the many horrid and hideous Errors which for some years past have abounded amongst us against the Authority of Scriptures the Deity of Christ the holy Ghost Trinity of Persons Immortallity of Souls Doctrines of Repentance Humiliation Sanctification Resurrection from the Dead the Eternal recompence of Heaven and Hell yea divers Sects encreasing every day in numbers power and malice and under the name of Quakers Ranters Seekers c. oppâ—gning the received Doctrine and unquestionable interest of Christ Iesus amongst us Answ. That many horrid Errors have abounded amongst you that is very true as in many particulars might be instanced But why do you maliciously charge the Quakers with opposing the Interest of Christ Jesus The Lord shall judge you in his Day when he makes it appear to all the World that those whom you charge with the contrary are the very Friends of Christ's Interest and have been patient Sufferrers for his Name sake under the wickedness of your Generation and as for the Ranters Seekers and others whom you have reckoned up together with the Quakers it is well known that we are in opposition in spirit unto all these and have given large testimony in the Fear of God against them though it is certain that there is many as upright and sincere men towards God among these Sects you have mentioned as any of your Congregations and though in some things they are condemnable yet in some things they are as justifiable as you are before the Lord And what the Seekers Ranters Familists and the rest mentioned by you do hold as in these things you have charged them with I will leave that for I am not now pleading their cause but the Cause of God and his People whom you in scorn call Quakers and though you have joyned them in Accusation with others yet I must separate them from others in my Answer and must tell you in the fear of the Lord that you have belyed them and falsly accused them out of your malicious hearts for they do not deny the Authority of the Scriptures but gives that authority to them which the Spirit of God that gave them forth hath formerly given neither do they deny the Deity of Christ but do say In him dwelleth the fulness of the Godhead neither do they deny the holy Spirit nor the Father Son and Spirit but say there are three and these three are one but as for your Trinity of Persons that is language beside the the Scriptures and we do affirm the Soul is Immortal and as for the Doctrines of Repentance Humiliation Sanctification Resurrection from the Dead the eternal Recompence of Heaven and Hell these Doctrines are publickly held forth by them in words and also in practice more then by your selves therefore with what face you could charge them with the denial of these things it is almost wonderfull and there are thousands of your Congregations that are and have been sometimes hearing in your City that shall bear witness against your Accusations and give Evidence that they have heard them whom you call Quakers give faithfull witness of and for all these things which you charge them with denial of Do you think that your Congregations are all so blind as to receive for truth what you have herein spoken nay I must tell you some of them are offended with you because hereof First in that you have reckoned the Quakers with Ranters and others between whom there is absolute opposition and not agreement neither in Doctrine nor Practice Secondly That you should charge the Quakers with such things as they are altogether clear of and known to be so by many but this is that your folly and weakness might appear and as you speak of encreasing every day in number power and malice some part of this is true for the Lord doth encrease his People daily in number and power by his Spirit but not in Malice and that is your torment the encrease of the Quakers which as they have begun to encrease so the Lord will continue them and you nor mortal men shall not be able to hinder neither the Magistrates Persecution nor the Ministers Instigation thereunto though you have joyned hand in hand against them for the Lord is with his People and his Authority and Power is theiâ— Defence and they are not in empty Forms as you say but in the Power of Godliness and as for your Ordinances and Ministry of which you speak something I have said to it already and more I shall say to it hereafter Your third Evidence is The odious Scandals of those that profess themselves to be the People of God as their self-seeking their unparallell'd breach of all civil and sacred Oathes whereby the Mouth of Iniquity is opened and the reverence of Religion abated so that to us say you there appears no visible way of repairing the credit of strict profession but by a severe punishment of Professors c. Answ. It is true many that do profess themselves the people of God but are not but by their lives and practices gives odious Scandals and are Self-seeking as you say but upon whom the guilt of this may be truly charged that remains to be sought out doubtless it lies as near your doors as any others for is not your pride and oppression by taking Tythes suing people at Law for Wages and casting them in Prison because for good Conscience sake they cannot pay you your seeking for your gain from your Quarter and your taking great sums of Money and preaching for hire taking so much yearly are not these odious scandals and very self-seeking practices which you are guilty of while you pretend publick good as for Breaches of Oaths and Covenants I wish you to search your own hearts for that Iniquity doth lie as near your Generation as any others witness that you and your Brethren have from time to time engaged to such and such things As first Did not you engage for the Government to be without King and House of Lords And did not you then cry up the Protector contrary to your Engagements and now cry up another And thus it is very evident that the guilt of breach of Oathes and Covenants lies near unto your selves which indeed opens the Mouth of Iniquity for the very Cavaliers and Prelates say you were once strict in your Way but now you have struck hands with them and are now your selves doing that which you cried out against in them And thousands in this Nation is abated in their affections from your Church and Ministry as knowing them to be upon a false Foundation and to be of Babylon and not of the Heavenly Ierusalem And what do you mean by severe punishment of Professors Do you mean to set up Ecclesiastical Laws again and that all must be forced to your Church Way and Religion Is it in your hearts to drive the Nation by force and if they will not to punish them with Fire and Fagot and Prisons If
and the Lord appeared daily to us to our Astonishment Amazement and great Admiration insomuch that we often said one unto another with great joy of Heart What is the Kingdom of God come to be with men And will he take up his Tabernacle among the Sons of Men as He did of old And what shall we that were reckoned as the Out casts of Israel have this Honour of Glory communicated amongst us which were but men of small Parts and of little Abilities in respect of many others as amongst men Howbeit thus it seemed good unto the Lord to chose the weak things and the foolish things of this World as to the aspect of men that no Flesh might glory that no man because of his Parts might glory or because of his strength or wisdom might glory but that the Glory which is his might only be given to him Unto whom be the Glory of all his Works forever and ever Amen And from that Day forward our Hearts were knit unto the Lord and one unto another in true and servent Love not by any External Covenant or External Form but we entred into the Covenant of Life with God and that was as a strong Obligation or Bond upon all our spirits which united us one unto another and we met together in the Unity of the Spirit and of the Bond of Peace treading down under our Feet all reasoning questioning debating and contending about Religion or any part or parts or practice or practices thereof as to any external thing and we waited at time and times as God did grant us Oportunities and the more we had and could obtain from our necessary Occasions of this