which cannot straightway be justly reproved because there was want of the right Authority Wisdome and discretion in the Reprover though something was reproveable yet the want of a due and right management thereof will strengthen the bad with a witness against the error in the Reprover And so here the work is not rightly done for God in your places neither can it without Christs leadings and guidance therein who is the wisdome and power of God out of which there is nothing done right serviceable or acceptable unto the Lord but in it the heart is made wise to discern both time and judgement And take heed ye do not secretly seek to bear rule over others by your means or because you have more of this worlds goods which is all of the earth and returns to the earth from whence it came for that is the leaven of the false Prophets and false spirit against which the woes are pronounced because it is an oppressor and secret persecuter of the Seed And God will abase that spirit where ever it is even in the sight of men and bring it into shame and contempt For it secretly accepteth persons despising the poor and admiring or extolling the rich in this world And thou who dost so whosoever thou art shall come into poverty and want and be contemned and dis-esteemed and cast out from amongst the children of him who had not whereon to lay his head except thou repentest and be humbled before his Throne For what hast thou or what art thou more than another either inward or outward which thou hast not received or hast by permission to try thee from the Righteous God to whom thou must give account who will change times seasons and the state of things People or Nations as he pleaseth Therefore be low and fear before him For he will smite all the proud covetous and hypocrites with an irresistable stroak whose wayes are an abomination unto him Neither be thou self-conceited or lifted up in thy thoughts because thou hast known more or been convinced longer than others or hast done more or endured or suffered more than others have least the evil eye spoken of thou come to see with and thy light be turned into darkness For God can wil do what he please with his own And many that are first shall be last and the last shall be first as it is written Therefore blessed is the man or woman that dwels in the sense of Gods mercies and their own nothingness inability and weakness For this shuts out the Pharisee that would shut up the Kingdome which will not enter it self nor suffer that which would So my Friends Remember he enjoyed the Kingdome who was little in his own eyes but when disobedience prevailed the Dominion was lost and condemnation and trouble came over that which had disobeyed And this is just and right with God who doth and will render unto every one according to their words and works Therefore dwell low dwell little in your own eyes as the little Child for of such is the Kingdome of God and such onely have the Right Authority Dominion and Throne given them of God for so it pleaseth him And in this ye will answer and reach to the seed of the Kingdome in all your Familyes and in all People Here ye will not hurt the tender nor break the bruised Reed neither strengthen nor countenance the wild stubborn and froward in their wayes but your very life will reprove them though not a word be spoken Here you Rule in the true Dominion of the Lamb over the Beasts of the Field the Fowles of the Air and the Fishes of the Sea as it was in the beginning in the Image of God in the blessed state in which dwelling and being good examples ye will teach more in one hour than a thousand words every day in a whole year without it and the witness of God will arise in them to justifie you in the one and to judge and condemn you in the other Therefore take heed with what spirit you Rule in your Familyes for if Christ be not Head then is that which is contrary which he will consume and destroy by the spirit of his mouth and by the brightness of his coming And if he be not your Head Lord and King who rides meekly upon the wilde Asse Colt in the particular who are Governours or Masters of Familyes how then are your Familyes his Familyes and how are you of his houshold if Christ Jesus be not the Housholder or Governour in and among you And how are you then of his Church if he be not the Head and Ruler Instructor and Leader of you in all things who is the Leader of his People Israel Consider these things my Friends for of the Lord am I constrained to write them for his holy Seed and Name sake and for his Truth and the souls of People sake which are greatly oppressed grieved and vexed by a wrong Government among Children Servants People and Nations And let none be secure or careless without the feeling of the pure presence of God leading and guiding them in wisdom love and peace which keeps the Heart and Affections alive unto the Lord God of Truth whose Throne is Heaven and dead to the Earth dead to the world and the things of it for who comes to be carelesse and at ease in the flesh little regarding those things before mentioned even Gods name and Seed in themselves and others are bad examples to such who are young simple and tender and stumbling blocks to such as are to be gathered in this day of Gods mighty power in which he will plead with all flesh without respect of persons who will remove the Candlestick of them that have forsaken their first love except they speedily repent and do their first works