had another day of Tryal given them into their hands but a mad zeal and fury attended them against the honest and upright-hearted people and the Fury of the Oppressour was highly exalted amongst them burning like fire in which they could not contain themselves nor possess their own Spirits in quietness in which fury was folly the effects of which did betray and destroy both themselves and others They being diverted from their first intentions and desire after righteousness a just recompence of reward for their disobedience came upon them according to many true Testimonies from the Lords servants unto them which if in time their ears had been open to the Lords instructions and their hearts inclined to righteousness that swift and sudden desâ—ruction had not so soon come upon them but they being blinded with fury in their anger would neither hear nor see that which was the effect of their own work nor the Lords hand of Justice near come upon them as now they may consider it XII The Secluded Members then came in as a rod of Gods anger and of Justice or a prey upon them and it was manifest to the seeing Eye that God had turned his hand against all those which haâ— abused his Power and neglected his work who had sought and set up themselves insâ—ead of the Lord and his righteousness and now when the Lords hand is justly stretched forth to wound those that by him would not be healed who shall forbid it until the cause be removed and they purged through judgment and suffering And now unto you the present power King and Parliament be not high-minded but fear be not lifted up as though by your Arm Power and Policie you had got a Victory For it is Righteousness yet which the Lord doth require and if by his immediate power without your Sword he have cut off all those that you might be grafted in Consider therefore Gods end in so doing for it is by that immediate power of God which hath broken them that you must stand if you do stand for God is the same and will be to you as he hath been to others as you answer or not answer his requirings For it is not Persons that God accepts but he that fears God and works righteousness is accepted of him therefore as you look to be established by the Lord do righteousness equity and justice to every man without respect of persons and according to the equal and Royal Law of God walk doing unto others as yee would that others should do unto you Take heed of imposing any thing relating to the matter of Worship upon the Consciences leâ—â— you kindle Gods wrath against you as others have done which will not easily be quenched for upon this Rock have many been broken and others wounded so that they could not again be healed And two things we would mind you of especially First That you are not come in by your own Sword or Power but by a remarkable hand of God in such a way as neither your selves nor any other could have expected Secondly Consider what a flood of unrighteousness licentiousness and flâ—shly liberty hath of a sudden overspread the Nation upon your comming in which although it received some little seasonable curb by a Proclamation from King Charles till which scarce a man scaring God and that could not joyn with them in their rioting and drunken healths could pass the Streets in most places of the Nation yet the body of that iniquity still stands in many places as in May-games Fiddlings Dancings Stage-Plays and divers other ungodly vain Sports by which Gods righteous Soul is still grieved the Spirits of all people that truly fear God sadned the weight of that wickedness which already lay upon the Nations mightily encreased quite contrary to what such a work as your coming in after such a manner required All which speaks dreadful things against these Nations in the sight of many who are most acquainted with Gods fear and have that Eye in them which foresees evil to come in whose hearts and mouths it is now to warn you in love to your own Souls who are in power to scatter such Wickedness and the Nations peace and wel-being that the Wrath that is already threatned might be prevented from coming in your day And we desire that you may take more notice of the Lords warnings to you then others have done that have gone before you that Gods hand and power be not turned against you as it was against them R. H. An Epistle to Friends OH my dear and truly beloved Friends by the holy Spirit of my Father is my heart freely opened and enlarged unto you even in the love which is as a Fountain of Life which plentifully flows forth in the virtue of the Father in the hearts of the beloved children of God which many Waters cannot quench amongst such who have known the Lord in the outgoings of his Power to be as the Morning to your souls the virtue of whose Grace and Love hath been as a dew remaining upon your branches and whose Doctrine hath even dropped as the rain upon your tender-Plants that you thereby might be refreshed and nourished up unto eternal life the Lord God hath honored you with his presence and hath often fed you with his living appearances and manifestations and you have known what it is to drink of the pure Waters of Life even from that living Fountain which doth always flow in the Spirit by which there is pure and spiritual refreshment ministred unto the soul and the Waters of Strife have ye refused which doth corrupt those that drink them and so as it hath been so let it always continue that you may be kept clean by the Word which you have heard from the beginning and by which you have been gathered out of the World by the Word of his Power and fed together as sheep of his pasture and lambs of his Fold So let not the feeling-sence of the loving-kindness of the Lord be forgotten neither let the purity of your first love decrease but let the dear love of the Father in the freeness of liffe flow forth plentifully one towards another which is the bond of perfection among the children of Light by which you will come to be established in the free Spirit of the Lord in the unity of Life and in the fellowship of the Gospel not being subject to change or be moved from that Word and Spirit by which you have been taught and led in the vvay of Life and by which you have known the mind of Christ and by his gift of Righteousness vvhich you have received are you able to try every spirit as you abide in it whether it be of God both as to Doctrines without and as to motions vvithin So therefore let nothing move you nor unsettle your minds from that measure of Life which in all things is a perfect Instructor which will keep you in a pure Dominion over
minding of his Light within them whereby they should be led to believe in him which saith They that are born of the spirit is spirit and that they must first be born before they caâ— enter into the Kingdom of God Again pag. 29. saith That of such corruption as David was guilty of in the matter of Uriah want of Light to guide in the way of happiness is a chief part Ans. David did not want Light as the cause or chief part of his sin but was disobedient unto the Light which he had received and that was the cause why he did the thing that was sin against the Lord but in this as in the rest of thy Book thou wouldst charge all iniquity upon the want or insufficiency of the Light and not upon the creatures disobedience to it and so contrary to the Scriptures would make mans destruction not to be of himself or his separation from God not to be by his sins but the insufficiency of the Lights and so accuseth the Light and not the darkness and accuseth God â—nd not the disobedient man and so aâ—t become a fighter against God Christ his Light and servants and hereby thou â—rives to serve the wicked one who rules by the power of â—arkness in the disobedient by raising thy strong Arguments â—nd Reasons against the sufficiency of the Light to lead God â—ome of which arguments I shall mention that thereby people â—ay understand all the rest which are empty and foolish as to â—hat which thou intends them Argument from Psal. 81.11 12. But my people would not hearâ—en to my voice and Israel would none of me so I gave them up to their â—wn hearts lusts c. Wheâ—ce I argue That Light in man cannot be a â—afe sufficient guide to a man in his way to God to which the leaving 〈◊〉 person is reckoned as the greatest curse and judgement but to leave a â—erson to his own imagination and lust to walk in his own counsel which 〈◊〉 all one as to leave him to the Light within him Ans. Thy Argument is not agreeable unto this Scripture â—hich thou makes as the ground of it for because Israel did not hearken to God's voice noâ— would none of him therefore he gave them up to their own hearts lusts therefore saist thou â—he Light is not a sufficient Guide First thou shouldst have â—roved that the Light of Israel which is a fire Isa. 10.17 and â—he holy one as a flame was not sufficient and thou shouldest have proved that the giving of them up to their own hearts â—usts was a giving of them up to that Light within them In â—his thy false and foolish Argument thou saist that God reckonâ— it the greatest curse to leave a man to the Light in him which Light before thou hast confessed to be spiritual and to be the Light of the knowledge of God and now thou saist To leave man to the Light is to leave man to his lusts and imaginations What is now Light become lust and imaginations Why then doth thy Brother Baxter in his Epistle tell us that it is to be hearkened to and obeyed What are you now agreed to call the Light darkness or lust and when you have done so that men may hearken unto it and obey it Here is breaking of the command and teaching others to do so In page 68. of thy Book thou tells us That the Teachers of the Law did teach many things right about God's Being Works Worship and yet thou saist that in other things they were as blind as Molds But in this hast thou not much more condemned thy self to be more blind then they are for they taught Christ aright about God's Being Works and Worship but thou hast taught things false about these things for the Teachers of the Law did never say That to leave men to the Light was the greatest curse but said That Light is sown for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart Psal. 97.11 And said also that the path of the just is as the shining Light Neither did they ever call the Light lust nor imagination as thou hast done but when thou art sober and seest thy confusion consider whether it be not rather the greatest curse and judgment from God to leave a man to his own darkness and ignorance as thou art because he hates and despiseth the Light which should lead him to knowledge and understanding of God and of his ways and is it not Justice in God to give you up to the darkness of your own hearts and lust which thou falsly calls Light seeing it is your daily exercise to study pâ—each print against the sufficiency of Christ's Light which people should believe in and obey and which is the path of the just and way to God out of that darkness which hath blinded your eyes even so far that you cannot see your own words much less the Truth of God as it is manifest unto them that walk in his Light And in thy next Argument thou sayest That because the Mysterie of God was hid and Life and Immortality not brought to light to the Gentiles therefore they had not a light within them as a sufficient guide to God Ans. Thou mightest as well have said in plain words That Christ who was given a Light to the Gentiles was not able to reveal the mysterie of God nor bring life and immortality to light because some were ignorant of it but contrary to thy false Argument Christ was given a Light to the Gentiles wâ—ich light did reveal the mysterie of God life and immortality to them who did receive him and those that did not receive him though he was given for a Light unto them because they did not receive him therefore was those things hid and not because the Light was not sufficient 1. Argument Rom. 8.9 Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ the same is none of his Whence thou argues They have not light within them sufficient to guide them to God who have not the Spirit of God but every man hath not the Spirit of God Ergo. Ans. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withall 1 Cor. 12.7 Which manifestation being obeyed is able to lead man to God so that there is no insufficiency in the Spirit or Light in which God hath manifested something to every man and therefor if every man be not guided by it unto God it is because he doth not sufficiently obey and follow it 12. Argument From Matthew 11.27 John 14.16 Where thou Argues they had not a light within them sufficient to guide them to God to whom the Son did not reveal the Father who did not go by the Son as the way to the Father but the Son did not reveal the Father to every man nor did every man come to Christ John 1.5.10 Ergo. Ans. The cause why they had not life and did not come to the Father was because
I am come a light into the world that whosoever believeth in me should not abide in darkness And Jesus cried anâ— said He that believeth on me believeth on him that sent me Also Joh. 12.44.46 This light was not mans reason nor understanding neither was it mans spirit that was the true light which lightneth every one that cometh into the world Joh. 1 9. Again another false testimony concerning the light is this That the light did drive Adam from the voice and presence of God and so far is the light from leading up to God that it drives the soul from God and keeps him in the fall p. 53. Answ. This Doctrine is to turn the truth of God into a lye and to call light darkness and darkness light for there is no such testimony in the Scriptures that the light did drive Adam from the voice and presence of God but Adam saith I was afraid because I was naked and I hid my self It was because he had disobeyed Gods voice not because he was enlightned for the Scripture saith It is your sins that hath separated you from God it doth not say that it is the light which hath separated you from God or driven you from him this may well be called a damnable Doctrine or Doctrine of Devils Hath God sent his Son a light into the world to drive the souls from God and keep them in the fall Now let all consider and judge that ever knew the light whether it be darkness or it be light which drives the soul from God and keeps it in the fall Now this doctrine being compared with the Scriptures is utterly false and there is a few that profess godliness in this Nation that can bear it or approve of it and for such as account themselves the highest profession and above forms under the name of Seekers to publish such a thing in print here it appears that the best of men iâ— but as a Briar and the most upright is sharper then a Thorn-Hedge for the day of thy Watch-men and thy Visitation cometh now shall there be perplexity Mic. 7.4 Now here is a day for tryal that they which can may try the spirits and doctrines whether they be of God Now I shall lay it to that of God in all is it not the work of the Devil to drive the soul from God and to keep people in the fall If so then it is not the work of the light which lightneth every man that cometh into the world is not this to call light darkness to say that the light is so far from leading up to God that it drives the soul from God and keeps him in the Fall What is that which leads man out of the fall if the light keep man in it As this is contrary to Scripture and to truth so it is contrary to his own words as in pag. 7. there saying That by the Light is the will and mind of the Creator made known unto man and he sufficiently qualified to see it and understand it Answ. How can these two stand together That the light drives man from God keeps him in the fall and again That it makes known the will and mind of the Creator unto him and sufficiently qualifies him to see and understand it This cannot truly be called Hosanna to the Son of David nor A Testimony to the Lords Christ but a line of confusion which is stretched out wherein darkness is come forth as a cloud and spreads it self over the earth to darken peoples minds from the knowledge and understanding of truth by words without knowledge but his folly shall proceed no further unreproved and made manifest Another false Testimony concerning the light is this That at first it moved upward and man could look God in the face and serve him but now since the fall the Thief is got into the Candle and now the Spirit burns downward and discovers the things beneath Answ. What is the nature of the Light changed or is the spirit so changed that before it ascended upward and now downward We shall try this according to the Scripture which saith Who knoweth the Spirit of man that goeth upward and the spirit of a Beast which goeth downward to the earth Eccles. 3.21 so then if it goes downward it is the spirit of a Beast not the spirit of a man And here it is plainly evident that he knows not the spirit of man from the spirit of a Beast so unfit to cry Hosanna to the Son of David or bear testimony to the Lords Christ. But as for the Light which hath enlightned man that cometh into the world the fall did not â—hange the quality of the light for the light is the same as it was but darkneâ—s cannot comprehend it neither knows how to give a true testimony of it but confusedly speaks of two lights the one springing up with man in his naturall birth suitable to his naturall birth and another light sutable to the new birth that is born of the spirit This is a testâ—mony which is not to be found in Scripture to be two Lights sutable to the two births for he that is born of the flâ—sh persecutes him that is born of the Spirit and God hath put enmity between the two Seeds but to say that there is two lights sutable and so the one natural and the other spiritual the one of the earth earthly and the other of the Lord from Heaven as the two births are this is not a testimony according to truth for the light is but one and the spirit of truth is but one and the same spirit which led the Saints which believed into all truth the same did convince the world of sin because they did not believe in Christ Joh. 16.3 And that light which is the condemnation of the world who love the darknes rather then Christ the same is the Saviour of all them that believe and one man loves it another hates it yet it is the same light Joh. 3.19 but the Scripture bears no such testimony as that there is two lights in man the one spiritual the other natural and for any man to say that the light of Christ is natural is blasphemy against the Son of God and is a sin not easily forgiven and it is hard for such to find the place of repentance for every one that comes to repentance must first come to the light which Christ hath enlightned them withall and must know it to be spiritual and confess it so and with this light come to discern the two births the one from the other and their several natures and how that the one birth is guided by the light it being as the eye giving them to see what to speak before they speak and so keeps them out of the worlds line which is confusion and as a Teâ—cher giving them to understand what to do before they do it and so keeps them out of the condemnation bringing their works
to the Lord but contrariwise his obedience and that he waâ— in Christ Jesus so this was not as the bleating of the Sheep or the lowing of the Oxen neither did it shew that they were not in the City for Paul testifieth of the holy brethren which he was a Minister unto That they were come unto Mount Sion and unto the City of the living God the heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable company of Angels to the general Assembly and Church of the first-born whâ—ch are written in heaven and to God the Judge of all and to the spirits of just men made perfect and to Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant and to the blood of sprinkling Now let him that hath thus accused shew how many miles these had to travel before they came to the City and whether there was any parts measures or degrees in these or whether there was absolute perfection without any measure of degrees of it and whether Paul was not come so far as these unto whom he preached wisdom even among those that were perfect and might he not in that estate say that he would not stretch himself beyond his measure But this I say none are true witnesses of perfection but those who know their measure and abide in it and likewise those that call the witnessing of the truth in a measure of the Spirit the bleating of the Sheep or the lowing of the Oxen such never knew perfection neither yet presseth after it but would keep all others from it by despiteful terms against the measure of the spirit which leadeth unto it But the day is come and the light is risen which hath found out and discovered all the cunning craftiness of men in whâ—ch they go about to deceive the hearts of the simple and beguile unstable souls but the elect seed is risen which iâ— is impossible to deceive for it is not the Scripture words which men may take and speak in the hypocrisie which can darken our knowledge nor any way hinder the testimony of truth in those which have received it in the power of God only with such things the blind may lead the blind and with such things they may strive to keep others out of the kingdom which have not tasted of the good word of God neither are brought to know a measure of God in themselves whereunto to be obedient but I see the Lord is opening a way for such to come out of the pits which they have been led into in opening their eys and letting them see that their Watchmen are blind and that understanding is departed from them even from their Leaders and the counsels of God is depâ—rted even from the ancient and the people are even like to perish for want of vision because they have not seen for themselves but their Teachers have seen for them vain visions and lying divinations and prophesied lyes causing the ignorant to believe them but the Lords hand is stretched out against such and is stretched out to gather his own seed from such to bring them into the fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom and into the knowledge of the holy whithis understanding Prov. 9.10 which understanâ—ing is a Well sprinâ— of life Another seeming strength risen up against us is the conceit of the discovery of a Schism in the body as if the Band or Girdle which bound up the body were broken and as if there were now a character brought forth amongst us shewing a variety of persons doctrines and practises and as if the testimony of our being of the body of Christ from the unity in the body were ceased and as if the Heads were divided and as for proof instances G.F. to J.N. J.N. to G.F. J.B. to J.N. and as if it were not person but party which some wonder at admiring and waiting to see the Lords counsel and pleasure in it Answ. All those that wait to see the Lords counsel and pleasure and his wisdom in this thing shall see it and be satisfied and it vvill for the time to come be more for the confounding of those that vvatch for iniquity then any vvay for confirming them in iniquity and by that vvhich God hath done and is doing shall the Girdle and Band of our love be made stronger and in this shall the sight of our enemies fail and become blindness for their thoughts is not as Gods thoughts in these things neither their eye as his eye for he saw a better thing for us in these things then they have imagined for that vvhich they thought vvrought for evil hath wrought together for good unto those that stand in Gods counsel who alwayes waits to see those works which stands in his wisdomâ— contrary to mans reason for that which they thought did break that hath bound and that which they thought did separate that hath united together so that there is not a difference nor dividing of Heads not in persons nor in parties nor in doctrines not in practices but the same unity in the body in the faith in the seed in the covenant in one heart and one soul one way and worship of God in the Spirit is now as much or more then ever before witnessed so that God hath cut off occasion from those that seek occasion hath taken away the corner-stone that the wicked thought to build upon and hereby hath God tryed and discovered and brought to light that which lay in the bottom of the deepest pits for God hath brought in this his day many things forth to try prove those who said they were his people and those that a few dayes since seemed to be like Lambs do now manifest themselves to be in the nature of Lyons and ravening Wolves and those that pre-end to wait for the coming of Christ in power and had the Name of Seekers they are now found to reject his coming and to be such as watch for iniquity in those among whom Christ is come now they are turned backward and now drink up that which they had vomiâ—ed up for now if they could but finde any iniquity among such as God hath made known the glory of his power among or if they can but suppose or imagine any such thing from false conceptions conclusions this would be a sufficient ground to them to print a Book upon and publish it abroad and but that the Lord hath been on our sides well may we say when all sorts of men and religions hath risen up against us by their violence had we been consumed for the powers of darkness and all the divers worships of the Beast are now more joyned together then ever and the deepest subtilty of the Serpent is now at work in his members to devise wayes and change the Laws and times whereby the spirit might be quenched which God hath raised up in his children whereby a mighty cry is gone forth through the Nations against the Mystery of iniquity where it worketh both in
