People by all sorts of men yet we are a people loved of the Lord and his Presence is among us and his Dread filleth our hearts and though we are â—…ed as a cast-out people yet are we dreadful unto the Wicked and must be their Fear for we have chosen the Son of God to be our King and he hath chosen us to be his People whose Kingdom is not of this World neither is his Warfare with carnal Weapons neither is his Victory by the murdering and killing of mens Persons but we are given up to bear and suffer all things for his Name 's sake and our present Glory and Renown therein stands till the appointed time of our Deliverance without the Arm of Flesh or any multitude of an Host of men this we declare And oh Nation though we have born thy Reproaches these many years and have passed under the Rod of thy wicked Ruâ—â—â—s and People and have been afflicted through their Hard-heartedness though we never have provoked thee otherwise then by our Well doing and though Perâ—… Imprisonments Whippings Banishments and all hard things have been out Portion from thee yet this hath been for Righteousness sake and not for any Evil-doing and we have born all these things in much Patience and we are not now provoked against thee to seek thy Hurt or to work Evil is thee and though thou hast smitten us yet would we have thee to be healed and though thou hast sought to destroy us yet would we have thee to Repent and be saved and we are at this day thy Mourners and are afflicted for thee in our hearts even because thou hast provoked the Lord against thee though we do rejoyce in the Judgments which smites thee yet we mourn for thee who hath deserved such wofull Stripes and also because thou refusest the Way of Peace and countest them that reprove thee even thy Enemies and hardnest thy heart against God's Instructions and counteth his free-born people thy Bondslaves who hath not any large Portion nor great places of honour in this Nation nor any thing to glory in from thee but Sufferings Afflictions and Tribulations Where is the place in this Nation that we have not been reproached In what Street have we not been reviled And in what Prison have we not been unjustly imprisoned And among what sort of people have not we been hated And what one of thy Judges Rulers can clear themselves before the Lord from the guilt of our unjust Sufferings O Nation our Portion in thee for these many 〈◊〉 hath been thy cruel reproaches our greatest place of honour in thee hath been under thy cruel Oppressions and these things and the guilt thereof will God charge upon thee and reward thee for one time or other yet notwithstanding all this our present desires for thee are good and not evil that thou mayst be saved and not destroyed healed and not wounded unrecoverably and we would not add unto thy grief by any just provocation through any evil towards thee neither would we work offence in thee further then what thou takest for Righteousness sake and for the exercise of our pure Conscience And though there hath been in this Nation divers and sundry overturnings of 〈◊〉 days and some have been turned out and others brought into place each one sort of them crying against the evil of another and promising to accomplish such and such good things in this Nation yet alas what is there effected unto this day What Freedom and true Liberty to Subjects more then was many years ago What Oppressions taken off from the people what establishment in Government Alas not any of these things are accomplish'd neither see we a right thing prâ—…ded rightly prosecuted by any party yet appearing but the cause hardly yet appears carryed on by any among them which can be said of it This is of the Lord and is perfectly right and the Lord will prosper it for the most of the men that have yet appeared on the Throne they have rejected the Word of the Lord and his Counsel and what Wisdom is there in them only the Policy and Subtilty and Wisdom of this World wherein they build but the Lord throweth 〈◊〉 even before it be finished and they consult therein and the Lord dasheth to 〈◊〉 they set up but he pulls down because they want his Spirit and Wisdom and his Authority amongst them and they are as the Potsherds of the Earth that the Iron Rod must break in pieces And this we declare The Men yet seem not to appear in all these parties which are worthy to handle the Lord's Scepter and to be Crowned with the Honour of Authority in his Government but even this Part and the other Party seems to be unworthy to Rule for the Lord for they appear to be choaked with the Honour of this World and corrupted thereby and uncapable of receiving that Anointing that Men must have that shall truly Rule for God And though many in our dayes that have ruled over us have promised great Things to the Nation yet we see all hitherto have wanted Power to perform and have not been blessed with the Presence of the Lord so as this Nation hath not been healed and redeemed by them and we are utterly out of all Hopes of this Party or the other Party of this Man or that Man to bring Salvation unto this Nation from all its Bonds and Oppressions for we know whatsoever men profess to do yet they cannot perform any good Thing nor Rule for God in our Nation till that themselves be reformed and ruled by him and have the Spirit of God pourred upon them for such a Work And this we declare Till that a man or men be ruled of the Lord they can never rightly rule for him nor bring Deliver once and Freedom to an oppressed Nation though men may and have promised much yet their Fruit is but little and thou O Nation hast long been deceived by such men who have flattered thee with the multitude of fair words and promised thee deliverance and hereby mightest thou learn Wisdom O England never more to rest under the shadow of such men make no more a Mountain to cover thy self rest no more under the shadow of dead Trees that want the Vertue of God but now look at the Living God and wait for that King of Righteousness and Peace whose Right alone iâ—â—s to Rule for he alone can bring Salvation to thee he alone can heal thy Breaches even Iesus Christ whose coming is at the Door and in the mean time O Nation while he is absent thou art dry and barren and empty thou art tossed and shaken and thou art tossed and perplexed and canst not be rightly comforted for men shall not be a Rest unto thee but one after another shall they be overturned for it is the Lord alone and under his Government shall People find Rest and Freedom from all Oppression For What is a King and what
whom her rule was great like as a stately Queen For Ages by-past its now seen She hath her Whoredoms plaid And Kingdoms have bewitched been And have her power obey'd But now it s seen she shan't deceive Her Witchcrafts they are known And men no more will her believe her Misery is shown And now the wofull Bed I see of Torments great prepar'd Whereon she shortly cast must be and Plagues must not be spar'd But wo to her the wrathfull Cup is fill'd she others gave She must it now her self drink up the same she now must have And drink she must and that full deep of God's fierce Indignation And then shall all her Lovers Weep and make great Lamentation The City also I have seen which once was great and fair Destroy'd and soon laid waste hath been her Merchants did dispair Who by her got great gain and trade to make them rich withall And trafficks from far she had but now lament they shall For Fire in her is kindled bright which must her all consume And up to Heaven day and night ascendeth up her fume And Antichrist who ravened from Truth within the Light Was with Sheeps Clothing covered and rul'd Kings by his might Who had laid waste God's Heritage and had a Kingdom great The Saints against him war did wage and Truth gave him defeat Behold the Whore's Flesh burnt I've seen her beauty doth now fall All Harlots Mother she hath been her Daughters are Whores all Behold the City great and fair she 's fallen to the ground By which Nations inriched were in her no profits found Behold the Antichrist once great his Kingdom 's near laid waste The Lord will bring him from his Seat the day comes on in haste Christ's Kingdom 's coming on with speed the Lord alone will reign He will for aye exalt his Seed o'er Antichrist and 's Train The Woman I have seen return the Wilderness did take A place where she did greatly mourn and rest she there did take The springing of her Seed I 've seen the Man child now must sway By'm Nations have replenisht been for evermore I say Then Praises to the Heavenly King when come to pass this shall Oh then do ye rejoyce and sing ye Saints and Prophets all When God shall pour his Vengeance great to cause our Enemies Fall Then is the Day of Praises meet for Saints both great and small E. B. THis Epistle was by E. B. prefixed to a Book of Fox's in Folio Entituled The Great Mystery of the Great Whore unfolded published in the year 1659. which though some of it related to that Book yet it being B's Epistle and much of it of a more general Concernment it was judged meet to be here inserted and published with the rest FRANCIS HOWGIL's TESTIMONY Concerning the Life Death Tryals Travels and Labours of Edward Burrough That Worthy Prophet of the LORD SHall dayes or months or years wear out thy Name as though thou hadst had no being Oh nay Shall not thy noble and valiant Acts and mighty Works which thou hast wrought through the power of him that separated thee from the Womb live in Generations to come Oh yes the children that are yet unborn shall have thee in their Mouths and thy Works shall testifie of thee in Generations who yet have not a being and shall count thee blessed Did thy Life go out as the snuff of a Candle Oh nay thou hast penetrated the hearts of many and the memorial of the just shall live for ever and be had in renown among the Children of Wisdom for ever for thou hast turned many to righteousness and shall shine as a Star of God in the Firmament of God's Power for ever and ever and they that are in that shall see thee there and enjoy thee there though thou be gone away hence and can no more be seen in mutability yet thy Life and thy Spirit shall run parallel with Immortality Oh Edward Burrough I cannot but mourn for thee yet not as one without hope nor Faith knowing and having a perfect testimony of thy well-being in my heart by the Spirit of the Lord yet thy absence is great and years to come shall know the want of thee Shall I not lament as David did for a worse man then thee even for Abner when in wrath he perished by the hand of Ioab without any just cause though he was a valiant man David lamented over Abner and said Dyed Abner as a fool dyeth Oh nay he was betrayed of his Life even so hast thou been bereaved of thy life by the hand of the Oppressor whose Habitations are full of cruelty Oh my soul come not thou within their secret for thy blood shall be required at the hands of them who thirsted after thy life and it shall cry as Abels who was in the Faith even so wert thou it shall weigh as a ponderous Milstone upon their Necks and shall crush them under and be as a Worm that gnaweth and shall not dye When I think upon thee I am melted into tears of true sorrow and because of the want that the Inheritance of the Lord hath of thee my substance is even as dissolved Shall I not say as David said of Saul and Ionathan when they were slain in Mount Gilboa The beauty of Israel is slain upon the high places Even so wast thou stified in nasty Holes and Prisons and many more who were precious in the Eyes of the Lord And surely precious wast thou to me Oh dear Edward I am distressed for thee my brother very pleasant hast thou been to me and my love to thee was wonderful passing the love of Women Oh thou whose Bow never turned back neither Sword empty from the Blood of the Slain from the slaughter of the Mighty who made Nations and Multitudes shake with the Word of Life in thy Mouth and wast very dreadful to the Enemies of the Lord for thou didst cut like a Rasor and yet to the Seed of God brought forth thy words dropped like Oyle and thy Lips as the Honey-comb Thou shalt be recorded among the Valiants of Israel who attained to the first Degree through the Power of the Lord that wrought mightily in thee in thy day and wast worthy of double honor because of thy Works sake thou wast expert to handle thy Weapon and by thee the Mighty have fallen and the Slain of the Lord have been many many have been pricked to the heart through the. Power of the Word of Life and Coals of fire from thy Life came forth of thy Mouth that in many a Thicket and among many Bryars and Thorns it came to be kindled and did devour much Stubble that cumbered the Ground and stained the Earth Oh how certain a sound did thy Trumpet give And how great an Alarum didst thou give in thy day that made the Host of the Uncircumcised greatly distressed What man so valiant though as Goliah of Gath would not thy Valour have encountered with
shall conquer by the sword of the Lord which the Lord hath put into their hands over Countries and Dominions For O Nation the Lord is with them and thy unjust Rulers and Officers cannot hurt them not a hair of their heads shall perish without my heavenly Father It is for a testimony of their Fathers love to them that they suffer shame and reproach and some of them imprisonment by the unjust Rulers and for a witness against them that some of them are brought before them the Lord is chusing the weak things of this World and he is making manifest his Counsels to Babes and revealing his Counsel and eternal Truth to Children and keeps his hidden Treasures from the eyes of the Wise and vulturous ones Praises praises be to him for evermore For the Lion of Judah is opening and hath opened the Sealed Book let all his Saints rejoyce for evermore This is the day of thy Visitation O Nation wherein the Lord speaks to thee by the mouth of his Servants in word and writing therefore return to the Lord thy God from whence thou art fallen Now will the Lord gather his Jewels and Chosen ones out of thee and will raise up the dead which lies slain under thy Teachers and Pharisees which makes a prey upon the people which was never sent by God to speak unto thee O Land Hear the Word of the Lord Depart from all thy Teachers for the Lord hath drawn his Sword and lifted it up against the false Prophet and the Vials of Indignation shall be poured upon him and upon all that upholds him in his Whoredoms and Witchcraft by which he deceiveth the simple therefore lest thou be partaker of their Plagues depart from them And all people mind that measure of Light within you which the Lord hath lightened every one of you withal for the Lord is risen to teach his people himself and he is fulfilling his Prophesie in thy ears O Nation they shall teach no more every man his neighbor and every man his brother saying Know the Lord for they shall all know me from the least of them unto the greatest of them saith the Lord for I will put my Law in thine inward parts and write it in their hearts Ier. 31. 33. The Lord is about his great and wonderful Work in thee and all the Wars and Contentions in thee O Land hath but been a making way for this Work of the Lord and hath not been the Work which the Lord hath purposed This Work is made known to them that feareth the Lord and abideth in his Counsel The Lord will overturn overturn the Nation and will create new Heavens and new Earth wherein shall dwell righteousness in which all the Chosen of the Lord shall rejoyce for evermore And all the Kings and Nobles shall cast down their Crowns before this Glory And all the men of War shall lay down their Armour and Weapons of War And Nation shall not lift up a Sword against Nation any more For the Lord will establish Righteousness and Peace this will the Lord bring to pass in thee O England through the destruction of that which now liveth and through the Resurrection of that to Life which now lieth in Death Hear O Land give ear O People for the Lord of Heaven and Earth is now turning the World up-side down all old things shall pass away all things shall become new by fire and by his sword will the Lord plead with all flesh and the slain of him shall be many corrupt Judges and Officers will the Lord sweep away and their name shall no more be found in the Nation the fire is kindled and the sword is drawn happy is he that keepeth himself from fighting against the Lord in this his Work and happy are ye O Brethren that stands faithful to the end to see these things accomplished great shall be the battel it is now begun many shall see death and shall yet live to see these things TO all the Despised and Contemned ones who are Persecuted and shamefully entreated by the Generation of the Chief Priests and by them who live in the highest Profession in the Word outwardly ye who are the scorn of the Nation and the derision of all the Heathen and are called Quakers you are my brethren children of my Father have been brought forth by the same Womb and have sucked the same Breast Ye are chosen out of the world out of all worldly glories and earthly excellencies and are not of this world and therefore the world hateth you you are brought out of the broad way of the flesh and are separated from all the world in their ways worships and forms of religion and are redeemed out of the mouths of all Idoll dumb Shepherds and hath one Shepherd and are gathered from all the mountains and out of all the desolate disinhabited places and are come into the pleasant sheepfold where is green pastures and fresh springs of living Waters By Faith with Abraham are ye come out of your native Country from among your kindred and out of your Fathers house And with Moses have you forsaken the glory of Pharaohs house and chosen rather to suffer affliction among the poor despised people than to have enjoyed the pleasures of sin but great shall be your reward ye Contemned ones glory and honor and everlasting happiness is prepared for you if you stand faithful to the end the Lord is with you as a mighty terrible one and therefore shall all your persecuters be ashamed and confounded the sound of a trumpet is heard among you which makes all Nations at a stand and all the Heathen to wonder and all the Rulers Nobles and chief Priests are in consultation combining together to suppress the Army of the Lord of Hosts which he is gathering together fear not nor be dismaid for the sounding of your trumpet causes an alarum and makes all the inhabitants of the Land to tremble and all bows before the sound of it for the sound of it is terrible to the Nations to all Kingdoms and Dominions the Lord of Heaven and Earth is your Captain which rides upon the Clouds and whose glory is above the World and therefore in the battel shall you obtain the conquest and all your enemies shall be put to flight and one of you shall chase a thousand for he is with you who hath all power in his hand and all your enemies are limitted by him therefore be not discouraged at the raging and swelling words of your Adversaries but be bold and valiant and faithful to him for his is the victory and by his own Right Hand will he get himself the victory Ye are my fellow Souldiers and fellow Members of the same body and my joy in the Lord stand faithfull to the Lord and be bold and valiant for the Truth upon Earth for you hath the Lord chosen of all the Families of the Earth to place his Name among you and he will glorifie his
you that were scattered in the cloudy and dark Day and were a prey for the wild Beasts of the Forrest and were driven away as lost Sheep in the Wilderness hath God gathered into the Fold to lie down by the Springs of Living Water in fat Pastures for evermore Your Bread is sure and your Waters never fails a Feast of fat things is made unto you of Wines well refined the Lord is become the Lot of your Inheritance and the Portion of your Cup forever Your Crowns have you laid down at the Feet of the Lamb and your lives and liberties have not been dear unto you and let this never repent you for now the Lord will exalt you and Crown you with Immortal Glory The Everlasting Day-Star is risen among you which gives Light unto the Nations and the light of the Sun is as the Light of seven dayes and there is no need of a Candle in your Dwelling but the Lamb is the light thereof fair as the Sun clear as the Moon yea it is he which was dead and is alive and behold he lives for evermore Praise him all ye people praise ye him ye holy Host let all that hath breath praise him for ever Who can express his noble Acts And who can declare his wondrous Works Oh my Soul is ravished and my heart is overcome let me speak that I may be refreshed and let me declare his Wonders among all People The Lord is our King our Judge and our Law-giver and our Rock of defence Just is he in his Judgments who hath avenged us of our Enemies Mercy and Judgment meet Righteousness and Peace do imbrace each other Rejoyce for evermore ye Saints of the most High and tell it to your Children that they may tell it to an other Generation what the Lord hath wrought among you and what his Hand hath brought to pass Salvation is come and plentious Redemption and the dead hath heard the Voyce of the Son of God and liveth Let sorrow and mourning flee away and be ye comforted ye that have mourned and be ye refreshed ye that have been weary for God hath opened the Everlasting Fountain and the Streams run pleasantly which refresh the City of our God He is come and his Reward is with him even he for whom we have waited this is he who is our Life our Peace and our exceeding great Reward the Light of the World is our Saviour but the Worlds Condemner our Peace but the Worlds Torment Glad-tidings glad tidings the acceptable year is come praise ye the Lord ye Sons and daughters of Sion beautifull is your dwelling place and aboundeth with pleasant fruit for you are digged and pruned and enclosed a Garden of lovely branches let the wonders of the Lord never be forgotten nor his works never pass out of your remembrance for he hath wounded and healed killed and made alive raised the dead and slain the living brought out of captivity and bound with chains gathered and scattered brought low and exalted saved and condemned all this hath your eye seen and your ear heard and the Heavens and the Earth hath been burned as a scroule and the indignation of the Lord you have born But the Winter is past and the Summer is come and the Turtle dove and the singing of Birds is heard in our Land O magnifie his Name for ever you are made vessels of honour wherein the everlasting Treasure abideth which never waxeth old the voyce of the Bridegroom is heard among you and how can you have any more sorrow instead of weeping rejoycing and instead of heaviness of heart fulness of everlasting joy the Lord hath fulfilled his promise and made good his word and his Law and Covenant is with you and from you doth the Law go forth and the powerfull Word of Life and Death soundeth out of your Dwelling and you are Gods only witnesses to testifie of him in the presence of all Nations some of you by suffering and some by declaring Oh endless love and life and riches an eternal Crown is upon your heads and your suffering which hath not been a little is not worthy to be compared with the glory that is and shall be revealed I speak to you who have an ear to hear my soul and heart is comforted in you in the midst of my burdens and sufferings who is separated from you outwardly yet joyned and united to you by the Spirit which is unlimited which doth comprehend all Nations yea I behold your beauty afar off and my heart is ravished with it and I am sick of love let his works praise him forever which he hath wrought for his Dwelling is with you in the Light unto which no mortaleye can approach The new Ierusalem is come down from Heaven and no unclean can enter but you are made white with the blood of the Lamb and purged as silver and purified as gold in the burning and unto you an entrance is given and the way is prepared and the marriage of the Lamb is come and his wife hath made her self ready and the Way of the Lord is pleasant to you and his Commands are not grievous no unclean thing can pass over nor no Lyons Whelps can tread therein but it is called the way of holiness where only the ransomed of the Lord do walk even your Mountain is established upon the top of all hills and all Nations shall flow unto it Sing praises for ever for the Kingdom of endless peace is come which passeth understanding and of glory which on mortall eye can behold and of life which no flesh can live in Oh my beloved come up hither and I will shew you what God hath done from you he hath rebuked the Sea and driven back the floods of waters which compassed you about and he hath scattered your enemies with a whirlwind and be hath given you to feed upon the flesh of Kings and of Captaines Can you call to mind the doings of your God and his marvellous works brought to pass and not cry out in praises for evermore O drink and be refreshed and eat and be satisfied for ever and let your soul delight it self in fatness the planting of the Lord you are and his own purchased Possession he hath separated you from the womb and hath called you out of kindreds and ye are the Royal Seed of the Off-spring of the Lord Almighty and all Nations shall call you blessed And O thou North of England who art counted as desolate and barren and reckoned the least of the Nations yet out of thee did the Branch spring and the Star arise which gives light unto all the Regions round about in thee the Son of Righteousness appeared with wounding and with healing and out of thee the terror of the Lord proceeded which makes the Earth to tremble and be removed out of thee Kings Princes and Prophets did come forth in the Name and Power of the most High which uttered their voices as thunders and