present life the better we were and the more we were confirmed and strengthened in our Hope and Faith and holy Resolutions were kindled in our Hearts as a Fire which the Life kindled in us To serve the Lord while we had a Beeing and to make mention of his Name and Power whilst we did live and to hold forth that Testimony which was committed to us in the sight of Men and Nations by Doctrine by Practice by a holy Conversation and mightily did the Word of God grow amongst us and the desires of many were after the Name of the Lord. Oh happy Day Oh blessed Day the memorial of which can never pass out of my Mind And thus the Lord in short did form us to be a People for his Praise in our Generation Howbeit after all this and much more which time would fail me to write of neither is the purpose of my spirit bent that way at this time we did come through very great Tribulations extream Distresses great Perplexity and passed out oftentimes hungry and hard put to it both within and without yet such was our love to the Lord and such servency in our hearts That we rather chosed to dye and to undergo every Difficulty than to dishonour or deny the Name of Christ in the midst of suffering because of that Taste that we had of his Goodness and immortal Life revealed in our Hearts this Young Man of whom I am speaking had his share though but a Youth at that time of 16. or 17. years of age Because of the I ruth which crossed all the world's wayes his nearest Relations even his own Parents cast him off as an Alien and turn'd him out from their House as not to have any Part or Portion therein as a Son nay not so much as a hired Servant which this young Man bore very patiently without Murmuring or Complaining having a taste of that then which was better then all the World and through conversing with his people and amongst them the Spirit of the Lord came upon him and the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding entred into his Heart and the Spirit of Knowledge and sound Judgment came to be seated in his Reins and the Spirit of Prophesie came upon him like as it did upon many more through the Holy Ghost's Power and Operation and he spake of the wonderful things of God among them that believed and was one of the first among us which the Lord opened the Mouth of to shew forth his Praise and to speak of the things of his Kingdom to as many as he met with who waited for the Consolation of Israel for the Riches of the Gentiles and to as many as desired and hoped after Eternal Life At last the Lord signled him out and commanded him to go forth into Countries unknown to him as he did some more besides upon whom he laid a necessity to preach the Gospel freely without Money without Price without Tythes Augmentations Gifts or Rewards and in that he was as faithful a man none exeeeding him in his Generation for those things were an abhorrency to his heart and where he met with any such Hireling Shepherds and deceitful Workers which had gull'd the Nations and cheated the people for dishonest Gain and kept them in Blindness the Indignation of the Lord was kindled in his Heart and the Sword of the Lord was very Sharp in his Hand and whomsoever he met with which walked after this sort they were sure to feel the weight of his Weapon and the force of his Blow by which many have been deeply wounded that they have grinned like Dogs on him as greedy Dogs indeed because of their present Wound and Blow that he did give them and though he was but young in years yet he was full of fortitude and true valour The Lord oftentimes when he exercised him in such War as this hath filled his Quiver full of polished Shafts and made his Bow to abide in strength and he was as dextrous and as ready handed as any that I knew in his day against the Dragon and his power against the Beast and his Followers and indeed he was very even-handed and had a special good Arm and seldom mist the Mark God had fill'd his Mouth with Arguments so that he hath often made a breach in the Face of an Host. And it was my lot which I cannot but say fell in a good ground to be his Companion and Fellow-Labourer in the Work of the Gospel whereunto we were called for many years together And oh when I consider my heart is broken how sweetly we walked together for many Moneths and Years in which we had perfect knowledge of one anothers hearts and perfect unity of spirit not so much as one cross word or one hard thought of discontent ever rose I believe in either of our hearts for ten years together but our Souls were bound up in unity and peace having the frame of our hearts bent after one and the self same thing to wit the propagation of that Truth by which Liberty was obtained and Salvation received through Jesus Christ the true Light of the World seeing through his Light the whole World to lie in wickedness a necessity lay upon this person of whom I am speaking being constrained by the Spirit of the Lord
in the Elect a created word or voice or motions and here be a witness against thy self that thou speakst from darkness and not from Light which darkness cannot comprehend the shining of the Light and this discovers thee more to be a false Witness and not the true Witness of God and therefore thy Portion must be the Portion of false witnesses read what it is Quer. 2. In thy second particular thou queriest Is not this an infallible demonstration to men that a man is sent forth by the eternall Spirit if he have received a gift from the holy Ghost to demonstrate what the true Creator was in his own distinct Essence Nature and glory from all eternity in time and to all eternity and wherein Elect men and Angels differ in their natures and glory distinct from their Creator in their Persons Answ. He that hath not received a gift from the Holy Ghost in some measure is not sent forth by the Eternal Spirit or God of all Truth this is infallible and such knowes not what the Creator is but by imagination and carnall conceptions of him and such in the Light of Christ is seen and by it judged and among such thou art to that in thy Conscience I speak which will witness me he that hath received the Holy Ghost turneth people from the power of Satan to the power of God and knoweth the Creator and the dwelling of him in the heart for as the Scripture saith The Word is nigh but let all flesh be silent he who is in time knowes not him which was before time and shall be when time shall be no more he who knows the Creator which inhabiteth Eternity is redeemed out of time into the Habitation of the Almighty but this to thy dark minde and spirit is unknown if ever thou knowest it it must be through death the nature and glory of the Elect differs not from the Nature and glory of the Creator for the Elect are one with the Creator in his nature enjoying his glory which was from eternity unto eternity he that reads let him understand thy word distinct Essence I deny for the Elect is not distinct from the Creator but lives by the dwelling of the Son in him and with the Son the Father dwells also if thou hast an ear thou mayest hear 3 Quer. In thy third particular thou queriest What that Angelical Serpent was in his creation which the Scripture speaks of and how he came to be cast out of his glory and how he overcame innocent Eve and how he entered into her womb and changed her pure Seed into his nature of unclean reason And thou askest What think you Was not that man Cain the first murdering lying Devil that ever was And is there any Devil but proud vain-glorious unmercifull men and women Ans. That same which speaks in thee is that same servent which the Scripture speaks of and if thou hast the spirit of Moses thou knowest what he was in the Creation for Moses saw his Creation by that Spirit which was before he was and if thou knowest his creation in thy self then thou mayst know him without thee but yet he lies under his vail deceiving thee and is not deceived by thee and by the same which thou lives in he was cast out of his glory even disobedience and he over came innocent Eve even as he overcomes thee by promising what he fulfilled nor and by presenting that which was visible and so her minde was led out as thine is and by her consenting he