Form and another in that Form and they are all in Confusion and they being out of the Fear of God which is to hate Evil and depart from it whould lead others into Ways and Forms without this Pretending to Serve God but they lead them out of the Way of Serving God who do not lead them into the Holy Fear of him for such only as hate and depart from the Evil do Fear and Serve the Lord right as Psalm 2.11 Serve the Lord with Fear But these now in our Days who pretend to be the Teachers of others the Way whereby they may Know Fear and Serve God are strangers thereto themselves and although they pretend to be Ministers of Christ yet are found to be Antichrists contradicting Christ's own words Mat. 11.27 Neither knows any Man the Father save the Son and be to whomsoever the Son will reveal him but this way of knowing the Father they deny who say That none must expect now in these Days to know God any other way than by the Scriptures which they call his Revealed Will and Word And here they shew themselves against Christ in plain Words which is their common Practice to contradict Christ's Way to know the Father to wit by Revelation but Revelations are to such as fear him as Psalm 25.14 The Secrets of the Lord are with them that Fear him which Fear they being out of are Strangers and Enemies to such who come to find the Fruits of the Fear of God to know his Secrets and here they must of necessity stand to uphold their Kingdom in denying Immediate Revelation although it be the Way and no other Way hath Christ left upon Record thereof in Scripture for any Man to know the Father by but by the Revelation of his Son But if they should yield to this then their goddess Diana their Forms made by the Invention of Man which they cry up to poor ignorant People as of great Concernment will not only be despised but also their Learning will be in danger to be set at nought by which Craft they get their Wealth And as Demetrius Acts 19. with the Workmen of like Occupation then cryed out Great is Diana of the Ephesians So it is now with the Priests and Teachers among the dead Forms they cry out Great is the use of Learning and Study to gather the Scriptures together so that one may give the meaning or make another plain so they come to know the Secrets of God which they conceive to be in the Scriptures But the Secrets of God were and are with such as Fear him which gave forth the Scriptures as they were moved by the Holy Ghost and the same that gave them forth the same opens them and nothing else can as the Scripture declares 1 Cor. 2.11 The things of God knows no Man but the Spirit of God No but the Scriptures to all such as are not led by the Spirit of God are a Mystery a Sealed Book but those who come into the Obedience of the Spirit that gave them forth to such the Mystery is revealed the Seal taken off And such who gave the Scriptures forth were the despised ones of the World and such as are brought into their Conditions are despised now by those who make use of their Words to get Gain with although their Conditions they Scorn and Deride in others as they would have done by Moses of whom it is left upon Record Heb. 12.21 that Moses said I exceedingly Fear and Quake And Jeremiah said Mine Heart within me is broken because of the Prophets all my Bones Shake I am like a Drunken Man and like a Man whom Wine hath overcome because of the Lord and because of the Words of his Holiness Jer. 23.9 And when Habakkuk heard the Word of the Lord his Belly Trembled his Lips Quivered at the Voice rottenness entered into his Bones c. Hab. 3.16 And Paul was amongst the Corinthians in Weakness and in Fear and in much Trembling 1 Cor. 2 3. And the Corinthians received Titus with Fear and Trembling 2 Cor. 7.15 Yea those Conditions which the Lord Commanded and he hath said in Scripture he would have respect unto such they Scorn and Deride by reason of their Ignorance and Malice And so with them to wit the Priests and Teachers of the People in dead Forms it is true as it was with the Sadduces that Christ spoke to Mat. 22.29 They err not knowing the Scriptures nor the Power of God for although the Lord commanded his Prophet by his Word Ezek. 12.17 18. Moreover the Word of the Lord came unto me saying Son of Man Eat thy Bread with Quaking and Drink thy Water with Trembling and with Carefulnesss And Jer. 5.21 22. Hear now this O Foolish People and without Understanding which have Eyes and see not which have Ears and bear not Fear ye not me saith the Lord Will ye not Tremble at my Presence And the Lord by the Prophet Isaiah declares Isa 66.3 But unto this Man will I look even to him that is Poor and of a Contrite Spirit and Trembleth at my Word And in the next verse reckons up unto them their outward Sacrifices which he did not at all accept but saith He that killeth an Ox is as if be slew a Man he that sacrificeth a Lamb as it be cut off a Dog's Neck c. And they which did all these outward Services were such as did cast forth those which did Tremble at the Word of the Lord as in the fifth verse Hear the Word of the Lord ye that Tremble at the Word of the Lord Tour Brethren that bated you and cast you out for my Names sake said Let the Lord be glorified But be shall appear to your Joy and they shall be ashamed These that did thus could have a fair pretence to say Let the Lord be glorified and it is the same now for who are more Zealous for their outward Observances They cry and say Let the Lord be glorified as tho' his Glory therein stands and so cast out and Reproach with open Mouth those that see the emptiness of them and come forth of the Form into the Power and Life to Worship God in Spirit which Service it is only that Glorifies him But those who Worship only in the Form cry out upon those that Fear God and Tremble at his Word and say Wherfore should the Ordinances be lest And so would make the Ignorant People believe That we who fear the Lord whom the World in Scorn call Quakers who have been made to Tremble at the Presence and at the hearing of the Word of the Lord as the Holy Men of God did which Condition the Lord did require and accept but those who take their Words but are Strangers unto their Life and the Power of the Lord these I say cast Reproach upon us and say That we deny and cast off the Ordinances of Christ Jesus But the time is come to our Joy and their Shame
the more Money And for their often exchanging fained words they do not want saying sometimes that they are sorry to leave them others that they do not see that Fruit of their Ministry which they desire and thereupon they do and may exchange as one did to wit Priest Sinclare of Slingsby near Malton in Yorkshire who having within a few Years time been at three Places or Livings as they are called being come unto the fourth I asked him the cause Why and How they could so often exchange He answered That they might when they did not see that fruit of their Ministry that they desired As if it were to see a change of Reformation in the People as he pretended then But unto me it doth plainly appear since that it was fained and that in his Conscience will witness with me that it was his own Earthly Profit more than the People's Good For this I know that in respect of the People's Wickedness he had as much cause to exchange as before Little Fruit or Reformation of Life doth appear the same fained excuse he might have if he knew of a greater Living For where he is now is near if not more than double the value of that he left and there he had continued longer than at two places before And thus it is with most if not all of them when they exchange Place and People it is for the greater Profit Self is in it commonly plain to be seen And herein they go from Christ and do not take that way to come after him that he hath set down Luke 9.23 If any Man will come after me he must deny himself and take up his Cross daily and follow me But their way that they pretend to folow him in is in pleasing themselves and to have their Wills at Liberty and rule over others And although Christ Command Those that will find Rest to their Souls to take his Yoak upon them and learn of him to be meek and lowly in Heart Mat. 11.29 Yet these Pretenders are not so for Who more Proud or Impatient than they Or greater Patterns of Pride in the Parish than their Wives and Children in most places I leave to all who have any Eyes to see and behold and judge as there is just cause If any shall say Pride lies in the Heart I know it but as the Tree is known by its Fruits even so the Heart may be known by its Fruits for the Image of its delight is set up within before it be set up without this or that thing which they desire or see others have the Heart thinks is Good or Decent and it would have the like And are not they to wit the Priests their Wives and Children such as follow the Fashions of the World in using needless things which are to satisfie the vain Mind and the lustful desires of the Heart and the Apostle's Exhortation they are out of 1 Pet. 1.14 and so shew themselves to be in Ignorance and lust alive many contending for the continuing of Sin and the Devils Kingdom These Scriptures fore-mentioned being by the Priests practised are recommended unto them for to read unto the People which they ought in Plainness and Simplicity as it doth concern them to take them to themselves and acknowledge that they are their Conditions and that they are the Men that have done these things and are guilty and thereupon forsaking and no more practising that horrible and filthy thing that hath been committed in this Land by them to bear rule by their means to seek for their Gain from their