elected Ans. There he hath belyed the Ministers of the gospel for they could discern the elect from the World as it is written Ye shall discern between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not and Paul and Peter vvrote to the Elect So these Teachers vvho knovv not the Elect and yet exhort all their hearers to believe and lay hold on Christ their preaching is in vain for if God hath but intended a certain number to be saved and the rest to be condemned then they set their Hearers on work in vain and many to expect that vvhich they are never like to have So these people are in a miserable state And note that these Priests though they take sums of money and tythes of their Hearers in many parishes in the Nation yet they know not vvho are elected among them according to this mans words Pr. That the Sword of the Spirit is ineffectual without the Letter Ans. The Svvord of the Spirit is the Word of God vvhich vvas effectual before the Letter vvas to Enoch to Isaac to Jacob to Abraham and others and from the Word vvas the Letter given forth and the Letter is not effectual without it Pr. That there was no Scripture written but what is extaut and in the Bible Ans. Yes against that shall the Scripture bear witness the Book of Nathan the prophet the Book of Ahijah the Book of Iddâ— 2 Chron. 9.29 the Book of Shemaia 2 Chron. 20.15 the Book of Gad 1 Chron. 29.29 the Book of Jehu 2 Chron. 34. the Book of Jasher 2 Sam. 1.18 the prophesie of Enoch Jude 2. one Epipistle of the Corinthians 1 Cor. 5.9 one Epistle to the Ephesians Eph. 3.3 one Epistle to the Laodiceans Col. 4. All these Scriptures vvere given forth from the same spirit and to the same end and use as those are which are bound up in the Scriptures although these be left out Pr. That there was no Scripture â—or Writings appointed of God to be a Rule of Faith and Manners but what is bound up in the Bible Ans. Those Scriptures which are not bound up in the Bible were given forth from the same spirit and by the motion of the Holy Ghost and so for the same ends and uses that the other Scripture was given forth for and as he appointed the one so the other Pr. That the Letter doth antecede and go before the spirit in all that walk in the spirit Ans. This is false for the spirit did antecede the Letter in all that walked in the spirit who gave forth the Letter from the spirit Pr. That the works of Christ in some respect are not perfect Ans. That is false for every gift of God is perfect and every work of Christ is perfect in all his children but that spirit in thee which is fallible makes nothing perfect and therefore judgeth all things yea Christ and his Works to be fallible and deceivable like it self Pr. That the Law requires more strict and exact obedience than the Gospel Ans. Nay The Law saith Thou shalt not commit adultery but the Gospel saith Thou shalt not lust The Law saith Thou shalt not kill but the Gospel saith Thou shalt not be angry The Law saith Thou shalt not forswear thy self but the Gospel saith Swear not at all Matth. 5. And so the Gospel requires more exact obedience then the Law contrary to this affirmation Pr. That God chose a Devil to be one of his Ministers in chusing Judas and his proof for it is this That the Divine Natuâ—e did not see it good to communicate the knowledge of all things unto the humane nature and therefore though he was a Devil when he chose him yet he knew it not Ans. This is a charging of Christ with ignorance contrary unto John 2.24.25 which saith That Jesus did not commit himself unto them because he knew all men and needed not that any should testifie of man for he knew what was in man And though Judas by transgression became a Devil and the Devil abode not in the Truth doth it therefore follow that he was never in the truth But Christ speaks of him and to him as well as to the rest that they had power to cast out unclean spirits Matth. 10.1 and that the Spirit of the Father spoke in them Matth. 10.20 So that there was no difference while the Spirit of the Father led him and taught till the Devil entered into his heart to betray that Lord of Life So that is a false charge to say That Christ sent out a Devil to minister the Gospel Pr. That the Spirit of God may accompany a Ministry and the Minister not have the Spirit Ans. This is another Doctrine than ever the Prophets or Apostles preached for I never read in the Scripture that ever any did minister for God which had not the Spirit or that ever any was converted unto God by such a Minister as had not the Spirit Therefore prove this assertion to the people where or when the Spirit of God did accompany that Ministry when the Minister had not the Spirit so that thou mâ—ist as well as thou hast said not pretend unto any infallibility nor unto any truth in thy ministry for if thou didst people would see that thou didst pretend unto that which thou art far from So that if thou wouldst not pretend to minister neither no more than to have the Spirit it were better for thee Pr. That the power that went forth in the Apostles Ministry was in God and not in them but as they have it communicated to them by the exercise of Faith Ans. Here thou hast confounded thy self for if they had it communicated to them by their exercise of Faith then it was in them for the exercise of Faith is within in the pure Conscience and so the power was in them from which they ministred and they did not abuse their power but from the power ministred forth their gift as they had received it Thomas Ramsay said That we preach a Doctrine of Devils in saying that men may be free from sin in this life Ans. Then the Apostle Paul preached a Doctrine of Devils For he said Rom. 6 2. How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein And in the 7 th verse saith He that is dead is free from sin And in the 18 th verse he saith to the Believers being then made free from sin Ye became the servants of righteousness in ver 22. he again tells them That now being made free from sin and become servants to God you have your fruits unto holiness and the end everlasting life And this was spoken to the Romans while they were in this life and it was not a Doctrine of Devils but the Doctrine of the Gospel and Christ preached the Doctrine of perfection in this life Matth. 5.48 saying Be ye perfect as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect and also it is written Be ye holy for I am
over the world purifieth the heart and maketh man obedient and faithfull unto Goâ— as he lives in it till he hath fought the fight of it and overcome his spiritual enemy power of darkness which hath led man from his Maker into sin and transgression so as the gift of God did largely shew forth it self in the said servant of Christ by opposing and renouncing Errors stopping the mouths of and many times convincing gainsayers 3. And though his bodily presence and his speech to some seemed weak and contemptible yet we can in the truth bear witness that he was a man both of a solid spirit and quick understanding and delivered weighty things in his ministring as were felt by such as were unprejudiced who were impartial sober and staied in their spirits and the innocency and uprightness of his life and conversation so many have a certain knowledge and can give their testimony thereof that I shall need to say little as to that and he labored for peace unfeigned love and unity in the Truth amongst people witnessing against that spirit and those things in any which would either make division or cause offences or stumblings in any thing contrary to the Gospel of peace and salvation wherein the mystery of the everlasting and true fellowship consisteth and he truly preached the Cross of Christ and true judgment to such spirits as would live in a form and notion of Truth out of the life power and true obedience who though they may profess great matters in words and strain after high things in the carnal comprehension yet are but in the state of such as were dead as unto whom the Gospel hath in judgment beeâ— preached that they might be judged as men in the flesh buâ— live according to God in the Spirit as that follower of Christ and Minister of righteousness R. H. hath held forth who walked in his integrity to the Lord and â—â—tained his first love and habitation in the truth being over all such changeable spirits as would lead from it into any ways or things tending to be get prejudice division or offences in the minds contrary to thâ—â— pure love which stands in the living unchangeable Truth Anâ— this I must needs say touching that man that I never felt more of the presence and love of God accompanying him theâ— I did in that time we were sufferers and conversant togetheâ— in Newgate before his decease And he viz. R. H. was taken away in a time of suffering and tryal for the testimony of a good conscience being in the year 1662. in which many of the Lords people were under persecution especially in the City of London for the exercise of their tender consciences in meeting together in the worship of God as the Saints and true Christians in the Primitive times did and diverse others of the innocent and faithful servants of Christ who were sufferers upon the same account in Newgate London laid down their lives for the â—estimony of Jesus about that time as he did being for the most â—art taken weak and sick in prison and as was judged by the most part their hard imprisonment and deep suffering being crouded together in great companies the hot season in prison â—nd in holes was the occasion and beginning of their distemâ—er and sickness whereon they died before they were discharâ—ed of their imprisonment So as he nor they did suffer nor â—ere taken away for any evil-doing or in wrath or judgment â—ut in the peace and love of God as to them-ward having paâ—iently endured and faithfully finished their course with joy â—nd fulfilled their testimony in faithfulness as seeing him â—hat is invisible having received a crown of glory and life â—hose memorial lives with us and is for ever blessed and â—hus the Lord hath many times taken away the righteous â—â—om the evil to come who through faith have received a â—â—od report and left an everlasting testimony behind them And now blessed are all they that in faith patience and sinâ—â—rity do follow the Lamb unto the end whithersoever â—e goeth â—hether it be through tribulations persecutions or what sufâ—â—rings soever for such are they that keâ—p their habitations 〈◊〉 the power and love of God and such overcome by the blood 〈◊〉 the Lamb and the word of their testimony and shall reign â—ith Christ as victorious Conquerors in his everlasting kingâ—â—m over death and darkness and the power of it and such 〈◊〉 abide in the love of the Truth and Faith of Gods Elect do 〈◊〉 and witness that seed which God will exalt over the earth â—â—â—ore which he will root out and overturn his enemies that his 〈◊〉 plant may take deep root and spread to the ends of the 〈◊〉 And so all friends who have received the love of the Truth and the knowledg of the life and power thereof wherein is immortality to the faithful and obedient Be valiant for the Truth upon earth and live in true love unity and peace always minding and folâ—owing those things which make for peace and feel the true and constant love and fellowship in the Gospel of peace life and salvation And so blessings from on high will fill your hearts and the glory of the Lord will be your rereward in the everlasting inheritance of life with the holy seed which will out-live all its enemies and remain when the enmity of the wicked and the seed of it is removed and gone So the Lord exalt his Name and Truth and promote his Kingdom over all that is contrary to himself that he alone may have the glory and preheminence whose right it is G. W. Waltham in Essex the 27 of the 11 month 1662. Epist. pag. 4. lin 30. for attained read retained pag. 5. lin 16. for so as he read so as neither he Reader this following Testimony was given forth by our dear Friend Edward Burroughs before he finished his testimony by death for the Truths sake which I thought fit here to insert RIchard Hubberthorne was born in the North part of Lancashire and was of very honest Parents his Father was a Yeoman of the Country and had a good Report of his Neighbours for uprightnâ—sse in all his dealings and Richard was his onely Son who was inclinable from his youth upwards to Religion and to the best way always minding the best things and following the company of good men and was never known to be addicted to vice or malignity nor ever following any evil course of life from his Child hood but fâ—â—red the Lord and walked uprightly before him and 〈◊〉 faithful according to the Light and knowledge received in all things and his natural disposition temper was meek and lowly and loved peace among men he was brought up with his Parents in good education according to the custom of the Country and in time of the late Wars he was disposed ro go into the Army and was in Scotland most of the time till the Land was reduced and he
bodily appearence and his person removed from us yet is his new-Name written among us and his Memory can never die for his Spirit still lives to praise the Lord and the life which breathed forth through that vessel cannot be removed away for it is the Infinite Immortal Eternal Life which dwells in Sons and Daughters now upon the Earth and though his outward man be put off yet he lives always in Spirit for he was a Servant of the living God upon Earth in his day E. B. These few lines were sent to London from G. F. since R. H. laid down the body DEar Innocent Richard as Innocent a man as liveth on the Earth whose Innocency manifested it self and his life is amongst us and dead he yet liveth Who never turned his back but Conquered through truth but trampled upon all evill spirits and went over them who for the truth laid down his life and in it liveth and resteth G. F. Dear Friends RIchard Hubberthornes Love was very Great to all the Flock of God and in the time of his health he was a faithful Labourer in the worke of the Lord and that you well know and in the time of his sickness he did Express much Love to Friends and was greatly refreshed in them indeed he was a Vessel filled with a mighty Waighty Spirit and all those who by that spirit were drawn near him might see know and feel him and many there are that have a witness saying in them Even so it was indeed he was hid from many and to them unknown and therefore not prized and now the Lord hath taken him into his own bosome and many were not worthy of him my whole family misseth him for in the time of his health and sickness he was a precious Example and in his sickness he minded not one person more than another but often smileing minded neither life nor death Visible but was filled with the Invisible So that his mind was redeemed out of visible things and severall times would say The word of the Lord is with me and sayed that Faith which hath wrought my salvation I well know and have grounded satisfaction in it but Faith as touching visible things it was not much matter for minding of it and said I have more in me then I am free to Declare as concerning Living or dying he had not many words all the time of his sickness but his minde was kept feeding in the retyredness within so that one might feel his strength in the still spirit which kept him so that I do not remember that ever I heard him groane all the time of his sickness the seventh day in the morning he asked for me and when I came to him he said This night or to morrow night I shall depart hence the next day in the morning understanding that he asked for me I arose went to him after a while Sitting by him he put his Arme about mee and said Do not seek to hold me for it is too strait for me and out of this straitness I must go for I am wound into largeness and am to be lifted up on high far above all so in the Evening being the first day of the weeke and the 17th of the 6 month he lâ—ft the Body This I was free to give forth because in the time of his sickness sometimes I kept friends from him desireing that he might have slept and hoping that therein he might have been refreshed These words before mentioned so near as I can remember are his own words as they came from him London the 6th M. 1662. Your Dear Friend Sarah Blackberry The Table of the Books following A True testimony of obedience to the heavenly Call c. page 1 An Answer to R. Sherlock of Berwick page 7 The Mittimus answered by which R. H. was sent prisoner to Norvvich Castle in the year 1654 page 37. A true testimony of the Zeal of Oâ—ford professors and University men who for Zeal persecute the servants of the Living God following the â—xample of their bretheren of Cambridge page 41. Two Epistles to Friends during his imprisonment in Norwich Castle page 45 Some Queryes for you to answer who hold forth this testimony to the â—eople that Christ is a Creature page 49 The Innocency of the righteous seed of God cleared from all slandeâ—ous tongues and false accusers page 51 The distance between flesh and Spirit c. page 64 The Horn of the Hee Goate broken c. page â—3 The Light of Christ within proved to be sufficient to lead unto Goâ— page 1 Truth and Innocencie Clearing Its self its Children c. page 2 The Rebukes of a Reviler fallen upon his own head page 86 The cause of stumbling removed from all that will receive the Truth and from before the Eyes of the wise men of London page 154. An Epistle concerning the Sufferings of friends shewing the Priests wickedness and persecutions page 198 A Call to the Ministry according to the Scriptures contrary to that Call which is of man and by man page 203 The reall cause of the Nations bondage and slavery and the way of their freedom from their sore and hard bondage asserted page 217 An Answer to a Declaration putt forth by the Generall consent of â—he people called Anabaptists in and about the City of London 225 A Coppie of a paper sent to the Councell in the year 1659. p. 234 A word of wisdom and Counsell to the officers and Souldiers of the Army in England c. 235. An answer to the oath of Allegiance and supremacy from the people called Quakers page 239. Antichristian sin reproved and the doctrine of Christ and his apostles justified against swearing page 242 An Answer to a Book called A just defence and Vindication of Gospell ministers and Gospel Ordinances page 252 Something that lately passed in discourse between the King and R. H. page 268. R. H. His answer to Iohn Horne page 273. A short Relation of the twelve changes of Government that hath been in England within these eight years under all of which we have suffered persecution page 276. An Epistle to Friends page 284 Another Epistle to Friends page 287 Reasons why no Imposition ought to be upon mens Consciences by any but the Lord page 288. REader it is desired that what faults thou find'st have escaped the Press in the ensuing treatise to correct with thy Pen where thou can'st not friendly to pass them by for by reason of the present difficulty of having Friends Books printed therewith came out with those Errata's which othervvise might be amended A true Testimony of Obedience to the Heavenly Call for which I suffer the losse of all things that I may be found in obedience to him who hath called me A Servant of the Lord and a Prisoner for the Testimony of Jesus whom he hath called by his grace to deny the World and am made partaker of his sufferings being in outward bonds by the