for pain for the torment that is coming upon them all that have resisted the Counsel of the most high God and have gainsayed the Lord they shall perish in their gainsaying and we are clear and free from the blood of all men in this Nation thus far yea of every City Town and Village unto which we were moved to go and the blood of all the rest be upon those that have resisted us and a good savour we are unto God in them that have believed in his Name of whom we have born true witness unto and in them that perish we are clear in the sight of God And oh thou City of Dublin thou art as Moab at ease and art lifted up in thy heart and rejoycing in thy spoil and art making thy self merry in the abundance of thy delicacies oh how full of profaness art thou oh how full of pride and vain glory of deceit and unrighteousness of lust and filth lying and swearing and full of Briars and Thorns a careless untoward People Oh your abominations are loathsom to all the Children of Light professing God in words but in your lives and works deny him oh that thou hadst known in this thy day the things that belong to thy peace a crooked Generation you are the yoke must be laid upon you necks will neither Plague Famine nor Sword bring thee into subjection unto the Lord will neither Mercy nor Judgment take place in your hearts Oh how long shall the Lord bear with you how long shall he spare you his long-suffering is near at an end his patience is near out concerning you and then wo wo to him that shall see the day which will come the Lord will arise as a Lion and will rend and tear you and his Sword shall be bathed in the blood of his Enemies and he shall be wrath as in the Valley of Acor and as in the dayes of Gibâ—a and will bring ye down ye Mountains and level you ye Hills and will make his Name known in your overthrow except ye repent and they that are round about you when they shall see Calamity coming upon you this shall be their Proverb This is the City and People that dispised the Counsel of the Lord and contemned the Instructions of the most high God and provoked the Lord to wrath till his Patience was worn out and his Long-suffering came to an end and therefore is this evil come upon them Therefore gird your selves in Sackcloth and pour Ashes upon your heads houl and weep ye cureless People misery is coming uâ—… you the dreadful God will visit with a Scourge and will make you know 〈◊〉 is the Lord Blessed is he that hears and considers and repents and turns 〈◊〉 his iniquity before the Decree be sealed against you which will never be altered This is the day of your visitation and If you contemn it â—wo unto you for ever and fo we are clear in Gods sight of you all from the highest to the lowest aâ—â— your blood if you perish will the Lord require at your own hands from this 〈◊〉 forth and for evermore We are Friends to all just Powers and are subject to the highest Power for Conscience 〈◊〉 but witness against all deceit and unrighteousness and against all that hold the Truth 〈◊〉 unrighteousness who are Prisoners of the Lord for the testimony of Iesus our Consciences bearng us witness in the Holy Ghost Edw. Burrough Dublin 24th of the 12th Moneth 1655. The unjust Sufferings of the Iust declared and their appeal to the just Witness of God in all mens Consciences TO all ye Colonels and Commanders and Officers and to all the honest hearted in the City of Dublin and elsewhere to whom this may come Hereby we the Prisoners of the Lord for the Testimony of Jesus and for the exercise of a pure Conscience do lay down our cause before you and to the Light of Jesus Christ in all your Consciences we appeal in this our cause of Rightousness and Innocency to be judged thereby We are men fearing God and working righteousness and are Friends to the Commonwealth of Israel and are Exalteâ—s of Justice and true Judgment in the Earth and are subject to all just power and to every just ordinance of man for Conscience sake and have suffered the loss of all and have born part of the burthen with you that we might obtain the freedom of the righteous Seed and the liberty of tender Conscience to serve the Lord in his own way and we are well known to the Lord though Strangers to you and are Free-men in the record of Heaven though now Sufferers unjustly under your present authority who have taken the place of exercising lordship over our pure Consciences and have imprisoned us and endeavoured to give judgment of banishing us onely upon false Accusations and Informations and Slanders without the proof or testimony of any Accusation of 〈◊〉 justly laid to our charge And to you hereby be it known that not for evil doing do we thus suffer for to this present no man hath convinced us of any evil nor justly proved the transgression of any Law Martial or Civil against us though we stand accused of many grievous things of which we are clearly innocent in the sight of him that lives for ever and do nothing more desire herein but â—o be tryed by the Law of Equity and Righteousness and judged according thereunto By vertue of command given unto us by the eternal Spirit of the Lord came we into this Land of Ireland contrary to the will of man not to seek our selves nor our own glory not to prejudice your Nation nor Government nor to be hurtful to your Commonwealth but with the Message of the Gospel of Christ Jesus we came to turn from Darkness to Light and from the power of Satan to the Power of God and 〈◊〉 minister the Word of Reconciliation and Salvation â—â—eely without a Gift or a Reward unto lost souls and hereof God is our Witness and also we have the sealâ— of our Ministry which unto us herein can give testimony by the same Spirit and this are â—e ready to seal with our blood And these six moneths and upwards have we laboured in travels and sufferings and reproaches and have passed through your Cities and Towns in soberness and in meekness have we preached the Kingdom of God and have holden forth the Word of Truth and the Testimony of Jesus and our lives have we not loved till this day though sometimes dangers on every side have beset us that we might hold forth the Faith of Jesus the Authour of our profession in the exercise of a pure Conscience both by doctrine and conversation and herein we are justified in the sight of God and who is he that condemns us And do call Heaven and Earth to record and the Light in all mens Consciences who have heard our Doctrine and seen our conversation to witness for us herein and we challenge
any Creature was made and the whole World is comprehended and mans state in his first Creation is here known what it was and mans state in Transgression is also known what it was and mans state restored again is also witnessed and the difference perceived betwixt the first Adam which was overcome of the Devil though he was innocent and without sin and bore the likeness of his Maker and of the second Adam who cannot be overcome of the Devil whom Satan hath nothing in who is the express Image of the Creator it self He that hath an ear to hear let him hear Eye hath not seen Ear hath not heard it hath not entred into the heart of man that which the Father hath revealed by his Spirit things not lawful to be uttered of which there is no declaring that which is Infinite Endless Eternal and in this I shall end By one who hath measured and viewed in true Iudgment the condition of all Mankind who is a Lover of Souls and a Friend to the Creation of God known in England by the name of EDWARD BURROUGH London the 6th of the 3d Moneth 1656. Truth Defended OR CERTAIN ACCUSATIONS ANSWERED CAST Upon us who are called Quakers by the Teachers of the World and the People of this Generation WITH A clear Discovery who are the false Prophets and when they came in and how they may be known and who they are that deny Christ and that preach another Gospel and who deny the Scriptures Churches Ministers and Magistrates whereby the Magistrates and People of this Nation may see they justifie that which the Scripture condemns and condemns that which the holy men of God justified and may read their example and our example through the Scriptures The Epistle To all you who call your selves Ministers of the Gospel and all People in all Relations under what form of Worship soever in England or in all the World whâ— profess your selves Christians THe mighty day of the Lord is come according as he promised of old and this day is witnessed wherein he is establishing his Mountain and exalting it above all Mountains and is gathering his People which have been scattered in the dark and loâ—â— Night of Apostacy which Christ and his Apostles saw coming into the Churcâ—… then and hath had dominion long over the World and hath reigned till now and reigns nâ—â— in all the Professors in all Forms every where But now the time is come wherein the Kingdâ—… of the World are become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ and thousands witness it to the praise of his everlasting Name And therefore the Nations are angry and 〈◊〉 Pâ—inces of the Earth because Michael one Prince is arisen to plead with all who make 〈◊〉 against him And now Herod and Pilate and all Jerusalem are in an uproar and Ammâ—â— and Amaleck and the Egyptians and the Philistines are joyned now against him And all you who live in Forms and know not the Power do now persecute and joyn your selves tâ—gether being in the same nature as the Persecutors of old which were born after the Flesh. And now you Sons of Bondage and of Hagar are to be cast out and now you are all 〈◊〉 manifest that you are in the Flesh for all your Bows are bent and all your Arrows are 〈◊〉 at a People which are accounted by you as the filth of the World and as the off-scouring of all things whom the World calls Quakers in whose foreheads is written the Name of the living God and unto you I say that make war against them and now take part with the Dragâ—â— against the Lamb you shall all drink of the Cup of Fury and indignation of the Lord 〈◊〉 unto the Living God who is holy and jealous for his own Glory and Name which hath manifested his Mind and Will by his eternal Spirit unto us shall you all bow and stoop For now the Lord hath rent the Vail of the Covering which hath been spread over 〈◊〉 the Nations in all Professions and you are all seen by the ternal Eye which is opened in thousands even all from the highest to the lowest who have stolâ—n and painted your selves with 〈◊〉 â—ens words And all your Images which you have set up and all your traditions from â—en in which you have walked are all seen to be stubble and â—ill not abidâ— in the day of the Lord. And all your Churches which you have gathered together by imitation from the 〈◊〉 shall all be scattered and there you all are for you all deny Revelation and say it is ceased and so you call the Letter the Light and the Word but with that which was before the Scripture you are seen and judged even with that which shall endure for ever And seeing you have cast reproach upon the Name of the God of Heaâ—â—â— and Earth whom we worâ—â—ip and which you call delusion for the truths sake are we moved to lay open your â—akedness that you may be judged by that which you say is your rule Here in this Little Book thou who hast any honesty in thee or any desire of truth and wilt search the Scripture thou wilt see thâ—◠〈◊〉 the teachers of the world in all Forms and all Professors ever cryed out who had but the Form against them who had the Life and Power as you all 〈◊〉 now against them who Worship God in the Spirit and have no confidenâ—e in the flesh and therefore in this following Discoâ—rse which 〈◊〉 written by the same Spirit that gave forth the Scripture thou shalt see who are the false Prophets and who they are that preach another Gospel and who they are that deny the Scriptures and thou mayst see when the false Prophets came in and who they are clearly proved to be by their own rules And all you who call your selves Magistrates and Christians you may see your selves to hold up that which Christ the Prophets and Apostles cryed oâ—â— against and Persecute them who stand in the counsel of God and them thâ—â— Declare against all the deceit as the Holy men of God did and so you are the beast which holds up the false Prophets and those whom the Scripture declareth against God is arisen to dâ—… to pieces all them who withstand him and therefore come out of Babylon â—â—d out of all your painted forms and come to own the first Principle which will change your mindes even the Light of Christ which he hath enlightned every one withal and by it you shall see what you are doing Now if you deny this you deny the Corner-stone and you stumble and shall be broken and by thâ—â— which you call natural shall all your Image of gold and silver and all your mixed invented worship be dashed to pieces and 〈◊〉 for the Pit Therefore all be silent and speak not evil of those thingâ— you know not for now you are all seen you who say you are â—â—ws and are not but are of the Synagogue
measure of the iniquity of these three Nations all which abomination cry aloud for vengeance upon the heads of some of you rather then for humiliation for sin cries not for humility this is your ignorance but the good People of God do lie low in his sight whom you highly offend every day and they lament you and suffer under your iniquities though you reward many of them with persâ—â—ution and hard censures of cruel dealings till of which your wickedness you repent and turn from it all your Prayers and Humilations and set Dayes of seeking God in your rebellious hypocritical hearts shall never appease God's Wrath but the rather shall add thereunto and kindle it more aboundantly against you Away with your vain Oblations and false divining Prophets they are a weariness to the Lord and his hand is against them while your hearts are not upright before him though sometimes some of you have found God near in deep distress when you called upon him even when your hearts were in a measure upright with him yet in vain you now set your selves to seek him and your cry he will not hear nor his Wrath shall not be appeased for you have truly confessed the cursed thing is amongst you even the Idolatry of the deepest nature both in Teachers and People and till you repent and remove every burden from off the Innocent the cursed thing cannot be taken away but for his Names sake which is Equity and Justice Judgment must he bring upon your heads and unto you he will be a God of Vengeance and unto him shall you be a People of his Curse except you break off your sins by Righteousness and your iniquities by shewing mercy to the Poor Further you say and this you desire That he will infatuate the Counsels and defeat the designs of those that labour to exalt themselves against the Interest of his Son and his People Answ. Friends you or some of you are the men that seek to exalt your selves and not it and therefore against the Son of God and his People instance the unjust suffering of many of God's People who know the Son in them to rule them under your Laws upheld by you and acted in by some of your selves and you say in your hearts you will not have this man to reign over you for you own not the Bringers of that Message but uphold your false Prophts which speak smooth things to you and cry Peace while you follow your own wayes and verily herein you go to seek God against your selves to your own destruction as being some of you the very men guilty of the Abominations which you set and propound to your selves in your Humiliation to pray against Your Eyes are blind and your Hearts unbelieving and ye know not what you do and your own Counsels and Designs or so much of them at least as are against the Innocent are sure to be infatuated and defeated and you shall receive from the Lord the answer of your requests upon your own heads for you labour against the Interest of the Son while you seek to bind any mans Conscience to this or that Worship Again you say That he will be pleased in a most special manner to vouchsafe his Presence to those who are entrusted with the Management of the Affairs of these Nations Answ. If you do his Will and fulfil his Ordinances of Justice and Equity towards all men not seeking your selves in any thing but the Lord in all things and wait on him in his Light by which Christ lightneth every one of you to be guided thereby in all your wayes then his Presence you may enjoy in a special manner in the managing of all Affairs to his Glory but if you keep not the Conditions of the Lord in seeking his Honour only and in denying your selves his Presence you shall not find with you but shall be filled with desolations and contentions and the Nations over whom you are entrusted shall not have Peace nor Deliverance in your days but they under you shall have Confusion and Oppressions and the special Pretence of the Lord shall not be shown to you or them and remember this is a Warning to you Again you say That he will appear the Mighty Councellor experimentally unto them Answ. If you stood in his Counsel and walk in uprightness of heart before him in the Light of Christ Jesus then will he appear to be mighty in his Counsel with you and for you otherwise you shall be given up to follow the counsel of your own hearts which shall never bring forth good but evil to your selves and to your whole Nations and this shall you know experimentally by the Light in your own Consciences Again you say That he would in all things spirit you unto the Work unto which you are called and give you unity among your selves even the best Unity that of the Spirit in the best Bond that of Peace that as you are a People abounding in Mercies so you may abound in returns Answ. The work is great unto which you are called and shall hardly be accomplished by you except you receive the Spirit of the Lord to be ruled therewith in your own hearts for if you rule for him you must first be ruled by him Mark and ordered with his Light which will condemn every evil affection in you and this is the Spirit of Unity in the best Bond of Peace which is most precious which brings forth a humble walking with the Lord in all righteousness before him and being led every one in particular with this Spirit and united to God and one to another in not seeking your selves but the Lord This is the Way where God's Blessing is received and aâ— returning unto him of praise for his Mercies but I wish you are not rather adding sin unto sin and fulfilling the measure more and more of your transgresssions till the Wrath of the Lord break forth against you to confound you forever Again you say And that at last through the unwearied goodness of our God these three Nations after such memorable revolutions may be setled upon the sure foundations of Truth Mercy and Peace and his People henceforth being delivered from their Enemies may serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all the dayes of their lives Answ. Verily the goodness of God hath been unwearied to these three Nations in many respects it appeareth and many memorable revolutions hath come to pass in this last Age even in cutting down one Power and Authority of Oppression after another till many great Mountains are removed and the Nations levelled and the Lord is now bringing his great Work to pass iâ— overturning once and again till his Reign and his Kingdom be exalted over all in Truth and Righteousness and if you shorten not your hand in your Oppositions and Persecutions your selves shall also be overturned that God may in Righteousness settle these Nations which remain as a wavering
Leaf and as an ungirded Vessel full of strife and distraction fears and jealousies eveâ— among your own selves unsetled in your Wayes and Thoughts in Truth Mercy and Peace but in Gainsayings and Oppositions and Confusions stand tottering like a rotten Hedge and the Proud are exalted and the poor are despised and they that love Sion are set at nought and verily you go not the way to settle the Nations upon the true Foundation but backslides from the Way of Truth Which is the Foundation upholding of iniquity and establishing the false Prophets and Diviners by a Law and such whom the Lords wrath is against who upholds the horrible filthy thing and abominations of the Earth and confusion is upon them till they be overthrown never to deceive the Nations more Therefore hear ye Deaf and look ye Blind and understand ye Hard-hearted love Truth and Mercy and Peace in your own hearts and and depart from Iniquity and cast away your Idols and cease from evil and learn to do well and put away the evil of own doings and turn to the Lord in this the day of your Visitation and to the Light of Christ Jesus wherewith he hath lightened you take heed thereby to be guided every one in particular in fear and tenderness towards God and towards man not ruling in Tyranny and Oppression nor making Laws in your own wills according to your own thoughts as some that went before you have done till they were cut off as you are Witnesses who were made in the Hand of the Lord their Executioners and if you follow in any measure their Example of Wickedness take them for an Example in a cursed end in love to all your Souls this I write and not to shame you in your wickedness but rather that you may repent and that you may know how to exercise your selves in the Law of God towards the Nations and that every Burden may be removed and the Oppressed may go free and the Bands of Iniquity may be broken and this is the Fast accepted of the Lord required of him from you which if you observe with your whole hearts a Blessing will the Lord made you unto the Nations in this present Age and unto your selves for evermore but if you hearden your hearts against the Lord and tread in the steps of your fore-fathers and seek to limit the Holy One or to bind the tender Consciences of the People of God then shall you fall into their perdition and be swallowed up in everlasting confusion and your Memorial shall stink in Generations to come and shall be a hissing among the Heathen Kingdoms and deliverance will God bring another way unto his People to your overthrow if you walk not in the Counsel of the Lord. And whereas upon the considerations and purposes aforesaid you have ordered that a Day be observed and kept for solemn Humiliation and seeking the Face of God through the mediation of Christ in England Scotland and Ireland To which in much tenderness of spirit I desire to say That if you seek his Face in the hardness of your hearts and in the way of your own precepts while the yoke of the great Oppressions in the Nations are not broken from off the neck of the Poor his Face you shall not behold though you seek it but in vain shall you weary your selves and shall travel without issue as to that which you desire and his Countenance shall be hid from you till he shew his Face for evil against you and not for good and to you it shall be said To what purpose are your Oblations and your solemn Meeting Who hath required it at your hands even your own doings and appointed Altars of Inventions which the Lord cannot accept from you Therefore give ear ye Mountains and listen ye tall Cedars if you establish the false Prophets which makes a prey upon the people through covetousness and which acteth the abominations of Israel in preaching for Hire and divining for Money and in crying peace to the wicked by a Law and maintain them through the oppression of the Poor in the crying Oppression of Tythes or otherwise imposing such things upon the tender Consciences by any Act or Statute made or allowed by you God shall not hear your cry nor answer your request nor ever establish you in peace nor the Nations over which you are set likewise if you make a Law or allow such a one to be acted which any way may tye or limit the Spirit of the Lord in any of his Servants from reproving the abominations of the Times in Rulers Teachers or People in your Streets or Temples or places otherwise at any time whatsoever the Lord will not hold you guiltless nay assuredly if you do but hide your face from the Suffering of such who through the wickedness of some under you may be afflicted upon such an account you shall not be altogether Innocent but Gods hand shall be upon you likewise If any for Conscience sake deny to Swear upon any account according to the former vain Customs of the Nations trained up thereto in ignorance and blindness in humane traditions and thereupon suffer Imprisonment or Fining or otherwise howsoever by any Order from you or any subordinate Powers you shall be guilty in the sight of God of that suffering the Innocent in such a cause much more shall you be guilty if by any means in any cause upon any condition men be compelled by any Authority of this Nation to swear likewise if any suffer for not bowing the Hat or Knee to any of you or any of your Judges or under Officers and thereupon be accounted Transgressors the Lord shall account such things Oppression from your hands and Tyranny and Cruelty and you shall not escape unpunished as the Lord lives these and many more Abominations cries for Vengeance against some of you who have had your hands deeply dipped in such Oppression and therefore to you this is a Warning to break off these sins by righteousness and these evils by true repentance lest your Fasts prove only for Strife and to smite with the fist of Wickedness Clear your selves and wash you hands from these Abominations lest the fruit of them be given you to eat for Food and let this oh ye Rulers be acceptable councel unto you that the dayes of Happiness may appear and the long expected and waited for day of Liberty may yet dawn through this dark night of Bondage which overshadows your heads that you cannot behold the glory of the Son and herein shall you be established and we shall have cause to bless the Lord for you and with you otherwise you shall never be renowned but all your counsels and purposes shall fail and be cursed of the Lord and evil shall be upon you and upon the Nation for your sakes And all you that fear God listen and give audience and let the fear of the Lord be before your eyes and keep your selves pure from
shall the Saints possess and the Gentiles shall be driven out of it according as Iohn said who wrote the last of any of the Apostles and gave fulâ— testimony of these things which I have declared â—f viz. of an Apostacy and reign of the Beast and false Prophet and a Subversion from the Wayes of God and this hath been and is come to pass Also â—e prophesied of the gaining of the holy City in again to the Saints and of a restoration wherein new Ierusalem should be made manifest from Heaven and shoâ—â—d again be adorned as a Bride for her Husband and the Saints should inhabit it and the Tabernacle of God should be with men upon Earth and the Lord would dwell for â—â—er with his People and this day is approaching nigh at the dooâ— for the Fig-tree hath blossomed and we know it is near at hand the Summer wherein the Glory of the Lord shall be revealed unto all Nations and they shall 〈◊〉 that he is the Lord God Almighty that will take Vengeance upon the great Whâ—â—e who hath made all drunk with the Wine of her Fornication And now after the long night of Apostacy and Darkness which hath been vpâ—â— the face of the Earth is the Lord appearing and his Day dawning and his Ligâ—â— breaking forth as the Glory of the Morning and the Kingdom of God is revealed and his Dominion is setting up after the long reign of the Beast who haâ—… had his Power and his Seat and his great Authority from the Dragon after whâ—… the whole World hath wandred and him hath worshiped who hath been saying wâ—… is like unto the Beast who is able to make war with him His mouth for many Generations hath been opened in blasphemy against God and his Name and he 〈◊〉 made war with the Saints and his power hath overcome them Mark overcoâ— them and then himself hath reigned and the reign of Christ for many years 〈◊〉 not been known but over Kindreds Tongues and Nations hath the Beast had poâ—er and over them hath reigned for many Ages and all that dwell upon the Fâ—… have worshipped him whose Names are not written in the Book of Life 〈◊〉 Earth hath been caused and them that dwell therein to worship the Beast and 〈◊〉 his Wonders he deceiveth them that dwell on Earth and as many as would 〈◊〉 worship the Beast and his Image the Beast hath had power that they should beâ—…led and many hath he killed who would not worship him and are persented and both Small and Great Rich and Poor Free and Bond have recâ—…ed the Mark of the Beast and the number of his Name which is the number 〈◊〉 a man he that reads let him understand these things have come to pass 〈◊〉 been fulfilled since the Apostles dayes in this night wherein no man could worâ— which Christ said would come but now the forty and two Monthes which tiâ—… the Beast and his Image was to continue and so long was his Power to remain 〈◊〉 make war and to overcome the Saints I say the time is well nigh expired and finished and the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb is risen to make war against the Beast and his Image who hath reigned over the Kingdoms of the World and the Judgment of the great Wâ—… cometh who hath sitten upon the Beast and drunk the Blood of the Saints 〈◊〉 with whom the Kings of the Earth since the dayes of the Apostles have comâ—…ted Fornication and all the Inhabiters of the Earth have been made drunk 〈◊〉 the Wine of her Fornication and all the Merchants of the Earth have been maâ—e rich through the aboundance of her delicacies and she hath sat upon the scarâ—… coloured Beast and her Cup in her hand hath been full of abominations and 〈◊〉 ness of her fornication and her name is Mistery Babylon the Mother of Harlâ—… and all the Kings of the Earth have given their power unto the Beast and commited Fornication with the great Whore and she hath sat upon people multitudes 〈◊〉 nations and tongues since the Apostles days and even some who have hated tâ—e Whore and fulfilled the Will of God and made the Whore naked yet they giâ—… their power also to the Beast until the Word of God be fulfilled Consider these things you that have an ear to hear but now the mighty Day 〈◊〉 the Lord and the Judgment of the Whore is approaching wherein she shal be rewarded according to her Works and doubble shall be given into 〈◊〉 Cup and as she hath loved blood so shall blood be given her to drink and the Merchants of the Earth shall lament her whom they have waxed rich by who 〈◊〉 glorified her self and lived deliciouslly and hath said in her heart I sit as a Queen and am no Widow and shall not see sorrow but now the one day is dawning wherein her Plagues shall come death and mourning and famine and she shall be utterly burned with fire for strong is the Lord that is risen to judge her and the Kings and Merchants and all the Inhabiters of the Earth shall lament her and cry Alas alas and now are they beginning for the hour is come that her judgement cometh and all her Merchants who have trafficked with the Souls of men shall partake of her Plagues who have partaked of her sins and lived deliciously with her and the fruits that her Soul lusteth after shall depart from her and all things that are dainty and goodly shall depart from her and she shall find them no more at all when her judgement cometh and in an hour all her riches are come to nought and all her Merchants at Land and Sea shall lament her even her that hath ruled over Nations and sat as a Queen for many Generations ever since the dayes of the Apostles until this day yea all that have wandred after her even the whole World shall lament and bemoan her and such as have served her and made Slaves of the Souls of men by Merchandize and Traffick shall bewail her and their gain shall cease for ever for in one hour shall she be made desolate and her glory shall fade and her beauty shall wither and the Beast that hath carried her shall utterly faint and the false Prophet that hath wrought Miracles in their sight and deceived the Nations shall be cast into a bed of torment with her and the Beast and the false Prophet shall be taken and cast alive into the Lake of Fire to be tormented for ever day and night World without end and the Whore in whom hath been found the Blood of the Prophets and of the Saints and of all that were slain upon the Earth and the Beast who hath caused all that dwell on the Earth to worship him and his Image for many Ages and the false Prophet who hath deceived the whole world and many Nations and made them subject unto the power of the Beast by his Miracles which he hath wrought in the
