would 〈◊〉 it up in a Corner and tye it to one sort of Men or Sect or Opinion and the Mâ—sters thereof would assume it to themselves as though the Spirit of God and Grace of God were only among them and must be conveyed from them to other People before they have it and the direction and Guide of every Man must be sought from their Mouths as though God had not given a measure of his Spirit unto every man to profit withal and to be led and taught and guided by it into all Truth out of Error according to Christ's promise and according to the Lord's Promise in the dayes of old that though his People might eat the Bread of adversity drink the Water of affliction yet their Teacher should not be removed into a Corner and from this quickning enlightening enliveâ—ing Spirit of God the Saints of God and Ministers of Christ in the Primitive times received Power and Authority to propagate Righteousness and to judge deceit and the Mystery of Iniquity where-ever it appeared and in this their ability stood for they were made able and fit Ministers by it not of the Letter nor of Mens Traditions nor of foolish fopperies which have been introduced since and shuffled in among Christians under the Name of Power and Authority of the Holy Church and the Church of God that had received this Spirit walked in it and brought forth the Fruits fit whereby they were a good savour in the Nostrils of the Lord and by which they adorned the Gospel of our Lord Jesâ—â— Christ by a holy Conversation which did manifest them to be of God and Convince and stop the Mouths of gain-sayers And thus we are bold to tell thee and all that the Spirit of God which is given a measure of it to every Man and more fulness of it to them that believe that it is the Rule and the way and means whereby all the Actions Words and Works of all Men are weighed tryed measured and judged and Objections Answered and is the alone Judge of all matters and answerer of all doubts and giveth only true and perfect satisfaction and therefore R. E. may blush and be ashamed to ever publish such a thing abroad in the World as to say That the Spirit of God is not a sufficient director Teacher and Judge but calls it a private Spirit Opinion humour and fancy to make the Eyes of them blind who wait for its appearance only to trust to Men who plead Antiquity and Power without verity And further he goes on and sayes in the 22 th page of his said Epistle There is neither Jew Turk Pagan or Christian but he may put on confidence enough affirming that he is taught by the Spirit of God 〈…〉 this and yet teach contradictions and further saith that it hath no effect among them who pretend to it and that they can no more satisfie another that they are guided by the Spirit of Truth then many who are cast into Bedlâ—m Answ. 'T is true many are confident and impudent enough but confidence without Ground and impudent proves but little and he thâ—t â—â—ith he is a Jew and is not but of the Synagogue of Satan will soon be found out by his Doctrine and Fruits and he that saith he is a Christian and led by the Spirit and keeps not the commands of Christ neither brings forth the Fruits of the Spirit is soon discovered to be a Deceiver and deceived and such are like to teach contradictions but all such are denyed shut out with the Spirit of Truth but them that have the Spirit of God witness a blessed effect among them for they are turned from Satan's Power unto God and do witness Remission of Sin and Reconciliation with God and are not at difference but at Unity one with another and are brought out of the obstinate and perverse Estate which all pretenders are in and as for contradictions they are more to be seen in the Church of Rome then many wheres else they who are but pleased and have leisure to view over the Decrees and Constitutions of several Popes and Councils since he was elevated to be Universal Bishop over all Christian Churches by that Hâ—athen 〈…〉 Emperour Phocas who slew his Master Maâ—ritius to obtain 〈…〉 did gratifie the Pope so far that he might be cryed up as Emperour as thâ—â— he should be Universal Bishop and this proved a better pleâ— for the Pope because the Emperour had Power to defend him and to compel all to receive his Decrees then that he was Peter's Succesâ—oâ— I say who will but look into the Constitutions and Decrees shall find such setting of and throwing down and such decreeing and such disannulling as twenty 〈◊〉 Champions as Robert Everard will never be able to free his Catholick Church from contradictions although he is very forward to charge otheâ—â— though he is but a new Convert but let him not boast till he haâ—h put off his Armour and it is thâ—t mad Bedlem Spirit of thine that saith That among all the Nonconformists there is no one that can satisfie another that he hath the Spirit of God I tell thee yes there are thousands satisfied in one another that they have the Spirit of God besides he that hath it can speak to the witness of God in another which shall testifie the same and moreover their Works and Fruits shall and do manifest unto others that they are born of the Spirit because the Fruits of it are seen as they are manifest to be born of God and do the Works of God and thou must first know the Spirit of God in thy self if ever thou look for it there and not hang altogether upon others belief as thou dâ—st upon thy Catholick Church before thou canst know it in another and first be Convinced by it and judged by it for thy ill deeds and ill thoughts and Hypocrisie and timeâ— serving and flattery and Men-pleasing before thou canst be Convinced of others Righteousness and also be Convinced of the unbelief of thy own Heart before thou canst believe others but thou hast been so busie abroad in quarrelling and contending about Words Names and empty shews without Substance and Life that thy mind is all over grown with Thorns and Bâ—iers scrawling and scratching and entangling thy self and others so that that which should Savour the things of God is over-grown in these and is buried and to them that are like Heaths in a desert know not when Good comes neither do know what they enjoy that dwell in the fat Valleis and the Pharisees had such unbelieving Hearts though Christ was the express Image of God and did the Works that never Man did yet being without Faith and without Reason they said he was a Blasphemer and all his Works were done by Bellzebub and would never be convinced that any thing he did was of God and that Spirit is near thee which would represent the Fruits of the Spirit to be delusion and
now mark this that by which the Apostle gathered them from the Jewish Temples and Priest-hood and the Gentiles from their Idols Temples was by the Preaching of the everlasting Gospel to wit not the Law nor the Ordinances of the first Covenant but the Power of God and the word of Reconciliation for the first Covenant of the Jews made not the Comers thereunto perfect as pertaining to the Conscience Neither the Gentiles Idols Temples nor Worships made them perfect as pertaining to the Conscience but rather made them worse and more corrupted Heb. 9.9 But the Preaching and publishing of the Word of Reconciliation that did it was committed to the Disciples it was received and believed in by many both Jews and Gentiles as at Ephesus and elsewhere and they were made a Habitation of God through the Spirit Ephes. 2.22 Now mark this they preached not up the Letâ—er of the Law nor that which was written in Tables of Stone for the first Priest-hood that was ended and the Ministry of that and the Vail was over their Hearts while Moses was read and their ability stood not in the Litteral knowledge or in that which was written But they were able Ministers of the New-Testament of the Spirit and so all that did believe both Jews and Gentiles who received the word of Faith which was nigh in the Mâ—uth and in the Heart Rom. 10.8 they grew up in the Knowledge of God and of his holy Spirit and great Gifts grew amongst them as of Prophecy of speaking with Tongues of Interpretation and there was diversity of gifts and diversity of Operations yet all by the same Spirit which the Apostles were made Ministers of and which they that did believe and receive and received gifts from it and knew the Operation of it which wrought in them mightily to the throwing down the strong holds 2 Cor. 10.4 And the principalities and Powers of Darkness and to the Translating and changing of them from Darkness to Light and from Satans Power to the Power of God even into the Kinâ—dom of his dear Son Col. 1.13 And several Congregations in divers Places were all one Body whereof Christ the Life was the Head in which they had believed and of whose Power they had tasted grew up in Knowledge and Wisdom and gifts and the Day of Christ approached which Abraham saw And they exhorted one another and admonished one another and when they met together at several Places every one according to the Gift of God as he had received not from the Letterâ— but from the Spirit did and might administer to the Edification one of another and to the building up and comforting one another in the most holy Faith which gave them Victory over Sin which Faith was wrought in them by hearing of the Word that was nigh them in the Mouth and in the Heart which was the Word of Consolation which was in the Beginning Moreover when they met together they might Prophesie one by one and every one Exercise his own gift to the edification and Comfort of the Body as the Spirit did lead them in Order and if any went out from his Measure he was judged by them that were in the Spirit Furthermore they that had believed the Gospel which was published to them for remission of Sin they grew up into great Enjoyments and Attainments in the righteous Life of Christ which was manifest in them And though first they knew the Ministration of Condemnation and the sentence of Death yet afterwards came to know the Ministration of the Spirit and the sweet Assurance and Testimony of it bearing Witness to the Spirit that they were the Sons of God and they were made Heirs according to the Promise Heb. 6.17 and were made joynt-heirs and co-heirs with Christ in the Kingdom which is Immortal which faâ—es not away and did dome to know Mount Sion and the City of the living God Heb. 12.22 and it were large to speak of the Glory and the Transcendent Excellency of the Church of Christ which became a purchased Possession to him in the Primitive Times or the first hundred Years after the manifestation of Christ in the Flesh. But take notice of this that they that were sent out who had received freely of the Father of Christ and of the Spirit Ministred freely as they had received freely without making any Covenants or enquiries after worldly revenews but went from City to City Preaching the Gâ—spel of Christ freely as they hâ—d received without any conditionâ— frâ—m the People And as many as believed and received the Gospel did Minister freely their Hearts being open unto them who had declared unto them spiritual Things Acts 4.34 Mat. 10.8 c. So that we read of no compulsion or forcing Maintenance from any of the Cities whether they believed or not believed the Father took care of such Harvest-men and and what they received was given freely and there was no Complaint though often they denyed that which was proferred to them and thâ—ir Câ—re was to make the Gospel of Christ not Burdensome or chargeable but rather their Hands should Minister unto their Necessities Acts 18.3 Again though divers gifts were given unto the Disciples before and after Christ's Ascension as some to be Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists some Pastors some Teachers and some Elders or Bishops yet they were all made Ministers by the holy Ghost yet it were large to speak of the Power and of the Wisdom and of the Enjoyments of God in that day and time and of the Gifts and of the order which was in the Church at that time But in a Word the Son of God was made manifest and gave them an Understanding and they knew him that was true Truth it self and Christ was revealed in them and manifested to them the Hope of their Glory Col. 1.27 Furthermore they come to see over the new Moons and Fâ—sts and Feasts and Dayes and Times and Meats and Drinks and none could judge of them or ought to judge of them in those Cases for they saw the Body Christ for the man-Child was brought forth and the Woman was Cloathed with the Sun who had the Crowd of twelve Stars upon her head who brought forth the holy Child Jesus who saves his People from their Sins In whom all Shadows Types Figures Representations end This in short was part of the Glory of the Primitive Church which would be large to speak of as it was in the first State of its Purity But hereafter some fuller thing the Lord may bring forth in his own time and day CHAP. II. Concerning the entring in of the Apostacy and the Declination from the Purity of Doctrine Worship and Practice and when it began downwards from the entring of it in until this present Age and Time CHrist the true Prophet which Moses spake of whom the Lord raised up and manifested in the Fulness of time he prohesied and declared of false Prophets that should arise Mat. 7.15 Beware of