external stuff pours out which hath poisoned many people which thou sayest thou shouldest open the Gospel withall all that have the least convincement may see thee to be a seducer for what is external is natural and what is natural knows not the things of God but the Lord be praised thou hast declared thy self abroad Qu. 12. Whether any Ministers of God were made Ministers by the wil of man yea or no Shew it me by the Scripture Pr. And in thy answer to this Query thou sayest There is 〈◊〉 Minister of God made by the will of man onely but by man in subordination Rep. Here thou crossest the Scripture Paul an Apostle not of man nor by man And here the lying spirit hath shewed it self indeed Pr. And thou sayest There is no such hope of any such calling as was in the time of the Apostles Rep. And here thou hast cast thy self and thy fellowâ— and all thy study to be without the Doctrine and Life of the Apostles for thou concludest there is no such calling yet thou talkest of laying on hands there thou and you are making likenesses which is forbidden and to be confounded and so we conclude and all the children of Light shall judge that your Hope and your Calling and your Ministry made by the will of man and not only by God to be without God and conarary to the Apostles Qu. 13. Shew me by the Scripture whether a man shall grow up to that condition that he need no man to teach him but the Lord or no Pr. We must not look for any immediate extraordinary miraculous teaching by revelation from the Lord and yet all men are taught of God too Rep. What confused stuff is this and blasphemy that comes out of thy bottle Thou wouldest make God not an immediate doth not God teach immediate Here thou shewest that thou dost not know the living God for the teaching of God is immediate in the least degree Pr. None aims to such a perfection of knowledge in his gifts as not to need teaching Rep. Here I charge thee to be a Lyar who speaks contrary to the Scripture and here I charge thee in the presence of the living God to be a slanderer who speaks of being taught of the Lord Jesus Christ outwardly by the spirit what confused stuff is this and here again I charge thee to be a lyar for the words of our Lord Jesus Christ are spirit and life but such as thou who lookest upon the outward thing cannot receive his words though you have the letter of the Gospel as they had the letter of the Law Quest. 14. Whether they be not Antichrists and disobey Christ that have the chief places in the assembliâ—â— stand praying in the synagogues which Christ did forbid his disciples to act such things and cried wo against those that did act them In thy answer to this querie thou ramblest up and down with many words to justifie that which Christ cried wo against to justifie the chiefest place in the Assemblies and to be called of men Master and for standing praying in the Synagogues which Christ pronounced wo against and so let all the people see if thou and you be not such as are called of men Masters and stand praying in the Synagogues which the wo was and is upon Mat. 23. and there is neither shelter nor hole for thee to hide thy self for them that walk in the truth will find thee out and praised be the Lord God of heaven and earth who hath given us a spirit of discerning and we are able to judge you who live in deceit for the Apostle prophesied with the spirit of the Lord that such should come and we see with the same spirit you are come and with the same spirit you are judged Quest. 15. Whether they be not Antichrists and of the Devil and no Ministers of Christ which do not abide in the Doctrine of Christ Pr. They that swerve from the Doctrine of Christ are of the spirit of Antichrist Rep. There thou art this is thy own condition who deniest immediate revelation and thou that deniest immediate revelation deniest Christ for Paul said the Son was revealed in him and so all that thou speakest is with the lying spirit in the wicked generation and whereas thou slanderest and sayest we rail that is false And again thou speakest of love because the letter declares it but the love of God who dwells in it to such thou art an enemy and as touching using plainness of speech to people because we do not flatter or use enticing words of mens wisdom which thou dost so thou hast cleared thy self from the children of God and to be in the generation of them that swerve from the doctrine of Christ who seekest to justifie that which he cried wo against aâ— Mat. 23. And whereas thou accusest us for railing upon people thou art a liar for love useth plainness of speech and love and charity is out of deceit if we should flatter we should hold it up and should be pleading for thy generation who talks of God and confesses that you have not the same knowledge and understanding that the Apostles had Therefore how can you know God then And whereas thou speakest of trying the spirits the fruits of it is love here with the spirit of love is thy generation tried for when the servants of the Lord have been moved to come into your Synagogues some have been stockt and wounded and imprisoned and hailed out of your synagogues And is this the fruits of your spirit Qu. 16. Whether they be not seducers that draw people from the anointing which is in them and tell them they must be taught of a man whereas the anointing teaches them they need no man teach them but as the anointing teacheth them and the promise is to him that doth abide in it eternally Pr. Many false Prophets are gone forth Rep. Here thou hast proved thy self to be a false Prophet who denies immediate revelation for whom the Lord sent forth he spoke to them immediately which thou deniest and there thou art one of the false Prophets which thou speakest of and knows nothing of the anointing who deceives the simple and ignorant the world may wonder after such but who are in the light and receive any thing immediate will see thee in the dark to be a deceiver for none in thy generation can witness that you need no man teach you but the anointing for who doth are come out from your teaching and you both And as touching Sects them we deny as thou speakest in thy answer to the fifteenth Querie therefore do we see thee with that which is no Sect to be colouring and deluding people telling them thy error is truth who quotes and misappliest the Scripture to maintain thy falshood Pr. The flesh is quickned with the spirit of life to bring forth some kind of fleshly fruits 1 King 8.46 Joh. 14.4 Prov. 20.9 1 Joh. 1.8 10 Eccles. 7.22
Rep. Here I charge thee to be a lyar and a blasphemer in the presence of the lâ—ving God let all people read these Scriptures and see if there be any such thing in them and whether thou hast not misapplied thâ—se scriptures when the spirit saith It câ—ucifieth the deeds of the flesh and walking in the spirit the lusts of the flesh iâ— not fulfilled and here I charge thee to be a lyar and of the Devil who was a lyar from the beginning and in his generation thou art Qu. 17. Whether they do not bewitch the people who withdraw them from the spirit within to observe the ordinances of the world and traditions of men without as the Galatians were bewitched Gal. 3.1 Pr. I must tell you that there is not onely a holy and good spirit within and that in too few but there is also an evil and seducing spirit within and that in too many even the spirit that doth bewitch men and draw them aside from the doctrines and commands of the spirit of truth and to strive by all means to draw the people off from giving heed to seducing spirits it is not to observe the ordinances of the world and traditions of men as you pervert the Text but to obey the command of Gods true spirit who foretelling of false Prophets and false Spirits often in the word commands exhorts and admonishes to beware of such not to give heed to such and not to believe every spirit but to trie them Rep. Here in this answer thy spirit is tried which I have given to all people to read with a single eye that all may see what confusion here is in it First thou sayest that the seducing spirit draws from the seducing spirit and in the seducing spirit thou art and from the spirit of life with the spirit of life thou art judged to be out of the doctrine of Christ nor is not guided by the holy spirit Qu. 18. Whether they be not seducers which tell people these are the ordinances of God which God never commanded as sprinkling Infants telling people of a sacrament which there is no scripture for and draw them from the spirit within to follow your imaginations and inventions Pr. But for sprinkling Infants I have already given you the grounds of it out of Scripture Rep. Here again I charge thee in the presence of the living God to be a lyar theâ—e is not such a word in the scripture to bear it out nor a word of a sacrament which there is no scripture for let all read the scripture throughout and see if they can find such a word in the scripture so let all people judge thee to be a lyar and a seducer and in the Devils invention which calls that an ordinance of God which is invention and imagination Pr. We are not blind-folded to follow the dictates of the spirit within Rep. Here I charge thee in the presence of the Lord to be in the flesh and to follow the flesh for who are led by the spirit of God are the sons of God and thou that dost not follow the dictates of the spirit thou dost not follow the commands of God and what hast thou to do to talk of clearing it by the Scripture when there is no Scripture for it and when the Scripture witnesses against the works of the flesh which thy spirit stirs up Que. 19. Whether you have the same spirit which was in Christ the Apostles and Prophets which gave forth the scripture seeing you act contrary to the scriptures and follow your own inventions and traditions and so err from them Pr. Our Ministerial actions are agreeable to the Scripture Rep. Here I charge thee to be a liar for in thy answer to the former Querie thou sayest you do not follow the dictates of the spirit within and art holding up sprinkling infants which there is no scripture for and so walk contrary to the scripture and to them that were led by the spirit which gave them forth Que. 20. Whether ever Christ and his Apostles did first baptize and then preach faith and repentance twenty or thirty years afterwards Pr. Christ himself was not capable of faith and repentance Rep. Here I charge thee to be a liar and a slanderer for he was capable of faith and repentance and the baptism which the Apostles baptised withal what hast thou to do with it who art holding up sprinkling infants which there is no example for in the scriptures nor in all the Apostles practice Therefore silence flesh for thou knowest nothing of the wisdom of God which the Apostle speaks of but art in the state of Simon Magus who art buying and selling the letter worse then he for he would have bought the spirit which the Apostles denied so thou art denied with the same spirit but the Saints baptism we own and the believers and the promises which is to the seed thou hast cleared thy self from who saist Christ was not capable of faith how could he be above it and not capable of it and the life that I live is by faith of the Son of God â—â—ith the Apostle which thou hast cleared thy self from Que. 21. Whether ever Christ and his Apostles received 100. or 200. pounds a year for preaching the Gospel Pr. Many of the Apostles converts sold their estates and brought it and laid it down at the Apostles feet Rep. Here I challenge all the Oxford and Cambridge Teachers in England how many of their Converts have sold their estates and laid it down at your feet but you Teachers and they are so earthly minded you are fit to sue them at the law and imprison them as Lancaster and Kendal Goals may witness where many suffer now because they will not pay tithes and so you shew you preach another Gospel so let Christ and the Apostles judge you all to be without their doctrine and your converts as thou callest them to be without the Apostles and Christ let their example judge you all and so you shew that you never sowed spiritual things but only as a custom and a cloak thou bringest these words for the Apostle did reap carnal things where he sowed spiritual things Que. 22. What scripture is there to limit God to a place calling it a Church when as the Church is in God 1 Thess. 1.1 Pr. You cry down all distinctions as savouring of humane â—earning whereby the naked truth might be clearly and distinctly seen aâ— it is in it self Rep. Here let all people take notice whether humane learning can open the naked truth Here thou wouldest make people believe that humane learning was before the naked truth and again let all people take notice and see if the meeting in a steeple-house in England be a Church when so many hath been moved of the Lord to come into meeting places among them and something hath been revealed to them and they have spoken and he that was the pretended Teacher which was in the chiefest
Son of God and immediate miraculous revelation and sayest there is no need of any such qualifications now therefore doth all your Teachers shew forth your railing and slanders but these things we wave for God will give you you lyars your portion who hath not the same knowledge and understanding that the Apostles had and here thou hast shamed thy mother that is adulterated from the Apostles life Pr. Our gifts are from the spirit of God though studied for with these means that are outward and moral c. Rep. Here I charge thee to be a Lyar in the presence of God the gift of God is a free gift it is not studyed for nor is it gotten by moral means and if it were studied for and found in outward means then it were not a free gift and here thou hast made it manifest that thou knowest not the gift of God for it is not him that wills nor him that runs but God that shews mercy So thou blasphemer for shame blush Pr. No man can be wise without the spirit of wisdom nor knowing without the spirit of knowledge so no man can pray as he ought without the spirit of prayer p. 71. Rep. In thy answer to the first query thou sayest you do not attain the same koowledge and understanding of the Gospel as the Apostles did then if thou have not the same knowledge and understanding it is all deceit for in thy own words thou sayest you cannot not pray without the spirit knowledge and understanding and thou sayest you do not attain the same knowledge and understanding the Apostles had then thou hast not the same spirit of love to pray withall and thou sayest you cannot pray without the spirit yet thou goes and tells people of a Gospel and hath not the same knowledge and understanding the Apostles had therefore thy knowledge is bruitish Jer. 10.14 Psal. 92.6 Psal â—9 8 Pr. That we may according to the Catholick Faith worship one God in Trinity Rep. For these things which thou tells people of there is no Scripture as Catholick Faith and Trinity and of three persons Pr. The second kind of the holy Spirits impressions on humane souls page 78. Rep. There is no Scripture which speaks of humane souls for the soul thou knows not who art a murtherer with thy Deity stuff who would dit up the way from God but praises be to the living God who hath given his sons and daughters eyes to see thee and all your Deity stuff which you imitate who are whoredomed from God but the Saints of the most high God do sing over it and you halelujah to God who witness their souls redeemed And there is abundance of stuff in that Book which thou calls the discourse of the Spirit which is not worth mentioning and abundance of lyes and slanders but them we pass as knowing the author of lyes from whence they come is for destruction And in page 95 thou speaks of Timothy studying for his gift Did he study for his gift or for the proving of it and dividing of the word aright but he did not study for it for the gift of God is a free-gift And in another place thou speaks of the blessing of God being upon your studies but I say the curse of God is upon your studies who have not the same knowledge and understanding that the Apostles had and so preaches another gospel Pr. And most blasphemously to profess and boast of an equality with God p. 66. Rep. Thy boasting is excluded without in thy generation and thou art excluded from the life and mind of the Apostle who said Let the same mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus who being in the form of God thought it no robbery to be equal with God Phil. 2.5 6. and this thou calls blasphemy and so thou hast shewed what spirit thou art of contrary to the Apostle Pr. And for our new sect of Enthusiasts had they the spirit of God as they pretend abiding in them and speaking in them c. Rep. All pretences and sects are denyed where the Spirit of God dwells though with thy generation such was ever called so And that is thy own who hath made a discourse of the Spirit and here thou art clearly from them that the Spirit of God spoke in and did abide in them which Spirit of God did descend into their hearts which Spirit God hath given to every one to profit withall and the Spirit of the Father speaketh in you saith Christ Mat. 10.20 take no thought and in many places thou art speaking of a study and blessing a study Here thou art contrary to Christ who saith Take no thought and art of the Devil And here I charge thee to be one of them that Jeremy speaks of who speaks a vain divination of thine own heart Pr. As here Angels are Spirits and the souls of men are Spirits but God is not a Spirit as they are Spirits pag 57. Rep. This is confusion for Christ said God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and there thou art raced out to be without the doctrine of Christ. Pr. 'T is the very ground whereupon this last upstart crew of Quakers build all their resolutions and strange fanatick opinions and heresies even that which they call the light within us whereunto we must only give ear pag. 112. Rep. O thou impudent God will make the an example thou lying spirit Is the Light which Christ hath enlighned every one withall that comes into the world a strange fanatick opinion which one he loves it and the other he hates it and he that hates it it is condemnation Here thou art against Christ and the Apostles for the Apostle did exhort the Saints to take heed unto the light within them untill the day dawn and the day-star arise in their hearts O thou Lyar did the Prophet cal the truel light a deceit of the heart or is the light of God a false vision Christ Jesus which doth enlighten every one that comes into the world which is witnessed among the Quakers and he that walks in the Light shall have the Light of Life and thou that hates this light speaks a divination of thy own brain and a lying imagination and with this Light of Christ thou shalt be condemned thou blasphemer who calls the Light of Christ heresie and fanatick opinions but here thou dost but fill up the measure of thy Fathers who calls this Light which is Christ in us Heresie p. 113. To all you Readers of his Book I speak to the Light of Christ in you which if you love it it will bring you to weigh and comprehend his words and if you walk in it you shal have the light of life and you that hate it it shal be your Condemnation when the book of Conscience is opened you shal witness that I speak the truth to every one of your souls R. Sherlock thou bids them beware
Kings Rulers that the Scripture speaks off He contemns Authority vvho is a fighter or quarreller or drunkard or lyar or swearer and they vvho abuse themselves vvith mankind but not they vvho declare the Word of the Lord to such to lead them from all such practises but such you account disturbers and contemners of Authority who stand patiently before you because they will not put off their hats for it is your pride that is disturbed and not Justice for the Law of Justice is vvithout respect of persons and doth judge thee vvho doth respect persons Another thing charged against me is That I said I dwelt in God and where the Lord called me I ansvver Let shame and terror take hold upon you both Priests Magistrats who make a Law in your wils to imprison those vvho come to vvitness they dvvel in God as the Saints did Paul said In him we live move and have our being and said he had no certain dvvelling-place and by this Lavv he vvould be imprisoned and he vvas persecuted and reviled and suffered it 1 Cor. 4. and John said He that dwells in love dwells in God and God in him 1 Joh. 4.16 and he that keeps his commandments dwelleth in him and he in him And hereby we know that he abideth in us by the Spirit that he hath given us 1 John 3.24 and by this Lavv John should be imprisoned because he said he dvvelt in God and all the Prophets and Apostles did go vvhere the Lord called them O blush and be ashamed before the Lord to profess Christ and Justice and make a Lavv to imprison those vvho are obedient to the commands of God and dwell in God that ever such a thing should be acted or once named in your Courts or Sessions who profess your selves Christians The Heathens have so much light as to see your nakedness and folly The Law was added because of transgression for the lawless and disobâ—dient and not for the righteous who dwel in God and are obedient to him Another thing against me is Because I would not enter into Recognizâ—nce to appear at the next Sessions to answer the premises being charged in his Highness Name to the Gaol at Norwich I answer The Lord God who is above all Names and Highnesses in his Name and Presence do I speak clear my conscience before him and all the World who hath set me free from being bound to the wil of any man for he is comâ—ng in his mighty power to bring down all Powers Names Highnesses and Laws under which the seed of God suffers This is the word of the Lord to all you who in your wills make laws by them cause to suffer the servants of the living God but by his Law which is perfect changeth not both you and your Laws are to be condemned The Discharge Norf. ss Whereas I sent you yesterday the body of Richard Hubberthorn late of Yelland iâ— Lancashire by the Constables of Wâ—mondham Now these are to require you forthwith upon the receit hereof to set at liberty the said R. Hubberthorn provided he be charged with nothing else but his Mittimus from me laid to his charge and this shall be your warrant for so doing Octob. 10. 1654. To the Keepers of the Gaol in the County of Norf. in ehe City of Norwich Ralph Woolmeâ— I being by the same Law and Power set at liberty by which I was committed to prison under the same hand seal by which the Keepers of the gaol were charged to keep me by the same command under the same hand seal are the Keepers of the gaol commanded to set me at liberty by the same power which charged these things against me in the Mittimus by the same power am I cleared discharged of them in this Warrant nothing else being laid to my charge I desire to know by what Law I am yet kept prisoner or vvhat I have to ansvver the next Sessions This vvas I moved of the Lord to declare and lay open that all people in the Light vvhich Jesus Christ hath enlightned them vvithall may see the changeable Lavvs made in the Will of man vvhich is changeable being turn'd from that in tht conscience from the Lavv of God vvhich is perfect and changeth not and by all such Laws as are made in the Wil of man did ever the servants of the Lord suffer do novv Let all vvho are lightned by Christ to knovv the perfect Lavv judge R.H. Prisoner in Norwich-Castle A true testimony of the zeal of Oxford-Professors and Vniversity-men who for zeal persecute the servants of the living God following the example of their brethren of Cambridge Also the lewdness of those two great Mothers discovered who have brought forth so many Children and never had Husband From Oxford the 26 day of the fourth Moneth 1654. A Brief and true testimony to all the people of the unjust and unlawful proceedings of those called Justices in Oxford against two Northern women who in obedience to the Lord came to Oxford upon the 20 of the fourth Moneth who several days as they were moved of the Lord passed through the Streets Colledges and Steeple-houses declaring the word of the Lord freely And upon the 15 day being the first day of the week were moved to go to a Steeple-house and when the Priest had done one of the women began to speak in answer to what was delivered and in exhortation to the people Then two of the justices cried out Take her away carry her to prison and they took them away and carried them to prison called Buckerdo where onely fellons and persons are committed for murther and other hainous offences are and secured And on the morrow being the second day of the week some of the Justices asked the Major whether there was no meeting appointed the Major said No he knew no business they had that there should be a meeting the Justice answered There is two Quakers committed to prison the Major answered Let those Justices that committed them if they have any Law against them let them act it upon them if not set them free and the said Major said further That he had nothing to say against them but he said that if they wanted food money or raiment he would take care that they should be supplied so the Major left them and went about his publick imployment and would have no more to do in the matter nor act any thing against them but did rather think it convenient to leave it to them to act according to their wills and he free from it himself But upon further consideration and for the more satisfaction the Major went up where the Justices were to examine the women and that their cruelty might the more be made manifest the Vice-chancellour of the University was sent for to come up before them and then they proceeded to examination and the first Question propounded was What her name