and will spue the luke-warm out of his mouth as loathsome and burthensome unto him And this is the Word of the Lord unto such whose zeal will perform it and the day is at hand in which he will come quickly and fight against them with the sword of his mouth Therefore let all be awakened and see where ye are and what spirit ye are of and how the work of God goes on in the particular and amongst you and whether your affections be on things above and not on things of the earth and whether your life is in Christ the Seed the Truth of the Most High God and whether you follow the Lamb in whom is found no guile whithersoever he leadeth If you do then are ye the wise Virgins with the oyle in your Lamps seeing with the single eye as God sees who is no respecter of persons who hath chosen the poor of this world rich in faith mark rich in that which purifieth the heart and gives victory over the world which justifieth in Gods sight and heires of his everlasting Kingdome Then you love in the love of God which is unfeigned Then you
glorified it with Dominion and Peace And consider what Law or Learning David had when he came from feeding the Sheep being but a youth and what weapon had he when he slew the uncircumcised Philistine more than the smooth stone in the Shepherds Bag he that can read let him without Staffe or Spear in the Name of the Lord. And they marvailed to see the boldness of Peter and John who were ignorant and unlearned men in their Laws and Letters and the Pharisees said The Disciples of Jesus know not the Law and also of him Whence hath this man learning seeing he knoweth not Letters Thus did God confound the wisdome of the wise and prudent in Ages past as in this Age who hath alway chosen the foolish things of this world that no flesh or fleshly part should glory in his presence Therefore Dear Friends Let no Babe or simple one among you be discouraged who are ignorant in the outward Lawes and Letters but keep to the Royal Law in the heart written by the Finger of the living God in which you will feel the springings up of the Royal Seed and Birth which fulfils the righteous Law and Letters and was before the Letters and Lawes of men was whose heart trusteth only in the living God and makes not flesh his Arme. This is the true Seed the Heir But that which makes flesh his Arme is the Seed of evill doers which shall never be renowned And so my dear Friends in all things mind the leadings and counsel of God for he leads his people and guides their feet in the way of peace and he alone is the saving health of all Nations and without him they can do nothing that is good and acceptable in his sight and let your eyes be toward him who is invisible dwelling in the light and neither act or speak out of his fear and counsel then will you be preserved to his praise and to your eternal comfort and peace and whether you eat or drink or whatever you doe let all be done in the Faith to the glory of God for what is not of faith is sin so shall you be kept stedfast on the unmoveable Rock through and over all things which may come to pass as your tryals and be upheld in the meek and quiet spirit which in Gods sight is of great price And in this is the Kingdome and patience of Jesus and the victory of the Lamb known who must Rule and Reigne till all his enemies are put under his Feet Amen To the Blessed Seed and Children of the Everlasting Holy Covenant in the Life of the Lamb of God in whose mouth is found no guile throughout the whole Creation A most dear and tender Salutation O Thou Blessed Seed of the promise who hast long lain as in the Clefts of the Rocks and hast been as a stranger throughout the whole world and yet lyes as a Lamb slain in the streets of Sodom and Egypt spiritually my soul breaths cryes and groans unto the living God for thy sake and I am in sorrow and pain as a woman in travel because of thy great oppressions who knoweth thy sorrows thy griefs and thy secret complaints who knoweth thy sighs thy groans and thy tears amongst the children of men who art as a worm in the lowest parts of the earth bearing the weights and heavy pressures of the iniquity thereof To whom canst thou turn to the right hand or left to unbosome thy self in the depth of thy inward travels but onely to the living fountain from whence thou sprang O O thou Lamb of God which takes away the sin and removes the foundations of the Earth when wilt thou yet arise more in thy beauty and glory among the sons of men to bear the Government on thy shoulders whose right it is That thou mayest lead them forth in the green pastures by the fountain of still waters that thy innocency tenderness and love unfeigned might be known as the waters cover the Sea For thou art without guile the alone pure and undefiled one thou art harmless as a Dove thou art the chiefest of ten thousands thou art altogether lovely the world knoweth thee not thou art as a Lilly among Thorns and as an Apple Tree amongst the Trees of the Forrest thy smell is as Lebanon and thy taste exceeds the Pomgranates O thou fairest among the Sons and thou beautifullest among the Daughters What shall I say of thee O thou Beloved of my soul I am even sick of love my soul is even melted in the breathings of thy precious life and I am even ravished with love in thy presence for thy Countenance is exceeding the Angels of God thou art terrible as an Army with Banners to the ungodly but thou delightest in the upright humble and contrite ones