rest of the People that buy yet our Merchandize that he holds hereticall Opinions and despises the Ministry and the Ordinances and the Doctrines of our reformed Churches or if any say That the Spirit of the Lord is a sufficient Teacher to lead his People into all Truth without outward Means as natural learning Hebrew Greek and Latin and the ancient Fathers and old Authors and so make void all our Arts and Parts which are the Foundation of our Divinity then let us cry in the Ears of all the People and in the Ears of the Rulers and the Powers of the Earth that this is Blasphemy and Error and ought to be supprest And furthermore if any shall say That he believes he shall be made free from Sin in this Life by the effectual working of Chrâ—st the mighty Power of God which condemns Sin in the Flesh and destroyes the Works of the Devil then let us cry Heresie and Blasphemy and let us tell them that the holiest that ever were upon the Earth sinned and that the Body of Sin was uncut down in them and let us prove it by Paul's Words he complained of a Body of Sin and was never in any other Condition while he lived upon the Earth and so it may be we shall keep them in Blindness that they will continue and trade with us and if any say They are come to the Baptism of the Spirit the one Baptism into which all the Saints were â—aptized in which all other Baptisms end and so being come to this deny all the Figures and the Baptism of Infants then let us cry out that they are Sectaries and deny the Ordinance of God Infants-Baptism and let us give them some Scripture how that Christ took up little Children in his Arms and blessed them and how he hid his Disciples go out into all Nations and baptize them in the Name of the Father Son and holy Ghost and may be with an Inference or two or two or three Consequences raised from this and the like Scriptures we shall make their Eye blind that we shall put off this counterfeit Ware yet a little while And if any shall deny our Church or Chappel and call it an Holâ— Temple which God never commanded to be built then let us bring some Scriptures how that God commanded a Temple to be built at Jerusalem and how the Jews had Synagogues and how God commanded Store-houses to be built for God's Service and Worship and it may be such a Proof as this will satisfie them that they will come to our Shop another Time at the Hour appointed for the Sale of our Wares when the Marke-Bell rings and the Wares are ready to be set out and so by this Means we may hold on our Trade a while And if any shall deny David's Psalms to be sung in Rhime and Meeter and with Organs and Pipes to be an Ordinance of God in Gospel Times then let us bring them some Scriptures and some Fathers and tell them in the Church of Corinth that he that had a Psalm might sing and it may be they will know no Difference between a Psalm which was given forth by the Spirit the Psalm which is gotten by Tradition from another and let us bring a Proof out of Revelations That they that were redeemed from the Earth played upon the Harps and sung a new Song and it may be they will see no Difference between them that are in the Earth and them that are redeemed from the Earth and so we may keep up this still as an Ordinance invented by our Mother Mystery Babylon And let this be agreed amongst us now when many of us are assembled together whose Lively-hood and Riches stand only in the merchandizing of our Mother Church that to whatsoever Place we sail in our Ships if any be heard to say That the Spirit of the Lord ought to move first before any Teacher Minister or Believer ought to pray that so they may pray with the Spirit and in the Spirit in publick and in private whether with many or few that so without the Spirit none can be edified let us all agree to this that it be voted down as an Error and let us do what in us lyes to prove from Scripture that set Forms of Prayer are lawful and are an Ordinance of God and let us bring the Lord's Prayer called by our Mother-Church the Pater noster and see what that will do and also Hosea 14.2 Take with you Words and turn to the Lord say unto him take away our Iniquity and receive us graciously so with a Deduction from these and the like Scriptures we may happily prove that a set Form of Words invented by our Church or any of us that trade with her Merchandize that this is an Ordinance of God and ought to be practised publickly and privately and is accepted with God although the People have not received the Spirit as they had in the primitive Times and if this will not satisfie then use some prevalent Argument as our reverend Brother and Fellow-merchant with us Mr. Samuel Bolton in the like Case in Hand used this forcible Argument Though you cannot command the Wind said he yet you may spread your Sails and see what such an Argument as this will do but if they will not be content with this as it may be they will not in England Scotland Ireland and Holland and some other Parts who are more quick-sighted then some other Places where we merchandize if we cannot stand it out against them that none can pray to God aright but he that is come to the Spirit and knows by the Signification of it what to ask then let us grant them the thing if we cannot help it if Common-prayer Forms of Prayer will not go off as they use to do amongst our Customers then let us agree to them but let that be the last Shift that without Faith or the Spirit it is impossible to be accepted or heard of God yet before this be granted let us strive as much as in us lyes by forcible Arguments from the Scripture if so be they will not allow the Authority of ancient Fathers nor of our Cannon-Books how that there is a Platform laid down in Scripture and the general Heads of true Prayer are laid down in an Orthodox Method in the Scriptures that is to say Confession Petition Intercession Supplication with giving of Thanks and if this will not stave them off from speaking so much of Prayer by the Spirit and with Understanding for iâ— will be a grievous thing if we let this Ordinance fall of set Form of Prayer which our Mother Mystery Babylon hath allowed so many Years and raâ—â—fied and confirmed in several great Councils as Nice and Lateran and divers others and if nothing will serve them but Prayer by the same Spirit as was in the primitive times before we lose them quite let us grant it them in Words that Prayer by the Spirit
out of the Psalms or any other Scripture as the Minister shall think fit will serve to treat upon Reader thou mayest take notice that here is no notice taken of the holy Ghost or Spirit what it thinks fit but what he that preaches hath ready must go off and counted as fit for that People Direct And in the 36th page your Direction is to the Merchant not to rest in general Doctrine but come to particular Application which is a Work of great difficulty to himself requiring Prudence and Moderation and to the natural corrupt man it will be very unpleasant Answ. The Doctrines and the Applications of the natural corrupt man will not be profitable nor powerful at all upon the Hearers neither will disarm the Thoughts of the Heart at all and you that give Prescriptions to natural corrupt men what to preach who set them about performing the Work of God that know it not are very ignorant for the natural man understands not the things of God and the corrupt man in Heart sees not God and he that understands not the things of God must needs preach a Divination of his own Brain Well let who will take this Traffique the Children of Light will have none of it it may be such Husks as these will satisfie a Herd of Swine and so let them take it Direct And you say He that preaches is to be perswaded in his own Heart that all that he teaches is the Truth and that he is to walk before his Flock as an Example Answ. How is he like to be perswaded in his own Heart that sins presumptuously against the Checks of his own Conscience And you set Examples indeed but they are but bad ones would you have your Flock to follow your Example would you have every one of your Flock to have a long Gown or a long Robe and make them all like Cardinals Princes Would you have every one to have a Ring on his finger and a company of Points at his knees like a Beasom and a company of Ribbons and Cuffs like a Fidler Or would you have any of your Flock to come and fetch away a Yoak of your Oxen or a couple of your Horses or take his Teem and come into your Field break down the Hedges and throw open the Gates and load his Waggon with Corn if one could not pay it him for Conscience sake Or would you be sued up two hundred Miles into a Court for a Tythe Hen worth four Pence or six Pence and thrown into the Fleet a Year or two for four or five Shilling Many such Evidences and Examples we have from you you late Reformers but to the Light in all Consciences I leave to judge which you have presumptuously sinned against what Examples you are to your Flocks Direct And now Reader I come to Prayer after Sermon and thou shalt see what Traffick is there The Ministers are to give thanks for the blessing received as Eleâ—â—ion Vocation Adoption Justification and Hope of Glory and likewise to turn the Heads of his Sermons into some few Petitions and after to pray for the Preparations for Death and to entreat of God to forgive the Iniquity of your holy things Answ. Here Reader thou mayest see as bad Merchandize as the Story of the Lady of Lauretta or the Story of Saint Francis which the begging Fryars your fellow-merchants traffick withal First you give thanks for Election Vocation Justification and Hope of Glory and afterwards pray for the Forgiveness of the Iniquity of your holy things How are your things holy when they are full of Iniquity and sinful Is that which is holy Iniquity and sinful Or is that which is Iniquity and sinful holy Are they Elected Justified Adopted and Sanctified whose Sins are not blotted out whose Iniquities are not forgiven let the wise in Heart judge of this Dream What! are not they well prepared for death that are Elected Adopted Justified and Sanctified but they must needs have your Prayers full of Iniquity will that prepare them better What ignorance is here And where learned you this Article of Faith to turn the Heads of the Sermon into Petitions let the wise Judge Was not Prophesie one thing and Prayer another But now Pâ—â—phesie must be turned into Prayer and Prayer into Prophesie Sermons into Petitions and Petitions into Sermons what mangl'd Traffick is this Direct In the 38th Page Thâ—s kind of Prayer fore-mentioned ended a Psalm may be sung if it be convenient if some other Ordinance doth not follow Answ. Then it seems that your Psalm is no Ordinance but if it be it must give Way however if the Priest think fit God must have no Prayers at that Time it may be sprinckling of an Infant may serve in stead Direct And now I come to the great Ordinance Infants Baptism falsly so called in the 40th Page The Minister is to use some Words touching the Institution how that it was instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ that Infants should be baptized and that it is a Seal of the Covenant of Grace and of our grafting into Christ and of our Union with him and of Remission of Sins Regeneration Adoption and eternal Life Answ. Reader take notice Christ never sent them forth as Ministers to tell Lyes as to say he ordained that which he never did and furthermore take notice that the Spirit of the Lord is turned out of Doors there is no Place for it outward Water with which the Infant is sprinckled hath taken up the Authority and the Work of the Spirit the Minister of Christ declared that the Spirit of Promise and the Spirit of Truth was the Seal of the Covenant of Grace and Remission of Sins Regeneration and Adoption and that the Faith and the Spirit are the Seed of Eternal Life but these Reformers have excluded both and have set up a beggarly Element in the room let the spiritual Man judge what kind of Traffick this is Direct And in Page 42. That Children by Baptism are received into the Bosome of the Church distinguished from the World Answ. Now what Kind of Church yours is and what Kind of a Bosome your Church hath distinct from the World the wise in Heart may judge you have confessed that Magistrates Ministers and the whole Nation do not so much as endeavour after Mortification and a Newness of Life and that you are blind hard-hearted full of Unbelief impenitent secure and luke-warm and have not so much as endeavoured to receive Christ into your Hearts by Faith as in the sixteenth Page of your Directory may be seen and how your Church and the Bosome of it is distinct from the World if your Church be as you have said the understanding may judge for you that are impenitent and full of Unbelief and have not received Christ into your Hearts you are of the World and your Bosome full of Deceit and are none of the Church of Christ. Direct And moreover the Minister that baptized the Infant
