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 Letâer 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 Mâuth 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 Kinâdom 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 faâes 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 Gâspel of Christ freely as they hâd received without any conditionâ frâm 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 thâir Câre 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 Fâsts 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
would ãâã it up in a Corner and tye it to one sort of Men or Sect or Opinion and the Mâsters 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 enliveâing 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 Jesââ 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 ãâ¦ã 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 Bedlâm Answ. 'T is true many are confident and impudent enough but confidence without Ground and impudent proves but little and he thât ââith 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 Hâathen ãâ¦ã Emperour Phocas who slew his Master Maâritius to obtain ãâ¦ã did gratifie the Pope so far that he might be cryed up as Emperour as thââ 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 Succesâoâ 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 ãâã Champions as Robert Everard will never be able to free his Catholick Church from contradictions although he is very forward to charge otheââ though he is but a new Convert but let him not boast till he haâh put off his Armour and it is thât 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 dâst 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 Bâiers 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
Hardness of Heart will come upon thee and thou wilt be as a Stone which cannot be melted and Wo will be unto such where the Spirit of the Lord in them ceaseth to strive with them having so long rebelled against and gainsaid the pure drawing of it that so the Lord is grieved and wearied with their Impenitency that he gives them up to their vile Affection and to follow the Imaginations of their own Heart who received not the Truth in the Love of it but in the Enmity still remain obstinate doing Despight to the Spirit of Grace his long-suffering comes to an End and his fierce Wrath comes to be kindled against such and that which would have led them out of the World into true pure everlasting Peace now becomes their Tormentor and they banished from his Presence and shut up in Eternal Misery where the Fire is kindled by the Breath of the Lord that burns forever the Sentence of Condemnation being past upon them because they had Pleasure in Unrighteousness and have sold themselves to do wickedly and crucifying the Appearance of God in themselves which Appearance though it lives in the Fountain of Life yet crucified by thee who art out of the Life yet lives still forever in it self to be thy Condemnation eternally How the Spirit of the Father worketh in them who are turned to it and have taken heed unto its Manifestation and are in some Measure Partakers of its Power THere are Differences of Administration but the same Lord and there are Diversity of Gifts but the same Spirit and there are Diversities of Operations but the same God which worketh all in all Now the Spirit of Truth which is Life in it self putteth forth its own pure Act not only to convince and detect him that transgresseth its Appearance and manifesteth Evil which hath been committed by Man but also being turned unto and waited in it shews Man when Motions and Temptations unto Sin arise and as the Creature is still and waiteth in that which manifesteth and singly keeps in his Mind to it it sheds abroad its Power and vanquisheth and subdueth those Lusts which do arise and condemns the Ground from whence they arise and it purely draweth the Mind after it and secretly worketh and breatheth forth its pure Life in him that waiteth in Patience and in Stilness not heeding the vain Thoughts and Imaginations that rise in his Heart but rather heeds the Manifestation of the Spirit at whose bright Appearance all the vain Desires come to be extinguished and there comes to be a Hunger begot within to be made Partakers of its Purity and of its Nature for God through the Operation of the eternal Spirit lets forth his Power which turneth and changeth the Heart and cuts asunder and divides betwixt a man and those Lovers that he hath joyned unto and makes a Separation within and carries a man further from those things which the Measure of the Spirit reproves and this leads nearer unto God And so they that do believe in the Measure of God's Spirit come to feel what Repentance from dead Works is and the Works and the Worker are seen and who it is that hath wrought is manifest in the Light and as there is a diligent waiting upon it there is nothing that passeth through the Mind but it discerns and gives a Discerning unto every particular Heart who singly and quietly wait upon it but yet after the Spirit of Truth in some measure be felt and its living Testimony in something yet it may be a long time before there be a clear Distinguishment in the Understanding so that one cannot clearly discern its Movings from all other false Motions and high Imaginations which are above and hence it is that the hasty and forward Minds follow their vain Motions which lead them into Deceit and then the Questioner gets up and then they question all that ever the Spirit hath made manifest unto them before a Vail then is drawn over and the Enemy lodges in the Vail and in the Darkness which is entered and then as soon as any hearken within to that which is the uppermost and doth abound the Enemy that lodges in that presents Motions as to obey this and that and all is Deceit So therefore all are to keep back that they may sensibly feel between the pure Motions and drawing of the Spirit and the vain Thoughts that arise out of the earthly Heart and when any thing doth arise which the Light doth not bear Witness to it 's not to be followed nor heeded but a quiet still waiting that things may be cleared to the understanding and for Want of this many have run out and have brought forth Satan's Work and acted things forwardly in their Will and so have clean lost the true Sence of that which should guide their Minds and have followed the Spirit of Error have caused the pure Spirit of the Lord to be evil spoken of but as there is a keeping back and a quiet waiting out of willing or running and haste it arises purely and stilly in the Heart shines forth in Brightness in the Heart so that it giveth perfect Evidence and full Testimony of it self that there will be no doubting nor questioning of its Motion for it will apparently shew forth it self in its own transparent Brightness with full Assurance of his own Will and then after it be clearly seen and its Motion then keep under all reasoning and keep out all questioning and give not Way to Temptation and that which moves of the Lord of Life will carry thee through in its own Operation and Power to accomplish the Will of God and so thou wilt have Peace being obedient and thy Strength will be renewed for as any is brought to submit unto the Will of God when it is known and comes to obey by Virtue of its own Power that which is contrary unto God's Spirit in thee comes to loose its Strength and to decay and be weakened but as any disobey the pure Motion of God's holy Spirit after it be known the Enemy is strengthned and that which is of the Flesh nourished and the Spirit comes to be quenched that which would give thee Power if thou submittest to it but yet know this the Spirit in it self never loseth its Purity neither can be quenched in it self but will bear its pure Witness against thee and none shall be able to stop its Reproof thus the Diversity of its Operation comes to be known as it is hearkened unto obeyed loved and believed in it puts forth its pure Power and gives Strength and seals Peace to the obedient but disobeyed and resisted it condemns judgeth reproves and seals Condemnation to the disobedient and yet there is no Variation in it self for it is alwayes one and the same But as it operateth upon different Natures or Objects unto which it joyns or stands at a Distance from that is to say the good Ground it causeth to bring
in the Life thereof they are judged though the Truth in it self stands clear and so whât as they were in their Principles Practiâe in Life or in Doctrine must they give Account for But thou like the rest of the Hireling Priests of England use alwayes to be confuting your Adversaries when they were at a great Distance when they were dead and could not reply or at such a Distance that they could not hear and you are such valiant Champions for the most Part as to Disputation except you have Club-men and Prison-doors standing open to fight or to shut them in you will hardly enter into a Dispute publickly or it may be if they be afraid that they shall be worsted and their Deceit laid open put a Key in the Mouth of one as some did in the Mouth of Humphrey Norton when he was with one of thy Brethren and then cry The Opposite or Quaker hath nothing to say for himself and such dark muddy Stories you used to fill up your Hour with as to confute Arrius and Pelagius men that were Hundreds of Years dead and no such Principles holden in a Nation and such dead Stories you fill Peoples Minds with and confute the Pope when your Elbows were leaning upon the soft Cushions on the Pulpit and twenty or thirty Shillings for such a dead Story as you told People but when have you gone amongst them and reasoned of the Things of the Kingdom of God into their Dominions and convinced them by sound Doctrine and yet you will say Christ said Go into all Nations and preach and plead that for your Commission and it may be stay fourty Years over an hundred Families As for the Heterodoxes of the Quakers concerning the Heads of Religion as thou hast set down this I say to thee and to all the World we do not hold them because any Man before did hold them or may hold them after but because God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit which also may be confirmed by the Testimony of the Scripture of Truth As to those which thou settest down as our Tenets I shall answer on the Lord's Behalf for Truth 's sake and for the rest thou may'st take them home to thy self First Concerning the Trinity thou say'st The confess the Father Son and holy Ghost and yet they deny the Trinity and those to be three distinct Persons for Confutation of this thou bringest Heb. 1. 3. He is the express Image of his Father's Person Thy Trinity is an old Popish Term and we love to keep to sound Words but by Trinity I suppose thou meanest three and thy own Words shall confute thee thou confessest we say there is Father Son and Hâly Ghost and yet but one God or one Eternal Being or Substance in which they all subsist but thy Word distinct is thy own and not the Spirit 's yet to distinguish betwixt Father Son and Spirit we deny not and as for Heb. 1. it is in another Translation rendered The express Image of his Suâstance for Perâon is too gross a Word as to express an Eternal and Divine Being in and if thou dost hâlâl three distinct Substances thou errest in they Judgment for that were to make three Gods Secondly They deny Christ to be God and Man in one Person and Christ to be a distinct Person from the Father and they acknowledge such a Christ as unchrists Christ and when they say Christ manifest in the Flesh they mean not as the Scripture but fallaciously Answ. We say according to the Scripture of Truth and not according to thy Fallacy that In the man Christ did the fulness of the God-head dwell and God was in Christ reconciling the World unto himself and he saith I and my Father are one and the Father the Son and the Spirit subsist in one Eternal Power Life and Glory which thou with all thy stupid Generation are Ignorant of and that Christ we acknowledge is such a Christ as is able to save to the utmost them that come unto him and receive him and believe in him and is such a Christ as is able to raise them that have been Dead and such a Christ giveth eternal Life to them that believe And so that Christ that we own doth not un-christ Christ but by your Doctrine who plead Imperfection and the continuation thereof and a continuation in Sin for term of Life as one of thy own said Sin will dwell in the House till the House he pull'd down speaking of the natural Body which some other of thy own Generation have called the Body of Sin and so it is you that hold such a Christ as un-christ's the true Christ in thy own Words and when didst thou enter into our Thoughts and into our Heart or with what dost thou search that thou sitst as Judge over the Heart who knowest not Judgment in thy self nor what Spirit thou art of and so thy lyes and deceit are turned upon thee when we say Christ manifest in the Flesh we say that Holy thing which was brought forth and born of a Virgin and Conceived of the Holy Ghost in whom the fulness of the God-head dwells in whom the Eternal Power of the Father was manifested that he was the Christ which was manifested in the Flesh and Justified in the Spirit Preached among the Gentiles seen of Angels and received up into Glory and this is according to the Scripture of Truth and thy Judgment must be judged Thirdly Concerning the Scripture considered as the Rule of Life They deny the Scripture or written word to be the rule of Life and they make the Spirit without the Scripture to be their guide they account Church instituted Worship and waiting upon God for the Efficacious presence and Operation of the Spirit of Grace in the Ministry of the Word and Sacrament for Conversion and Edâfication to be Idolatry and the Political order of Church Officers and Members they affirm to be an Image Answ. Concerning the Scripture we say they are Scriptures of Truth and words of Truth spoken from the Spirit of Truth that which gave them a being is greater then they as he that Creates is greater then they that are Created which is perferred above and before and yet no Diminishing or Detracting from the Creature so the Spirit is greater above and before the words and yet this doth not Diminish neither Derogate from the Scripture these and the like sound Words we have spoken to thy deaf Generation yet a Spirit of slumber being upon them all they could not hear that which gives Life and bringeth to Life and preserves in the Life is a rule and a Guide to them that are enlightned the Sons of God who were quickned by the Eternal Spirit of their Father and of Christ and raised from Death to Life this was their rule as it is written as many as are the Sons of God are led by the Spirit of God and we say it is a sufficient rule of
esteem them as any way helpfull to the Ministry But that I may not be mis-understood I know each Language and each Tongue hath a proper Signification and is not Evil in themselves Schools of Learning I am not against natural Languages they may be Servicable for natural Uses natural Transactions in civil Affairs betwixt Nation and Nation man and man but as they are extolled and cryed up to be nurseries of Piety and to fit Men for the Ministry as to make it Effectual iâ utterly false and more mischief is learned and Impiety practised in these Universities then in any other parts of the Nation and indeed it is one of the main Props and Pillars of Anti-christ's Throne and Kingdom and thât which upholds his Seat And that they only are the only fiâted and called men to Minister who have Natural Tongues and have read a little in a few Heathen Authors and thereby are able to comment and make a discourse to the hearing of the Ear but God's Witness is not reached at all and such dispise the Spirit and set light by them that enjoy it which clearly evidences they are out of the Power of God which was among the first Christians who received the Spirit and spoke from it which is only sufficient and able to make a Minister of Christ So let us see what Antiqâity saith Gaudentius de mor sec. Justinian saith We do not read that ever thâ Aâtients did openly in Schools teach Philosophy since they did rather ãâã and saith a good Author I would fain see a man that could shew thât Chriâââans either before or in the time of Justinian did openly teach Philosophy And Hadrian Saraviah informs us the primitive Christians had no Accademical Schools like to those now adayes yet there was one at Alexandria but in these Schools they read only Catechistical-Lectures and we do not reâd of any University of the Waldenses Albigenses and Bohemians fâr ãâã it of their Teachers were Tradsmen and handy-crafts men and did noâ spend their time in reading Tongues or studying Authors Herald animad in ar nob The Christians in the primitive times living excluded from all Honours and Magistracies did neglect these Studies which were for the discharge of civil Imployments because that Sophisters and Philosophers were the principal Enemies of Christianity therefore upon this Account they condemned also all politick Learning they condemned Tragedies and Comedies and other Poetical writings being the main Part of humane Learning as judging they did not conduce to solid Knowledge Tertullian lib. de Idolat page 138 139. judged that School-masters professing Learning were guilty of great Idolatry because they only explained Names and Genealogies and Fabulous Acts of Heathen Gods And generally Believers in those Dayes harboured a very bad Esteem of natural Learning and generally the Christians were provoked thereunto because the Gentiles did upbraid them that their Teachers were illiterate Persons as Combers of Wooll Weavers and the like these things being objected against the Christians the Christians on the other side rejected all Learning as an useless thing and no way advantagious to Salvation though their Adversaries boasted of it Origen lib. 3. saith The Christians did declare that men of any condition might be saved Servants Idiots and Rusticks and such as the World valued as Fools and that God did confound the wise in their own Wisdom and Celsus as Origen in his book saith that Christians did proclaim it in their Assemblies Let none that is wise enter none that is learned none that is prudent for thus it is appointed us in the Gospel but if there be any unwise unlearned any Foolish let him approach with confidence for these are fit to be the Servants of God Guzentius in his Animadversions page 25. saith that the Gentiles did object against the Christians their rude Stile their harsh Language and how they were destiture of all Addresses calling them Rusticks and Clowns So the Christians did again term the Gentiles the Politick the Eloquent and the Learned Clemens Romanus saith in his Writings lib. 2. chap. 6. Abstain from all the Books of the Gentiles for what have you to do with strange Discourses or Laws or false Prophets which seduce weak men from the Truth In the Council at Carthage there was a Canon made distinct 37. cap. Epist. citante Jac. Laurentio de lib. gentil page 41. Let not a Bishop read Heathen Authors Gracian saith we see the Priests of the Lord neglecting the Gospel and the Prophets they read Comedies and read Loves Verses out of Beuchlies they peruse Virgil and what is a Sin of enforced Necessity in Children is become their Delight Doth not he seem to walk in Darkness and Vanity of Mind who vexeth himself Day and Night in the Study of Logick who in the Persuit of Physical Speculations one while elevates himâeâf beyond the highest Heavens and afterwards precipitates himself below the nether Parts of the Earth and diveth into the Abyss and chargeth his Memory with the distinct Knowledge of Verses Petrus Belânius saith in Greece amongst the Christians which were very many there were very few learned men because they esteemed not of it ãâã Necessity to Christianity though they could speak Greek and some Latine âut few could write or read In their Libraries were several Manuscripts of Divinity but no Historian no Philosophers for these were anathematized And all Christians not to study Poetry and Philosophy yet Reâder thou mayest understand that the Greek Church is highly owned for a true Christian Church and highly owned by the Protestants yet neither they nor the Pickards nor Waldenses in Bohemia did value Learning so far were they from esteeming of it as the proper true Religion Luther de Institu puer inter aper Wittenberg to 7. fol. 444. Paul exhorteth to beware of Philosophy and vain Deceit 2 Col. 2. He had been at Athens and had acquainted himself with that vain glorious humane Wisdom and knew the multiplicity of contradictions which it had procured what then had Athens to do with Jerusalem What Fellowship have the Epicures and Stoicks with the Church of Christ Jerom. lib. 1. contra Pelag. What hath Aristotle to do with Paul or Plato to Peter A multitude of Testimonies might be brought to this Effect how the Christians did in former Ages reject Philosophy and Heathen Authors and all such frivolous Stories as no way lawful for Christians to meddle in nor any way good to propagate Christianity Bishop Usher in Vindication of the Waldenses by way of Apology he saith God did chuse fisher men that so he might not give his Glory to another forasmuch as the little ones had asked Bread came to receive it and the learned being busied about vain contentions and Disputations were sent empty away the Waldenses saith Bishop Usher de succes chap. 6.28 We are not ashamed of our Teachers because they labour with their Hands procuring thereby a livelyhood to themselves because both the Doctrine and Example
