escaped being Sharers in the Reproach of the Quakers These I distinguish from the rest and what I charge the afore-mentioned with and I heartily desire that they may witness a growth in the heavenly Principle which will further them in holy living and make them able to discern who they are that fear God and who fear him not Thus far T. W. word for word Thus the Libeller is plainly proved to be a Forger of Lyes and his Pamphlet to be made up of Lyes and Scoffing writ in a Spirit of Envy and therefore to be abhorred by all people who come to a sight or knowledge thereof Secondly The said Libeller chargeth the said T. VV. with saying That all Schollars especially the Priests have quite lost this Key cannot tell the Meaning of the Scripture And that their Hearers have not so much discretion as Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar had Rep. This is another forged Lye or rather two Lyes fâ—â— first T. W. believes and certainly knows that there are Schollars who have the Key and know the meanings of the Scriptures and he also knows that there are some who hear the Priests who have as much discretion as Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar had and this he shews in what is said before in pag. 21 22. of his Book Secondly This Libeller chargeth the said T. W. with saying That the present Quakers have got the Key of David with which they and they ONLY can unlock all Mysteries Rep. The said Libeller hath forged and told a Lye in this charge against T. W. for though T. W. doth say that The Quakers at this day have the Key of David which doth unlock all the Mysteries of all his Brethrens Writings Yet T. W. doth not say that the Quakers only have this Key Fourthly The said Libeller charges the said T. W. with saying in pag. 11 and 14. of his Book That all the Writers of the holy Scriptures and all the Saints of God mentioned there were Quakers Rep. T.W. doth not say in the aforesaid pages That all the Writers of the holy Scriptures and all the Saints of God mentioned there were Quakers therefore this Libeller hath belyed him in this matter But if T. W. had said That all the Writers of the holy Scriptures and all the Saints of God mentioned there were Quakers yet those sayings may be true for any thing this Libeller knows or for any thing he hath offered in this his Pamphlet to prove the contrary The Apostle said God hath concluded all under Sin that he might have Mercy upon all Again the Apostle said We have all sinned and come short of the Glory of God Again We have all been gone astray as Sheep without a Shepherd but now we are returned to the Captain of our Salvation and Bishop of our souls And the Apostle exhorted saying VVork out your Salvation with Fear and Trembling for it is God that worketh in us to will and to do of his own good pleasure as saith the Apostle This Libeller in page 4. of his Pamphlet saith We ought to work out our Salvation with Fear and Trembling Now seeing all have sinned as the Apostle said and seeing the Apostle exhorts People to work out their Salvation with Fear and Trembling If they take the Apostles counsel then they must work out their Salvation with Fear and Trembling and if 〈◊〉 do so then they do Quake or Tremble and so in a sence may be called Quakers or Tremblers the words Quaking and Trembling being of one and the same Signification The holy Prophet said Serve the Lord with Fear and rejoyce in him with Trembling c. And the Lord God said To this man will I look even to him that is poor and of a contrite Spirit and Tremblesh at my VVord Again the Lord saith Hear the VVord of the Lord ye that Tremble at his Word your Brethren that hated you that cast you out for my Names sake said Let the Lord be glorified but he shall appear to your Joy and they shall be ashamed Isa 66.2 5. Reader Take notice that though we own Quaking and Trembling as the People of God did both before the Law and under the Law and also in the dayes
Trembling is no New Thing among God's People but that it was a State that all God's People passed through and that all now must pass through before ever they can enter God's Kingdom according to these Scriptures Sion shall be redeemed with Judgment Isa 1.27 And they shall Mourn for him as for an only Son and be in Bitterness as for a first born Zach. 12. and must know God to be as a Resiners Fire and as Fullers Soap and must know his Word of Power to be sharper than a two-edged Sword to divide between the Joynts and the Marrow Thus Judgment must be set up in the Heart for Sin and then the Cry will be with the Apostle Paul Oh Wretched Man that I am who shall deliver me from this Body of Sin And this my Adversary must come to have Experience of before he be approved of God to come with a Song as he saith in pag. 4. And this I do assure him as one who hath known the Terrors of the Lord for Sin That this Power will make him Quake and Tremble as easie a matter as he now thinks it to get to Heaven And as for his saying That Balaam 's Ass the Demoniacks Foelix Judas and the Devils might put in for a share is very Absurd For First As to Balaam's Ass God had not accomplished him with an Immortal Soul to subsist after this Life therefore not in a capacity to come in for a share and as to the rest it s also very Absurd especially the last viz. the Devils for although they had a sence of God's Power and were terrified thereby and made to Tremble yet it was not possible for them to have acceptance with God although believing and Trembling also are acts in his Chiâ—dren which are accepted of him And if my Adversary do not in this Life come to witness Fear and Trembling to accompany his believing he may also when it s too late know the Addition of Quaking and Trembling to his Believing and then his believing nor trembling will stand him in no more stead than the Devil 's did unto them And as for Judas Faelix and the rest mentioned by him in this case I say as the Apostle saith God's Will is that all men may know the Truth and be saved God said by the Mouth of the Prophet I have no pleasure in the Death of the Wicked but that the Wicked turn from his Evil Way and live So Judas and Faelix and the rest had a Day or Time of Visitation from God in which Time they might have turned to God and have had a share in his Salvation And Judas and all others who have no share in the Salvation of God their Destruction