Quarter to Teach for Hire and other-like Practices heretofore mentioned committed by them they not only as they come to see it simply confessing it but honestly forsaking it then they shall find Mercy but if they cover and hide their Sins they shall not prosper And this I was moved by the Spirit of the Lord to write unto them that they may not plead Ignorance Now you are warned of the Evil that shall follow whilst you have time prize it and return unto the Lord lest you remember this when it is too late which is from him who is a lover of your Souls And this word is to you O Priests And in the mean time until your Priests come unto this Honesty as to confess and forsake these filthy Practices all you that profess your selves to be Christians and own the Scriptures search the Scriptures and see if these things be not so and if you find that it be so and that your Teachers are such in their Practices as the true Prophets Christ and his Apostles spoke against then take heed I warn you from the Lord how you joyn with them to hold them up in their Sins lest you partake of their Plagues Now you are forewarned of the Evil know that the Light is arisen that discovers their Ways and Deeds of Darkness in their Practices therefore come forth from amongst these wicked Men who fear not God but live in these wicked Practices fore-mentioned And this word is to you O People Object Now if any shall say as they must if they will but speak Truth We know it is so with the most of them but if we leave them How shall we do for Teaching They have Learning and they are most likely to know the meaning of the Scriptures Answ The Scriptures were not given forth by the Learning Wisdom not Will of Man as in 2 Pet. 1.21 The Prophesie came not in old time by the Will of Man but holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost And in the fore-going verse he saith Know this first that no Prophesie of the Scripture is of any private Interpretation and that nothing but that which gave them forth can open them And so in vain it is for you to go to such as say They are not guided by the Spirit that gave forth the Scripture nor do therewith speak when unto you they do speak of the Scriptures nay their Fruits their Lives and Conversations will Witness it against them if they should affirm it with words This know likewise many of those who gave forth the Scriptures were Unlearned Men in the World's Learning nay from the World's Learning they did not speak them forth but from the Mouth of the Lord by the movings of his Spirit which the World's Wisdom cannot reach for Man by this Wisdom knows not God nor the things of God We read that Jacob and David were keepers of Sheep and Elisha was a Plowman that Amos was an Herdsman and they said of Christ How knows this Man Letters having never learned John 7.14 15. Peter and John being brought before the Rulers Acts 4.13 The Rulers perceiving that they were Unlearned and Ignorant Men marvelled and divers of the Apostles were Fishermen and Paul tho' a learned Man yet was a Tent-maker Acts 18.3 And what things formerly he accounted gain to him he accounted loss for the excellency of the
Knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord and he did account them but Dung that he might win Christ Phil. 3.7 8. which Excellency even the Knowledge of Christ he received not from Man but by the Grace of God appearing unto him which revealed the same within him Gal. 15.16 And thiâ— same Grace which appeared unto him was and is the Saints Teacher and whoso are obedient unto it it teaches them to deny Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts Pilate who crucified Christ writ over his Head in Hebrew Greek and Latine The King of the Jews John 19.19 20. And these Tongues many may understand who know nothing of the things of God neither can they receive them for they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2.14 But these Tongues are Natural and a natural Man may have them and they do not tech any to depart from Wickedness but the Grace of God being obeyed doth which is witnessed as in Scripture is declared Titus 2.11 12. The Grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all Men teaching us that denying Ungodliness and worldly Lusts we should live Soberly Righteously and Godlily in this present World This their Teacher was the Grace of God which is near every one within them and the Church of God now witnessing the Teachings thereof come to the Promise even the Word which is within in the Mouth and in the Heart the same which the Lord did give to the Children of Israel Deut. 30.11 12 13 14. For this Commandment which I command thee this day it is not hidden from thee neither is it far off it is not in Heaven that thou shouldest say Who shall go up for us to Heaven and bring it unto us that we may hear it and do it Neither is it beyond the Sea that thou shouldest say Who shall go over the Sea for us and bring it unto us that we may hear it and do it But the Word is very nigh unto thee in thy Mouth and in thine Heart that thou mayst do it Which doth agree and is one with that Rom. 10.5 6 7 8. where the Apostle speaking of Christ being the end of the Law for Righteousness to every one that believeth For Moses describeth the Righeousness which is of the Law that the Man that doth these things shall live by them But the Righteousness which is of Faith speaketh on this wise Say not in thine 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 Christ up again from the Dead But what saith it The Word is nigh thee in thy Mouth and in thy Heart That is the Word of Faith which we Preach And in Heb. 4.12 13. The Word of God is quick and powerful and Sharper than any two-edged Sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of Soul and Spirit and of the Joynts and Marrow and it is a Discerner of the Thoughts and Intents of the Heart Neigther is there any Creature that is not manifest in his Sight but all things are naked and open before Him with whom we have to do Thus the Scripture testifies of the Word of God it is quick and hath Power in it That within which lies underneath in all whilst they are in the Fall this is that which with a still low Voice as if it were behind one Isa 30.20 21. when they turn out of the Commands of God to act Wickedness tells them in secret that such a thing they ought not to do and this rises up in them when they do Evil as when they tell a Lye or when they think evil Thoughts Hate or Back-bite and tells them they ought not so to do Yea I do appeal to any who have but any Knowledge of their Conditions whether they have not found something within them time after time check them for Evil Deeds and that hath plainly shewn them that they ought not to have done so as they did when as they did Swear Lie were Drunk or have been wrathful or envious against others when such deeds have been done by them then they have cryed for Mercy and said They had done wrong Now something there was within them that let them see plainly That they ought not to have done so although they did not know what it was here Light shined in Darkness but the Darkness comprehended it not And so it was with me many times for there was that in me which did check me secretly when I did tell a Lie for my Profit and Pleasure but I did not know what that was yea many a time after I had done such a thing as to tell a Lie I should have been troubled in my self for it And there was something in me that would have brought it to remembrance again a good while after as fresh as though it had been then spoken yea things which I did in secret which none knew of without to tell of them such things were raised up again into the remembrance even my secret Thoughts and evil Intents could not be kept but these things would have been brought to remembrance that such a thing thou didst at such a time in such a place and such Thoughts thou didst think which were evil All things that ever I did were laid open by the Righteous Law of God within me yea the Judgments and Wrath of God were shouwn me by the same to be my Portion And I did not know any way how to get free from the same And although it were many times shown me that such a thing I had done and thereupon the Wrath of God was shown likewise to be the Portion thereof yet notwithstanding I did still run into the same although I was condemned in my self for it not knowing what it was which did condemn me so this was in a time of ignorance as to the knowing what it was yet there was that in me which cleared the Lord when he did arise to Judgment in me And if he had Eternally Condemned me my Condemnation had been just for my disobeying of what I knew So that I know that the Lord will be Justified when he arises to Judgment and all Mouths shall be stopped for my Condemnation was not in the Day of Account for what I did not know but that such things were made known unto me to be my Duty to have done and I did them not neither shall any be Condemned for what they know not but for what they know and do not obey This is the Condemnation that Light is come yet Men love Darkness rather than Light John 3.19 This was true I witness And as the Word of God is thus Quick and Powerful and searches the Heart the Secrets thereof rips up lays open and brings to remembrance things done in the dark and so lets every one see the just Judgments of God to be their Portion for acting contrary thereto So the same which thus Checks and Reproves for Sin the same being hearkened unto and