I was moved to call thy Name Abigail which signifies the Father's Joy or Delight for in thee I was comforted that did mitigate my present Trouble and my Counsel unto thee is That thou remember thy Creator in the Dayes of thy Youth and fear the Lord in thy Youth and learn to know him and serve him all thy Dayes first seek the Kingdom of God and the Righteousness thereof it 's not far from thee it 's within thee it consists in Life and Power and it stands in Righteousness Truth and Equity Justice Mercy Long-suffering Patience Love Light and Holiness this is the Being and Center thereof therefore seek not lo here or lo there without thee in this or that outward Observation for mâny seek there and never find it but seek and thou shalt find wait and thou shalt receive if thou enquire in what must I seek and what must I wait in how must I seek I inform thee thou must silence all thy own Thoughts and thou must turn thy Mind to that which is pure and holy and good within thy self and seek and wait in that in the Light of Jesus Christ wherewith thou art enlightened which shews thee when thou dost Evil and checks and reproves take heed unto that and it will shew the evil Motions and Thoughts and as thou lovest it it will subdue them and preserve thee for the time to come out of Evil for though thou be born into the World a reasonable Creature yet thou must be born again and be made a new Creature or else thou canst not enter into God's Kingdom thou must know the Seed of the Kingdom in thy self of which thou must be born and formed again into God's Image I have told thee God hath sown it in thee a Grain of it a Measure of it a Portion of it a Measure of Light and Truth of Righteousness and Holiness keep in thy Mind to that and love it and thou wilt feel the heavenly Father working in thee ând begetting thee to Life through Jesus Christ that hath enlightned thee and thou wilt feel the Power of the Lord strengthning thee in thy little and make thee to grow in the Immortal Seed of his Kingdom and out grow and over grow all Evil so that thou wilt daily dye to that and have no Pleasure in it but in the Lord and in his Goodness and Vertue shed abroad in thy Heart which thou wilt tast and feel within and have Joy and Comfort therein love the Lord with thy Heart and Soul even him that made thee and gave thee a Being and all things in Heaven and Earth and still wait for the Knowledge of him in thy self he is not far from thee but near unto thee and unto all that call upon him in an upright Heart and do thou enquire of thy dear Mother she will inform thee she knows him and the Way to Life and Peace and hearken unto her Instruction God is a Spirit a pure Spirit of Light and Life and Power he that searcheth the Heart and shews thee when thou dost Evil or think'st Evil or speak'st Evil and shews unto Man and Woman their Thoughts that which shows the Evil is Good and that which shews a Lye is Truth this is within take heed to it this is called God's Spirit in the Scripture believe in it love it and it will quicken thy Heart to Good and it will subject the Evil here is thy Teacher near thee loving it and if thou act contrary it will condemn thee therefore take heed unto this Spirit of Truth and it will enlighten and enliven thee and it will open thy Understanding and give thee to know what God is and to do that which is good and acceptable in his Sight this Spirit never errs but leads out of all Error into all Truth O Abigail believe my Words they are the Words of God and Truth be not wanton but sober minded in thy Youth and wait on the Lord within hearken unto him God is Light immortal Life immortal Truth immortal an everlasting eternal Spirit he speaks spiritually and invisibly within the Hearts and Consciences of Men and Women hear what he speaks and obey his Voice and thy Soul shall live fear to offend him or sin against him for the Wages of Sin are Death therefore prize his Love in thy young and tender Years and do thou read the Scriptures and Friends Books and take heed unto what thou readest to obey it as far as thou understandest and pray often unto the Lord that he will give thee his Knowledge and open thy Understanding in the things of his Kingdom search thy Heart often with the Light of Christ in thee manifest and bring thy Deeds to it that they may be tryed and examine thy self how the Case stands betwixt the Lord and thee and if thou seest thy self wrong humble thy self and be sorry and turn unto him and he will shew thee Mercy and take heed for the time to come that thou run not into the same Evil again keep thy Heart clean watch against the Evil in thy self in that which shews it therein there is Power and thereby thou hast Power to overcome all Evil And dear Child miâd not the Pleasures of Sin which are but for a Moment and the End is Misery but keep under and cross thy Will and Affection so thy Mind will have no Pleasure in the Evil but in Good and thou wilt feel the immortal Seed springing up in thee which God's Peace and Love is to O Abigail these are great and weighty things not to be slighted accompany thy self alwayes with them that fear the Lord and fear and worship him in Spirit and Truth and lead a holy and a blameless Life and Conversation deny not them but love them and suffer with them take heed that thou follow not the hireling Teachers who preach for Gain and Lucre and abide not in Christ's Doctrine believe them not heed them not they do People no Good but thou wilt see them thy self they have an outside Shew of Godliness sometimes but deny the Power of God and true Holiness remember I have told thee who have had perfect Knowledge of them but be sure that thou let nothing separate thy Love from God and his People those are his People that keep his Law and obey Christ's Voice and lead a holy Life and they were ever hated and belyed and persecuted and evil-spoken on alwayes by bad and evil loose People these are God's People and his Love and Peace and Blessing is with them do thou grow as a natural Branch up among them of the living Vine and continue all thy Dayes in Obedience unto God's Will and thou wilt feel Joy and Love in thy Heart which above all things covet after and thou shalt attain and obtain everlasting Peace which the Lord grant unto thee according to the Riches of his Mercy and Love which endure forever and ever Amen And now Abigail concerning thy well
for if thou dost thou shalt be as Dust before the Wind the Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it and he will perform his Promise For this is that I look for at thy Hands saith the Lord that thou shouldst undo the heavy Burdens and let the oppressed go free are not many shut up in prison and some stocked some stoned some shamefully intreated and some are judged Blasphemers by those who know not the Lord and by those Laws which have been made by the VVill of man and stand not in the Will of God and some suffer now because they cannot hold up the types and so deny Christ come in the flesh and some have been shut up in Prison because they could not swear and because they abide in the Doctrine of Christ and some for declaring against Sin openly in Markets have suffered as evil-doers and now if thou let them suffer in this Nature by those Laws and count it just I will visit for those things saith the Lord and I vvill break the Yoke from off their necks and I vvill bring Deliverance another VVay and thou shalt knovv that I am the Lord. Moved of the Lord to declare and write this by a Servant of the Truth for Jesus's sake and a Lover of thy Soul called Francis Howgil AN ANSVVER TO A PAPER CALLED A Petition of one Thomas Ellyson late Shepherd of Easington in the County of Durham to his Highness the Lord Protector of England Scotland and Ireland and to all Emperors Kings and Princes through the World THere are many in the County of Durham that knovv that thou hast been a Shepherd lately enough and see thee vvhat thou hast been and vvhere thou hast been and vvhere thou art novv and knovv thee to be one in Nature vvith those Shepherds vvhich the Lord sent Ezekiel Isaiah and Jeremiah to cry against vvho feed themselves vvith the Fat and clothe themselves vvith the Wooll and that thou art one of those Shepherds that cares not for the Sheep and art in the Nature of one of those Shepherds vvhich the true Prophets cryed against vvhich vvere as Evening Wolves and as Foxes in the Desart And for the simples sake I am moved to lay open thy Deceit that thou art one of those Foxes thou speakest of vvhich hath Fire in their Tails and thou art made manifest to be of old Cain's Nature that old murthering Spirit and vvith thy flattering Titles which thou givest unto Men and hast Mens Persons in Admiration because of Advantage and thou art born after the Flesh the Son of the bond-vvoman vvho art petitioning to me that they may abuse their Povver and exalt themselves over the Heritage of God and thou that vvouldst have Lavvs to bind the Consciences of men to walk after thy Will thou art Anti-christ vvho art petitioning the Povvers of the Earth to make Lavvs to limit the Holy One of Israel But blessed be the Lord the Day is come that thou and all Deceivers Persecutors and Flatterers are discovered and many see thee among Magistrates that thy Spirit is the same that vvould command Fire to come dovvn from Heaven to have destroyed them vvho vvould not receive them First Thou sayest That Moses who was a Commander over all Israel that he was appointed to bear the People in his Bosome as a nursing Father and thou say'st thou art a Cryer for the Remembrance of those things that all might be carryed in their Arms now and thou goest on and tellest them that God will require the Government of his Church at their Hands Rep. Moses vvho vvas faithful and true over the House of God vvho vvas a Figure of Christ he did receive the Lavv from the mouth of the Lord he acted in Righteousness and vvhen Eldad and Madad prophesied he vvas not angry as thou art but desired that all the Lord's People vvere Prophets and all vvho vvait upon the Lord to receive the Lavv of God from his mouth novv and vvalk in the same they have the same Spirit and they vvill not limit the holy One But thy Cry that thou callest for is that thou would'st have them who are in Moses 's stead as thou say'st they are for to limit the Holy One and thou art the Deceiver the Apostle speaks of vvhich art gone into the World vvho vvould'st persvvade the Magistrates that they must govern the Church and so thou vvould'st have this Generation of Rulers to be dashed in Pieces as all the Generations have been before them in exalting themselves in the Seat of Christ when as the Prophet saith The Government is upon Christ's Shoulders and the Scripture saith He alone treads the Wine-press And therefore whosoever will assume unto themselves to govern the Church by an outward visible carnal Law shall be as sure to be broken as all the rest The Church is in God and is invisible and that which is visible and natural cannot make any Law to bind that which is unlimited but they if they do go about to limit the Holy One of Israel and would set themselves in his Seat of Judgment and take away his Glory which he will not give to any and all such as have made any Laws in their own Wills to limit Sons and Daughters they have all been broken as the Scripture witnesseth every where and therefore let all Governours in England Scotland and Ireland and all the World to whom thou writest take heed how they set themselves in the room of God and lay Yoaks upon the Necks of them who are free by the Son and are brought by the Power of the Lord from under the Breach of all righteous Laws or transgressing any which are holy and just for the Law is for the lawless the Law is not for them who are in Righteousness but the Law is for the Transgressors who are in Unrighteousness and they are those that act by that Spirit which dwells in thee who would levy Troops for the Innocent and art vvroth and thy Countenance falls like Cain and hates thy Brethren and would have a Lavv made over the Conscience and vvould have the Povvers of the Earth to abuse their Povver in turning their Svvords against them vvho live in Righteousness and declare against Unrighteousness And further thou goest on and tellest them This was a Law given to Adam and so thou pervertest the Scripture by thy Imaginations Where readest thou of such a Lavv given to Adam that he compelled his Family to Religion And further thou sayest Which Care of Government is in great neglect in this Nation upon respect to tender Consciences sundry Sects and Sorts of Schismaticks are suffered unsuppressed and they sacrifice to Dan and Bethel And thou goest on and tellest the Nobles that it lies upon their score that they should suppress them Answ. That vvhich vvas given to a particular Family or People vvhich vvas for its time is not everlasting So any that take up any Rule vvithout them to act by act not by Precept but
are like to be tryed Your Armour is Righteousness on the right hand and on the left your City is free The Gates stand open Day and Night a VVolf Lyon nor any Beast cannot enter no not so much as a flying-Fowl Oh how goodly are thy Tents O thou Seed of Jacob the Elect whom he hath chosen O how pleasant is your scituation The Tower of David Mount Sion stands sure and cannot be moved O! who is a People like unto you saved by our God that lives forever His Love is large he is kind he is long-suffering he is faithful and keeps Covenant and his Promises are Yea Yea He is the Amen the first and the last Come forth my dear Brethren set forth his Praise declare his Name among the Heathen publish his Name among the Congregations let the Earth be filled with his Love and power that his Judgments may be declared and his Statutes that they sound in the Ears of Generations to come O ye that are convinced of the Truth of our God wait in that which doth convince and keep your Minds to it and love it and follow it whither it leads you and it will lead you to know the Gift of God which leads to Repentance from dead VVorks to serve the living God who dwells in the Immortal Light and take heed of looking back at the Pleasures of Sin you have formerly lived in but wait upon the pure Light of Christ Jesus in Patience that so you may see the Enmity which is against God and it slain in you daily that so you may see him that is the Saviour of the Soul and take heed of rebelling against the Lord who hath given you a measure of his true Light to lead you from Sin if you love it unto Righteousness from whence it comes even from the righteous Judge of all the VVorld who judgeth every man ouâ of the Book of his Conscience and so prize the everlasting Love of God to your Souls that you may see him who lives forever And all Babes who are born again who have suffered and Pangs of Death and know the Indignation of the Lord against Sin and the Terrour of the Lord against the man of Sin who have roared for the Disquietness of your Hearts who have born the Indignation of the Lord and are come to the giving forth of the Law where there is Thundring and Earth-quakes and Terrour and great Hail and Fire and Smoke even such as was not since the Beginning insomuch that you could not bear his Voice and live nor see his Face and live Stand still in Patience and let it have its perfect Work in you and hear the Indignation ye that are in it if you endure the Tribulation with Patience Hope you will see and a Time of Refreshment will come endure the Cross that the mortal and earthly and carnal may be judged and the bad ground shaken and taken away and that you may see the living Hope to stay your Minds upon And ye who are enlivened and do witness the Law of Righteousness set up in you which is a School-master and keeps in the Fear stand in it and keep in the Fear low in Soberness and Calmness and then you will see your Hearts purified daily and the cursed Nature judged which is out of its Course and it bridled and subjected and the Law which is pure and holy and eternal which stands forever in Power and force against the Transgressor to judge all Unrighteousness And so wait that you may see the Lyon tamed and the wild Heifer yoked and the Yoke of Christ born and the wild Colt tamed by him upon which never man sate before then and not till then is Hosanna sung And all wait in your Measures dear Babes that the Milk of the Word you may see and be nourished by it and grow up as living Branches about the Table of the Lord. And all you young men and Virgins that know Virginity keep your Virginity you in whom the Prince of this world is judged and cast out and the righteous Law of God revealed and given forth in which you stand and walk and have Peace from him who is the Law-giver and Judge who hath saved you from your Iniquities and blotted out your Sins for his own Name 's sake you who know the living Water and Spirit of which you are born again and witness the Birth which enters into the Kingdom of God where no mortal or unclean Beast can come Keep in the Life and Power of God which limits all and chains all under that the Life of the Son of God may live and speak in you and be bold In the dread of God stand and that which leads into Slavery keep out And now being made Partakers of his everlasting Love walk worthy of his Love and of the high Calling whereunto you are called who hath created you in Christ Jesus unto Holiness and Righteousness forever that to the praise of his Grace which you are saved by by which you have obtained the Remission of Sins and an Inheritance amongst them that are sanctified So wait in the living Hope and the living Faith in which God is well pleased in which you ask and receive of him and are accepted of our heavenly Father And this Faith ye know which is a present Power and a Shield against all Temptations and a Helmet and as a Fortress by which you are preserved safe standing in it and putting it on in the Day of Tryal My dear Brethren of the everlasting Kindred and Heirs of the everlasting Promise wait all in Patience having received an earnest of the Inheritance that never fades away to the End abide in the Father's Counsel and at Wisdom's Gate Ye know what I say I write not unto you because you know not the Truth but because you know and are made free in your Measures by him who is the Truth and the Way in which all our Fathers and you also have obtained a good Report even of all the Houshold of Faith and take heed of the Glory of the World and look not at Hardship for verily all the Suffering is not worthy to be Compared to that Glory which is revealed and to be revealed unto all that wait and abide in Patience and Faithfulness unto the end but be ye as good Souldiers endure hardship that you may receive the End of your Hope and the everlasting Price and the purchased Possession and the Crown of Glory which God will give unto you in his own Day which is coming on towards you if you continue in the Hope in the Faith and in the Love unfeigned which thinks no ill by which and in which Love we have Victory over the Grave Sin and Death which he hath freely shed abroad in our Hearts unto whom be everlasting Praise forever and ever to him which was dead and is alive and lives for evermore the Mediator of the new Covenant of Life and Peace in which we have Access