entered and got power and set up his habitation which is now standing in thee and so she became the likeness of himself her minde and lust strayed into the visibles out from the Creator who is invisible and spirituall and she now lives under the curse and brings forth cursed children such as thou art who puts forth these queries and this child was begotten by him who deceived her and he is the Father and Prince of all you who are Wells without water Clouds without rain and wandering Stars having no habitations in the Heavens the blackness of darkness is reserved unto you for ever ye who speak great swelling words of vanity that ye are the last Witnesses and Messengers c. but you your selves are servants of corruption and to the last part of thy query I answer before Cain who is a lying Devil was a child he was a father and if thou hast an ear thou mayest hear the proud vain glorious unmercifull men and women who bears his image must with him be tormented in the Lake which burneth by the kindling of the breath of the Almighty for ever and ever and here thou art answered though not to the feeding of thy wisdom but in the Light by which thou art comprehended which Light will eternally condemn thee who hates it 4 Quer. Thou queries What condition Adam was formed in and how he came to fall from his estate and what sin it was they committed Adam and Eve and whereby the Elect and Reprobate are defiled Answ. Adam was created in the image of God and God breathed into him the breath of life and he became a living Soul but eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil therein he turned from the Command of God and did dye if thou hast an ear thou mayest hear and thou that queriest hast eaten of that Tree and thou shalt never know in what condition he was created in but through the death for a sword is set at Edens gate to keep the Tree of life which will cut thee down before ever thou knowest or canst witness his estate and as for the Elect being defiled here thou makest thy self manifest that thou never knewest what the Elect was for the Elect is born of God and he that is born of God sins not and the promises of God are to the Elect and election obtains it and the Elect was never defiled if thou hast an ear thou mayest hear that which is defiled shall not enter into the holy City and here thou hast manifested thy ignorance and art that Reprobate thou speakst of which is ordained of old for condemnation which is the Transgressor which is cast out thou hast no communion with the Elect for thou art defiled and art without the Gate to be trodden in the Wine-press 5 Quer. What that heavenly glory is and where it is that the Elect Wheat of Christ shall eternally enjoy who are the Seed of Adam and not of Cain Answ. What that glory which the Elect which thou hast spoke of in thy fourth query shall inherit which was and is defiled it is to be in Hell in utter darkness for ever and ever where all the unclean are and thou wouldst know where it is it is without the Gate of the City among the Dogs and Whoremongers and Lyars and Deceivers and whatsoever is defiled shall be trodden in the Wine-press of the Wrath of God for ever and ever where is
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
was set up for a season so that Iohn farther saw and said the whole World went after the Beast and false Prophet whom he saw before was come and worshipped the Beast and his Image but a few whose names were written in the Book of Life And as I have said the whole City with the outward Court was trodden down by the Gentiles foot and darkness surprised all and wickedness abounded more and more and the night came upon all as Christ had prophesied and the Beast grew in his dominion till there was hardly any man left to bear witness in the Truth and in the Power of God unto the Name of Jesus but all was subverted into dead Forms and Shadows and Likenesses without Life and the Lord left the Earth as it were and covered himself in the Darkness and became a stranger in the World and did scarce openly speak by Vision nor Dream nor Prophet but all were in the dark and Ignorance abounded and Superstition was exalted the Saints Spirit and Life which they were in and guided by was lost and then they began to worship the Saints Names and Dayes and Words without the Life and Power and that Nature and that same Seed which had persecuted the Saints to death and gainsayed the Power and lost the holy Ghost turned it self into the profession of the Saints Words which were left upon Record and conformed it self into the Saints Practises without the Life Power and holy Ghost And having lost the Power from which the Scripture was given forth and not being guided in the Life which they were in which spoke it forth then from the Scripture in mens own conceptions and thoughts and by their reason without Gods Spirit they set up Likenesses and Images and Sects and Forms and many Heads and many Horns grew upon the Beast which all the World worshipped and went after for they had lost Christ the one Head wherein the Union stood and grew into Idolatry under the many Heads which were upon the Beast who had many Horns which pushed one against another as it is witnessed unto this day do not the Papists and Protestants so called and other Sects risen out of them push one at another to break and tear one another and these have many Heads The Pope he is a Head and the others they have a Head which every one bowes down under his own Head the Pope will not bow to the Protestants Head nor will the Protestants bow to the Papists Head the Presbyterians and Independâ—… and Anabaptists and the rest every one of them bows to their own Head and will not bow to anothers Head and all these with their Horns push one against another to rend one another and all these are from Christ and know not him the one Head of the whole Body and the one Horn of God's Salvation unto aâ— People for Christ which is but one is the Head and the Horn which all the Saints who are now gathered out of this Apostacy and dark Night unto whom the Light again is risen worship Christ the one Head and know him the one Horn which pushes aganist the Devils Kingdom which hath long been set up and rulâ—â— in the Earth among all these who have many Heads and many Horns who are aâ—… of them the very chiefest but in the night fallen in the Apostacy and Daâ—â—ness since the beginning of the reign of the Beast and the coming in of faâ—… Prophets which came in as I have said when the Churches backslided with the Whore also who hath made all Nations and People Drunk with the Wine of be Fornication and the Beast hath reigned over all Nations in his Dominion and Authority and the false Prophet hath prophesied through all Nations And all these came in since the dayes of Christ for he prophesied that iâ— should be so as it is come to pass and they were coming in in the dayes of the Apostles as you may read Paul saw them coming and largely describes their Character in several Epistles And Peter he saw them coming in and described them what such they were and should be and Iude he saw them also and Iohn more fully then any both in his Epistles and Revelations as I have â—â—â—â—ed at And when the Apostles were taken off the Earth some by cruel Deaths and others were banished then they sprung in more fully and grew through all Nations and to this day hath the Beast with his many Heads and many Horns ruled in Nations and been worshipped and his false Prophet hath ever since been defended and hath riden on the Beast through Nations and hath deceived Nations with vanity and error and at this very day the Nations and People are deceived and lie under Darkness in the slavery and bondage under the authority of the Beast and subject to the doctrine of his false Prophets And as I have said Darkness hath been over all and fancies and likenesses without Life have been bowed under and the Power being lost the Form hath been set up one after this sort and another after that according to mens vain conceits and apprehensions upon the Scriptures and not according to the manifestation of the Spirit of God which fulfilleth the Scriptures and brings to live the Life of them So in