deny and are strangers unto He that hath an ear to hear let him hear Pr. Satan hath from the beginning envied a people this priviledge and saith at Christs first coming the commandements of God was made of none effect through tradition Mat. 15.6 and saith at Christs second coming the commandements of God will be of none effect through revelation Answ. Here thou hast uttered forth words without knowledge but it is that thy ignorance and folly may be laid open unto all for it was they that made the commandements of God of none effect through tradition which precryed standing in the Synagogues had the chiefest places in the assemblies and was called of men Master and in these steps art thou and the rest of the Priesâ—s in England who say the same things for at Christs first coming he cried wo against such and the same Christ cries wo against the same things now and whereas thou sayest that at â—hrists second coming the commandements of God will be of none effect through revelation Here I charge thee to be a blasphemer and dost speak that thou hast no scripture for and contrary to the scriptures and contrary to the Apostles doctrine for Paul did witness Christs second coming which was in the spirit as in Gallatians 2. and 2. and saith I went up by revelation and communicated unto them that Gospel which I preached amongst the Gentiles and he did witness the Son of God revealed in him and all the Apostles who did witness him to be come again to them the second time to reveal the will of the Father unto them this did not make the commandements of God to be of none effect and the same Christ we do witness to be come and hath revealed the Fathers will unto us for no man knows the Father but the Son and he to whom the Son reveals him this we do witness eternal living praises to him for evermore and by his revealing his Son in us his commandements are fulfilled and so all such we do deny that say by the revelation at the second coming of Christ they shall be made of none effect Pr. Certainly many Old Testament Saints saw into the glory and liberty of New Testament times yet durst not cease from that worship which was burdensome worldly and carnal till the Lord did come in person and call them out Answ. Here I do charge thee to prove where ever any of the Saints before Christ was made manifest in the flesh did continue in that worship which they saw to be burdensome worldly and carnal but did declare against all false worship sacrifices and services which was worldly and carnal and against all who drew near to God with their mouths whose hearts was from God and against all idolatrous worships which were carnal and did cast off every burden as is witnâ—ssed in the Prophets which were before Christ came in the flesh and here all the Prophets and holy men of God shall witness against thee as Isaiah Jeremiah David Ezekiel Micah and the rest who worshipped God and their worship was not carnal nor worldly neither did Christ come in person to call them out of their worship for they had finished their testimony before Christ came in the flesh who did fulfil their testimony and did bear witness unto it that it was of God and did declare all that were out of that worship which the Saints were in who worshipped God before Christ came in the flesh who was the end of the Law and the end of the Prophets let him that hath understanding read these things now here doth Christ the Saints and the Scriptures all bear witness against thee and thy doctrine whâ—ch would make people believe that the Prophets and holy men of God who were before Christ came in the flesh did live and continue in that worship which was burdensome worldly and carnal which here is proved against thee by Christ the Saints and the Scriptures that shame may cover thy face and that thy mouth may be stopped and that the simple may know the truth for whose sakes this is given forth Pr. So New Testament Saints may see into that liberty and glory which is to be revealed but let them not go forth before the time but abide in New Testament worship till the Lord come in person and call them out and then they shall go out all together Mat. 24.27 It is indeed a worthy life whâ—ch we live in the spirit but it is an unworthy deceit that except we live out of the Gospel we cannot live in the Spirit Answ. O be ashamed for ever to confess thy self a Minister of Christ and of the Gospel why dost thou preach at all or what art thou a Minister of if that Christ be yet to be revealed or uncome in person which thou holdest forth to the people and how many souls hast thou led into that pit of darkness and blindness as to believe that Christ is yet to come in person he that confesseth not Jesus Christ to be come in the flesh is an Antichrist and he that preacheth any other Gospel or any other Christ then that which did come in the flesh and was made manifest in the Saints and is now made manifest and witnessed to be come in the flesh let him be accursed now the Scripture which thou bringst in Mat. 24.27 proves no such thing as another Christ coming in person for the same Scripture we do witness to be fulfilled in us and in his light do we see all those who are in the desert and who are in the secret chambers whom they go out unto who turn from the light of Christ within them to hearken unto those who cannot witness the comâ—ng of the son of man as the lightning from the East shineth even unto the West but talks of an expectation of the appearance of Christ in person and professed to be Ministers of that Christ which yet is to come in person and here thou art rased out from the Apostles doctrine who did not preach any other Christ but that which was come and made manifest and did never tell of Christ's second coming in person nor of his personal reign and thou that tells of such a deceit that except ye live out of the Gospel ye cannot live in the Spirit here thy deceit is indeed made manifest and thy life who would separate the Gospel from the Spirit But against that life and deceit we bear witness who by this Spirit do and according to the Gospel Again thou art teaching people how to set up Popery as followeth Priest If they will prove the Pope supream Monarch this way it may be done God made two Lights the greater to rule the day viz. the Pope the lesser to rule the night viz. the Emperor Ans. Here thou hast professed thy self long to be a Teacher and preached against Popery and hast not been ashamed to accuse others of it who stand clear in the truth of God witnessing
do them professe and have the form power and effect of what we doe profess and so the mark of the harlot returns upon thy self which is to presume without the spirit The first mark her attendance the ignorant and the lewd Answ. If this be the mark of the Harlot try thy selfe for who is more ignorant than he that wants the infallible spirit as thou confesseth thou dost For this marke of the harlot thou cleares us from in the sixth page of thy book who there accuseth us of subtilty and in the 16 page of ignorance and so thou multiplies thy confusion and ignorance And for lewdnesse thou may own the guilt of that thine self for if thou were not both lewd and mad in thy divinations thou would not have so false accused those that have the spirit of God confessing thy self not to have it but that it is that thy folly may more speedily be made manifest unto all men that the Scripture upon thee may be fulfilled The sixth mark her kinred and that 's the Ranters which thou sayest is the mark of the Harlot Herein thou hast numbred thy self thy own testimony being a witnesse to it and thy guide which is thy naturall senses and corrupt reason knowing neither light nor spirit of Christ within and therefore no restraint thou knows from thy divers lusts but both the Ranters and thou in your sensuall liberty is found and by us you are both denyed for from that kinred we are redeemed and from all harlots marks The seventh mark is she is the youngest of all Harlots little above five yeares old Ans. If thou would prove us to be the Harlot from the youngness of years as little above five then thou must deny that which thou hast asserted against us in the 13. page for there thou would prove us to be false Prophets from those fruits that Christ spoke of Mat. 7.15 And if thou prove any thing against us from that in Mat. 7. then it is not from the yongnesse of years for that is above five yeares since so these confusions I return unto thee again that thou may see that blindnesse and confusion is the signe of the Harlot Now as in answer to thy Queries Query 1. WHether it be not lawful to presuppose things 〈◊〉 are not to find out the truth of things that 〈◊〉 And if so then c. Ans. It is not lawful for thee to intâ—nde into things 〈◊〉 thou hast not seen vainly puft up in thy fleshly mind 〈◊〉 that goes into things that art not to find out the truth of 〈◊〉 that are goes from God the Truth that is into a lye and 〈◊〉 presupposing things there is not lawful neither canst thou 〈◊〉 ought there for nought brings forth its like being gone 〈◊〉 God that is 2. Whether there had been any need of Christ's coming in the 〈◊〉 Adam had stood in his created estate Ans. Christâ—s coming in the flesh is that everlasting 〈◊〉 in which the Creation stands and in which Adam had his 〈◊〉 estate and so there was need of that which gave Adam 〈◊〉 being and recovery The third and fourth Whether Christ restored to believers any 〈◊〉 then Adam lost And whether there be any ground to believe that 〈◊〉 in this life hath more communion with God or are more pure or perfeâ—â— than Adam was in Paradise Ans. Art thou got above the Innocency in thy imaginations and hast the ground of thy belief to seek First come down out of thy imaginations that thou mayest feel the ground of Faith till then thou art no believer and thereby be led up into a perfect state to have communion with God in Paradise till then thou art not in that whâ—ch Adam lost and cannot understâ—nd an estate above nor believe it though it be told thee that which now enquires must lose its life ere thou come into Paradice God's secrets must not feed Serpents 5. Whether Adam in Paradise did not partake of that Light with which Christ lighteneth every one that cometh into the world Ans. The life of Adam in Paradise is the same that is the light of the World wherewith he lightneth every one that cometh into the World and of this Adam did partake in Paradise which gave him Light and Understanding which when he went into the selfish knowledge he became brutish and this is a witness against him 6. Whether this Light of Christ and all other Lights within man if any there be are not seated in the understanding and mind And whether all mens surest Light is not conveyed through the sences to the understanding And whether this will not more clearly appear if considered thae stopping of the current of the sences the understanding becomeâ—h totally dark as unto certainties it having nothing there to nourish it but imagination Ans. In this thou shews thy confusion with thy many lights but hast lost the knowledge of the true Light and so utters thy darkness first asks if the Light be not seated in the understanding and then asks if it be not conveyed through the sences to the understanding but the surest Light is conveyed by faith thereof born in the understanding and not by thy sence and to thy wits end that is carnal must thou come if this thou learn for the mysterie is held in a pure conscience and not in thy sensual understanding and who knows this hath their understanding enlightened by faith and not by the current of the natural sences 7. and 8. Whether it argueth not darkness in the understanding to determine any thing real or certain which was not conveyed by the sences to the understanding Whether for want of this consideration many have not been possessed with as strong a confidence of a certainty as all their powers both of soul and body could procure yea to the laying down of their lives and yet a meer imagination Ans. To determine any thing before the Lord argues darkness in the understanding But what he reveals in the Spirit of Faith and leads unto by his light and not by the sensual understanding and for want of this consideration have many been possessed with a strong confidence of a certainty and not having found their ends therein have turned back again into deceit ready to conclude there is no God because he would not answer their imagination who determined things in their own wills before the guidings of his Spirit and see if hereof thou be not guilty 9. Whether John Lilburn was not as confident that God owned him in his Religion opposing the Powers of the Nation as Saul was in his design to Damascus And whether Sauls conversion to a Christian and John Lilburns resolving to a Quaker be upon one and the same ground Ans. That John Lilburn was confident in his Religion is plain else had he not so long been deceived and that God owned him in opposing many of the unjust Powers of the Nation is as plain else had not he lived to have been
beware of thy spirit who art not guided by the spirit of Christ Jesus nor of the Father but a worker of darkness a revâ—ler of the light of Christ calling it false Prophet-like as being led with the spirit of the Dragon the Beast Perverse Principle We have measured thy spirit to be as I have said and he that speaks otherwise speaks as a lye and if the Protector and his Councel believes oâ—herwise they believe a lye and cannot obtain a blessing though thou with thy lying spirit pray for them whom God the Father of blessings hears not but is against thee and this is my prayer the Lord rebuke thee thy wicked tongue and give the Protector and his Councel a better understanding than to believe thee else will the Lord make them cursed to themselves and to the Nations of them my heart hopes better things and this might serve for a full Answer to thy whole Book and by this little of thy work that I have viewed and turned unto the sigh of all art thou discovered to be an enemy to God and a secret envier of his people and by what thou hast said it appeares what the rest of the whole matter can be an evil spirit cannot bring forth good works but yet a little further is my matter unvayled for the sake of the upright And further J. S. after his wicked Presentation to the Rulers of this Nation with lyes and evill Speeches proceeding out of his old heart he writes an Epistle out of the same heart to the Church as he calls them wherein is many words uttered but altogether tasted with that leaven of his malice against Quakers and Quakerism who seemes to be the greatest burthen upon his evil heart because truth is among them if truth go on his deceit wil be more made manifest wither and perish and so as subtilly as may be he would defend himself in the sight of his Church that his shame may not appear before them it may be least his Hire should be abated and he seems to cast a cloak upon them but whether out of pure love to their Soules or for his owne Gain such a sum of Money God knowes how ever the least Child in the truth dwelling in the light sees his length and can measure his state knows that good cannot come from an old lying heart he speaks something of wondering after the beast and false Prophet but hath not described what the Beast is and the false Prophet And I refer the Reader to a Book called The Measure of the Times wherein the Priests of England such as J. S. is reproved according to the Scripture to be the very branches of the same Root of false Prophets which all the World wondered after in Johns time though he speak much to his Church of Christ without and of his birth blood and his righteousness and justification thereby c. but to all that I say All are Reprobates but such in whom Christ is within them and none are justified but such nor hath any part in the inheritance of God though they may profess never so much of Christ without and what he hath done for others yet except he be within them too to change and renew them and give them power over all their sins their profession of him is vain I am no picker of Quarrels else many of his words might be searched which I run over hastily knowing his voice to be the voice of a stranger and not of Christ who never made use of an old sinful heart to pen Epistles to Churches But into this lets search he saith Christ blesseth Infants-Baptism Where or when I aske proof of this and till then I say J.S. hath belyed Christ and the generation of the just Wel may he bely us when he hath bely'd Christ who could not bleâ—s that which there was not there was no Infants baptism that ever we read of in his dayes sure people will be more wise than to be established through Lyes else their sin be upon them if through hardnesse of heart they be given up to believe Lyes that they may perish He speakes of a well ordered Conversation Inded this seems Hypocrisie to exhort others their Churches to that which many of the Independent Teachers have not thmselves who are Hirelings and takes Guifts and Rewards for Preaching and is in the way of all the Deceivers of old and they that do these things have not a wel ordered Conversation but a Conversing with the generation of ungodly when we read the plain words of Christ Luke 17. The Kingdom of Heaven is within you he saith we madly wrest the reading of the words when we neither add nor diminish now he seems to say It is the Kingdom of Heaven among you and not the Kingdom of heaven within you and so blames the Scripture and confoundâ— the doctrine of many of the Independents who say the Scripture is believers Rule but he seems to charge ths Scripture with false translations and therefore is subject to alteration and so cannot be the Rule of Believers according to his own account thus by wicked men are we blam'd when we do not speak according to Scripture language and now as wickedly charged by I. S. for speaking just in the Scripture-expressions with madly wresting the words but thus it was before whatsoever we do now by enemies must be reviled and our words abused contrary to our innocent intents Then in the end of his Epistle he desires the Prayers of his Church that his Reply may be accompanyed with power according to the truth of it Indeed so it shall and no more according to the truth of it which is very falshoods and deceits so shall the power of the Lord confound it and turne it into folly and confusion as may he seen by a sober man who this following doth with patience read and weigh Then many things is uttered by him in his Epistle to the Reader he seems to shew he saith how R. F. and his Associates have made up A Litter and Fardel of Erroneous Divinity and secretly charging us with making up of what we professe from some Writers before us But to this I answer His reproachfull words Litter and Fardel and Erroneous we beare with patience rather rejoycing that we are accounted worthy of the reproach for the truth sake from an envious man then to be angry with our reproaches But however let him and all our enemies know what we professe and bear witness of we receive not from man but from God even the Gospel which we testify of by the revelation of Jesus Christ in us we received it informs others to the same door which is by our Ministry that they may receive the same and this is but his poor shift to undervalue the power and truth of Jesus in the sight of men who would falsly make men believe That our Doctrines are but the spawn of