thou art my Saviour in whom my soul rejoyceth and my spirit doth magnifie thee O thou everlasting Son of Righteousnesse Arise arise shine forth in thy strength and glory and drive back all the Clouds of darknesse which have covered the Earth and the grosse darknesse which hath covered the People that the glory of thy Light may enlighten the world and thy brightnesse may shame and confound the glory of all flesh that thy dominion might be known throughout the whole Earth which is an everlasting dominion and thy Kingdome of Righteousness which hath no end that the Nations may come to the glory of thy Light and Kings to the brightnesse thereof to Rule in thine Eternal Counsel Wisdome Dominion and Victory over all that songs of praises deliverance and triumph for ever and ever may be founded unto thee who wast dead and art alive and livest for evermore casting down all their Crowns at thy feet for thou alone art worthy to Rule and Reign and to have all Honour Glory Strength Wisdome Riches and Blessing For thou wert slain because of our sins and art now arising to redeem thy People out of Kindreds Tongues and Nations by thy blood and art becoming King of Kings and Lord of Lords in us thy Babes and Children thou art the Tree of life in the midst of the Garden of God by thy vertue must the Nations be healed thou art the Pearl of great price thy worth is not to be valued with fine Cold thou art far above Rubies thou hast been a Treasure hid in the field dwelling in the lower parts of the Earth and yet above the highest Heavens both which thou hast upheld to this day by thy power thou art the Salt of the Earth and the Light of the world though they have not known thee but trampled thee under foot as a despicable thing thy face hath been marred more than any mans and thy form more than the sons of men thou art that Just One and holy Childe which hath long been as a Servant though by right art Lord of all on thy back hath the Ploughers ploughed long furrows oh how have the Smiters smitten at the appearance of the lifting
up of thy tender countenance When this I have considered my soul hath mourned in secret and mine eyes have trickled down tears in the sence of thy deep sufferings and yet had it not been for thy sake the whole world had been as Sodom and been consumed like unto Gomorrah Oh who will not now come down and suffer with thee that they may also reign with thee as Kings and Priests on the Earth For now thou art arising in the greatnesse of thy strength to be avenged on all thine oppressors Thou hast trodden the Wine-presse alone and of the People there was none with thee Therefore wilt thou trample them in thy fury and stain all thy Raiment for the day of vengeance is in thine heart and the year of thy redemptions is come Thou art the King of Sion thou hast the key of David and the keys of Death and of Hell who ridest meekly upon the wilde Asse Colt as in the dayes of old Come forth now O ye Daughters of Jerusalem and behold your King even the Lamb of God which hath been slain in whose mouth guile is not found that taketh away your sins and follow him for ever ye Daughters of Abraham and Sons of Jacob for it is of the Lords mercy you are not consumed because his compassions fail not toward his Seed but remains sure in his Covenant for evermore Amen Therefore now all ye followers of the Lamb be ye very still low and watchful dwelling in the pure dread and humility of him that sits upon the Throne and of the Lamb for evermore and let none be carelesse or wilful least ye be found in the degeneration from the spirit of the subjection of the Lamb of God who is come to Rule but in his life stand you upon Mount Sion with him with the Harps of his high praises in your hands for they onely are the chosen and blessed who are faithful followers of him in the Regeneration So let your eye be single and your minds retired dwelling in the good Shepherds Tent of Israel hid in him whom the world knows not where you will feel quietnesse to your immortal souls and peace and patience to undergo all tryals for this is a day of great and manifold temptations and tryals in which the enmity works every way in its full strength among the children of men but its violent force is chiefly bent as a mighty floud or full current to sink and destroy the Ark of the Testimony of God feel me in your life within and without ye dear children ye simple-hearted breathing babes who know the winnowings on every hand and how the Tempter works to draw out the mind and affections one way or other that he might get advantage to spoyle your resting place which you have in the staidnesse on God and simplicity of Christ and to keep the soul and understanding clouded in darknesse and unsensiblenesse hardnesse and blindnesse to be luke-warm carelesse or secure without the feeling and present enjoyment of the pure refreshing presence of Gods Countenance then he hath his purpose who seeks to devoure for in the darknesse is the root of disobedience and every evill word and work then the root of bitternesse will spring up through which many may be defiled then the self-will which is crooked and perverse ariseth again then the pure savour and discerning is decreased and love waxen cold then the tender innocent Seed suffers the Lamb is pierced and wounded which should have the preheminence then strife in the high mind out of Gods awe and dread gets up then the Strong Man begins to keep the house again who