Judgment from the Righteous God of Life to pass upon the Enemies of your Soul 's good and from the same you will find Commands go forth to let you know what you are to do which will be contrary to what you have formerly delighted in so your desires will be crossed when they are running forth into the Earth to delight in fading Objects or any manner of Wickedness and so you will come to find a Law come forth from another which formerly you have not known so as to obey and as Obedience is given thereunto you will find that arise up in you for to Rule over whatsoever would not it should Reign and then Salvation is near Thus by degrees by a living Faith and Obedience to the Commands of God made known by that his Light within you shall come to find him Judge Lawgiver King and Sarviour Therefore none expect to know God otherwise than he is The Children of Disobedience must know him to be a just Judge rendering unto every one according unto their Works as the Scriptures declare of him such as do not cease to do Evil and learn to do Well but Rebel against him must be devoured with the Sword read Isaiah 1. Rom. 2.6 7 8 9 10 11. where the Apostle saith that God will render unto every Man according to his Deeds To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for Glory and Honour and Immortality Eternal Life But unto them that are Contentious and do not obey the Truth but obey Unrighteousness Indignation and Wrath Tribulation and Anguish upon every Soul of Man that doth Evil of the Jew first and also of the Gentile But Glory Honour and Peace to every Man that worketh Good to the Jew first and also to the Gentile For there is no respect of Persons with God Therefore what is said unto the Priests is said to the People of all Professions Search the Scriptures and see where you do find your Condition in the Scriptures whoso lives in Wickedness being guided by the wicked One Woes and the Plagues of God they may expect as the Scriptures declare Isa 3.11 Wo to the Wicked it shall be ill with him for the Reward of his hands shall be given him First therefore thou that lives in a Profession of God and Christ in Words and acts not the same in Deed and Truth read Mat. 23.5 but these things dost to be seen of Men this was their Practice to whom the Wo was due Mat. 23.27 to 37. Read You that have got the Prophets Christ's and the Apostles Words to talk of and Paint your selves outwardly with a Form of Godliness but deny the Power thereof and Hate and Persecute those who live in the Life of what you Profess the Woes the Damnation of Hell you may read there to be your Portion unless you Repent You Hypocrites consider betime and Repent that you may escape it And in the next place you that would have the good word of all this may be accounted Wisdom so to Conform but it is that Wisdom which is from beneath from the Serpents Seed to which the Curse is therefore thou that wouldest have all to speak well of thee read Luke 6.26 Wo unto you when all Men shall speak well of you This may seem strange to others as it did unto me whose desire is to have all to speak well of them Now this is not to encourage any for to walk so as to give any just occasion for any to speak evil of them but on the contrary as Christ doth Exhort in the next Verses to Love your Enemies do good to them which Hate you Bless them that Curse you and Pray for them which Despitefully use you Yet this I know and so all others find it as they come to walk up in Obedience to that which is pure of God in them it is so cross and contrary unto that which guides the World even all Men of what Profession soever being guided by another Seed they cannot have their good words as formerly the Enmity between the two Seeds that is the cause therefore thou that hast the good word of the wicked question thy Condition thou hast great cause lest thou art not under the blessing of God but under the Wo of Christ And thou whose desires is to get Wealth by Fraud and Deceit Lying and Dissembling and may call this a provident Care for thy Self and Family thou Infidel that darest not trust God but acts contrary unto that of him in thee that tells thee in secret that thou oughtest not so to do read Hab. 2.9 Wo unto him that coveteth an evil Covetousness to his House that he may set his Nest on High And all you who live in the Lust of the Flesh the Lust of the Eye and Pride of Life which things are not of God read 1 John 2.16 Lusting after strong Drink not only to be Drunk themselves but to make others Drunk read Hab. 2.15 Isa 28.1 Wo to the Crown of Pride to the Drunkards of Ephraim So others from the Lust within let the Eye loose after Beauty fine Apparel and the like all these proceed from one Root the Unrighteous Seed within to which the Plagues and Woes of God are due and the Kingdom of God it must not Inherit therefore let none deceive themselves with vain hopes but read 1 Cor. 6.9 10. Know ye not that the Unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God c. but such if they Repent not must be for the Lake and the Wine-press of the Lord's Wrath without the City with whatsoever worketh Abomination or telleth a Lye Rev. 21.8 27. 14.19 20. Therefore all People of all Professions consider your own Condition your Life and Practices take the Scriptures search and see where you can find out your own Condition and amongst whom whether amongst the Godly or amongst the Wicked and that you may take and read the Portion laid down in Scripture belonging unto your Practice And do not meddle with others Conditions laid down in Scriptures nor the Promises that were made to them so as to apply them to your selves whilst in your Sins that did Fear and Serve the Lord who when they witnessed the same fulfilled in them they were made to rejoyce with Trembling Psalm 2.11 which is now witnessed by many Praises to the Lord our God for evermore who hath arisen to our joy although we be such as are cast forth and reproached as they were who did Fear before the Lord and Tremble at his Word by such as did pretend to Glorifie God as in Isa 66.5 This Scripture we whom the World in Scorn call Quakers of which Name I am not ashamed being one whose Flesh hath been made for to Tremble and Bones to Shake at the Judgments of the Lord and at his Word as the Holy Men of God did read Ezra 10.3 9. Job 4.14 21.6 Psalm 119.120 Jer. 23.9 Dan. 10. Hab. 3.16 These and such like Scriptures we
who witness them true and to have been fulfilled in us and in obedience to the same Power are kept can read with Comfort from the Testimony within our own selves wherein we may and do rejoyce in Persecution and Suffering for Righteousness sake which none knows but as they are guided by the Righteous One wherein is our Happiness that although we be numbred amongst the Transgressors of Men's Laws yet we suffer not as evil Doers for who goes under the name of Quakers and suffers for evil Doing are neither owned by us nor know our Joy who suffers as Christians herein can Rejoyce in as much as we are made Partakers of Christ's Sufferings and can and may read 1 Pet. 4.13 14 15 16. Our Sufferings being for the same that the Prophets Christ and the Apostles practised to wit for speaking against Formal and False Worships and Worshippers and against Sin in Plainness even in their publick Meeting-places as they did as in 1 Kings 13.1 2. By the Word of the Lord the Prophet cryed against the Altar in Bethel Jeroboam standing by And by the Word of the Lord Amos prophesied in the King's Chappel in Bethel and in plainness speaks of the Judgments of God to befall Jeroboam Amos 7. But this was not from the Letter the outward Declaration of Scripture that they spoke but from the Movings of the Spirit of the Lord in them as Prophesies came 2 Pet. 1.21 And the Father and Mother of Jesus found him in the Temple amongst the Doctors both hearing them and asking them Questions Luke 2.46 And the Apostle Paul an his manner was went into the Synagogues and Reasoned with them three Sabbath Days together out of the Scriptures And into the Synagogues he went at three several places to wit at Thessalonica at Berea and at Athens read Acts 17. for which he was then Persecuted And it is the same Generation in Nature now which Persecutes for the same Practices as then He that was Born after the Flesh persecuted him that was Born after the Spirit even so it is now Gal. 4.29 And so all that live in Persecution Hating and Envying and in Pride Covetousness Drunkenness Swearing Lying or any such like Wickedness take the Scriptures and look who they were that did such things and what was to be their Portion And this use you may make of the Scriptures Search them and see every one where you can find your own Condition for this I know and so you shall find That if you do apply the Promises to your selves which do not belong to that Condition which you live in that will do you no good at all in the time of trouble Therefore all consider betimes now whilst you have time and now that you are warned And all People of all Professions cease from looking at your Profession and see whose Work you do and what Fruit it is that you bring forth whether it be the Works of the Flesh or the Fruits of the Spirit of God which are different as the Scripture declares Gal. 5.19 20 21 22 23. Now the works of the Flesh are manifest which are these Adultery Fornication Uncleanness Lasciviousness Idolatry Witcheraft Hatred Variance Emulations Wrath Strife Sedition Heresies Envyings Murders Drunkenness Revellings and such like of the which I tell you before as I have told you in time past that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God But the Fruit of the Spirit is Love Joy Peace Long-suffering Gentleness Goodness Faith Meekness Temperance against such there is no Law And be