whom we bear Witness and have the Witness in our selves even so do they unto us but the Servant is not greater then his Lord and therefore we that are baptized for the Dead and stand in Jeopardy of our Lives often we have a Cloud of Witnesses which endured the same and therefore the same Baptism and the same Cup must be drunk by all that follow him Well my dear Brethren your Sufferings I know and I know he of whom you bear Witness bears up your Heads who hath called you thereunto above all that which is done unto you as you stand in his Will and Counsel Well as dear Brethren and Companions in the same Tribulation Kingdom and Patience of the Saints as Witnesses of the same Faith as they were which are gone before you you are made Partakers of the same it is made manifest and revealed in you by the same God in which Faith they had Power and you have Power and endure as they did and as he did even the Contradiction of Sinners Well our God is on our Side and takes our Part and therefore my own Bowels in Patience endure God will bring forth your Righteousness as the Sun and your Enemies shall be ashamed and I know and you also know it is for the Advantage and the Furtherance of the Gospel of Christ and endure in Patience and long-suffering and look not out and the Lord in due Time will enlarge your Border and the eternal God of Power be with you chosen Ones for the Lord's Work you shall have your Reward nay he is come and his Reward is with him I know you have it and witness his Power and his Presence with you So my dear Ones in that which limits all and chains all and keeps under all Deceit dwell and abide forever in the living Power which makes the strong Man bow down and the Devils tremble and the unclean Spirits roar and the Power you know where is your Life that all the Powers of the Earth cannot reach and therefore do the Potsherds of the Earth strive in vain to set Bryars and Thorns in Battel against him in vain do they rage for notwithstanding all that God hath set and will set his own Son upon the holy Hill of Sion Glory unto him forever Shout out for Joy oh ye Sufferers for him who are set free by him and your Freedom can none take away for he is greater then all even him in whom ye have believed standing in his Power Wisdom and Counsel who is near you that none is able to pluck you out of his Hand for he hath the Keyes of David who opens and none shuts and binds and none can loose even he who rebukes the Wind and Seas and they obey him and causes a great Calm and causes the Water to abate nay to stand of a Heap and dryes up the Tongue of the Egyptian Sea that his ransomed Ones may go over into the Rest and he that hath and doth believe in him is entered into the Rest where we all meet in one in him who is the Judge of all the World the Light of the World and our Life who believe in his Name but the Condemnation of all the World who walk in Unrighteousness forever and ever For with the pure and upright he dwells and his Throne is established in Righteousness forever and ever And unto our God who lives forever shall all the Powers of the Earth bow to whom be Glory and eternal Praise of all his Redemed Ones forever and ever F. H. O All ye Sons of Sion and ye Daughters of the King who is glorious within who have waited for the Bridegroom Oh my beloved Oâes you who have long sitten in a solitary Place and have been as a silly Dove without a Mate and have been as a Widow desolate and as a parched Heath you that have wandred up and down in the long Night of Darkness and knew no Rest but were as one cast off by all and all that passed by you laughed at your Sorrow you have been as a Hissing and as a Proverb to all and as a Mark to shoot at by all your Faces have been as the Tents of Kedar parched and your Skin withered for Want of Refreshment and as a dead Tree that bears no Fruit Oh ye who have come through great Tribulation and have suffered the Loss of all the spoiling of all even the greatest Riches the chiefest Jewels who have lost all your Knowledge and Wisdom and become Fools for Christ's sake and have parted with all and have suffered the Indignation of the Lord to pass over all and have drunk of the Cup of Fury at the Hand of the Lord who have suffered Hunger Famine Pestilence and Earthquakes and the darkening of the Sun and the Moon lost her Light and the Stars have fallen and the Pillars of Heaven have been shaken the Earth hath been removed out of its Place as a Cottage and you have cryed out in the midst of all this He hath forgotten to be gracious and his Mercy is come to an End the Womb hath been shut up Desolation and Sorrow Loss of Children and Widowhood in a Day came upon you Oh ye tossed afflicted and not comforted that have been as Eunuchs dry and barren as in the Drought of Summer that have been as Pelicanes and as a Dove who hath sorrowed for the loss of her Mate and as one in Sorrow for the Loss of her first-born who have been in Bitterness and none could comfort you I am one with you your State I know I love you eternally yea you are my Brethren and Sisters forever sealed in my Heart and engraven to be read forever I see you I behold you I kiss you and embrace you with an holy Kiss of everlasting Love which overcomes Death and Hell which Love thinks no ill ye that are made Partakers of this Love know what I say ye that have waited for him and wait and suffer the spoiling of all I am marryed unto you I came forth of the same Womb which is Eternity free forever free-born not in Bondage because the PRINCE OF THIS WORLD is judged and cast out and the Glory of the Lord revealed Come forth ye Sons and Daughters of Jerusalem which is free from above utter forth your Voice sing aloud the Bridegroom is come and is coming and ye that have suffered the spoiling of all rejoyce for evermore lift up your Voices as Trumpets he is come he is covered with Righteousness as with a Robe his Countenance is as the Morning his Eyes are brighter then the Sun his Voice is Life Eternal Salvation is round about him he dwells in eternal Life Life is in his right Hand and Joy is in his Presence and Peace for evermore he is a tryed Stone he is a Rock which the Righteous fly to he hides his under his Wings and covers them with his Feathers Beauty Beauty Glory Glory Eternity Eternity Almightiness Almightiness Power
Communion which is but carnal and earthly you have none of you the form one of you is for eating before Supper another after Supper another for as much Bread and Wine as you can eat and drink and so your God is your Belly and you mind earthly things and instead of remembring of Christ's Death you crucifie him afresh one with lust another with envy another with Pride and so instead of coming to the Table of the Lord you feed at the Table of Devils and nourish the flesh deceit and uncleanness and as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses by making likenesses so do you resist the Spirit of the Lord because it comes not according to your carnal Will nor your vain Conceptions and so deceit leads you all and the Cross of Christ you know not and those things you have formerly declared against you now take up some pretend sending out to preach and take Tythes others crying out against them in Words and yet uphold them and pay to the Priests whom you say are not Ministers of Christ and so waste the Lord's goods to uphold deceit and betray the Just in your selves and not one of you will suffer for that you judge your Principle and now you begin to creep into the Idols Temples and worship there and seek to the Powers of the Earth to uphold you and one of you preaching up Free-will another down another an Election of Persons and yet you never knew true Faith which is without Respect of Persons another Company of you dreamiâg of personal Reign in your carnal Imaginations and judge just such a God and a Christ as your selves that you may live in Pride and Lust and filthy and earthly-mindedness and Envy and yet talk of reigning with him but of being baptized into his Death you know nothing nor suffering with him you know nothing of nor of bearing his Reproach daily nor of suffering the spoiling of all and denying all for him this you are Strangers to you that tell of exercising your Gifts you have no Gift but acquired by long raking in the Letter and the Exercise of your carnal Wit and Knowledge in Contention and Strife you have treasured up a great deal of Stuff in the earthly Memory and this you call a Gift of the Spirit and such an one you make a Pastor or an Apostle of and he begets into his Image but still in the Curse and makes Proselites in the same Likeness leads into Sorts and Opinions from the true Gift of God for who hath a Gift it exercises him first and then he declares unto others of those things which the Gift of God hath wrought in him and he that knows the Gift of God is led out of his own Way Will and Time into his Will from whence it comes and here is the Ministry Christ alwayes blessed not in their own Wills but in his Will and this wrought a real Change in People from Satan's Power unto God's Power and so in all your Separation self shines in all you have not the Form much less the Power Another Sort tell of a Power to come and of a greater Glory to be revealed and a more glorious Ministry then hath been yet yet your Eyes are without and the Glory you look at is in great Words and your Expectation will fail for you neglect the present Measure of Christ's Gift that leads to Repentance and that you are got above and this is too low a thing for you you judge because you heard of this and talked of it therefore you are past this but I shâll say unto you all Adulterers and Adulteresses come down from off your Mountain of Exaltation exalted above the Door and the Cross and you that are here are Thieves and Robbers your Minds are without feeding upon the Tree of Knowledge and imitating the best of you in your fallen Wisdom and your Foundation is upon Report as the Vagabând Jews were in the Name of Jesus that Paul preached they would cast out unclean Spirits and they were Sorcerers and what are you now who only preach of Christ that Paul and Peter and John in the Name of that Jesus they declared of and his Righteousness they spoke of but know not his Name in you nor his Power nor his Righteousness but in Tradition Imitation and conforming in the earthly Will here is all your Worship all of you calling the Letter the Light the Word the Gospel nay some of you so impudent as to call it Spirit and Life And so now you are made manifest and seen and your God and Worship and all your Profession is tryed by the Light is seen comprehended weighed and judged with the Light and all this will be too narrow to cover you in the Day of the Lord which is coming as a Thief upon all the World who make mention of the Name of the Lord but not in Righteousness And therefore strip you make you bare be uncovered cast off your ragged Covers whiâh will rust and wax old and mind the first Principle the Light that shews you Evil and own it to lead you and guide you out of Sin or else I testifie unto you you shall dye in your Sins and Wrath Eternal will be your Portion except you repent and cease from your vain Thoughts and Words and wait to see the Law of God revealed in your Hearts that may shew you Sin and condemn this Nature in the Transgression and do it away and slay you and quicken another thing which is dead in Trespasses and in Sins and while you sin the Image of God is dead and Christ suffers So while you have Time prize it To all you who put out the Eye through long and accustoming unto Sin who are near utter Darkness ANd you mingled People of Babylon and Egypt who are in Darkness and love to be so who are blind and love to be so who wallow in your Iniquity and love to be so who live at Ease in the Flesh in Pleasures and Wantonness you are dead while you live you have taken up your Rest in the Earth you are inlarging your Barns you are cieling your Houses and you are building with hewed Stone and Cedars and are laying House to House and Land to Land and are making your selves great in the World and seeking a Name among men you are swallowed up of the Earth and you go upon your Bellies you feed upon Dust Wo unto you that are here you have your Consolation here you lay up your Bags where Thieves break in and steal your Garments are moth-eaten your Gold is rusty and your Silver is cankered and there is your God which you worship which you have set up and worship in your Heart And when you have over-reached your Brethren and cheated and oppressed and defrauded your Brethren and are grown rich then you say God hath given you all this whenas you have stolen it and got it in Usury and Oppression and Deceit and when you have it
Truth and have kept the Testimony of Jesus and the Spirit of prophecy the false prophets in all Nations who are from the Testimony of Jesus have called to the Beast to slay and to kill and to destroy the Seed of the Woman which is clothed with the Sun and so the Beast exercising his power which is from below hath killed and destroyed them who were subject to the higher power And what torturing massacring and persecution what burning and strangling there hath been what cruel Death 's many have been put to over all Nations and in all Nations where the Beast hath had power who makes War against the Life so that the Streets have run with Blood and all being gone from the Life and Power of God they set up themselves to be Judges over Mens Consciences and they who were in the Error they cryed out of Heresie and they that are gone from the Truth into a Lye the Ground of Blasphemy they cry out of Blasphemy and under the Horns of the Beast and under the Heads and the Crowns of the Beast what Cannons Constitutions Edicts and Laws have been in all Nations what Traps Gins and Snares have been laid in every Nation yea every Horn hath pushed and every Head hath lifted up it self against Christ the Head and every mortal Crown hath advanced it self against the Crown of Glory and against the immortal Crown so that it might be said as Elijah said The Altar of the Lord hath been broken down and his Prophets and his Witnesses slain none have escaped the Rage of the Beast Yet there have been a few who have kept their Garments clean and were not defiled with Women nor with the Harlot those who feared the Lord and durst not offend the righteous Law of God in their Consciences but have denyed whole Councils who were erred from the Faith and all the powers of the Earth in which the Beast bore Rule but rather chuse to suffer cruel Deaths then to let go the profession and possession of their Faith whose Blood cryes under the Altar How long O Lord holy just and true will it be ere thou avenge our Blood which Blood and Cry is entered into the Ears of the Lord of Hosts who will speedily take Vengeance on the Nations and dash them one against another and will break down that power which hath slain the Witnesses yea and hath gainsaid the power of God and all Nations who are from the Life in which the holy Men of God lived and in that Nature still which persecuted the Life of God wherever it did appear in any Measure yea swelled up and climbed to the very Top of Iniquity which is Satan's Crown and Glory and the Priests and they that went out from the Light into the World in John's dayes and Peter's dayes who then taught for filthy lucre and did subvert whole Houses from the Faith ever since that time have spread themselves over the Nations and have begotten people into a Form and into an Image without the life and so have worshipped the Beast and his Image And the deceit being entred then and Images then being set up one on this wise another on that and some have had an image of many mixtures such an Image as the Priests of England Scotland and Ireland worship and have got a Law to guard it that whosoever will not bow to it the Furnace is heat hotter to throw them into it Object And if any say Why I say so or how do I make that appear Ans. I answer thus the Cardinals Jesuites and other Romish Priests had a Law made to protect their Idol the Mass and if any spoke to him that was sacrificing to the Image or Idol then three Months Imprisonment but now if any declares against the Image that the Priests of England Scotland and Ireland have set up every one is to pay five Pound or six Months Imprisonment in a House of Correction and there be tortured and whipt and shamefully intreated near to the Loss of Life nay it 's now so much the more hotter now then ever None must come near the House of their Idol God or Image but must be counted a Breaker of the Peace nor speak to a deceiver and say he is so nor a Hireling and say he is so nor to a covetous Priest and say he is so and can for proof bring half of his Parish to witness the Truth of this but if he speak the Truth never so clear he must to Prison or pay five Pound or the House of Correction and there be whipt and stocked and fettered and chained and tortured and so ti is manifest that those Magistrates who had a Hand in making of this Law have outstript the Magistrates in the time of Q. Mary when the Pope had Power in his height in these Nations And the Priests now in these Nations who have set up their Image of many Mixtures and one Year they make one and another Year another and what that Power likes the best that is gone out of the Life and Power of God that they present to the Authority of the Nation as an Image of a more comely Stature then the former and then Authority makâs a Law to guard it and so it may truly be said as it was said to Israel Hath any other Nation changed their God but Israel had changed from the Living God to them by Nature which are no Gods And so have these Nations gone from God the Fountain of Life and from the Power of God and have set up an Image in which is no Life in stead nay they are not content with their Image but it grows old and then patch up another of many Mixtures one while the Mass that was held forth as their publick Profession and then Prelacy and the Book of Common-Prayer and then Presbytery and the Directory mixt and made up of Ignorance Blindness and of the Fragments of Popery and their own invention and this now is set up for all to bow to one while one thing which they call Faith and another while another and heaps of confused Confessions but are all out of the Life and from the true Faith And now they have manifested themselves to have no Faith and to be without Faith and are unagreed upon it instance that which is called the humble Petition and Advice presented to O. P. by the late Parliament that there may be a publich Confession of Faith made and recommended as the publick Profession and also that none may speak or write against under a Penalty but this Image the Lord hath by his immediate Hand from Heaven curst and confounded them that would have founded it before it ever came to be set up Ah silly silly that ever they who should profess Godliness should so shame themselves and all their Teachers for the teachers are not agreed yet of their Faith so they have either no Faith or else many Forms which are feigned and in this they
this Life was Death to him and to his Nature and so all who are out of the Faith are dead while they Live Now after the Transgression in Process of time when the Seed of fallen Adam began to increase in the Earth being driven out from that Presence of the Lord they spread over the whole Earth and sought many Inventions being gone from that of God in themselves by which they were united unto him having broken his Covenant and joyned in Covenant with Death Death acts forth it self against the Seed which is not of its Nature and alwayes sought to imbondage it and to kill it as Cain did Abel and Esau Jacob and Ishmael did unto Isaac and unto his Seed Now the Seed unto which the Promise was received the Law from the Mouth of the Lord and they that persecuted the Seed invented and made Laws of their own according to that Nature in which they lived and so became Heathenish in their Fashions Laws and Customs and Cruelty grew up as it was nourished and leavened into its own Nature and Unbelief grew into a mighty Stature and Monsters were brought forth in such a strange Shape in every thing that the Enmity did appear in as had not been seen in the Earâh before and so man being gone astray from the Life of Righteousness every thing is abominable and of a stranger Nature that he brings forth yet take notice of this that as the Seed unto which the Promise was who were in the Faith and obeyed through Faith they had a Law so they in Unbelief had also a Law as the Seed worshipped the living God through a lively and a living Faith and so sinned not in so doing the Seed of the Serpent imitated a Worship and worshipped in Death and Unbelief and as the Laws of one were equal such as David and Solomon the other were unequal such as Jeroboam and Rehoboam and as the one set up Equity by a Law the other made a Law to set up Iniquity And the Seed sought not their own Honour but the Honour of him who was their Reward but the Seed of the Evil-doer sought himself and his own Honour and as the Spirit of the Lord breathed forth it self and spoke the Truth in the Power of God Deceit uttered forth Lyes in Hypocrisie and in the Power of Death and as the upright lived unto God in the Spirit Deceit lived unto the Flesh and unto him who hath the Power of Death which is the Devil and as they fulfilled the Law of God who were led by the holy Spirit of God into all Truth the other followed their own Imaginations and answered the Deceit and foolish Mind and they whose Understanding was darkened loved them and had Pleasure in them So it may be truly said Many Nations Rulers and ruled sit in the Region of the shadow of Death and the living God is forgotten among them and one against another they are seeking one anothers Ruine and all in the Violence and in the Cruelty Therefore all Rulers and Potentates of the Earth Magistrates and Governours under the whole Face of Heaven hearken unto the Words of my Mouth and listen unto Understanding that you may be Partakers of the Happiness and Felicity which God is shedding abroad now in the âââter Dayes that so the Restorer you may know in your Regions and the Deliverer in your Nations and the Maker up of the Breach in your dominâons that he who is the desire of all Nations may be revealed among you He which must restore is not born of man nor cometh not to a People or a Nation in the Will of man neither seeks he himself but the Glory of the Father who hath sent him to seek and to save that which is lost and to heal the Breaches and to destroy that which hath made the Breach that so all Nations who receive him and believe in him may be reconciled unto him and one to another that the Earth may enjoy Rest and the Regions Quietness therefore all be warned not to look forth in your Wills for there you will not receive him but slight him as many before you have done and so lye down in Sorrow and weary your selves in Vanity and lye down in Infamy and never come to see his dignity Now he of whom I declare unto you is the Son of God who is the Light of the World and the Life of Man and hath lightned every man that cometh into the World which Light wherewith all men are enlightened is not contrary to the Law of God which indures forever but one with it and this will let you see Violence Treachery Murder Envy Wrath Maliciousness Drunkeness Whoredom Lying Cursed speaking Stealing Defrauding Cheating Cozening Riotousness Pride Arrogancy Emulation Contention Strife Hatred Persecution Cruelty Oppression I say the Light which comes from Christ by whom the World was made will shew you that all these things is Sin and evil in the sight of God and also will let you see there is a ground from whence these and all other evils proceed which ground is in all the Sons of men in the Transgression till it be removed and these things before mentioned be the fruits that grow from it and bud forth themselves in all Nations and in every man in every Nation so the Earth is filled with Violence and the Grapes are as Sodom and the Fruit as Gomorrah whom God overthrew and till these things be done away and these fruits wither and the root from whence they arise be removed out of every particular man who is a Ruler he cannot be a Blessing to a Nation neither rule for God in a Nation neither will he or can he be a Terrour to all these things before mentioned While he himself is in those for he cannot destroy his own Life neither will Iniquity set up Righteousness nor the Worker of Iniquity advance Christ. Therefore listen to the words of my Mouth and despise not Counsel lest you perish among Fools and go down to the horrible Pit where there is everlasting Misery unto all Perpetuity Now God that made both Heaven and Earth and all things that therein are he is Light and with him is no Darkness at all he never changes his Purity nor alters his righteous Decrees his Eye is pure and alwayes fixed to behold all the Works of the Sons of men and he searches the Heart of man with his eye and pierceth through the secret places and is near to every man although man do not see him he is invisible and eternal and his Law indures forever and the unalterable decree by which Sin is judged and reproved in the World and in every particular man and every man who hearkens and hears the Words of the pure Law which judges all Sin in man receiveth the Sentence of Death in himself and is judged by the righteous Words of his Mouth and so Sin in the particular comes to be condemned and all these changeable things