is of themselves and the Lord God is clear and just in giving them their Portion in the Lake of Endless Misery because as he saith in Proverbs Chap. 1. When I called ye would not answer when I stretched out my Hand no Man regarded they set at naught all my Counsel and would have none of my Reproof c. And Christ said unto the Rebellious Jews Ye will not come to me that ye might have Life And he said to Jerusalem I would have gathered thy Children together as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her Wings but ye would not And God said unto the Rebellious Jews O Israel thou destroyest thy self but in me is thy Help Christ lighteth every one that cometh into the World and God doth require all men to believe and obey Christ casted Death for every man as saith the Apostle And the Apostle John saith He is the Propitiation for our Sins and not for our Sins only but also for the Sins of the whole World Judas partook of the Ministry and by Transgression he Fell. In opposition to Trembling he goes on quoting Luke 1. The Libeller pag. 4. That being delivered from the hands of our Enemies might serve God without fear in Righteousness and Holiness all the dayes of our Lives Reply Is it not to be delivered from our Enemies to be delivered from Sin which is a cause of Fear and Trembling And if my Adversary had been really awakened as in his Scrullious Welch Letter he saith he is he might have seen two States or Conditions couched in these words First A State of Sin and Bondage And Secondly A State of being delivered from Sin and Bondage And I hope he or at least all Moderate men will grant that the Words being delivered are words in the Present Tense So that Deliverance was there witnessed which was the cause of his Confidence of serving the Lord without fear yet I must tell him Not without fear of sinning against God but without fear of Hell Devils Men or Punishment but this is a state the Priests do deny that deliverance from sin is attainable in this Life and then the other state of serving God in Righteousness and Holiness cannot be expected And let my Adversary know that God will not call that Righteous and Holy that is mixed with Sin neither are any delivered from their Enemies until they be delivered from Sin and until then let the Libeller Fear and Dread coming before the Lords Presence with a Song lest the Lord our God turn his Song into Howling and his Gladness unto Sorrow and Trembling which he now puts afar off as his Arguments make manifest yet in one of them he boggles standing to his Argument Hear him And though till we have mortified our Affections and Lusts Libeller p. 4. we ought to work out our Salvation with Fear and Trembling yet after a most hearty and profound Repentance we humbly hope all our past Vnrighteousness is forgiven and our sins covered we may then doubtless come before his Presence with a Song Reply Behold Reader what Confusion and Contradiction is this for in his last words of the same page in opposition to me and my making Quaking and Trembling to be a state that all must pass through before they come to be in favour with God he tells of serving God without Fear And now in Contradiction to himself granting me my Argument he saith Till we have mortified our Affections and Lusts we ought to work out our Salvation with Fear and Trembling This looks as if the man then immediately had found himself smitten of God in his own Conscience but how this will agree with the Priests Faith That no mans sin can be wholly mortified in this Life I leave to the Impartial to judge His Confusion is He hath left no room for serving God in Holiness and Righteousness for its Protestant Doctrine that none can be freed from sin in this Life If so they must be mortifying their Lusts during Life and so by his own Argument must Fear and Tremble during Life and so hath no place for his coming before God's Presence with his Song Yet in Cotradiction to Protestant Faith and to his own as he hath stated it Libeller p. 5. he quotes Paul and
see the Unsoundness of this his Argument Then he goes on thus Then Isaac it seems was not beyond the possibility of a mistake Libeller p. 6. which Quakers affirm they are not subject to Rep. This is an absolute Forgery for the Quakers do not attribute to themselves any priviledge above others but as they are led and guided by the Unerring Spirit and Power of God within and because we have by true experience found it to be the only thing that keeps out of Mistakes we commend all others to the Guidance of it He tells That those People mentioned in the 9th of Ezra were the Quakers Meeting Libel p. 7. It s well he did not say at Holy VVell or Cayrwis Reply There 's nothing in all this that doth invalid my Testimony with any sober man that will read my Quotations but if I had said it had been at Hollywell or Caerwis then I had been like unto him But it seems the Quakers Meetings there do seem to trouble him but he tells nothing of other Meetings neither at Hollywell nor Caerwis viz. on their Sundayes at their Service time great Meetings of Men and Women with Fidlers to Revel and Roar Swear Dance and Sing yea the same up and down the Country and Morricedances WaxeÌ„s Enterludes Foot-ball Nine pins and Tennis c. And if my Adversary be William Jones as many say he is his Practice without wronging of him may certainly be brought under this Character and I would advise him if he do not think it scorn to take it not to think that God will be served with such Rejoycing As for his quoting the 6th Verse of Ezra 9. it makes much for me as any impartial Reader will find if he examine mine and his Ezra does most evidently acquit himself of the Charge for he arose and made all the Chief Priests and Levites to swear c. Hear him further he says Libel p. 7. That Ezra was a Quaker yet he dares not forsooth do what that Quaker did though but according to Law he would perswade us that all Quakers are guided by the same Spirit how then come they so much to disagree Ezra and all Israel did Swear but our Wise Man of Gotham is endued with a greater Light c. then most certain it is that these Israelites were no true Quakers nor these Quakers no true Israelites Rep. This still shews the man as ignorant of the two Dispensations viz. of the Law and Gospel as what he said before shewed him a Stranger to the two States and two Seeds spoken of already