sight of men these shall be plagued together and tormented together for the false Prophet and the Beast hath sent forth their unclean Spirits like Frogs unto all the Kings of the Earth and unto the whole World to gather them to Battel with their Armies to make war against him that sits on the white Horse even the Son of God and this is the false Prophet which Câ—rist prophesied of to come which long since came and hath served the Beast and the great Whore for many Generations and many even all Nations have been deceived as Christ said and led aside and blinded and bewitched by him And as I have said these Teachers of this Generation are of them of their Root and Off-spring which long have flourished on the face of the Earth But the day is at hand that the Heaven and the Holy Apostles and Prophets shall rejoyce over the Whore and over the false Prophet for the Lord comes to avenge us on her and as she hath done so shall it be done unto her now in this day wherein Ierusalem shall be builded again and the holy City which the Geâ—tiles have trod under foot for forty and two moneths which time is expired and near an end accounting from the dayes of the coming in of the Apostacy untill this day if any have an ear to hear let him hear this I have received from God I say the holy City shall be measured and the Gentiles cast out and she shall be adorned and as a Bride for her Husband shall she be prepared and Gods Tabernacle shall be with men and he will dwell with them and they shall be his People and God himself will be their God and all tears shall be wiped away and there shall be no more death nor sorrow for the former things are passed away and all things shall be made new And what I have said are the faithful Sayings of God every one that is athirst shall drink of the Water of Life freely and he that overcometh shall inherit all things and shall be called the Son of God and shall dwell in the holy City which long the Gentiles foot hath troden under which shall again be adorned and prepared as a Bride for her Husband if any have an ear to hear let them â—ear And the Glory of the Lord is risen and his Day is breaking forth more abundantly and the Lamb is given for a Light and all Nations that are saveâ— shall walk in the Light of the Lamb and the King of Righteousness who hath been long fled into Egypt while Herod the Beast which hath sought his life and driven the woman into the Wilderness hath reigned shall again be set upon the holy Hill of Sion and rule all Nations with a Rod of Iron and trample upon the necks of all his Enemies the Nations have not for many Ages been ruled by hiâ—… but the Beast who hath ruled over Kindreds and People and said Who hath beâ—… able to make war again the Beast and to the power of the Beast hath all Nations beâ—… subject and the Dominion of Christ hath been trodden down and despised and 〈◊〉 holy City hath been laid waste and his Princely Power hath not been felt nor witnessed in the Kingdoms of men for Ages and Times nor him the one head and the one horn hath not been known but many heads and horns have been exalted aâ—â— all Nations and all the Princes and Kingdoms of the Earth have been subject 〈◊〉 the Rule and Law of the Beast and to the Divinations of the false Prophet darkâ—… hath been over all and God hath been as a stranger in the Earth as one not known he hath been worshipped ignorantly and the inscription every where hath been 〈◊〉 the unknown God but now after all this the glorious God of Truth hath appeared and great and mighty hath been his Hand and Power in this our day in raisâ—…g 〈◊〉 a righteous Branch out of the Root of Righteousness and in gathering his scattered People up to himself who have been scattered by the Idol Teachers and deceived by false Prophets made a prey upon by the wild Beasts of the Forrest O how have the People been made a prey upon by their Teachers and greedily devoured by 〈◊〉 Shepherd who have sought themselves and sought for their gain every one fâ—… his Quarter for many Ages how have people been led blind by their blind Sâ—…pherds and none to this day come to the knowledge of the Truth by them 〈◊〉 these have run and were not sent and therefore the people have not bâ—… profitted at all as it was in Ieremiahs dayes so it is now no profit 〈◊〉 people in the knowledge of the Wayes of God but leanness and barrâ—â—ness and as the Teacher so his People all out of the way in prophaness 〈◊〉 wickedness and prophaneness is gone forth from them into many Nations yâ—… the Lord bringing back his Inheritance which have been driven away into the desolate Wilderness yea and the Lord hath caused his Light to shine out of darkness and unto them that have sat in darkness and in the shadow â—f death iâ— the marvellous Light risen that the Glory of the Lord may be revealed and God Tabernacle may be with men and the holy City is preparing as a Bride for her Husband and Darkness shall flee away and Sorrow and Sighing shall no more be known but Life and Immortality shall again be brought to Light as it was in the dayes of the Apostles This I have received from God and the Lord shall be known to be the God of his People and for this cause hath he called and chosen faithful Witnesses 〈◊〉 given his powerful Ministry by the gift of the holy Ghost as it was in the Apostles dayes and now many are called to declare abroad the things which we 〈◊〉 heard and seen and handled and the Gospel of Christ is received by the Revâ—…tion of Gods eternal Spirit and Son in our hearts and the power is made manifest and the form of Godliness without the Power is denied and judged and Christ the one Head is exalting and the one Horn of Gods Salvation is revealing and the many Heads and many Horns must be broken to pieces and be confoundâ—d in this the day of the Lord for his purpose is powerful in carrying on his oâ—â— work against all his Enemies so that none are able to hinder But they that set themselves even the Beast and his Power which is now struck at whose Kingdom is invaded hath raised the force of his power and the pollicy of his arm yet shall they be confounded and no formed Weapon shall prosper against the Lord and his Way who is now risen to avenge himself of the Beast and his power and the Whore and her Fornications and the false Prophet and his Divinations which all must inâ—… the Wine-press of Gods dreadful Wrath to be trodden and all that worship the Beast and repent not shall partake
them like to the Beast none upon Earth hath bought or sâ—â—d or judged or given evidence or been respected in all the World that 〈◊〉 not had the Mark of the Beast and the number of the names of Antichrist rich and poor small and great have receive his Mark as a Seal of their subjection to the Beast whose many heads and many horns have subjected all by the force of his arm and he hath blinded the eye lest men should see him and cast darkness over all faces and the false Prophet hath deceived many a Christ hath said and all the Earth hath been wandring in the Wildernâ—… of Wickedness and the Long-suffering of the Lord hath been wearied and he continually provoked to destroy the Nations who have followed Antichrist who hath shewed himself in the Seat of God to be God and hath sat in the Seat of God in the Seat of Justice Righteousness and of Mercy and the Abomination of desolation hath long stood in the place where it ougâ—â— not for many Ages and length of Times and his many Heads and many Horns hath swayed the World through the terror of the Beast who haâ—… made all worship him and they that would not he hath killed who hath carried the great Whore who hath made all men without exception and all Nations without respect to any wholly drunk with abomination and all hath staggered and fallen into grievous iniquities and the Dragon hath stood ready continually to devour the Child of Righteousness as soon as it was born and the Woman hath been forced to flee into the Wilderness that hath brought iâ— forth and hath fed there for so many dayes and for a long season hath the Lâ—â—d been blasphemed even the Name of God and his Tabernacle and them thâ—â— dwell in Heaven But now hath the Lord considered and looked down from his Habitatiâ—n and of a truth he is risen and hath taken to him his great Power that he may reign and put all things under his Feet and subdue the power of the Beast and Antichrist and all their Government and Rule and Laws and Decrees shall be overthrown and confounded all their worship shall be broken for great Babylon is come into remembrance before the Lord to render her according to her works the Lamb is now risen and advanced with his Bow and his Sword and he is going forth Conquering and to Conquer the Beast and all that have worshipped him and they that are with the Lamb are called and chosen and faithful they love not their lives unto death and they shall overcome him by the Blood of the Lamb and by the Word of his Testimony the Dominion of the Lamb is setting up and his Power is made manifest and the Stone cut out of the Mountain without hand is a dashing at the feet of the Image and against the Beast and his Power and against all his Laws and Decrees is he risen and he will change Times and Laws and Powers and the Kingdoms of this World shall become the Kingdom of the Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever for now the Spirit of Life from God is entred into the Witnesses which have been slain and they begin to stand upon their feet and great fear falls upon the great men of the World and the Devil is cast out into the Earth who hath sitten in Heaven in the Temple of God and deceived the whole World and his wrath is great against the Saints and against the Lamb because he knoweth his time is but short and the Man-child shall grow and shall rule the Nations with a Rod of Iron if any man hath an ear to hear let him hear he that leadeth into Captivity shall go into Captivity he that killeth with the Sword must be killed with the Sword the Purpose of the Lord shall stand who is now gathering and bringing back such as have been driven away and deceived by the Generation of false Prophets who have deceived the whole World and all that dwell therein and the Lord will take vengeance upon them upon the Beast and upon the false Prophet and great Babylon shall be thrown down and shall be no more at all but shall be made desolate and the voice of Harpers and Musitians shall no more be heard at all in her but her Glory shall wither and fade away in a moment for he that hath a true Weight and Measure is appeared to divide and to give due weight and measure unto every one and all the wicked who will not come from under the worship of the Beast shall have their part in the Lake that burnes with Fire and he that is unjust let him be unjust still and he that is righteous let him be righteous still here is the dividing of all things as they were in the beginning the Glory of the Lord is risen whose name is called the Word of God and out of his mouth goeth a sharp Sword and with it be smiteth the Nations and he shall rule them with an Iron Rod for his Name is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and he is gathering his Saints together to the Supper of the Great God to eat the flesh of Kings the flesh of Captains and the flesh of Horses and them that sat thereon the Purpose of the Lord shall not be disannulled though the Beast and the Kings of the Earth gather together their Armies to make war against him that sits upon the Horse who is already gone out to conquer and the numberless number of the Saints are gathering together before the Throne of the Lamb and they have no guile found in their mouthes And the day is now dawned and the night is far spent Wo unto the World and to all the Inhabiters of the Earth who have worshipped the Beast the Lord is coming to plead with you and ye that have partaken of the sins of the great Whore shall partake of her Plagues and she shall be rewarded double according to her works for her sins have reached unto Heaven The Day of great tribulation is at hand of Anguish and Destruction men shall seek death and shall not find it but it shall flee from them when the Lord ariseth and the Lamb standeth upon Mount Sion and his Saints with him who shall tread down the Heathen and cast them out even as they have trodden down the holy City and the Worship thereof and the Kingdom of the Beast and his Seat and his great Authority which he hath received from the Dragon shall all be thrown down and the Kingdom of the Son of God with his Government Scepter and Rule shall be established in all the Earth and the utmosts part thereof shall be given him to possess this is the Promise and this shall come to pass and through the whole World Laws and Decrees Ministry and Orders shall be changed and renewed the Law and Decree of the Most High shall rule over all and the
holy City shall be beautified and is adorning and preparing for the Saints and their King to inherit the Lamb is the Light of the City and the Temple therein and all Nations and People that are saved shall walk in the Light of the Lamb for he hath lighted every man that comes into the World with the Light of Salvation in all that do receive him and Darkness shall flee away the Sâ—â— is risen and Praise and Honour and Glory and Dominion shall be given to the Lamb who shall reign over Nations and his Saints shall see him and his Name shall be in their Fore-heads and there shall be no Night but Light and Glory and the Kings of the Earth shall bring in their glory and honour iâ—… it and the Gates stand open and are not shut every one that thirsteth let him come the cry is unto all and yet nothing that defileth shall enter these are the faithful Sayings of the Lord who is true and must not long be sealed fâ—r the time is at hand and all men shall read and all that keep the Commandmeâ—… of God shall have right to the Tree of Life and blessed are they they shall be healed though now they suffer all manner of evil for the Name of Iesus by the Beast and under his Power by them that worship him who must fulfil wickedness by persecuting the Innocent till the Lord be raised out of his Habitation and the dominion shall be given to them and they shall have power to bind Kingâ— in Chains and Nobles in Fetters of Iron this is their Honour and this iâ— their Dignity and they shall rejoyce for ever and ever and shall glory in the Lord and not in this World and this shall come to pass as the Lord hath said Wherefore all Nations and People Arise arise and be awakened Prepare prepare and make way for the Lord be removed ye Mountains and throw down ye Hills and hewn down ye sturdy Oakes and cut up ye tall Cedars Make way and prepare the Path for the Holy One who is comming to rule wâ—… his Iron Rod and will dash you all to peices Be afraid and tremble thou Beâ—… that hast long reigned over the Earth and all thy false Prophets and Worshippers be confounded at this and bow and tremble at the remembrance hereof 〈◊〉 whom you have hated and crucified and his Saints whom you have persecuted shall come to reign over you all and to him whom you have set at nought 〈◊〉 you be subject to and ruled by to all your sorrow for behold the Lord cometh with his numberless number of Saints And this is a warning to all Nations and People upon Earth Times and Laws must be changed among you Governments and Orders must be changed Unjustice and Oppression shall be removed and every Yoak and Burden shall be taken off from the neck of the Poor true Judgment and Justice Mercy and Truth Peace and Righteousness shall be exalted and all the Nations shall have Judges as at the first and Councellors as at the beginning and the Poor shall rejoyce when true Judgment and Justice reigneth and the false Prophet subdued And this is a Warning to you all that you may hear and consider the Lamb who hath been slain who is risen to reign who is the Prince of Peace of whose Government there shall be no end even he hath lighted all man-kind on the face of the Earth the Light is the Eye which will let you see all this and will bring you to the fulfilling of it ' aâ—â— to the good Understanding and it shall evidencâ—… the truth of this even the Light of Christ in all men which is given to guide 〈◊〉 the Way of Peace THe Kingdom of Christ is setting up and it is not of this World neither shall be exalted nor advanced by worldly pollicy and worldly wisdom nor by carnal weapons nor by the multitude of an host of men its true the Son of God is gone forth conquering and and to conquer and the Spirit of his Mouth and the Word of his Power shall get himself the Victory his own Arm alone without the help of another shall work the Conquest and his Kingdom shall be set up within every particular of his Subjects for none can know him reign without them unto their Salvation till they know him to reign first within for that which opposeth the Kingdom of Christ and the setting of it up is within every man and must be subdued within where it hath ruled and the Enemy of Christ's Kingdom which hath lodged within must first be subdued before there be dominion over his Enemies without This is the Word of the Lord to all People for he that pursues his Enemy without and leaves him in his own house is foolish and out of the way and shall be overcome of his Enemy and shall not overcome him therefore ye that are waiting for the Kingdom of Christ be awakened and seek for it where it is to be found not without you first but first within strive not to obtain it with your carnal Weapons but take the Weapons which are Spiritual which only will overcome be not deceived for through suffering must the Kingdom of Christ be set up and not by rebellion through Crafts and Plots and secret Pollicy and turbulent Arisings nor Strife in the nature of Enmity by these means shall the Kingdom of Christ never be advanced And this is the Word of the Lord and our Testimony which we give of the Kingdom of Christ who is indeed arisen to make war against all his Enemies and they that follow him are called and faithful and chosen whose Weapons are Spiritual and mighty through God and reacheth to the killing and subduing of all flesh and he must war till all his Enemies be subdued and must reign over all his Enemies till the Kingdom be delivered to the Father where he shall be all in all The 3d Moneth 1657. All ye Inhabitants of the Earth in all Nations through the World Hearken and give ear the Word of the Lord God that made Heaven and Earth is towards you He is coming to set up his Kingdom and his Dominion which never shall have end and the Kingdoms of this World shall be changed and shall become the Kingdoms of the Son of God ALl ye Kings and Princes and Rulers through the whole World the Lord is coming up with his mighty Host against you all he who will fan you and sift you and try you and search you out for his Fan is in his Hand and he will throughly purge you and you shall all know that the Kingdom of the Most High rules in the Kingdoms of men all your Glory shall fade away all your Majesty and Honour and Dignities and Dominions shall come to an end all your strength is but as a Straw all your treasure as a Thing of nought all your glory as a fading Leaf in the Presence of the Lord God that made
upon whom the Wrath of God abideth and are subject to the Curse every moment and this is the state of all Mankind And the Light in every one shall answer this Measure and witness you and your Word to be the Word of the Lord which Light if they love it will bring every one to know the Power of the Creator to reconcile them and to bring them into Fellowship with him and to receive his Blessings and his Inheritance being changed by the Power of God into his Image But if they hate the Light and deny the Power of God and his Covenant and will not have Christ who hath lighted them to teach them and to rule them but do continue Enemies in their Minds to the Lord and will not receive your Message then they perish forever and you are clear seal your Testimony against them and the Lord shall be justified when he arises to Condemnation against them all who cannot own this Message and receive you in the Name of the Lord. Be bold and valiant and spare not to shew all people this Message and to Declare unto them in the Name of the Lord by whom you are sent And I warn you all Let the Fear and the Judgments of the Lord be in your Hearts and stand wholly in his Will and be obedient to the moving of his Power in all things that you may be armed against all the Swelling and Roaring of the Proud Waves of the Sea which will beat against you put on the whole Armour of God that you may withstand all the powers of Darkness and may overcome all the Temptations of the Devil Look beyond your life and your liberty and beyond all things of this World and the Life of God know and feel in you to give you Dominion over all and with his Word and Power to reach to his Witness in all that you may leave a Testimony behind you for him Thick Darkness you will find covering all people their Ears deaf and their Eyes blind and the Ground wholly barren and untilled you will find overgrown with Cursed Fruit and wild Branches which must be cut up and cast into the Fire and aboundance of Idolatry and vain Superstitions and great Hardness of Heart you will meet with and find all People in the Degeneration ignorant of God and without him in the World and abounding in all Unrighteousness and Unbelief worshipping their Idol godds which will grieve your spirits but be you Patient and Long-suffering and be not offended at any of these things but Plow in Hope and Sow in Hope and Thresh upon the Mountains and beat them to dust ye Children of Sion and bring all people to know the Fear and Judgments of the Lord in them You are sent forth to beget People unto him and to turn them to his Knowledge to till the Ground to pluck up the wild Branches which cumber the Ground and the tender Grape must be spared Therefore let the Word of the Lord dwell in you and divide the Word aright and cry not Peace to the Wicked neither cry Judgment to such as are of a Broken Heart feed the Hungry with Bread and feed the Fat with Judgment Be ye good Stewards of the Lord's Treasure cover the Naked but make bare the Harlot and discover her Abominable Whoredoms let all the World know how they have committed Whoredom with the great Whore who hath sate upon Nations Kindreds Tongues and Peoples And proclaim unto all Nations That the Lord God is risen for the Deliverance of his Chosen and he will make War in Righteousness against all his Enemies and they must lick the Dust of his Feet and bow under his Scepter And openly declare unto all the World That God is setting up an Everlasting Kingdom and the Dominion thereof shall reach over all the Earth and the Kings of the Earth must bring in their Glory to it In the Name and Power of the Lord God go ye into all the World with this Message and Testimony which shall be answer'd to be the Message of the Everlasting God with the Light which he lightened every man withal that you may bring Glory and Honour and Dominion unto him who hath called you to bear witness of his Name in all the World This I was moved of the Lord to give forth unto all that are moved to go into other Nations by a Companion unto all that follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes E. B. A General Epistle to the SAINTS To the Seed of God Elected and Chosen of him before the World began and now called by his Word and Power into the Kingdom of Peace and Righteousness to be Heirs of the Inheritance of Eternal Life that never fades away DEarly beloved Friends who are called and sanctified through the Grace of God that hath appeared unto you and in you be mindful of your Calling and make your Election sure that you may feel it the Seed of God and the Heir of Life born and brought forth in every one of you that the Promise may be fulfilled in you and you may sit down in the Kingdom feeling the immortal Crown of Life as the Reward of all your Sufferings and Tryals and Patience for the Inheritance of an endless Life is the Portion of the Righteous who have followed the Lamb through his Sufferings and laid down their Crowns at his Feet and now his Feet are treading down and will tread down all mortal Crowns and stain the glory of all Flesh and bring it into contempt and set up his Kingdom to have Dominion over all And so Friends you in whose hearts the Day-Star hath appeared of Light and Life feel the growth of the good Seed in your selves which must rise in you all over the contrary part and over that nature which is related to the Kingdoms of this World that must be kept down in you all and all must be subject to the Lambs Power and to his Dominion every Work Word and Motion must be brought in subjection unto him that he who is Light and Life and Righteousness and Truth and all Vertue and Goodness may alone reign in you and over yâ—â—avâ— and the contrary may be kept in the subjection and the Body of Siâ—â—â— and Death may be wholly put off and Immortallity brought forth in you all by the Gospel which hath been sounded forth amongst you in Power and Life and not in the words of man's wisdom and this Gospel which we have received and you have heard hath wrought its effect wherefore the Lord sent it and many are turned from darkness to Light and from Satan's power to God and the Lord hath gathered his Jewels and is gathering of them and he hath planted his Inheritance with a pleasant Plant of Righteousness and Renown and his Arm hath wrought great deliverances in the Earth and hath raised up the Poor and exalted the Meek and Lowly and he hath brought down the Mighty from his Seat and these things hath