are trodden under foot which are acted and brought forth from the changeable mind of man and so all Laws Constitutions and Decrees which are made in the Will of man come to be thrown down by his righteous Law which proceeds out of the Mouth of the righteous God who is Light and so as his unchangeable and unalterable Decree comes to be set up in every particular Ruler and Governour and himself judged with the just he comes to bear his rule for the just and answered that which is just in every man and no longer can he act against well doing but is a Leader and an Incourager of it in all and is a terrour to the unjust and so comes to know the Dominion again which man lost through Disobedience and Transgression Now all you Powers of the Earth wait that you may come to see that and feel it revealed in your selves to wit the Law of God from the Mouth of God that so you following it Sin may be judged in your selves and you come to know the one Lord the Lawgiver which leads man back out of Sin and Transgression by his Son whom he hath sent into the World that all men through him might believe in the Father and be restored out of Sin and Transgression unto Life eternal where Death hath no Entrance And so all who wait upon the Light of the Son of God and are obedient to it they come to feel his Power and his Decree which cannot alter its Property or Verity and all who come to be guided by it you will come to see that which unites you unto God and one Nation to another in the Covenant of God Oh! that all your Eyes were opened that you might see that which belongs to your Peace and the well-being of all Nations that so the Power of the Flock might be refreshed among you and this I speak unto you a Change must be witnessed in your selves before you will cease acting in the changeable Mind now the time draws near the Lord will try you for the Earth must be lest without Excuse and he will have all warned for God will no longer be limited and therefore take heed how you gainsay any or resist any who may declare unto you the Counsel of God and cause them not to be persecuted or hurt but all be calm and moderate and learn Wisdom from above from him who hath enlightned you that you may come to deny your selves and follow him who condemns all Self-actings and Self-will in man and all Customs Laws Worships and Traditions that are made in the Will of man that so he unto whom all Power is committed may be feared and worshipped in Spirit in Life Truth and Righteousness that so all Sedition Rebellion Treachery and Unrighteousness may be cleansed out of the Earth and that all quarreling fighting contention may end and people come out of that which the sword is against that so the Swords may be beat into Plowshares and the Spears into Pruning-hooks that so Violence may be done away and Cruelty swept out of the Nations that the Dominion of God may be set over all and his Truth advanced above all that the Kingdoms of the World may become the Lord's and his Christ's and blessed are they that stoop unto his Scepter who judges the Nations in Righteousness and the people with Equity who is the Salvation of all his people for evermore and a hiding Place in the day of Trouble LONDON the 20th of the 2nd Moneth 1658. SOME OF THE MYSTERIES OF God's Kingdom DECLARED As they have been revealed by the Spirit THROUGH FAITH For the Information of all such who have erred for Lack of true Knowledge in their Judgments and have perished for Lack of Understanding to the Intent that they may for the Time to come wait in that which gives the true Knowledge of God and of his Kingdom and of the Mysteries thereof which come to be revealed through Faith to the upright in HEART Also for the Confirmation of such who are made Partakers of the like precious Faith By one who is made Partaker of the Riches of his GRACE and of the SALVATION which is in Christ Jesus revealed through the SPIRIT F. H. The Secrets of the Lord are with them that fear him The Particulars treated on in the following DISCOVRSE I. WHat the Day of the Lord is and to whom it hath appeared and how it is seen and discovered II. What it is and what it will be to the wicked declared III. What it is to the Righteous and how he appears to them and whether we are to look for it while in the Body resolved IV. Where it doth appear and how it cometh and how it is to be looked for declared V. What the Spirit of the Lord is and how it comes to be received which discovers the Things of God VI. How the Spirit of Truth worketh and operateth in them who are convinced and yet have not obeyed it shewed VII How the Spirit of the Father worketh in them who hearken to it and are in some Measure made Partakers of its Power shewn VIII Unto whom the Spirit of the Father bears witness and seals Assurance of the Father's Love and of Justification with God declared IX What the Grace of God is which is free and to whom it hath appeared and where all are to wait to receive it X Whether all have received the Grace of Godor no and whether it be a sufficient Teacher in it self demonstrated XI Some Objections answered XII A Word to the wise Men of this World who are glorying in the Sound of Words XIII Also another to them who are glorying in outward Appearances and worshipping visible Things instead of the Life XIV The Kingdom of God and his Christ declared in some Measure as it is revealed by the Spirit what it is and where it is to be waited for and how it comes to be revealed in them that believe XV. Divers Objections answered TO THE READER Reader IN Times past in the Night of Ignorance when Men groped in the dark as blind Men since the Apostles Dayes and out of thick Darkness have spoke darkly of the Things of God and of his Kingdom and written many things about the Things of God and of his Kingdom which have fed the dark Minds of many who are unconverted unto God And seeing how many People are confused in their Minds and err in Judgment and have lost the Key of Knowledge which should give an Entrance into the Mystery of God's Kingdom and open their Hearts therefore in Compassion unto them who are thirsting after the Lord to find him these few Things I was moved to write for the sakes of those who have no Place to rest in or upon to the Intent that all may wait in that through which God reveals his Mind and manifests his true Knowledge in Man and these Things that I have written as they were revealed to me and in me by his
pure Spirit if thou waitest in the Manifestation of the Spirit these Things thou wilt see to be Truth though hid and vailed from the World that lyes in VVickedness as thou comest out of its Nature I have not written for to please Men of corrupt Minds who glory in VVords and outward Appearances and glory in natural Parts and in Sounds and are erred from the Life but to the simple-hearted and for the strengthening of the weak and for the understanding of the simple and that which thou seest in the following Discourse which thou canst not close with let it alone and judge nothing before the Time in thy Wisdom that is earthly or in thy Reason but in that and to that of God in thee I desire to be approved and to nothing else and shall be made manifest in the day of the Lord that is dawning in the world and many have seen it to appear in Power and Glory wait thou in thy own particular that thou may'st feel thy own Condition and see thy own State and that which lets thee see thy own Condition will let thee see the Lord and what I have declared of him to be true I am thy Friend in Truth and wish Good to all Men. F. H. SOME OF THE MYSTERIES OF God's Kingdom DECLARED As they have been revealed by the Spirit THROUGH FAITH THE Lord God of the whole Earth who lives forever even the God of Abraham the God of Isaac and Jacob whose Throne is established in Righteousness forever who rideth upon the Heavens and shines forth in his eternal Excellency from the Firmament of his Power he is manifesting himself in his Power as in the dayes of old and revealing his Righteousness as in the Years past and pouring forth his Spirit upon his Sons and Daughters according to his Promise and they that believe come to be made Partakers of the Blessing of the everlasting Hills even the Lord who appeared at Sinai unto Moses his Servant in the Bush who rose up from Mount Seir and shined forth in his Brightness from Mount Paran and came with ten thousands of his Saints even he from whose right Hand went a fiery Law so that the People could not behold his Glory the same is he who hath now appeared in this the Day of his Power and is appearing whose Glory shall dazel the Eyes of the World whose Brightness shall make dim all the World's Glory and stain its Wisdom and shut it up in utter Darkness that it shall not appear to have any Existence or Being and the Shadow of Death shall fly away and all the haughty and lofty Princes of this World shall be horribly afraid the Beasts shall go into their Dens when the day appears and the Lambs of the everlasting Fold shall come forth and be fed in the fat Valleys where the Springs of Life compass about all the Banks and rejoyce in their Shepherd and shall say The Lord is my Shepherd which many at this Time do admire and say What hath the Lord wrought who have seen his Wonders in the dayes of old and have seen his noble Acts which the Fathers have told of who are fallen asleep and are at Rest in the Lord and now many is God bringing to see what they witness to be true and to have the same fulfilled in themselves Honour and Praise unto him forever who is the Stay Strength of all his People forever And the day of the Lord is broken and the Light hath appeared that manifesteth all Things which are reproveable and the Day-Star is arisen in the Hearts of many and they are come to see that fulfilled in their Hearts which Peter exhorted them to wait for and to take heed unto the sure Word of Prophecy until the day appeared and did dawn in their Hearts which day when it appears and to whom it appears discovereth all things and maketh all things manifest as it is declared by the Spirit of Truth in the Scripture of Truth and every Man's Work shall be tryed of what Sort it is and of what Nature it is and this day hath appeared to many Praises to the Lord who have waited for it and now they see every thing in its Ground and Rise and every tree and fruit is seen according to its kind whether good or bad and every Man's Work is obvious to every one who are in the day and upon whom the Morning of Righteousness hath appeared and the Sun of Righteousness hath shined upon whereby that is seen in every one by the Light which is truly called day by the Lord who causeth it to spring from on high which is reproveable and condemnable and also whatever is justifiable and unreproveable is seen by the day of the Lord appearing in the Heart The Day of the Lord what it is and to whom it hath appeared discovered and how it is seen GOD is a Spirit his day is spiritual and is seen with a spiritual Eye it 's pure Light pure Brightness the pure shining forth of the Lord in his glorious Excellency the pure shining forth of Eternity Life putting forth it self in its Brightness Holiness shedding it self abroad in its Glory Purity spreading it self in its immeasurable Excellency and can only be seen as it is in it self by the Children of Light that are born of it there is a natural day there is a spiritual Day the natural day receives its Brightness from the Sun the spiritual day receives its Brightness from the Sun of Righteousness by whom it 's brought forth without whom nothing was or is made or brought forth but by him who is the Fountain of Life and as the natural day receives its Clearness from the natural Sun and is discerned by the natural Eye of a natural Man and all things natural are seen and discovered by and in the natural day and are perspicuous and obvious to him that hath his natural Sight even so from the Sun of Righteousness the Lord of Glory Light and Purity the day of God receives its Brightness and is issued out from him by the Rayes of his Brightness and is discerned and seen only by the spiritual Eye of the spiritual Man who is the Image of the Father brought forth in Life and in his own Nature and Quality that is to say from God the Father of Life by Christ Jesus the Life of men the Light of the World and this is the Birth which is born from above which is of the Nature of the Father and the Son and of the day and he only comes to behold this day and discerns all things of the Father's Kingdom by it and likewise discerns all the hidden things of Dishonesty and the Works of Darkness which are brought forth by the Prince of Darkness who is shut up in eternal utter Darkness which is his dwelling-place forever which is his Residence and shall be the Residence of all the Workers of Iniquity that bear his Image forever Object But some
he will manifest his day and his Power in his day in thee as thou keepest in thy Mind to that which manifests unto thee Evil and shews thee Good thou wilt see how it appears Even as the Light shineth from the East unto the West so is the coming of the day of the Lord and the Eye which is spiritual âeâs it and the Power the Glory of the Lord comes to be seen in the day which is pure and spiritual in the Heart and the Eye which is pure doth behold when it comes where it comes and how it comes and it 's hid from vulturous Eyes and from their Eyes which are fall of Adultery and cannot cease from Sin Now the day of the Lord cometh not where the carnal Mind may imagine nor when Man will neither according to the carnal Desire of the carnal Heart neither according to the evil Eye that looks out can it be seen but is seen in God's own Light and by the Measure of God's holy Spirit And as the day of the Lord is a Mystery the Spirit of the Lord is the only Discoverer of it None know the Things of God but by the Spirit of God and the day of the Lord and his bright shining forth in the Heart of Man is one of the glorious Things of God which only the Spirit of God doth give the Knowledge of to Man and in Man and not the Letter nor the Scripture for the Jews had the Letter and they had neither heard God's Voice at any Time neither ever did they see his Shape neither did they see the day of the Lord nor the Power neither in a Word did see or perceive God or any of the Mysteries of God's Kingdom at all but dreamed imagined thought and conceived of Things in their Minds their foolish Hearts being darkened for the further a Man draws from the Light his Heart comes to be more dark and their Understanding closed up and shut up that they cannot behold the Lord neither his Glory which is revealed only by God's holy Spirit which Spirit is near Man though he see is not What the Spirit of the Lord is and how it comes to be received which discovers the Things of God THE Spirit of the Lord is pure holy equal Purity it self Holiness it self Equity it self and is one with the Father and the Son the Father Word and Spirit are one it 's Life it 's pure Power âure Strength Purity it self which mixeth not neither joyneth to any Thing but that which is of its own Nature it 's an immeasurable pure Substance it 's Life issued forth an active living Power and is everlasting alters not changeth not keeps its Holiness its Purity forever it is unsearcheable unfathomable undeclarable Words are all too short too narrow to declare its Excellency and Glory but only as it makes it self out to them that believe and opens it self and sheds it self abroad in them that wait upon it it is revealed in its own Purity manifest in its own Power and received in its own Light felt in its own Virtue the living Father of Life himself is manifest by it and appears in his Power Majesty and Excellency through it to man and to the Sons of men to the righteous and unrighteous to godly and ungodly to the upright and to the deceitful to the Children of Darkness and to the Children of Light that which searcheth the Heart of man and sees through all things and maketh manifest all Things even the hidden Things of God and the secret Works of Darkness and reproveth for all Evil all Iniquity that is the pure Act of the Spirit which convinceth every man and as the Creature comes to joyn to it it ariseth and shines forth more clearly and maketh it self known in its Power and Operation its Power comes to be felt it checks and reproveth judgeth and condemneth all Actions which are done and past and brings them to the Creature 's Remembrance and as it is waited upon and hearkened unto it sheds it self abroad in its own pure Brightness and âringeth all things to Light even all the Deeds of Darkness and maketh manifest the Intents of the Mind and manifesteth all things reproveable Now as there is a waiting upon the pure Appearance of it and the Mind be still and quiet and calm the Creature comes to feel and sensibly know his own Condition he sees his Mind is alive to other Things and other Lovers and not to God and so he sees himself dead to the Things of God's Kingdom and in the Loss and in the Fall and in the Transgression now this which shews the vain Motions and vain Thoughts and checketh them is an Operation of the Spirit and Purity comes to be felt working in the Heart and as it is loved and obeyed it leadeth and converteth the Heart to the Lord and draweth towards it self out of Unholiness and from under the dark Power and brings that under and so it ariseth in its Strength as it is believed in and waited upon and judgeth and condemns for all Evil for it is the Discoverer of the Mind of the Lord to the Sons of Men or the Father by it makes known his Mind to and in the Creature and doth discover the Things that be eternal in their true Property and Nature which only they that have the Spirit and have received it and are brought out of the Sensuality come to discern him who is invisible and the things that belong to everlasting Happiness which are not seen by a natural Eye neither received by the Spirit of the World who never received the things of God neither the Testimony of them who were in the Life Now all that come to receive it that is to say the Spirit of Truth must wait in that which is pure unto which it joyns it joyns not to the corrupt Man neither to the sensual Heart neither to the vile Affections neither unto them whose Eyes are full of Adultery which cannot cease from Sin neither to the Seed of Falshood neither to the corruptible Birth neither unto that which is born of the Flesh nor unto the Will of the Creature yet notwithstanding though it joyn not to these yet it is near man even the natural man its Manifestation or the shining forth of its Brightness maketh all these things manifest before-mentioned to be evil and thus far the Spirit of God hath appeared to the World and all Mankind as to convince the World of Sin yet still it remains in its own Purity and while the Heart of any man is taken up with that and joyned unto that which the Light reproves that is to say the Worker of Iniquity that man hath not received the Spirit neither is made Possessor of it nor enjoyes it but it stands off man and from man at a Distance shewing the Worker of Iniquity and the Works of Darkness and manifesting to the Creature in its Light and letting him see unto whom he is