a visiâ—le Pâ—litical Ordinance 14. That Baptism is a visible Political Church-Ordinance 15. That to Christ belongs the Prerogative of being the only Politician 16. That there is much Darkness in the Hearts of all Children of Light in this Life pag. 42. Likewise at a Lecture at Boston John Norton taught That the Justice of God is the Armour of the Devil Take a View of thy Doctrines again and be ashamed and blush and repent of thy Deceit and false Doctrines and lying Stories and cease to pervert the Way of the Lord for all this which thou hast waded through will little advantage your Kingdom neither all this Covering which thou hast made will not vindicate your wicked Practices nor shelter you from the Storms and Thunders and Plagues and Terror and Wrath which is to be poured upon all his Enemies and then thy Order from the General Court will stand thee but in little stead when the Terror of God comes upon thee and when the witness of God is awakened in thee to bring all thy Iniquities to Remembrance and thy Deceit that hath been hid to the Light then shalt thou see that thou hast not let thy self only against Man but also against God and his dear Servants whom he hath redeemed by his precious Blood who know a Habitation unto which you cannot reach with your Clubs Whips and Ropes and their Habitation is as the Munition of Rocks their Bread is sure and their Water doth not fail and happy are they who suffer for the Truth 's sake for they shall receive Honour and Glory and Immortality and the Crown of Life which he hath laid up for all them that endure the Cross and despise the Shame which will be given in the Day of his glorious Appearance to them that keep the Word of his Patience and the Word of his Testimony committed to them unto the End London the 12 th Day of the 11 th Moneth 1659. F. H. AN INFORMATION AND ALSO ADVICE TO THE ARMY On both Parts and this present Committee of Safety NEVVLY ERECTED And to the late PARLIAMENT And also to all People who seek Peace and Righteousness and are for the Good Old Cause so much talked on This is presented by him who stands off and from all Self-Interests and Parties and wisheth that the Wisdom of God may guide you all and Division and Destruction may cease F. H. WHat is there not a wise Man among you who seeks not himself but the Good of all that you so blow the Sparks on every Hand and exasperate the Spirits one of another and rather are for Strife then for Healing And would ye have the Fire kindled to rise up in such a great Flame as both to destroy your selves and many innocent People in the Nation What is every one seeking to gratifie his Interests and Party and to satisfie his Will And is there none that seeks that the Will of God may be done in Earth among the Sons of Men that God might once delight to do us good and settle these Nations in Peace and Freedom as men and as Christians I. Consider hath not this been the End which hath been proposed by all good men who have not sought themselves but have ventured all that this might be accomplished which if it had been or were or could be attained unto would be a perfect Recompence and Satisfaction of all and to all who have sought it in their Heart viz. Freedom from Oppression in their Persons and Estates which hath not been by Reason of the many wicked Laws which have been imposed to satisfie the Self-Interests of some particular Men which did imbondage all other Secondly Liberty and Freedom of Conscience in the Exercise of their Consciences to Christ who is God's Anointed according to the Manifestation of his Light and Spirit to them unto whom and before whom all must give an Account and be judged but this hath been hitherto hindered by them who have re-assumed a Power and have usurped Authority to themselves and have made laws to the imbondaging of the dear and precious People of God in these Nations though you have been talking of the Good Old Cause these are not revocated and over-turned by which very many suffer to this Day II. It is not Names Titles Denominations and VVords that we look after and which will effect the Thing proposed which while some have been contending after have let got the Thing in Hand and have lost it and so set up a particular Interest and it clothes it self with the Words and fair Speeches but nothing is brought forth and so by fair Speeches and Flatteries the People have been deceived and cheated III. Should not all Rule and Authority be for the Good and Safety and well-being of a Nation or Common-wealth and not to set up an arbitrary Power in their own Wills to rule in Tyranny and Oppression to satisfie their own to the imbondaging of all the People And when any Power or Authority have deviated or swerved from this they became no other but Tyrants and Oppressors for the Thing intended being lost the Ruler or Rulers rule no more for God neither he account them such whatsoever they may account themselves and therefore hath raised another Thing to overthrow that Power as hath been evident in this Nation in these many Revolutions although that Power which was first in being which was ordained for the End aforesaid being swerved from the thing might say to that which rose up against it That it was Rebellion and Treason and declare it to be such in the Ears of the People as hath been done by divers which is in the Memory of most so that I need not instance when I say it was not so accounted by the Lord and he hath given a Testimony of this by the overthrowing the former and raising up the latter and hath stood by it while it stood in his Counsel IV. Was not Israel governed sometime by Judges sometime by the Elders and sometime by Kings And while they stood in the Counsel of the Lord and the people hearkened to them was not the Lord among them and sometime raised up unlikely Means as to Man's Wisdom as David a Shepherds Boy ' and Gideon a Thresher and he was made a Judge and a Redeemer of Israel out of their Slavery but mind this still while they stood in God's equal Counsel which led to do equally to and for the Good of all according to God's Institution and Appointment then they were blessed but when either Ruler Governour or Governours went from the Power of the Lord in which they only had Authority to rule and to do justly when they went from that and became corrupt in their Minds and Hearts and Blindness came upon them as it is said Blindness happened to Israel through their Unbelief and what was the Effect thereof The Judges judged for Rewards and Gifts the Prophets prophesied for Hire and the Priests divined for Money and the
Plato's and Diogenes's discourses and to omit Seneca because R. I. saith Ambrose hath reckoned him in the Bead-row of Saints it may be with Saint Dominick and Saint Patrick Saint Francis and some other of the Popes Canonizing but however I shall let many of his Envious and frivolous and impertinent Arguments pass as thing of no Validity or worth being they have been Answered over and over by many Hands and all the Fortresses and strong Holds thrown down so that to any Judicious man they will appear to be but Rubbish however R. I. would be gathering together the Rubbish again and would make it appear as goodly a fabrick as he can when indeed there is no thing in it all so thou may'st see Reader in R. I. his Vindication of this Mouldy cankered Ware of Babylon which he would hold up his own Folly Ignorance and Errour made manifest in the ensuing discourse of his Doctrines and most of his Principles thou may view and see which I have taken up and answer'd and his Confusion and Blindness thou mayst see and also view the Spirits that acts this Man and how this man is like to Convince any who hath not Power over his Tongue but lets it run to utter forth the deceit that proceeds out of his own corrupt Heart thinking thereby to blind Peoples Eyes that they should not see how Ignorant and Light vain and Treacherous these Priests are who would monopolize all into their own Hand nay though God commanded and move by his Spirit yet this must not speak nor declare the mind of God except these Priests will allow of it in whom the Welfare of all People lies if thou wilt believe R. I. in the 11 page of his Book yet if these count it disorderly for any to speak as h1 hath received of the Lord from his Spirit it must go for such and be accounted such as disorderly In the Epistle to the Reader R. I. saith such Schiâ—maticks as these Quakers have torn the Church in Pieces and its Authority condemned and the Ministry slighted and false Religion advanced Answ. It seems that the Church that R. I. is of is none of the true Church which is built upon the Rock Christ which the Gates of Hell prevaileth not aâ—ainst neither any weapon that is formed against it can prosper but R. I. his Church is torn in pieces and may be prevailed against sure it is but Babylon whose Stones must be scattered and whose Building must be thrown down it is but the Whâ—râ—s Aâ—â—re that is sending off that her Nakedness may appear and her Deceit made manifest and the Authority which is condemned and reproved is no Authâ—rity but the Authority of the Beast upon which the false Church hath riden and hath câ—lled it by the Name of the higher Power and the Ministry is but such as traffick with the Whore's Sorceries by which she hath deceived the Nations and this indeed and those Ministers indeed are slighted by us because we know him who is the Minister of the everlâ—sting Covenant whose Spirit is manifest according to his Promise to lead his People into all Truth and so the Religion which standeth only in the Traditions of Men and in Idolatry such things as R. I. goeth about to maintain as Images Crosses and Piâ—â—ures Mass-houses Hireling Prâ—â—sts Popish Tythes and Pâ—pish Ceremonies which R. I. so much pleads for all these are slighted as not to be consistant with the true Religion or the true Church of Christ. Yet nevertheless saith R. I. in his Epistle I have adventured voluntarily to side with those that contend for the Truth agaâ—nst the Quakers and yet in the same Epistle saith He was moved of the Lord thus to declare Answ. What Confusion and Lying and Blasphemy is here hath R. I. adventured voluntarily in his own Wilfulness and Perversness to take part with those Contenders against the Truth in which the Quakers live and worship and God must be made the Author of this and all the Heap of Lyes and Confusion which is declared and uttered forth in his Ignis fatuus which if no more were said then hath been were answer enough unto his railing Discourse and yet what Impudency this Man hath to say he was moved of the Lord when as he hath confest he hath voluntarily took part with the Contenders so that it is manifest to all reasonable men who set thee on work and whose Work thou hast been doing for which thou shalt be sure to receive a Reward in the mighty Day of the Lord. And R. I. saith Forasmuch as their counterfeit Coin hath been offered to me for good Sâ—lver I thought it fit to nail it to the Market pâ—st that it might not decieve others and instead thereof I have here made a tender of other Money viz. this ensuing Treatise which I doubt not but it may pass with Truth 's approbation Answ. That which R. I. calls counterfeit Coin was made publick by our selves and it hath been and shall be received by them that know God's Image and the inscription of the Spirit and though R. I. hath denyed it when it was proffered to him the Value and Worth of that which hath been proffered to him is no worse For though a Price be put into the Hand of a Fool he regards it not And now Reader thou shalt see what kind of Coin he hath tendered and how thou judgest it may pass with Truth 's Approbation as hereafter will be made manifest in his further Discourse Wherefore Reader saith R. I. Have not so great Regard to the Authority of the writer as the Truth of the Matter written by him who was moved of the Lord as thâ— to declare against those who are Adversaries to Truth Answ. Indeed the Authority of a writer or of that which is written is of no great moment seeing he is but one of Anti-Christ's Voluntiers who hath not only belyed them that feared the Lord but also hath uttered forth many damnable Doctrines and yet would fasten all these upon the Lord so that his Deceit might be of more Authority and none might question the matter thereof because the Lord alwayes moveth to Truth and Righteousness and so R. I. is one of them that hath taken the Name of the Lord in vain which will not be holden guiltless but will be found guilty when the Searcher of all Hearts shall make all things manifest And then R. I. further saith That sprinkling of Infants is commanded by the Scrptures and is a Seal of the Covenant and Baptism of Infâ—nts is that which answers to Circumcision for Mortification of the Flesh and Remission of Sins and Admission into the Church are sealed unto Infants by sprinkling or that which R. I. calleth baptizing I say Baptism of infants is a Popish-Tradition as hath been proved by divers so that of it I need not say much but where it is commanded in the Scripture as R. I. saith Coll. 2.11 12. is but a
then how is it that R. I. would straiten or lessen the effusion thereof under the Gospel for there were Daughters that prophesied under the Law and many Sons that spoke by the Spirit of God but now all must be confined to the Letter and your Pastors now have far less of the Spirit if any at all who speak from the Strength of natural Parts and deny the unerring Spirit and so shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against Men. And R. I. is so grieved at this infallible Spirit or this Spirit of Prophecy that he cannot endure that a Daughter should prophesie or speak by the Spirit of God in the Assembly of the Saints and the main stress of his or their Argument is 1 Cor. 14.34 Let your Women keep Silence in the Church for it is not permitted for them to speak and if any Woman speaks in the Church it contradicts the Spirit and though they have a Gift they ought not to improve it in a disorderly Way Aosw That which hath been said in this particular unto E. D. is sufficient to them whose Eyes God hath opened but this R. I is one of the Evil Beasts that the Apostle speaks of whose Mouth must be stopt And so I further say that the Apostle writ to the Church of Corinth which were Believers which few will deny but that it consisted both of Men and Women and he expresly saith Ye may all prophesie one by one and furthermore if a Woman prophesie with her Head uncovered dishonoureth her Head so that it is manifest that there were Women did prophesie and also laboured in the Gospel but saith R. I. That was but in a private Way or amongst some few this had been lawful or orderly in R. I. his account and if she might speak to two or three or twice two or three it may be as there is in many houses is not this called a Church and doth not Christ say Where two or three are gathered together in my Name I will be in the midst of them Moreover was not that a Church which was in Aquilla and Priscilla's House 1 Cor. 16.19 and was not Priscilla a Daughter that did prophesie What must Priscilla go out of her House in which was the Church if she had any thing to speak by the Spirit was it lawful to speak without doors and not in the House and if she might speak in her House then she spoke in the Church and R. I. would have said she contradicted the Spirit of God and is not Christ one in the Male and in the Female and is not male and female both one in Christ Jesus is Christ's Power the Spirit 's Authority any