and many more other wayes have suffered grievous things as Banishments out of Towns and Whipping and Stocking and grievous unjust Abuses and none of these for Evil-doing but for Good even because they cannot bow to the Devil but are redeemed out of the World and therefore the World hates them and some have suffered hard Cruelties because they could not respect Persons and bow with Hat or Knee and from these Cruelties canst thou not altogether be excused in the sight of God being brought forth in thy Name and under thy Power consider Friend and be awakened to true Judgement let the Lord search thy Heart and lay these things to mind that thou mayst be an Instrument to remove every Burthen and mayst at last fulfill the Will of God are they nothing to thee that such things should be brought forth under thee O be awakned be awakened and now seek the Lord's Glory and not thine own least thou perish before the Lord and Men nay if Men would give thee Honour and high Titles and princely Thrones take it not for that which would exalt and honour thee in the World would betray thee to the World and cast thee down in the sight of the World and this is God's Word to thee what shall the whole Nation be perjured Men and thou the cause of it and wilt thou transgress by building again that which thou hast destroyed Then shall the Lord and his Light in every Conscience bear witness against thee let it not be but deny thy self and thou wilt find the Lord honouring thee Give heed unto my Words and understand my Speech Be not exalted by Man lest Man betray thee the Lord give thee an Understanding in this and guide thee in his Counsel and the rather above all things let thy Heart be stirred up in thee for the Lord For now is he setting up the Dominion of his Son which never shall have an End and thy Dominion must bow under it and all the Dominions of the Earth or else be confounded and broken to Pieces the Glory of the Lord is revealing and thine shall be vailed before it and the Glory of all Flesh shall fall Therefore strive not openly nor secretly against his Way for it shall prosper there is no Enchantment against us nor any formed Weapon that can prosper knowest thou not that the King of Righteousness might command thousands of his Saints to avenge him of his Adversaries and to plead his Cause against the Rebellious All Power is in his Hand yea and the Authority and Dominion shall be in the Hands of his Saints and every one that exalts himself against them shall be brought down not by an outward Sowrd or might of Man but by his out-stretched Arm and all Crowns that are Mortal shall be troden down by him whose Crown is Immortal and never fades away Therefore be wise and learned this is thy day as thou dealest or sufferest to be done with the Lord's People so to thee it shall be done in that day when their Government shall out-reach thine and be set atop of it as thou hopest for Mercy from the Lord when his Kingdom conqueres thee and thine now deal favourably and relieve the Oppressed boast not thy self though the Lord hath used thee in his Hand but know that when he will he can cast thee a Rod out of his Hand into the Fire for in his Hand thou art if thou wilt honour him he will honour thee otherwise he can yea and will confound thee and break thee and make thee weak as Water before him his Love through my Heart breaths unto thee he would thy happiness if thou wilfully contemn it not by exalting thy self and seeking thine own glory and hardning thy Heart against the Cry of the Poor and this I was moved in bowels of pittiy to lay before thee who am thy Friend not in Flattery but in an upright Heart who wisheth well unto thee in the Lord. A Friend to the Kingdom of Christ and not of this World but an Heir of Immortality with the Son of God called E. B. The Original of this was given to the Hands of Oliver Cromwell then Protector in the third moneth of the Year 1657. For the Hands of Oliver Cromwell called Protector FRIEND I am moved to write to thee from the occasion of being with thee yesterday and I take liberty from the true love and pitty stirred up in my Heart towards thee who am thy Friend and wisheth well unto thee in the Lord even that Salvation thou mayest receive and that thy way may be blessed upon Earth and the Fruits of the Knowledge of God might more abound in thee and the Fruits of Ignorance less which doth appear which I wish might be cut off before they wholly over-grow thee and remove the Blessing far from thee in this life and in the life to come and bring upon thee Destruction for the Fruits of all Unrighteousness brings Death Sorrow and Misery and the Light of Christ in thee shall answer in all things to the justness of the Judgments of the Lord. Thou sayest in effect that thou wouldest not or thou desirest not our Persecution or that we should be persecuted by Cruelty or unjust Imprisonment now consider what the cause is that what thou desirest not to be done yet is done thou having power in thy hand onely to prevent what thou wouldest not have done is it not thine own unfaithfulness to the Principle of God in thee which beareth witness against the Persecution of the Innocent Or is it that thou mayest please men and therefore rather suffer Wickedness to abound Injustice and Oppression to be acted against the Poor making it appear thou art willing to do the false Teachers of this Nation and wicked men a pleasure then to own the People of God in relieving them and â—â—sing them of their cruel Burthens and Oppressions laid upon them by unjust men for a word of thy mouth or the shew of thy Countenance in dislike of these cruel and unjust Persecutions would bind the Hands of many blood-thirsty Men and stop the Mouthes of many Devourers and therefore because of thine own unfaithfulness doth that come to pass which thou desirest not And so I must needs say This appears to be evil in thee to say In effect thou approvest not or thou desirest not out Persecution and yet it is done when the Power is in thy Hand to remove it and this in much love and great pitty I declare unto thee in the Fear and Counsel of God Further thou sayest Thâ—n art not guilty of these Persecutions acted unjustly upon us Again consider I say Thou canst not be cleared in the Sight of the Lord God from them being acted under thee and in thy Name in the Day of the Lord the Light in thy Conscience shall answer this for there seems to be rather a favouring of them in thee and by for bearance of the Actors of Cruelty by which their
thou hast not known it altogether much less then knowest thou of those things which are Eternal which belong to thy Peace it shews thou ownest not the Lord who cannot own his People but rather countest them thy Enemies and sufferest all Evil to be inflicted upon them and this is the greatest of thy Misery in that the Lord hath been so good unto thee and thy Promises so large towards him for the Feeedom of his People yet all forgot and the Lord's Goodness not answered and his People made as Slaves and Bond-men under thee suffering the loss of Liberty and even their Birth-right-Priviledge in many parts of these Nations wherefore be awakened O man and sleep not totally in Carelesness but remember thy self either to perform the Good or at least to escape the Evil which may suddenly come upon thee And this I have written to thee out of perfect Love in the Fear of God without the Fear of any man or without any secret or open envying of thee couldst thou but own the Lord he would be thy strength to forgive all thy Iniquities and blot out thy Sin and to defend thee from all thy Enemies and above all things Love Iudgment Mercy and Truth and fear before the Lord and let not his People be thy Bond-slaves who are more dear unto the Lord then all Earthly glory is unto thee and if thou couldst own them they would own thee in the Face of all thine Enemies many times hast thou been warned and that from the Lord and thou shalt confess it when the Lord's hand is upon thee and thou delivered into the Will of thy Enemies Remember that I have told thee what the Lord hath shewed me happy art thou if thou canst receive it that Peace may be unto thee and not War Salvation and not Condemnation Renown and not Dishonour which waits for thee except thou turnst to the Lord. Edw. Burroughs The Original of this was delivered to him in the Seventh Moneth 1657. To the Protector and Council A Servant of the Lord and to you a Friend wisheth Grace and Wisdom the Spirit of sound Iudgment and the Knowledge of God unto you that in all thing True Justice and Righteous Judgment may be brought forth and abound unto all people that you may be more Honourable and may be made a Blessing to your selves and this Nation and to Generations after you But alas my Friends how long shall Justice and true Judgment be neglected and the Innocent deeply groan for want thereof How long shall it be ere the distresâ—â—d Cry of the unjustly Afflicted enters into your hearts I say when shall your Ear be bowed down to hearken to consider of the guiltless cause of many of the faithful Subjects who lie deeply afflicted through this Nation some under one cruel Bond of Oppression and some under another being most unjustly and wickedly imposed upon them by Cruel Men who pervert Justice and turn true Judgment backwards and neither Fear God nor Regard Men but contrary to Justice and the good Laws of this Land as men without Reason and Natural Affections to Mankind do act most illegally to the grievous Oppression of many approved and faithful Subjects and the true Knowledge and Consideration hereof is enough to pierce the hardest Heart and to vex the most patient Mind and undoubtedly the â—…ce Anger of the Lord is greatly kindled because of these things and even against your Forbearance who seem to take little notice of such Cruelties and injustice when they are laid before you for you do not relieve the Oppressed neither 〈◊〉 remove Oppressors as you ought to do and as the Lord requires of you What hath the aboundance of this World's glory and its treasure quite overcome and stolen away your hearts wholy from all sence and feeling of the unjust Sufferings of your Brethren who have in times past as faithfully as your selves served their Nation with their Lives and Estates to the purchasing of this Peace and Freedom out of the hands of Opposers and such may now justly claim the benefit of this Peace and Freedom and to have a part with you therein even by Birth-right and by Purchase and also by Promise from some of your selves But alas while they have waited for it and thought peaceably to enjoy the same under you are many of them entrapped into as great Bondage as ever if not more woful and unjust and they are unjustly imprisoned and unreasonably fined and every way oppressively dealt withal and are even spoiled in their Persons and Estates and their lives often in danger being through great Injustice become a Prey to their very Enemies who now take occasion to revenge their former Cause because of their Faithfulness for the Common-wealth against them and all this is done while you look on and no way shewing your dislike to these things which strengthens greatly the hands of Evil-doers to add to the Bonds of the Afflicted yet are you without excuse for you are not wholy ignorant of these things for the knowledg of them has often bin laid at your doors yea and the very Cry of these Oppressions and Cruelties reach through the whole Land to the wounding deeply of all people that fear God to know so great Injustice and Oppression brought forth upon the â—â—nocent and faithful People by some so far entrusted as having the Law comâ—itted to them which they pervert and turn Judgment backwards and the greater is the Wound because you who have power to stop and prevent these things should have no more regard to set at liberty the unjust Sufferers and to â—â—der Judgment upon those as thus pervert true Justice by whom the Land is filled with Violence whereby the Name of the Lord is greatly dishonoured and the Government greatly reproached in many parts of the World why because the faithful Subjects cannot enjoy their Birth-right-Priviledge as they ought according to the Law of God and man for their Equals yea their Inferiors have exalted themselves above and are become Oppressors of the Free-born People and divers ways do these hainous Oppressions and Cruelties abound upon the Innocent and not for Evil-doing but for the exercise of their pure Consciences towards God for many have been taken travelling on the High-way and some out of peaceable Meetings and out of their Inns and Friends Houses and by some wicked men in Authority without shewing just Cause therefore have just Men been whipped or stocked or imprisoned or other Cruelties done unto them and yet the transgression of no just Law truly charged against them neither have been convicted of any Evil-doing but they have suffered wholy Innocâ—â—tly only through the Malice and Will and Pleasure of their Enemies who have taken occasion wihhout any just Offence at all to stock and whip and imprison many of the true and faithful Subjects and this hath not been done in secret but openly in many parts of this Nation and you have had Information of
Innocent make no Laws to limit the Lord nor his Spirit nor his People but make such of no effect lest ye be confounded like as with a Whirle-wind by the Breath of the Almighty I am the Lord and my Name is dreadful to all Flesh mine Arm is stretched forth over the Nations and I will scatter them at my Pleasure I kill and I make alive I break down and I build up fear ye me and tremble at my Presence bow before me and have my Name in Reverence and my People in Safety and let them be free from all Oppressions and Tyranny lest I correct you with the Rod of my Judgments saith the Lord For I will rule Nations with an Iron Rod and the Governments shall be mine through the Kingdoms of the World and my People shall inheriâ— the Possessions I will beat the Mountains to Powder and strike Terror in the Hearts of the Mighty and I will Judge among the Judges and Rule amongst the Rulers of the Earth who are but Dust and Ashes before me therefore do ye the thing that pleaseth me and have my Cause and my People's Cause in respect amongst you and be ye low and humble in my Sight lest I wound you and you never be healed lest I scatter you and you never be gathered I am the Lord that doth whatsoever he will Dreadful and Mighty is my Name in the Earth and my People are my Inheritance wherein I delight spare them and afflict them not that I may spare you and not destroy you and take you Counsel at my Spirit and at my Servants that you may prosper and hurt not the Innocent nor touch my Anointed Ones lest I come suddenly upon you saith the Lord and break you to pieces for I will make you know that my People are mine and beloved of me and that I care for them and will Fight for them and revenge their Cause and deliver them from the hands of their Enemies speedily this ye shall know when my Vengeance is extended forth to all my Enemies and upon all such as do oppress my People and are Spoilers of my pleasant Heritage and now am I arisen saith the Lord. Edw. Burroughs This was written to the Parliament which began to sit in the Eleaventh Moneth 1658. which Richard Cromwell Dissolved in the Second Moneth 1659. To Richard Cromwel and to Henry Cromwel FRIENDS YET once more hath the Lord given me somewhat to say unto you in Love to your immortal Souls You had a glorious Day of Visitation and many precious Warnings from the Mouth of the Lord by his Servants but you rejected the Counsel of the Lord against your own Souls and made no account of the Servants of the Lord which were sent unto you but caused them and suffered them to be persecuted by your Power and they were made a Spoil and a Prey to their Enemies all your dayes and you sought your selves and your own Honour and you were exalted in Pride and Vain-glory and forgot God who raised you up from a low Estate and you had no respect to the Cause of his People and therefore is this justly come to pass upon you from the Hand of the Lord not that I rejoyce in it and glory over you because of it only I tell you what is justly happened unto you that ye may learn the Lora's just Iudgments in these things like as formerly I warned you of it for it could not otherwise be but that the Lord would avenge the Cause of his People upon their Persecutors and the Injustice done unto them upon you in whose Name and Power it was acted for in every Generation he hath had respect unto his People's Cause and did avenge their Cause in his season And this I well remember I was once moved to speak in the Name of the Lord unto your Father That these things that came to pass in his days that Cruelty and Oppression of the Lord's People would be recompenced and repented of in his Children's dayes For I saw that the Cruelty and Injustice that was done in his Name upon the People of God could not escape un punished in a Generation and it is now come to pass in a measure and will be more and more even for his Transgressions and your own for all of you had a Day and a Time wherein you might have done something for the Lord and for his People and you had a Price put into your hands that you might have improved to the Lord's Glory and to your own Renown to have been a Blessing unto your selves and to the People of God in these Nations but your Day is over and Night is come upon it and your Price is taken from you and given to others and you cannot now work nor act on the Lords behalf as once you might have done and you have sought honour to your selves and you reap Reproach and because you have despised the Counsel of the Lord therefore the snare hath caught you which was laid for others These things I say unto you in pitty for you rather then in boasting over you neither do I commend that spirit which acteth in too much severity towards you which upraids you rather then seeks to amend you that is not my way For your Father served the Lord in his Generation and was once the Instrument in his Hand to the accomplishing of good things till that an ambitious spirit got power over him and betrayed him and the Work was lost which God called him unto And as for these that are now in Power if they shall tread in your steps and shall not relieve the Oppressed much more then any before them shall they be overthrown and brought into Contempt And as for you Come into the Fear of the Lord God that your Iniquities may be pardoned and seek Peace with God and Reconciliation and seek after the Kingdom that eâ—dures forever and while ye have time seek after a Crown Immortal and wait to know that which will make you Heirs of that Inheritance which never fades away the Light in your own Consciences which Christ hath enlightened you with which lets you see Sin and convinceth you of your Evil Deeds that Light in you must you own to be your Teacher and must become subject unto it in all things or else you have no part in the Kingdom of God and cease from your lying Prophets who have flattered you in your Iniquities and deceived your Souls and cryed Peace unto you and Safety and said You should Prosper and they have hardened your Hearts and been a Snare to you till the Lord's Anger is broken forth against you and they found Lyars So now consider and do not alwayes reject Love but and if you do I am clear and your Iniquities will be upon your own Heads and though rejected by you yet a Friend to your Souls whom the Lord hath made often to warn you and happy had you been if you had or can now prize
the Land which if you he the Instruments in such a Work it will be your greatest Crown and your perpetual Honour for the Lord's Purpose is 〈◊〉 â—â—y or other to cleanse the Land of all these and other Oppression whatsoever that the People of this Land may be a free People from all the heavy Yâ—… of Antichrist which have long sorely pressed them down and the Purpose of the Lord is to break the Yoaks of Oppression and Tyranny from off the Necks of this People and therefore it is that he overturneth yea and will overturn all Men and Authorities that shall oppose his Work and none shall be 〈◊〉 to stand before him for the Presence of my Lord is more dreadful to a Nation when he shews himself in Wrath then any Multitude of Armed Men and Wo is unto you if you be found opposing of him and if you seek to stop his Work you shall not cumber the Earth very long nor oppress the Nations maâ—◠〈◊〉 Wherefore consider Cursed will you be if you be unfaithful in what 〈◊〉 have to do on the Lord's behalf for your Hour passeth ever that is alotted you and will be suddenly expired never to be recalled and then you cannot work And whereas there is a great Cry about Ministry For sending forth and Mainâ—…ng and Encouraging a Godly Ministry as you say Now to this I do answer on my Lord's behalf and I must tell you plainly As for a true Godly Ministry truly called and sâ—nt of God such a Ministry and such Miâ—isters you can never be able to hinder but the Lord will send them out â—â—â—â—taining them and preserving them whether you will or no and while you are â—â—â—â—bling your selves about such a matter you are but meddling with things above your Line and out of your Jurisdiction while you act in such a case 〈◊〉 it belongs to his Goverment to send out Ministers whom and as he will 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 maintain them and defend them according to his own Pleasure and all this without you for such Ministers truly called thereunto and sent of the Lord will not seek to you to be sent forth or maintained by you they will not be beholding to you in such a case but even without you and contrary to you must they be sent out and maintained So that the Lord will have a Ministry in this Nation purely of his own and not of Man nor by Man and such a Ministry you shall not be able to hinder And I must tell you plainly As for these men called Ministers in this Nation the way of their setting up and sending forth and the way of their Maintenance and the way of their standing and Defence and in every particular of their being such they are the greatest and most woful Oppression in the Nation even the most Abominable and unjust Cruelties and Tyrannies is acted through them as any other thing in the Nation and they are as such aforesaid the woful Cause of the Nations Groaning under Merciless Dealing and there is upon their account the Guilt of Blood Injustice and Oppression lying upon this Nation their Inqiuities their Iniquities cry for Vengeance upon their own heads for they are full they are full and the measure thereof is near finished and God's Eternal Vengeance is their next Reward from the Eternal God What shall I say of them but this The Earth is oppressed by them the Inhabitants groan under them and the Righteous God is vexed through them and they are the very men of high Indignation and fierce Wrath and all their Practices as such are the Fewel of his Anger to be consumed by the Fire of his Jealousie the Nation is weary and its Inhabitants and the Lord is weary because of these men And is this the Ministry cryed up by you as Godly and Piâ—â—â— c Are these the men that the Nation must be forced to maintain in their Pride and Idolatry Is this the Ministry that must be Encouraged Well if these be the men and this the Ministry which must be established and encouraged by you in so doing you shall never prosper but thereby gain the Displeasure of the Almighty unto you to bring a Curse upon all your doings even because hereof for I must tell you the Hand of my Lord is against them and whosoever shall seek to defend them shall not prosper in their doings because their Oppressions Cruelties Deceit and Abominations are nigh finished and fulfilled wherefore take â—â—ed unto your selves for this is my Master's Advice unto you Let this Ministry alone and joyn not your selves to Baal lest you perish neither take part with Antichrist any longer neither be ye Fighters against the Lamb and his Kingdom but free the Nation and let all its Inhabitants be freed from the cruel Tasks and Yoaks of such Men and such a Ministry as aforesaid uphold it not against the Lord for if you do you shall never be established and this is from the Mouth of my Lord unto you And last of all My Master hath a People in this Nation even a suffering People that have born the Burden of the Cruelty and Injustice and Wickedness both of Rulers and Teachers who have as it were trodden them down and made them a very Prey to their Devouring Mouthes the very Cry of their Sufferings have reached unto Heaven and the very sound thereof your Ears have heard And this People are greatly beloved and my Lord will assuredly honour them and his Hand shall be continued to preserve them and defend them against all their Enemies whatsoever and he doth reserve them to himself and for a glorious Work that he hath to do by them and he hath formed them for himself and they cannot joyn with any of the Horns of the great Beast neither can a Place of Honour pervert them from their perfect Way but my Lord he compasseth them about on every side and hath kept them in the midst of Tryals Reproaches and Sufferings and covered them in the Heat and in the Storm till his Pleasure is to make further use of them they are His and not their Own and they must fulfil His Will and none besides and they lie at Rest in Him while Mountains are overturned and while one Potsherd of the Earth breaks another and this must be even till the appointed Time And to say no more of them though much more might be said They are had in Remembrance before the Lord to do with them even for his own Glory and for this Nation 's perpetual Good and to the Authority of the Most High through them shall Kings of the Earth and Nations of the World bow and tremble wherefore ye men touch them not neither do ye afflict them even as you hope to prosper remember their Cause and suffer it not alwayes to be rejected as it hath long been but keep your selves free from the Injustice and Cruelty of them that have gone before you who have been Merciless and Oppressors
Slow-Bellies these names and tearms did Christ the Apostles and Prophets use unto such as are some of the Ministry of this Nation and not with Revilings and Reproachings but with the Spirit of Authority from God that reproves the Wickedness of Prophets Teachers and People And tell me Have not some of you sued men at Law and cast them into Prison in this City because they would not give you Money and Tythes and Hire though such as have not heard you nor receiv'd you as Ministers nor received any thing from you and such as you did never any Work for have you sought Wages from and caused them to be imprisoned that would not give you And tell me in good earnest Can any less be said of such who thus walk but that they are insatiable Hirelings and as bad as Beal's Priests and even Cheaters and greedy dumb Dogs let the Witness in your own Consciences answer and you shall have a Reply Now I come to your third Particular which are other Causes and Symptoms of God's Wrath hanging over your heads the frequent disappointment from time to time of all Hopes of coming to any settlement in Government in the Nation occasioned by strange Confusions which is a clear Evidence that God hath in Displeasure darkened our Eyes and hid Counsel from us say you Answ. It is very true that from time to time of late dayes the Lord hath disappointed the purposes of men even concerning settling of Government and there have been almost strange Confusions in Changes But to what can this be attributed Have not your sins been as great a Cause of it as any others And have not you and your Generation been the Counsellors in all these Matters Were not some of you or your Brethren in Oliver's dayes and in Richard's dayes and in the Army's dayes and in the Parliaments dayes and are not you and your Brethren busie at this day in ordering a Settlement in Government in this Nation But the Lord hath hitherto disappointed you and them that you have counselled and he hath broken you into Confusion and Distraction and turned back even the proceedings of Rulers and Teachers and the spirit of deep Sleep and of Slumber is poured upon you all and the Vision of these things is as a sealed Book unto you even because of God's displeasure against you And in that you say Your Eyes are darkened and Counsel is hid from you In that you say true though to your own shame And what trust can be put in such Watchmen What Confidence can be placed by your people in you whenas you acknowledge that your Eyes are darkened and Counsel is hid from you The Scriptures mentioned by you do prove there was darkness upon the Land but Isaiah doth not say nor David that Counsel was hid from them or that their Eyes were darkened neither did ever the Apostles say so but witnessed That the Lord was their Light and in him their Eyes were opened and Counsel was revealed to them Secondly you say This sadly presages of Unchurching the Nation or the Departing of the Glory of God from you Answ. By Unchurching the Nation I suppose you mean making the Church no Church which if this can be done then the Gates of Hell may prevail against the Church contrary to the words of Christ who said The Gates of Hâ—â— should not prevail But I must tell you The Nation of England as to the general part of it hath been long and yet is unchurched that is ungathered by the Eternal Spirit into the true Fellowship in the Body of Christ for the Night of Apostacy and Darkness hath been over the World since the Apostles dayes and over this Nation in particular and your Churches have been no true Churches nor the people under your Ministry truly joyned and united in true Church-Order and under true Church-Government though I do not say but that there are Thousands of sincere People that love the Lord yet remaining among you And the Day of the Lord is appearing which will confound the Whore the false Church which hath been set up in this Nation and through the World and Assemblies which have had the Name of the Churches of Christ will be found to be otherwise in the Judgment of the Lord and all the false Ordinances Practices and Ministers must be thrown down that the Glory of the Lord may again appear Further You seem to charge your selves With leaving your first Love and former Zeal for the Truth and worship of God but the present Coldness and Indifferency in the things of God together with your Barrenness and unanswerable walking to the Gospel of Christ c. say you Answ. Though to your own shame yet do I believe this is truly acknowledged that you have lost your first Love and Zeal which once was in you in the dayes when you were persecuted under the Bishops you were full of Love and Zeal for the Truth and Worship of God according as it was made manifest and then you were sufferers your selves but now you are Causers of others to suffer and there is indeed much Coldness and Dryness and Barrenness amongst you and your People I do truly desire you may repent you thereof that if so be the Lord may heal you and your Walking indeed is Unanswerable to the Gospel of Christ to wit Your taking of Tythes and so much by the year for Preaching and suing people at the Law that will not give you Wages though you do no Work for them these with many other things which you practice is an unanswerable Walking to the Gospel of Christ and seeing you have confessed your sins in some measure Repent and sin no more that your Iniquities may be blotted out Again You complain of the prevalency of Atheism and doting upon Error Endless separations Common Ignorance Unbelief Prophaneness the Prejudice against wholsom Doctrine and all Order of Discipline in the Church and many other Confusions are upon us c. say you Answ. Alas so it is but where is the Blame Oh you Watch-men should not you have better preserved your Flocks should not you have fed them with Living Food should not you have been Examples of Righteousness and Truth unto them and should not you have nourished them with Knowledge and Understanding But because the Shepherds have been lazy and idle and fed themselves and not their Flocks but the Shepherds have rul'd over their Flocks with Force and Cruelty and their Ministry and Preaching hath been a very Burden and Oppression upon the People and therefore it is that their Flocks are divided into many Sects and Separations and great Confusions are in your Assemblies and among you even the sin of the people in some measure will be charged upon you their Teachers whose Flocks are run into Errors and Atheisms and despise wholesome Doctrine and are out of true Order and Church-Discipline even in the Traditions of Men Therefore oh that you Ministers would consider and