joyned for so far as a man denies himself in acting or joyning to that which the Manifestation of God's Spirit shining forth in its own Purity in him reproveth so he comes nearer and comes to joyn in some measure to the Spirit of Holiness or the holy Spirit and to receive it and to feel the Power of God in some small Measure though but weakly working in him to the purging out those things which the Spirit lets him see is evil which hath been reproved in him and so in some Measure feels in himself what to wait upon and where to wait and in what even in that which gives every one a feeling of their own Condition within and opens their Understandings How the Spirit of Truth worketh and operateth in them who are convinced and yet have not obeyed shewed THough God who is a Spirit hath appeared by his manifestation unto all yet all have not received it he that hates the Light hath not received it The Eye-lids of the morning are unto him as the shadow of Death that which manifesteth and bringeth to Light all evil the evil-doer likes it not heeds it not receives it not but still is without God in the world that lies in Wickedness and without the Spirit in death and Dead in Trespasses and Sins a Sepulcher in which the just lies slain in this state God is not remembred there is no Remembrance in the Grave nor thanks in the Pit yet Light shines in Darkness and a man unconverted yet convinced is that Darkness and that which convinceth him is the Light so Light shines in Darkness in man in the greatest Darkness and this may convince all vain Disputers who say every one is not enlightned neither that the Spirit of God hath appeared to all good men have it bad men it 's near them they that bring forth the fruits of Darkness and bring forth the Deeds of Darkness they are lighted yea they that are in Darkness and are Darkness the Light shines in them the Spirit of God shines there in Darkness manifesteth their Darkness here man is Darkness the Ephesians were Darkness in the unconverted Estate yet had Light shining in them Eph. 5.8 the Spirit 's manifestation they had but were not led by it once they were without God in the world but after it was turned unto it shewed them their Darkness and it leading their minds they came to be made Light in the Lord who is that Spirit whose Manifestation hath appeared to all so all are without Excuse for he had not left himself without a Witness and they that have not God's witness to be theirs that is to say to possess it they have no Faith nor Assurance in God at all but that which should bring Assurance of Salvation unto them it assures their Condemnation and also reveals Sorrow Now as every one is turned to the Measure of God's holy Spirit and keeps his Mind unto it he comes to feel and to see its Reproof and so as the Mind is kept still into it it arises in its Purity and shines forth in the Heart in more Brightness still checking man for Disobedience still judging and as it is listened unto it appears in Strength and layes every man's heart open and lets him see how full of Unrighteousness he is how full of Imagination he is how his Heart is full of vain and idle Thoughts and how lust aboundeth in the Heart this makes his Trouble to increase and his Sorrow to multiply and this is alwayes present none can run from it but it follows him and shall pursue every one to the Pit who obey it not and kindle his Torment and whatsoever the mind may run into to take Pleasure for a Moment and the heart be exercised in yet this Measure of God's Spirit is alwayes present to condemn it and judge a man for it so the Strokes of the Almighty are still heavy upon his Back being still in the Disobedience of the Spirit it never bears witness unto any man in that State but God through it still sounds the Alarum of War and Terror in his Heart so that Fear compasseth him about on every Side and though for a Moment the cry may not be heard and through Disobedience it may seem as dead as unto him yet if ever the Mind be but still and a man sober and calm and ever mind what he is doing it appears again and though a man may take up something and perform something which is called religious and pray in Words and read and talk of the Scriptures and may take up some carnal outward Ordinances and there content himself for a time yet still the Witness of God's holy Spirit for that shews him his Hypocrisie and that he seeks a Cover to shelter himself under that he may live in Disobedience and be at Ease in the Flesh but all in vain for there is no peace within but the Measure of God's Spirit still shews him he serves Sin and follows his own Will and in this Will brings forth a Worship and this is Will-worship nay if a man should practice all those things which others who were in the Life performed and were accepted yet this will not satisfie God hath no Pleasure in this no more then if one slow a man or blessed an Idol or killed Baal all is Abomination to the Lord and though a man may sin so far against the Light of Christ in his own Conscience that the Light be to him as though there were no such thing yet all this will not do for the Lord will thunder from his holy Place though thou hast stopped thy Ear as to him and closed thy Eyes yet he will make thee hear and see and will cause his Terror to strike into thy Heart so that Dread shall compass thee about as a Wall and thou shall be afraid for that which thou shalt see and hear and though the Spirit strives long yet being still disobeyed the long-suffering of God comes to an End concerning him that hath been unfaithful and then his Wrath is kindled as Fire which shall burn to the lowest Hell into which all the rebellious and stiff-necked shall be cast and have their Portion forever among all the Children of Darkness therefore all who have been convinced long and still are by God's holy Spirit of the Way of Truth and yet have not submitted to the leading of the Spirit think on this for it 's the Lord's Truth which I declare unto you or else eternal Misery will be your End And if thou still persist on after the Imaginations of thine own Heart and in thy rebellious Will thou quenchest the Spirit and the Motions thereof and though it be Life in it self yet is as dead unto thee who art in the gainsaying resisting that through which God's eternal Power is manifest in them that believe and thou wilt grow insensible and past feeling and become as seared Flesh and be sensless as to the things of God and
forth Fruit unto God and the cursed Ground out of which Bryars and Thorns do arise it kindles a Fire in that shall not be quenched but as there is a Submission unto its pure Operation it burns up and destroyes that which hinders the Growth of the Seed and it purgeth the Hearts of them that have Confidence in it from all Filthiness both of Flesh and spirit and worketh up the Creature into its own Frame and Nature and fashions and makes and moulds all that are in the Faith into the Image of the Father and so the Father's Love comes to be shed abroad in the Heart and as Wrath was revealed through the Spirit and Condemnation so now the PEACE of God comes to be enjoyed and his CONSOLATION shed abroad largely in which there is pure Rejoycing forever Unto whom the Spirit of the Father bears witness and seals Assurance of the Father's Love and of Justification with God declared None have the Witness of God's Spirit bearing witness to them and in them who have not believed in the true Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the World by whom alone Life is begotten by the powerful Operation of Christ in them that believe in him who is eternal Light it self whose Word is Spirit and Life by which the new Creature is framed and formed in them that believe unto whom he maketh manifest his Power for unto him who is the Life of men is all Power committed both in Heaven and Earth for nothing was made or created but by him neither is any turned from Sin but by him and by his mighty Power without him is Death in him is Life and the Life is the Light of men So that none but they that are born of the Light and are begotten by him who is Light can have the Spirit of Christ who is Light to bear Witness unto them neither the Assurance of the Father's Love for only they that are born of the spirit and walk after the Spirit are justified by the Spirit of the Lord for the Assurance of his Love is not made manifest to his Enemies but unto them that are born and brought forth in his own Image in his own Likeness and Nature which is pure and incorruptible without Stain or Defilement the holy Seed which is Heir of the Promise who know the living Hope which purifies the Heart and bringeth the Answer of a good Conscience unto them that feel and witness the washing of Regeneration and have known in themselves the clean Water poured forth upon them which hath taken away the Stains Spots and Blemishes and the Defilements for where these are not washed out and the Heart cleansed from them and that believed in wherein God's All sufficiency is felt and his Power made manifest there cannot be Assurance of the Father's Love in the Heart nor in the Soul neither doth the Spirit of the Father bear witness unto such nor assure their Justification but on the contrary where Sin remains unsubdued and not taken away the Spirit of the Father condemneth the Sin and the Creature now is joyned to it and is become one with it for no Sin is brought forth but there is a Consent and an Assenting to the Instigation of the Devil although when a Temptation ariseth either within or without there may be a resisting and a striving against it for a little but the Heart not being kept close to the Spirit the Enemy often enters and so captivates the Understanding then there is an Agreement and a joyning to the Adversary and so the spirit pronounceth the sentence of Condemnation upon him who is joyned to the Harlot and becomes one Flesh and joyned unto strange Flesh which is not the Flesh of Christ the Seed and that which joyned and consented to drink of the Cup of Fornication must drink of the Cup of Indignation and Terror and bear the stroke of divine Justice and lye in Patience under it till that be cut down which hath joyned to Deceit before there can be the Remission of the Transgression or the Creature justified in the sight of God for sin is not blotted out of the Book of God's Remembrance till it be turned from and repented of neither doth the Creature stand clear in the sight of God when God judges in righteous Judgment which the Light in every ones Conscience shall answer Now he that is born of God sins not for the Seed of God remains in him which is Life And as the Creature joyns to that seed which is Heir of the Kingdom and of the Crown Immortal he comes to be made Partaker of its Virtue and Operation which seed is Christ and by his Power by which he limiteth the seed of the serpent and weakens his strength in the Creature as man cometh to believe in his strength unto whom all Power is committed the Covenant with Death is broken and that Agreement that the Creature hath made with Death comes to be disanulled by the Arm and Power of the Lord and so the Creature comes to be delivered from the Bondage of Corruption and the new man comes to live or the new Creature which is born of God which sins not comes to be framed and fashioned in the Image of the Father and the Father's Love is manifest unto him and in him and he hath the Assurance in himself The Babe that is born from above of the Spirit which is from above of which he is born and brought forth of the Just by the Just he is justified by the just God and the just Witness of the Spirit sealeth this in him and he hath the Record of his Justification For there are three that bear Record in the Earth the Water the Blood and the Spirit and he that is born of that which is pure in it self hath the Witness of all these three in himself for they agree in one that which one beareth Witness to and for the other doth the same and the Record Testimony and Witness of all these three hath he that is born from above Moreover there are three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Spirit and these three are one So he that is born of the Father and begotten of the Father in Christ the Seed through the Spirit he and he alone comes to feel the Father's Love made manifest in him and is justified in the Sight of the Father and hath the Record of all these Witnesses before-mentioâed in himself so that he hath his Assurance and Evidence near him and in him the seal of the Father the seal of the Spirit And so when the Adversary comes to tempt and to assault and would raise up Doubts in the Mind the Evidence is near which puts him out of all Doubt that he is in the Love of God and blessed forever and happy are all they who have waited for these Things and have felt these Things and are Witnesses of these Things for Flesh and Blood hath not
revealed these Things Now let every Man that reads this prove himself and try himself whether he be in the Faith or no and whether he have the Evidence of the Spirit or no that he is born of it and knows a Birth that sins not because the Seed remaineth in him who is kept by the Power that the evil One touch him not kept in Salvation and in saving Health alive unto him who hath brought him forth to Life to drink of the Cup of Blessing and of the Cup of Salvation which nourisheth and refresheth up unto Eternal Life them that continue in the Faith What the Free Grace of God is and unto whom it hath appeared and where all are to wait to receive it declared as it hath been revealed by the Spirit THe Grace of God is pure and is the free Gift of God and it is perfect it is the Appearance of Christ it is a Beam of Righteousness shining forth it is a Measure of God's Strength and Power issued out from himself and a Proportion of his Treasure Vertue and Sufficiency which comes to be shed abroad in all them that believe in it it 's that through which God maketh known his Will and teacheth us by it and reveals his saving Health through it to them that are taught by it and through it them that believe in it are builded up in the Truth and become a Habitation for God no man doth any thing to purchase it none need say Where may I get it or how may I know its teaching it's near thee it is in thee it hath appeared to all men it shews Ungodliness in the Heart of man by its Brightness yea to all men it shews the Motions unto Sin and that which is not like God in Motions Words or Actions it draweth the Heart of man from them as with a Cord it shews the Lusts of the Heart and Mind the Lust of the Eye and the Pride of Life it never joyned to Sin nothing can alter its Purity or Property as in it self it is alwayes one and the same it is perfect and will be alwayes so it stands off and at a distance from that which is corruptible and imperfect and yet beholdeth it and although some that have turned to it be again turned from it and may turn it as in themselves into Wantonness yet it keeps its Purity and still reproves thy Wantonness and will lay it before thee and will shew thee how thou hast abused the Appearance of Christ and hast marred his Countenance and his Face and reprove thee for it many have been the Talkers of it in this professing Age but knew not of what they spoke neither ever informed the Mind of man where it was to be waited for neither how it might be known or how or what the Operation of it was but have cryed up their own Imaginations we are justified by his free grace from all Sins past present and to come and in this conceit thousands have been led into the Pit of Darkness while out of thick Darkness they have cried up we are justified by free Grace in Christ while the free grace of God's Gift which should have taught them they never heeded at all but got up into Conceitedness and Carelesness and Presumption out of the fear of God and pretending Justification while they themselves were the Servants of Sin and bond-slaves to corruption and this is the State of thousands at this day and they that have been Publishers and Preachers of free grace Now when the thing it self comes to be witnessed and declared what it is and as it is and where it is now they say it is not Sufficient to teach any the Knowledge of God but from all such foolish Doaters and blind guides and ignorant shepherds is God bringing many Sheep home which they have driven away and they would now Kill them that are fed and taught by the gift of God and sayes it 's not Sufficient and so make them to dislike their Food and dislike their Shepherd so would make them deaf and blind and then they might lead them into any Desart and feed them among the Swine who wallow in the Mire in filthyness and Lust and Pleasure and Ungodliness and so beguile the Sheep and scatter them from the Fold and lead them from the True shepherd and from his Appearance which is his grace and from the shepherds Voice which is the Word of his grace which is able to save the Soul Oh all you Blind guides and you that call your selves Orthodox-men and Ministers and all you that have been preaching free grace in words and now when God hath given them that have waited upon him an understanding to declare the thing it self that you have spoken of now you cry it 's not a sufficient Teacher Now let me ask you a question if that which teacheth to deny Ungodliness and shews it be the grace of God and the gift of God then how say you it 's not a sufficient Teacher if it be not a sufficient Teacher then why did the Apostle commit them and commend them to the Word of his grace which was able to save their Souls and whether is not that which is able to save the Soul a sufficient Teacher Answer ye wise men and ye litteral Rabbies if that which shews sin and Temptations be not sufficient then declare you and let us see your skill in the Mysteries of God but to return unto them in whose Minds there is a Desire to be informed seeing then that God's free grace which is his pure Appearance hath so far manifested it self or God through it shews sin and teacheth from sin that which teacheth from sin is holy and that which leadeth from worldly Lusts is pure and that which saves from sin is grace which is saving in it self and God hath so loved the World as that he hath sent his Son into the World and he was and is the Light of the World and hath shed abroad his grace and hath made it appear to all and all that wait upon it and come to be taught by it feel its Assurance so all are left without Excuse Therefore wait in that which hath appeared in thee that which shews the Lusts and Thoughts and Motions unto sin this is God's gift God's grace this is sufficient though all men in the World say it is not sufficient yet this makes not my Faith void neither thine who hast received it but thou hast the Witness of thy Faith in thy self which giveth pure and perfect Feeling of the Operation of the Spirit of the Lord and all are to wait within to hear him who condemns sin in the Flesh within which by his grace shews man his transgression and Insufficiency in himself and by the Word of his grace saves all them that believe in it out of Sin and giveth Dominion over Sin and this comes to be revealed in the Heart of man and there must it be waited for
spoke his Knowledge of and said It s not Meat nor Drink but Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the holy Ghost And the Colossians who had waited for it and believed in that through which it was revealed the Apostle was in the same Faith Colos. 1.12 and 13. Who hath made us meet Partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light who hath delivered us from the Power of Darkness and hath transformed us into the Kingdom of his dear Son and those things were seen in the Body and witnessed in the Body And the Apostle to the Hebrews saith He that believes in entred into the Rest. And this and all these things were feeled within by the Seed immortal the Birth immortal and they that witness the Birth immortal to live in them One said Who hath made us joynt-heirs with Christ who is the Kingdom of eternal Glory and they were Joynt-heirs with him of the Kingdom that fades not away And all that ever come to see the Kingdom of God in the Spirit which is spiritual must wait in the Spirit and in its Manifestation that so God and his Kingdom and the things of God's Kingdom may be felt and seen and enjoyed in the Spirit which is Glorious Object All this which thou hast spoken may some say is the Kingdom of Grace and that we hold there is a two-fold Kingdom the one of Grace here the other of Glory hereafter which none comes to enjoy Glory nor any Part of it in this Life or in the Body Answ. People have long been blinded with confused Distinctions about Names and being full of imaginary Thoughts and Conceptions have brought forth foolish and unlearned Distinctions and that which God hath joyned together they would separate Grace is glorious and Glory is gracious he that can receive it let him the Kingdom of God which was like a Grain of Mustard seed afterwards it became a great Tree the tree in its Strength and Glory and Height is more glorious then when it 's in the Seed yet the Seed and the Tree are in Nature and Quality and Kind one if the Kingdom be in Dominion in Purity and Power and Glory is not here Unity yet a greater Measure yet still the Dominion is one the Power one the Glory one and the Thing one wherein Grace standeth and Glory standeth wherein the Kingdom standeth grace is glorious Eph. 1.6 7. Having predestinated us unto the Adoption of Children to the Praise and Glory of his Grace wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved In the Father's house there are many Mansions Places in the Kingdom of God there are many heavenly Places and they that walked to the Praise of his Grace came to sit also in heavenly Places Eph. 2.9 through Grace Salvation through Grace Glory comes to be revealed in the Earth Isa. 6.3 The Earth is full of his Glory he that makes Heaven and Earth glorious is Glory it self from whence Grace and every Degree of Glory receives its Being the least Measure of God's Strength and Powers is glorious and to be gloried in in the Lord by all that have seen it things might be declared which God hath revealed which are not lawful for me now to utter for as one Star differs from another in Glory yet all glorious even so is it with the Children of the Resurrection who are quickened and made alive and raised from the Dead and fashioned like unto his glorious Body Partakers of the Glory of God of his Kingdom of his Power the power is his in which the Kingdom stands the kingdom his wherein Glory stands the Kingdom Power and Glory stand all in him who is the glorious God and the God of eternal Glory who is revealing his Power his Kingdom and his Grace and his Glory unto all that patiently wait upon him in that which yet is as a Grain of Mustard-seed they will come to feel his Presence his Power and Glory revealed in their Hearts through the Spirit and enjoy God in his Kingdom in his Power and in his Glory and through Faith shall see the Weight of Glory which the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ will reveal unto all that patiently wait for his Appearance and in his Appearance Object But some will cry out Grievous Blasphemy and Error what I think you look for no other glory but in this Life nor for no other Kingdom but what you Enjoy in this Life thus I know dark Spirits Reason Answ. The Saints looked not after any other glory but that which stood in eternal Life and in the immortal Life and in the uncorruptible Life and the Country they sought after was that which God was the Maker and the Builder of and they looked and waited to receive of his Power in which the Kingdom standeth and did in this Life I do not say the full Weight of Glory and to know and injoy and to be made Partakers of his eternal Dominion and Authority is that which all his Saints in Measure witness and in due time came to enjoy through Faith for by Faith they saw him who was invisible and the things of his Kingdom which are invisible spiritual and eternal but to speak of the carnal corruptible Life in the Flesh who are dead while they live there that Life neither the Kingdom nor the Power nor the glory of God is revealed to them not till after the Death of that Life and till after the Death of him who hath the Power of Death which is the Devil which ruleth in the Hearts of the Children of Disobedience whom all the Mystery of God's Kingdom is hid from their Eyes and ever shall while in that state and so let the Serpent be blind and they that have an Ear to hear blessed is that Ear for the Kingdom of God is come nigh unto many and the Salvation of God and the Power of his Christ is seen by many Honour and Praise unto him everlastingly who is the only Potentate that puts down all Authority under his Feet that God may be all in all but first every one must come to feel in himself the Kingdom which is as a little Grain in himself and in it believe before any can come to know the Kingdom or wherein it consists and after it be known in its Measure yet this is far short of glory in the Fulness so many may come to be partakers of the power in some measure yet this is far short of the eternal Weight of Glory He that believes is entered into the Rest and made Partaker of the heavenly Gift and of the heavenly Power and of the heavenly Grace which is glorious and doth witness a heavenly Place in Christ Jesus and yet many Enemies to be subdued and much of the heavenly Habitation which they see not which comes to be revealed as there is an abiding in the Faith which stands in God's Power in which the Kingdom stands the Mysteries of God and of his Kingdom come