not deceived God will not be mocked for such as you sow such shall you reap If ye sow to the Flesh then ye shall reap Corruption but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap Life Everlasting which is witnessed as in Scripture declared Gal. 6.7 8. Therefore with Bowels of Love running forth towards your Souls I exhort you all to consider whose Will it is that you are doing and what it leads into For the Will of God is your Sanctification 1 Thess 4.3 Therefore take heed I charge you all in the Presence of the Lord and by his Spirit how you go on in any Wickedness and lay the blame upon God and say When the Lord will it shall be otherwise It is not his Will that any should go on in their Wickedness but that all should turn from their Wickedness and Live but your Destruction I do declare unto you all to be from and of your selves running on your own Wills working the Works and delighting to live after the Flesh which brings Death as the Scripture declares Rom. 8.13 For if ye live after the Flesh ye shall dye but if ye through the Spirit do mortifie the Deeds of the Flesh ye shall live And the Lord is not wanting on his part for to bring to Life but by the Spirit of his dear Son he calls upon every one for to return from the Evil of their Ways and as Obedience thereunto is given the Deeds of the Flesh come to be mortified and so they come to witness Life But if any say Hath every one the Spirit of Christ I answer with the Apostle Rom. 8.9 If any Man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his that is such as do not live up to the Spirit of Christ so as to enjoy its Indwelling For a Manifestation of the Spirit is given to every Man to profit with And so every one as they stoop down in Obedience to that of God in them which is pure which rises up within them and shews them Evil Deeds and calls upon them to depart there-from they owning this to be of God from thence this Fear comes to be placed in the Heart that they dare not act contrary thereto but the same they obey and so him serve and worship who is a Spirit and is worshipped in Spirit and Truth Which that you may all do is my Desire and Prayer to the Lord for you all by whom I have been moved to write this forth unto whom I have cleared my Conscience and unburdened my Spirit in the informing your Understandings in the way of his Worship who is God over all and Blessed and Praised for evermore Hallelujah to the Highest Written by one who desires the Welfare of Souls R. H. Who was committed Prisoner to York-Castle for speaking the Truth To Enoch Sinclare Parish-Teacher of Slingsby this is A Copy hereof being sent to go unto him the first that went forth with what in this foregoing is thereunto added as in the Conclusion of this expressed is Friend I Being moved for to write something forth for to inform the Understandings of such as have been scattering and wandering in the cloudy and dark Day as I was whilst following the Inventions of such as thou art who knows nothing of God but by Hear-say conceivings of the Scriptures and looking upon things without Such pitying and in love unto their Souls I have
shall come to sit Judge in thee thou shalt then be made to confess that these thy words are vain Boasting and that his Merits and Mercies thou art ignorant of nor never canst know until thou return to be guided by that which checks thee in secret for the Evil of thy Doings and whatsoever thou dost not therewith being guided it is Self-Righteousness and of the Devil and so art guided by the Fancies of thy own vain Mind For that Mind is vain that leads the Creature into Vanities Now consider if it be not so with thee that such things as thou didst see a Vanity in thou art returned back to do those things again Therefore let Shame stop thy Mouth for accusing others of what thou art guilty of thy self And for the Rash Judgment thou speakest of casting upon our fellow Creatures which are the Workmanship of God's Hands as well as we who lives in the height of Conceits above all the People in the World Hence I do declare thee from whence this is to be a false Accuser for the Judgment is not past upon the Creature as it is the Workmanship of God's Hands but chiefly upon the wicked One in the Creature and only upon the Creature as subject to him which is the Enemy of God And saying We live in Conceits That is thy own Condition as will be made manifest and thou may'st as well condemn them who said That they knew that they were of God and that the whole World lay in Wickedness And no other Light do we speak of to be guided by but that Light wherewith Christ Jesus hath enlightned every one that cometh into the World which Light thou say'st is the Conceits of our own Minds And here I charge thee in the Presence of the Living God to be an Evil Speaker of that Light which comes from his dear Son saying It is the Conceits of our own Minds So I charge thee to make it appear that thou didst hear any of us ever speak of any Light to be guided by but the Light of Jesus Christ in the Conscience and if thou canst not then let Fear take hold upon thee and Shame smite thee in thy Face to say That Light is the Conceit of our own Minds that carries us on in the Work But the Grace of God and his Mercies thou sayest are above all our rash Judgment and Conceit I answer The Grace of God and his Mercies thou hast turned into Lasciviousness and out of a vain light Mind thou speakest of Blessing and Praising his most Holy Name and says in thy Conceits That he will sit as Judge him self to confound the Conceits and rash Judgments and Imaginations of high Aspiring Spirits of boasting Men of which Spirit and Mind Quakers are of thou sayest and so in Scorn writest Adieu Quakers How couldst thou get this written and not be condemed in thy Conscience that it was in Scorn Nay consider let the Search pass through and a Wirness shall speak in thee for me That these words were in Scorn written And although thou sayest God himself will sit Judge to confound the Conceits and rash Judgments and Imaginations of high Aspiring Spirits of boasting Men of which Spirit and Mind Quakers are of here consider what thou hast said That God should sit but thou art Exalted as if got into his Seat to judge not with his Spirit but with Scornful Mind speaks of that Condition which his People Witnessed and he Commanded And here thou shews to all that have any Understanding or Eyes to see That thou hast no Bridle to thy Tongue and so thy Religion is in vain Then thou asks out of a vain Mind What Rule we have in Scripture for our high Conceits of our selves Here Ishmael makes himself manifest in thee And further says If we imitate our formed Weekly Meetings from the Apostles and Disciples we Err for they lived in the Truth and we live in the Conceits of Mind I answer meer Imitation without the Spirit we deny But this is known that who are guided by the same Spirit that the Apostles were it will bring them to follow their good Example And did they not meet Weekly Deny it if thou canst And whereas thou sayedst They lived in the Truth and we in the Conceits of Mind Here again I charge thee that so speaks to be a false Accuser And thou sayest God is Judge of the whole World Himself Whereas he Judgeth by his Son and Saints For do not the Scriptures say That the Father Judgeth no Man but hath committed all Judgment to the Son John 5.22 and in the 27th verse And hath given him authority to execute Judgment also because he is the Son of Man And in the Epistle of Jude 14 and 15 verses Behold the Lord cometh with Ten Thousands of his Saints to execute Judgment upon all c. But thou shewest thy self to be an Opposer of Christ and it is true and nor rash Judgment to say so of thee who art found in the Enmity And it is not for us to work before the Eternal Creator of Heaven and Earth doth work in us but his Acting in the Creature is a Mystery to thy carnal Mind and thou art not Judged before the time and this Judgment wherewith the wicked One in thee and others is judged shall not Condemn us for That of God in your Consciences shall witness it to be true and Condemn all for you who live in the Filth of the Flesh and Conformity to the World Acting contrary to what you are Convinced of for Self-Ends and Fear of Man And further thou proceed'st and say The turning of the Mind what way we will that we call the Word of the Lord Thou false Accuser and evil Speaker of the things thou dost not understand how long wilt thou suffer the envious One to rule in thee and to speak Evil of that thou understandest nor If thou knowest the Word of the Lord which is as a Fire shut up in the Bones Jer. 20.9 and how it comes thou wilt know that it is not in our power to turn it what way we will Therefore make out what thou sayest otherwise thy Mouth being stopped own thy Condemnation upon thy false Accusation Thou sayest The Word came by Revelation but how it comes thou knowest not neither canst thou say in the Presence of the Lord and not Lie That the Lord ever spoke one Word unto thee for to declare abroad and yet wilt be Judging of others Then thou further proceeds for to bid John Brown Let high Aspiring Thoughts and Conceits depart and let Brotherly Love be placed in his Heart and Tenderness and Pity possess his Soul This I know that Tenderness and Pity doth possess his Soul and in his Heart he doth love them that are Brethren in Christ Jesus But to the Deceit that rules in thee and others which would have fair and pleasant Words those who are guided by the Spirit of Christ cannot speak Peace