divers Colours and in divers Appearances and Robes in several forms and shapes of Garments hath the great Whore been decked who hath sat upon the Beast having the false Prophet serving as a Boy or Servant to do whatsoever the Whore listeth and the false Prophet this Servant of the Whore under the power of the Beast hath moved and turned as the Beast would and according as the Whore hath changed her self into other Garments and Colours even so hath the false Prophet changed his Doctrine and Prayers to please the Whore and to keep people under the Government of the Beast It s known in this our day that some who preached and prayed for the King and Bishops do now preach and pray for others even for them who destroyed the King and Bishops so the false Prophets with all his Children are but the Whores Servants who hath made drunk Kings and Princes and great Men and People and Nations with the Cup of Fornication and Abomination in the several Sects and Forms of Worships which have been set up without the power of Godliness for the Baptism of the Spirit being lost and not known then from the Letter by imaginations were several sorts of Baptism brought forth as sprinkling of Infants that dark folly and vain vanity which all these Nations have been deceived withal by the exercise of the false Prophet And when the Gift of the Ministry through the holy Ghost which the Ministers of Christ had was lost and not any more â—…eceived then began men to make Ministers by natural Learning and Arts and Languages and humane Pollicy and when the gift of preaching by the eternal Spirit was lost through the coming in of 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
Lawful Tryal OF THE Teachers and professed Ministers of this Age and Generation by a perfect proceeding against them And hereby they are righteously examined and justly weighed and truely measured and condemned out of their own mouthes and judged by their own professed Rule viz. The Scriptures and thereby are proved to disagree and be contrary to all the Ministers of Christ in former Ages and to agree and concur with all the false Prophets and Deceivers in their call in their maintenance and in their doctrines and conversation and practice And being brought to the Bar of Justice these things are truly charged against them and legally proved upon them and their own professed Rule the Scriptures have judged them guilty Whereunto is added A short description of the true Ministry of Christ and of its lawfull and just maintenance according to the Apostles Examples and now again justified by the People of God called Quakers in England THe time of Tryal is come wherein the Lord is trying the Hearts of men and now it is manifest what lodgeth in the hearts of all mankind and by the Fruit every Tree shall be judged The Lord hath beheld the wickedness of this Generation and it is very great and cometh not short but rather abounds all other Generations that have gone before Wickedness is grown high among Teachers and People and the measure of iniquity is fulfilling daily Come let us reason together What think you was there ever such a Generation of Teachers as this is Have they any example that ever went before for their Wickedness To whom may they be compared or with whom shall we parallel them And because they say the Scripture is their Rule therefore will we try them by it and their own Mouth shall Condemn them and such they shall be concluded to be whose example they do follow be it Ministers of Christ or be â—t Deceivers unto the Apostles and Ministers of Christ they are compared but are found quite contrary in many things and their Practice fitly suteth and agrees with all the false Prophets and Deceivers And thus I shall prove them according to Scripture wherein these men that are Teachers do disagree to the Apostles and Ministers of Christ which he sent forth in former Generations and wherein they do agree with the Deceivers and Antichrists and false Prophets that have run and not been sent 1. And first of all The Apostles and Ministers of Christ were made Ministers of Christ by the Gift of the Holy Ghost and by Power from on high only and what they ministred unto others they had freely received from Christ and had Handled Felt and Tasted of the Word of LIFE But the Teachers of this Generation do not agree with them in this for they are made Ministers by natural Learning and Education and the knowledge of Arts and by the Ordination of men and by the Powers of this World and not by the Gift of the Holy Ghost and they speak that whcih they have heard out of Books and studied for by Arts and which they have received from man and not that which they have received only from the Lord. 2. The Ministers of Christ they were approved of God and called by his Spirit into the work of the Ministry and were not of man neither by man But many of these are approved of man and not of God and called by man and maintained by maâ— in their Ministry and herein do they differ and disagree for as I said the Ministers of Christ were made Ministers by the Holy Ghost and not by natural learning but these are made Ministers by natural learning or otherwise and not by the Gift of the Holy Ghost 3. Again herein do they disagree The Ministers of Jesus Christ went up 〈◊〉 down through the World declaring the Word of the Lord freely at any time in the Market-places and in the Synagogues and in the Streets and went from Country to Country and were Strangers upon Earth not having any certain Dwelling-place or any great PARSONAGES But these settle themselves in a certain place for so much Money by the year and spend their time in ease and pleasure and lust of the flesh selling to the People for Money what they preach and herein they disagree the Ministers of Christ preached freely as they had received freely but the Ministers of this Age sell for money what they preach to the People and thus they differ in their call to the Ministry and in their practise in the Ministry and in their maintenance also as is made manifest to many 4. Again the Ministers of Christ preached to bring People into fellowship with Gâ—… by preaching of the Gospel through converting Sinners unto the knowledge of the Truth anâ— by no other way did they make Christians nor counted any so but such as hâ—… repented and were changed by the Spirit But the Teachers of this Age do maâ—… Christians by sprinkling them while they are Infants before they preach the Gospâ—… to them or before they repent of their sins and they bring them into fellowship by traditions and a vain shew of Baptism and not by the Spirit of God and herâ—… also they disagree the one counted none Christians but such as were converted by the Spirit of God and knew the operation of Gods Spirit and the other coâ—… all Christians that are sprinkled when they are Infants while they are without tâ—… Operation of the Spirit of God and converteth them not unto God by their preaching but tell them they are Christians before they preach to them 5. Again they differ in Doctrine for the Ministers of Christ Preached Câ—… the Light of the World and said he lighted every man that cometh into the World But the Teachers of this Age contend against that and say every one is not enlightened by him but some have no Light from Christ. And the Ministers of Christ they tuâ—…ed people to the Light from the Darkness and from Satans Power to the Power of God Bâ—… the Teachers of this Age do not turn People to the Light of Christ within 〈◊〉 to the Saints words without or to some other thing and are divided amoâ—… themselves and so in effect â—ry Lo here and Lo there is Christ in this form 〈◊〉 that form but the Ministers of Christ said he was within People or else they were 〈◊〉 probates 6. Again the Ministers of Christ said Christ was the Word and the Scripturâ—… was a Declaration of what they believed But the Teachers of this Age say the Letter and the Scripture is the Word and say It is the Instrument whereby God 〈◊〉 soules and say it is both the Writings and the thing signified and say it is the Foundation of Foundations but thus the Ministers of Christ never spoke of the Letter Anâ— thus herein they differ and disagree the one preach Christ to be the Word the other preach the Letter and Scripture to be the Word The