whit less efficacious or powerful when he speaks in the female or is it the Sex only that addeth or diminisheth from the authority of the Spirit thou ignorant man who art void of the Knowledge of God was not Mary a Woman and did not she preach Christ's Resurrection to the Disciples and were not they the church but this it is like will not satisfie R. I. his unreasonable mind who doth not believe that a woman may prophesie or speak in the church for this would contradict Paul's saying not at all I grant Paul's words to be true this was spoke occasionally to one church concerning them that were unlearn'd untaught of the Spirit that usurped Authority over the man and such as were disorderly whose Spirit was not subject to the Prophet and what must this be a binding Example as to quench the Spirit and limit the Lord from Generation to Generation as to bind or limit them who are in subjection to their Husband and who usurped not Authority for it is one thing to have Authority and another thing to usurp Authority now they that are come to feel the Power of God and thereby be moved to speak the Power gives her Authority to speak but she that is not in the Power neither doth feel the Motion of the Spirit such a one Usurps Authority and is unlearned and such and they only were prohibited by Paul and no other for if it had been extended unto all then the Women before mentioned had been Transgressors and likewise further for the satisfaction of all Anna a Prophetess the Daughter of Phanuel of the Tribe of 〈…〉 coming into the Temple gave thanks unto the Lord and spake of Christ unto all them that looked for Redemption in Jerusalem and that was in a publick Place and in a publick Congregation Luke 2.36 37 38. And last of all if E. D. and R. I. will not confess that the Meeting near Cond in which the Women spake was a Church which F. H. justifies then E. D. and R. I. have lost their Cause and wrangled about nothing and the thing proved against them both viz. That a Woman declaring speaking or prophesying by the Spirit of the Lord and in the Authority of God is a lawful and a commendable and a justifiable Act in the Sight of God and all the Children of Light and therefore cease your foolish clamour and let no such ignorant stuff come in Print again lest your Folly be more and more made manifest and the Stone fall upon you which will grind you to Powder The next thing which R. I. quarrels about is a Lye which Ed. Dod asserted that some of the Quakers should say they were equal with God unto which F. H. replied and said he that hath the Spirit of God is in that which is equal and he that is joyned to the Lord is one Spirit there is Unity and that Unity stands in Equality and these Expressions saith R. I. offer Violence to God and his Glory Answ. This R. I. is so in Love with the Spirit of Error for he hath denyed the infallible Spirit and is in such Love with an unequal Spirit that he cannot endure to hear that any should be joyned to the Lord in an equal Spirit and so quarrels with plain Scripture and saith it doth Violence to the Majesty of God the Spirit of the Father and the Spirit of Truth is an equal Spirit and they that are led by it and are in it are in that which is Equal and so are joyned to the Lord and are nearly related to him but that I said or any other that the Creature is Equal to the Creator in Power or in Glory is false and a Lye and let E. D. and R. I. know that Lyars are for the Lake R I. saith Chrâ—st is glorified in 〈◊〉 human Nature and human Nature and Flesh may be understood â—f the regenerate Part and human Nature may be understood both of Soul and Body and this may confute F. H. that doth contend against human Nature and goes and tells another lye as every pâ—ge is filled with some and saith F. H. saith Christ hath no real Body Answ. This man speaks out of thick Darkness and intrudes into those things he hath not seen being vainly puft up in his fleshly mind
none effect by your Traditions and as for Rom. 10.8 The Word is nigh thee in thy Mouth and in thy Heart and this is the Word of Faith which we preach here the Apostle saith the word is nigh thee in thy Heart but he doth not say the Scriptures is nigh thee in thy Heart which is the Word of God And 2 Cor. 2.17 For we are not as many which corrupt the Word of God he doth not say we are not as many that corrupt the Scriptures which are the Word of God or the Word of God which is the Scriptures And as for 1 Pet. 1.25 But the Word of the Lâ—rd endures forever and this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto yâ—u he doth not say the Scriptures endures forever or this is the Word the Scriptures which by the Gospel is preached unto you And as for 1 Thes. 4.15 For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord that we whâ—ch ar◠〈◊〉 and remain unto the coming of the Lord shâ—ll not prevent them which are asleep he did not say this we say unto you by the Scriptures for there was not such a Scripture written before and therefore we sâ—y this unto you by the Word of the Lord And what a foolish Mâ—n is this to assert his own Imaginations and then imagines the Scriptures will prove it and what â—n improper speech were this to call twenty â—housâ—â—d Sentences one word and it is called a Declaration and what a Declâ—â—ation would that be thâ—t consisteth but of one word but enough of this hath been published before concerning the particular by divers hands so I shall be brief however R. I doubts his proof already that it will not satisfie F. H. and therefore he thought good to make this Conclusion upon him That he doth not believe the Scripture at all and though F. H say that these Sciptures are nothing at all to prove that thing to deny his Imaginations is not to deny the Scripture but F. H. believes what the Scriptures say of themselves and doth not deny the Scriptures at all but R. I. his Lye and also his false Conclusion And further saith R. I. The Scripture was delivered to the Church in writing that it might be an infallible Standard of true Dâ—ctrine and a determiner of Controversies and the Saints rule of knowing God and living to him Answer Reader take notice here is no room for the Spirit at all the Scriptures and writings have taken up the room of it in R. I. his account for it hath lost its Office if his Doctrine be true the Letter is become the infallible Judge and standard to try Doctrine and a Determiner of all controversies and of the Saints Rule of knowing God and living to him and indeed is become all in this man's Account then what doth R. I. bring Esop's Fables Oviâ—'s fictions Plato's and Diogenes Stories in this Controversie to joyne with this infallible rule and because he hath the Scriptures so high to be a tryer of Doctrines without the Spirit doubtless is the Cause here is no mention made of it and so he shall be Judged by his Rule in the 42th page take his Exposition upon the Words of Joel I will pour out of my Spirit upon Sons and Daughters and they shall Prophesie This is not meant of a ghostly Power but of an extraordinary measure of enlighting Grace Ignorant man is not Ghostly Power or spiritual Power an Extraordinary measure of enlightning Grace and was it not a spiritual Power and an extraordinary Light the Prophets Prophesied by But it is this Mans meaning that must be the Standard when all comes to all and the Determiner of Cases and he speaks contrary unto his own Rule as may be seen through his whole Book who hath either added to the Scriptures or perverted them or otherwise given his false Interpretations or Villified them in calling them the True Cards and so though he extolled them in Words he denyes them in Practice The Jews tryed Christ's Doctrine by the Scriptures and â—udged him a Blasphemer and a breaker of the Law and the Apostles Seditious and so though a man have the Scripture and have not the Spirit it is all as a sealed Book wherein such Unlearned men as this R. I is cannot read and therefore he saith in his 55th page That it is a great fault in us because we say the Law of the Spirit of Life is the Rule and so like him will not say it is imperfect as he doth and so saith R. I. it is not fit to be a rule so Blasphemously he detracts from the Authority and Power of the Spirit and like Anti-christ and his Ministers sets the Letter above it and calls it Living and an infallible standard and saith Thâ— Scripture inclines the Heart unto obedience and like a Drunken man this R I. reels up and down and contradicts himself Before he said The Law of the Spirit chiefly gave Power to conform to the Rule and wiâ—hin four Liâ—â—s Contradicts himself and saith The Scriptures incline our Hearts to the Oâ—edience of the Rule and the Scripâ—ures it self hath caused us to know it as we have it from the Church it is a probable aid and yet giveth but a confused Belief with a light Impression Answ. It is probable enough indeed that thy Faith is confused and the Faith of your Church and that makes thee utter forth all this confused Heap but in what hath been said the Spirit of this man and his Doctrines will be manifest to all whose Eyes God hath opened and so will depart out of his Paths and not give heed to his fabulous Stories It is true saith R. I. There iâ— an inward Law written in our Hearts called the Law of the Spirit of Life Rom. 8.2 And there is the outward Law written in the Scriptures now the outward and external Law is properly the rule of a christian Life and not the inward and internal Law for the outward is perfect in that it declares in what is the Will of God and in what it is not but the inward Law received and written on the Heart is imperfect and therefore unfit to be our rule the Law within is that thing that is to be ruled Psal. 17.4 The outward Law is therefore the rule Answ. This Man would set the sun by his Dial as it might be said although he confess in the very same page that the Law of the spirit of Life giveth Power to the Creature yet now it is become imperfect and not fit to be a rule this man like one unlearned sets the Law which was written in Tables of stone which the Apostle calls the Ministration of Condemnation and was glorious this he sets above the Ministration of the spirit of Life which the Apostle saith is much more glorious but nay saith R. I. the Law written in the Heart is iâ—perfect and not fit to be a rule but to be ruled contrary to
helpers in the Work of the Gospel and all that were ordained were ordained by the holy Ghost although it is true they had the consent of the Brethren and the church in that thing and there were also Deacons ordained which served to look to the Widows and for the Ministration of the poor and these were faithful men and had also a Gift Stephen was one full of the holy Ghost and these were helps unto the Apostles also there were some faithful Widows who were Examples to the younger Women and to instruct them and to be Patterns unto them and were as a Body knit together in Love and served the Lord and strengthned one another in the Faith and served one another in Love and all these forementioned served the Lord freely and willingly and not for Rewards and Gifts and Benefices and earthly things â—n short this was the State and Glory of the church in that time and these are the Minâ—sters we read of in the primitive times But since the Apostacy hath entred in and the power of Godlinesâ— hath been denyed there is such a numberless number of Names crept in we never heard of them and so many Offices and yet none of that Work done which the ministers of Christ did but certain new invented things â—rought in for Worship and Service and the Power despised and men seeking Offices and great Titles and great Benefits and great Revenues and the Heritage of God is laid waste and the Earth become like a Wilderness unplanted with good and the Sheep and scattered And so all may compare these ensuing Names and Offices with the Apostles dayes and the primitive Church and see if they be alike First of all the Pope his Holiness Christ's Vicar Universal Bishop Metropolitane Bishop Lord Cardinals which were but Priests at the first ordained to baptize the Heathen who came to Rome when the Seat thereof began to be had in Honour but now they are swelled big and become Princes and the only Men to govern States also Monks of divers Orders and Fryars of divers Orders Hierom's order of Austin's Order Gregory's order Carmalite Fryars Cross or Crouchet Fryars of Dominiâ—â—s order of St. Francis's order Bennet's order and all of these orders sprâ—â—g up and were ordained in the midnight of darkness within this four hundred Years at the most as were easily proved and Trinity order and Brigandine order of Jesuites and Hermits and Anthony's order and Clunisencies order and Nuns sprung up first of one St. Clara one order then Brigidia a widow to the time of Urban the fifth in the Year 1370. And all these kind of orders were destitute of the true order of the primitive Church and their Service was appointed by them that ordained them and these practised the patched Inventions that were given them for Worship which have not concord with the primitive Doctrine but borrowed from the Jews or Heathen all these kind of Offices and Officers have been acting their parts this many years and have led People into superstitious Blindness and further from the Lord then ever But to come to the reformed Churches so called and there is so many Officers and Names but few that do accord with the Apostles times either in Name or Nature as Metropolitan-Bishops Arch-Bishops Lord-Bishops we heard not of Lord Timothy or Lord Titus Bishops before mentioned but to come on to other orders Arch-Deacons Deans and Chapters Preâ—enâ—â— and these must attend on some old superstitious Buildings call'd Cathedrals or Minsters and there perform a Service somewhat like the former and these are enjoyned their Service like the Levites and Priests of old by turns and