A Plain ACCOUNT Of Certain Christian Experiences Labours Services and Sufferings OF THAT Ancient Servant and Mininister of Christ Roger Hebden DECEASED Containing both Warning Consolation and Instruction in Righteousness They who are faithful unto Death shall receive a Crown of Life London Printed and Sold by T. Sowle in 〈◊〉 Hart-Court in Gracious-street 1700. The Author's Introduction SOmething in this Book is writen relating to my coming to Understand the Way of God and how I walked therein with Passages concerning my Imprisonment and Letters unto Friends and others With some Passages relating my Exercise for several Years of my Life-time with several other Passages therein written according to the Times and as there was a Service then seen The Author's Introduction With Directions therein for all that know not God how they may come for to Know Fear Serve and Worship Him in Love the Way is declared agreeable to the Scriptures of Truth and according to the Measure of Knowledge then communicated to Roger Hebden A Plain Account OF THE Christian Experiences c. OF Roger Hebden IN or about the â—â—st Month of the Year 1651 and in the Thirty First Year of my Life I Roger Hebden Son of John Hebden late of Appleton in the Street then using the Calling of a Woollen Draper and Dwelling in New Malton The Lord God of Heaven and Earth whose Love hath been to Mankind manifest in all Ages and to all Generations of Men upon the Face of the Earth about that time did manifest himself more fully than to many Ages and Generations in sending forth his Servants who in his infinite Love he had given to know his Kindness to them in placing a Witness for himself in them to lead and command them as Isaiah 55.4 And altho' this kindness of the great God the Author of the Good of all Mankind I was made partaker of with others and at sundry times had felt his Witness at work in me even when I was but Young even about the Age of Eleven or Twelve Years and at several times in my Life-time after bearing Testimony against the Evil of my Doings and condemned me for the sames yet I knew not that this was of God neither did I understand that this was given to Lead and Command me and so when I did such things as I knew to be evil was condemned in my self not knowing who it was that Condemned me as John 1.5 3.19 But the Lord God in his infinite Love towards me appeared in sending a faithful Servant of his named George Fox whom he had given to know the way of God and to direct others to know the same by his Power speaking thorow him made him serviceable to inform me and bring me to the knowledge of that Light and Grace of God within me which when I heard of it there was raised a Witness that I had felt such a thing divers times and coming to understand who it was that I had resisted and pierced it wounded me deeply and after I came to see what had been the cause of my Trouble avoiding it I had Peace as is in this Book mentioned And the Lord going on with his Work in me about six Months after poured forth his Spirit of Prayer and Prophesie upon me Thus I came to be made a Minister of Christ whom I Preach and in obedience to the same Spirit being led into the World's Assemblies occasioned my being cast into Prison Here followeth the cause why I was and am Imprisoned not being ashamed of my Bonds Unto Friends and to the World I do declare as followeth I Being led by the Movings of the Spirit of the Lord in me to be near Tadcaster amongst Friends of Truth who Worship God in Spirit The 17th Day of the 10th Month 1654. I came to a House in Newton being accompanied with divers other Friends where the People of God were met together to wait upon God whilst I there waited I was stirred in Spirit to go to the World's People's Meeting-Place in that Town where they Worship an unknown God as Paul was whilst he waited at Athens Acts. 17.16 And for speaking such words there as are hereafter expressed was I by Robert Barwicke called Justice sent Prisoner to York-Castle and kept Prisoner from the time afore-mentioned until the 16th day of the 11th Month following at which time in Weatherby at the Sessions I being called an Indictment as they call it was read wherein the Jury for him called Lord Protector did upon their Oaths present that I Wilfully and Maliciously with such like words which they use in their Form at such a time came to such a place By which Form and through Ignorance the Jurors whom I pity are led as out of the Doctrine of Christ in Swearing so into the Work of the Devil to tell Lyes as I told them then There was nothing of my Will in going thither which was and is my present Comfort The thing they charged me withal was the same in the Mittimus namely That I uttered unto Master Clapham as they called him many Railing and Reviling Speeches as Thou art a Hirelings a dumb Dog c. and the like only that whereas Robert Barwicke called Justice said in that Paper called the Mittimus that I spoke these words to him Before he came forth of the Pulpit therein being taxed to be a Lyar These words before-mentioned to wit Before he came out of the Pulpit were left out of the Indictment Therein Deceit was manifest although he had given it under his Hand and Seal in the Mittimus That all that was there written was done in his presence and hearing Now Friends to You and to the World a few words As concerning what is here Charged upon me before any of these words were spoken to him he proved himself and was seen to be what was said of him and to him for before I spoke one word to him he spoke to me after he was come forth of the Pulpit Then I asked him this Question By what Authority dost thou speak He could not answer thereunto And so proved himself like the Watch-Men Isaiah spoke of Chap. 56.10 And also fled like the Hireling Christ spoke of John 10.13 before he was so called Then I being moved to speak to the People to direct them to the Anointing their Teacher within them the Way to Life that Light wherewith Christ Jesus hath enlightned them And minding that they would have no need to follow such Hirelings whereby their Souls might be deceived And it being with me even as it was with the Prophet Micah Chap. 3.8 I was full of Power by the Spirit of the Lord and of Judgment For the Word of the Lord unto me before I went was Tell them of their Sins And so to every one as they came before me as I was moved of the Lord I declared unto them their Condition and their Portion without Repentance which they must find which they called Judging But as
you all my Bowels running forth unto you all who are Faithful although absent in Body yet present in Spirit which cannot be bound joying and rejoycing in the remembrance of the Order which the Lord out of his own large and free Love hath been pleased to place amongst you Into whose Power I commit you all my dear Friends with Love running forth to your Souls I exhort you all to give up your selves into his Will even to be guided by that which is Pure in every of you that God alone may be praised and your Souls refreshed by the Comfort that flows from the Fountain of Love to the obedient ones Written from your dear Brother in the Truth and a Watchman for your Souls good by Name Roger Hebden Another Epistle to Friends York-Castle the last Day of the 11th Month 1654. YOU who are Elders I Exhort who also am an Elder and a Watchman over the Flock of Christ to watch over the Flock of Christ committed to your Charge with all diligence and to see that they walk orderly according to what they do profess and you to be Examples to them in all Purity That God alone who is worthy of Praise who out of the abundant Riches of his Love in the Lord Jesus Christ whose Love many of you in a large Measure have tasted of may constrain you to give up your selves in all dutiful Obedience to his Will O that there may not be found amongst you any one that is a Sluggard Careless Heedless and Negligent and such as does not think it is so much as your Duty to walk answerable to your Profession even to be guided by that which is Pure of God in your Consciences O it is sadness of Heart to me to behold may such Careless Ones who should be Examples to others in all Dutiful Obedience to that which is Pure Now you who are set up as Elders to watch over others ought to be an Example to them in the best things Therefore all of you I exhort in Love running forth to you That you walk as Patterns and Examples to them And all of you my dear Brethren and Sisters in the Truth who have received the Truth in Love and have tasted of the Love of God Walk low in the Love received that so you may not only have the Continuance of that Love but that others may be your Examples of Lowliness and a holy Life and Conversation be brought in to own the Truth and so every one of you in your places be Ministers of Righteousness and so my glorying of you to my Brethren may not be found a Lie For herein have I gloried That you are kept low and that the fruit of a holy Life and Conversation doth appear amongst you and I have Confidence in many of you in the Lord that this will be found a Truth Into the Power of the Almighty I commit you all my dear Friends who are guided by that which is Pure of God in you and the Blessing of the Lord God Almighty be with you now and ever is the Prayer of your dear Brother Roger Hebden A Letter sent unto Thomas Warner of Knaisbrough a pretended Friend to Truth Which was as Followeth WE hearing that thou hast been Cast in some Suits and to prevent the Payment thereof either hath or is about to turn over thy Estate to some others and so to disappoint them of what is their due All such Actions we do disown and all them that Act therein Therefore we would have thee to deal so with Men as the