and as ignorantly he mentions a Disagreement between those Israelites who were true Quakers that swore then and these Israelites after the Spirit who are true Quakers but will not Swear now for those Israelites were under the Covenant of Circumcision made their Offerings with the Blood of Bulls and Goats c. and did it by God's Appointment and by the Assistance of God's Spirit but under the Gospel-Dispensation Christ Jesus disannulled all these he saith Swear not at all and the true Israel who are Quakers are guided by God's Eternal Spirit now not to swear at all and there 's no such disagreement between us and the Israelites of old as my Antogonist would fain insinuate and he might as well seek to bring us under all the Bondage of the first Priesthood as under that of Swearing for Christ hath as strictly forbidden Swearing as he did the rest of the Shadows and Ceremonies of the Levitical Priesthood as may appear plainly Mat. 5. It hath been said by them of old Thou shalt not Forswear thy self but shalt perform to the Lord thine Oaths This Text of it self is enough to prove all Swearing to be unlawful under the Gospel-Dispensation notwithstanding that under the Law an Oath was to end Strife yet Christ in his Prohibition did as perfectly forbid this as he did the other Points which he treated of in the same Chapter The common Objection is That he only Prohibited Vain Oaths Answ Thâ— words themselves fully import that it was the Oaths allowed of by the Israelites Patriarchs and Prophets for they were the Men which Christ Jesus quoteth which of old said Thou shalt not Forswear thy self but perform to the Lord thine Oaths Mark here was of old an Allowance to Swear and Perform But to all those that say That the Oaths there mentioned to be performed were Needless or Vain Oaths I answer The Oaths there to be performed were the Oaths which were to be sworn in Truth in Righteousness and in Judgment therefore certainly the Oaths before a Magistrate and not Vain Oaths for it would be Absurdity to say that Christ or the holy Ancients did impose vain Oaths to be performed therefore it was the Solemn Oathes before the Magistrate which is clearly proved by these and other Examples in that Chapter as one which Christ quoteâ— from the same Law Moses said he because of the Hardness of your Hearts gave a Bill of Divercement but I say unto you that he that puts away his Wife except for Adultery Mark here he make an Exception Except for Adultery Now if the Oaths beâ—ore-mentioned that he prohibited had been only vain Oaths he fore-seeing what Controversies would arise about them as well as about putting away Wives would cerâ—aâ—nly not have left his People in the dark in so important or weighty a Matter but would in this Case as well as in the other abovesaid have said Swear not at all Except when lawfully called before a Magistrate The Apostle is very positive James 5. Above all things Swear not neither by Heaven Earth nor any other Oath lest ye fall into Condemnation But because we are thought singular in this Point read the following Testimonies of Fathers and Protestants who denyed all Oaths as well as we Polycarpus who was said to have been Disciple to John one of the Apostles who at his Death was bid to Swear and Defie Christ c. he said Euseb Eccles Hist lib. 4. cap. 14. Fourscore years have I served him yet he never offended me in any thing Further said I am a Christian Peter Martyr a famous man was of his mind Apol. 2. pro Christianis ad auten pium oper pag. 63. Chrysostom on Gen. Hom. 15. He being a famous man in the Church saith A Christian must flee Oaths by all means Further he saith ' It is not lawful to Swear neither in a Just nor Unjust Thing for to Swear said he is of the Devil seeing Christ said Whatsoever is more than yea yea nay nay cometh of Evil. This Chrysostom was Overseer of the Church at Constantinople Augustine de Sermone Domini Serm. 28. It is not lawful for a Christian to Swear when an Oath is required of him Thâ— antient Waldenses who were Protestants denyed the taking any Oaths and Bishop Vsher took their part against Papists who were Swearers Vid. Baron ann 1310. Jo. Wald. adv Wickliff Wald de
they cannot all people may see how far the Piety and Charity of Levi's Priests in his day and time did exceed these Priests of our time for then the Poor the Stranger the Fatherless and Widow were satisfied of the Tythes but now the Priests who pretend their Authority for taking Tythes from Levi do allow the Poor no share though they see them in great Want they are every day begging at our Doors But the Libeller goeth on in the Priests Vindication of having the Tythes Remember that our Lord Jesus was both a Bishop and a Priest and is said by the Author to the Hebrews Libeller to be a Priest forever after the Order of Melchizedek Rep. It s true what the Author to the Hebrews said there but he doth acquit himself of the Libeller's Charge for he doth not in that Epistle nor in any other say that its lawful for Gospel Ministers to take Tythes but in the same Chapter viz. Hebr. 7.12 in Contradiction to the Libeller he said The Priesthood being changed who had command from God to take Tythes there is made also a Necessity of the Change of the Law But it seems my Opponent hath found another Law since then which grants a Right to the Priests for Tythes made in the 9th of Hen. 3. I confess that we read of that but for my part I do not believe he had Power to repeal the Law of God which said The Priesthood was changed and there was made of Necessity a Change of the Law And for his insisting on Christ's being a Bishop and a Priest this makes nothing for him nor them for Christ did not set up Tythes but ended them neither were his Apostles inducted to any Benefices one two or three apiece but on the contrary he said Matth. 