yet notwithstanding Hypocrisie False-heartedness Covetousness Double-mindedness and the spirit of Pride Ambition and Vain-glory have possessed the Hearts of both Teachers and People in all the false Sects and divers kinds of Religion though they have had a shew as if they were the Lord's People and a Pretence of Worship and Conformity of Church-Fellowship c. yet their Hearts have not been right before the Lord but of these it may be said Even they have professed God with their Mouthes and with their Lips honoured him and in the very time their Hearts have gone after Covetousness and been far departed from the Lord and though they have cryed The Temple of the Lord and we are the Church of Christ and Members of him and have Gospel and Ministry and Ordinances yet these People have walked in Pride and Arrogancy and Covetousness and their Hearts have been Corrupted in the sight of the Most High and all their Religion hath been but as the Fig-leaves by which they have sought to cover themselves but it cannot be For Behold ye Professors and People of Ireland God hath beheld your Hypocrisies and the Deceitfulness of your Hearts and your Nakedness doth appear for though you have professed much of the Spirit and Spiritual Things yet you have walked in the Flesh and brought forth the Fruits thereof and your Garments of feigned Prayers and Practices and your Profession of Church and Ordinances will not cover nor hide you from the Wrath of the Lamb. Oh People of Ireland many of you have been corrupted in your Hearts and polluted in your Minds and from the highest of you to the lowest you are found Transgressors against God even from the Professor to the Prophane the Lord hath found no good Fruit amongst you well-pleasing to him but four Grapes and bitter Fruit have you brought forth even Fruit of a bad Taste and loathsom Smell unto the Lord and now the Lord hath found you out in your Wickedness and the Cry of your Iniquities call for Vengeance for of you it may be said Ah Nation laden with Iniquity ab sinful People a seed of Evil doers corrupted from the crown of the Head to the sole of the Foot These things are so and they cannot be hid But now the Lord's Purpose is to deal with thee because of thy sins seeing he is provoked against this People by their Iniquities who have been disobedient to the Living God therefore will he renew his Judgments of old and with-draw his Mercies and he will plead with this People in his Justice his Judgments are at the door and he will punish the Stout-hearted and Proud and Arrogant till they learn Meekness and Humility He will correct the Transgressors with his Rod of heavy Wrath till they turn to him by Repentance and all that will not how and kiss the Son and cease from Evil and learn to do well they shall be broken and cut off and perish in his Anger and he will never heal them even the Feller will come upon thy People O Nation who will hew down thy Cedars and cut up thy strong Oaks the Fanner is coming upon thee to sift thee to preserve the good Grain and to separate the Chaff into the Fire thy Strength will be made weak and thy Crown will be trodden down and thy Beauty shall be marred and all thy Glory and Might shall fade like a Flower in that Day when the Lord of Hosts pleads with thee and when he rewards thee for thy Wickedness then Wo unto thee and unto all the Wicked and Workers of Iniquity and he will cause them to remember what they have done Thy Sins O Nation shall be set in order before thee and thy Persecution of the Lords Servants shall be charged to thy â—â—â—ount and the Rod of Affliction shall reach close unto thee because thereof And as thy Rulers have done to others so shall it be done to them into Captivity shall they go and the Spoiler shall come upon the Land for just is the Lord and his Iudgment altogether equal and though he be Long-suffering and of great Forbearance yet he forgets not to plead with his Enemies and to Plague the Ungodly nor to shew Mercy to them that trust in him And doubtless there is a Cup of Wrath prepared for the Wicked to drink and it seemeth to be near even a Day of great Wrath and Tribulation upon Sinners and Transgressors who have rejected the Lord and despised his Reproofs and would not receive the Message of the Light of the World that they might be healed Wherefore Repent Repent all sorts of People all Sinners and Transgressors Tremble before the Lord ye Stout-hearted and Rebellious Children Wo unto ye unjust Rulers and Judges that have exercised unjust Judgment in the Land that have judged for Gifts and Rewards and that have turned aside just Judgment Mercy and Truth and that have persecuted the Innocent without just Cause Wo unto you that have been Oppressors of the Poor and Needy ye that have not judged for the Lord as ye ought to have done but have been Ambitious and Vain-glorious and puffed up in the Flesh by high Titles and Places of Honour Ye that have exalted your selves above your Brethren and sought Honour of Men and loved the Honour of this World morâ— than the Honour of God Wo unto you for the Day of the Lord's Judgment is at hand and an Account of your Stewardship must you give Ye that should have judged in Mercy and Truth and Equity but have perverted just Judgment and made the Innocent Offenders and have not been a Praise to them that do well nor a Terror to Evil-doers as ye ought to have been Wo unto you and to the Oppressing and Flashearted Lawyers and that Train who have been greedy of Gain and served your own Ends and sought Riches to your selves and the Cause of the Poor hath not been freely pleaded by you Wo unto all ye that have made a Trade of doing Judgment and Justice and have been exercised in the Law for your own Ends and not singly for the Lord. Tremble ye Sons of Wickedness ye that have exercised the Power of Antichrist and the Beast for the Judgments of the Lord are at hand to be executed upon you Wo unto you Great and Rich Men ye Covetous and Earthly Worldlings â—e that have made your selves Rich by Oppression and Grinding the Faces of the Poor that have got Gain by Hard-dealing and added Land to Land and Field to Field and that have over-reached the Ignorant and oppressed the Widdows and Fatherless and that have exercised Cruelty and Hard-dealing to your Tenants and Servants and have laid heavy Yoaks upon such with whom you have dealt and that have made your selves Great and Rich in the Earth by such means Wo unto you Misery is coming upon you Weep and Howlye Earthly Greedy Covetous Wretches of this World who have sought Riches more than the Lord and gotten Gain by Oppression
stand in the Fear of the Lord your Sword will be a terâ—… and dread to them that fear him not but live contrary to the Light in their own Consciences which Light if you love it is your Command to march by and your Rule to judge by and Weapon to fight withal and your chief Commission for duty And now you have all time take heed to your selves go not on in your course of evil nor take not your pleasure in unrighteousness but to thâ— Light in your Consciences take heed it is your Teacher to God if you love it or your Condemnation from God if you hate it And this is yoâ—â— Terms with the Lord prize the acceptance of his Love to your souls and the Day of your visitation lest you perish in your rebellion eternally Written in love to your souls Edw. Burrough Written in Ireland at Caterlough A Warning from the Lord to you the Natives of the Nation of Ireland who are made a Curse and a Prey to be destroyed of your Enemies REpent repent ye that remain from being devoured whose dayes are 〈◊〉 stretched forth that you may return to the Lord from whom you are grievously degenerated into filthiness and uncleanness being a cursed Brood and are become unhuman in your impudent shameless practices of ungodliness and are brazened in your filthiness and cannot blush when you have done evil the Plagues of God and his Wrath waits to consume you from off the face of the Earth you are shut up in blindness and covered with darkness which may be felt and you are as deaf Adders void of understanding and past feeling and given up to work all unrighteousness with delight counting it your glory to work wickedness having sold your selves to commit sin you have wholly slain Gods Witness and are become wilde and brutish as the Beasts of the Field and untamed as savage Colts the Indignation of God is against you who are as dead Trees and withered Branches and scorched Heaths not sensible of good nor evil but as wild Asses who neither fear God nor regard man To the Light in your Consciences wherewith Christ hath lightened you do I now speak Gods murdered Witness shall answer me by which you are inexcusable for with the Light you know Lying Swearing Stealing Murder Drunkenness and Whoredom are Sins and Transgressions the Light will let you see these abound among you by which you are reproved and eternally to be condemned if you do not repent of these your grievous abominations And if you love the Light and turn to it it will lead you out of sin and out of your vain foolish Traditions and Immitations and Sorceries and Witchcrafts which deceive your souls And this Light in your Consciences will change you into Soberness and Humanity and will lead you into the Way of Life and Salvation out of the way of Death and Hell wherein you walk to eternal misery Therefore prize your souls and the dreadful God fear and tremble before him ye prophane Wretches and cease from your filthy nasty poluted wayes of Idolatry Lying Swearing Stealing Drunkenness and such like God forbideth with the Light in your Consciences and he that doth these things shall eternally perish in condemnation for ever And this to you is a Warning in pity to your lost souls whose hearts are desperately wicked and set to do mischief the Vengeance of God is against you the Light in your Consciences shall witness me and justifie the Lord in the Day of recompence when every man receives according to his deeds the Righteous unto Life the Wicked unto eternal Wrath. Now you have time prize it the Light is your Teacher loving it and your Condemnation for ever hating it By one who suffers for the Seeds sake waiting for the building of destroyed Sion EDWARD BURRUGH A Trumpet of the Lord Sounded forth of SION Which gives a certain sound in the Ears of all Nations and is a true noise of a fearfull Earthquake at hand which shall shake the whole fabrick of the Earth and the Pillars of its standing shall fall and never more be set up again Or fearfull Voices of terrible Thunders uttered forth from the Throne to the astonishment of the Heathen in all the Quarters of the Earth who are not sealed in the forehead And is an Alarm and preparation for War against all Nations where Gog and Magog resideth And sheweth the wounding Sword of the Mighty God from whose blow the Kings nor the Captains nor the mighty men cannot flee to escape Declared and written by a Son of Thunder as a Warning to all the Inhabitants of the Earth where the great Image is standing or any part of it worshipped speedily to meet the Lord by Repentance that in the day of his fierce Wrath they may be hid With a Salutation to the Seed who are gathered into the Fold and with the Children of the King The Tongue that was dumb sings a joyfull Song of Sion in an unknown Language which none can understand save the Redeemed of the Lord. BY Order and Authority given unto me by the Spirit of the Living God King of Kings and Lord of Lords the One and thirtieth day of the tenth Moneth in the Year of the Worlds account 1655. about the fourth hour in the morning when my Meditations were 〈◊〉 my God upon my Bâ—d in Kilkenny City in the Nation of Ireland at that time the Word of the Lord came unto me from the Righteous Iudge of Heaven and Earth who was 〈◊〉 is and is to come who sitteth on the Throne of righteous Iudgement judging Nations and Kindreds and Tongues and Peoples equally saying Write my Controversie with all the Inhabitants of the Earth unto all sorts of People as I will shew thee By this same Authority and Commission declared this I send unto you the Tribes of the Earth and this upon your heads shall stand for ever to be witnessed by the Light of Christ Iesus in all your Consciences in the dreadfull day of Vengeance which upon you O Inhabitants of the Earth is coming Prepare prepare to meet the Lord O Nations Tongues and People unto you all hereby a Warning is come and a Visitation from the Presence of the Living God which you are straitly required to put in practise as at the terrible day of dreadful Vengeance you will answer the contrary Given under my hand and sealed by the Spirit of the Eternal God who livâ—â— for ever Through a Servant of the Lord. E. B. O Earth earth earth hear the word of the Lord and awake awake awake all ye Inhabitants thereof and give ear give ear unto the controversie which the Lord hath with you Noble and Ignoble listen unto the Word of the Lord men of high degree and men of low degree be not stout-hearted nor stop not your Ears for the Lord hath spoken People of all sorts and men of all conditions the Word of the Lord is towards you even from the Princes and Nobles that
Love undefiled was your Conception begotten by the Word of immortal Life unto the Inheritance incorruptable whereof you are Heirs of the faithful Promise made free by the Son through the slaying of the enmity upon his Cross whereby you are nourished up into Immortallity to reign over Hell and Death and the Grave for evermore With thoughts of eternal Love are you remembred and read in the Lambs book of Life recorded by the eternal Spirit and of the Lord cannot be forgotten Your Mother is a Virgin unspotted and your City is new Ierusalem come down from Heaven and glorious and full of Pleasure is your Dwelling place there is no need of a candle for the Lamb is the Light thereof and the Temple therein Your God is no Image nor your Worship no Imgination nor to the great Image you do not joyn nor his power hath no dominion over you but the Yea and Amen is your Covenant and the I am whom there is none besides is your God and he that lives forever is your Rock and sure Defence and Salvation is appointed your VValls and Bulwarks Gladness is sown for you yea everlasting Mercies shall you reap and your long mourning shall be turned into everlasting Rejoycing and your present Heaviness into durable Joy your VVaters shall be sure and your Bread shall never fail your Fulness shall abound and your Plenty shall be enlarged never more to hunger nor thirst but your little Seed shall become a great Nation and the whole Earth shall be replenished thererewith and your despised Government shall rule over Kingdoms and your Laws shall all the Nations of the Earth become subject unto Ye are no part of the Image of Idolatry but your beginning is the little Stone cut out without a hand and it shall fill the Earth and become a great Mountain whereupon the Fowls of the Heaven shall be refreshed eating the flesh of Kings and Captains You are found faithful in your Tryals and the glory of the VVorld cannot steal away your Hearts you cannot be moved for your feet are set upon a Rock Satan you scorn and the glory of his Kingdom you utterly disdain upon his power you tread and your feet trample under foot his majesty and renown Your King reigns for ever and of his Government and Dominion there shall be no end but the uttermost parts of the Earth shall be given for a Possession to him his Scepter is Righteousness and his Law is Equity and his Statutes are full of Justice and Judgment And thus saith the Lord of Hosts your God and King Because you have been found faithful and have not loved your lives unto death for his Names sake and for his Glories sake but have continually abased your selves and laid down your Crowns that you might honour him therefore you will he honour and exalt and will establish your Kingdom in peace forever and all that riseth up in judgment against you shall be consounded and condemned and his Hand will be against all your Adversaries to their overthrow and dishonour everlastingly You have loved Righteousness and Judgment upon Earth and your Path hath been in Equity and you have born the Affliction and Storm with patience and have endured with joy the Burden of the Oppressor you have been tryed to the bottom and have been found Innocent and without Guile before the Throne of God clothed with the Garments of Uprightness your Light is the Candle of the Lord and your Life and Glory is the Possession of the Most High Babylon is given you for a Prey and the riches of Aegypt is given you for a Spoil and you are free-born Children of the Seed Elect the first Fruits unto God and unto the Lamb your Purchase is obtained through death and your Crown of honour is purchased through suffering and the glory of Babylon is no whit equal for thou excellest in Beauty and Vertue Whereunto shall thy Beauty be compared O thou fair and comly Virgin unto whom shall I liken thee O thou choice and free-born Daughter of Sions King thy long travel of sorrows in the womb of Anguish hath brought forth Children of a comly stature thy Babes are truly lovely upright and faithful-hearted thy Young-men are noble bold and valiant chosen of thy God and Victory is with them thy Virgins are perfect in Beauty pure and undefiled and no spot in their Garments thy Old men are lively and honourable and stedfast in the Path of Righteousness and their gravity shall be truly respected thy Body is perfect in the Lords Record and Remembrance and with an eternal Crown of infinite Glory shall the Righteous Judge honour thee because you have delighted to do his Will and have kept his Covenant undefiled which abides with you for ever sealed and signed unto you by the Spirit of Promise decreed before the World was All Nations shall call you blessed and of your fulness shall they partake Who is like unto you A People saved by the Lord elect and chosen and redeemed out of Kindreds Tongues and People and have a name better then of Sons and Daughters Praise ye the Lord and Glorifie him for evermore Young-men and Maidens Old-men and Children and all that breath Praise you the Lord for thereunto are you called and for this cause are you brought forth Clap your hands and sing for joy of heart your Redeemer is the holy One and your Maker is your Husband I know you and to you am I known and I read you within the Vail and do behold you the Train of the Most High filling his Temple Follow him forever and let his Name be testified of throughout the Earth Make War in Righteousness and prepare your selves to do his service Let not your hands be slack neither be you sloathful in our Lords Design but wound the Head of your Enemies and mannage War against Gog and Magog throughout all Generations Ride on and prosper tread down the fenced Cities and enlarge your dominion and let the Children of Strangers of the Seed of Esau be your Slaves and Bond-men and fill the Earth with your precious Seed and sow it in the morning and in the Evening with-hold not your hand though you are despised of men yet the Lord hath made you truly honorable in his Glory you appear and his Righteousness is your clothing which will never wither and though some of you for a moment suffer Bonds for his Names sake yet you are free everlasting and are not ashamed of your Testimony before the Princes and Nobles of the Earth O Sion thou art desirable because of thy Beauty and thy Dwelling-place is scituate in a very fruitful Hill and thou feedest in the Valleys of fat Pastures of eternal Pleasures where nothing that defiles can enter nor no Devourer treadeth on thy Mountain nor no Lyons Whelp treadeth in thy Path it is the Way of the Ransomed of the Lord who hath blotted out thy Transgressions never more to remember thy Sins thou Seed
of Iacob The Lord is your God for ever while you be his People Therefore walk before him in Righteousness and let his own works praise him and give him of his own and glorifie him with it eternally Be low in thy heart and be not exalted because of thy Beauty and Riches and glory not but only in the Lord Be diligent in thy mind and watch against all thy Enemies and be not of a careless heart Eat not of the Vine of Sodom nor drink not of the Cup of Whoredoms give not thy strength to Strange women nor let not thy desirable Beauty be overcome of Harlots but keep thy self undefiled and mingle not thy Seed with Strangers but be fruitful in thy pleasant Land upon thy beautiful Mountain and bring forth aboundantly unto thy God who hath turned thy Wilderness into a fruitful Field and taken away thy reproach of Barrenness in Conversation upright and blameless do thou daily appear in Praises and Honour and Fear do thou abound and let thy God be thy Teacher in his Light and Truth for evermore that thy Enemies may see and be confounded and may behold and be ashamed before thee unto whom thy Rock of defence is a stumbling Stone of Offence wherewith the Kingdoms of the Earth shall be dashed to pieces and broken as a Potters Vessel before thee Come forth in thy Beauty and appear in thy Glory to the Nations Arise arise why shouldst thou sit as alone as in obscurity and darkness undiscovered Let the Princes of the Earth see thy excellency and appear before the Nobles in thy Robes of perfect Honour wherewith thou art decked and trimed as a Bride pleasant unto thy Husband Do thou judge among the Judges and give thy counsel among the Prudent and appear in thy Authority before Kings and Princes All the Dominions of the World are not equal in Treasure and Wisdom unto thee but all the Children of Whoredoms shall see their shame and be laid naked when thou appearest in thy purity The Nations long for thee to be partakers of thy vertue therefore shew thy self and appear that the rest of thy Flock which yet remain upon the barren Mountains may come in unto thy Fold to rest under thy Shepherds Power O Sion thou art prepared of thy God to beat the Mountains to dust thou art fitted for his Service to thresh the Hills Make no tarrying but come away spread thy self into every corner of the Earth for the Upright thirst for thee aboundantly who lie under the oppression in the Land of Darkness which may be felt from whence thou art freed into the everlasting Light And why shouldst thou O Sion lie at Rest while thy own Seed the Children of thy Womb are oppressed groaning in the captivity under the Uncircumcised who have driven away thy Remnant and scattered it from thee Put on strength O Arm of the Lord for thy Heritage hath no other Helper nor none that pitieth her And shine forth thou Seed of Iacob and bring in the Kingdoms of the Gentiles to partake with thee of thy everlasting Substance and lay out thy self to gain in thy holy Seed out of the power of Aegypts King O think upon and remember thy own former Bondage while thou was thy self Captive in a strange Land and let thy Bowels be filled with compassion towards thy own Mothers Children and be not straitned in thy help and deliverance for thy God hath given thee an Instrument with Teeth to beat the Rocks to powder he is not wanting unto thee in Power and Wisdom thou chiefest Son of his Love Give up give up to obey his Voice and love not thy life unto death till the Seed of thy Inheritance and the blood of thy Chosen be avenged upon the head of Iezabel who hath slain thy elect in all Generations and nourished her self with the blood of thy Innocent Call upon thy God and awake him to Vengeance to smite and to slay thy Adversaries and to consume their Habitations from off the Earth who have been too strong for thee Why shouldst thou not come forth in the power of thy Judgments to judge the Earth in Righteousness and to exalt thy name in thy Glory which all men have despised and seen no Excellency in And thou O Sions King hast been as a Stranger and unknown in the Earth and thy Treasure hath been wasted amongst the Harlots and empty to this day hast thou returned from gathering fruit of thy Vineyard for sloathful and aboundantly idle have the Labourers been in the Harvest and it is time for thee to arise and work for thy Law hath been made void and thy Statutes and Judgments have been neglected and all the Princes of the Earth contemn thy Laws and count the Sons of thy chosen Heritage as Slaves and Bond-men and decree unrighteous Decrees and seal them in the pit of their unbelief upon the Mountains of their rebellion against thee How long Lord How long When wilt thou appear to lay their honour in the dust of confusion Is it not the fulness of thy Time which thou hast promised How long shall the Remnant of Sion sit as a Widow bemoaning her Children Thy Host and Chosen wait for commission from thee to do thy Will that thou who art our God and our King our Judge and our Law-giver whom our souls have chosen may forever be exalted in thy Majesty and Throne of Justice and Judgment and thy Camp wait to see the honour of Kings and Princes overthrown by thee and thy Dominion set to rule over their heads that all Nations and Kingdoms may become subject unto thee and the Kingdoms of this World may become the Kingdom of thy Son forever and evermore and saith my Soul Come Lord Iesus come quickly By one whose name is truly known by the Children of the same Birth but unknown to the World though by is called EDWARD BURROUGH A DESCRIPTION OF THE State and Condition Of all Mankind upon the face of the whole Earth And a Discovery unto all shewing what man was in his Creation before Transgression and what he is in Transgression how he is become a degenerate Plant bringing forth cursed fruit to the grieving of the good Husband-man who is thereby provoked continually against the Works of his own hands to destroy that which he hath made because it is defiled through mans Transgression Also the Way of Restoration of Salvation Redemption and of Life Eternal is here declared unto all the Sons and Daughters of Adam in the whole world that all may come to the knowledge of the Creator and to have fellowship with him again from whom all the Children of men are separated in the state of enmity and are ignorant of him and drove from his presence This is to go abroad into all the Earth through the whole world as a Call and Visitation unto all mankind that they may hear and consider their condition and may return from whence they are fallen and may be