they are of God but the witness of God in every man beareth witness against all unjust men and Laws and Rulers and Governments which strengtheneth the hands of the wicked and oppresseth the just where the making and execution of Laws are in the power of proud men and covetous men who fears not God neither hates covetousness neither doth respect the cause of the poor but rules by their Wills and Tyranny and not by just Laws in Righteousness but makes unrighteous decrees to oppress the poor and innocent letting the wicked go free such who upholds unrighteous Worships and Teachers by oppression and causes the Innoccent to suffer and makes them Offenders because the exercise of a pure conscience towards God and men such Rulers and Government we cannot be subject to for Conscience sake but do rather fulfull the Law and Will of God though we transgress their wills and unrighteous laws and yet doth not rebel against them nor seek defence from them but patiently suffers under them and bears their injustice and cruelty without seeking any revenge but leaves vengeance to the Lord to whom it belongs and this is our Judgement in full the Government and Laws which we cannot obey nor fulfil for Conscisake we chuse rather to suffer under them for disobedience to them than to transgress the righteous Law of God written in our hearts by obeying them so that what we cannot obey for Conscience sake for Conscience sake we resist not but suffers under that the punishment of it patiently and herein are we subject to every ordinance of man for conscience sake in fulfilling of the good the just and righteous and in patience suffering under the cruelty and oppression of the unjust and unrighteous and this we do and teach every where subjection to every Ordinance of man and are not destroyers of true Government or rebellious against just Governours but are exalters of true Justice and Judgement in the Earth CHAP. XI Concerning the true Ministry of Christ and the false Ministry and the difference betwixt them this testimony I give unto all the World THE true Ministry is sent of God and is the gift of the holy Ghost and it stands in the Power of the Spirit of God and not in the words of mans wisdom of that wisdom which is from below and it brings people to the knowledge of God which is life eternal and it turns people from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to the Power of God it is freely received of God and freely given forth of us it proclaims Peace on Earth unto such as are of a broken and upright heart and it proclaims war against all the wicked upon Earth it is a good savour unto God in setting the way of life and the way of death before all people the Ministry of Christ is free and cannot be bought nor sold for money it is without hire and gifts and rewards from any man which is given freely into the World and it ever was and is persecuted by the Generation of the unjust and by the powers of the Earth he that comes in the Fathers Name cannot be received of the World but the World is at enmity against it in this Generation as ever was it converts people unto the Knowledge of God and many did and many do receive the Knowledge of God thereby though some thereby be hardened against God unto destruction and the Word of the Lord and the Ministry returns not in vain unto God but all by it arâ— left without excuse the Witness of Christ in every Creature being reached to which gives Testimony to the Power and to the Truth of the Ministry of Christ but the false Ministers and Ministry are not such for their Ministry is received by natural Learning and Arts and is not the Gift of the holy Ghost but stands in the wisdom of mans words and not in the Power and Life of God it profits not the people at all neither do any come to the Knowledge of God thereby neither is turned from Darkness to Light but Teachers and people continues in the power of Satan and in the unconverted estate the Witness of God not reached to to bring to the understanding of things which are eternal but people are ever learning by it and never coming to the Knowledge of the Truth but the Blind leads the Blind and like Teachers like People all out of the Way given to Iniquity and unrighteousness and such are they who preaches for Hire and divines for Money and seeks for their gaiâ— from their Quarter and through covetousness by feigned words make merchandize of Souls going for Gifts and Rewards and teaching for filthy Lucre having settled places and so much a year these are not the true Ministers of Christ but false Ministers of Autichrist and Deceivers and were never sent of God and do never bring any to the Knowledge of Gods and such we beâ—â— witness against to be of the Devil and that for many Generations the World hath been deceived by them who hath had the form of godlines but not the Power and Christs words and the Apostles words without the Life and they have served themselves and not the Lord Jesus but now they are made manifest with the true Light which approveth the Ministry of God and disapproveth such who are Ministers of Antichrist and all that are in the Light and walk in the light can receive this testimony which is given by the Spirit of God to that Ministry which is sent of him which doth fulfill his will and against the false Ministry which is not of God which runs and was never sent of him CHAP. XII Concerning the Gospel of Christ this is my testimony unto all the VVorld THE Gospel is the Power of God and it is sent of him into the World to reconcile people unto him that have been in the enmity agaiâ—â—â— him 〈◊〉 is Peace to the Poor in spirit and judgement to the Fat and to the high minâ—â—â— and it is to be preached to every creature male and female under Heaven without respect of Peoples Nations or Generations it is the manifestation of the Love of God to the whole World to gather people out of all unrighteousâ—â—â—â— into the living Way of Life Peace and Truth to walk with God in Purity and Holiness and to deny the World and all its ways and works and worships which are evil and by it some are brought to God and to salvation and life eternal and some through it are hardened against God that they may be destroyed and condemned who are Reprobates and believes not in him from whom the Gospel comes and it cannot be received by any other way or means than by the revelation of Jesus Christ in the hearts of his people and many have the letter which knows not the Gospel nor hath received it and this Gospel which is everlasting have we received from God and this is the sound of it which we
in but he that keepeth you reproveth and condemneth and casteth out the Devil and all his works and Workers who abide not in Christ Jesus nor in the Truth wherein we worship the Father who are called of him and faithful and chosen Followers of the Lamb who taketh away our Sin and giveth power over it and overthe Tempter who seeketh to betray the Just One. And from the Eternal God I warn you Every one know a Hiding-place in God the day of great shaking cometh upon the Garden of God the Beast that had a Wound by a Sword whose deadly Wound is healed may live and power may he given him for a Moment to make war against the Lamb and his Followers and Satan may prevail to winnow you and to try you for your Life therefore be armed with the whole Armour of Light which manifesteth the Mystery of Iniquity and the working of spiritual Wickednesses in high places and which defendeth you from his power out of the Snare of the Devil in the Simplicity as it is in Christ Jesus who is our Rock and our Strength by which we overcome the fiery Darts of the Enemy which come against us and dwell in the Truth that you may know the Life which standeth in God with whom there is no shaddow of turning but is the same forever and keepeth Covenant with his own Elect which cannot be overcome of the Devil nor deceived in whom you abiding you cannot sin but are kept from being touched with the Wicked One in the Way and in the Truth and in the Peace of God lively and precious in his sight to serve him in Fear and Faithfulness And if any go out