his Testimony is true saying And there are also many other things which Jesus did the which if they should be written every one I suppose that even the World it self could not contain the Books which should be written John 21.25 So that all is not written which was revealed wrote and spoken which if much more were written which was made mâ—nifest by it with that which is written could they not know the Lord their mindes being from the light of Christ which doth reveale and make manifest that which may be known of God in them And many who have the Letter and are Ministers of it are sensual having not the spirit nor the word of God nor the testimony of Jesus and their Ministry is but as Chaffe to the Wheate and the Lord is against them For what is the chaffe to the wheat saith the Lord Jeremiah 23. Is not my word like a fire saith the Lord and like a hammer breaketh the rock in pieces Now many have the letter and know not the word of the Lord as a fire neither is the rock broken with the letter and such use their tongue for it is their own and the power of the Lord is not come over it such cause the People to err and doth not profit them being not sent nor commanded of the Lord for who are sent and commanded of the Lord the Lord useth their tongueâ— to speak his words which he puts into their mouthes and such words doth profite the people and not cause them to err being spoken according to the law which is light And the testimony of Jesus which is the Spirit of Prophesie and such do witnesse the Scriptures that as they cannot be broken so they cannot be denied by the Spirit which gave them forth to be a Declaration of those things which was revealed known and believed But they are not that which they are a declaration of the letter testifies of the eternal life but it is not it neither gives it It testifies of the light of the glorious Gospel shining in the heart whih gives the light of the knowledg of the glory of God but it is not that light which gives that knowledge It testifies of the Way but Christ is the Way of the Word but God is the Word and of Redemption but Christ is the Redemption not the Letter though it testifies of Justification Sanctification but they are wrought by the Word in the grace and power of Christ and so every one who wil own the Scriptures as they were given sorth to be owned must first own that of God in them which is manifest to work in the Creature that which they testifie of that Christ the power of God they may witness working all their works in them and for them according to the Scripture But contrary to the Scripture J.S. from the root of Errour saith That the written letter is a Spirituall Arm and Sword of the Spirit and that the very power of the written letter puts Satan to flight And in the same Page saith That the Devil hath Scripture in his mouth Answ. Let the People take notice and read the Scriptures and see if there be any such thing that the Sword of the spirit was ever in the Divels Mouth for the spiritual Armour which is said to be the Word of God But the Word of God which is the sword of the Spirit is that by which he is to be destroyed and is the mystery bid from him and all that follow his lusts But though the Divell which did not abide in the truth and his Ministers who are out of the truth may take the letter in their mouthes as they have done and say it s written so but the word of the Lord is not in their moutheâ— which is the sword of the Spirit and such will use the letter in their mouthes which cannot sease from sin whose eyes are full of Adultery beguiling unstable Souls their heart being exercised with coveteous practises cursed children which have forsaken the right way and are in the Error of Baalan loving the wages of unrighteousnesse and taking them and such have the letter in their mouthes but knows not the Word of God whâ—ch who comes but know it restraines them from all such practises Again J.S. from his blindnesse and root of Error and lying heart wherein dwells no truth but much confusion saith that the letter i. e. the Scripture is the true ground of the believers Faith and again in the same page saith That Christ in the Scripture is the true Ground of Faith And to prove the former he brings Prov. 22.19 20 21. That thy trust may be in the Lord I have made known to thee this day even to thee have not I written to thee â—xcellent things in Councels and Knowledg that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee An. By this scripture the Lord is made the ground of Faith not the Letter And therefore did the Prophet make known excellent things in writing in counsel and knowledge for this end did the Apostles both preach and write that the Faith of those which heard them read their writings might not stand in the wisdom of words nor in the letter as its ground but in Christ the power of God and Christ who preached the true doctrine that in it every one might believe said to the World the Pharisees While ye have the light believe in the light that ye may be the Children of light and these had the letter but did not believe in the light which light is Christ and which light is the foundation of Faith and is the foundation of many generations in which many did believe before this letter which declares of it was written And that Faith which stands in the light and in the power of God is the ground of the Scripture letter from whence it did proceed after they believed they spoke and wrote that which now is declared in Chapters And every one which coms to the true ground of Faith must come co the light to believe in it that they may be the Children of it and then the Scriptures will be profitable unto them they with the light having the understanding opened to see for what end they were given forth and how they come to be fulfilled and witnessed in that which gave them forth for the ground of Faith to believers is but one both before and since the Scripture was written which is Christ in whom whosoever believeth shall be saved let Christ be in what he will for he was the ground of Faith when the letter was not and he is the ground of Faith when it is and no other foundation for Faith can any man lay than that which is laid Jesus Christ who is the true light and enlighteneth every man that cometh into the Word that all men in him might
of their bodies which now if people mind the Scripture there is no such doctrine in it as the Saints in Heaven have not received the Redemption of their bodies for they who had received the first fruits of the Spirit upon earth did wait for the adoption and for the redemption of the body till the creature it self be delivered into the glorious liberty of the sons of God Rom. 8. And this was witnessed and is witnessed and this is the Work of the Worlds Teachers instead of presenting them perfect in Christ Jesus as the Apostles did they would make people believe that the Saints in Heaven their bodies are unredeemed if so where is that redemption wrought And whereas I. S. vvould make people believe that there are none clean novv Christ said concerning those that follovved him Now are ye clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you John 15.3 And David saith that the Lord is good unto such as are of a clean heart Psal. 73.1 And the Lord said concerning his people that he would pour clean water upon them and they should be clean from all their filthiness Ezek. 36.25 and this Prophesie was to be fulfilled And the Lord said also by his Prophet Zephaniah That his Remnant should do no iniquity nor speak lyes neither should a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth Zeph. 3 1·3 And Paul preached Wisdom among them that were perfect and as many as were perfect should be so minded and Christ preached to the pure in heart that they should see God Matt. 5. Now if there were none perfect Christ preached unto such as there was not Now this is the chief ground of J. S. and the rest of the Enemies of truth and of perfection to declare against it because some fall from it as his instance of C. A. or others in the like To which I answer Their falling into that which is not perfect doth not make that which they fall from imperfect for the Angels that kept not their first state which was perfect did fall from that which was perfect A Virgin state is perfect but if any go out of that state and become foolish yet that which they depart from is perfect And if any do fall from the Truth and do not abide in Christs Doctrine that doth not make his Doctrine to be imperfect for Christ saith Except they abide in him who is perfect they cannot bring forth fruit Is not he that is in Christ perfect though some do not abide in him And is not the Truth Truth because some deny it Was not Christs Doctrine and the Apostles true because Demas did forsake it and love the present World And was not that part of the Ministry which Judas had committed unto him perfect And was not he the true Christ that Judas preached though afterwards he betrayed him Now if people do but truly consider all those that now do turn from the way of Truth which is now preached and lived in by us it may be an evident token to justifie us in the Way of Truth seeing what they go into when they go from the Light which Christ hath enlightened them withall which while they abide in it are kept out of all filthiness of flesh and spirit and so long they may speak of perfection and of the gift of God which is perfect But if any go from the Light then they are let at liberty to act all uncleanness with greediness and so are cast out from us and from perfection And if any such deny the Truth and forsake it yet there remains in them a witness for the truth and against their own uncleanness as in C. A. who from the Witness of God in him was made to confess that if he had continued in the Light of Christ he could not have so sinned against the Lord and so by his transgression fel from the way of Life and could not continue in Christs Doctrine any longer so such things may satisfie people concerning the way of Truth for while they are of us all such things is denyed by them but when they go out from us then they become Drunkards Swearers Prophane Adulterers Fornicators and so every evil Work is committed and then they turn to the Priests Doctrine there all such things are and are excused and then the Priests rejoice and give thanks if any turn from the Light of Christ and the obedience of the Gospel into drunkenness and prophaneness again where they were before and if they wil but swear and respect mens persons and use the rod of violence and persâ—cute and shed the blood of the innocent and be conformable to the World that is the Priests rejoicing and if any turn from the truth into any act of uncleanness then they take that as a proof against those that abide in the truth and such a thing is a better proof to them then all the Scripture and those are they that rejoice in iniquity and watch for evil and so they rejoice in that which we have cast out as abomination and these are they that plead for a life in sin while they are here and that say that the saints glorified in Heaven do yet hope for the resurrection of their bodies and so not come to the end of their hope though in Heaven when as the Saints upon earth witnessed the end of their hope the salvation of their souls Now these may wel deny perfection on earth who deny it in heaven which the Saints we and the Scriptures do witness it in both and against all such who are not fit to speak of the things of God Again in his ninth Head of contradiction he speaks of a warfare which yet himself never came unto and in it he wrests Pauls words and so would turn the truth into a lye saying as if Paul should say thus If sin that wars and sights in me hath no power to condemn me then there is no condemnation to me Which words Paul never spake and it is a lye in the ground for it is not sin that is the condemnation but the Light which lets men see their sins because men love darkness rather than light as many in this age have manifested themselves to do and the light shall be their condemnation who are not yet come to the War nor to the Victory which the Scripture speaks of Again in his tenth Head of contradictions speaking of repentance as if he would prove that we denyed or disclaimed godly sorrow and his proof is this If we disclaim in-dwelling sin in the godly we disclaim godly sorrow Let all people take notice of this If we deny in-dwelling sin we deny godly sorrow this is contradiction in the highest degree but against it this I shall affirm that none comes unto godly sorrow but they deny in dwelling sin and they that do not deny in-dwelling sin denies godly sorrow Again John Stelham in his eleventh Head of contradictions to the Scripture in his speaking of
his folly but our judgement in this is known he that can receive it let him and the belief of the wicked we shall not beg In these things we are approved of God and in the denial of all false imitations and who is he that shall condemn In the 14 th Head concerning Prayer Concerning prayer we do not contradict the scripture in our practâ—ce J.S. is the lyar herein who hath made it a subject to treat two leafs upon for praying in the spirit and by the spirit and in publick and private too we own and do practice as is known to thousands our Enemies can witness for us and according to the scriptures too and not contradicting to it any way But this is the offence against him at which he is troubled that we should deny the prayers of the Pharisees or of such who are in the steps of the prayers of the Pharisees viz. who for a pretence make long prayers and stand praying in the synagogues who are out of Christs and the Apostles Doctrine and the prayers and practices of such we do not deny according to the scripture which saith the sacrifices of the wicked are abomination to the Lord and they shall receive greater condemnation who make long prayers for a pretence as it is manifest concerning many in this genetation and against the praying of the Hypocrites and of Hirelings who pretend to pray in love to souls when as if they had not a great sum of money from the people would not pray among them but seek a place to pray at among such who would give them money and hire and this praying is for a pretence and we do deny it in publick and do not offend God herein though we vex J. S. hereby because some wil not worship the Beast and bow a hat off while he is praying in an idols Temple which he complains of in J.P. though he himself that prayâ— hath a cap on and he confesses himself not wicked mens prayers are accepted publick or private and here he hath condemned all his own praying who confesses he is wicked and sinful and his heart is old and lying let all take notice of this which if he had not confessed it it is sufficiently proved Then why shall he ever hereafter be offended seeing his prayers are not accepted according to his own confession if any tell him so or declare against his praying and before any can truly pray they must receive the Spirit of the Father and them we know who are not led by the Spirit of the Father them and their prayers are to be declared against by the Saints and are condemned in the sight of God And J. S. saith If this counsel be followed viz waiting in the Light till the Spirits leadings be known it makes known nothing of publick Ministers Church-Officers Baptism Lords Supper publick order of prayer nor of Christ as Mediator nor of the Spirit of promise c. The Light that every man hath makes manifest nothing of this he saith he in this is a lyar and as landerer of the people of God who are led by the moving of the Spirit in the Light of the Word Christ Jesus that lighteth every man and owneth the publick Ministry of Christ which is received by the Holy Ghost and Church and Baptism and Christ as Mediator and the Spirit of promise and all these things all the Saints upon earth who have the spirit of Christ shall witness against J.S. herein to be a lyar of the Light and Spirit of God and so is a transgressor and his wickedness may largely be laid open but the least of the children of Light may see his folly and madness who also lyingly saith that Quakers they nourish up people in the Light that every man hath which is the Light of Christ Jesus in opposition to Scripture-Light This is also utterly false and a lye and the Author proved to be of the Devil for the Light of Christ leads up in the fulfilling of the Scripture and not in opposition to it but by his lightness and lyes he is made manifest to be a deceiver of the people and so take thy own words in thy conclusion to thy self thou art he that is alienated from the Scripture and from the Spirit of God also by thy lying spirit of contradiction which is manifest in thy Writings In his 15. Head concerning singing We do not contradict the Scripture herein again thou art a lyar but singing with the spirit and with understanding we own of such as are redeemed out of the World and are not of the World but singing of David's experiences sung in the World by such who are of the World this singing we do deny as it is practised in this generation in Rhime and Meeter in a vain multitude of people where all or most of them do dishonor God in singing Davids words which themselves are out of the life of and in a life quite contrary singing the Law of God is dear to them and that they exercise themselves in it when every moment of time they are exercised in wickedness and cast the Law of God behind them and thus singing lyes and that which is not true to them yet in the Name of the Lord. Other Reasons many may be given why we deny singing in this form and manner and way as singing is practised in this generation but this instance is sufficient to all honest people but cavillers mouths are not soon stopped not by the truth And all J. S. professes as to maintain this manner and practice of singing are all impertinent he proves that the saints sang and were exhorted to it but what is this to the purpose to prove the World must sing who are unconverted which singing we oppose onely and not the saints singing in 〈◊〉 spirit who are moved to it by the spirit O thou lyar Wherâ—fore dost thou say To be against singing Davids words by the World in Rhime and Meeter as we do is contrary to Eph. 5. Col. 3. doth these scriptures hold forth any such thing let the Reader try as that Davids experiences may be sang in the World in Rhime and Meeter nay they do not and so thou art a lyar on the scriptures to be taken notice of and marked for a wrester of the scriptures and in this we have often declared our minds by words and writings that poetry and J. Hopkins and T. Sternolds brain-invention we have denied yet Davids Psalms wâ— have owned and do own them as they were given forth by the spirit of God and not as they are perverted and added and diminished to such a compass of syllables as they are now in practice and thus I have given you a further testimony for and against singing wherein we deny it and wherein we own it and so leaves his muddy stuff and so counts it not worth raking in onely a lye or two or more he is proved in as the Reader may take notice also of
one thing more where he charges R. F falsly to speak falshood for saying the priests of England they teach people to sing lyes in hypocrisie this they do and do wiâ—kedly in it and he hath added to their wickedness in denying it to be so for to all people without exception they give to sing I am not puft in mind nor have a scornful eye and they making not exception in giving forth these psalms to sing Some that they give it forth to are puft in mind and have scornful eyes and these they teach to sing lyes in hypocrisie to any honest man this appears true let J. S. shuffle and twist never so much In the 16 th Head concerning Elders and Ordination We do not herein contradict the Scripture but witnesse forth according to it that who are moved by the Spirit of God to watch over the Flock and ordained with gifts thereunto may take the oversight of the Flock wittingly and of a ready mind and not by constraint nor for filthy lucre sake as J. S. and his generation of false Teachers who preach for hire and for gifts and rewards such are not ordained of God to watch over the Flock but run and were never sent and therefore shall not profit people at all and such an ordination we deny who are ordained at schools or by natural arts and sciences to speak their brain-study by a Glass this is by man and not of God and God doth deny it and we testifie against it by the spirit of God and do say The call to the true Ministry and Eldership is not by man nor of man but by the Lord according to Gal. 1.1 yet such a one is approved of all the Saints and go forth not contrary to men who fear the Lord for the spirit of life is one in them that are called and ordained by it and in them that beareth witnâ—ss to truth what such doth approve with the spirit that are called by â—he spirit This is our judgement and the judgement of Truth what ever J. S. or any of his fellows raise up to oppose it and herein we do not contradict the Scriptures he is that lyar in the subject matter on which he treats in the title of the Section In his 17 th Head concerning Ministers Maintenance Concerning this we do no way contradict the Scripture but witnesseth according to it that the Ministers of Christ doth receive freely and gives freely of what they have received from God and haveing planâ—ed a vineyard may eat the fruit of it and keeping a flock may eat of the milk of the flock and when they go into a house may eat such things as are set before them and yet may not be chargeable to any man and this is according to Christs instructions not contradictory to the Scriptures though J. S. be pleased to so stile it but all such who preaches for hire or takes hire for preaching and seeks for their gain for 50 l. or 60 l. per annum or the like from their quarter a Parish or Town and such who take Tithes Gifts and Rewards for preaching which people should not give them except they preached and such who have sums of money and lives in pleasures and vanities and lust and fulness of the Flesh as the Priests of England do this maintenance we do deny and them that act those things we deny to be Ministers of Christ or that any Maintenance by way of Ministry doth belong to such who are greedy dumb doggs and can never have enough as Isa. 5 6. such practises and men we oppose and doth no whit contradict the Scripture but it witnesseth to us herein and against all such and therefore I. S. and his Bâ—ethren the Independeâ—ts who acts such things they contradict the Scripture and so are truly guilty themselvs in action of what they falsely accuse us in words for such who walks in the steps of the false Prophets as he and they doth that preach for hire and takes Gifts and Rewards for preaching are contrary to all the true Ministers of Christ and the Scripture and the Spirit that gave it forth condemns them and much as to this we have publickly spoken and written and so here I need say the less though much might be said to manifest I. S. folly and vanity though they that plant a vineyard may justly eat the fruit thereof yet what is this to purpose he is a thief that eats of the fruit of that which he hath noâ— planted but is hired thither for so much per Sermon or per annum and plants nothing for the Lord he that preaches the Gospel may live of it but this shames I. S. and this Generation of Teachers who many of them might begg bread at peoples doors had they not a Law by violence to compel maintenance from them which thing is a very shame to all righteousness which is practised by most of the Priests of England at this day grievous to be related what unjust Judgements against them for to maintain Ministers so called what is the thing that J. S. pleads for Tithes or an hundred or two hundred pound a year he is a Lyar to say that we contradict the Scripture because we cannot uphold this but must bear witnesse against it so whilst he falsely charges us with contradicting the Scripture in the very same thing he and his Generation are found in this practice contrary to all the Ministers of Christ that ever was sent by him and in the very practice of the Deceivers Antichrists and False-Prophets in making merchandize of people through covetousnesse in preaching for hire and in seeking for their gain from their quarters and this is the very truth let J. S. and all his fellows read their own contradiction to the Example of all the Ministers of Christ in their cuâ—sed practice of Maintenance which is the greatest oppression this day in England and this is their grief against us because God hath opened our mouths to declare against them and to shew their solly and wickednesse unto all people and when the Law of the Land ceaseth to maintain them which will come sooner than they expect then may they beg their bread or perish for want and that is all the fruit that their Vineyard of wilde Brambles will bring forth to them and if every particular of his words should be searched much rottennesse might be let forth but in plainnesse I have spoken as to the truth of things in pleading for truth and in denying the Deceits and the Oppression of Hirelings which I cannot call Ministers Maintenance His 18 th Heâ—d concerning immediate Calling In this we do not contradict the Scripture J.S. is a Lyar herein also but we say Such as are called of God are called by his Spirit and led with it and fulfills the will and work of God in the Spirit and such as are called by the Spirit of God are approved by all the Saints of God who