Truth may not suffer by thee and thy actions otherwise to leave the Company of those that fear God and thou to declare to the World That it is not allowed by them that so the Truth may not suffer by thee but by thy declaring against the Deceit in thy self in plainness to the World the Truth may be cleared in part although there will be a blemish left upon it by thee if thou proceed in any such Actions This is all at present from us who are Friends to Truth and must and do hereby under our Hands testifie against all such deceitful Actions as is heretofore mentioned as to be intended by thee whose Names are Roger Hebden John Killam From York-Castle the 13th of the 11th Month 1654. Some Advice to Friends upon the putting forth of a Proclamation by O. Cromwel Friends A Printed Paper coming to my hand seeing the same would be publick and lest any weak ones that should hear of the same or see it and not understand how it is suffered to come should be troubled It lay upon me That Copies thereof might go abroad and likewise to write something therewith what was made known unto me therein Now as for the former part thereof in it self lyes open that which hath been hid to many That free Liberty is granted to all in their Meeting together to Worship God This being made publick will much restrain them that have been Rude by reason of their Ignorance therein And for the Restraint in the latter part thereof the great Service thereof is seen and rejoyced in for a Restraint it will be to some that should not go but those that should go must notwithstanding this Although the Enemies have done it out of Envy as Joseph's Brethren sold him yet the Lord will turn it to Good for so it was shewn me that it would be in this Day of the Lord 's great Power and breaking forth of Light wherein the Adversary will be ready to put many on to act or speak out of their Wills of Zeal before they come into the true Knowledge and Understanding from whence they speak or act These things being shewn me would be the Issue much was the Refreshing Rejoycing and Comfort that I received therefrom Praises to the Lord for ever-more All that fear him shall see all things work together for Good the Wise are taken in their own Craft they are confounded and know it not yea they do they know not what Therefore all in your Tents abide in the Counsel of the Lord stand still there is your Tower of Refuge Safety is there Wherefore you my dear Brethren and Sisters Children of the Living God Babes born of the Immortal Seed of the Word of God which endureth for ever Lend not an Ear unto the Adversary that would by causing you to look forth at the Dealings of the Lord either in the Particular or in the General cause you to have hard Thoughts of God But in that which is Pure the Measure of Light that you have received from Christ Jesus in the same Watch and with the same Pray and so you will be delivered from the Temptation for in so doing you will find his mighty Power near who is present with all that call upon him in Truth That is Truth which discovers Falshood and Vanity in that resist the Adversary and so shall you get the Victory Therefore let none be troubled that you see
to the outward Elements And though Christ did eat the Passover with his Disciples before he left them yet he said That be would not henceforth drink of this Fruit of the Vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's Kingdom Mat. 26.29 Which Kingdom being Spiritual it stands in that which is above all Carnal Things For the Saints Communion and Fellowship is in the Light 1 John 1.7 But if we walk in the Light as he is in the Light we have Fellowship one with another and their Fellowship was not only One with another but With the Father and with his Son Christ Jesus 1 John 1.3 And it is the same now they who walk in the Light finds it so But I know it is not so with the World by their receiving Bread and Wine for when I did receive that with them there was a thirsting that with them there was a thirsting to have received something of Christ with the Bread and Wine but could get nothing but came away empty And after they have received Bread and Wine together they are not thereby United into One but too often live in Strife and Envy as formerly without any change at all Neither have the Teachers of the World my Command from Christ in Scripture for taking a Text or place of Scripture and to add thereto their own Inventions But if any shall say That Jesus went into the Synagogue and there was delivered unto him the Book of the Prophet Isaih and when he had opened the the Book be found the place where it was written The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because be hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the Poor c. Luke 4.16 17 18 19. From this some may conclude in themselves and say That he took a Text or place of Scripture to speak from it To which I answer It was not the words spoken of another or another's Condition but the Prophecy concerning him which was then fulsilled the Spinit of the Lond then being upon him whereby he did preach the Gospel to the Poor c. As in the 21 st verse He began to fay unto them This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears But which of the Teachers of the World can say truly That they are by the Spirit of the Lord being upon them Anointed to preach the Gospel to the Poor c. as it was there written in that Prophecy of him which he said was then fulfilled But other ways by Man they are appointed and the Love of Lucre with the Praise of Men are the chief Motives to put them forward to speak And so if they will follow Christ let them follow him and in plainness and honesty in this his Practice take the Scriptures that speak of them their Practive and Condition as he did of his which is fulfilled in them and by them and then they may take the Book of the Prophet Isaiah and open it in their Synagogues and read to the People that place Isaiah 56.11 where he speaking before of the Watch-men saith They are Shepherds that cannot understand they all look to their own way every one for his gain from his quater taking this Scripture and reading it to the People applying it to themselves that they are such as look to their own way every one for his gain from his quarter that Scripture the People may witness with them to be true in them and fulfilled by them And so they may turn into the Prophecy of Jeremiah where they may read themselves unto the People they being such as bear Rule by their Means Jer. 5.31 And which steal the Word from their Neighbour which the Lord us against For although they will be taking the Scriptures into their Mounths can they prove that the Lord dit ever speak by them For their Trading with the Scriptures is by Stealing from others and as then they did run when the Lord did not send them as in the same Chapter verse 22. therefore they profited not the People let them read that unto the People Wherein the People may see the cause why they have not profited by them They may likewise read unto the People what the Lord by the Prophet Ezekiel said that the false Prophets did Chap. 34.3 They seek for the Fleece and feed not the Flock this they may read and this the People who are not blinded may witness to be their greatest Care for to get the Fleece more than to seed the Flock They may turn unto the third Chapter of Micah and read in the 11th verse of Priests that taught for Hire and such as put into the false Prophets Mouths then they cry'd peace to them as in verse 5. but he that put not into their Mouths they prepared war against him These Scriptures are fulfilled in them and by them they teach for hire and such as will give them their desire they speak Peace to such and will call them good Christians but such as cannot satisfie their desires seeing them to be no Ministers of Christ and so cannot maintain them by acting against their Consciences against such they do prepare War either by Suing them at the Law or Smiting with the Tongue as Jer. 18.18 and with some of these they make War against such as cannot give them their Wages because they are not of Christ's setting down agreeable unto Mat. 10. and Luke 10. Read these places and there you may see the Wages that Christ appoints his Disciples Further if they will imitate in Reading a Scripture belonging unto them then they may read Mat. 23.67 Who love the uppermost Rooms at Feasts chief Seats in the Synagogues Greetings in the Markets and to be called of Men Rabbi Rabbi And as the Scribes and Pharisees did bid others observe and do such things as they did not themselves and laid heavy Burdens upon others but they themselves would not touch them as Mat. 23.3 4. So it is now with the Priests of England the People may witness with me that these Scriptures are true in them and fulfilled by them Woe from Christ was and is their Portion And in the 11th verse of the Epistle of Jude they may read where their Portion is set down before their Practice Woe unto them for they have gone in the way of Cain and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward which is manifest at this day by their Persecution and Suing Men at Law for their Wages And the last place that I shall now desire them to read is 2 Pet. 2.1 where the Apostle saith But as there were false Prophets also among the People even as there shall be false Teachers amongst you And in the 3 d verse thus And through Covetousness shall they with fained words make Merchandise of you c. This is their Practice and is manifest to most Men that their exchanging of Place and People is Merchant-like to get Gain for the better some way if not always for