unchast Heart nor to the strange Flesh for Whoremongers and Adulterers he will judge and the Mother of Harlots must be cast into a Bed of Torment and they that commit Uncleanness with her but the Virgin feel the Bride wait to know the Lamb's Wife who is all glorious and pure without Spot and there you will see the joyning and betrothing in Purity and Righteousness and the Marriage which is honourable and the Bed undefiled where the Lamb lyes in the Bosome of his Spouse all Night there Unity and Purity in the Love undefiled and eternal is seen The things I write unto you are spiritual and as you wait you will feel and know in the eternal Wisdom the Mysteries of the Kingdom and you will know the Holy Ghost the Womb of the Virgin which he overshadows and see the Conception and feel him who is conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin who was and is called the Immanuel who saveth his People from their Sins and then you will know Christ formed in you and him that forms and the Womb in which he is formed the first born of every Creature which is a great Mystery but through Death this is seen felt heard and understood But he that hath the Key of David opens the Door of the Treasure-house of Eternal Wisdom and unto every one he gives a Measure according to the good Pleasure of his Will who wait upon him and are faithful of his Wisdom and Knowledge and past finding out by the Children of Disobedience whose Wisdom is corrupt but unto all and in all and upon all that believe he pours out of his Spirit of Life of Wisdom of Purity and Power a Measure and in the Measure all that wait have Unity with him who is the Fulness of all Things and of his Fulness receive Grace for Grace and his Righteousness Love Wisdom Mercy and Fulness are revealed from Faith to Faith and as you believe so are you near to him whose Wayes cannot be measured and more and more as you grow in the Faith of him and in him who hath enlightened you and shined in your Hearts more of his Love of his Purity Holiness Wisdom and Glory you will see feel and understand of him and from him who is invisible eternal blessed forever ever Amen So Friends all pass on towards the Mark that you may know Compleatness in him who is all fair and not one Spot in him altogether lovely and you who know his Love and the beloved hold him fast forever and let him not go nothing can separate but an unchast Heart and as you joyn unto any strange Flesh or Idols or other Lovers and so draw your Love from him be sure of this he will hide away his Countenance from you of Love and then Sorrow will fill your Hearts So look not into Egypt again nor to what you have parted with nor the Glory nor Pleasure of Sodom left you be turned into a Pillar of Salt remember Lot's Wife there are many of the same Nature with her which are near you in that City which are as Examples that ye may forever beware lest the same Root of Bitterness spring up as hath done among many upon whom nothing is to be expected but a daily fearful looking for the just Judgments of God in flaming Fire as a Recompence of Reward for their ungodly Deeds and hard Speeches against the Truth and the Servants of it But all abide in the Cross that the Nature out of which the Lusts and the War arise against the Lord and against your Souls may wither dye and be worn out and so you will see more Rest and Peace in and with the Lord and he that hath begun will finish he that hath brought to the Birth will bring forth for in him there is Strength all Power is committed to him both in Heaven and Earth he will work Righteousness in the Earth and preserve all in Peace in heavenly Places in himself forever who believe in his Power And so Friends this I must needs say If you be straitned it is in your own Bowels as sometimes I have said when I was present with you even the same I write now Destruction is of self and Barrenness is of self and Deadness and Disobedience is of self but as you believe in him who is near and in his Grace and the Word of his Grace self is judged and bruised under and you will feel him who is the first and the last to enlarge your Borders and make your Mountain strong and your Heritage goodly and your Ground fair and pleasant where the pleasant Fruit of Righteousness is brought forth which grows in the Valleyes of Righteousness where the Beds are green and the Garden is which gives a sweet Smell and where all that dwell live and abide are fresh beautiful and lovely in the Sight of the Lord in the Sight of all the Children of Light forever Friends above all things keep low and none to judge of your selves nor think of your selves above what is meet take heed of Conceitedness and Pride and Exaltation and Presumption and of gainsaying and resisting them who have laboured amongst you in Word and Doctrine whose Example you have daily as a Pattern before you let no Boasting be nor Contentions nor Strife nor Emulation nor Surmising but in Singleness of Heart all dwell and bear and forbear one another and let the same Mind be in you as was in Christ Jesus and so Peace will be in your Dwellings and Rest and Prosperity in your Habitations and Plenty and Riches from above of the heavenly Wisdom will be multiplyed in your Meetings and the pure Presence of God and his Power will compass you about who are of an upright Heart to the Lord that so you may be as Examples and Patterns of Holiness and Righteousness in your Generation that your Enemy may confess God is among you of a Truth And so the Power of the Lord Jesus Christ rest and abide amongst you all that you may continue to the End which is the Desire of him that shall rejoyce in nothing more then in all your Prosperities in the everlasting Truth of the Son of God Heir of all Things blessed forever and ever World without End A Servant to the least for the Truth 's sake F. H. Let this be copied by any that are free and read in and among all Friends at Meetings as is convenient in and about the City Mystery Babylon THE Mother of Harlots DISCOVERED Her RISE and when With many of Her SORCERIES With her Merchants of divers Orders and Ranks and Merchandize of divers Sorts these many hundred Years Also her last Merchants with their delicate Merchandise discovered in Answer to a Book tituled The Directory for the publick Worship of God through England Scotland and Ireland which is now the chief Traffick her last reformed Merchants trade with in all these Nations Published by F. H. And the
Merchants of the Earth shall weep and mourn over her for no Man buyeth her Merchandize any more Rev. 18.11 And every Ship-Master and all the Company in Ships and Sailers and as many as trade by Sea stood afar off and they cast Dust on their Heads and cryed weeping and wailing saying Alas alas that great City wherein were made rich all that had Ships on the Sea for in one Hour she is made desolate Rev. 18.17 19. Mystery Babylon THE Mother of Harlots DISCOVERED Her RISE and when With many of Her SORCERIES IN the End of the primitive Times when the Apostles had finished their Testimony committed unto them and had gathered many out of the World and converted many unto God and many were established in the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ which purifieth the Heart and giveth Victory over the World and were led to the Beginning before the World was made and the Churches which were in God which had received the Anointing by which they knew all things even the invisible things of God and the Mysteries of his glorious Kingdom which God through the Spirit did reveal unto them which Spirit they had received being begotten of God by which Spirit they called him Father and by which Spirit of Truth which was manifest from the God of Truth in their Hearts they were led into all Truth and became Sons of God and Heirs of the Promise and this Spirit was their Direction and led them to worship God aright to obey and glorifie him and his Name which brought Salvation unto them and into this Spirit they were all baptized by the one Spirit into one Body and in this one Spirit they met and worshipped God and were of one Heart and of one Mind and did know their Director near them and in them and the Time did come when they worshipped neither at Jerusalem nor at Samaria but in the Spirit and in the Truth wherein the Father was glorified and came to see that fulfilled which the Prophets bore Witness of even him in whom all the Prophets end in Christ made manifest in them the Hope of Glory whose Voice they heard from Heaven by which they were quickened and raised from Death to Life by the effectual working of the mighty Power of God which wrought in them that did believe and they were in the Unity of the Faith by which all their Hearts were purified who held it which is a Mystery held in a pure Conscience by which they received an Assurance and were made Partakers of the Promises and became Inheritors of Life Light and Immortality and Heirs of the Promise and Joynt-heirs with Christ and they sate together with him in Heavenly Places and eat with him and drank with him in the Kingdom of God which stood in Power and in Righteousness Joy and Peace and did not look like the Pharisees lo here or there but first felt it as a Grain of Mustard-seed in themselves or as a Corn of Wheat which afterwards springs up as a Blade or as a Ear of Wheat to Ripeness to a full Corn and they did walk from Faith to Faith from Strength to Strength and did appear before God in Sion and the Hebrews were come to Mount Sion from whence God shined out in perfect Beauty who became their Satisfaction and Peace who had revealed his Son in them whom God had made unto them Justification Sanctification and Wisdom and so they knew one God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and one Faith one Hope one Baptism the one Spirit into which they were all baptized into which they all did drink by which all that did believe were sanctified and did receive the Inheritance among the Saints in Light and this was the Church that was in God which was begotten by God the Father and preserved in Christ Jesus in the lively Faith and in the lively Hope by which their Souls were anchored and they established in the Truth that made free and they had received the Spirit of Prophecy and did speak one by one according to the Revelation of the Spirit which led out of Confusion into Order and they being in the Power of God did walk by its Order in the Order of the Gospel And now was the Woman cloathed with the Sun who had the Crown of twelve Stars upon her Head and the Moon under her Feet who stood in that which was unchangeable and immutable and now was the Man-child brought forth which was to rule the Nations and was revealed to the Church which was in God and he was the Head by which all the Members of the Body were united together in one and reconciled to the Father in one and by his Obedience Justification did come upon all that did believe But since the Woman fled into the Wilderness and the Man-child was caught up unto God the Midnight of Darkness came upon the whole World and the Sincerity was lost and the Image of God lost the Heir caught up out of the World's Sight Faith was lost Hope lost the Spirit lost the Saints Rule and Direction and then the Whore appeared and made all Nations drunk with the Wine of her Fornication and they staggered and reeled to and fro hither and thither having lost the Spirit became all Waters and unstable and all the World wondered after the Beast which then arose after the primitive Times and after the Apostles Dayes and admired him and worshipped him who killed the Woman's Seed and made War against it And then the Whore made Decrees who was gone from the Law-giver and she made Confessions of Faith and Articles of Faith being out of the Power of God who is the Author of true Faith being guided by the Power of the Dragon she made Orders of Worship and gave Directions for Worship having gotten on the free Womans Attire the Outside the Scriptures the Form of Godliness but afterwards became more abominable having both lost the Power and the Form worshipped the Devil's Power and the Dragon's Power and came forth in the Image of him and reached out the Cup of Fornication and made the Nations drunk with her Inchantments and Sorceries and she drunk the Blood of the Martyrs the Blood of the Prophets and them that kept the Testimony of Jesus the Spirit of Prophecy and then prescribed Forms of Worship Forms of Prayer and made Creeds and Faiths and Articles of Faith and many Faiths having lost the Order of the Gospel she made many Orders and sent out many Merchants to carry abroad her Traffick and her Merchandize to the Nations and whole Ships were filled full of it Vessels full of it which went upon the Sea and rode upon the Waters upon Kindreds Tongues Nations and Peoples who received of her Merchandize and bought of several Sorts of Merchandize which the several Merchants traded with who had several Orders prescribed then as Popes Cardinals Jesuites Fryars of many Orders and Monks of many Orders Jesuites of many Orders and all these
Deep smiled and all things that were therein the Springs thereof laughed which flowed forth as though they had issued out of a Womb now every thing that had Breath and lived praised the Lord neither was there any thing but bowed and submitted to their Maker and he Lord and King over all yet in eternal Glory yet let the wise in Heart understand this was in the Beginning and though it was in the Beginning yet this was when the Heavens and the Earth were created and all Things that therein are even then the Lamb of God was alive and the Son of God glorified with the Father and Man in Happiness and in pure Perfection without Sin in Innocency for nothing that was nocent or hurtful had yet appeared neither was there any such Thing in all that God had made Here the Wise may learn and they that have a good Understanding may read the Wisdom of God in a Mystery and also see the dark sottish Doctrine of the blind Apostates who have lost the Power and are keeping People ignorant of the Mystery of God NOw this hath been a common Doctrine and received to be orthodox and as they call it authentick that while we are in this Life there cannot be an overcoming of all Sin nor no Expectation of it in this Life and their main Ground hath been this because we have natural Bodies Now I say had not Adam a natural Body when he was in Purity and Perfection in Innocency in Paradise in the Garden yet was this any Hinderance to him to answer the Will of his Creator No For as the Soul Spirit and Body was moved by the Power out of which Power he was not to stir then I say he had Ability to perform the will of his Maker in the Body for as he was created by the Power in the inward man that led about the natural and earthly or outward form according to its will which Will was pure and kept the Body acting in its Place in the Power for then I say all was good for the Celestial Power in which he was made moved the whole man according to its Will and while he stood in the Power he was in Innocency and Purity and without Blemish and in the Power was his Health and Peace and he knew no Evil. Obâect But some may say What is this as to the Confutation of the Doctrine which hath been taught as to the Freedom from Sin in this Life Answ. This declares that there was such a thing in being to wit a natural Body and an earthen Vessel and yet without Sin as he stood in the power for the earthen Vessel was good as all the rest of God's creation was in its Place to serve the Power as the rest of God's Creatures did in the Beginning and who ever comes to know that state again may come to glorifie God in Soul Body and Spirit though in the Body in this tabernacle but take their own Phrase for the clearing of the thing not to be freed from the committing of sin in this Life I say in the corruptible Life or the Life of Unrighteousness which may be properly called Death there is no freedom from Sin neither of Soul or Body or Spirit but who comes to know Regeneration or the Life of men in which Adam was created in the Beginning in that incorruptible Life there is no Transgression and if he live in man the Body is dead because of Sin and I know none who have preached any other Life who have spoken by the Spirit of God in which freedom from all Sin is obtained but onely the Life of Christ and whosoever comes to know the Lord from heaven who ruled over all in the Beginning and was the Life of all and all moved in his Life before the fall whether they were things visible or invisible and that same Power or Life of Christ the Lamb of God who was alive then if he live in man and man come to be guided by his Power as in the beginning he living in man the Soul Body and Spirit being quickned by his Power and raised from under the Bondage of Corruption then Death hath not power over man but Life and because he lives in them they live also their Souls to praise him and their Bodies and the Members thereof to be Servants of righteousness and so that unbelieving Doctrine of the World is turned into the Pit and Truth is set above it Object But further it will be objected That our Bodies are not like Adams in innocency we are in the Fall and therefore we say they hinder from being freed from all Sin and ever will while upon Earth Answ. That the naked Truth may appear to them that seek after true Knowledge I answer freely that I grant that the Soul lies in Death and the Creature is subject to Vanity and the whole Creation groans in travail and in Pain and waits for the manifestation of the Son of God and the Redemption of the body and in this State is all mankind upon the Face of the whole Earth in the first Adam but he who is the second Adam the Lord from Heaven who was in the Beginning and is now what he was and shall be forever I say as man comes to believe in the Son who hath Life in himself and he comes to be revealed in man and man subject to his leading he brings the Soul out of death to have Union and Communion with himself and restores the Creature from his Bondage and breaks the Bond and knocks that down which hath imbondaged and so changes the Body I do not mean the form of the Body but the quality and Nature thereof for the Form of Adams body was not changed but the quality it was degenerated from its pure Nature wherein it glorified God as he stood in the Power so I say Christ who is the Life of men the true Light which lighteth every man that comes into the World he changes all that follow him into his own Nature restores the Creature into his first estate again into Purity that like as the inward man is renewed and restored by the Power and serves the Power so the Members of the Body are also yielded Servants unto Righteousness and they receive Vertue and Power from the Power the Life and so the whole man comes out of condemnation to glorifie his Maker and the Will of God is done in Earth as it is in Heaven and he saves to the utmost them that come unto him now if he save the Soul and not the Body then hâ saves not to the utmost But this is a high State blessed are they who wait in the Faith to the end are happy that they may see and know the redemption of their Souls and also the redemption of their body For I deny redemption in the Grave or in Death or after this Life for the holy men of God never mention a cleansing from Sin in the