was once bound and his goods spoyled then the meek that should ride upon the wilde Asse Colt is thrown down and trampled upon by the wilde then Ishmael and Esau the ruffe man reign over worm Jacob. God Allmighty keep all his Babes who have tasted of his Heavenly gift and of the precious vertue of the endlesse life out of this state My soul is even bowed down and the travel of a burthen is upon me because of the deep sufferings of the Holy Seed and the oppressions of the poor by him that is too strong for him O Lord arise arise and plead its innocent cause with all flesh O all ye breathing Babes of God abide for ever in the pure subjection to his good and perfect will in his fear and in tendernesse of heart then how can you but partake of the afflictions of your Brethren the seed of Abraham It came into Moses heart and that from God to visit his poor afflicted brethren which cryed and groaned under the cruell and heavy oppressions and God rewarded him according to his works And now can the Seed and children thereof mourne and languish or be sorrowfull and I not feel it can they be tempted and tryed in the Wilderness and I not sensible thereof how can this be if I be in Christ Jesus who is afflicted in all their afflictions My friends it is a day of mourning of weeping and fasting let the wise understand though in God I rejoyce that my Name is written in heaven and this is more to know and feel then if all the Devills without were subject Therefore ye followers of the Lamb dwell in the sense and feeling of the life of the precious tender suffering Seed that you may know the marriage of the Lamb come and rejoyce greatly because of the Bridegroomes Voyce for this makes glad the upright and the weak to be as David And here you will eat your own bread from your Fathers hand which he gives freely to the hungry soul and be kept out of all strife and debate disputings and murmurings in the gentle contented Spirit of the Lamb who is the saving health of all his people Here you will know the place of broad Rivers where goes no Gally with Oares no toyl or labour or striving but to stand still Here is the beginning known and the Glory that was before the VVorld was or the Hills or the Foundation of the earth were laid blessed is he that readeth in the life of these things Here is the place of defence as the Munition of Rocks where the bread is sure and the water never fails but issueth forth from the Fountain of the Paradise of God for evermore Here is the lying down under the Vine where none can make afraid Blessings and thanks to him that lives for ever Here is the returning naked as we came into the World even so we go out carrying nothing and yet possesseth all things Here 's the little child that enters the Kingdome even that Kingdome of Heaven where the least is the greatest the lowest is the Highest the poorest is the richest the weakest is the strongest the simplest is the wisest VVhere is the disputer now where is the gloryer in the strength wisdome Arts and parts in the spirit of this world now VVhere are the wise and the Scribes and the counter of Towers now where is the high Professor and great talker in the strong Towers of comprehension and Imaginations now where are the climbers up above the Door now Behold a little child is Governour The poor man which was disregarded delivered the City by his wisdome He that can read let him for God hath made foolish the wisdome of this world and the seers are blind The sounding brass is empty the strong are become weak and the weak saith I am strong they that were dead are alive and them that were lively are now as dead men on the Sea-shore God is turning the world upside down the Lamb shall Rule and all the Beasts of the Forrest shall fear and bow before him The Lilly shall grow higher then the Cedar the begger shall sit upon the Throne and the Counseller as in the beginning shall be known and Judges as at the first Blessed is he that readeth understandeth and enjoyeth these things Gods salvation and Covenant of eternall life and peace is then witnessed who is the good Shepherd and true Physitian of his people And this is thy Captain O Israel who is made perfect through sufferings therefore obey thou him in all things follow him in his footsteps who leads in the way of Righteousness that so thou may be partaker of the power of his Resurrection and possesse thy soul in his patience and lye down in his eternall will in the rest prepared that so the second death over thee may have no power So my dear friends the Lord God of Life preserve you all faithfull bearing your single and pure Testimony for his holy Name in this your day and generation that you may be the chaste Virgins and entire followers of the Lamb in whose mouth guile is not found that so you may give up your account with chearfulness unto him who alone is worthy of all obedience praises honour and glory over all heaven and earth world without end Amen I remain a Traveller in spirit for the restoration of the oppressed seed of Jacob and am your brother who in your measures are in the same tribulations and patience of the Lamb. And unto you this is the dear salutation of my breathing life in the Bowels of Gods love and mercies And if in this my Testimony is finished I am content and made willing for the joy and rest that is set before me to lay down the earthen vessel which is called WILLIAM BAYLY Prisoner at Hartford the 2d day of the 8th month 1663. THE END