with the same Spirit bear witnesse to such as are called by it and speaks by it The Ministry of God is not of Man nor by Man but by the Revelation of Jesus Christ which is not learned by natural Arts but received in the Holy Ghost and this the Scripture bears wirnisse to but the Call to the Ministry by natural Learning at Oxford and Cambridge this I deny and trample upon and all your Arts and knowledge and Humane Study and Languages is not able to make a Minister of Christ this I do affirme though they approve one another yet are they not approved of God without his Spirit and they that have his Spirit deny Natural Learning as to be made a Minister of Christ hereby and E.B. his words are owned transcribed by J.S. cited Page 16. in the Warning c. and all that he saith doth not prove that any of the Ministers of Christ were called by the Church or approved unto that work of the Ministry by them who were not called by the Spirit and guided with it he saith the sending of God is two-fold and for this he hath no Scripture to prove it and so holds forth that which the Scripture will not evidence And further he saith he pretends to no such Call of an Apostle if he have not the same Call by the same Spirit as the Apostles had he is no Minister of Christ and in measure he hath confessed to be without the same Call as the Apostles were called with and will not pretend such a Call Again He falsly Charges R. F. with Crucifying the Ministers of Christ which is a Lye and of the Devil though none of us may spare to call Hirelings greedy dumb Dogs and devourers and lazy shepherds and in this we do not contradict the Scripture nor work offence towards God nor our neighbours And he concludes Who of us we or they shall have the worst of it in Conclusion the day shall declare unto that we are willing to come by which we and all the blind Priestâ— of England shall be manifest and we know Lyers such as J. S. shall not have the better who is to us made manifest already to be out of the way and out of the power and life of God His 19 th Head concerning immediate Teaching In this we do not contradict the Scripture as J. S. falsly charges us withal but do say that we are taught of God and needs no man to teach us â—ut as the anointing of God which abides in us and the promise of God is fulfilled upon us Jer 31. we are all taught of God from the least of us to the greatest with whom the Covenant of God is established and this is the cause wherefore we set forth our selves to the World who are yet in the unconverted estate that they also may come to the knowledge of the wayes and teachings of God in the Spirit and may come into the Covenant of peace where none need to say know the Lord but all these are taught of him yea and immediatly too by his spirit and this we do witness and the Lord doth witness with us though the unbelieving heart of J. S. and his fellows cannot believe it but doth gainsay it as being contrary to the Scripture when as themselves doth contradict the Scripture in denying it so proving themselves guilty of what they do accuse us of falsly but this is that their folly may appear to all men as it doth to us and J. S. saith he is yet to learn the promise of the immediate teachings of God to be given to all that are to teach others this doth make it manifest that himself is without the promise of God and is not yet taught of God and so without Gods Covenant being not learned in the teaching of God by his Spirit which is immediate And thus to confound truth he hath by his confession shamed himself and shewed himself to all men to be unlearned in the doctrine of Salvation Further he saith If God had intended to have given teaching immediatly without any medium then would he not have sent Preachers abroad for them to hear mark this mans blinde productions and what impudence is in his heart who holds forth That God intended not the thing to be what be promised should be he promised to teach his people himself and this man holdes forth that he intended it not and so hath no lesse than charged God with Hypocrisie let the Reader mark this but this is the ground wherefore the Ministers and Preachers were and are sent abroad to bring all people to be taught of God by the Spirit and to inform their minds to the gifts of God in them that by the spirit received the knowledg of they might know the things of God which is not known but by the Spirit of God which all the Children of God are led and guided by and they that are not led with the Spirit of God which Spirit is immediate are not the heirs with Christ are none of his let J.S. say what he will or may this we believe and this the Scripture gives testimony of for us and with us Yet further to manifest his folly he saith It is erroneous enough and contradictious to the whole Scripture when R. F. truly tells him saith Thou that art not taught of God shewes that thou speaks a vision of thy own heart and not from the mouth of the Lord let the Reader search where the errour and contradiction to the whole Scripture lyes in these words or whether he hath not proved himself blind and ignorant and in errour and contradicton to the Spirit of God Further he saith Never did any but Gods slayers and Spirit-wounders go about to sâ—parate the Word of God and his breath Now let this be considered Christ did tell them the Pharises who had the words whâ—ch God had spoken by the Prophets that they had never heard â—he voyce of God here he divides or separates betwixt the words and the voyce or breath and was no God-slayer nor Spirit-wounder as thou hast vvickedly and blasphemously laid dovvn thy position vvhere thou hast concluded Christ to be one against vvhom thy vvords are laid dovvn let the Reader prove thy doctrine His 20 th Head concerning Questions In this we do not contradict the Scripture J. S. is taken with a lye in his mouth who hath made it a subject to treat upon for Questions in their places wee own but such as are of the Divell we deny as Christ did who shewed himself as a fool unto all mens wisdom when the subtile Pharisees and others tempted him who vvould not ansvver their crafty Questions though them that questioned in simplicity he did to resolve and satisfie them and informe them in the knovvledg of the Father Then some leaves he hath filled vviâ—h producing some of our Queries out of some of our Books Commenting thereupon and vvould prove them ignorant and unprofitable and the
it fall into Scripture contradiction but R.F. nor others wil therefore c. This is unfound and laid down but not proved at all neither maâ—or nor minor and hereby he hath concluded wickedly the Apostle Iames and Christ himself to be fallen into Scâ—ipâ—ure contradictions who did exprâ—sly forbid all swearing and did not compare the precepts and examples for Swearing with the prohibition against it and thus J. S. is taken uttering folly with his tongue hath drawn a conclusion upon Christ and the Apostle Iames to be contradictors of Scripture let shame cover his impudent forehead And they that charge Christ and the Apostle James with contradicting Scripture are enemies to God and of the Devil and for eternall vengeance but Iohn Stelham hath done so and therefore he is an enemy to God and of the Devil and for eternal vengeance But further at large as concerning Swearing our testimony thereof is laâ—d down at large in a Book called The glory of the Lord arising And whereas further I. S. as a man not weary of iniquity goes on after his false charging of us with contradicting to scripture â—harges us again that we contradict our selves in many things which accusation we bear with as much patience as we do his former seeing they are all out of one heart and to the same end for it is a small thing for us to be judged by man and so that wherein he charges us with self-contradictions I passe lightly over having cleared the truth That we do not contradict the Scriptures but if this man J. S. had been in Generations past what would he have said of Isaiah who was sent to tell Hezekiah from the Lord That he should die and not live 2 King 20.1 At the same instant of time the word of the Lord came again to Isaiah that Hezekiah should be healed and that he should go up to the house of the Lord These were both the words of the Lord to Hezekiah and yet no contradiction in Isaiah though such a Spirit as J. S. would so have judged And what would he have judged betwixt David and Ieremiah Psal. 119. and the 103. and Jer. 23.29 David saith The Words of the Lord are sweet unto his taste yea sweeter than the honey to his mouth And Jer. saith Thè Word of the Lord is as a fire and like a hâ—mmer which breaks the Rock to pieces Now there is no contradiction in these two not to that Spirit by which they are guided though so it might seem to such as J.S. whose mindes are dark And what would he have judged of Christs words Matth. 12.30 and Mark 9.40 where Christ said He that is not with me is against me and he that is not against us is with us â—nd yet in these words there is not contradiction to him that hath an ear to hear But if J.S. had been in those dayes out of his evil heart would he have charged the holy men of God to be contradictions to themselves it is very like that he would and these things I leave with the Reader to be considered of for we who have the same Spirit do clear Christ and the holy men of God from contradictions and knows J.S. and such as he to be seekers of occasions against the Just and would make offâ—nces where there is none for as I have said we do not allow J.S. to be the Interpreter of our words for then no question but he would have his own end and meaning and J. S. saith We deny the letter of the Scripture to be Scripture this is charged upon him to be a lye as it is well known through this Nation both in Doctrine and conversation we own the Scriptures and to deny Matthew Mark and Johns Declarations of the Gospel is no denyal of the Scripture for the Gospel was preached to Abraham which Gospel was and is the power of God before these four men did declare it though we deny their Writings to be the very Gospel which is the power of God yet we do not deny but they truly declared of the Gospel and this is to own the Scripture as it speaks of it self to be Let J. S. judg what he will of us and whereas he speaks of Gospel-letters and Scripture Gospel the Scripture gives no such names to it but saith the Gospel is the power of God and that is the Gospel which we preach even the power of God unto all people let J. S. judge by consequence what he will And further he would plead for the Title of Master from the Example of Abrahams Servant but this is nothing to prove the lawfulnesse of a Minister of Christ that they may be called Master for Christ saith to his Ministers Be ye not called Masters and the Spirit of Christ being our rule that leads us in the fulfilling of Christs words let J. S. shuffle as he will Also he lyes of J.N. to say he denyes and grants the same thing to be in the letter for though he say He that believes hath the witnesse in himself which is truth yet he doth not say The Letter is the Belivers witnesse which he seems falsly to be charged withall and he saith the Spirit of God must give the spiritual understanding of the Scriptures But this he doth in another way than that whereby he inspired the Pen-men of the Scriptures Now this is false Doctrine For Christ the way the same to us as to them and not another way of understanding Scriptures nor by another Spirit than that which gave them forth and he saith Christ directed to himself John 5.39 as revealed in the Scriptures and more than that as conveyed by the Scriptures to a Soul Now let the Reader take notice and search that Scripture Whether he hath not added to it yea or nay or where any ever had any Christ conveyed to them by Scriptures It doth say the Scriptures testifie of him but it doth not say that he is revealed in the Scriptures nor conveyed by them to a Soul and this is his additional gloss to corrupt the Text to undervalue the eternal Spirit of the Father by which Christ is only revealed and received and not by the Scriptures And for E. B. to say That he came not to them with enticing words neither what he had gathered from the Scripture without him but to declare the Word of the Lord and not to speak his own conceivings and imaginations this is true and no contradiction in it though J. S. say these cannot both be true to say That he neither came with what he had gathered from Scripture nor his own imaginations For the Apostâ—es of Christ did not preach what they had gathered from Scripture neither their own imaginations but preached the Worâ— and Gospel of God which they had received from God and not gathered from Scripture nor in their own imaginations and because he saith both these negatives cannot be true then it is concluded that himself preaches either what
sent by us to bring others to the knowledge of God through it and this is no self-contradiction let J.S. say what he will Further J.S. doth instance E.B. his calling mans light natural and carnal in the Warning c. and would cal his contradiction to some who deny the light of Christ to be natural and carnal as the Priests of England terme it but this is no contradiction for though we do deny that the light of Christ Jesus is natural and carnal and doth not allow any so to call it yet the light of man by which carnal men do judg of carnal transgressions is natural E.B. doth never say that the light of Christ is natural and carnal but the light of Mâ—n is so he saith and in this Instance there is no contradiction neither in any parts of the words following which are transcribed and much might be said as to the occasion of those words being uttered when E. B. was in prison falsly as many have been since who was one of the first that by imprisonment was a sufferer for the name of Jesus in the North part of England before J. S. was troubled with any of us but it is sufficient what is said to the mans light by which carnal men judg of any thing is one thing and the light of Christ Jesus which is spiritual mens guide is another thing E. B. spake of mans light and J.S. foolishly opposes him as if he spake of the light of Christ Jesus and so opposes his own conception And further J. S. asserts That Scripture light is the standing rule for faith and manners so are not immediate revelations and teachings Here he hath set up the Scriptures above the Spirit of God and above the Revelation of Jesus Christ the Saints were led by what the Spiâ—it revealed and taught Christ said he should teach into all truth and they that were the Sons of God were loved by the spirit of God and that was their rule to be led by in their Faith and manners But yet see a Hypocrite J.S. is he that pleads for scripture to be the rule and yet is acting in many things contrary to the scriptures as at large may be instanced neither is in all the scripture the scripture called light but scripture saith Christ is the light Further he saith There is sufficient light in the scripture to guide men to salvation Mark his Doctrine whether he hath not preached another thing than Christ to be the way and whether he hath not made Christ and the blood of Christ of none effect without which no salvation But he saith there is sufficient in the Scripture to lead men to salvation and neither Christ nor his blood is in Scripture let it be moved Further he saith The scripture was given by the spirit for a rule this we desire a proof of by plain scripture and till then we deny it And further he saith The spirit gives out himself by scripture and yet he saith he never said the scripture did give the spirit and this is an absolute contradiction as may be noted so J.S. is taken in the snare contradicting himself in one quarter of a sheet of Paper and hath not at all proved us to be self-contradictors concerning any of these things mentioned by him Further he saith in his 8 th Head That our possessing perfection and quaking after Moses Example cross shins on the other but wherein he doth not shew neither can the honest-minded read any contradiction in it but only it seems J. S. hath set himself to cavel Further he saith We contradict our selves concerning Quaking and trembling from this confession That the same power that made Moses to quake and tremble the same power we witnesse but wherein doth this contradiction appear in these words let honest men try the cause and J. S. be silent And whereas he instances J. P. standing in an evil cause and of I. P. he may be silent whose bloud he or his Generation fought after and now might they well be quiet of him their wills being stifled by drinking his blood as it were but that wicked men must add to their own wickedness till it be fulfilled that they may receive their reward and I. P. was bold as is the children of God and though J. S. would clear himself and his company from what was done to I. P. yet by the effect it appeared that there was enough envy in them towards him and the truth and though his body be in the ground yet the Spirit of the Lord which guided him stands alive a sufficient witness against them and all their cruell and wicked dealing and let J. S. judgement be what it will neither concerning growth of Grace nor forms of Religion nor fruits of the Spirit do we at all contradict the Spirit of God neither doth he prove us in these things whereof he accuseth us in strife and debate except against such as J.S. and the Devils Kingdom neither in emulation hatred scoffs or any of these things which the Lord hath redeemed us from though we be falsly accused in these things as in many other by him and whereas he would prove their preaching in their method Points and Reasons and Uses from the example of the Saints in former ages he falls far short in effecting his extent for he cannot prove that they studied for what they spake nor that in such a way they delivered what they said an hour by a glass c. as the Priests of this age do also if it were they preached in the like manner as the Apostles did yet not by the same spirit but by the spirit of error and for a wrong end that is the thing which makes their manner abominable when as they are not guided with the same Spirit of the Apostles and their preaching in their method of points and particulars is rather an art of preaching by humane policy and not the gift of preaching by the Spirit of God neither do we concerning humility and love contradict our selves but are in humility love towards all men even such as wrongs us we seek no revenge against and herein doth our humility and love appear yet cannot we respect any mans person with hat or knee and that is it which J. S. I suppose is offended with In his 13 th Head concerning Ordinances He charges us with self-contradiction because we say we own praying c. and yet hath given over Family prayer morning and evening and at meals but this is no contradiction for we own praying in the Spirit of God bur do deny it without the Spirit and this is no contradiction he may as well say it was contradiction in Christ to cry against the prayers of the Pharisees and yet to teach his Disciples to pray and to pray himself this is the same cause of ours which he foolishly charges with contradiction and as I have said the prayers of the Wicked we deny and yet doth own