now hath Union with unclean Spirits which are cursed from the presence of the Lord forever he that had Union with all God's Creatures hath lost the Union with all being gone out of the power in which all were created and moreover now in Enmity to it and joyned to him who hath the power of Death which is the Devil and now draws Iniquity as with a Cart-rope and Vanity as with a Cord and he who was joyned to the Lord and to the Lamb now joyned to the Dragon who makes War against the Lamb he that had Union with the Seed the Heir of all Things now hath Union with the Seed of the Serpent the first born of Wickedness Heir of Condemnation and everlasting Vengeance who is driven from the Lord's Presence and curst forever and to be tormented from the Presence of the Lord forever Now the World set in the Heart and the Heart gone out after earthly Things even Things that perish and now his Life grew in that and after that which fadeth his Delight on transitory Things in Lust in Pleasure and Wantonness delighting in the Flesh hath forgotten God his Maker and now dishonours him Oh let the Heavens mourn and let the Earth be without Joy let Hills lament and the Valleys be grieved let Gloominess cover the Face of the Deep let the Floods be sorry and Springs lament let all that is movable take up a lamentation and let it be for a lamentation forever Misery is spread over all the Earth is polluted and defiled and all is out of Order disjoynted from the Lord and great Confusion and Perplexity is come upon all and the whole Creation groans and travails in Pain in Grief and Sorrow and all is made subject to Vanity the Oppressor bears Rule the land mourns the lamb is slain the Serpent and his Seed rejoyceth and triumphs all is filled with Violence the Seed suffers the Lord is grieved the Angels mourn the proud and presumptuous are now counted happy and now the Worker of Iniquity set up to be a Ruler and a law-giver now to man and in man who before had the Lord to be law-giver and his King Oh woful Change oh sad State oh deplorable Condition gone from Honour and Glory into perpetual Misery and Contempt And here all the whole Earth and all Mankind may read themselves as in a Glass in what State they are in in the Fall in the first Nature in the Disobedience Time would fail me to express the Misery and the sad State of all Mankind in the Curse yea it is unexpressible and undeclarable and unfathomable and incomprehensible by the Sons of men in the Unbelief but God hath revealed to me by his Spirit that which is now spoak and he shall bear me Record that my Witness is true also that of God in every man's Conscience when the Book of Conscience shall be opened and the Secrets of all Hearts revealed shall bear Witness that this is true How Sin entered and Death by Sin into the World and now Man dead while he lives and all are dead Works that Man brings forth wherein the State of all the Sons of men may be seen and their Works in the Fall NOw the Serpent being more Subtil then all the Beasts of the field in presumption of himself moved without the Power and formed a thing without the Power and began his Work and brought a lye being gone out of the Truth Sin conceived and a Lye conceived he is the Father of it and not the Power he spoke of himself who was gone out of the Light motion or the Powers acting man also his Eye being abroad out of the Life and Power let in the Temptation upon him but if he had stood in the Power as God had ordained him and commanded him and had not moved out of it he would have seen when the Serpent oâ any other thing had gone out of the Power and have still had Dominion over it and though it was Evil in the Serpent to Tempt who moved without Commandement from the Lord yet if man had stood in the Power he had kept him out and it had been no Sin to him neither condemned should he have been and so that blind Doctrine of the world and the Teachers thereof is a lye who have said and taught that God ordained him to Fall and upon this account that so Christ might be revealed and that his Son might be honoured for if man had not Faln say they there had needed no Saviour This is Ignorance and Blindness he created man in his Image to stand in the Power and ordered and Commanded him so to do and to Glorifie him who made him to stand in the dominion over all the Works of his Hands And this doth not make Christ useless or of no use yea he was of use before and was his Life and the Life of all things and what if I say Salvation the wise will understand the unlearned will say what need their Salvation when there is no Sin yes there needed Salvation and Preservation in that State that he was made in that he might be upholden in that state and saved from any thing that might hurt him in that State so as to weaken him that he might not have Power to fulfill the Will of God and to glorifie his Maker Object But some may say He was not saved and preserved but was Created and left to himself to order himself whether he would stand or Fall Answ. I say whose was the fault that he was not preserved and saved in that state was it in God nay and that he was left to himself is also as false and Unlearned he left him in the Power and in the Dominion everlasting and Commanded him to stand there and he was not to go out of it but to act in the Motion of the Word and in the Power by which he was made which was Christ who was glorified with the Father before the World began I say according to God's appointment and Ordination man was not left to himself but to stand in the Power and authority of the Word wherein man had power to fulfill the Will of God and keep all in Order according to God's appointment but he going out of the Power contrary to God's command giving heed to the Woman and the Serpent who were gone out of the Command before I say he of his own accord going out when the Power commanded him not to Hearken to any such thing but on the Contrary forbad him so let in a Lye and believed the VVoman and the Serpent and so went from his Preservation and Protection and Salvation and so was catched in the Serpents Snare who abode not in the Truth Object But then some may say He had a voluntary Will to do as he would and was not that will good Answ. The will was good in it self as it stood and went out in the Lifes Motion but moving or acting contrary to the Motion
Self-acting was not known now Self-will Self-worship Self-righteousness nay they moved in the Power Righteousness was their covering and as I said before there was no shame I might speak largely in this thing and truly my Tongue is the Pen of a ready writer Oh that all had an Ear to hear that their Soul might live and that every one might be unbottomed of his false rest false and feigned Hope and Faith and of his own ragged Garment and let go his Self-righteousness and his dead Works and come to Christ the Life of men again that man hath run from that so he might have Life and Peace Object But some would say That thou wouldest have all upside down anâ unchristian the Nations and unchurch Churches and throw down all our Worship and then what should we do all would be as Heathens and turn into Atheism I say a time of fanning and sifting and trying is come when nothing shâll stand but that hath the Image stamp and Character of the living God upon it and all that which hath been brought up and raised up since man hath been in the Transgression must be turned down into the Pit again and all that have got a Name of Christian and wants his Life to live among them and in them shall be scattered as Clouds with the ãâã wind and all imitated Worships and will-Worshippers and the feigneâ Faith and the feigned Hope shall be confounded and all will-worships and Worshippers will be overturned who are not come yet to the true Light that lightens every man that comes into the World and till man comes to the Light and tryes his deeds and works by it he never sees what he is doing nor what he is working nor what he works and so all that man doth here in the unbelief it is but Sin or Self-righteousness which is brought forth by him who abode not in the Truth in the Unbelief and so who be come to the Power which was in the Beginning before Sin entered and death by Sin hath and doth measure all deeds and all works and man that is in the loss in the Fall and sees that a dead man cannot act a living work nor bring forth living Fruits unto God nor living works of Righteousness being in the Unrighteousness neither the fruits of Faith being in the unbelief neither the works of the Day being in the Night neither the works of charity being in the Enmity in a word without Christ the Power the Light the Life which was glorified with the Father before the world began I say the said it himself who is the Beginning of the Creation of God the first born of every creature he said and his Testimony will be found true without me ye can do nothing nothing that is well-pleasing to the Lord nothing that ever shall be acceptable and here is the true State of all the Earth discovered and all mankind drove out from God miserable Naked Hâpeless Helpless Faithless and so can do nothing as to the glorifying of God his Maker or to the ordering of any thing in the Creation to his glory having lost his Dominion and God's Wisdom and this being cââsidered seriously by all and brought to the Light in all and their Deeds tryed by it would make the losty bow and the Stout-hearted fear and the conceited sit down in Solitariness that they should so long deceivâ their own Souls with a conceit of Righteousness and redemption whââ as Death yet reigns in them and over them and not Life eterna ãâã the Devil is a distinct being from God and his Works are distinct anâ his Deeds from the Works of God and neither he nor his works ãâ¦ã be numbred among the works of God but he and they thaâ ãâã him and fellow him who is our of the Truth they their work ãâã whât âort soever they may seem unto men to be whose Eyes the ãâã hââh âlinded so I say all is to condemned and shut out from God's ãâ¦ã âârever and to be Destroyed by him who is a consuming Fire ãâã all the Righteousness of man burned as combustible stuff in ãâ¦ã Aâd by what hath been said the Principle of that ãâ¦ã become vain in their Imaginations and foolish ãâ¦ã being Darkned and are seen and their Principle overthââââ As that Light and Darkness is one and good and Evil one and ãâã Righteousness one and Truth and a Lye one and that God is all and doth all and whatever is done is of God and that there is no Evil but to him that thinks it so and it is only a false apprehension of things and that there is no such thing as Sin and that Sin is nothing Unto all these things I might speak but the understanding Reader may by what is before written see each of these plainly declared and the true Ground of things laid down as the Spirit gave utterance and this shall at present suffice in this Matter Object But some may object further and say Will not reading the Scriptures and conforming to the practice of the Saints in the use of his Ordinances will not this make us accepted and bring us out of the Fall and make us good Christians Answ. No while Death hath dominion in man and over man and the vail over the Heart man doth not understand the Mystery of God's Kingdom neither understands the Scripture which was spoken from the Spirit of Truth or any thing of Truth as it is in Christ for none understands the things of God but by the Spirit of God so that every man that comes to have a good understanding must come to know the pure Spirit of God in him to direct him and inform him which Spirit was the Original of the Scripture for the holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the holy Ghost without the holy Ghost in some measure be known and that which is infallible the sayings the writings the Scriptures cannot be understood because of the want of this all the Earth is run into Heads and Sects and Opinions and large Treatises and Volumes and expositions have been written and yet differing one from another and all from the Spirit and in all these particular Sects Persecuting one another and Envying one another and hating one another and would compell others to believe what they believe in what they say if they had but power and for proof of this it is most evident in the Scripture of Truth and in latter Ages since the Apostles it hath been and it is evidently seen both among the Papists and Protestants and among all them that are called the reformed Churches but all this is in the Fall and in the Transgression and in the Apostacy and is an evident token that they are all under the Power of the Beast whom makes War against the Lamb so all compellation and they that do compell are not Worshippers of the Lamb but of the Beast which is to be destroyed and cast into the Lake For the
Jews under the first Covenant had the Scriptures the good and wholsome Words of God and the Prophets and read the Law and the Prophets on the Sabbath dayes and yet the Vail was over their Hearts and though they did perform many things commanded yet they being erred from the Spirit did not understand of what the Scripture spoke nor know him nor his mind to wit Christ of whom the Scriptures spâke neither were they accepted of God but reproved and Rejected by Christ himself who said they erred not knowing the Scriptures nor the Power of God doubtless they did know the words naturally and read them but the Spirit 's mind in so speaking they knew not and Jude reproves all such and said what they knew they knew naturally as âworâ it Beasts and in that Knowledge they corrupted themselves and therâfoâe Peter well said many things were herd to be understood which the unlearned wrested they that were ignorant of the Spirit of the Father and had not learned of God who is a Spirit they I say perverted and wrested the good and wholsom Words of the Scriptures and were no more accepted of God then if they had never heard the Words nor read them at all and as for the Jews conforming to the outward Commands when the Vail was over their Hearts and their Hearts Uncircumcised these things did not make them any whit more accepted then the Heathen so the Christians since Christ's time in the Apostles days and after the Apostles dayes who held the form of Worship and the form of Godliness and the outward part of Worship and hold and retain it in that part which is above the Seed and deny the Power this no more makes a Christian inward then outward Circumcision made a Jew inward neither any of these things do recommend any unto God but are covers made and rests formed from that part which is above the Seed and so man comes to be Counselled in those things when alas he is Miserable and Naked and hath not the righteous Garment on which should make man accepted of the Father through the beloved God's Righteousness How all men upon the Earth in the degeneration and in the Fall and in the Transgression have corrupted themselves have been Idolaters in every administration being gone from the Power in which man had the Ability Power and Wisdom to Worship God aright and honour the living God of Heaven and Earth IN the State and Condition which man was created in when he was the Image of God and lived in the Power of God in which he was created he in that Power which was his Life had Wisdom and Understanding and Power to worship the living God and to glorifie his Maker the which thing I have treated on before but being gone from the Power grew in Knowledge without the Power his Thoughts became vain his Imaginations vain and his Desires earthly and corruptible and so the Creatures were worshipped in his Heart and not the Creator the Life of the Creatures and he bowed to the Creatures and they had Dominion over him and that Nature began to grow and multiply in all the Earth and that Seed that was at Enmity with God and against the Seed which is Christ and few there were that called upon the Name of the Lord in Truth and Righteousness although some yet few one in a Nation or a few in an Age nay in many Ages and men multiplyed in the Earth and Wickedness multiplied also and Idolatry and the Seed of the Serpent grew great And God saw the Wickedness of man that it was great in the Earth and that the Thoughts and Purposes and Imaginations of his heart were only evil continually Gen. 6.5 And the Earth was filled with Violence Cruelty and Oppression and the living God forgotten and not worshipped but on the contrary they followed the Imaginations of their own Hearts and bow'd down to every corruptible thing and to every Creature and did not worship the Lord God in their Hearts till the Lord was grieved at the Heart and repented that he had made man and this was before the Flood and after the Flood when the Earth was a little multiplyed Iniquity grew in the Earth and the cursed Seed sprang from Ham's Stock of whom was Nimrod the Hunter before the Lord the Beginning of his Kingdom was Babel of the which became great Idolaters and of this Seed came the Philistians who were uncircumcised who were Heathens and the Jebusites and Gargasites and the Canaanites and Hivites and their Generations were great in the Earth and they were great Idolaters and committed Idolatry with Stocks and Stones and with Brick having forgotten the Lord they began to work exploits in the Earth and to build Cities and Babel having forgot the Name of God they would have got a Name in the Earth and builded a Tower whose top might have reached to Heaven but the Lord whom they had forgot scattered them and this was the Seed of evil doers whom God scattered and drove out of Canaan who were great Idolâters and gave it to Abraham who feared the Lord and to Jacob and to his Seed to possess And when Transgression grew he added a Law the Sence of God's Power and Wisdom was so lost in man and they so gone from his Wisdom that a Law was added after Israel came out of Egypt which was outward and written in Tables of Stone wherein was the Statutes and the Commands that they should only worship him and that they should not make them Gods of Gold and Silver neither the Likeness of any thing in Heaven and Earth yet nevertheless that uncircumcised Part which kept the Seed in Bondage and that corruptible earthly Nature that ruled in them made Gods like the heathen Egyptians and they made a Calf and bowed to the molten Image and forgot God and provoaked him to Anger till many of them were consumed in his sore Displeasure and tempted him and lusted and eat and drank and rose up to Play and committed Whoredoms with the Creatures and abused them and therefore the Lord sent his Prophets and rebuked them they abused the Gold and the Silver the Stone and the Wood which were good Creatures but not to make Gods of nor Images thereof nor Idols to draw away their Minds from the Lord but they in whom the Seed was not made manifest they worshipped deâd things and Likenesses of things which were not Life it self and so transgressed the Law acting from that Part and living in that Nature which the Law was against which was added because of Transgression to limit the Transgressor and to slay him and to bruise that under till the Seed came up that fulfils the Law but the Seed of the Serpent had so much Rule in them whom God had often delivered out of the Hands of their Enemies so that many perished Corah and many Princes and many Thousands of Israel who followed their own Inventions and were cut
nourished with the VVater of Life which is not an Element nor elementary but is caelestial and springs up in them that believe unto everlasting Life and come to be born of the Water and the Spirit and enter into God's Kingdom Dominion Power Life Wisdom Excellency and eternal Glory happy is he that believes and abides in Patience unto the End Now since the Dayes of John the Kingdom of God hath been preached and as many as were ordained to eternal Life believed and many in the Day when Christ was manifest in the Flesh believed unto whom he declared the Mind of the Father and by him was the Father glorified he fulfilled the Law and did many Works and Miracles by the Power of the Father and herein was the Father glorified and them that did believe in him their Faith was strengthned and he opened the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God to his Disciples and bore witness and prophesied the Destruction of Jerusalem and of all their Worship and said No more at Jerusalem nor at Samaria but the Time was coming when they that worshipped the Father should worship him in Spirit and Truth and declared against the Pharisees Righteousness and said to his Disciples Except their Righteousness did exceed the Pharisees they could not enter the Kingdom of God and yet the Pharisees performed all the outward things commanded but were in the Idolatry and did not believe in the Life Now he declared of his Suffering many things and also how he would go away and how he would come again and would not leave them comfârtless but these things were hart to be believed then by his Disciples and further he told them he must be betrayed and suffer and rise again and when the Hour was come that he was betrayed when he was with his Disciples even the same Night he was betrayed he took Bread and broke it and blessed it and said take and eat this is my Body which is broken for you this do in Remembrance of me and after he took the Cup and after he had supped saying this is the Cup of the New Testament in my Blood as often as you drink it do it in Remembrance of me 1 Cor. 11.23 24. And Matthew Mark and Luke delare the same and this was real Bread and real Wine which was a Representation of that which was to be enjoyed in the Spirit and never intended for any further thing but as a Figure or a Representation of the Bread of Life and of the Cup of Blessing which afterward they came to be Witnesses of and as oft as they eat and drank they did shew forth the Lordâs Death till he came Now this was practised among the Disciples after he was risen from the dead and did converse with them at many times and exhorted them and comforted them and instructed them and told them that they should be Witnesses of his Name unto the Ends of the Earth and gave them Commandment to teach all Nations and baptize them in the Name of the Father Son and holy Ghost and did promise to be with them to the End of the World and told how the Comforter would come and that the Father would send him in his Name even the Spirit of Truth which was with them and should be in them to be their Teacher Leader and Guide and bring all things to their Remembrance Now that which he gave them as a Figure and to be a Sign unto them of the clearer Manifestation of himself which afterward came to be fulfilled and they Witnesses of it who grew up in the pure invisible Being and did see the Mystery through the Revelation of the Spirit which did more clearly shew unto them the Mysteries within the Vail for as I said of Water it was a Sign of a good thing to come so the Bread and the Cup was also a Sign of a good thing to come as all outward Figures were but they that did believe and grew up in the Faith in the Seed Christ they came to see the Substance in whom all Figures end and had Communion with him within the Vail after he was ascended where he was before now the Apostle he spoke as to wise men judge ye what I say 1 Cor. 10.15 16. The Cup of Blessing which we bless is it not the Communion of the Blood of Christ the Bread which we break is it not the Communion of the Body of Christ And Ver. 17. For we being many are one Bread and one Body for we are all Partakers of that one Bread mark all they that did believe though they were many yet they were one Bread and one Body and were all Partakers of that one Bread which Bread was the Flesh of Christ. Joh. 6 48. I am the Bread of Life And Joh. 6.51 I am the living Bread that came down from Heaven if any Man eat of this Bread he shall live forever and the Bread that I will give is my Flesh which I will give for the Life of the World Now I speak unto wise men and let the Wisdom of God in them manifest judge what I say for where the Body of Christ is witnessed and the Flesh of Christ known they know that which all the Figures end in the Manna that God gave no Israel in the Wilderness they dyed that did eat thereof which was as pure a Type of the hidden Manna as lively a Type as Bread outward which was but a Type of the Flesh of Christ and both they that did eat the Manna and they that eat the Bread outward and drank the Cup outward are both dead but he that eats the Flesh of Christ and drinks the Blood lives forever and he that eats the hidden Manna hath overcome Death and lives forever and feeds upon the Bread of Life feeds upon eternal Life Now this is a Mystery to the Papists who are Idolaters who have sprung up in the Apostacy though they have Scriptures as it was to the Jews John 6.52 who strove among themselves and said how can this man give his Flesh to eat And so the Papists who strive about the Flesh of Christ and his Blood and yet have the Scriptures and they say it 's in the Bread and in the Wine after Consecration and so they worship the Imaginations of their own Hearts not discerning the Lords Body and have Killed thousands and taken away the Lives of thousands because they would not confess their Idol to be of God And the Protestants they are setting up the Bread and the Wine and contenting themselves therewith and are making an Idol of it and come not to discern the Body of Christ but one saying he hath a carnal Body and another a Fleshly Body another a Mystical Body and another sayes his Body is divided from his Members and so speak out of thick Darkness their own Imaginations and have no communion with the Body of Christ neither know the Flesh of Christ which is the Bread of Life which is given