from the Light the Living Way they become as withered Branches to be cut off from the Body no more to have Fellowship in the Body but is reprov'd and judg'd with that which keeps us in the Body And though some go from the Lord yet his Faithfulness endureth forever and his Promise is yea and amen to his own Seed which keep Covenant with him and fulfil his Law of Righteousness and Judgment and he that breaketh Covenant let him be condemned that the Creature may be saved in the Day of the Lord for who draws back such God's Soul hath no Pleasure in them but is oppressed with that and his Soul vexed Therefore all walk in God's Wisdom which is Pure and Peaceable and let not the Name of our God be spoken against through any of you who have been Partakers of the Word of Truth through any Disobedience or ungodly Walking but rather deny your own Liberty then make it an Occasion to the Flesh wherein Satan's strength stands and so God's Blessing you will receive and his Nurishment unto your Souls and will be preserved in Faithfulness not to end in the Flesh you that have begun in the Spirit And this in pure Love towards you all as a Testimony of my Love to the Seed of God in you all was I moved to write as seeing in the Light the Day that cometh upon you of which some may not be aware and I am clear thus far of the Charge committed to me of God towards you and am in the Truth it self which cannot change and am in it your Friend in the Service of the Lord God E. B. This is to go abroad among all Friends in Westmorland and Cumberland and elsewhere among the Flock of God carefully to be Copied over and read in your Meetings A Second General Epistle To all the SAINTS A Servant of the Lord and Minister of Jesus Christ thereunto ordain'd and call'd through the Powerful Operation and Gift of the Holy Ghost unto all his Brethren in the same Life who are born of God and Witnesses of his Power and unto all the Saints and Churches of Christ who have believ'd and receiv'd the sure and faithful Testimony and are call'd with the Heavenly Call to follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes who is given to you and received of you a Light a Guide and a Teacher in all the Wayes of God Unto you all that are scatter'd abroad in the World whether in Bonds or at Liberty whether strong Men or Children in Christ unto you all I send Greeting and above all things wish and desire and pray unto the Father for your increase in the Knowledge of him and Faithfulness in all his Wayes and that the Increase of his Government may abound among you and that Grace Mercy and Peace may plentifully be enlarged that nothing may be lacking to you in any thing of that which maketh perfect but that in Christ Jesus you may be compleat and that through him you may receive Power and thereby be strengthned to do all things My dearly Beloved and much longed for in the Fellowship of that Spirit which hath begotten you to be Sons and Daughters of one Father and Heirs and Fellow-members of that Inheritance of Life Peace and Rest which abideth forever Oh how I long to meet you all in this and to find you perfectly settled and established upon the sure Foundation which God hath laid amongst you beyond all Doubts and Fears and Stumblings above the World and all its Temptations and above Hell and Death and all the wayes thereof having all the powers of Darkness subjected under you serving the Lord in righteous and perfect Holiness walking in his Strength and Wisdom shewing forth his Light in the World as his only redeem'd People Oh how is my desire more and more kindled and enlarged towards you all that you may perfectly attain to the Knowledge of the great Mystery of Salvation to wit God dwelling in you I say my desire is That you may know even as you are known and that you may receive him as you are received of him and that you may be a perfect Body growing up together and springing forth in all good Fruits of Truth and Righteousness unto the Father who is glorify'd through bringing forth much Fruit And you very well know that for this End he hath call'd you and in this his appointed Day caused his Glory to shine forth and hath visited and brought us to the knowledge of the hidden Mystery of Eternal Salvation which Mystery hath been seal'd up for many Ages and is kept secret forever from the wisdom of this World but unto us that have believ'd in the Light of the World are they clearly discover'd as at Noon-day being reveal'd to us by the Spirit which worketh in us the Will and Mind of the Father and is powerful and mighty and subdueth and breaketh down the Hardness of Hearts and through the working thereof every high Thought is brought into subjection to Jesus And this same Spirit quickeneth and maketh alive to God and changeth and reneweth into his Image and Likeness and it raiseth up from under the Bondage of Corruption to live to God in all things in newness of Life old things being done away and all things being made new through the working
faint of it but can freely receive the determination thereof in the Court be it for me or against me yet I would have it ended and have sought it in justice and once did to my Adversary say I could refer it to any sober men and another Friend being with me Oliver then Protector or Charles Fleetwood or Col. Pride all these were mentioned and to any of these I could have referred my Cause and though before he seemed willing and said That if any sober man in the Nation that was no Quaker would say that his Doctrine was not sound and that he had not wrong c. But when these men were mentioned he was unfaithful to his word and would not refer it And also not long ago a day and time was appointed by his own advice and consent by a Friend of his own to bring the Cause before Alderman Tichburn to which I was willing and that he with some other man might hear determine the Matter and the time appointed we met at the Alderman's House and the Alderman with some more of us waited for Mayo's coming till near the 9th hour in the evening and he never came so ungaretful and unjust was he to his own Friend to Alderman Tichburn and to me that we waited all for him some hours and he came not at all though his own Friend by his own consent and desire did bring that appointment about and thus I would have you to know that I seek peace with all men and with him upon just and equal means and can refer it to honest men to hear and determine for who are truly just towards God cannot condemn me nor my Cause and likewise ye may see how unwilling my Adversary is to bring his Business to hearing and determining by wise and discreet men and how unfaithfull he is to his own words and desires only he thinks he hath gotten a Verdict that will do something for him and upon that he depends waiting also for your unjust Judgment and because he hopes alwayes for your Judgment which I say is unjust if you condemn me in this matter Therefore he will not bring his cause to be heard and determined by any other because he supposes you will proceed according to that unjust Verdict which if you do not you offend him and lose his unjust cause and if you do you offend God and condemn the guiltless cause of the Just and whatever ye do this follows upon ye and if you offend God and despise the cause of the Innocent and the Truth ye must bear your own burthen in the sight of God and Just men And if his cause were good he need nor thus shrink and faulter to let any man hear the matter but his hope of your unjust Judgement nourisheth his heart in his unrighteous cause And these things were in me to lay before you that it may not be said by you we know not these things for I would have you to know them and take notice of them and to compare all things in equality and to Judge according to the Law of God and the good Law of this Land I am not careful at present to answer or say more to you about this matter onely this remains with me the Lord God can deliver me from the Teeth of the wicked if he will but if he will not I cannot bow to the Devil but hath given up my life to live to him or to suffer for him and this Testimony remains for ever not as I will but as he will who brings all things to pass according