course as once in a moneth or two it may be and have a hundred or two hundred pounds in the year for the same and hardly stir from thence till they dye except some greater advance offer it self also Commâ—ssaries Procters and Apparetors and these are subsâ—rvient to the former then Chancellors Vice-chancellors Doctors of Divinity Batâ—hellâ—rs of Divintty Doctors of Art Masters of Art Batchellors of Art Graduates Under-Graduates and these belong to the former then Prelates Parsins Vicars Priests Curates and Church-Wardens all which Titles and Names and Officers if they be but compared with the Scripture there will be hardly any parallel either concerning Office Work or Doctrine And notwithstanding all these Orders and Sorts who are fitted by humane Learning or natural Study though divers years exercised therein are not skilled in the Word of Righteousness neither have the Tongue of the learned to administer a Word in Season to the weary nor to turn the Sinner from his Sins and thus the Form of things Titles and Names are holden up but who seek after the Power of God or to be made able Ministers of the Spirit Litteral Ministers enough while maintenance lasts but the Ministâ—â—tion of the Spirit few are acquainted with and if there be any such it is well if he be not persecuted so in that which I have said the understanding will see that there hath been a great Apostacy since the Apostles dâ—yes in the Ministry in Doctrine in Worship and Practice divers of which I have touched upon to the Intent that they that enquire after the Lord may depart out of the midst of Ignorance and come to worship Gâ—d in Spirit and Truth and in the Temple made without hands and be joyned to the Church which is in God which the Gates of Hell prevail not against though many will claim Authority from the Apostles few will own their Life neither walk after their Example so take but a few more Institutions which are called Apostolick to this Day among them called Christian Churches Cletus the third Bishop of Rome was the first that wrote this Title that is Greeting and Apostolick blessing he ordained the order of Priesthood Everastus the fifth Bishop of Rome ordained that Priests should be honoured and that they should be shaven Alexander the sixth Bishop of Rome ordained that Matrimony should be only solemnized and that the married should be blessed with the Priest there was the beginning of being married by Priests Sixtus about the year 114. after Christ the seventh Bishop of Rome ordained holy water and ordered that it should be strowed abroad in christian Houses and when the People met to worship Telesphorus the eight Bishop of Rome ordained that the communion should be laid upon an Altar and that lay-People should not touch the holy Vessels nor the holy Garments of the Priests he ordained Lent which was to be kept by the Clergy in the year one hundred forty two Higinus the nineth Bishop ordained the Communion to be celebrated three times at Christmas and that Lent should be fasted Pius about the year 147. after Christ the tenth Bishop ordained that chrisme should be ministred as baptism and that children should have God-fathers and God-mothers here was the beginning of this great Ordinance and he ordained that Easter-day should be kept on
of Evil thoughts and Transgressors of the Law and are guilty of all Marlorat out of Luther and Calvin saith upon this place To respect Persons here is to have regard unto the outward Habit garb and attire and accordingly to esteem or undervalue him love or dread him and that such respect of Persons is repugnant unto true Faith and is inconsistent wiâ—h it and concludes that none ought to be Honoured upon the account of Riches But this Generation of Hypocrites are gone further into Transgression of the Law into honouring or disesteeming of Men because of their Cloaths or habit a Gold Ring a gay Cloak a Fan or a Feather are become the only cogniscance or badge of honourable Persons in this Age among Professors but it was not so in the Dayes of old but Modesty Gravity Sobriety Temperance Humility were the tokens of one truly Honourable Jerom writing to a great Person in the World named Colentia directing her how to live in the midst of her Riches and honour saith thus Heed not your Nobility nor do ye thereupon take place of any repute not them who are of a lower extraction to be your inferiors Our Religion admits no respect of Persons nor did it lead us to value the outward condition of Men but their inward frame of Spirit it is hereby that we pronounce men Noble and base with God not to serve Sin is to be free and to Excell in virtue is to be Noble Bâ—sides it is Folly for any to boast of Gentility since all are equally esteemed by God nâ—r is it material in what Estate a man is born the new Creature hath no distinctions Or was this the Doctrine of one single Person alone for Paulinius Bishop of Nola reproved Sulpitius Severus for writing himself in the Title of a Letter to Paulinius your Servant he saith In the Title of my Letter I have not imitated your excellent Brother-hood because I thought it more secure to write Truth Take heed hereafter how you being from a Servant called out unto Liberty do Subscribe your self Servant unto one who is your Brother and fellow-Servant for it is a sinful flattery not a Testimony of Humility to pay thâ—se Honours unto a man which are due to the one Lord one Master one Gâ—d So this is no new Doctrine to deny respecting of Persons and flattering Titles and Complements although it seem strange to this Generation in whom the corruptible part is exalted and that which is below the Truth and the Power of God elevated in their minds which despised the Honour which is from above and the Humility and lowliness of the Saints and their plainness and Innocency But all that come unto Christ and do bâ—lieve in him and follow him for their Example will come out all these vain complemental flattering titles and respecting of Persons and will give all Honour and Glory and Reverence unto him alone unto whom it is due and respect him who is their Life and have a respect unto all his Commandments and unto that which leads out of the Vanity of the World and to the Beginning again before deceit Pride and flattery had a Being in the pure Innocency and Uprightness where Truth is spoken from the Heart without flattery and dissimulation in all plainness CHAP. XX. Universities and Schools of Natural Learning were of no use as to the making of Ministers of Christ in the Primitive times but a thing introduced and brought in in latter Ages by the Apostates who had erred from the Spirit who then admired and set up natural Languages and Philosophy that thereby they might be furnished to make discourses Speeches and Sermons to get Money by and as they are holden up at this day are made an absolute Iâ—ol and as to their Practice it 's generally known to be prophane and no way meet to advance the Church of Christ. CHrist Jesus the everlasting High Priest and Minister of the Tabernacle when he was manifest in the fulness of time to fulfil the work which was given him to do of the Father he chused unto him twelve Disciples which believed in him Men who were not brought up at Universities neither had studied Philosophy nor natural Tongues but some Fisher-men and such as were illiterate to be Ministers of the glad-tidings of the Gospel of Peace to the Nations and their ability stood in the Spirit where the ability of all the Ministers of Christ now standeth viz. not in the Letter not in Philosophy not in natural Languages not in Grammar and Musick but in the Spirit which qualified them and from whence they received abilities to declare the Word of Righteousness and by it they had skill to divide it aright and to give every one their Portion and minister to every one suitable to their State in which they were and they were skilled in the Word of Righteousness and many did believe through their testimony though they had not the Wisdom that was from below nor much read in natural Languages and some not learned at all yet they wanted not Wisdom and utterance and Words meet and suitable to declare and Demonstrate the Heavenly mind of Christ although it is true many of the Jews learned Rabbies opposed them and set them at nought the Philosophers Stoicks and Epicures resisted yet they desired not to be approved in that Wisdom which man teacheth but in the Wisdom which is from above which the natural Man with all his natural Parts doth not understand and Natural men with their natural Parts despise the simplicity of the Gospel and they seek Qualifications which the Lord never sought and such will not heed the Qualifications which are laid down by them that were Ministers of Christ for they that had received the Spirit and were made Ministers by it were qualified by it and their holy Conversation preacht unto others they were vigilant they were watchful they were Sobâ—r they were in Temptations and tryals but their Lives were of good report no covetous Persons seekers for their Gain from their Quarters no Lords over mens Faith no Masters over mens Consciences but were Servants unto all for Christ's sake not like the Ministers in these dayes who will assume the Office but have not received the gift of God neither are so qualified or fitted as they were who had no Universities nor Schools of Learning and these are they that cry up nâ—tâ—ral Tongues and Languages as the chief Abilities of a Minister of Christ aâ—d that none are fit to dispence the Word of God but such who are 〈◊〉 up and educated in these things and such in former Dayes despised the â—ross of Christ and the Simplicity of the Gospel and set up Tongues above it and so do they now But let us consider whether soon after the Primitive times they had any such Universities or seven Years prentiships as they have now or whether it was their Practice to be Studying these things which be but Natural and whether they did
Forms by number and Tale they are as much Idiots as the rest are who know not the Spirit to pray by And so this is no Authority to prove your Practice Apostolical and holy as for variety of Prayers and Worships it delighteth the carnal mind indeed but they that worship God in Spirit and Truth they Pray by the Spirit and in it as David and Christ prayed whether seven times five times or three times and with understanding and that which they prayed in was not various but one and it 's by that one Spirit which is not various by which the Sons of God cry Abba Father and the variety of your formed charms Bablings upon your Beads God hath no regard unto but is a Smoke in his Nostrills all day And they that have exercised themselves in these things have not the Witness of God in their own consciences that they are accepted of God and so I shall proceed to another Doctrine called Apostolical and Holy and that is about Meats whether they may be lawfully eaten at all time The Author confesseth they forbid certain kinds of Meats but it is but aâ— certain times and they are forbidden not as they are Evil and the Creatures of God but because they are forbidden by the Church and his proof is the Apple which Eve and Adam eat was not Evil in it self but being prohibited so to eat that which is good of it self is not ill but to eat contrary to the Superiors mind and order this is Evil. The Bible and Scriptures ought not to be read but leave is to be asked of the Superior because there are many hard Passages which they which have little or no learning as Peter testifies in hâ—s second Epistle chap. 3. some â—nderstands it one way and some another and therefore it is the fittest for Learned men to judge of them and they must judge whether People be in a capacity to read them Answ. And why are Meats forbidden aâ— certain â—imes is this like Apostolick Doctrine are not all Times and Seasons in the Hand of the Lord and are all good to them that believe and to the pure all Things are pure all Times and Seasons all Meats and Drinks being sanctified by the Word which made them all holy unto all that do believe And if you forbid them not as they are Creatures of God but because they are forbidden I say who did forbid them or when were they forbidden by Christ his Apostles or the true Church of Christ in their Dâ—y but on the contrary Christ taught That which goeth in at the Mouth and â—n at the Belly doth not defile the Man but that which proceedeth out of the Heart which is corrupted And Paul said What is sold at the Shambles may be eaten and no Question made for Conscience sake for to the clean all Things are clean and to the believing all Things are pure and who hath limited such Meats for such Dayes and such Times the true Church No but the Church of Rome â—ho are going on in that Doctrine the Apostle spoke of 1 Tim. 4. which he reckoned a Doctrine of Devils but here is your Argument that must bring you off because you forbid it not at all Times I say if it be a Doctrine of Devils to forbid at all Times then it is some Part of the Doctrine of Devils to forbid at any Time seeing Time and Things are all good in the Hâ—nd of the Lord but if this Doctrine should hold what would become of your Dog-dayes and of your Lent which has been patched up Week by Week by divers Popes and of your Wednesday Friday and Saturday Fast so by this Account of yours half of the Year is either unholy or else some Meat is unholy for half of the Year but there are few but see your Blindness that in this much need not be said but only thus that which may lawful in it self when it is prohibited by the Lord unto any particular then it becomes evil for whatsoever is not of Faith is Sin But Christ alone unto whom all Power is committed hath the sole Power over the Heart and Conscience and for any to make Injunctions and Prohibitions contrary to him the same is Anti-christ and so the Practice which your Church commands is not Apostolical but you bring Yoaks