Darkness rules in you all and the Law of sin and death and transgression are you all subject to and led captive in your minds affections and desires at the will of the power that leads into transgression called the Devil and in that state you are all strangers to God and are without him in the World and ignorant of the knowledge of his Wayes and are in the perishing state for want of Knowledge and subject to the curse of the power which you transgress and are Heirs of his Wrath having no part of the Inheritance of Blessing for a vail of Darkness through sin hath overspread you all and covered you all from the sight and hearing and feeling of the Creator and of the mystery of his Glory and Wisdom and every one in particular and none excepted of all the Children of Adam upon the face of the whole Earth but all have sinned and transgressed and death reigns over all and blindness of heart hath possessed all and all have fallen short of the glory of the Creator and all men are concluded by his Spirit to be under sin and Children of Wrath and Heirs of Corruption and in disobedience and rebellion to the Life that gives all men a Being The whole World and all People in it without exception of Tribes Generations or Nations this is the state and condition of all the Sons of men all flesh hath corrupted his way upon the Earth in his sight that made it and the wickedness of man is great in the Earth and the imaginations and thoughts of every mans heart are evil continually and grieve the Creator for the whole Earth is filled with violence through mans transgression And now not any Stock or People have priviledge one above another to Redemption and Salvation and to the Kingdom of Peace and Glory but Iew and Gentile Wise and Foolish Noble and Ignoble Male and Female all People without exception are in transgression and by the line and measure of true Judgment are shut out from the Knowledge of Life and Salvation and of the Inheritance of the Father in that state of enmity wherein every man in the World is fallen into and by one the Offence came and so death upon all men which reigneth in the hearts of all and opposeth the Life of the Creator and everyone is imperfect in the sight of the Lord blind deaf dumb lame and without the sence of the Power of him that made him and brought him forth his Eye sees not for it is covered with a vail of darkness neither doth the Ear hear for it is stopped nor the Tongue speak nor the Understanding perceive any thing of the Secrets of the Lord but all are separated and divided from the Tree of Life and are cast out from his Presence by whom the World was made into blindness of heart and to the loathing of your selves and are more ignorant of your Maker then the Ox is of his Owner or the Asse of his Masters Crib for you know not him that gives you life and all good things and that upholds you by the Word of his Power And this is his Word unto you all You are all under the power of Satan and subject to his will acting in iniquity and in evil bringing forth the fruits of death from that ground in which you now stand which is cursed and your Maker hath no pleasure in it for your fruits grieve his Spirit that made you and vex his Soul that brought you forth for man is degenerated into the plant of a strange Vine and brings forth wild Grapes and cursed Fruit which are of a bitter taste unto the Lord's Soul who planted all things for himself who is the good Husbandman but the whole Earth is corrupted and all Mankind in it and man is not now acted nor led nor ruled in his heart by the Power that made him which gives him all good things but the power of Satan the Serpent the old Dragon which deceived from the beginning who is in the enmity against the Life of the Creator he acts man and rules man to the abuse of all Creatures and to his own destruction and every particular man is liable to the wrath and to the curse and to everlasting wo and misery and torment from his Maker in that state of disobedience whereinto all mankind is fallen not one upon the face of the Earth excepted from transgression and so from misery nor none priviledged one above another unto happiness but as I have said Male and Female who were made in the Image of their Maker in the first Creation but now every man in the whole World is in the enmity against the Life of the Power that made him and is a Child of wrath and shut up in blindness and unbelief under the Devils power which power abode not in the Truth but is out of the Truth and all mankind is left in this condition without Help or Helper or Deliverance or Means or Way of Salvation from himself or any other Creature upon the face of the whole Earth but is a Sheep without a Shepherd straying and wandring in the thoughts of his own heart after vanity and that wherein there is no profit to the Lord nor to his own Soul but death and sorrow in all his wayes having forsaken the Fountain of living Waters and gone a whoring after other Lovers and defiled himself and so brought destruction upon himself by his own doings who abounds in all Evil Lying Theft Murder Envy Strife stealing and Whoredom and such like which are the fruits of the Ground that is cursed for mans sake But now unto all People the Sons and Daughters of Adam the first man that ever was made Though you be thus fallen into misery by transgression and helpless from your selves or from any other Creature yet hath the living God the Power which made you and which you have transgressed against ordained and prepared a Way to be restored and healed and to be brought to the injoyment and feeling of the Creator from the disobedience and from the curse and misery unto the blessing and happiness and unto all mankind in particular is prepared a Way out of Death unto Life out of the loss which every man hath received in Transgression to Salvation and Redemption and Deliverance out of the captivity and bondage which all are fallen into into liberty and freedom to serve his Maker and to glorifie him for he hath not been served nor glorified but grieved and vexed by all men on the Earth and so he hath brought misery and the curse upon all by forsaking them and leaving them under the Power which made them not to be led and guided by it in rebellion unto destruction And now this same Power by which man was made is mans Restorer and Deliverer and Redeemer and Saviour though he hath transgressed against it for when there was none to help noâ— to save of any creature upon the face of the
of trouble and of your need in the day of your Integrity yet trouble and destruction shall come upon you and no help from him shall you find till you return to him with all your hearts and spirits and lay down your own crowns and exalt him the Lord of Glory who is now appearing in Power And further you say In the midst of Such unequalled and signal Mercies how greâ— hath been and is your ingratitude and unfruifulness To which I answer Truely have you spoken to your own shame for your ingratitude and unfruitfulness exceed many that went before you which justly were cut off for the very sins of which you are highly guilty and more may I add unto your confession How great hath been and is your Oppressions aâ—â— Pride and Vain-glory and Self-exaltings and hypocritical Fastings and Confessions with your mouths when your hearts are far from the Lord yea 〈◊〉 your Mercies have been unequalled so your sins cannot be numbred as thouâ—… you sinned that grace might abound or did evil that good might come or toâ—… liberty to your own hearts lusts from your former Mercies and Deliverancâ— received Then further you say Should the Lord say unto you as once he did unto Ephraim Ephraim is joyned to Idols let him alone that same Sentence would be your â—â—sert as insensibility is your crime so it might be too justly made your punishment Answer Yea verily the Lord may say so unto you many of ye Rulers 〈◊〉 England are joyned to Idols let them alone and that same Sentence is your â—…sert but insensibility is not wholly your crime for you have had a day of viâ—tation from the Lord in warning of you by the mouth of his Servants and yâ—â— are not altogether unsensible of your crime of great Oppressions and false Worships and Idol Shepherds Oblations which you are joyned unto and your punishment will justly be the same for the time comes that it shall be Darkness aâ—â— Night upon you and you shall seek the Word of the Lord but shall not 〈◊〉 it for God will smite your Idol Shepherds and break down your Idols Altaâ— of vain Traditions and the Lord will leave you to your selves to wallow iâ— Darkness and in the way of Death and the Servants of the Lord shall leâ— you alone and shall no more weary themselves with seeking to reclaim you And further you say Who hath been melted with Mercy Who hath been broken bâ— Iudgments A sinful Nation A People laden with iniquity A seed of Evil-doâ—â—â— Children that are Corrupters They have forsaken the Lord they have provoked the â—…ly One of Israel to Anger they are gone away backwards Why should ye be stricken 〈◊〉 more ye will revolt more and more And further you say As those sad words do Câ—â—racterise us as filthy as those of Judah so if that sad destruction should also be our doom 〈◊〉 could not but acknowledge the Lord is righteous in all his Wayes Answ. Verily few of you have been melted by Mercies or broken by Judgments but are a sinful Nation a People laden with iniquity a feed of Evil-doers and ye have read your own Character fully for you have forsaken the Lord and are Children that are Corrupters and are gone away backward anâ— provoke the Holy One of Israel to Anger and true it is Why should you he stricken any more or warned For you will revolt and turn aside more and more how truly have you numbred up the sum of your own state even to your shame and confusion of face and to the justifying of the Lord when he in Vengeance appears to judge you and even assuredly that sad denunciation will be your doom and the same Judgments shall overtake you when the Seed is gathered out from among you even desolation of Cities and madness of Prophets and God will smite you together with confusion and you shall not bring forth deliverance in the Land neither shall the Nations have peace in your dayes while you revolt when you are stricken and persecute the Innocent when they warn you And in the day of your recompence you shall indeed confess to your condemnation that the Lord is righteous in all his ways and further you say How deeply have you grieved your God in not mourning as you ought for that profainness and bâ—â—â—â—â—ness that is so ripe amongst you even under such means of knowledge and grace and in not being sensible under nor making a sanctified use of those rebukes you have of late received Answ. Yea you have and do daily even in your set days and times of Fasting deeply grieve the Lord God in not mourning and fasting with a heart prepared to the Lord but even in hypocrisie and even for strife and debate indeed ignorance and prophaneness and barrenness abounds among you and you are ripe therein to be cut down for the fire even the more ye are inexcusable because you have neglected the Messages of the Grace of God and means of knowledge from the Mouth of the Lords despised Servants whom you have persecuted even in cruelty some of them unto death and have imprisoned others unjustly while your false Prophets and Diviners have been set up by you who have daubed you with untempered Morter and you have made your hearts unsensible by heardening your hearts against reproof and rebukes which some of you of late have received the Messengers of which rebukes have been evil and shamefully entreated in your Towns Steeple-houses and High-wayes and elsewhere in your Dominions and how should you but be ignorant and prophane and barren while you cannot receive the Message of Light but stumbles at Christ Jesus the Light of the World and cannot believe in the Light wherewith Christ Jesus hath enlightened every one of you which is the way to knowledge and to receive righteousness into your Souls and therein to be fruitfull to the Lord. And you say Every individual man hath helpâ—d to fill up the mâ—â—sure of their sâ—… First in not improving â—ercâ—â—s so fully as might hâ—…e been to â—is glory from 〈◊〉 they were received I answer Indeed I believe not one of you may be excused in the sight of God but are all guilty in filling up the measure of transgression and even iâ— not improving mercies to the glory of God for had you improved the great mercies of your Deliverance and Conquest over your Enemies the Nations had been in peace and rest before this day but you strove to glorifie your selves and sought a Kingdom of Riches and Honour to your selves and who might be the greatest and the highest to the pleasure of some and to the grief of others and you improved mercies to your selves and not to him that gave them and therefore is your Dominions filled with distractions and fears and troubles are on every side and your Dominions are as broken Vessels that cannot be joyned together but are full of wickedness and false Sects and Idol-worships and in your own Councels are
avenged on my Oppressors And Vengeance belongâ— to him and he will repay and will destroy the Vineyard with the Plants and Frâ—… thereof and the Bryars and Thorns shall be consumed and he will lay waste anâ— devour and confound all his Enemies in a day when his Indignation goes sorth and his Sword is made bare and his Purpose cometh to pass in rooting out tâ—â— oppressive seed of Evil-doers which have filled his Habitation wherein he sholâ— dwell with cursed Children and a brood of evil Births In the dayes of Christ and his Apostles was the Hand and Power of the 〈◊〉 felt and the Lord gat himself a Name and a Glory and he caused his mâ—…lous Light to spring forth and his Day to dawn and the Day was manifest thaâ— many Prophets and Wise-men had desired to see but was not in their time feeâ— by them and his Power was made known and his Arm was made bare in the sight of many Nations and in that day his Glory was spread abroad and â—is Truth and Way was exalted and his glorious Gospel was declared through 〈◊〉 Earth and the sound of his marvellous Works went forth into all the World Judgment and Mercy was known and Righteousness and Peace was witneâ—… among men and Life and Immortallity was brought to Light through the Gospel and the Word of Life by which all things were created and by which they stand was handled seen felt and tasted and the Lord God in that Age was known to dwell with his People and to walk in them and his Covenant was established with many and his Promises were fulfilled Redemption Deliverance and Salvation was revealed even Christ Jesus the Son God the Prince of Peace And Righteousness was made manifest in the Sons of men and revealed in many who saw God's Glory and were Witnesses of his Majesty and Dominion and were gathered unto him in the Bond of Peace and were his Sons and Daughters and were led by his Spirit in all his Wayes of Truth and Righteousness And many went forth into the World and declared through Nations the things of Gods Kingdom which was come to them and was discovered within them and the Lord God spake from Heaven by his Son unto them and they were filled with the Holy Ghost and with Power And the Lord was with them whom he called and made them Wise and their Word powerful and their Message effectual and their Weapons were mighty through God and strong Holds were subdued and the Powers of Death and Darkness were subjected and the Hearts of thousands were turned to God and the Gospel was preached in power through the World and many were brought to God out of Darkness into Light and from Satans Power unto God And the Earth was filled with Light and the mighty and the wise were confounded and the bonds of cruel oppressions were broken and they that set themselves against the Lord and his Way were confounded and scattered and brought to nought though they were many in that Generation How did all the chief Priests and Scribes and Pharisees Elders of the People and Rulers and Governours lift up themselves in the Pride of their hearts and took counsel together and persecuted the Innocent and put to Death and Imprisoned the Children of the Most High How did they in the dayes of Christ persecute and seek for his Life till they had taken it from the Earth by their subtilty and wickedness The Apostles and Ministers of Christ were persecuted some were put to death and others suffered grievous things for the Name of Christ and were made a Prey and a Spoil unto Destroyers whose wickedness encreased against the Way of God till it was fulfilled in its measure and the Wicked with their work were dashed to peices and the Lord gave his Way and Truth and Servants dominion and power over all his enemies and whole Nations were brought to the knowledge of God and his Wayes and his Name was glorious and his Kingdom was exalted in the Earth and many were his People who were gathered by him and his powerful Word through the mouth of his Ministers whom he ordained and called who were Fisher-men and such like who were chosen to fulfil his Will and to do his Work and not many Wise-men of the World were called but God chose the foolish things to confound the wise then as he doth now and such were honoured by the Lord and Bearers of his Name and of his Message and Glad-tidings though they were contemned of men yet unto such he gave the authority to overturn the wise and to out-reach the wisdom of this World for they were learned of the Father and had the knowledge of his Wayes though they were unlearned in the Arts and Crafts of men which stand more in pollicy and subtilty then in the Fear and Wisdom of God and in that day the Lord was with his People while his People were with him and he loved them while they stood in his Counsel and he gave them dominion over all their Enemies and they were a Terror to the whole World while the Churches stood in the dread and terror of the Lord of Hosts yea all bowed under them and their feet trod upon the high places of the Earth and they were blessed of the Lord above all People even till they waxed fat and were increased in treasures and thought they had need of nothing and then they forgat God and rebelled against him and became perverse in their wayes and grew into strange Idolatries and Errors and left the Way of Truth and cast God's Law behind them and the Power of Godliness ceased and the form grew and it was exalted more then Power and love waxed cold when iniquity abounded and men became Lovers of themselves more then of the Lord and the Lord and his marvellous Works which had been brought to pass were forgotten and hardness of heart and unbelief entred and then false Prophets and Antichrist came in which Christ had prophesied of and established the form of Godliness without the Power and subverted many even whole Houses and Countries from the simplicity of Christ Jesus so that many became insensible and grew past feeling of the Power and operation of God and their minds became blinded and their ears stopped and God was grieved who had brought up Children and they forgat him and rebelled against him for the Churches became corrupted and lost the Life and Power of God and the Holy Ghost and became Idolaters and Worshippers of Idols and as you may read Paul prophesied that many should depart from the Faith and give heed to seducing spirits and the doctrine of Devils and grievous Woves should enter not sparing the Flock but seeking to devour it and would make havock and merchandise of Souls through coveteousness and filthy Lucre and perillous times would come wherein there should be a Form of Godliness and not the Power and in that Generation before and sooâ— after his decease this
Heaven and Earth all Nations upon Earth are but as the drop of a Bucket before him and the hearts of all men are in his Hand and by him Kings rule and the Princes of the Earth are at his disposure and you are all weighed in the Ballance of Equity and found too light before the Lord for all flesh hath corrupted its way before him Be awakenened ye that have long slept in Darkness and been at ease in the flesh ye that have had peace in this World and pleasure in the vanity thereof the Lord is coming to make war against you his Trumpet hath sounded and his Sons and Daughters are gone forth to bear witness of his Majesty and Power and Dominion and the Lord hath spoken Who can but prophesie he hath given the Word and many are they that publish it Let your ears be open to Instruction and kick not against the Lord neither harden your hearts against him but make way for him and prepare his Path for he cometh to judge the World in Righteousness and the People with equity and the Testimony of the Light of Jesus in you all shall witness for him your princely Powers must become subject to the Power of the Kingdom of the Most High and your glory must be vailed and darkned before the Glory which â—he Lord is causing to shine forth and we the Servants of the Most High do give you warning of the day of your Visitation which is upon you and all the World for the Lord is now risen who hath long winked at the time of great ignorance but now â—e warns you all to repent therefore bow down ye Stiff-necked and tremble ye Stout-hearted and be abased ye Lofty-looks our King is above you all our dominion is over you all and the line of true Judgment are you all measured with and your wayes are not found perfect in the Sight of the Lord nor your hearts right before him his Kingdom hath not been known in your dominions neither hath his Laws and his Judgments born rule but you have every one been doing that which is right in the sight of your own eyes and the counsels of your hearts have been nought but vanity before the Lord Vain-glory hath abounded among you which the the Lord's Soul hath been burdened by the honours and pleasures of the flesh have been your delight and strife and enmity hath been among you and wars and quarreling and fighting one against another and you have rejoyced in the overthrow one of another and in destroying one another and you have taken pleasure in gaining one anothers dominions you have striven who should have been the greatest and greatly oppressed the Poor you have exalted your selves one against another and drawn up your Armies one in defiance of another and the blood of Thousands have been shed to satisfie the humours of your proud hearts all this hath been evil in the Sight of the Lord and his Spirit hath been grieved and his Soul vexed by all this and he hath forborn till he hath been weary for he hath been dishonoured by all this and his Law hath not born rule and his Judgments have had no place you have been cruel-hearted one towards another and merciless and without pitty and ouy have not done to others as you would be done unto but you have rendred evil for evil and sought occasions of evil one against another and vexed one another through the pride of your hearts therefore now is the Lord risen to make war against you all and to dash you to pieces the Feller comes up amongst you he that will not spare to slay and to devour who will not be afraid of your lofty looks he will spoil you of your Treasure and lay waste your strength all ye Kingdoms of the Earth and your gathering together against him is but as Briers and thorns for he will exalt his own Kingdom over you all and all ye Kings of the Earth shall know that the Kingdom of the most high must rule in your Kingdoms and your Laws shall be changed and the poor shall no more be oppressed for he is come thâ—t proclaims liberty unto the Captives who will remove oppression far away who will change Times and Worships and Ordinances and there shall be no Law but the Law of God nor no light but of the Lamb nor no worship but the Worship in the Spirit and in the Truth for all your Worships which the Nations are full of is nought but vanity and a lye immitations and superstitions brought forth in hypocrisie and not in an upright heart vanity of vanities have abounded both in civil and spiritual affairs The root in which you stand is wholly corrupted and no good fruit springs from it but cursed fruit which must be 〈◊〉 down and cast into the fire ye have been evil and could not bring forth any good you are corrupted and your fruit is of a bitter taste a day of sorrow of lamentation and misery is coming upon you all ye that have been high and lofty and stouthearted fearfulness shall surprise you and the terror of the Lord of Hosts shall compass you about I am moved to salute you all with this as a warning and when it comes to pass remember you have been told ye that know not the Kingdom of the most High ruling men but are saying in your hearts this hath my hand done in a moment shall you be smitten and know there is one above you which must rule for it is his right to rule over all Nations and there shall be no King but Jesus thâ— Aâ—oinâ—eâ— oâ— God â—oâ—â—o Government but the Government of the Lamb there shall be no more war but war against the Dragon who hath stood to devour the Man-child which is now bringing forth and he must rule with his Iron Rod and shall subdue all under his feet We whom God hath warned cannot but warn you of these things which 〈◊〉 come to pass he is coming to separate between the Just and the unjust he will gather from among you that the wicked may be consumed from off the face of the Earth All you Rulers in the World I warn you all take heed how you persecute such as comes to warn you who brings this Message to you lest you add sin to sin till there be no place found for repentance for ye shall all know our God is the true God that made Heaven and Earth before whose presence all â—â—esh must come to Judgment By one who hath measured the Times who is come to the Day that hath made all Things mâ—…ifest EDWARD BURROUCH A General Epistle and Greeting OF THE Fathers Love tâ— all the SAINTS Called and chosen to faithfulness in Christ Jesus the Light of the World in which they believing and their faith standing in his Power many suffer for his Name sake And this is to all such as are found worthy to suffer and is an Exhortation to the strengthning of their