to his pleasure I am a Lover of your Souls and a Sufferer for the Elect seeds sake and a witness against the malice and injustice of evil men E B To all that are Moved to go into other Nations ALl ye my Brethren and Companions in the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ unto whom the Word of the Lord is come who have received power from on high even from the Father to bear witness of his Name and of his Kingdom in the Earth unto Peoples and Nations and all ye that are Anointed with the Holy Ghost and that are moved with the Power of the Lord to go into other Nations to manifest the Way of Life and the Word of the Kingdom of God which you have handled tasted seen and felt in the Name and Power of the Lord God Almighty go ye on in faithfulness to preach the Power of God the Gospel of Peace and Reconciliation to every Creature under Heaven without exception of Nations or Peoples that Sinners may be converted unto him from the power of Satan to the Power of God the Creator of all things and that such as are lost from his Presence may be brought home into the Covenant of Life and that such as are out of the way may be turned into the Way of Peace and Salvation In the dread and fear of the Lord God go ye on and prosper in your way proclaim the Name of the Lord and declare his Majesty unto all People sound forth the Word of his Power in the Ears of all Nations shew forth the Light of the Glorious Gospel in the whole Earth preach Christ and hold him forth unto all the Children of Adam who is given of the Father into all the World and he hath lighted all Mankind without exception that cometh into the World and is given for a Covenant and for a Light unto all people that he may be Salvation unto the Ends of the Earth and may bring Salvation and Life Eternal unto as many as do receive him Cry aloud and spare not and shew this unto all people set the Way of Life and the Way of Death before them cause the Deaf to hear and the Blind to see and the Dead to arise lift up your Voice and spare not that all Nations may know the Salvation of our God which to us is come and may be Witnesses of the same Power and Deliverance of which we partake ye are sent forth as Lambs amongst Wolves and as Birds among Fowlers Snares be ye therefore wise and innocent And I charge you all dwell in the secret Counsel of God and enquire of him in all things that his Wisdom may defend you from the subtilty of men and his Power and Authority thorow you may bind and chain the Uncircumcised and reach to the Witness of God in every Creature and to it in all people you may be made manifest that you are the Servants of the Lord be bold and valiant to give your Testimony unto all Nations fear not man whose Breath is in his Nostrils nor be afraid of high looks but lay your Sword on the Neck of the Uncircumcised and spare not the Proud nor pity not the Children of Babylon and lay the true Measure upon all People that they may see themselves how they are all drove from God and in Transgression and Enmity against him Children of Wrath and Heirs of Destruction
his sight And 1 Pet. 1. 25. The Apostle exhorted the Christians to be holy in all manner of Conversation And Phil. 3. 20. the Christians witnessed That their conversations were in Heaven Now herein doth the fall of Christians appear in respect of their Life and Conversation and walking for the Christians in the Apostles dayes were of a holy Life and exhorted all thereunto but the Christians now both Teachers and People are degenerate in their conversation and live in all Unrighteousness as I have said And the Conversation of Christians now being compared with what the Christians Conversation was then it is altogether contrary and sheweth That though you have the Name of Chrisâ—… ye are not Followers of Christ nor led by his Spirit but by the spirit of Antichrist Oh how wofully are you fallen you Christians from the Life of Christ having a Name to live but are dead The Lord God is coming against you to break you to pieces for you have poluted his Name in that you profess to be his People in words but in works do deny him Oh! Remember remember from whence you are fallen and return lest the Anger of God consume you from off the Earth for your conversations greatly dishonour the true God Oh what Gluttonny and Drunkenness is amongst Christians What Pride and Vain-glory What Cruelty Envy and Murdeâ— one against another what Whoredoms and Fornication what Cozening what Cheating How doth all Wickedness abound amongst you in your lives and conversations Let the Lord be Witness and your own consciences be Witnesses against you for your Abominations they that were true Christians who followed Christ lived not in but were redeem'd from such Transgressions but you live in them and act in them wherefore be ye Witnesses against your selves that ye are fallen and digressed from the true Christian Estate Again Herein will you Christians appear to be degenerated from 〈◊〉 Christianity in respect of your Ministry for the Ministers of Christ in the beginning of Christianity they were made Ministers by the Gift of thâ— Holy Spirit which was given to them for they were commanded to wait at Ierusalem for the Promise of the Father and they were not to go forth till they had received Power from God by the Gift of his holy Spirit and when that was come they should be Witnesses and Ministers of Christ Acts 1. 4 8. And as they were waiting with one accord in one place the Holy Ghost fell amongst them an filled them and then they began to speak as the Spirit gave them utterance and they went up and down and testified to the World of what they had heard and seen Acts 2. 4. Now this was the Call of Christian Ministers and this 〈◊〉 the Authority by which they went forth into the World to wit The Spirit of God poured upon them and by Authority of this only they went up and doâ—… the World and declared what they had handled seen and tasted of the Word of Life 1 Iohn 1. And as every man had received the Gift so they might minister the same one to another 1 Pet. 4. 10. And this was the Practice of the Christian Ministers in the beginning of Christianity concerning their Câ—â— to the Ministry But how are the Christians here degenerated from what the Apostles were in for by another way then this are your Ministers made not by the Gift of the Holy Ghost received from God neither do the Christians now wait for such a thing to go forth by Authority and Power thereof but they are made Ministers by Natural Learning and Education at Schools having Authority by man and are approved of man and not of God And a man knoweth which of his children he will make a Minister when they are Infants and thereupon puts him to Schools to learn Arts and Knowledge of Earthly things for so long time till he hath gain'd so much Knowledge and Craft to be approved of such and such men and as is his Knowledge and Oportunity serves withal having a great Place provided where there is great store of Maintenance such a man becomes a Minister and a Preacher to others having never received nor thought to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost neither having heard seen tasted nor handled any thing of the Word of Life from God in his own particular neither hath he received the Gift of Christ to be made a Minister by This sheweth greatly your Degeneration from the true Christian Spirit none then Ministers among Christians but them who had received the gift by the Holy Ghost and power from on high but now Ministers are made and approved and sent forth amongst Christians because of natural learning and education without receiving the Gift of the holy Spirit And the Ministers of Christ then spoke as the Spirit gave them utterance but now Ministers study for what they speak and read old Authors to gather forth Matter to preach to the people Then the Christian Ministers heard and tasted and handled of the Word of Life in themselves but now the Ministers have their Knowledge from Books and what they have heard and read without them Oh! How great is your Apostacy ye Christians and in respect of your Ministry how greatly are you degenerated from the Ministry which the Christians once had Behold and consider this all ye Christians upon Earth Your Ministry is proved not to agree but rather to be contrary to that Ministry which was amongst Christians in the purity of Christianity as here by is manifest and you are fallen from the Ministry made by the Gift of the holy Ghost to a Ministry made by natural Learning Consider all ye Christians how great is this Fall Again In respect of the Maintenance of your Ministry your Degeneration doth appear for the Ministers of Christ amongst Christians as they were called by the Spirit so they were maintained in the Work of their Ministry by the 〈◊〉 Gift of the people who received their Ministry and they were to give freely and minister freely as they had received freely Mat. 10. 