8.20 The Foxes have Holes and the Birds have Nests but the Son of Man hath not whereon to lay his Head And when he sent forth his Disciples he did not say to them that whatsoever City or Town they entered into they should settle there and be Incombent of that Place and take their Tythes of them and if they would not receive them then sue them at Law and take treble Damage But on the contrary said Freely ye have received freely give and eat what 's set before you and if they will not receive you shake off the Dust of your Feet for a Testimony against them Surely the Libeller missed chusing a Pattern for taking Tythes for Christ although he was a Bishop and Priest he took no Tythes nor his Disciples neither took none but wrought with their Hands and ministred to their own Necessity and the Necessity of o hers But after the Apostles days there was a great Apostacy among the Professed Christians for some turned to be Wolvâ—s which Christ said would come and Tore and Devoured them that kept the Testimony of Jesus and great strivâ—ng was among them about their Priests Maintenance and for setting up of TYTHES as the Reader may read at large in Frarcis Howgil's Book called THE CREAT CASE OF TYTHES and there may be seen how in the several Ages since Christ was put to Death according to the Flesh God had a People that bore their Testimony against TYTHES Soon after the Year 600. Gregoâ—y the fiâ—st who was the first Pope of Rome soon after sent Augustine the Monk to England â—ad Lib. 26. who as it s said Converted E helbert King of Kent but it was but to Popery and he and his Clergy for a long time after followed the Example of tâ—e Apostolical Primitive Church living in common upon the Free-Offerings of their Converts And from that time until Henry the 3 d no Tythes as Tythes were generally paid but only a Decree made Ex. in Bad. 663 c. that for every twenty Shillings Rent a Farding a Sunday was to be paid and this was given by way of Offering From this time until the Year 1200. all that the Priests could do brought the People no farther than to pay their Tythes at their own pleasures which made Pope Innocent the third send his Decretal Letters to the Bishop of Canterbury commanding him to enjoyn every man to pay his Temporal Goods to those that ministred spiritual Things to them which was enforced by Ecclesiastical Censure And this was the first beginning of general parochial Tythes in England this the Popes Decertal Epistle was admitted and enjoyned by the Law of the Nation King and People being then Papists The Decree of the Pope receiving all possible Assistance from the Bishops and Priests on whose behalf it was made did not only in a short time take away the Peoples right to give their Tythes to those that best deserved them but did also so much corrupt the Clergy that in the time of Richard the second Book Mart. John Wickliff our famous Reformer did make a heavy Complaint to the Parliament in the words following Ah Lord God! where this be reason to constrain the poor People to find a Worldly Priest some time unable both of Life and cunning in Pompe and Pride Gluttony and Drunkenness and Letchery in Symony and Heresie with fat Horse and Jolly and Gay Saddles and Bridles Ringing by the way and himself in costly Cloaths and Pleasures and suffer their poor Wives and Children and poor Neighbours perish for Hunger Thurst and Cold and other Mischiefs of the World Ah Lord Jesus Christ s ith within few Years men paid their Tythes and Offerings at their own free will to Good Men and able to great Worship of God to prâ—fit and fairness of holy Church fighting on Earth Why were it lawful that a Worldly Priest should destroy this holy and approved Custom constraining men to leave this Freedom turning Tythes and Offerings unto Wicked Uses Again hear him That Tythes were and are a Free Gift as among Christians and only pure Alms and the Parishioner may for the Offence of their â—urate detain keep them back Acts Men. p. 69. and bâ—stow them upon others at their own will and pleasures This was also maintained by J. Hus who was burnt for his Testimony at Constance take his own words That the Clergy are not Lords and Professors of Tythes and other Ecclesiastical Goods which are freely given but only Stewards Acts Mon. pag. 605. and after the necessity of the Clergy is once satisfied they ought to be transported to the poor and if the Clergy do abuse the same they are Thieves and Robbers and Sacriledgious persons except they do Repent by the Judgment of God they are to be condemned Will Thorp an Eminent Protestant gave a large Testimony against Tythes saying That those Priests that took Tythes Book Mart. deny Christ come in the Flesh for the Priesthood was changed that gave them At which the Bishop said God's Curse have you and mine for thus teaching Jerom of Prague William Swinderby Walter Brute Rueas Silvi in his Bohem. History the
of the Gospel yet we have not given our selves that Name Quaker or Quakers but our Persecutors and Enemies gave us that Name in Scorn and Envy But the Names which God and Christ gives unto those who truly believe and continue in obedience are Saints and Servants Children of God and Children of the Light and Disciples of Christ and the Apostle called the Believers in Christ Christians the Apostle saith If ye be Reproached for the Name of Christ happy are ye for the Spirit of Glory and of God resteth upon you but let none of you suffer as a Murtherer or as a Thief or as an Evil-doer or as a busie Body in other mens matters yet if any Man suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed but let him glorisie God on this behalf 1 Pet. 4.15 16. Reader Here note first that those who believe in and suffer for Christ the Apostle calls them Christians and this Name we own as proper to us more proper then the Name Quaker or Trembler yet as we have and do Tremble at the Word of the Lord as the Prophets and Apostles and People of God formerly did if any in reverence honour and love to the Power of God at which we Tremble do call us Quakers or Tremblers this we own but the Name Quakers as given us in envy and scorn by this Libeller and many others we deny and reject Secondly observe that such who suffer for Murther Theft c. do not suffer as Christians for Murtherers and Thieves are no true Christians but are in the Nature of Heathens These four particular Charges this Libeller makes the Foundation of his scoffing Atheistical Pamphlet called Work for a Cooper and herein they are all proved False Lying and Slanderous and therefore the Devil is the Author of his said Pamphlet For he is the Author and Father of all Lyes and Lyars as Christ said The said Libeller quotes Rev. 21. where it is said Aâ—l Lyars shall have their part in the Lake that burneth with Fire and Brimstone Here this Libeller may read his Portion and what will be the reward of his Work if he do not unfeignedly Repent but it is his