who have done evil against the Lords People as a gift unto them from a Friend OF a truth the Lord is arisen and he hath caused the Light of his countenance to shine forth upon his people his day is dawned and the brightness of his glory is shining forth as the Sun at noon day hâ—… everlasting Arm is stretched forth to lead out of Captivity his oâ—… chosen the days of perfect freedom is approaching he that brings Health Peace and Liberty to all Nations is come and coming who will restore the breaches and subdue all things under himself that he may raign for ever and ever who alone is worthy for he hath all Power in his hand and he bringâ— to pass whatsoever he will that all Men and Nations may fear before him and tremble at his dreadfull Presence who hath power in his hand to change Timâ—… and Laws Orders Decrees and Governments the hearts of all men he câ—… turn what way he listeth and he pulleth down one and setteth up another and whatsoever is in his heart to do his power can bring it to pass who would not fear before him and reverence his Name Who would not be afraid to offend him who giveth unto man Breath and takes it away in a moment all Nations are as the drop of a bucket before his eternal Eye he dwells in the high and holy place and his habitation is high above the World be inhabits eternity forevermore and yet abideth and walketh and dwelleth with the children of men that fear his Name and tremble at his Word he hath been as a stranger as one not known for men have been seperated from him by transgression and have been ignorant of his ways he hath been as one hidden for many ages and hath been worshipped ignorantly and hath winked in the time of ignorance but now he calleth all to repentance every where Blessed are they that wait upon him that they may know him and their souls may live and now the purpose of his heart is to bring in his scattered people into the fold of peace where Christ Jesus is the shepherd and his people shall dwell in safety and shall be a free people to worship him in the Spirit and in the Truth and every yoke of bondage shall be broken and the oppressed shall be set free and Christ shall feign and his Government above shall be established over all the World mans honour shall be laid in the dust the pride of all flesh shall be stained and the Glory thereof shall wither as a flower the loftiness of all flesh shall be laid low and the Lord alone shall be exalted and his people which now are oppressed shall replenish and fill the Earth All corrupt men and Rulers their strength and might shall utterly fail them and men that fear God and love righteousness shall take their place and all things shall be changed and the World shall be turned up-side down But because of this is all the World troubled and the Heathen is on a rage and the people do imagine vain things and men of high degree and low degree and of all sorts have set themselves against the Lord that they might stop the purpose of the most high and their hearts within them burn because of envy and the Devil hath stirred up all sorts of people to work for him and to uphold his kingdom and his power he is come down in great rage knowing that his time is but short and hath filled the hearts of all his servants with despite and ravening envy against the Seed of God The heads of the people they have conspired together against the Lord and against his Truth and have decreed unrighteous decrees that they might pervent the purpose of the most High Many of the Rulers and Judges as members of the beastly power rather than of Jesus Christ have unjustly judged and falsly imprisoned and trodden under foot the meek and upright who fear the Lord and walk in his way even such who have come from under the subjection of the worship and power of the Beast which all the World had wondered after â—ath the Beast raised his force against How many hundreds in this Nation have been imprisoned falsly and suffered grievous abuses unjustly for righteousness sake and not for evil doing as a testimony against this Generation of Judges and people and for a testimony that they are of God who have in paâ—ience born the sufferings and the cruelties of the wicked many have suffered â—he loss of Liberty and riches and some the loss of life for the exercise of a â—ure conscience towards God and for the Kingdom of Jesus many have â—uffered under the power of wicked men for declaring against sin and iniquity 〈◊〉 Townes Steeple-houses or high wayes and for crying against pride and â—anity and idolatry and coveteousness and the wickedness of Rulers Priests â—nd People whose deceits and transgressions hath abounded in this Generation â—nd others have deeply suffered grievous cruelties because they could not swear â—nd respect persons with hat or knee and so were witnesses for the Lord and his Kingdom which stands in righteousness and against the power and kingdom â—f the Beast which stands in iniquity in fainedness and flattering titles and â—isobedience to the Son of God and many hundreds are woful unjust and opâ—ressed sufferers at this day by false imprisonment and spoiling of goods because they cannot pay Tythes that abominable and crying oppression by which the Beast chiefly maintains his false Prophets and because the unchangable Priesthood is witnessed and the changable denied and Christ the Light of the World followed therefore is this suffering laid upon the just and many are sufferers under hard tasks because they cannot maintain the Idol temples and Idol worships and Idol Priests which the power of Antichrist upholds against the Power of the Son of God and against the new Covenant of life where God in Spirit and in Truth is worshipped without respect of places days or men or things and the True Worshippers they Worship God in the Spirit and in the Truth and cannot be subject to days places or things appointed and ordained by the power of men and false prophets and how many unjust fines and false indictments have been most illegally charged upon the Innocent in many Courts and Judicatories through this Nation and all in the defence of the kingdom of the man of sin lest his authority should be abated and the Authority of Christ Jesus exalted many cruelties have been done and injustice acted both by Rulers and People against such which no evil could justly be charged against nor yet the transgression of any just law by any one of them O! horrid grievances and cruel oppressions hath been brought forth in this Nation by such who should have eased the oppressed and set at liberty the captives such who should have judged justly the cause of the Poor and heard the call oâ— the oppressed have turned
the one is the Word of God but the other is not and this all sober men confess to though thou dost jangle and twist about it with thy lame Arguments to no purpose at all except to shew thy Weakness and Folly And also No man is justified by Christ's Righteousness until he receives it and as he receives it and this thou shalt one day witness For though Righteousness be in him sufficient to justifie yet by it art thou nor any man justified but in the receiving of it and dwelling in it and this shalt thou confess to be truth in the Day of the Lord and in the mean time let me bear thy false censure in calling this Heresie And also a man may be tempted to sin and there may be evil motions to him yet he not being overcome of the Temptation not consenting to the motion of sin it is no sin unto him neither shall sin be imputed to him if he commits it not but he that commits sin though he profess never so much of Justification yet for his sin shall he be condemned and this shalt thou witness in the day of Iudgment Also That there is a Perfection attainable in this life even to be perfect and without sin in Christ Iesus and this I affirm to be the Truth of the Gospel and that wherein the Faith of God's People stands and though thou madest a twisting and a wrangling against it yet it is too strong for thee and in thy wisdom and thy arguments is thy folly and thy weakness seen and Truth stands over thee and thou canst not it nor me reprehend And also That some of the Scriptures were spoken to the World and not to the Saints this I also have sufficiently proved and thou art not able to detect it and all thy snarling in opposition to these things is confounded and thy Arguments made without effect and all whose eyes are open see thee to be of too short a measure and of too weak a capacity to understand the deep things of God which are hidden from thine Eye and them thou savourest not in that wisdom though thou hast the words yet thou art ignorant of the Life and the Life is in dominion over thee and to it must thou submit and lay down thy Crown And from thee am I hidden in that Life and Truth which I do profess And though I be as a Deceiver yet am I true and though I be slandered and reproached and back-bited by thee yet it is for Christ Iesus's sake and for his Truth 's sake and not as an Evil-doer But Friend learn more Wisdom then to judge a man before thou hearest him or to condemn the matter before thou hearest the Proof of it for by these things thou hast not gain'd a good Report but God condemns thee for it and men see thy shame in it and the burden of it one day shalt thou bear even thou and all that own thee in these things And now thy spirit is try'd and it is found too light and cannot stand in Judgement for it is unsavoury and though seperate from the World in appearance yet is thy spirit of the world and reacheth not the knowledge of the things that are eternal but art imagining in thy mind not being guided by that Spirit which gave forth the Scriptures and so thy knowledge is natural and cannot contain Spiritual Things Therefore Friend come down to God's Witness in thee the Light which shews thee sin and convinces thee of evil that Light is thy Teacher if thou lovest it and thy Condemnation if thou hatest it I have divers particulars against thee at a convenient season to manifest thy Folly and Weakness by them And whatever thou judgest me I am a Friend to thy Soul Edw. Burrough Richard Goodgroom held forth at the Dispute at Draton the 18th day of the 11th Moneth 1657. HE said The Letter was the Word and by the Letter he said he meant the thing contained in the Scriptures And when I said I had the Letter in my hand meaniug my Bible but not the thing signified he said But I had the Thing signified And he said People were justified by Christ excluding the New Birth and the Work of Sanctification and Christ justified Sinners as Sinners that is while Sinners remaining in sin At Justice Fortescue's house in the year 1656. he did deny That any was converted to God by a Light within And then I asked If it was not that same Light that converted which gave the Knowledge of God and they confessed Yea and yet did deny That the Light within converted to God though I shewed them that Scripture 2 Cor. 4. 6. which did confound the Deceit At Uxbridge one time he said Christ needed not to have come to have judged the World for there was sin enough in the World to judge it before he came Then I asked If Sin judged the World and he answered Yea and he said They were in the Covenant of God spoken of Nehem. 9. which turned the Law of God behind their backs E. B. A TESTIMONY Concerning the Estate of the True Church What she hath been and what she is Being given forth from the Motion of the Spirit of the Father COncerning the true State of the Church what she hath been and what she is at this day and concerning her Increase and Decrease through Ages and Generations past And her present State is this Returning again out of the Wilderness where she hath long been fed having a place prepared of God Now the Apostle saw her a Woman cloathed with the Sun covered with the Light of Heaven and with the Glory of God having the Moon under her Feet the Light which was ordain'd to rule the Night Thus she was and this was her state in the dayes of the Apostles when many were converted out of Darkness and renewed to be Members of this Church for her Glory shone through the World and she flourished through Nations and this was her state in the Apostles dayes And she travelled to bring forth the Man-Child Christ Jesus which is the Child and Husband of this Woman which was clothed with the Brightness of the Glory of God the elected Spouse of Christ the Lamb's Wife and his Body of his Flesh and of his Bones having Power and Dominion and treading under all contrary And thus was it with her in Generations past whose Seed spring forth as Branches fruitful and glorious But in process of time it came to pass That this Woman the Spouse of Christ his Body the Wife and Mother of this Man-Child she was bereaved of her Beauty and her Garments were taken away her Seed was made War against and was smitten and overcome and she fled into the Wilderness and there hath sate desolate as a Widdow lamenting the loss of her Children and being deprived of her Husband and the Man-Child which should have ruled the Nations For she hath been fled into the Wilderness and her former Beauty
hath been and what he hath done how hath this cloud of Folly cast a stink and darkness upon his former brightness and glory and nobleness and is this the end and final farwel of once noble Oliver what only the sight of an Image carried and set up Hath the City of London and the Nations to better Memento of him But oh had he been faithfull to the end to God he would have left a more lively and heavenly Character to have been read for his sake then an Image of him and such Idolatrous practises and my life could have sorrowed upon some considerations passed through me about this business and for some hours my spirit could not rest and in the very time it lay upon me to write this And after all this said my spirit Where are all the old Priests now and his ancient Teachers who once had a great zeal against all these things and against all such practises Where are they now are they blind also said I that they cannot see this abominable Idolatry and cry against it had they any hand in it or were they Consenters to these things What is become of them Is their zeal for the Lord and against Idolatry quite gone thought I they might have prevented this disgrace to their old Master who hath served them well and set them in great places and put them in large Benefices and they might have done something for him when he is dead and have prevented this Folly and Idolatry which is acted upon him this day for certainly all people in the Nation that fear God will be offended and judge in their hearts such work the framing of an Image and sounding Trumpets and beating Drums before it and cloathing Horses in Mourning and Trayling their Pikes and even the very Honourable of the Nation clad in Mourning and following this Image and all this stir and cost and preparation for many Weeks before-hand and such decking in Mourning Attire of great and noble Men and all but to accompany an Image from one place to another whereby people are deceived who might look upon it to be the Burial of Oliver Protector whenas it was but an Image made by hands decked trimed in a vain manner as if it had bin some Poppit Play which if it had been indeed his Bones they had accompanied to the ground in such a manner that had bin less condemnable and I should not had ought against it But for the Wisemen in the Nation to be chief in these things and to exercise themselves in such Folly and Vanity this grieves the Righteous Soul and if I should justifie it the Lord would condemn me but the shame will fall upon themselves that acted it and chiefly upon their Priests and Teachers because they were consenting to such Vanity and piece of Popery as this was And had these old Doctors and Teachers feared God and their Hearts been aright towards him they would have endeavoured the stopping of this Abomination and another way might have been thought upon whereby a more lively and godly Monument of their old Master might have stood to Generations What shall the making and visiting and carrying and setting up of a dead Image for foolish people to gaze upon and run wondring after in their wicked minds Must this be all the Monument And shall we have no other Representation of once noble Cromwel Is his Life and former Glory and Nobleness shaddow'd with the sight of a dead Image Alas This presents nothing at all to such as fear God but Folly and Ignorance Vanity and Idolatry and when they look upon it they shall be grieved in their spirits and vexed when they can find no more Monument of that once noble man but an invented â—…ge and Picture and the Priests shall be ashamed and may have the greatest rebuke for they that lead the people have caused them to err And now upon the whole matter from the very beginning to the end thereof I do declare against it and that a fearful Abomination hath been committed in the sight of the Lord in relation to this Image and you have vext the Lord's Soul and his Hand you shall feel upon your Consciences and the weight thereof in the time to come the spending of so much of the Creation and wasting Money and other things the Lord will lay to your charge and the whole City hath been abused with running and wondring after the work of your own hands And now all you that have gone to gaze and wonder after an Image What saw you What beheld you What wondered you after ought except folly and vanity and a dead Image whereby the man and his Nobility was abused in honour to whom they say it was done And when many dayes were spent what were you the better What were you edified were you not convinced of your 〈◊〉 Folly And might not your Wickedness reprove you And did not the Liâ—… in your own Consciences check you and prick you and condemn your vain minds that wondred after Folly Though now you may be hardned yet 〈◊〉 day you shall confess when the Witness of God in you doth arise and bring all your deeds to remembrance then shall you say This work was Abomination and 〈◊〉 great Sin in them who invented it and caused it to be brought forth and your selves that 〈◊〉 wondred after it and the Judgments of the Lord are against all these things E. B. A MESSAGE PROCLAIMED BY Divine Authority From the chosen Assembly of the Redeemed People in England to the Pope chief Bishop of Rome and to his Cardinals Jesuits and Priests and all other the Officers of the Romish Church where it shall meet with them through the World That they may appear and come forth to Tryal and shew if they have the same Faith Power Spirit Authority and Government as had the Apostles and true Churches before the Apostacy And this is a full Invitation and Challenge to the whole Church of Rome and the beginning of Controversie with her for the perfect manifestation of the long hidden Truth betwixt them that are in the Truth it self and such as have the Form but not the Power that all things may be brought to Light and true Judgment WHereas we a poor despised and rejected People among the Nations of the Earth yet Dreadful and Mighty because the Majesty and Presence of the Lord God is with us who hath called us and chosen us and gathered us and redeemed us from among men out of Kindreds and Multitudes and Peoples into one Body and one Spirit out of all the Sects upon the Earth and we are of one Mind and one Soul having Fellowship with the Son and with the Father being come through great Tribulations and many fiery Tryals and are refined and purified and made clean and white in the Blood of the Lamb being fully recover'd out of the great Deluge of Darkness and Apostacy which hath overflown and drowned the whole World and
and Worships be tryed and 〈◊〉 Church â—… Doctrines and Worshipâ— and Practices and whether they be 〈…〉 or ours that do overcome or are overcome let that deside the â—…ersie and whether it be you or we that are soonest overcome 〈…〉 prevail the one against the other in this Tryal and in these Proâ—… 〈◊〉 that which is Overcome and Prevailed against is not the True â—… against which nothing can prevail no not the Gates of Hell 〈…〉 your Church or ours cannot be prevail'd against by the other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be the true Church for that which is prevail'd against is not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Church and whether it be you or we that are elected and of the 〈…〉 which cannot be deceived if we â—e not elected and you Deceivers 〈…〉 possible you may deceive us but if we prove that we be in the 〈…〉 then you cannot deceive us and if we â—e in the Truth and of 〈…〉 Church then it will be Happiness for you to be converted and â—…rned â—… 〈◊〉 to the Tryal as sooâ—… as you will and if you be in the Election 〈◊〉 need not be afraid to be deceived by any for the the Elect cannot â—…ved whoever that be whether your Church or our Church be the 〈◊〉 Church and in the Election And if your Ministers among us do preach the same things and by the 〈…〉 Spirit and hold forth the very same Faith Principles Worship and â—…ces which we do and are of and it be proved they are of the same 〈…〉 and Principles we are of agreeing in all things then we will own 〈◊〉 to be Christ's Ministers And if our Ministers among you do hold â—…th that true Faith and Principle and Practices and Worship and by the 〈◊〉 Spirit as Christ and his Apostles did and prove what they say by the Scripâ—… then shall you receive them as the Ministers of Christ and renounce all 〈◊〉 you hold and profess contrary to what they hold and preach among 〈◊〉 And hereby things may come to a fair Tryals and the naked Truth may 〈◊〉 made manifest whether your Church or our Church be the true Church 〈◊〉 Christ truly descended from the Church of the Saints of old and â—…er your Ministers or our Ministers be the lawful Successors of the â—…es And we would willingly come to deal with you upon these termâ—s that it may be manifest who they be that are of the true Seed and who they be that are of the Election that cannot be deceived And we have many things more to write unto you and to query of you and to demand when we receive your answer and if you give us ground to accuse you we will thresh you and lay it to your charge by the Authority and Spirit of the Lord and if you answer us plainly we shall more perfectly know what to do To the POPE THou Mountain hear the Word of the Lord God thus saith thâ—… God unto thee I will lay thee low I will break thee down I wiâ—… the glory of all Flesh my Sword shall enter into the Hearts of my Eâ—… will slay the Wicked and I will cruâ—… the Head of the Ungodly and 〈…〉 grind the hard hearts unto pieces I will come in a day unexpected I 〈…〉 Door behold me and I will take Vengeance without Pitty upon all 〈…〉 mies my Hand shall not spare my Eye shall noâ— pitty but I will 〈…〉 rend and give unto thee and unto all Mankind the fruit of your 〈…〉 ings Innocent Blood cries unto me that hath been unjustly shed 〈…〉 Righteous Soul groans under the Altar unto me and now I am risen 〈…〉 begun to work in the Earth and I will go through Nations and 〈…〉 down under my Power I have raised a Seed which shall thrâ—sh the Moâ—… and my Word is gonâ—forth out of my Mouth which shall beat them to 〈…〉 and my Power shall knock at thy Gates and break down thy strength 〈…〉 shall prevail against thee Oh thou Mountain I whose Seat is high and whose Power is gâ—… who hath been able to make War with thee Thou hast swallowed up 〈…〉 and Needy and thou hast eaten up the Innocent as the Ox eateth up 〈…〉 thou hast continued for Ages and thou accountest thy self the most Aâ—… and thou hast been without fear of any man and thou hast not regâ—… Honour of my Name but exalted thy self altogether But now saith 〈…〉 the Dread of the Almighty shall come upon thee and the Majesty of 〈…〉 of Hosts shall appear terrible unto thee and thou shalt know there 〈…〉 that can do whatsoever he will and he will wound the mighty Men 〈…〉 shall heal them and he will vex all his Enemies in his Displeasure and 〈…〉 break them and none shall bind them up Thy glory and thâ— glory 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whole Earth is as Grass before the Mower and as the Flower of the Field that 〈◊〉 soon withered and thy treasure and the treasure of all Nations is of no respect unto him the Strength of the whole Earth is Weakness before him and the Crowns of Princes he accounteth as the Dust he treadeth over it all and his Everlasting Arm reacheth beyond it all and he is awakened that will strike through Kingdoms and that will stain the glory of the whole Earth and thoâ— must know his Power and the Cup of his Wrath is full of which all Nations shall drink and none shall escape it Prepare thy self for the Anger of the Lord is gone forth and the Almighty is grieved because of the Abominations of the Earth and he will cast into the Fire and purge and purifie and new mold and correct Rulers Kings and Peoples for he hath long been grieved and born the Iniquity of the Nations but his Long-suffering is well-nigh finished for the Nations have provoked him to Anger and turned his Long-suffering into Fury and he hath put on the Garment of Vengeance and the time is at hand that Sorrow shall take hold on the Stout-hearted when he appears who hath been pierced and Anguish and Pain shall come upon thee and the World and the Day of Trouble and great Distress ye shall not escape the Rod of his Wrath shall smite you The Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it And although thou art exalted as a God yet thou shalt be a Man and not a God in his Hand that shall slay thee and although thy Seat has been high yet it shall be laid low as the Ground and thy Honour shall be laid in the Dust for thou art Dust and Ashes before the Lord and thou shalt be no more admired when Destruction shall come upon thee The Lord hath viewed thy Way and Path and they have not been upright before him he hath entred into the Secrets of thine Heart and thy intent hath not been hid from him and that which hath been done in secret shall now be laid open and all secret things shall now be brought to Light and all the Churches shall know that he searches the
Heart and tries the Reins who is a God Great and Mâ—…ty and giveth unto all Creatures Life and Breath and he will change at 〈◊〉 〈…〉 all the Children of Men and bring them to an Account before his 〈…〉 Seat wherefore let all Flesh tremble before him and let all the earth 〈…〉 〈…〉 his Presence who changeth and subdueth and over-turneth at his Pâ—… and brings men to destruction who have rebell'd against him â—…fore thou Pope chief Bishop at Rome this is unto thee from the Mouth of â—… Come down come down lay down thy Crown subject thy self 〈…〉 before the Lord God of Vengeance lest 〈…〉 come upon thee and crush â—… and thou shalt know that this hath the Lord spoken in the day â—…ry flaming Sword which is already drawn enters into thy Bosom 〈…〉 thy Honour and Renown Behold I have heard the Voice of Houlâ—…er Lamentation I have heard the Voice of War and not of Peace I 〈…〉 I have seen the Strong become Weak and the Mighty become Miserabâ—â—â—…ud and Honourable brought into Contempt yea I have seen her thâ—… a Queen and has said She never shall see Sorrow I have seen the losâ—â—…n and Widdowhood come upon her even in one day I have seen her Bâ—…â—…ed into Bitterness I have seen her Honour brought into Contempt I 〈…〉 Whore that has made all Nations drunk with her Fornications tâ—… the Golden Cup in her hand I have seen the Cup of Indignation pâ—… her to drink I have seen her cast upon the Bed of never-ceasing â—… I have seen the City that was full of people that was the Glory of I â—… that made all Nation rich with her Traffick and Merchandize I 〈…〉 that City laid desolate and dis-inhabited and made the Sorrow of the 〈…〉 Earth and I have seen the smoak of her burning ascend forever and this is 〈◊〉 must shortly come to pass and if thou hast an Ear to hear thou mayst 〈…〉 and these things are true and faithful and they shall not fail but the Wâ—… shall know the Majesty Dread and Terror the Vengeance and Indigâ—… of the Almighty This is assented unto by many and written and subscribed by one that hath a Nâ—… not seen nor known of the World but known among Men by the name of Edward Burroughs Return your Answer to me or any of the People called Quakers for me in London from whence this is sent being written the 24th of the 8th Mon. 1658. A FAITHFUL TESTIMONY Concerning the True Worship OF GOD VVhat it is in it self and who are the True WORSHIPPERS In Opposition to all the False Worship in this Nation which is Idolatry which is discover'd in its Foundation and in its Manifestation not to be ever commanded of God or practized by his Apostles and Saints but it is declar'd to consist chiefly of such things and practices as had their first Beginning and Ordination in the Church of Rome whereby the Hypocrisie of this Generation doth appear in denying and crying against the Papists Idolatries and yet are found in the practice of the same thing in their Church Ministry and Worship which were first instituted by the Pope's Authority FOrasmuch as there is in the World a great Controversie among people concerning the Worship of God one crying This is the right Worship another That is the right Worship And people in these Nations are divided about the Worship of God and divers one from another in their Performances and Practices of Worship one sort worshipping after this manner another after that and there is great strife through the whole Nation about this matter and a great dis-satisfaction among people which is the right Worship and who are the right Worshippers and Thousands are desiring after the right Worship of God and to become Worshippers of him as he requires Therefore now it is upon me to shew unto all the World what the true Worship of God is in it self and who are his true Worshippers First The Worship of God in it self is this It is a walking with God and a living with him in Converse and Fellowship in Spirit and Truth for he is only worshipped therein and to do the Truth and speak the Truth This is the True Worship of God where the Mind is guided with the Spirit of Truth and the Presence of the Lord felt at all times and his Fear in the Hearts of people and his Councel stood in and his Covenant felt which unites to the Lord in Spirit this is the True Worship of God and it is without respect of times or things And now none upon Earth can thus worship God but who are changed and renewed in heart and mind and born of the Spirit and led thereby where the Body of Sin and Death is put off such as are redeemed out of the World and out of all its wayes and nature such only can worship God in the Spirit and in the Truth and such is the Father seeking to worship him now in this present Age And there is never a one upon Earth that can worship God as he requireth who remain unchanged and are in the Transgression unrenewed and unconverted such cannot worship the True and Living God but that which they perform and practice as the Pretence of his Worship is Idolatry and Abomination and the Lord hath not required it at their hands for none can walk with God nor have unity with him but who are renewed and changed nor none can do the Truth and speak the Truth in all things but such who are led by the Spirit of Truth and such are in the Covenant of God and true Worshippers of him and all that is contrary is not the Worship of God but Idolatry as I have said And now as concerning this Worship practiced in England in these Steeple-Houses Churches so called it is not the Worship of the Living God but Superstition and Idolatry for people have not learned it by the Teachings of the Spirit neither doth the Spirit lead them therein but it standeth in Form without Power and in the Inventions and Traditions of the Fathers and there is not in it the manifest Presence of God neither do you Worshippers meet with the Lord nor enjoy his pure Life and Presence in your Practices and the substance of your Worship as it is now practized is made up of Inventions some part of your own and some part brought along from the church of Rome And is it not great Hypocrisie in you to profess a denyal of the Church of Rome and yet be found practizing some of the same things as your Worship which the Church of Rome first instituted and practized as her Worship Shall we instance unto you some particular things Was it not by the Authority of the Church of Rome that these Houses in which you worship which you call Churches were first set up and made Worshipping-places for them And is it not a little while since that the Mass and old Popish stuff was therein