vanity and men of high degree are a lye and the heart of man is desperately wicked and deceitful above all things Hear this ye wise men and foolish The more ye strive against the Lord the more is your wound made incurable and the higher you rise in envy always the deeper is your fall in confusion And now Christian Reader whose heart God hath opened to see and behold the things that be eternal and can truly discern of different causes and between the good and the evil and between the light and the darkness This Book is sent forth in the pursuit and after a Book called Hosâ—nna to the Son of David c. by a nameless Author whose work indeed was hardly worthy of an honest mans Name though very subtilly and craftily he prosecutes his purpose and traverses his steps full cunningly as this worlds wisdom could guide him in which wisdom he cannot know or receive the things of God and therefore it cannot be expected that the things of God should be received from that wisdom and though he hath confounded in his words his description of the Light of Christ sometimes speaking well of it aâ—d sometimes otherwise and not knowing hardly whereof he hath affirmed his words are so confounded and mixed in his corrupt reason in giving forth his knowledge of the things of God which he seems to be ignorant of but only as he hath the knowledge of them from the Letter by which no man can come to the knowledge of God nor of the things of his Kingdom without the revelation of the Spirit of Jesus and the operation of the same Spiriâ— But Friends the Testimony of God stands sure for ever though men would confound it in their own reason And this is the Testimony That Christ lighteth every man that cometh into the world which Light is sufficient to lead every man to God or else to condemn every man from God and this Testimony is true notwithstanding all the opposition against it and it shall abide sure for ever though men strive never so much in the gain-saying of it And this is the Testimony which we have born and shall bear to the end and who believes it and who believes it not this is the hand of the Lord according to his pleasure and to him we leave it and so we do and must clear our consciences from time to time while the Lord gives us a being And herein we are a good savour to God and our reward is with him whether Israel be gathered or no Isa. 49. And also this nameless Author which is supposed to be one John Jackson known in this City hath taken some seeming occasion against us by searching our Books and as he saith hath found some contradictions in them which may appear to be so to his dark mind yet in the sight of the spirit of the Lord that is truth which he sees to be no other than error However this is sent forth for the true information of peoples minds that they may know that truth is bold and confident and that it is Armour which defendeth from all Enemies and giveth strength to answer the craftiness of men And this same John Jackson hath shewed himself now to be one with the common Priests of the world for as they have done so hath he opposed the way and people of God and with the very same arguments shewing that he is of the very same spirit with them his discourse and arguments being of the same nature as theirs are yea he hath shewed himself to be of the very same spiâ—it with all the open prophane wretches which doth revile and scorn and abuse in every Town and Countrey the Lords people and as they do so so hath he written with subtile Arguments to the very same end as they reproach and scorn to wit in a derision and despising the way and servants of the Lord so that his self-separation is now seen what it is to be a very cheat and hypocrisie who while he professeth a separation frâ—m the World doth practice the very same wickedness and is not changed from them in nature though he be in appearance But what a poor work hath he brought forth in two years time which he saith his work hath been as Embers raked up in ashes yet a work that gains no praise of God nor very little of the praise of any man It seems he hath hatched mischief upon his bed and brought it forth in the morning Who would have thought but a wise man in that time would have brought forth a larger piece and more to purpose I am sure he might have made better use of his time in another exercise than to have writ against the servants of the Lord It had been more honest for him to have set his pen to paper and studyed to have given his testimony against the Pridâ— and Drunkenness and Oppression and Whoredoms and Wickedness in this great City I say it had been more honest and liker a Saint to have sought the reforming of prophaneness and wickedness that greatly abounds in this City than to have studyed two years to bring forth his invented stuff against a harmless and innocent people which he nor any can justly charge with evil but as he hath digged deep by his imaginations in recollecting a seeming-contradiction out of our writings which is no contradiction no more then Christs words are who saith Except ye eat my flesh and drink my blood ye have no life in you And yet in the same discourse saith The flesh profits nothing And for Isaiah to go with the Word of the Lord to Hezekiah to tell him he should dye and not live yet in the same instant of time told him he should live and not dye Would not John Jackson have counted these contradictions But what he hath done in this in sending forth a Book against the Quakers he hath been so far from beating down sin drunkards and rude scorners and abusive men that he hath fully strengthened their hands and the wickedst people in this Nation are very glad of his work he hath given them matter to oppose truth withall but his reward and theirs shall be both with one hand and he shall drink his portion in the same Lake with such whose hands he hath strengthened and let him know and them all God hath established us upon a sure Mountain which the Gates of Hell and Death cannot prevail against So his work is counted of us and cast by as our spoiled prey of Babylons treasure onely this is sent abroad after it in the pursuit of it which is not done with multitudes of words of mans wisdom but in the plain nakedness of innocent truth which is more strength than all his arguments of guile whereby he would deceive the people but he can deceive none but such as are deceived already for all that are in the Light and in the Truth sees beyond all that he can say and are established
the root and the branches of it and now is the burden of the Beasts of the South felt as truly as in the Prophets dayes Isa. 30.6 from whence cometh the young and old Lyon the Viper and fiery flying Serpent and now doth the mighty and terrible cry of the spirit of the Lord go forth to the men of this generation as it went forth before time to the Egyptians concernig this which the Lord hath wrought your strength is to stand still and if this counsel of the Lord be by you received you shall know more of the ways and workings of the Lord with his children and that all things which the Lord hath done is for the furtherance of the Gospel and that those which are approved may be made manifest what a strong ground of occasion would the envious one have thought he had if he had come among the babes in Christ who were met together at Corinth hearing Paul say that there was divisions among them said that there must be heresies among them that they which are approved may be made manifest 1 Cor. 11.19 and this was no character that God had broken them without hands nor that he had made their profession of unity of no force but through this manifestation he did work schism out of the body that so there should be no Schism Rent Heresie nor any such thing in the body and this thing was not that the enemies of God might glory against the truth and if any labour to seek occasion against the holy Brethren and say they are divided into Heads because two eminent men of them withstood one another as concerning eating with the Gentiles viz. Paul and Peter to such I say he that gathered at first into unity is the healer and Repaired of such breaches and they may profess and witness as much unity after this as ever before And these three which the envious one hath mentioned to be at difference in Doctrine and practice viz. G.F. J.N. J.B. the unity in the life and power of God in them and in their Doctrine and practice shall stand for a witness and for a condemnation against all the accusers and now seeing that their occasion is taken away their accusations may cease and if such Prophets be deceived then let them consider who hath deceived them I the Lord hath deceived that Prophet Therefore what would such a Prophet think of the Apostles words when he saith There must come a falling away first that the man of sin may be revealed Would he or could he judge this a charecter that the day of Christ were at hand or that through such things the power of it should be made more manifest or that those among whom these things were wrought should be thereby the more united To believe this will bring men even to their wits end it being so contrary to their thoughts and conceivings and this may well confound their vvisdome and turn them backvvard and bring them to question truth of all that vvhich ever they have vvritten spoken or acted against those vvhom the Lord hath manifested his povver and vvork among contrary to their judgement and discerning for the vvays and vvorkings of the Lord is deep and his secrets are vvith those that fear him and not vvith those that despise his appearance and speak evill of that they knovv not and the Lord vvill yet vvork greater things in the earth that such may be confounded And what wil such say if the words of Daniel the Prophet be fulfilled in these dayes saying And some of them of understanding shall fall to try them and to purge and to make them white even to the time of the end c. Dan. 11.35 Doth not God hereby try men and try their spirits and try their discernings should any in such cases judge before the time the Lord will mâ—ke it manifest for this cause wil God bring such into judgement Therefore I say unto you that your strength is to sit still and let the Lord alone and let his people alone and let him work his own work in his own way and presume not to be his counseller for who hath known the mind of the Lord let such as have dwell in it and preserve knowledge so shall they always abide in strength and power Union with the Lord and one with one another men shall yet know for all that hath been that we are his Disciples because we love one another and none shall make our glorying and rejoycing in the unity of the spirit and in the love of God void but it shall abound more and more to torment the spirit of enmity which would break it or accuse us for professing of it but over that spirit we are in the Lord But what if some should rise up evâ—n froâ— among our selves speaking perverse things and draw Disciples after them and go out from us as they did from among the Apostles that it might be made manifest that they were not all of us Ought this to be laid to our charge Or ought the way of God to be accused because of such things to be Heresie or Schism If this seem to you an evident token of perdition and of error yet to us of our Salvation and that of God And we are assured that we are of God having the witness in our selves yet not bearing witness of our selves for there is one that beareth witness of us even the Father which is in Heaven and his witness is true being unto us a seal of assurance Therefore from henceforth this is a Warning to small and great that they no further proceed in that which is both unnecessary and unseasonable For this I say unto all such that it is unnecessary and unseasonable to seek to perswade us that the truth is error or that the light which every man is enlightned withal is the spirit of every man for that is not according to the record which God hath given of his son nor which the Son hath given of the light but blessed be that day and blâ—ssed for ever be that poâ—er in which a seed is brought forth unto which the Father hath given a true testimony in which they shall never be confounded which abide faithful for great is the mysterie of godliness God manifest in the flesh and against this manifestation is the power of darkness risen up and all the messengers and ministers of Satan under all forms and professions hath joyned themselves together to make their arm strong against the Son of righteousness his righteous life and righteous wayes which now he is bringing forth among his children but out of the mouth of Babes hath God ordained strength against which all the powers of darkness cannot prevail and unto which strength all our enemies must bend and bow and come for salvation For that which now the leaders of the people have set themselves against when they have finished their course and the anguish comes over their
Logick its like they will set thee no more a work to defend and vindicate them with such weapons Again page 89. thou saist that it is said by the Prophet Prov. 21.4 that the ploughing of the Ploughman is sin Answ. Here thou kast belyed the Prophet and perverted his words aâ— thou hast done the Quakers for the Prophets words is an high look and a proud heart and the ploughing of the wicked is sin but he doth not say that the ploughing of the Ploughman is sin But who can escape the envy of slâ—ndrous tongues which accounteth lying no sin if thereby they can accomplish their own wicked end but the truth hath found thee out and made thee manifest and the Priests had better wanted thy defence then to be so shamed by it as they will be unless they deny both thee and it Again in the same page thou saist to hear read pray sing Psalms and giving of thanks they are works morally good being Commanded by the Lord but the person doing them being not justified they are not good to him for whatsoever is not of Faith is sin Answ. This is another piece of confusion and charging of God foolishly and fasly to say that the Lord commands those things to be done and those he commands to doe them in doing of which it is not good to them but sin Where hast thou learned or where dost thou read of such a doctrine that wicked men are commanded of God to do such things which in doing is not good to them but sin Is God or Christ then the Minister of sin or commands a man to commit sin Is not this Blasphemy and Error in the highest degree And how darest thou speak of God or of his Commands or of his obedience seeing thou thus Blasphems him in his Worship but this shall remain as a Testimony against thee many other lyes and abominations hast thou spoken against us and against God and his Truth a few of which is sufficient to make thee manifest In page 107. thou saist our Quaking fits many are of opinion that they are diobolical by a kind of witchcraft and saist thou hast heard strange relations of Enchanted Ribbans and giveing drink after c. Answ. Upon the same account many was of opinion that Christ had a Devil was a Deceivâ—r that the Apostles were Ringleaders of Sects Heresyes such strange relations might have been heard concerning the Apostles in their dayes it seems to thee that such reports is sufficient proof but this is contrary to what thou hast said in an other place that thou wouldst speak nothing but according to what was written in the Scriptures And whereas thou tells of Enchanted Ribbans Is there some Ribbans that are enchanted it may be thou meanest enchanting Ribbans but if so where didst thou ever know such a thing for proofe thou names Gilpin and Toldervyes books which neither of them doth relate such a thing so that it is thy enmity and wickednesse for there was never any such thing among the Quakers as giving Ribbans and drink after but that charge thou mightst have laid upon the Priests and their Defenders for there are the most ribbans used and justified till in pride they are become the Servants of the Devill and there is the giving of drink one to another untill they be enflamed and made unsensible of God and of his fear by which they are enchanted and bewitched that they doe not obey the Gospell but are given up to their own hearts Lusts and thereby are become the Servants of sin and so free from righteousnesse Lastly not onely we have been falsly accused in these and many other things by thee but even the spirit of God which is the Fountain of cleanness is by thee charged and accused to be corrupt and defiled page 33. by passing through mans corrupt nature thou saidst it becomes defiled Answ. Is not this a sin against the holy Ghost which shall never be forgiven to charge the spirit to be corrupt and defiled And in this thou also chargest both the Father and the Son to be corrupt and defiled for they are one so that if one of them be corrupt the other is corrupt also and as the spirit is in the Saints so is the Father in them and the Son the hope of their glory and none of them are defiled by mans corrupt nature But there is that in man by which that which corrupteth his nature is wrought out so that man is made clean and undefiled by the spirit and that spirit is not made corrupt and defiled by Man for that is contrary to the Scriptuâ—e to say that by mans nature the spirit is defiled but to say that by the spirit mans nature is clensed and sanctified this is according to the Scripture but it is the work of Sathan and his Messengers to Blasphem God in his Temple and so account his spirit by which he leadeth into all truth an unholy thing and so thou art of the number of them which account the blood and spirit of the Covenant an unholy thing and we seeing and knowing these things as concerning our selves we are satisfied because the Servant is not above his Master for if the Master be called Belzebub and the spirit a defiled or corrupt thing well may we be called Deceivers although we be true and falsely accused with all manner of evil according to our Masters words and these things we should bear in patience and silence as to our selves but as in respect unto others we are constrained by the uncorrupted and undefiled Spirit of the Lords to testifie to the world that their deeds are evil and to manifest the workings of Satan in the Mystery of Iniquity which now already worketh in many justifying the wicked and condemning the just which is abomination to the Lord which his Spirit will not bear unreproved and not only the just men are condemned and falsly accused but also the just undefiled eternal and unerring Spirit is accused by him who makes a defence for the Priests in their unrighteous practices and Wages so by the plain evidence and demonstration of Truth he being made manifest to be an Enemy to God by his wicked Works and Words I do judge him not worthy of much more answer to his Book also I do judge him not able to prove any of the false accusations charged in it against us some of which is herein returned unto him again vvhich vvhen he doth but really weigh it and consider it may be he will sit down in silence and wait if there may be hope of his forgiveness for this not only ignorance but wilfulness charging us the Spirit of God and his people vvith that of vvhich they vvere never guilty for vve are in the Truth unto vvhich every tongue shall confess and by vvhich every Opposer shall become silent before the Lord in the Spirit of this Truth do vve desire not the destruction
Lord R. H. According as vve read in the Scriptures That the inspiration of the Almighty giveth understanding so by its inspiration is an understanding given us of the things of God Lord. Then one of the Lords said How do you know that you are led by the true Spirit R. H. This we know because the Spirit of truth it reproves the world of Sin and by it we were reproved of sin and also are led from sin unto righteousness and obedience of truth by which effects vve knovv it is the true Spirit for the spirit of the vvicked one doth not lead into such things King and Lords Then the King and his Lords said It was truth King Well of this you may be assured That you shall none of you suffer for your Opinions or Religion so long as you live peaceably and you have the Word of a King for it and I have also given forth a Declaration to the same purpose that none shall wrong you nor abuse you King How do you own Magistrates or Magistracy R. H. Thus vve do ovvn Magistrates Whosoever is set up by God whether King as Supream or any set in Authority by him who are for the punishment of evil doers and the praise of them that do well such we shall submit unto and assist in righteous and civil things both by body and Estate And if any Magistrates do that which is unrighteous we must declare against it only submit under it by a patient suffering and not rebel against any by insurrections plots and contrivances King Then the King said That is enough Lord. Then one of the Lords asked Why do you meet together seeing every â—ne of you have the Church in your selves R. H. According as it is written in the Scriptures the Church is in God Thes. 1.1 And they that feared the Lord did meet often together in the fear of the Lord and to us it is profitable and herein we are edified and strengthened in the life of truth King How did you first come to believe the Scriptures were truth R. H. I have believed the Scriptures from a child to be a Declaration of truth when I had but a literal knowledge natural education and tradition but now I know the Scriptures to be true by the manifestation and operation of the Spirit of God fulfilling them in me King In what manner do you méet and what is that order in your méetings R. H. We do meet in the same order as the people of God did waiting upon him and if any have a word of exhortation from the Lord he may speak it or if any have a word of reproof or admonition and as every one hath received the gift so they may minister one unto another and may be edified one by another whereby a grovvth into the knowledge of the truth is administred to one another One of the Lords Then you know not so much as you may know but there is a growth then to be admitted of R. H. Yes vve do grovv daily into the knovvledge of the truth in our exercise and obedience to it King Are any of your Friends gone to Rome R. H. Yes there is one in Prison in Rome King Why did you send him thither R. H. We did not send him thither but he found something upon his Spirit from the Lord whereby he was called to go to declare against Superstition and Idolatry vvhich is contrary to the Will of God Kings Friend said There were two of them at Rome but one was dead King Have any of your Friends been with the Great Turk R. H. Some of our Friends have been in that Countrey Other things were spoken concerning the liberty of the servants of the Lord which vvere called of him into his service that to them there vvas no limitation to Parishes or places but as the Lord did guide them in his Work and Service by his Spirit So the King promised that we should not any ways suffer for our Opinion or Religion and so in love passed away R. H. His Answer to John Horn. J. H. IN thy Answer to my Queries thou seemest to be resolved to say something although it be absolutely contrary to the truth and to that which thou knowest to be Truth as will appear in what follows In answer to my first thou sayest Christ in his Spirit ascended up to Heaven when his Body was upon Earth Is this an answer to the Question Is the mind or Spirit called the Son of man according to John 3.13 which came down from Heaven And no man doth ascend up to Heaven but the Son of man which was then in Heaven So by this thy Answer it appears then that the Spirit is the Son of man and that there is no other Son of man that ascends into Heaven but the Spirit then what becomes of that body thou speaks of if the Spirit only be that Son of man In thy Answer to the second and third Queries thou provest in thy way that Mary did that which was forbidden by Christ when she held him by the feet and worshipped him but in Mat. 28.9 there is no forbidding of her to touch him but this is plainly manifest that thou art in a snare and cannot tel how to get out and yet thou wilt be saying something though thereby thou more ensnares thy self but this Scripture thou wilt once know fulfilled The Wicked shall be silent in darkness When thou shouldst answer to the fourth thou tellest of its being a secret and of prying into things above what is vvritten although the ground of my Query is grounded upon that vvhich is vvritten in Luke 24.4 To the fifth thou saist That the Women did distinguish which was Christ vvas certain but hovv they did so is a foolish curious Question What certainty is there that they did knovv vvhen thou knovvest not hovv but this is like the rest of the Priests doctrine beating the air and leaving all people in uncertainties and yet would be paid for so doing but the Lord hath made thee manifest with the rest that you cannot deceive much longer To the sixth thou sayest the two Angels were seen visibly but were not Bodies nor Persons of men but in thy answer to the fourth saist that they both saw them as men and heard them speak and had two individual Forms Now if thou wert but simple and not wilfully blind thou mightest be the more excused In thy answer to the seventh thou art more lost and confused then in all the rest for when thou shouldst answer who were the eleven Disciples that were met together mentioned Luk 24.33 thou saist that Thomas might occasionally be gone out Ans. If he was gone out then the eleven was not together as Luke 24. Again thou saist that Matthias was chosen before the Evangelist wrote his Book What darkness and ignorance is this Thou art not questioned when the Book was written nor when Matthias was chosen but who was the eleven that was together