unfeigned Repentance and Salvation that T.W. and the People in scorn by him called Quakers unfeignedly desire Concerning FEAR The aforesaid Libeller who Scoffs at Fear and Trembling saith pag. 10. The worst of men have commonly the greatest share of Fear Rep. If this Libeller had been in that holy Fear of God which is the beginning of Wisdom which is as a Fountain of Life which preserves from the Snares of Death and which keeps the Heart clean as saith the Prophet then he would have distinguished betwixt Fear and Fear as Christ and his Apostles have done Christ said I say unto you my Friends Be not afraid of them that kill the Body and after that have no more that they can do but I will fore-warn you whom you shall fear Fear him which after he hath killed hath Power to cast into Hell Yea I say unto you fear him Luke 12.4 5. Mat. 10.28 The Author to the Hebrews saith of Christ That in the days of his Flesh when he had offered up Prayer and Supplication with strong Crying and Tears unto him that was able to save him from Death and was heard in that he feared Heb. 5.7 Take notice of this that the Man Christ Jesus who was made of a VVoman under the Law as the Apostle saith in the days of his Flesh when hoâ— prayed unto the Father he was heard in that he feared Thus the Apostle shews that even the man Christ Jesus who sinned not was not without holy Fear and Reverence towards the Father Again the same Author exhorted the Saints saying Wherefore we receiving a Kingdom which cannot be moved let us have Grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with Reverence and GODLY FEAR Heb. 12.28 Again But as he who hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of Conversation because it is written Be ye Holy for I am holy and if you call on the Father who without respect of Persons judgeth according to every mans work pass the time of your sojourning here with FEAR 1 Pet. 1.15 16 17. Again he exhorted saying If ye suffer for Righteousness sake happy are je and be not afraid of their Terror neither be Troubled but Sanctifie the Lord God in your Hearts and be ready alwayes to give answer to every man that asketh you a Reason of the Hope that is in you with Meekness and FEAR Chap. 3.14 15. Here the Apostle distinguisheth betwixt the Fear of God and the Fear of Wicked Men he exhorts them to the holy Fear of God but forbids them to Fear wicked Men And thus the Apostle agrees concerning Fear with the Command of Christ who saith Fear not them which kill the Body c. but are not able to kill the Soul but Fear him who is able to destroy both Soul and Body in Hell Mat. 10.28 Here the Apostle exhorts those that call on the Name of the Father to pass the time of their sojourning here with Fear so that they who call upon the Name of the Father with acceptance must not cast off the holy Fear of God but must keep and abide in it all the dayes they live upon Earth according to the holy Saying of the Man of God who said Blessed is the Man that Fears at All Times In pag. 4. this Libeller saith Till we have Mortified our sinful Affections and Lusts we ought to work out our Salvation with Fear and Trembling Rep. It appears by his Envy Scoffing and Lying that he hath not yet mortified his sinful Affections and Lusts and therefore according to his own Principle he ought to Fear and Tremble before the Lord. But as a Plea for casting off the holy Fear of God he quotes the words of Zacharias which he spake concerning the Promise of God that he would grant unto us That we being delivered out of the hands of our Enemies might serve him without Fear in Holiness and Righteousness c. Luke 1.74.75 Rep. His Lyes and Scoffing doth shew that he is not yet redeemed from under the Power of his Soul's Enemy he doth not serve God in Holiness and Righteousness and he wickedly wrests and perverts Zacharias's words before-cited for those who did receive the Promise of God who were delivered out of the hands of their Enemies they served God in Righteousness and Holiness without the Fear of their Enemies but Not without the Fear of God For any man to say That he serves God in Holiness c. but doth not Fear God this man is No True Christian but a RANTER Again this prophane Scribler as a Plea for casting off the holy Fear of God quotes Paul's words to Timothy thus For God hath not given us the Spirit of Fear but of Power of Love and of a Sound Mind Thus far he quotes the Apostle's words but like a Treacherous
man leaves out the next following words which shews what fear it was that they were out of the following words are these viz. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the Testimony of our Lord nor of me his Prisoner but be thou partaker of the Afflictions of the Gospel 2 Tim. 1.7 8. Here the Apostle shews that it was not the fear of God that they were out of but the fear of wicked men their Persecutors under whose wicked Power Paul then was a Prisoner Again this prophane man as a Plea for casting off godly Fear he quotes the Apostle John's words who saith Perfect love casteth out Fear But Treacherously or Ignorantly leaves out the very next Verse to those words he cites which verse hath only these following words in it which words shew what fear it was that perfeâ—â— love cast out viz. Herein is our Love made perfect that we may have boldness in the day of Judgment because as he is so are we in this world 1 Joh. 4.17 18. Here the Apostle shews that their Establishment in the Truth yea in the God of all Truth gave them dominion over the Devil and over the fear of him and over Fear of torment and punishment with him but yet they retain a godly fear according to the Command of Christ who said I will teach you whom ye shall fear Fear not him who killeth the Body but cannot kill the Soul but fear him who can cast Soul Body into Hell And the Man Christ Jesus himself in the days of his flesh had a fear and reverence towards the Father as the Apostle shews and as I have shewed before And the Apostles and Prophets lived in Godly fear and exhorted others unto it and to continue in it and they that do and teach the contrary which this vain Scribler doth they are ungodly men such as the Apostle speaks of who do despight unto the spirit of Grace who live want only and prophanely upon the Earth such are Sons of Belial who live without God and Christ's Yoke who are like the wild Bullock unaccustomed to the Yoke and like the wild Asses Colt in the Wilderness And VVo unto such if they Repent not and if they do not forsake their Vngodly ways they must have their portion with the Devil and his Angels in the Lake of Endless misery where the worm never dyes neither is the fire ever quenched Christ saith Come unto me ye that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest come take my Yoke upon you and learn of me for my Yoke is easie and my burthen is light They who are heavy laden with their sins and weary of their sins they are invited by him to come unto him and they that come unto him must believe in that spiritual and divine Light wherewith he hath enlightened them who lights every man that cometh into the VVorld according to Joh. 1.9 Joh. 8.12 12.46 Luke 2. 