been practised in Civil State even Hellish Laws and Devilish Executors of them Merciless Tyrants have born the Scepter and reigned for many years over the Inhabitants and in Church and State has bin Hainous Idolatry and Superstitious Vanities committed in a high nature and measure and even all Men and States of Men and Orders of Men of every degree have been abominably corrupted in the Sight of my Lord even from the Priâ—ce to the Beggar even Rulers and Subjects Teachers and People Judges and Prophets they have been corrupted both in heart and hand and they have dealt falsly and wickedly towards him and towards one another even to the great Displeasure and Vexation of him and his blessed Spirit and to the high Provocation of him to their own Destruction if his Long-Suffering had not prevailed and all this while he hath laid as it were asleep and at rest in himself and he hath left men to try them what they will do and he hath gives them a Day many Kings and Rulers he hath let them have a little time to see how they would use it but they have abused it and not ruled for him nor accomplished his Work nor fulfilled his Will but acted even in defiance of him and of his Power and to his great Dishonour Alack I must be plain with you My Lord hath been utterly exiled and greatly dishonoured and highly provoked and vexed by reason of such proceedings as have been in this Nation for this many years through the Corruption of all sorts of Men in Place and Power who have not ruled for him but for the Devil to their own corrupted Ends only he hath suffered men to go onâ—in their course for a season some as it were appearing on the Stage for a time and suddenly cast down again for their Iniquities sake and his Hand hath been in all these things though very privately and secertly not known and discerned by the Sons of Men yet hath he ruled over the Kingdoms of Men and pulled down one and set up another And to for bear the several Actings and Proceedings of many by-passed Ages and to come to this Generation and to speak of things that have happened within these few years and of the changing and overturning that hath happened in this Nation such was the Cruelty Tyranny Oppression and Idolatry both in Church and Civil State that the people of this Nation were held under in the dayes of Papal-Power such I say was the exceeding heighth of Cruelty and Tyranny of that time that not any that Feared or Reverenced my Lord in any measure could scarce live or have a Beeing in the Nation even against every man that did but inâ—line towards him and desire the Knowledge of his Wayes Hell's Mouth was opened against them and they were swallowed up and many of their Lives taken from the Earth by the hellish power that had in that day usurped Authority in this Island and when thus it was then he looked down from Heaven and his bowels of compassion were opened for the sake of the oppressed People that desired after him in so much that he broke and threw down the power of their Oppressors in some measure as it stood in Papall Authority and when the iniquity of that power was filled up he took vengeance upon it and I must tell you it was he that brought it about even the destroying of that Power in this Nation and freeing the Nation from it though the men that were instruments in the cause were not his Servants otherwise then as Nebuchadnezzar served him for he hath a secret way to have a service from the wicked and such is his Power that he can turn the wickedness of the wicked to his glory and he can make a Rod to whipp his Adversaries and burn it when he hath done and he â—ath often destroyed one wickedness by another Well But to leave that though he did in some measure free the Nation from much Tyranny and Cruelty in the casting out Popish Authority yet a lack the Nation in a few years was near as much violated by Injustice and Cruelty under the succeeding Power as ever it was once under the Papal-Power though before there had been some small Reformation and Change in outward Appearance though little in ground and Nature yet Oppression and Idolatry and Superstition â—in Church and State and all Prophaneness and Wickedness among people was grown so high like as it had been under the Papal Power before and all that desired after the Lord and were weary of Iniquity and of the then present Oppressions and Idolatries were Persecuted and Slain and destroyed and Injustice and Cruelty exercised upon them even almosâ— to to the rooting out of Righteousness and to the grieving of the Lord's Spirit Well then because of the cry of the People and the Oppression of the Nation under that Authority my Lord looked down again and even for his Name 's sake and for his Seed's sake he had compassion on this Nation to set it free and to break off its Oppressions and in a great measure he did deliver the people of this Nation in many things and there was a part of Reformation wrought and much pretended and looked for and all this came to pass through him and my Lord did accomplish it however the Instruments by which he wrought proved deceitful and became Oppressors as others before them and though there was in this Nation a day of great Troubles and Wars and Contention and great Strife and the wasting of much Blood and earthly Treasure and none of these things I must tell you fell without the ordering of my Master's Hand yet so it was and came to pass that after this Nation was restored to Peace though much Unrighteousness and Injustice was removed yet there was much also left behind and men that he had used as Instrument in his Hand in a good Work and to whom he had given Wisdom and Understanding and appeared in much Mercy and in great Deliverance yet they even turned to seek themselves and became corrupted in the Spoils of their Enemies and when Peace and Plenty abounded the Lord was forgotten again and then the Land fell under Oppressors and began again to cry out for Freedom even when other Horns of the first Beast sprang up and went on each of them after his Fellow and though one Horn hath striven to break another yet after one hath been cast down another hath risen and made an Image to the first and ruled and reigned by the same spirit and authority derived from the Dragon's power in Cruelty and Oppression and made Laws and executed them to the Dishonour of the Lord and to the great Oppression of his People and to the filling of this Island with Injustice and Cruelty even from one Generation to another until this day and thus up and down have Times and Seasons been altered Powers and Authority changed and altered Statutes Laws and Decrees
is a Parliament what is a Protector and what is a Council or any other sort of men while the Presence of the Lord is not with them and while his Spirit and Authority is wanting to them What can any of these bring forth none of all these whatsoever if the Lord be not chief in them and amongst them and his Counsel their only Guide shall be any otherwise unto this Nation then as a broken Reed to lean upon and no more then a Shaddow which shall not save the people from the heat nor from the storm this we know and this we declare in the Name of the Lord. And we are not for Names nor Men nor Titles of Government nor are we for this Party nor against the other because of its Name and Pretence but we are for Iustice and Mercy and Trust and Peace and true Freedom that these may be exalted in our Nation and that Goodness Righteousness Meekness Temperance Peace and Unity with God and one with another that these things may abound and be brought forth aboundantly such a Government are we seeking and waiting for wherein Truth and Righteousness Mercy and Iustice Unity and Love and all the Fruits of Holiness may abound and all the contrary be removed cast out and limitted And we are not for such and such Names and Titles of Government that promise fair things and perform nothing but if a Council if a Parliament if any one Man or a number of Men whatsoever shall have the Spirit of the Lord poured on him or them and shall be anointed of the Lord for such an End and Use to Govern this Nation under such only shall the Nation be happy and enjoy Rest from such men fitted of the Lord and called by him and under such a Government of Truth and Righteousness shalt thou O Nation enjoy Rest from all thy Travels and under such a Government shall the Righteous rejoyce and the whole Land sing for Joy of Heart when Tyranny and Oppression shall be clean removed Strife and Contention and Self-seeking utterly abandoned and when Peace and Truth flows forth as a Stream and the Lord alone rules in thy Rulers and he the Principal amongst them and under such men and such a Government only and not under any other shalt thou O Nation be happy and thy people a free People Wherefore O Nation when wilt thou begin to look to the Lord when wilt thou begin to set up Him and not man when wilt thou mind his Power and Presence in and through men more then any men themselves when shall it once be O ye people of our Nation that ye will seek after him to be the principal and chief Power among you Oh! let your eye be turned to the Lord alone that he may deliver you and bring Salvation and Freedom and look no more at men but only as they are in him guided by his Spirit only expect good from men as they are guided by the Lord and then shall you not ever any more be deceived as long you have been with Parliaments with Councils with Armies nor any others for in these have you trusted and not in the Lord from these have you expected great Things without him whenas alas what shall men accomplish or what can they bring forth while they reject the Counsel of the Lord and his Word as hitherto they have done and therefore hath he broke them and confounded them yea and he will break them and crush them under his Rod even till they come to learn his Judgments and know him the alone Power and give Honour to him that doth whatsoever he will and he will overthrow it once and again even till he comes whose Right it is to Rule and he is at work in this his Day and because of Iniquities doth he visit with Tribulation and through great Tribulation and overturning of Men and Powers will he advance his own Kingdom and Government and the end of all these things shall bring forth his Glory and men that will not honour him by dealing Righteously in their Day upon Earth they must honour him in their destruction at their Latter-end and let not men glory one over another while some are put down and others set up but let them all know they have but each sort their hour and their end will come even as others for an everlasting Kingdom and Government will God setup that must rule over all and this is the hope of a poor dispised people though for present hated of all and sought to be destroyed by all yet our Souls are anchored and staid even in the sure Promises of our God in this the day of the Nations trouble and though we are poor and rejected of all and have nothing to glory in among any party or sort of people but even in our Reproaches and Sufferings which we sustain from all yet have we perfect rest in God and satisfaction over all these distractions we know him in whom we have believed and we trust in the shadow of his Wing and we are not of a doubting heart concerning what can come or whomsoever do rule for this we know though all seek after our blood yet he can deliver us if he will we know him that can do all things and if he save none can destroy if he bless none can curse him we know and in him we rest and we give our power in all things to him not unto mortal man whose breath is in his nostrils who must perish as the dung we cannot be afraid of their horror nor can we be drawn by their love but we trust in his Name and under his defence shall we be saved we give our power to him to be defended and preserved by him alone and we are well content with our Sufferings and murmur not our Sufferings are our present Crown but yet Wo unto that Authority which maketh us to suffer and wo 〈◊〉 the men upon whom God shall charge the guilt of our Oppressions and wo unto that Spirit that is found acting against Gods Anointed Behold ye Mountains of the Earth behold ye Rulers and ye People the Lord hath blessed his People and every Tongue that riseth up in witness against them shall be condemned and every Weapon that is formed against them shall be broken this is our hope in this gloomy day and the hope of a Kingdom of Righteousness and Peace which must be set up is our refreshment in this day of trouble and let not our Enemies glory over us forthough we be very poor yet shall we be made rich and though we have no carnal weapon yet shall we conquer and thus have we declared our selves in much plainness and sincerity to our Nation whom we love and whose present condition we pitty and and lament over and we are Friends to an appearance of good that may come forth in Truth and Sincerity and as Righteousness do appear in any we are ready to joyn with
Minds of Men and Unsettlement in their spirits and the Foundation of a happy Government is not yet discovered unto many nor do the People walk in the way of Peace but Iniquity is abounding Oppression and Cruelty yet lives Hard-heartedness and Envy Pride and Ambition are not yet cut down neither in all the Governours nor in the Governed and this is not the way of Peace and true Settlement but it is the way of Troubles and Distractions and the very Foundation of great Distractions and Wars rather than of Settlement and happy Government These things are so and therefore true Peace and settlement in good Agreement who can expect because the ground of Distractions and unsettlement is continued and increased rather than abated and removed amongst 〈◊〉 and the true Foundation of Peace and settlement in happy Government is not yet raised up amongst men but because Injustice and Oppressiâ—â— are continued therefore will God be provoked to bring Distractions Wars and Tribulations upon the Kingdoms of all the World and God will â—â—â—found and dash in pieces Powers Authorities Rulers Nations and Peoples and he will break one Potsherd against another and overthrow one Mountain against another and the Hands of cruel Men will God suffer to devour one another and ambitious and malicious Hearts shall be suffered to finish one anothers ends because of their own wickedness and therefore be not deceived Blessedness in the Kingdoms of this World can never be except Iniquity and Transgression be departed from except Oppession and Hard-heartedness dye and except the Foundation of War and Strife be removed and the Foundation of Peace and happy Government be raised up amongâ—â— Men. Again True Peace and settlement in good Government can never be except the Lord alone be owned as Judge and Law-giver and his righteous Laws to be executed in the Earth that Justice and true Judgement may flow down and all the contrary may be stopped and limtted by the just Laws of God and all unjust and unequal Laws made and established in the Ignorancâ— of Men which have not been justly according to the Law of God nor depended thereupon such Laws must also be made void judged and cast out and the Law of God must enter This must be accomplished if ever true settlement in a pappy Peace be amongst us the Laws must be changed the unjust and unequal cast out and just and equal Laws brought in for because hereof while unjust and unequal Laws have been executed in Judgement therefore have we wanted settlement and peace in a happy Government and the cortrary hath been and will continue till all unjust unequal and oppressive Laws be discontinued Again If ever true peace and settlement in a happy Government be amongst men Governours Rulers and Executioners of the Law must be just Persons and righteous Men Men that fear God and hate Covetousness and that depart from every evil way and all ambitious self-seeking and unjust Men must be cast out even all they that have sought themselves and not the Lord in their places of Trust such as have perverted Justice and true Judgement for their own corrupted Ends and such as have been cruel and hard-hearted Oppressors all such as these must be cast out and the Law must not be committed to such to execute neither must such sit in judgement over the People for because hereof and while such men have ruled and governed and executed the Laws no true settlement in a just Government but the contrary hath been even Destractions anâ— Tribulations and while such men do continue to rule and judge and execute the Laws in any part of the World we shall never have a happy Government nor settlement in it in this World nor till just men that have the Spirit of God and sound judgement that are humble and meek patient and merciful and such as fear the Lord and walk in his Wayes be called to rule and judge and execute the Laws and the Laws must be just and holy and the Executioners of them equal and upright men Till these things be accomplished a happy settlement in this Worlds Kingdoms can never be but God will dash one Mountain against another and throw one Hill upon another and he will give no Peace among the Kings of the Earth but stain the glory of all the Worlds Governments till Truth and Righteousness come to reign and till just Laws be executed by just Men and till Mâ—rcy and Justice Truth and Equity flow forth abundantly Therefore all Nations you have been deceived while you have turned up and down from one way and manner and kind of Government to another and from one sort of Governmten to others sometimes you have been for a Parliament sometime for a Protector and sometime for neither from each of these to others you have changed thinking to have peace and settlement in a happy Government but it could not be for there are continuâ—l Distractions untill this day in the minds of Mâ—n and they are yet unsettled in their spirits and there are Heart-burnings and â—nvyings and seeking of Revenge and while these things are nothing but Distractions and Tribulâ—tions not Peace but Troubles even till these things be removed And till â—e have just and equal Laws according to the Law of God established over 〈◊〉 and just and holy and Righteous Men to execute them in Judgement â—pon us and till we have Truth and Righteousness sit on the Throne until this be no true Settlement in a happy Government but Distractions and Contentions and woful Tribulations in the Kingdoms of the World and amongst men and this is certain and according unto the Will of the Loâ—d and in the justness of his Judgement these things come to pass for it is Injustice and Oppressions and want of Mercy and Truth which is the Foundation of Contentions and Distractions and it is Justice and Equity Truth and Righteousness that is the only Foundation of Peace and Settlement and a happy Government for a Perpetual continuance To all False Christians THere are many false wayes in the World and many false kinds of Religions and People are in much disagreement about their Church Worship and Ministry Papists are opposing the Protestants and the Protestants the â—â—pists and there is a great contention in the World But the Papists are in a wrong way and so are the Protestants too and their Religions are both false in many things for whilst they profess Christ and Christianity and make a shew of Righteousness in outward appearance yet many of them live in sinful wayes and bring forth the fruits of Iniquity against the living God and Pride Cheating and Double-dealing Covetousness and Envy Drunkenness and Whoredom and all Wickedness is abounding and brought forth both by the Apostate Christians though they cry up the Name of Christ and the Profession of Godliness yet are they wicked in the sight of God and they are not changed in heart and mind nor do they know the
the Foundation or Fundamental Principle of the Religion which is not in Form but in Power agreeing in the Foundation and in the whole building But Friends you seem to charge the late Powers of the Nation if not your selves yet some part of your Body which now are in power with great things with no less then to be Satans Seedsmen for if allowing difference in Forms be the dangerousest and fruitfullest Seed that ever was sown by the envious One as you say it is then who do you blame either the fore-going Parliaments of which some of you have been and so cannot be clear from that evil or the Protector himself and this seem to be a very great charge upon him whose judgment is appearingly to give allowance unto difference in Forms to be the Seedsman of Satan or to allow the envious One to sow the Seed which you call dangerous it is not Christians that are divided but the Sects and false Opinions men of corrupt minds Thus much in answer to the words as they are laid down but I rather chuse to speak to the mind or intent of the Penmans spirit of your Declaration which implieth an inclining to be against many Forms and to bind up all into one Form of Worship and so thereby though some which is evil would be shut out yet would the true spiritual Worship of the Saints above all assuredly thereby be excluded and the tender spirits of People who truly seek God would be oppressed But keep your selves from that evil I warn you lest you be broken and never bound up and lay no Law nor make no Law upon Religion but let Religion defend it self only lay your Law upon Peace-breakers and violent men and bind not mens Consciences to a Worship by your Precepts either made already or by such as may be made if you ease the Oppressed so God will establish you in peace if you fulfil his Will herein Again you say In not being fully sensible though the Lord in the depth of his wisdoms and righteous Iudgments hath for some years last past been overturning several Authorities in these Nations and hath as it were been pouring them from Vessel to Vessel he hath been pleased ever since his people publickly contended for his Truths still to set up Rulers who have allowed them the free exercise and profession of them Answ. Indeed you are not sensible of the righteous Judgments of God in overturning several Authorities in the Nation and therefore you go in the same abominations as they did who were overturned till you also be overturned as they were But take heed to your selves lest you be more then poured from Vessel to Vessel even spilt in the dust of misery and never more gathered again Your last part of this particular is false for we that are in the pure Religion and in the Exercise of our pure Consciences have not from some of you our Liberty but are cast into Goals and Dungeons and banished out of yoâ—â— Towns and Cities some of us by some that have been Rulers set up if this be doubted by you examine through your Nation true testimony may be given so that here you have spoken better of the Rulers then indeed it is and would make the Nation believe untruths to establish you though I condemn not all but my words are towards the Guilty that they may repent lest they perish in their iniquities and be cut off in their transgressions and the Curse be upon you all for the sake of some Again you say In that Athiestical and luke-warm Spirit too commonly aâ—…gst you whereby not only the Form but also the Power of Godliness is reproached and accounted as a vain thing but also too many have fallon from their first love and others esteâ—… themselves rich whilst they are miserable poor and blind and naked sins which â—…e the highest aggravated by being committed in Countries where the glorious Light of the Gospel shinâ—s clearest Answ. This you have confessed truly to your own shame in the sight of other Nations your spirit is not only luke-warm unto Righteousness but it is too â—â—mmon among some of you to be zealous and hot in persecuting the Way of Righteousness and indeed many of you are grosly fallen from your first Love and Integrity and thereby the Power of Godliness is not only reproached by you but persecuted and counted vile and they that live in it oppressed such is your zeal in your dead Form some of you that even you count the true Way and Worship of God madness and you are the men that esteem your selves rich while you are miserable and blind and naked and your sins are aggravated the more and higher because God gives you warning daily by the mouth of his Servants who hold forth the Light of the glorious Gospel and bears witness unto your faces against your Abominations and Idolatries committed by you yet for all this you continue in your iniquities and evil entreat the Messengeâ— of Peace unto you souls and are the men indeed which are Athiestical evâ—â— many by their work saying in their hearts there is no God and as truly as yoâ— have confessed your sins so must you confess the justness of the Judgments of God upon your own heads if you return not unto the living God and own the day of your Visitation Again you say In being more dissatisfied that you have not obtained all you aimâ—d 〈◊〉 then thankful that you have obtained so much as you now enjoy Answ. Verily this is not the least of your sins but exceed some others fâ—r you aim at that which you shall never obtain till you be thankful and walk worthy of what you enjoy and this is the way Ease the Oppressed and take oâ—f the yoke of the Poor and Needy and of the Lord you may be heard and seek not your own honour for that is the ground of dissatisfaction and unthankfulness among you and the cause why you abuse the Mercies which you do enjoy having lost the sence of the former dealings of the Lord with you Further you say All which with other the grievous sins of these three Nations caâ—â— aloud upon all the good People in them to lie low in the sight of our offended God and bâ— Prayer and Humiliation away which in our deepest distresses we have found both our Dâ—ty and Comfort to tread in to seek to appease his Wrath and that he would be pleased fâ—… his own Names sake to remove whatever accursed thing there is found amongst us and the as he is our God so we may be his People Answ. Indeed many more grievous sins are highly abounding in these three Nations your own oppressions and self-seeking honours and vain glories in your self-performed righteousness with your persecution of the Innocent by grievous unjust Fines and Imprisonment not regarding the cry of the Poor which lie under the heavy hand of Oppression of you subordinate Rulers these aboundantly add to the