upon the true Disciples Necks which they that are made free by the Son cannot stoop unto neither joyn with for whosoever doth goes into Bondage And Christ is the supream Power unto whom all Power is committed and when he justifies what superior can condemn And there is no need of asking leave of them that are Superiors which reckon themselves as so seeing every man stands clear in the Sight of God when he transgresses not against the Supream Law of Christ in his Conscience and to offend any Superiors who lay any Injunction contrary to the Command of God is not to offend God neither to break his Command 2 dly It seems all Parts of Religion are monopolized by Mystery-Babylon in which Rome is comprized not only Patents and Pardons sold for eating of Meat but Authority and License must be given to every one that reâ—ds Scripture a Thing which the Apostolick Church before the Pope had a Being knew nothing of but on the contrary some were exhorted to read the Scriptures and some were commended for reading of the Scriptures and for searching whether the Things were so as Paul testified and in this they were counted more Noble then they â—t Thessalonica but now it is become an ignoble Thing and not at all to be 〈◊〉 to read the Scriptures without Patent or Licence in the Church of Rome's Account who have laid down Ignorance to be the Mother of Devotion but the Danger is because there are hard Passages which are not understood when the People have little or no Learning as the Author saith was it for Want of natural Learning that Peter complained they wrested the Scriptures and therefore is it for Want of Natural Learning that the Scriptures are not understood and for Want of this they must not be read as the Author saith Ignorant Man what was Peter such a great learned Man a poor Boat-man of Fisher-man whom the Scripture saith was illiterate in the Acts When they beheld Peter and John and that they were illiterate Men and saw their Boldness and took Notice they had been with Jesus What! was it Want of Natural Learning that Peter spoke of then he spoke against himself for he was illiterate but it was such a Learning that they wanted as this Author wants who is untaught by the Spirit and unlearned in the Doctrine of Christ and such wrest the Scriptures and do not understand hard Sayings because the deep Things of God are revealed through the Spirit of God and not by natural Learning as this Author who would sell Licences and Pardons for reading the Scriptures as they have done for eating Flesh in Lent but a Story
Good and mind not only one Member but the whole Body heed not them that draw back that is no President for you to follow but them that press forward and are not offended in the time of Hardship heed not them thâ—t will tell you they can keep their Hearts upright to God and retain their Love to Truth and Friends and yet will not afford their Presence in your Assemblies but escape Suffering and deny the Cross and neglect their present Duty for that is Deceit and their own Hearts will deceive them put not off till to morrow defer not the time till you can see some more Ease and some greater Calm beware of that for then Coldness Fearfulness and Slavishness will enter in and you will lose your Strength Moreover if any have begun well and be perswaded of the Truth of that they have believed and continue not unto the End and do not finish such will be reckoned foolish Builders that could not finish and all will mock them and neither God nor Men can or will believe them but our Adversaries will glory over you Again when any suffer or are brought into Bonds for Christ and the Gospel sake seek not to get out by any indirect Means neither make any Covenant with thy Adversary who would sell both thee and all Faith and Hope for Money that encourages Deceit and that Spirit would buy it self out of the Service of God and grow weary give no Place to that be content every one with your present Condition till God arise and plead our Cause and make our Innocency and Righteousness appear as Noon day and make his Adversaries his Foot-stâ—ol which undoubtedly he will do and make all know the most high ought to rule and will rule in the Kingdoms of Men and not give his Glory to another neither suffer another to take it be conformable to none that go about under Pretence of Love to perswade or counsel you from your Duty to God neither submit to them that would betray you of your Peace heed not the Frowns of corrupt Men nor the Counsel of them who mind their own Bellies Pleasure Ease Profit and earthly things let not natural Affections and Love either to Lands Wife or Children blind your Eyes but love them and receive them in the Lord and enjoy them as though not stand loose from all things and out of all Entanglements and cast your Care upon the Lord who careth for the Fatherless and the Widdow and them that have no Helper in Earth give no Occasion or Advantage to any that would turn your Hearts aside from following the Lord left their Love betray you give up all you have and enjoy to the Lord and his Service and your Souls Bodies and Spirits as a Sacrifice unto the Lord that he may accept you and pour forth and continue his Blessing amongst you never heed the Threats of them that are as the Oaks of Bashan nor of the great Men of the Earth that mind their Pleasure and Lusts who shut you up in Prison and hale you before Judgment-Seats for the Worship of God and falsly accuse you and condemn you when God justifies you the Moth shall eâ—t them up as a Garment and stain the Glory of all Flesh that withstand the Lord and they shall melt away as Snails and as the Fat of Lambs and as the Kidneys of Rams and God will bring the Recompence of their own Deeds upon their own Pates and wound the hoary Scalp of every one that doth wickedly who toucheth God's anointed and doth Harm to his Prophets and persecutes his Children surely Judgment is not far from the Dwellings of them who have requited the Lord thus as to render him Evil for Good and God will be avenged on such a faâ—thless merciless perfidious People as this and of such a Spirit which rejoyceth in Iniquity and makes a Mock of Sin and hates all Reproof and would clock over all Mischiefs with the Name of pure Laws and Authority and Decrees of the holy Church and yet persecutes and gainsayes the highest Power of God in things spiritual that pertain to the Conscience The Beast and false Prophet and Mother of Harlots have joyned together and flatter one another and joyn their Strength together against the true Church and Heir of all the World and would under Pretence of doing Honour unto him shut him out of the Earth and kill his Subjects and destroy the Children of the free Woman under Pretence of suppressing Heresie turn Judgment into Gall Hemlock and Wormwood and instead of relieving the Oppressed add to their Burthen Friends dwell above all these things and the Devil and his Rage the Earth is the Lord's and the Fulness of it we cannot be banished from God's Presence neither shall they fulfil their Determination or ever be able to root out that Testimony which is among us for Princes shall be given for its Ransome and Kingdoms and Nations for its Prosperity The God of Power strengthen you all that you may quit your selves like men of God like Children of the most high whose Inheritance is not here in the World but in the Kingdom that fades not away The Lord God of Power be with you and make you consider what I say and to receive this my true Love unto you all for the Lord's sake who partakes with all the suffering Members of Christ in their Bonds and shall and can rejoyce in all your Comfort and Joy The Peace of God dwell in your Hearts and his heavenly Light shine upon all your Tabernacles that you may be as beautiful in the Eyes of the Lord as the Roses of Sharon and blossom as the Lillies of the Valley and yield your Fruit as the Fig-tree that casteth not his Fruit The Lord takes our Part let none doubt of that and pleads our Cause let all consider that our Enemies shall see it and be troubled at this and time shall manifest it therefore be of believing Hearts and trust in the Lord so shall you never be confounded neither be ashamed but be as Mount Sion that cannot be moved and as the Mountains are round about Jerusalem so shall the Mercies of the Lord compass you about from this time forth and forevermore Friends Faith is sealed in my Heart and Love in my Reins and Gladness in my Soul and Peace in my Conscience so that none doth or can hinder my rejoycing praised be the Lord forever and ever Amen The Lord's Servant and yours in all true unfeigned pure Love F. H. THE TRUE Rule Judge and Guide OF THE TRUE CHURCH OF GOD DISCOVERED AND Born Testimony unto what it is and wherein it consisteth In Opposition to the pretended Catholick Church of ROME her Rule Foundation Guide and Judge Being returned in Answer to Captain Robert Everad his Book tituled An Epistle to all Non-conformists wherein his main Reasons Grounds and Allegations laid down in his Book are examined and discoursed with wherein the Faith once
Vail of Pride and folly hung between his Eyes which appears to hang there yet for any thing I can see having condemned himself and also repented as he saith for being in the head of a Troop of the Rebellious Army a Captain and yet after Conversion and Illumination and Repentance as he saith Subscribes himself Captain Robert Everard argues both Pride and Folly and gives but a small shew of Repentance but rather Argues feignedness and flattery and him to be a time-server and a man-pleaser And whether he intend by his Epistle to all the Non-conformists to the Church of England or all the Non-conformists to the Church of Rome is doubtful for then the Church of England hath to conform in part as wel as others though I believe the Church of Rome will claim a good part of her Discipline to be theirs only it wants the formality of Language somthing might largely be spoken as in return of Answer to the things contained in the said Book but that it may be supposed some of those People with whom he hath formerly conversed which he now calumniates wiâ—h notorious Error will not receive his Epistle as an infallible and Heavenly Oracle but rather will return him some publick Answer for the Vindicating of their own Principles and also shewing him his Weakness how soon he was turned aside with and for a thing of nought and also that he should be so bold as to turn in a moment their Instructer Teacher when he hath but newly learned within a Year or two the Principles of his own Religion which he saith he adores God in and so is but a novis and unskilfull in the word of Righteousness though his Web be very long of Linsie Woolsie and his Words be many which will pass away as Wind and have small effect I hope of gaining many Proselytes to be Members of that visible Church which hath ruled over Nations Kindreds and Tongues which are the Waters upon which the great Whore sits I take my self little concerned or that People with whom I am joyned in the Fellowship of the Gospel of Christ Jesus who are Nonconformists to the World and ever resolve to be according to the Apostles Doctrine and to all Hypocrites and Time-servers and them that serve not our Lord Jesus Christ but their own Bellies of which this Generation is full who will Transgress for a morsel of Bread and conform to any thing and every thing for the smiles of the World ease and Liberty in the Flesh but the Followers of Christ have not so learned Christ for whoso will Reign with him must suffer with him Neither should I have said much if the Quarrel had been Personal or about some Circumstantial matters which a man may be with and without and they neither add to nor diminish from his Goodness and Vertue but seeing it is a Quarrel not only against us that are alive but against the Faithful Sufferers who laid down their Lives in Flames of Fire and the very Foundation of God which is the most sure thing is struck at and the Spirit of God turned out of doors in regard of its Office of certainty and infallibility and the Scriptures of Truth laid aside as an insufficient thing except the Interpretations of Men be added to it for its Authority and the Constitutions of fallible and Erring Men set up for Rules and Men as Men set up as Law-givers and Judges over mens Consciences and Lords over Faith and to be the most certain thing for any Christian Man to rely upon and to believe as the old phrase is as the Church believes to pin ones Faith upon others Sleeves and to hang ones Hope of anothers Shoulders to put ones Eye out that God hath given them to see with and then see by anothers may be led into any Hole or Ditch and this to be published with such confidence as the only infalliable Guide to which all Christians are to submit would make a Man half Dumb to speak and stammer forth some thing as a Testimony against such palpable Error and manifest Darkness put off with such confidence and Usher'd in among Christians in such an Age as this when Light and Life is broken forth as a Morning without Cloudes in Goshen where Israel the true Seed inhabits I could not but say something in Vindication of that certain sure everlasting Truth which the Devil is out of by which the Saints are made free indeed in their inward man from Sin and Non-conformists to the World its Error ways and Worship and also to shew the mistakes of the Author and how easily he hath been drawn aside to lean upon a broken Reed all his particulars which are of any weight or moment shall be considered and weighed in the Righteous Ballance of equity and answered in their due place for the Confirmation of them that do believe and for removing the stumbling Blocks out of the way of them that doubt to Stagger lest they fall in such dark Pits as these viz. as to deny the Spirit of God to be a sufficient Guide and take away its infallibility and place it in Men that have Erred do err and may Err and call them the only sure infallible guide for all Christian men to follow But to speak something to the seeming weighty matter which weighed down R. E. his Judgment and cast the Scales so far as that all his Hope Faith Foundation and Religion was weighed down at one draught and by such feeble things as put him to silence which he heared from his Lay-catholick as he calls him argues a very weak and a poor Foundation and a sâ—ndy which was so soon driven away but one thing is to be minded because he hath minded it himself of his Conversion as to matter of time this Conversion happened to fall out since the happy Restauration of our Gracious Soveraign to his Crown and Dignity as he saith this to some will render his Conversion somewhat suspicious whether he name this time as only accidental or the Restoration of the King the cause somewhat of his Conversion I shall not determine but however he having been behind before in Conformity resolved to make a good step to before the next time to avoid suffering loss and Reproach But to speak a little as to the Discourse which R. E. hath published as the weighty matter whereby he was Convinced their Judgments now it seems becoming one the Lay GENTLEMAN he mentions and himself speaking to one speaks to both First Whether that any can be certain that the Christians in General are more true then the Turkes Jews or any other and whether any can be infallibly assured of this that it is possible for one to mistake in this and again the answer amounting to no more then this you conceive you are in the right you hope and believe you are not mistaken but it is possible you may be mistaken in this for every Man is a Lyar and every