obedience thereto being yielded the same will remove the Judgments and cleanse from Sin and instead of Judgment pour in Healing Vertue as Hosea 6.1 Come and let us return unto the Lord for he hath torn and he will heal us be hath smitten and be will bind us up This is witnessed And by obeying the same their ways come to be cleansed as Psalm 119.9 Wherewithal shall a young Man cleanse his way By taking heed thereto according to thy Word If any say That none can have their Ways cleansed Yet David the Prophet of the Lord said That by taking heed to one's Ways according to the Word of the Lord a young Man may cleanse his Ways And in the 11th verse declares where this was Thy Word have I hid in my Heart Obj. But if any shall say Is Christ the Word of God in Men Ans I answer with the Apostle 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your selves know ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except you be Reprobates But this may be hid from many to know that he is there although it be so Light doth shine in Darkness although the Darkness do not comprehend it and so it is a Mystery hid as it hath been to know Christ within Many that have expected Salvation from Christ have been chiefly looking without them and have not minded him as is this Mystery which hath been hid from Ages and from Generations but now is made manifest to his Saints to whom God would make known what is the Riches of the Glory of this Mystery among the Gentiles which is Christ in you the Hope of Glory Col. 1.26 27. And that Mystery the Apostle found Revealed in him by the Grace of God Gal. 1.15 16. So that when it pleased God who separated him from his Mother's Womb and called him by his Grace and revealed his Son in him that he might preach Him unto the Gentiles this was the true Christ which he thus preached unto the Gentiles whom the Lord was pleased by his Grace to reveal in him as in plain words is here expressed And this is Christ which we now preach even the same as the Apostle preached and whosoever preaches any other let him be accursed for we preach not our selves but Christ Jesus the Lord and commend our selves to every Man's Conscience in the sight of God For God who commanded the Light to shine out of Darkness hath shined in our Hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the Glory of our God in the face of Jesus Christs 2 Cor. 2.5 6. And so it is now the same Light that hath shined in our Hearts from God the Father of Lights whereby we have received the Knowledge of God in the Pace of Jesus Christ the same we declare to others that they may come to the like Knowledge with us and Rom. 1.15 That which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it unto them So turn within to that which is Pure of God in you to be guided by that which will lead you out of the Deeds of Darkness into the Light of the Lord and walking in it you will come into the Land of the Living and no more to be led to look for the Kingdom of God in outward Observations which I declare to be within and the Scriptures witness with me and so we agree But whilst I knew nothing but from Men I did not know It to be there although the Scriptures so declare as Deut. 30. Rom. 10. Heb. 4. That the Word is within and that Christ is within as Col. 1. Gal. 1. Rom. 10. And when the Pharisees demanded of Christ when the Kingdom of God should come he answered them and said The Kingdom of God comes not with Observation neither shall they say Lo berk or Lo there for behold the Kingdom of God is within you Luke 17.20 21. Within the Pharisees while they were looking without and observing things without to get thither as it hath been the Practice of many Professors but he tells them It was within them and did not stand in Observation cross to their Expectations That which keeps only in outward Observation leads into Consusion and Trouble one saying Lo here another Lo there one says This is the Way another says Such a Way is the Way So they differ about the Way and come not to the end But the Kingdom of God is not Meat and Drink but Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost as in Scripture is declared Rom. 14.17 And as Christ compares it Luke 13.20 21. Whereunto shall I liken the Kingdom of God It is like unto Leaven which Woman took and hid in three Measures of Meal till the whole was leavened And so it is That of God in the Creature Mankind as he is under the Curse and in the Fall is to him little when compared with the great Lump of the corrupt Nature which hides it And That of God lyes low under-neath as even hid by the other that it cannot be discerned by it but yet it calls inwardly with a small still Voice and calls after them when they run into Wickedness and tells them many times privily That they ought not to have done such a thing Now I say that although this be low this Voice within yet it is heard sometimes and when obeyed then it brings a cross upon that desire that would be running out into the Evil so the Desire in the Mind cannot have the fiberty which formerly it had to act the Evil and so Sin dyes As when the vain Mind would lead forth the Creature either for Profit or Pleasure to tell a Lie That of God within which is pure says Lie not Now that being obeyed then that which would tell the Lie hath not the liberty which formerly it had and so instead of Lying there is speaking the Truth and so Sin dyes Thus the Leaven which is pure of God working and being obeyed the contrary will be purged forth and so the little Leaven will leaven the whole Lump For the Lord hath not left himself without a Witness in Mankind whereby he makes known what his Mind and Pleasure is and this shews what is Sin and Evil Deeds and although it be not hearkened unto nor obeyed yet it is there But this where obeyed brings into Christ the Promised Seed who by his Power hath bruised the Head of the Serpent and doth bruise his Head and break down his Power and will overthrow his Kingdom of Darkness This is witnessed Praises to the Lord for evermore by those who are Obedient to that Light of Christ and his Power within them which checks and reproves for Sin So the contrary Power which formerly ruled is disobeyed and trodden down within and so the Seed of the Serpent which was Head even the Head thereof comes to be bruised by the Seed of the Woman this is witnessed through the Warfare For as the Enmity between the two
declared as I have received where they are to wait even within to hear That of God even his Word which is nigh them even in their Mouths and in their Hearts as in Deut. 30. Rom. 10. speaking unto them and so come to know something of him near them even what is to be known of him Rom. 1.19 Seeking him where they may haply feel after him and find him though he be not far from every one of us as in Acts 17.27 Which being known and obeyed will bring into the true Fear of him which must be before he can be served or worshipped who is a Spirit and is worshipped in Spirit and Truth which is witnessed as in Scripture declared John 4.24 And although it be so now with me and such like as it was with those which did Tremble at the Word of the Lord Isa 66.5 That this Generation doth cast Reproach upon and say That we deny the Ordinances of Jesus Christ and for a pretence say Let the Lord be glorified as they did But the Lord hath already arisen to our Joy who have been made to Tremble at his Word and his Commands obey And your Shame will follow when the Lord lays open your Nakedness to all the World as he hath done to me which hasteth greatly Praises Eternal be unto Him alone who hath let me see by the Light wherewith Christ Jesus hath enlightned me who is the true Light which enlightneth every Man that cometh into the World John 1.9 That divers of your Observations in your pretended Worship of God are not the real Ordinances of Jesus Christ but the Inventions of Man for which you have no Command from Christ nor Example in Scripture as they are used by you And naming thee and thy practice as is hereafter written it came to me for to send thee in Writing what was written of thee before it went forth unto any other With a Warning therein written unto thee and the rest of thy Brethren Priests who live in these Practices hereafter mentioned who take Tithes as the Priests did who were of Levi but the Stranger the Fatherless and the Widdow have no liberty for to eat thereof with you and to be satisfied therewith as it was required Deut. 14.29 And your Store-house that you instead of keeping for them is for your own particular Prosit and not to receive them into for to distribute forth as the Lord required And so as you own Tithes take the Name of Priests who were of Levi and do as they did and never make mention of the Name of Christ who was of another Tribe to wit of Judah of which Tribe Moses spake nothing of Priesthood Heb. 7. 