32. Act. 13. 47. Joh. 3.19 20. and see the â—â—st Epist of Iohn 5.7 where the Apostle saith God is Light and in him is no Darkness at all If we walk in the Light as he is in the Light then have we fellowship one with an other and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin And they who believe in the Light where-with Christ hath enlightened them this will let them see their sins and lead them to Repent of their sins which are past so God will forgive them their sins which are past and will strengthen them to resist sin in time to come such who so do are the real Disciples of Christ who said he that will be my Disciple must deny himself he must take up his Cross daily follow me And such come to be baptized by Christ by his holy spirit and fire which burns up and consumes all filthiness of flesh and spirit and such come to answer the holy Exhortation of the Apostle who exhorted the Saints saying Having therefore these Promises dearly Beloved let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of Flesh and Spirit perfecting Holiness in the FEAR of God 2 Cor. 7.1 Take notice here that the Apostle exhorted these believing Corinthians to Perfect Holiness in the fear of God so then they were not to cast off godly fear when they were come to Holiness even Perfect Holiness God saith by the Prophet David O ye Sons of Men how long will ye turn my Glory into shame How long will ye love Vanity and seek after Leasing Selah But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself stand in awe and sin not c. Psal 4.2 3 4. So all those who desire to be kept out of sin must keep in the Fear or Awe of God continually for as I have shewed before The Fear of the Lord God is as a Fountain of Life which preserves from the Snares of Death c. God hath promised unto his People saying I will give them one Heart and one Way that they may FEAR me FOREVER for the good of them and their Children after them I will put my FEAR in their Hearts that they shall not depart from me Jer. 32.39 40. Here God who cannot Lye hath promised that he will put his Fear in his Peoples Hearts and that they shall fear him forever then they must NOT cast off Gods fear or Godly Fear which the prophane and debauched Ranters and Atheists do and as this ungodly Scribler doth in his scoffing lying and malicious Pamphlet as doth largely appear God hath promised by the Mouth of the Prophet Mâ—lachi saying Vnto you that fear my Name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing under his Wings and ye shall go forth and grow as Calves in the Stall Mal. 4. This Libeller saith page the 10th That the worst of Men have commonly the greatest share of Fear Rep. That share of Fear which the worst of Men have is not the Holy Fear of God or not Godly fear but their Fear is of the same kind which the Devils fear is of which Fear the Apostle James makes mention of in his Epistle whose Words this Libeller quotes and wickedly wrest to emboâ—den and encourage People to cast off Godly Fear in which all that are Godly do stedfastly abide and in their so abiding do enjoy the pure Power and Wisdom of God by which they aâ—e preserved out of Sin which is the Devils work God saith by the Mouth of the Prophet Isaiah to his People Say ye not a confederacy to them to whom this People shall say a Confederacy neither fear ye their Fear nor be afraid sanctifie the Lord of Host himself and let him be your FEAR and let him be your Dread Isa 8.12 13. Christ Jesus who is First Last which was dead is alive lives foâ—evermore said unto the Church in Smirna Fear none of these things which thou shalt suffer behold the Devil shall cast some of you into Prison that
you may be tryed and ye shall have Tribulation ten days be thou Faithful unto Death I will give thee a Crown of Life Rev. 2.10 As concerning the Wicked the Apostâ—e saith There is NO FEAR of God before their Eyes Rom. 3.18 Psalm 36.1 Again And unâ—o Man he said Behold the FEAR of the Lord that is Wisdom and to depart from Evil is Vnderstanding Job 28 28. Again The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom Psal 111.10 Again The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Knowledge but Fools despise Wisdom and Instruction Prov. 1.7 Again speaking of the Wicked he saith They hated Knowledge and did NOT chuse the FEAR of the Lord they would none of my Counsel they would none of my Reproof therefore shall they eat of their own Way and be filled with their own Devices for the turning away of the Simple or Ignorant shall slay them and the prosperity of Fools shall destroy them but whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely and shall be quiet from fear of Evil verse the 29th to the end Here God speaking by Solomon saith The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Knowledge vers 7. and in vers 29. he complaineth of the wicked saying They hated Knowledge and did not chuse the Fear of the Lord. Therefore Misery and Destruction came upon them but saith God Whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely and shall be quiet from fear of Evil. So those who chuse Gods Fear and take his Counsel are kept by his mighty Power in that which is well pleasing to him and such are not terrified with the fear of Evil for they know God to be their Keeper who keeps them out of the Evil that is in the World and from the wrath and punishment which he will bring upon the Wicked who chuse not his sear nor take his counsel who saith Be ye Holy for I the Lord your God am Holy Here God distinguisheth betwixt Godly Fear which the Godly do stedfastly abide in and the fear of