conformable to Scripture and so may be believed is not the Promise of God to his Disciples as they continued to the End and as they kept his Commandments and were they not known to be the Church of God and Disciples of Christ by this and was not the Promise to them that hungred and thirsted after Righteousness and to them that did overcome and was not the Exhortation to the Church of Philadelphia hold fast that which thou hast that none take thy Crown Rev. 3.11 12. Was there not a possibility of letting go that which they had and of loosing the Crown or else why is the Exhortation But I see R. E. would lay claim to Promises and Priviledges without all condition and will not be tyed to keep the commands of Christ nor would not have the Church tyed to follow the Doctrine of the Primitive Church noâ— will not admit of any possibility or probability of failing or Erring nay not so much as a mistake but as to infallibility and certainty I have said enough before and the confidence or rather the impudence of R. E. is easily seen and to make up all he concludes the Apostles as Men were subject to error in their private affairs yet were they by the assistance of God's Spirit infallible in delivering matters of Faith I say as they were assisted by the holy Spirit of God they neither erred in private affairs nor matters of Faith but as they were not assisted by this they were subject to Err for in this stood their only Ability to Teach Instruct Exhort and judge and as they were guided by this Spirit they were infallible and so R. E. saith That the Prelates â—f the holy Catholick Church as Men they are fallible in their own private actions and affairs yet when they are assembled in a general Council with their supream Pastor they are still made infallible in determining matters of Faith It is well that R. E. will grant that there is any possibility for their Prelates to fail either publick or private but I say he that is not faithful in his own actions affairs can never be faithful in the Lord's but it seems â— General Council cannot faâ—l when the supream Pastor the Pope is there but if he be not it seems by R. E's discourse it is more doubtful the like he also judges if the eleven Disciples and the seventy too with the Brethren and Elders if they had all been to define matters of Faith if Peter had been wanting which this Catholick Church calls the Prince of the Apostles there had been some doubt of their infallibility in point of Faith as though the Promise of God and the Spirit of God had not been with the rest of the Apostles as well as Peter but a word or two and more hereafter of the infallibility of General Councils the Nicean Council decreed flat Idolatry about Worshipping of Images the Council at Constantinople condemned their Proceedings and made void their Decrees yet both these in R. E's account must needs be infallible the Council at Basil as Albertus Phigious saith Decreed against all Reason and against Scriptures the Council of Calcedon which was one of the four that Gregory the great compares to the four Gospels that their Decrees were as certain and infallible yet Pope Leo did not stick to condemn it and all them as unadvised Stephanus Bishop of Rome made void the Decrees of Formosus and Sabinian the Pope commanded that Pope Gregory's Mass and all his Writings should be Burned Leo the fourth abrogated and made void the Acts of Adrian the Basil Council determined that the Council of Bishops was above the Pope but the Latteran Council under Leo determined that the Pope was above the Council and they decreed also that he that should think otherwise should be held for a Heretick but the Council of Basil aforesaid decreed that they that judged that the Council was not above the Pope they were Hereticks Innumerable more instances I might give but that I will not trouble my Reader with such unprofitable Stories and all these Popes said They were Peter's Successors and had the Keys of binding and loosing and all these Councils and many more which were of the Roman Faith which in R. E's account could not err but must needs be infallible and yet are as contradictory one to another as Light is to Darkness and black to white and look with their Faces several ways like Sampson's Foxes and therefore let not R.E. nor none of his Catholicks think that the Church of Christ now coming out of the Wilderâ—ess again can receive all their contradictory Decrees and invented Fopperies Constitutions of Men for infallible the Day is broken the Light hath taken hold of the Ends of the Earth the Sun is risen which shall make all Foggy mists of Darkness Clouds of Ignorance to fly away But R. E. ceases not here but heaps up one Peice of Darkness upon another till Blackness of Darkness appears and he tells of a Visible Church Mat. 16. which is builded upon Peter that Visible Rock for that Rock there spoken of is not Christ saith he but Peter for immediately after he names Peter whereas saith he if he had meaned himself or Peter 's Confession for that saith he is too remote or mediate and antecedent for if Christ had meaned himself or Peter's Confession he should have spoken according to the Grammar Rule and Construction Upon that Rock or upon this Rock I have built I do build and not I will build In the 63d Page and in the 64th Page he tells of a Church Visible having two Heads of an Independent Head and a Dependent Head and in the 66th Page he saith He hopes that it will appear clear to all as it did to him that the Visible Church is that Rule and Judge appointed by God and all upon Pain of Damnation are to submit unto it Where R. E. hath read of a visible Church with two Heads I know not and to take it for infallible I intend not and where is Peter called a visible Rock and the chief Pastor among the Apostles doth not this contradict Scripture doth not Christ say The Gentiles exercise Dominion one over another but it shall not be so amongst you he that will be greatest among you let him be your Servant and he that will be chief let him be your Minister and as for thy visible and militant Church we read no such Words in the Scriptures of Truth we read of a Church of God of the first-born whereof Christ was the Rock and the Foundation and another Foundation can no Man lay then that which is laid which is Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 3.11 And Paul saith in ver 10. As a wise Master-Builder I have laid the Foundation I hope R.E. will not be so impudent as to say he had laid Peter or that he had preached up Peter to believe in for Remission of Sins nor for the Foundation
the Nations and blinded the Eyes of the People but the time is come and Light and Life is broken forth that the Skirts of the Whore must be discovered and her nakedness must appear and her Fornications and Adulteries shall be manifest unto all so that you shall not proceed much further And I hope by this time in R. E's Words it will appear evident to all whose Eyes God in any measure hath opened That this Catholick Church so called is manifest in what hath been said to R. E. not to be the Church of Christ neither their Doctrine and Practice divinely propounded neither she taken from henceforth as the only infallible Judge Rule and Director in all matters of Faith which all are to receive upon pain of Damnation as R. E. saith though she sit as Queen and hath known no Sorrow but on the contrary she to be a blind Guide that hath bewitched the Kings of the Earth and the Nations which are Waters which is the Universalâ—ty R. E. boasts of with her Inchantments Sorceries which from hence forth shall not be taken as infallible but fallible and as that Church that hath not conveyed the true Faith which was once delivered to the Saints but rather hath spread abroad Error and false Doctrine and the Traditions and inventions of Men instead of the Doctrine of Christ and would put off all thâ—s under the Name of Authority and Power from God and sufficiently propounded and infallibility and under the Penalty of the highest curse upon not receiving it but the Sun is risen which hath disovered all your deceit lay down your carnal Weapons Cain's weapons and your human Power by which you have prevailed more by force and cruelty upon the Nations then by sound Doctrine or that plea of being Peter's Successors I say come forth with your spiritual Weapons which the Church of God had in the Primitive times and prevail as far as you can but Oh! you want these and therefore you are necessitated to take up force and Violence the Dragons Power to compell all to come to your Church Further R. E. in his Postscript hath been confident of what he hath declared That it is of such force what he hath said for the Roman Catholick Church so called that he believes what he hath said cannot be answered and he saith his confidence doth not mis-become him and that it is improbable to be Answered and that he hath not yet done his All neither in his first nor second Edition but hath some-what more yet of great moment to speak as to prove the Church of Rome this only and infallible Guide Unto whom I say it had been good not to have boasted when he put on his Armour but when he puts it off and methinks having been so unstable and unsetled as he hath been formerly he should not have been so confident in opposition to Wisdom as to give such a challenge and make such a vapour of as that it is improbable to be answered and it is more then any of you or all of you can answer as his own Words are page the 9th these words are not becoming a Man indeed who saith He hath learned meekneâ—s and humility of Heart and hath such great bâ—wels of Charity as he professeth he hath page the 86th The substance of what he hath said or written which he reckons so profound and unanswerable and to be more then any or all the Non-conformists can answer they have been Answered over and over again before R. E. was born by many Learned sufficient and good Men whose Reasons and weighty Arguments about the Premisses have not been made void unto this day but have prevailed with many not only to the Convincing but also to the turning of many from that usurped Authority of the Roman Church and hath discovered the Errors false Doctrine and evil Practices notwithstanding their pretended infallibility which R E. will not be able to answer if particulars should be descended unto and though R. E. may reckon the reasons thâ—t he hath 〈◊〉 down when he haâ—h the most what taken at the gainest and reckon them as impregnable yet I hope they will not appear so to an understanding Eye which is enlightened by the Spirit of the Lord nor to them who are of a sound Judgment what others have done to answer his bold Challenge I know not because I am shut up in a Corner for the Testimony of Jesus and for the Word of God but methinks them that are concerned should not let such Boasts go unreproved neither such false Doctrine nor false suggestions as R. E. hath made to viâ—ifie and debase and set at nought all things and every thing that seems contrary unto the Judgment of this pretended Catholick Church and seeing that he shuts out all Non-conformists as to be Members of the Church or God and to be without all Rule all Order all Government and to come under the great penalty of damnation by not submitting unto whatsoever this pretended Catholick Church doth impose how Repugnant soever it be unto the Doctrine of Christ and how contrary soever it be unto the Spirit of God yet all must be received without question though it be that which the Spirit of God sometimes called the Doctrine of Devils but how it must become holy and of divine Authority and sufficiently propounded and so received because as R. E. saith Thâ—s Church cannot Err I say unto him and unto all men and to the Witness of God in every man either the Church in the Apostles dayes did Err and teach false Doctrine or this pretended Catholick Church because they teach contrary one to the other and do walk by a contrary Rule and as R. E. saith Infallibility cannot contradict it self and he hath granted that the Apostles and Primitive Christians had an infallible Spirit and did not Err then let R. E. and all take a view of the Roman Doctrine and compare it with theirs and they shall find it as far wide one from the other as the Heavens are from the Earth or Light from Darkness so that for the Truth 's sake and for the Doctrine and Faith sake that was once delivered among the Saints and for the Non-conformists sake who cannot bow their Knee to Baal neither submit to the Injunctions of changeable Men instead of the Doctrines of Christ. I could not do less then give Answer unto the substance of R. E. his Epistle which he boasted of To be more then any could answer and to reprove his false Doctrine and Error which he would perswade all unto and not to question because the Church of Rome hath propounded it as infallible most of all those Doctrines are denyed and I cannot but give my Testimony against them as to be false and that which leads People into Error and let R. E. when he brings forth his All prove to us that Infallibility as intailed to the Pope by succession and Prayer for the Dead Worshipping of