8. 2 Cor. 11. 7. The Apostle preached the Gospel of God freely and would not make it chargeable to any 1 Cor. 9. 18. And the Ministers of Christ among Christians at that day went through the World and preached freely the things that they had received from God and they sought no mans Money nor Gold nor Appâ—â—el Acts 20. 33. And saith the Apostle 2 Cor. 12. 14. I seek not yours but 〈◊〉 and that was their end altogether to bring people to God by their Ministry only Christ did allow Luke 6. 4. Into whatsoever House they entred that was worthy 〈◊〉 might there abide eating and drinking such things as were set before them And it â—…s the Apostles practice sometimes to reap carnal things where they had sown Spiritual things and it was a small matter that they did so Yet by a free Gift they desir'd to reap it and not by Force and Violence did they
exercised with as great Zeal towards God if not with as good Sincerity as you practice yours at this day And are there not the very Signs and Symptoms of the Romish Idolatry yet upon these Houses being full of Images on the Walls and on the Pillars and on the Glass-Windows and Crosses about them and many other things which were Popish Inventions as also the Names given unto them and consecrated Bells in them and such like stuff And was it not a little while since there were the Altars and the Rails and the Font and other such like things which lately were broken down But however though something there may be altered and changed and converted to another use and something taken away and other Inventions brought in instead thereof yet still they are the same Houses which you worship your Godd in which Houses were set up by the Authority of the Pope and there remaineth yet the Pope's Sign and Symptom of the Romish Church upon them and these Houses you call your Churches and Thousand of Thousands of blind ignorant people esteeming and respecting in their minds of these Places more then of any other supposing them to be more holy and that other Places are not so good to worship in Alas poor blind ignorant people that deceive your own Souls in the Traditions and Inventions of man which you live in the practice of supposing it to be the very Worship of God which is no other in it self but Idolatry and you Idolaters for do not all Unconverted People and Unrighteous People such who are not taught of the Lord nor led by his Spirit but daily rush into Iniquity and into evil are not such found Worshippers here in Steeple-Houses conforming themselves to these things and these practices And can such worship God Or is God worshipped by such I tell you nay the Lord God is pure and they that worship him must be sanctified and led by his Spirit which leadeth into all Truth But now as concerning your present Practices which your Worship consisteth of they are not such as ever the Lord instituted but such as men have set up in their own wills and wisdom and not in the Lord's As for your sprinkling of Infants which is a chief Practice of your Worship was not this first ordained at Rome read the Records And was it not a Popish Invention which you are thus zealously reforming as if it were indeed required of the Lord Can the Unconverted and Unregenerated be truly baptized into the Faith of Christ No But the Unconverted and Unregenerated are Partakers of your Baptism into the Faith which you profess There was no such practice in the Christian Church before the Apostacy but when the Apostacy came in then came up these Inventions Immitations which you practice as the Worship of God when as he never required it neither did his Saints and his Apostles ever give you Example for it and by it nor in it God is not worhsipped neither is in it self nor as practized by you any part of the Worship of God but stands in the Inventions of man and is after their Traditions and not after the Commandments of the Lord. And as for your singing of David's Experiences in the form and manner as you do practizing it as another main part of your Worship This is the same with the former neither ever commanded of the Lord nor in the course and manner as you do it was it ever practized by the Saints of old and is it any better then a Popish Invention For was the Nation in any better state then Popery when that practice was first instituted and begun to be performed you your selves will confess that it was in the time of Darkness and through the Ordination of the Bishops and Prelates whom you your selves say were little better then Papists in their Worship and Practice and yet this you practice at this day as a part of your Worship which hath no better beginning then as I have said and from them you have received it to wit From the Bishops and Prelates Yea the chief part of your Worship consisteth of the performances of such things as you have received Traditionally from them and from Rome for all these things they instituted And as concerning your Ministry Is it any other with that then with these particulars as I have mentioned Is it not the same Ministry in substance though in some particulars altered as was in the dayes of Popery and Prelacy Have not your Ministers the same Call to their Ministry Practice in their Ministry Maintenance at this day as was in Generations past when this Nation was under the cloud of darkness Ignorance as your selves will confess are not they made Ministers now by natural Learning receiving Ordination from man through the attainments of such Arts and Sciences and Degrees through natural Learning and humane Policy not having their Ministry by the Gift of the Holy Ghost no more then the Papists and Prelates had before them who were made Ministers by the same Power and after the same manner as these are And it was the Church of Rome and by the Popish Authority that Colledges and Schools to make Ministers by them were first ordained and set up and as that Ministry was sent forth in the time of Popery by the same way and means generally are as to substance are your Ministers now sent forth though in some particulars differing in matters of Form yet the same for substance But Christ's Ministers in the time of the true Church were not thus sent forth but had received Power from on High and the Gift of the Holy Ghost whereby they were made able Ministers and not by any other thing nor by any such means or way as your Ministers now are set up and established and this Ministry is differing from the true Ministry which Christ sent forth and is not according but contrary in all things and it is not the Ministry of God neither brings people to God for by this Ministry people are not converted but are such as they that the true Prophet cryed against saying They have run saith the Lord and I have not sent them therefore they shall not profit the People at all And as for this Maintenance of the Ministry of the Church of England is it not the same as was in the dayes of Popery and Prelacy was it not by the Pope's Authority that Tythes were first established and set up to be the Maintenance of his Ministry And did not the Romish Church first ordain that the people should give the tenth to the use of Religion and to maintain their Ministry if you search the Records you will find it so And was it not the very practice of the Papists and Prelates Ministers to have Hire and great sums of Money by the Year and Stipends and large Benefits for preaching and the same things are practised by these Ministers which they have borrowed from the