there was the like example But these was warned in their day not to persecute the innocent nor to uphold those that preached for filthy lucre who served not the Lord Jesus Christ but their own Bellies But they hearkned not to the Counsel of the Lord but shut their ears against his Instructions therefore was their day taken from them and their Power given to another that they also might be tryed 2 In the year 1653 a Council of State was called by O C. but they did nothing to take off the weight of oppression in the Nation neither in Spiritual nor Civil things for Pride and the deceitfulnesse of Riches entred into their hearts that they did not regard nor set themselves wholly to do that which the Lord did require them although they were warned of God in their time yet the Yoke of the oppressor was not taken away but under it the Nation groaned and they wrought no deliverance in the earth III. Then the Little Parliament sat in the same year and there was a plant of Righteousnesse tending towards some equity and freedom springing up in them but the strength of deceipt and subtilty in others did quench it before it brought forth any thing to perfection and in that time the Priests fierce persecuting Zeal was so inflamed that many Petitions from several parts of the Nation was presented against the Quakers to the Parliament and their continual clamor Petitions and Addresses and they being not regarded and harkned unto was one cause of the continuance of the Nations bondage and oppression and God never prospered such as received them into their Councils or gave heed to their reports but a Curse and Destruction alwaies followed them in their undertakeings whose ear was open unto such things And in the time of his Power and Government was persecution continued about Religion though much was pretended to the contrary they also were warned and wisely counselled in their day and so was left without excuse IV. Again in the same year was O C. made Protector who had his day and power in his hand to have done good and to have done that which he and others pretended but he joyning with the covetous Priests and their Interests to make his arm strong thereby betrayed the Lord and his People into the hands of sinners And instead of removing Persecution he caused new Acts to be made to Persecute by and so brought a Curse upon himselfe and Family and Tribulation upon those that trusted in him And the Lord did often visit him with reproofs and instructions untill he hardened his heart agâ—inst all reproof and then was he given up of the Lord and of his People to his appointed end as an Example to all Hypocrites and Treacherous ones V. Again his second Parliament was called and fat in the year 1654. In their daies was not the Land eased not freed from its bondage and when they had let in the Priests Spirits and was incensed against the Truth and intending to make Laws to Persecute then were they broken and their power taken from them who in their day was warned but did not the thing which the Lord required of them VI. Oliver's 3d. Parliament which consisted of two Houses sat in the year 1657. they more than any of the rest did draw back into that which they had declared against and they let in the Priests Persecuting Spirit and made Laws for Persecution and many were Imprisoned in the time of their Government because for Conscience sake they could not pay Tithes to the Hireling Priests and because they could not Swear contrary to Christs command Mat. 5. And they had many warnings and admonitions from the Lord which they rejected and so the Lord rejected them as from doing his work VII Then Richard Cromwell in the year 1658. was made Protector whom the Priests flockt to as their Rock of defence that he as their Joshua might lead them into their promised Land which was but a Benefice of Tithes or Augmentation their prayed for Inheritance and they told him that the Gospel was bound up in him and so did cleave unto him by Flatteries as they did unto all the rest before him for their own ends but the suffering seed of God which could not Flatter him was not set free who freely declared unto him the word of the Lord and instructions from the Almighty before his day was over VIII And again his Parliament sate in the year One thousand six hundred fifty nine they continued and did not free the Sufferers and imprisoned ones who suffered onely for the worship of their God and for the exercise of a good Conscience but they went on swiftly in the way of their destruction to impose Worships upon people and to decree unrighteous Decrees and upon that Rock of Religion they were broken as others had been before them though they were exhorted to righteousness and told of the evill that did come upon them IX The ninth Government was again the Long-Parliament who came in with great pretences and resolutions and protestations to make this Nation a Free-Common-wealth not onely in Name but in Nature And they begun well and to call the prisoners up to London who suffered for Conscience sake and freed some of them and many of them intended to take away that great Oppression of Tithes whereby much deceit and many dâ—ceivers are held up in the Nation and then the Priests rage was kindled against them and they cursed them in their pulpits and preached up War against them and themselves get Horses Pistols and Swords to fight for their Tithes and Maintenance and when they were routed then they again petitioned the Parliament some begging pardon and some pleading not-Guilty and the Parliament was so blind that upon their Dissimulation they let in the Priests again and begun to gratifie the Priests and establish Tithes and then the wrath of God broke forth against them and their Destruction was prophesied of and told them that it should shortly come upon them as it came to pass because they would not receive the Lords Counsel in their day X. Then the Army and Committee of Safety so called had the Power and Government in their hands which they did not improve as they might have done for the liberty of the Subjects neither did they receive that counsel from the Lord which would have opened their understandings how to have ruled for him but with corrupt reasonings among themselves perverted one another and confounded their own work reasoning out the good and honest intentions of some that was amongst them until they all became as a heap of Confusion and their work broken to pieces A just reward of their own devices and following the counsels of their own hearts neglecting the Advice of that Spirit of righteousness which should have led and also established them in the work of the Lord in the Nation so as unworthy and disobedient were they cast out XI Then again the Long-Parliament
all feignedness and formality even to dwell in the substance which is the holy life of the Son of God where the true love the heavenly voice and pure joy is felt and known as in the beginning always remembring how the Gospel in power came unto you and how in fear and much trembling it was both preached unto you and received by you with the many blessed effects of its operation vvorking your conversation out of the earthly nature from the earthly body into the heavenly body in which you are able to take up his Cross if it be daily to follow him in the regeneration and newness of life even from the true knowledge of him in whom ye have believed and by whose povver you stand For when we consider the infinite deepness and largeness of that love with which we have been cloathed and have even covered others withal and likewise the many experiences of the Father's dealings with us in working all our Works both in us and for us this cannot but deeply engage our hearts unto him how that ever since we have known him to be our Leader he hath always gone before us preparing our vvay that we might serve him he hath for his seeds sake even reproved Kings and hath quenched the violence of fire that was kindled in many hearts against us he hath by his Wisdom put to silence the ignorance of foolish men that he may clear us from all their reproach He hath not only kept us alive in our suffering under the Wrath of our Enemies but in the power of his spirit made us to reign over them and not only over our outward and open enemies but also over the secret smitings of the wicked one which would privily slay the righteous He hath had a tender regard to his innocent ones to keep them out of the snares of the betrayers and to keep them in the unity of his power and love in the which I speak unto you that know these things whose ears the Lord hath so opened that you can try Words and whose eyes also he hath unclosed that you can see that which causeth divisions and offences contrary to the Doctrine of Christ and avoid it for hitherto even until this day have you learned by good experience and some through sufferings that whatsoever hath risen up to oppose the Lord in his Way to quench the strength of his Love or to break the unity of his people whether it hath been by spirit or letter under never so innocent pretences the Lord hath brought it down and confounded it and made it to be as dust under the feet of his Saints so that we may together say to the praise of our God that we knovv the depths of Satan and are not ignorant of his devices Therefore in the sence of this experience put on strenth O ye Arm of the Lord by vvhich he will do great things and through whom he will make his power known to the Nations in setting up his Kingdom and Government and his Peace of which there shall be no end Let nothing hinder the setting up of his Scepter of Truth and Righteousness amongst you and let the Life of Jesus in his Love and Power reign over all the earthly spirits and over the spirit of Jealousie which is strong as death and cruel as the grave which being not received it can hurt nothing but its own habitation in which it lodgeth So keep your selves pure in the love of God and be not partakers of other mens sins walking worthy of the holy and blessed calling in which the Lord hath given you an inheritance among the living And dwel in the spirit of meekness in which the Wisdom and Power of God you will feel to the refreshing of your souls for as you therein abide you are our joy in the Lord and a strength unto us in his Work Another Epistle to Friends IN the life of the Son of God dwell that in it you may be made manifest unto all answering the just and reproving the unjust for he is come to rule who must put down all rule and all authority under his feet and in him is the living dominion felt and the faith in the power which overcomes the edge of the sword and subdues Nations in which is the dread of the Almighty to bring under the stout-hearted even by the power of the holy seed which is spreading abroad in the earth for the finishing the Fathers work in the earâ—h which all are witnesses of who do abide and walk in his light where you may all enjoy your peace with the Lord and be kept in his power over the power and spirit of the world in the everlasting covenant of light and life where you may all feel the growth of the seed in you into the Fathers gift which is the life immortal so dearly beloved and truly begotten in my Fathers love dwell in that which gives you a sight knowledge and feeâ—ing of him who hath begotten you into a measure of his life light power and image and hereby will you all be united into one serving one another in love for God is love and we are his off spring and to the world is he manifest through us as being his natural branches and the breaking forth of his light and power and is as set upon a hill unto which all eys look and from which the sincere and tender take their example so dear hearts in the path of the Just walk which is a shining light which shineth more and more unto the perfect day so as children of it all walk that you to others may be examples and leaders out of darkness and out of the ways of death into the Kingdom of the Father which stands in the Light righteousness and peace and joy in the holy Ghost in which the power and presence of my heavenly Father preserve you and keep you in his living Dominion Reasons why no Imposition ought to be upon mens Consciences by any but the Lord. 1. BEcause no man can perswade the conscience of another either what God is or how to worship him but onely the Spirit which God hath given to instruct man 2 Because to impose any thing upon another mans conscience either to do or practice is not to do unto another as he would have another do unto him and therefore is contrary to Christs doctrine 3 Because all obedience or service that is thereby obtained is for fear of wrath and not from love nor for conscience sake and will but continue so long as that fear or force abides upon them 4 Because thereby no man can make an Hypocrite a Believer but it is possible that thereby he may make many Hypocrites 5 Because that in all forced impositions upon mens consciences there is of the wrath of man exercised which workâ— not the righteousness of God but rather begets enmity one towards another 6 Because that men are not made thereby loving Subjects but forced Slaves 7 Because that by the force of imposing any thing upon men many are thereby hardned in their hearts and resolved to resist when as by love and leaving them free they mâ—ght easily be perswaded of that which otherwise thâ—y will not be THE END Acts 33. Rom. 4.11 John 5.3 Jer. 1.5 6. Luk. 1.66.08 1 Kin. 8.46 John 14.4 Prov. 20.9 John 18.10 Eccles. 7.23
saith that Christ ascended far above all Heavens that he might fill all things to wit with his Light Eph. 4.11 So here he hath answerd himself for if Christ that is ascended doth fill all things with his Light then he doth not make mens hearts void of Light In page 17. he saith That Christ enlightens the world with the knowledge of God as the Prophet of the Church and if so then men want not Light to guide them in the knowledge of their duty and the way to salvation so herein he hath answered himself to his own confusion Again in page 43. he saith That none of the Gentiles not barbarous people who had not the Scripture nor such other teachings as God's People were taught by had the Light within them which might be a â—â—mpleat and safe rule or guide to them for the pleasing of God Ans. In contradiction unto which he saith in page 60. that Christ as the Mediator enlightens with spiritual Light every man that cometh into the World and pag 62. That he enlightens Gentiles as well as Jews with a spiritual Light And page 63. that Christ as the Sun of Righteousness was to enlighten all Nations So then if those latter be true then the former is false for if all that come into the World both Jews and Gentiles be enlightened with a spiritual Light by Christ as their Mediator and as he is the Sun of Righteousness then they do not want a Light within them which is a compleat and safe Rule or Guide to them for the pleasing of God and so by this the Quakers Doctrine is approved and made good instead of being disproved Again that John Tombs may appear to be wise above what is written he goes about to prove many Lights under several names and distinctions as page 12. he saith There are Lights that like ignis fatuus foolish fire lead men into dark places lakes and bogs wherein they that follow them perish Secondly There are lights that for a while lead men in the way and then soon go out and so leave men in darkness and perplexity Thirdly That there is an amazing light that doth by its brightness strike dead and cast down to the Earth Rev. 1.16 17. Acts 22.6.11 Act 9.9 Fourthly Christ is an excelling light not striking dead nor casting down nor blinding Fifthly That there was a light in the law but it was imperfect Sixthly That there is a bodily light in animate bodies Seventhly That there is a natural light of Creatures Eighthly There is a rational light of men pag. 16. Ninthly That there is a Scripture-light and saith he the Word which is written in my Bible shall be my light page 80. Ans. In that which is above-mentioned he appeareth to be puffed up by vain conceits imaginations and distinctions above what is written in the Scriptures of Truth till he manifests himself to be wholly in darkness not knowing what he saith nor whereof he affirmeth For where doth the Scripture speak of any Lights like false fire that leads men into dark places Lakes and Bogs but we read in the Scriptures that he that walks in darkness knows not whether he goes and there is the perishing in the Lakes And where doth the Scriptures speak of such Lights as for a while lead â—â—n in the way and then go out when men are in the way and so leave them in darkness And where do the Scriptures speak of a natural Light and a bodily Light and a rational-Light and a Scripture-Light And whereas thou speakest of an amazing light that by its brightness doth strike down dead and cast down to the Earth and brings Rev. 1 16 17. Acts 22.6 11. Acts 9.9 whereas it saith That the light of Christ's countenance was as the Sun shining in his strength which when John saw him fell at his feet dead and Paul with the light was struck down which Light appearing to John and Paul was Christ yet in the next words contrary to the Scriptures and thy own assertions saith That Christ is an excelling light not striking dead nor casting down nor blinding And so thy words is but as a heap of confusion and contradiction one unto another and to the Scripturâ—â— and so in a few words thou maist be answered even with thy own darkness for if thou knew the Light of Christ in the least measure it would keep thee out of the line of this confusion and then thou would justifie those whom now thou condemns and falsly accuseth to be guilty of thy own devisings Again Another contradiction concerning the Light from page 33. thou saist That light from Christ as Creator is conferred upon all men without exception of any person And to contradict it in p. 37. he saith that the Gentiles are without light And p. 66. that Christ enlightens Gentiles as well as Jews with his spiritual light Ans. So to what end is all thy preaching and printing but to utter forth thy own confusion And dost thou think that all people are blind as thy self that cannot see plain contradiction Nay for the light is risen in which thou art seen if thou hadst more subtilty craft and guile to cover thy self withall than thou hast but thou hast appeared naked that every one may see thy shame Again John Tombs in the 26. page saith that in this life they that are born of the Spirit are flesh whereas Christ saith He that is born of the spirit is spirit Ans. Herein thou art imprudent to place these two contrâ—dictions together and to set thy lye before Christ's Truth to make people believe that although Christ said He that is borâ— of the Spirit is Spirit yet it is not so for he that is born of the Spirit is flesh saist thou and to prove thy lye against his truth saith that the new birth which makes us no longer flesh and blood iâ— that seâ—ce is not the birth of water and of the Spirit mentioned Job 3.5 but the Power of God by which he will raise us up 1 Cor. â— 14 the birth of water nor the Spirit John 3.5 6. is here in this life thâ— other is not till the resurrection Ans. Herein thy proof is as false as thy lye before-mentioned for â—hat which is born of water and of the spirit is spirit and also the power of God bâ— which we are raised up is witnessed in this life whereby the Apostle said they were made members of Christ and were joined unto the Lord by that one Spirit of which they were born And is this the Faith which thou begets people into that they cannot be born again in this life of the Spirit So they have believed and followed thee long enough for they were but in the fleshly birth before thou came amongst them and are so yet and must not be born of the Spirit by thy doctrine while in this life until the resurrection and so that they may believed thee and not Christ thou strivest to keep them from