Evil which brings Torment upon the Ungodly Again The Fear of the Lord is a Fountain of Life to depart out of the Snares of Death Prov. 14.27 Again By the Fear of the Lord men depart from Evil Chap. 16.6 Again Better is a little with the Fear of the Lord than great Treasure and Trouble therewith Chap. 15.16 The Apostle Peter exhorted the Saints saying Fear God 1 Pet. 2.17 Again the Angel that preached the everlasting Gospel saith Fear God and give Glory to him Rev. 14.7 Many more Scripture-Testimonies might be brought to confirm this great Truth viz. that Godly Fear is to be continued in by Godly Men and Women unto the end of their dayes upon Earth but what I have already written doth sufficiently confute the Ranting Doctrines and Notions of this prophane Scribler And though I dearly own the Testimony of the holy Scriptures and therefore bring them for the confirmation of this great Truth yet that in which my greatest assurance lies is the living experience that I have had through many Years exercise of the excellency and preciousness of Godly Fear or the holy Fear of God my Heart and Soul is deeply affected therewith because of the preciousness and excellency thereof therefore I commend it unto all People as that which is indispensably needful to be come into and kept in without which no Man or Woman can come to Peace and Rest with God And I tenderly exhort and warn the Sons and Daughters of men to chuse the Fear of the Lord God in whose hand their Life is and to flee from all Ranting Atheistical Books Doctrines Principles and Practices which would keep them out of or lead them out of Godly Fear or the holy Fear of God and every one apply your Hearts to the Spirit of Truth which God hath sent which shews you what is good and what is evil believe in that and attend upon it and be careful to keep out of that which you know to be Evil and let your care be to obey God in what you know to be your duty and as you are obedient to him in what he has made known unto you to be your duty that which is further needful for you to know which you yet know not God will freely make it known unto you That which is and hath been the hurt of many is their hunting after the Knowledge of the Secrets and Mysteries of God in their SELF-WILL while they have neglected to obey God in that they already knew and by this means many have hunted themselves into Ranterism and Atheism which is lamentable to behold at this Day Others there are who desire not to know any thing but the following the foolish fleshly Lusts and vile Affections which War against their Souls who giving up themselves thereto and pursuing the same with a greedy Appetite become swallowed up therein and drowned in Perdition or Destruction thereby as the holy Apostles have testified see 1 Tim. 6.9 and 1 Pet. 2.11 The Apostle saith The Lord knoweth how to deliver the Godly out of Temptations and to reserve the Vnjust unto the day of Judgment to be punished but chiefly them that walk after the Flesh in the Lust of Vncleanness and despise Government presumptuous are they SELF-WILLED c. Such speak Evil of the things they understand not and shall utterly Perish in their own Corruption having Eyes full of Adultery and that cannot cease from Sin beguling unstable Souls an Heart they have exercised with Covetous Practices cursed Children which have for saken the right Way these are Wells without Water Clouds that are carried with a Tempest to whom the Mist of Darkness is reserved forever For when they speak great swelling Words of Vanity they allure through the Lusts of the Flesh through much Wantonness those that were CLEAN ESCAPED from them who live in Error while they promise them Liberty they themselves are the Servants of Corruption c. see 2 Pet. 2. verse 9 10 12 13 14 15. to the end read the Chapter through Again the Apostle saith This second Epistle Beloved I now write unto you in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance that ye may be mindful of the Words which were spoken before by the holy Prophets and of the COMMANDMENT of us the Apostles of the Lord and Saviour knowing this first that there shall come in the last dayes Scoffers walking after their own Lust c. Chap. 3. Verse 1 2 3. Again Love not the World neither the things that are in the World If any man love the World the Love of the Father is not in him for all that is in the World the Lust of the Flesh the Lust of the Eyes and the Pride of Life is not of the Father but is of the World and the World passeth away and the Lust thereof but he that doth the Will of God abideth forever 1 John 2.15 16 17. Jude the Servant of
Jesus Christ writing against the false Teachers and rebellious Apostates said They walk after their own Lusts c. but said unto the Believers Beloved remember ye the Words which were spoken before of the Aposâ—les of our Lord Jesus how that they told you there should be Mockers in the last Times who should walk after their own ungodly Lusts Jude 16.17 18. Oh Reader seriously read and ponder these weighty and holy Sayings of the Apostles of Christ and flee from those fleshly and ungodly Lusts which War against the Soul and drown those in Destruction who do not unfeignedly Repent thereof and turn therefrom while God gives them a Time of Visitation while he visits them by his holy Spirit of Grace Life and Strength to lead them thereby to unfeigned Repentance and to redeem them thereby out of all sinful and ungodly Lust O blessed are all they who turn unto him while he strives with them to gather them unto himself but most miserable are those who turn not unto him but go on after their own ungodly Lusts who set at nought all Gods Counsel both that which is immediately given them by his Spirit inwardly and also that which is given by him through his Instruments his Prophets Apostles and his faithful Servants which is witnessed unto by the Light of Christ Jesus wherewith every man that cometh into the World is lighted according to John 1.9 as is shewed before Of this evil Generation the Prophet complains they say unto God Depart from us for we desire not the Knowledge of thy Wayes What is the Almighty that we should serve him and what profit should we have if we Pray unto him Job 21.14 15. and 22.17 The Holy Prophet said I sought the Lord and he heard me c. The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him and delivereth them