for halting If God be God follow him if Baal be he go after him And therefore let none draw you aside from that you are perswaded of in your Consciences by the Spirit of the Lord neither to joyn with that you know he disallows and in the Obedience you will have Peace and Joy look not at them that draw back for they go to Perdition but rather after them that continue faithful that shall receive Honour Glory Immortality and Everlasting Life In the fresh Heavenly Power of God meet together and worship him as at other Times though the Decree be gone forth and the more because you have been therein refreshed comforted and edified and let none pâ—rswade you from that innocent Duty in worshipping God in his Spirit and assembling your selves together for the strengthning of one another for this is the Will of God and acceptable in his Sight as many of you well know watch and pray lest you fall into Temptation and into the Snare of the Wicked One The God of Heaven and Earth establish all your Hearts that you may glorifie God in your Generation and be a sweet and an odorious Smell unto him in Bonds or Liberty in Life or Death is the Prayer of him who hath besought the Lord and is determined so to do on all your Behalf till the Lord by his Power tread Satan under your Feet that you may triumph and rejoyce and sing over all in Heavenly Rejoycing and Praises unto God and the Lamb that lives forever and for evermore Amen Your Dear Brother in the Patience and Suffering of Christ who abounds in perfect Love to all the faithful Flock of Christ every where F. H. From Appleby Goal the Place of my Rest where my Dayes and Hours are pleasant unto me the 4th of the 5th Moneth 1664. To Friends at the City of LONDON and about it and HARTFORD and READING DEar Friends and Brethren who are called to be Partakers of the Heavenly and Everlasting Inheritance where Thieves cannot break in and steal neither take away your Portion because nothing that defileth or maketh a Lye can enter therein but is prepared through Christ Jesus for all that believe in him and hear his Voice who is given to reveal eternal Life and the Crown of the immortal Glory to all the Heirs of the Promise who are born of the Word which liveth and endureth forever by which all things were made and by which â—ll that receive it are renewed in their Hearts and Minds unto God and are preserved in Purity and Holiness unto eternal Life and upholden in the midst of all Temptations in Uprightness that the Enemy prevail not Grace Mercy Salvation Peace Power Love Joy Life and Immortality be revealed multiplyed and encreased amongst you all saith the God of Life in my Heart unto you all who are Followers of the Lamb in the Day of Tribulation when the Lyon roareth out for his Prey and the Powers of Darkness combine together to make Opposition and War and to fill the Earth with Cruelty and Violence who seek to destroy and make Havock of that which God hath brought forth and hath determined shall live to bear Witness to him and make War and overcome and reign with him in Glory everlasting notwithstanding the Rage of Satan and the Cruelty of his Followers and the Madness of the People whom the God of this World hath blinded yet he hath decreed to exalt his Son upon the holy Hill of Sion and to make all that take Part with him in this Day of Tryal Reproach and Blasphemy victorious and Conquerors of him that hath the Power of Death the Devil and Hell and the Grave and their Triumph shall no more be for Mortality shall be swallowed of Life and he that hath deceived the Nations and sown Discord in the Earth and hath set the Nations at Variance shall be taken and cast into the Lake of Fire and all his Subjects shall partake of the Wine of the Wrath of God and be trodden in the Wine-press of the Wrath without the holy City when they that have been faithful unto the End shall stand upon Mount Sion with their Harps in their Hands and sing a Song of Triumph Glory and Redemption greater then that of Moses in the Day of Israel's Deliverance at the red Sea when God overthrew both Horse and Rider Oh dearly beloved reâ—oyce be glad triumph and glory in that God who out of his Everlasting love hath chosen us a peculiar People to be a Cloud of Witnesses for him in this last Age of the VVorld and that we are counted worthy to suffer with him and to fall into many Snares and Sufferings for him Oh sing rejoyce and be glad let not a faint Heart be amongst you for the Lord is on our Side the God of Jacob takes our Part and will plead our Cause and uphold us that our Enemies shall not glory nor have Cause to boast for greater is he that is with us and in us then he that is in the World and therefore we cannot bow nor stoop to Deceit neither to any false Worship hypocritical Form or false God let us believe in him forever and taste him forever and give up our Lives and all we have into his Hands who hath given us all that he alone may be over all and exalted over all our everlasting living God God blessed forever Oh most dearly beloved Friends you live in my Heart and to hear of your Valour and Obedience to the Truth makes glad my Soul and comforts us all on every Side wherein we rejoyce and give Glory to God and though they proceed severely and strictly with you and make the Battel hot it 's but for a Moment we have a Share with you and many are in Bonds here Men Women and Children Babes old Men and VVomen blind and lame Men and of all Conditions as to Age but all well content and joyful in the Lord blessed be his Name forever and indeed your Faith and Obedience Sufferings and Tryals are come abroad in the Nations and many thereby are strengthned we hear also of the Death of many who are shut up in those nasty Holes who are taken away from the Evil to come whose Blood God will require at this Generations Hands whose Sufferings and Death is precious in the Eyes of the Lord and the Spirit of Life which was in them shall enter into others and fill them that God shall not want VVitnesses The Power of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all Your Dear Brother F. H. Appleby Gool the 4th of this 8th Moneth 1664. To all the Beloved Prisoners and Fellow-Sufferers who have lost your Liberty for Christ's sake in Newgate and else-where in Bonds about the City of London and to Friends of Bristol and Hartford whom the World is not worthy of MOST greatly beloved in the Lord God everlasting into whose Bosomes and Hearts my Soul Life and Spirit is poured forth and joyned
unto forever in the perpetual Covenant of Life which can never be broken which will ouâ—â—â—â—â— Death and Hell and all the Lord's Adversaries who would not acknowledge the most â—igh to rule in the Kingdoms of Men and to have the Power and only Authority in the Hearts and Consciences of Men which is his only Right and he never yet did give nor will give this Honour and Glory to any other though the Devil and Satan who hath made blind the Nations hath usurped and laid Claim to that which only belongs to the living God of Heaven and Earth and he hath long reigned in the Earth and now his Subjects plead for his usurped Power and Dominion and are loath to let any Part of it go or fall but we certainly know the Victory is the Lamb's and his Followers and though you be in the War and in the Hardship and Suffering and as killed all the Day long yet your Bow abides in Strength and the Lord will cover your Heads that your Enemies shall not touch your Life as you keep near the Lord and glorious will be the Triumph and great the Glory and Victory unto all that continue unto the End in the Hope and Faith which is manifest from our Lord Jesus Christ in your Hearts by which you have been purified and sanctified and made meet and worthy to be an Habitation for the living God the Crown of Glory the Riches of the Kingdom which is without End shall be yours and your Souls shall forever be bound up in the Bundle of Life and ye shall shine as Stars of God in the Brightness of his immortal Power forever and ever and have ye not received an Earnest of the same already and hath not God doubled and redoubled his Grace upon you and in you from Time to Time have not you eaten of the Grapes of the Land already which those which were brought from Esâ—col by the good Spies in the Land of Israel were not to be compared unto let your Hearts be comforted and do rejoyce in Hope for the Inheritance which God hath promised you who will perform his Promise and make good that which he hath said notwithstanding all the Opposition of all the Sons of Amaleck and you shall see it feel it and be made Partakers of it taste it handle it enjoy it possess it even that which shall satisfie your Hearts to the full only be of a believing Heart look not out neither think the Time long nor the Lord slack for you hitherto have been provided for in your Way since you set your Faces towards Sion and the Lord hath been your Leader and in the Front and his Righteousness hath been your Reward and so will continue with you unto the End forever true and most faithful we have found him in the Time of need Most tenderly beloved the Lord God our Almighty Rock and Everlasting Refuge moved in my Heart to greet you with these Lines for in his Name Power and holy living Life which is fresh and powerful in my Heart do I say Peace Good-will Mercy Love Life Joy and the Encrease of all heavenly and spiritual Blessings in Christ Jesus be multiplyed among you to the confirming of you and establishing of you in the most holy Faith which is begun and to the finishing of the blessed Race which you are begun in and to the strengthning of you by his Almighty Power in all your inward Man to make War and to overcome to fight the good Fight of Faith to the laying hold of eternal Life and to the obtaining of the Crown of Glory and Diadem of Righteousness which shall be set upon the Heads of all the Lamb's Followers through Tribulation which Rubies are not to be compared unto neither the fine Gold of Ophir but the hidden Treasure the durable Riches the everlasting Peace the white Rayment the glorious Clothing of the Lord the Righteousness of the Saints you shall possess Oh dearest Hearts most dearly and entirely beloved of the Lord and me what might I say to make all your Hearts glad even as mine is at this Time though melted into Tears of Joy for your sake because the Lord hath made you so freely and willingly to take his Yoak upon you and to bear his Cross and to despise the Shame and to endure the Reproach so willingly Oh blessed blessed blessed from the Lord God forever I pronounce you in his Name and Power that ever lives only Potentate to whom belongs Glory and Honour forever and ever Amen Dearly beloved true it is as it hath been foretold by his Servants that they that will live godly in Christ Jesus much suffer Persecution because of the Enmity that is in the World in whom the Love and Peace of God dwells not although they will make mention thereof in Words but in Works deny him as is very evident this Day by them who would not be counted Heathens but Christians and yet hate his Life and Appearance and they are grown so blind and impudent through the Unbelief that is in them that they cannot discern the Fruits of the Spirit where they are brought forth neither can believe though it be declared unto them and as is manifest would not let God have any Honour or Worship if it suit not their Blindness or their corrupt Laws which they make not only to stand by God's Law but even to cross it and gainsay iâ— and are so impudent as to say That to worship God is Crime enough if they think meet to call it so whether to Banishment Death or Confiscation and yet will say Cursed is he that parts Man and Wife and again Whom God hath joyned together let no Man separate and Cursed is he that spoils the Fatherless and doth oppress the Widdow and the like and yet cannot see themselves in the very Act. Well Dear Hearts although it be your Share to partake of the Heat of the Dragon's Fury yet you are not alone and though you be counted unworthy by these corrupt Judges to live in your City Family and your native Land because you will not deny that which God hath wrought in you and manifest to you by his Spirit and conform to them in their Blood-thirstiness and Cruelty therefore they by their unjust Seâ—tence have pronounced you to be banished out of your native Country and from your dear Relations and yet say it 's just and think that their Statute which is like a Spiders Web will be their Shelter which they have made even as the Jews did against Christ his Apostles the Romans against the primitive Christians even the same they would do for Mahomet Baal and Milcham if there were a seeming Law to be their Shelter Well what shall we say but that they are in Cain's Way and themselves banished from the Presence of the Lord and would have all wander as they after the Paths of the Heathen and after the Customs of the Nations and the corrupt Traditions