13 14. Neither did Christ ever that we read of in Scripture speak any thing concerning this being continued for to be his Ministers Wages But if any say When were they taken away I answer The Apostle saith That the Priesthood being changed there is made of necessity a change of the Law Heb. 7.12 And none will say but that Law which made the Priests gave the Tithes and so must end together by right For Christ's Ministers were not for to stand and for to condition with People for any such Wages but as they had freely received so freely give Mat. 10.8 And into whatsoever House or City they did enter if they were received there to remain Eating and Drinking such things as they had given them and this was the Hire he appoints his Luke 10.7 But thou and such like will either see or hear from Man what you may have before you will sit down with a People and so plainly shew that you dare not trust but live by Sense and not by Faith in the Son of God And as you are ordained and ordered by Man to your Places and your Wages of Man's setting down and the Will of Man only to be seen in all these things so never profess your selves to be more than Ministers made by Worldly Men and for Worldly Ends and then poor Ignorant People may know you as you are who have long been deceived by you looking upon you to be Ministers of Christ or else prove that it is otherwise But it was not so with the Apostle He was not of Man Gal. 1.1 neither by Man but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the Dead and such an one I own and all others who walk contrary I testifie against as Deceivers of the People And now for to write unto thee at present in short thus Concerning those things which you use and call some of them Ordinances of Christ which I say he did not Ordian And prove that he did if thou canst by plain Scripture and let me hear it in Writing and do not Back-bite that is a work of Dark-ness and condemned with the Light that comes from Christ jesus Therefore do to me as thou wouldst be dealt withal And what is said of thee and thy Brethren do not call it Railing for it is no harsher than Christ's telling the Jews That they were of their Father the Devil although they pretended to be of Abraham yet the Fruits which proceeded from their Lusts made them manifest as yours also do to be as he said John 8.44 And as to your Practice this I say That when Christ Jesus was upon Earth whom in Words some of you pretend to be Followers of when he told his Disciples what they must do to come after him he did not tell them That they must Sing David's Words either themselves or others not being Witnesses of his Conditions Or Sprinkle little Children or Infants with Water Or take a Text or Place of Scripture another's Condition and add to it their own Inventions But these things said he unto them Whosoever will come after me must deny himself and take up his Cross daily and follow me Luke 9.23 A Letter written to Friends in the East and North Ridings of Yorkshire to be read at their settled Meetings ALL Friends In the Measure that you have received of the Spirit of God dwell and wait for increase from him and do not fear Want not do you distrust the Love of God but there wait upon him in the Obedience to his Will made manifest being content with what is made known by him That Mind in you that would know more than he gives you to know is proud and is not willing to do what is made known Therefore take heed of that which would be high that is not of God It 's the Lowly that the Lord loves and he will give more Grace to the Humble but he resists the Proud and the Rich and Full must be sent empty away So all of you I exhort to dwell low at the Feet of Jesus wait for to hear his Word every one at the least Appearance of his Light and Grace which is pure in you bend down in Obedience and herein only do you Worship God who is a Spirit and is Worshipped in the
but pronounce Woes as they are moved by the Lord and Wo unto that in thee which would have all Men to speak well of thee that is thy Enemy and the Enemy of God and whilst that rules in thee thou art under the Wrath and the Woes belonging to the Wicked thou must expect whilst therewith guided And in bidding Let high Aspiring Thoughts and Conceits depart thou speakest of Conceits and Aspiring Thoughts and thou bids Let Tenderness and Pity possess his Soul Here thou art to be tryed whether thou live not in Conceits thy self yea or nay So What is the Soul Now this thou may'st answer as Scripture declares That God breathed into Man's Nostrils the Breath of Life and Man became a Living Soul But further I demand of thee What this is in the Creature Now if thou canst not give an account of this What this is in the Creature Then thou must acknowledge that thou hast been Exhorting another To let Tenderness and Pity possess thou know'st not what more than a Word but the Soul is more that a Word And when thou comest to know it then thou shalt see thy high Aspiring Thoughts and Conceits that thou hast lived in and to know and acknowledge that this is written in love and Pity unto thee from R. H. York-Castle the 11th Day of the 4th Month 1655. FRom the time of my being committed Prisoner by Robert Barwicke as is expressed in the fore-part of this Book I continued as Prisoner but several times at my own and Friends desire had liberty to visit Friends in the Country and at the Assizes held in the 7th Month of the Year 1655. when I had been between thirty and forty Weeks a Prisoner I was called and was tryed and cleared accordingly as is hereafter mentioned Being called before William Steel Judge it was said That I stood there Indicted since the last Assizes the Indictment being read it was demanded of me What I said to it Was I guilty or not guilty To which was answered to this purpose That what I said I should not deny there being put into the Indictment that I wilfully and maliciously uttered forth such words as they read the truth was that I spoke such words but that such words were spoken from my own Will or Malice that I denied and said That was their Condition which put the words in Then the Judge asked What I said as to the Substance of the thing My answer was What I spoke I should not deny Then he asked me If I would be tried by God and the Country My answer was The Lord he is my Tryer and what he will suffer the Country to do I am satisfied Thus I with other three Friends who had been called at the Assizes before and could not say neither Guilty nor Not Guilty true words and false being mixt together in our Indictments were to come to our Tryal before the Country and the next day being called and set in the midst amongst those there Arraigned for Fellony and Murder A Jury being chosen and they being about to swear them I spoke to the Judge to put him in mind of what passed between us the Day before how that he asked If I would be tried by God and the Country And my answer thereunto being That the Lord he is my Tryer and what he suffered the Country to do I am satisfied but that their Swearing is not allowed but forbidden by Christ and in testifying against it I clear my Conscience Notwithstanding this they called for Evidence against me but not any appearing the Jury gave in their Verdict as it is called that I was Not Guilty Then I appealed to that of God in all their Consciences to judge how I had been dealt withal who had been between thirty and forty weeks a Prisoner and none for to lay any thing to my charge But they would make no answer to that but hasted to take me away After some said I might recover Damage for my Imprisonment But I answered them I had not so learned of Christ for to render Evil for Evil. Roger Hebden Here follows a Copy of my Release To the Goaler of the Goal of York WHereas Roger Hebden was Indicted at these Assizes and Acquitted You may therefore set him at Liberty if for no other cause you detain him Witness my Hand this 12th day of September in Year of your Lord 1655. John Clarill Clerk of Assizes Here is an Account of my being a Prisoner at Alisbury To the Keeper of the Common Goal at Alisbury or to his Deputy there WHereas Roger Hebden Bucks ss herewith sent you yesterday being the Sabbath-day came into the Parish Church of Newport-Pagnell and there in the time of publick Service did openly and publickly before the whole Congregation disturb the Minister contrary to the Law in that case made and provided These are therefore to Will and Require you upon Sight hereof That you receive the Body of the said Roger herewith sent you into your said Goal and him safely keep until he shall be thence discharged by order of Law Hereof fail not Dated this 4th Day of January 1657. Thomas White ACcording unto this foregoing Warrant I was received and kept in the Goal between three and four Days and then brought forth and had my tryal at the last Sessions who ordered me to the House of Correction there to be kept fourteen Days and then to be discharged Which was done accordingly R. H. A Copy of my Commitment to York-Castle Thomas Harrison Esq Sheriff of the said County to the Goaler or Keeper of the Castle of York Greeting I Command you Yorkshire That the Body of Roger Hebden by me taken you receive into your Custody and him safe keep so that I may have him before the Justices of the Peace at the next General Quarter-Sessions of the Peace to be holden for the North-Riding of the said County to answer his Highness the Lord Protectour of certain Trespasses and other Misdemeanors whereof he stands indicted Given under the Seal of my Office the 1st day of April 1658. A true Copy examined by John Thomlinson By the Sheriff NOW Whereas mention is made before of my being cast into Prison at Alisbury it was for my going into a Steeple-House at Newport-pagnel where standing quietly until the Priest had done his Preaching who had been telling in a bemoaning manner that The Devil cast Fiery-Darts and Hand-Granadoes as it were into the Soul It being made known unto me as I stood by that he knew not what the Soul was which he said the Devil did such things to so words were spoken unto him to this purpose Man thou hast been speaking much as concerning the Soul it were needful for the People's Satisfaction thou mightest declare what the Soul is but instead of answering this needful Question he put it off with saying That he would Dispute with me there the next day But there being present one Thomas White a Man