O! taste and see that the Lord is good blessed is the Man that trusteth in him O fear the Lord ye his Saints for there is no want to them that fear him The young Lyons do lack and suffer Hunger but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing Come ye Children hearken unto me and I will teach you the Fear of the Lord. What man is he that desireth Life loveth Dayes that he may see good Keep thy Tongue from Evil and thy Lips from speaking Guile Depart from Evil and do Good seek Peace and pursue it The Eyes of the Lord are upon the Righteous and his Ears are open unto their Cry The Face of the Lord is against them that do Evil to cut off the remembrance of them c. The Righteous cry and the Lord heareth and delivereth them out of all their Troubles The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken Heart and saveth such as be of a contrite Spirit Many are the Afflictions of the Righteous but the Lord delivereth him out of them all Psalm 38.4 to the 19th Thus Reader the Psalmist declares of the Mercies and Judgments of the Lord as he had seen and experienced them The Author of the Scoffing Book called Work for a Cooper would no doubt be esteemed a Religious man The Apostle saith If any man among you seem to be Religious and bridleth not his Tongue this man's Religion is Vain Pure Religion and Vndefiled before God and the Father is this to visit the Fatherless and Widows in their Affliction and to keep himself unspotted from the World James 1.26 27. That this man hath not a Bridle to his Tongue and that his Religion is Vain take his own Book for proof which is plentifully furnished with Lyes Scoffing and Railing a little of which I may here Collect. Thomas VVynne is known amongst his Neighbours to be a Sober Honest Man I have known him for above Twenty Years last past and I never knew nor heard other of him till this prophane Scoffers Pamphlet appeared against him These are the Names he gives him viz. Our second Tom of Bedlam pag. 6. Our Cinque and Cater pag. 7. Note here this vain man speaks here more like a prophane Player at Dice then a sober Religious man Again Our wise man of Gotham pag. 8. Again speaking of T.W. and his Friends saith Their Hocuspocus Tricks are now much laid aside pag. 13. Again speaking of the said People saith That they are the most Formal Coxcombs produceable in this Age pag. 15. Again pag. 1â— he renders T.W. A beastly Quaker Again scoffing at T.W. saith He knoweth not what Consanguinity there is betweâ—n the Porpos and the VVhale or the Craw-Fish and the Lobster pag. 21. Again he call him A Robber upon Gods High Way pag. 23. Again he calls him Wicked Ferry-man of Hell pag. 24. Thus I have collected a few of his bad Words and ill Names he has given to an Honest Man by which the Reader may see that his Tongue is not bridled as it ought to be and that his Religion is vain Now I shall collect a few of his Lyes He sayes The Quakers would endeavour to obtrude that they had been with God c. and have received the Spirit of Prophecy with the Gift of Miracles and all other that God had or could bestow pag. 12. Answ He names no persons on whom he fastens this his charge but throws it at the Quakers in General I say it is a Horrid Slander proceeding from the Father of Lyes for though we do own that God hath given the Manifestion of his Spirit to profit withal and some amongst us do prophecy and testifie of Christ and of God in the Spirit which he hath given yet we never said That we had received all other that God had or could bestow This is an Abominable Slander their is none that will believe him herein but those who are given up to believe Lyes Again That they could to a minute fore-tell the Last and Dreadful Day of Judgment Answ This Charge is general against the Quakers he names no Person or Persons that said so I return it as a Lye forged against the People of God and I exhort him to Repent of that and the rest of his Wickedness Again thus And heal more Diseases then all the World could possibly need help for Answ This is another horrid Slander that the Wicked One has in Envy led him to cast upon us the Lord Rebuke thee thou Prophane Man Again thus That they and they only were those of whom it was said They should lay their hands upon the Sick and they should recover Answ This is another horrid Slander proceeding from the Father of Lyes for which God will bring thee to Judgment Again thus And that God meant them only when he said I will pour my Spirit upon all Flesh Answ This is another horrid Lye for we believe that he poured forth his Spirit upon his Prophets and Apostles his Sons and Daughters and Hand-maids according to his Promise in former time and he is pouring it sorth in this Day and we believe he will pour it sorth according to his Promise upon all Flesh but we do not believe that the People called Quakers are only intended to be that All Flesh Mark In the compass of nine Lines he has told five Lyes in pag. 12. there being five in so little compass Reader thou mayst conclude there is a great many more in the whole Book These few here may suffice to give thee a taste and sence of the Wickedness of the man and to shew thee how Wickedly he deals with the People called Quakers It is our desire that he may Repent of these things and do so no more that so he may know forgiveness of the same and may come to Peace and Rest with God in his Latter-end God speaking of his People said Surely they are my People Children that will not Lye so he was their Saviour Isa 63.8 A Faithful Witness will not Lye but a False VVitness will utter Lyes Prov. 14.5 Ye are of your Father the Devil and the Lusts of your Father you will do he was a Murderer from the beginning and abode not in the Truth when he speaketh a Lye he speaketh of his own for he is a Lyar and the Father of it John 8.44 A False Witness shall not be Vnpunished and he that speaketh Lyes shall not escape Prov. 19.5 They bend their Tongues like Bows for Lyes but they are not valiant for the Truth Jer. 9.3 In this POSTSCRIPT I have shewed the Falseness and Wickedness of this Scornful man and have rebuked him in the Love and Fear of God and I unfeignedly desire his Repentance and Salvation who am a Lover of Truth and Righteousness who desires the Eternal good of all People but I Hate Lying Envy and all Wickedness William Gibson London the 25th of the 8th Moneth 1679. THE END