for the Life of the World John 6.51 And as Godliness began to work and the Mystery thereof in the dayes of Christ and the Apostles wherein the Lord discovered much of his Wisdom and Power and manifested his pure Presence and poured out his Spirit plentifully upon Sons and Daughters and fulfilled that which Joel prophesied of Joel 2.28 which came to be fulfilled after Christ's ascension Acts 2.17 and They received the Holy Ghost and spoke the wonderful Things of God as they were revealed by the Spirit which shed it self abroad among them that waited for it so also the Mystery of Iniquity began to work even in that time and as the Apostles laid the Foundation of Truth and declared the Truth Christ to be the Foundation even so the Mystery of Iniquity did Work and a Beginning or a Foundation of error was laid by them who were gone out of the Truth the false Prophets Deceivers Anti-christs who were Professors and Preachers but they were such as were Covetous and Greedy of filthy Lucre and made Merchandize of Souls for dishonest gain and denyed the Power of God Christ and were Enemies to the Cross and gloried in the Flesh and spake Swelling words of Vanity and did all live in the Lust of the Flesh and were proud Boasters and denyed the Lord that bought them for denying the Power of God they did deny Christ though in Words they preached him as this Generation who are their Off-springs do out of Strife and Contention as the Apostles writes and they held the Form of Godliness but denyed the Power and they were they that once were Convinced of the Truth and came into the form of Truth but denyed the Power of Truth but were in Craft and Deceit and they subverted whole Houses from the Faith and led them back into the World into Unbelief in the Apostles dayes and yet had a worship and did Worship but not in the Power not the Life and this began to work and wrought more cunningly and Subtilly in the latter Times And the Apostle Paul in many of his Epistles John and Peter and Jude declare against them and Paul prophesied of them before his departure of grievous Wolves which should spring up which should not spare to make Havock of the Flock of Christ so the false Apostles Deceivers Anti-christs and deceitful Workers they went out then and did what they could to lead Disciples after them into the World inwardly they were ravened from the Spirit and were gone from it into the Earth into the world and served not the Lord Jesus Christ but their own Bellies and the God of the world which is the Devil and they went into the World and the World received them and then they and their Disciples turned against the Saints and they held Truth in Words and the Form for a wile but it was in Unrighteousness and here was the beginners and the beginning of the Apostates and of the Apostacy it was began in the Apostles dayes by them that went out of the Truth out of the Light and were ravened from the Spirit and erred from the Faith and were Enemies to the Power of God and these were the beginners and the Layers of the Foundation and then it grew that root of Wickedness faster then the Truth for the Jews resisted and the Heathens resisted and the Apostates and false Prophets resisted and they that were Apostatized they resisted and they caused many to Stumble to Err to make Ship-wrack of their Faith and so the World went after them the World the Nations the Kindreds the Tongues and the People went after Kings Princes and Potentates of the Earth and in process of time they had over-run all and Killed the Saints the Woman fled into the Wilderness and the man-Child was caught up unto God then all Nations who were gone from the Rock became as a Sea reeled to and fro Unstable Unsetled what were they like to settle in the Sea then a great beast arose with his seven Heads and ten Horns and the Whore which had Defiled the bed and She sat upon the Beast and She reached out her Cup of Fornication to the Nations and all Nations were Drunk with her Cup and then the Beast made War and the Nations were Drunk and they loved the beast and received his Mark became Cruel and pushed at the Saints and followed him and made War with them and the Whore she drank the blood of the Saints and the Dragon appeared and with his Tayl drew the third part of the Stars after him to the Earth the false Prophets they are the Tail of the Dragon who were gone from the Testimony of Jesus the Spirit of Prophecy and drew after it the third part of the Stars from the Firmament of his Power into the Earth Rev. 12.4 The man Child was caught up unto God which was to rule all Nations with a Rod of Iron and the Woman fled into the Wilderness where God hath prepared a place for her and then the Dragon went out and made War with the Remnant of her Seed to wit the Woman's Seed And so out of the Sea arose the Beast out of Nations Kindreds Tongues and Peoples which are Waters and the Dragon gave Power to the Beast and his Seat and great Authority Rev. 13.2 And all the World wondered after the beast ver 3. and ver 4. They Worshipped the Dragon which gave Power to the beast and the beast likewise and now the world cryed which wondered after the beast who is able to make War with the beast and ver 6. He opened his Mouth in Blasphemy against God to blaspheme hâs Name and Tabernacle and them that dwell in Heaven and he made War with the Saints and did overcome them and all that dwelt upon the Earth worshipped him whose Names were not written in the Lamb's Book of Life And the Beast deceived the Nations and them that dwelt on the Earth and now Kindreds Tongues People and Nations and all the World which wondered after him they who had lost the Image of God now became the Image of the Beast that blasphemed God and his Tabernacle and them that dwell in Heaven and now the Kings of the Earth that had drunk the Whore's Cup of Fornication and the Nations Kindreds Tongues and People who were become the Beast's Image now the Image of the Beast spoak and caused as many as would not worship the Beast and the Image should be killed take notice of that all who are called Christians it was not Godâs Images who compelled to worship or else be killed but it was the Beasts Image and wheresoever Compulsion ând killing is exercised and practised they worship the Beast Chap. 13. Ver. 16. And he causeth all both small and great rich and poor bond and free to receive a Mark in their Forehead or in their right Hand and none might buy or sell but he which had the Beast's Mark or his Name or the Number of his Name
of the Gospel and the Foundation and the Tryer of Spirits and the Touch-stone and say it 's the Foundation of their Faith and Religion and so are all in the distraction one Envying another and Persecuting one another about the words of Truth spoken from the Spirit of Truth which cannot be understood again but by the same Spirit and so all them that have not the Spirit of Truth are in the Apostacy And all Sects Judgments and Opinions that have risen up since the Apostacy from the Faith that was once delivered to the Saints when the woman Travailed and brought the man-Child which after because of the Dragon's Power fled into the VVilderness and her Child caught up unto God all the Faith and worship that since is sprung up since the VVhore hath sitten as a Queen in Majesty is all denyed the Ground of their Worship Laws Traditions Inventions and all their invented Practices and Forms and Images and Likenesses are denyed and disowned as to be the Dress and Attire of the Whore which hath allured People through her enticing pretences and shews of Holiness when indeed all is but spiritual Adultery and this must be all turned under again the Whore's flesh Burned and her Attire plucked off and her Nakedness appear and her shame to them that have committed Fornication with her and they shall be ashamed of themselves and of her and abhor themselves and abhor her and Destroyed shall she be and the Lamb's Wife shall be beautified and come out of the secret Place into open View out of the Solitary Wilderness into the beautiful place that the Lord will bring her into and the time times and half time is out the thousand two hundred and threescore Dayes are at an End and he bears witness of it who saw her fly away upon Eagles Wings into the secret place which was prepared for her for these Dayes and Times appointed and I say he that knows the Counsel of the most High in this matter can account the time times and a half and the Dayes and what shall be after the dayes be expired which is at an end blessed is he that sees believes and Understands he shall see that which yet hath not appeared neither can it be believed by the most though it were declared but yet a little while and the Earth grows ripe and an Ear will be opened in many who cannot yet hear and for a little while in this I shall be silent and Treasure up that which the Spirit hath revealed till the time be fully accomplished which God hath determined and then his Glory shall be revealed and all the former things which have lived since the man of Sin hath been Exalted shall all dye and an utter Consumption shall be of all the changeable Laws made since the Apostacy and the many changeable Dresses of the Whore and Attires in which she hath appeared and Imaginary worships into which all have run since they were Apostatized from the Faith all this shall be disannulled and come to an End and be Blasted forever the Spirit of the Lord saith Amen How the Woman that was clothed with the Sun and had the Crown of twelve Stars upon her Head which did flee into the Wilderness comes out again after the great Whore is judged and her Child that was caught up unto God comes to appear again NOW after the time times and half a time after the thousand two hundred and threescore Dayes she returns after the Whore is judged and the great City Babylon is fallen which hath made the Nations drunk and brought forth Children in Fornication who had drunk the Blood of the Saints in the Apostacy after the Whore was judged and the Voice was heard in Heaven of much People that sang Halelujah Salvation and Glory and Honour and Power who witnessed to the Righteousness of God's Judgment And a Voice came out of the Throne saying praise our God all his Servants and ye that fear him both small and great Rev. 19.5 6. And I heard as it were the Voice of many Waters and as a great Multitude and as the Voice of a mighty Thunder saying Halelujah for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth the Whore is now judged the Mother of Harlots condemned with all her Inchantments and Sorceries Now the Lamb's Wife appears who is the Mother of the man-child which was caught up unto God she that was cloathed with the Sun with the glorious everlasting caelestial Light she is both the Mother and the Wife he that hath an Ear let him hear Now Jerusalem that is from above spiritually so called who was the Mother of all the Saints before the Apostacy she appears again and comes to be the Wife of the Lamb and the City of the Saints and the Mother of them that are born from above this shall be and is made manifest to some but a numberless Number shall see it and the Day hastens greatly and she is appearing again and her solitary Garments shall be put off and as she was beautifull before the VVhore made the Nations drunk clothed with the Sun and had the Moon under her Feet and a Crown of twelve Stars upon her Head and though she became Child-less and also as a VViddow and the Remnant of her Seed slain and destroyed so shall she appear again in Glory and Beauty as before and shall be made ready yea mine Eye hath seen it she is making her self ready as a Bride for her Husband and unto her is granted that she shall be arrayed in fine Linnen clean and white even arrayed in the Righteousness of the Saints which is not self-Righteousness the Garments of the Harlot and her Lovers but in the Righteousness of Christ the Lamb her Husband and Child also and she shall now bring forth many more Children though her Seed hath been slain yet a numberless Number shall appear and ten Thousand Thousand shall be brought forth by her and glory in her and reverence her and rejoyce in her forever and they shall be all clad in the same Robe which the Husband the Lamb is clothed withal and the same the Lamb's VVife this VVoman is âlâthed withall and the same shall all the Children by clothed withal the fine Linnen the Righteousness of the Lamb which was dead and slain since the Foundation of the World but now alive and lives for evermore and here a heavenly Family appears now after the Apostacy and this shall be seen by all that have an Eye that can see through and beyond the Smoke of the Pit that hath darkened the Air while the Beast and Dragon have had Power but now hath her Child appeared again the man-child hath appeared again and he that was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day saw whither he was taken up to the Throne of God Rev. 12.5 and on the same Lord's Day he saw him after the Woman was fled and the Remnant of her Seed was made War with and slain in the Earth where the
but the Quakers see before thee and beyond thee and comprehend thee and have received Eye-salve whereby their Eyes are opened to see thy Deceit the deceit of the Treacherous Generation with whom thou art joyned and thy Rejoynder and Vindication of Samuel Smith whom thou calls Minister of the Word at Cressage in the County of Salop thy Vindication of him and thy pleading for him will not bring much Honour to neither him nor thee and though thou and he both joyn hand in hand in deceit yet you shall not go Unpunished Thou tels the Reader Of wandering Planets who have left their Station who have stepped upon the Stage in the County of Salop who are come forth in this Apostatizing time All who have a good understanding may clearly see not only in the County of Salop but also in every Corner of the Land many wandering Stars that have no habitation in the Firmament of God's Power but are Tossed up and down and are as waters Unstable Tossed to and fro with every wind and the change of one Magistrate or head Governour will make them all change their form and as thou callst it Metamorphize them into another shape witness the many publique Teachers and Parish-masters and Tything Priests in the dayes of Edward the sixth Henry the 8. Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth's dayes and now of late in the Bishops dayes when the Magistrates voted down the Bishops all or most of the Priests denyed their Fathers and their Institution and though they ordained them Ministers yet they still seek after their seats and Benefices and there thy Reader may see the Metamorphosed changlings and the Apostates and I do believe the County of Salâp abounds with such like and they have been on the Stage long and have acted such a part in every Generation as would please the present Authority or Power whether they were Papists or Protestants Prelatical or whatsoever but E. D. the Exit will come and when the Day appears the Beasts must go into their Dens again and thou confessest you live in Apostatizing times thou that art among the Apostates and in the Apostatizing Age and time would accuse others Nay thou must hold thy Peace and leave pleading for Apostates and for the Fashions of the Heathen which have got up since the dayes of the Apostacy which the whole scope of thy Book is full of nothing else and we cannot permit or allow them who are in the time of Apostacy and who are one with the Apostates which have wandered after the Beast since the Dayes of the Apostles I say we cannot allow such as you to be Judges for we are come out of the Apostacy and to before the Apostates and to before the wandering Stars and thou hast mist it much that tells the Quakers are they Edward I tell thee we are come to the everlasting Gospel again and have received it and it 's the Power of God which was to be and is to be preached again to the Nations after the Apostacy And as for the Book called Malice stript and whipt I have seen it and he Spirit of thy Mr. Smith whom thou callst Reverend thou hast elevated him as high as the Pope but E. D. what is the Reason thou reverencest him so much as thou dost to thy Reader And in the tenth page thou saist many Souls depend upon his Ministry and thou blessest God for the worâ of God you enjoy in that Congregation Thou hast extoll'd him too highly or else he hath wronged thee grievously for thou saist thou hast profited much by him Thou mayest call to mind a certain time when he preached as you call it out of the 13 of Luke and when he spoke of the Parable of the mân that planted a Vineyard and 3 Years looked for Fruit and Sam. Smith whom thou so adorest said he had sought for Fruit from your Congregation this 7 Years at Cressage and had found none he shall be an evidence for me against thee that thy glorying of him is Vain and it 's manifest he is one the Lord sent his Prophet to declare against who hath run and the Lord never sent him therefore he hath not profited you at Cressage at all lean Souls are they like to be that depend on him In the first Observation as thou callst it thou hast extracted the Heads of Samuel Smiths Book into five particulars which thou sayst we are ashamed to Answer or else know not what to say for our defences I say unto thee Boast not when thou purst on thy Armour but when putst it off for the Victory may be doutful THe first particular That the Nationall Ministers do maintain the true worship of God and the Doctrine of Christ according to the revealed will of God Answ. So saying and so doing were something the true Worship of God is in Spirit and in Truth which is not Lo here and lo there nor in outward Observations but in Life in Power and in Truth But to be brief both the Doctrine and Practice of the National Ministry in general is contrary to the Scripture which thou callst the Word of God as for Instance their sprinkling of Infants their teaching Men to Swear and calling it part of the Worship of God which is contrary to the Doctrine of Christ who said Swear not at all Their singing David's Psalms put into Meeter by Poets and Ballad-mongers singing them in their invented Tunes which pleaseth the carnal Mind their studied discourses which you call Sermons Invented from the strength of natural wit and not speaking as they are moved by the holy Ghost which the Ministers of Christ in all Ages did In these and many other things which I could instance they are out of the Doctrine of Christ And in a word your whole Worship differs both in matter and manner from the Saints Worship in the Primitive Times But seeing we have denyed the National Ministers divers Years ago and have laid down our Grounds and Reasons to the World wherein we have charged them that their practice is contrary to the Scripture unto which Grounds and Reasons not one Parish-master in England hath yet Vindicated themselves these six years And unto that Book called The Grounds and Reasons why we deny the Priests if the Reader be not satisfied concerning them there he may see how they err both in Doctrine and Practice contrary to Scriptures To the second and third Particulars That the present Government of the Nation is the Ordinance of God and that the Ministers bringing Offenders before the Magistrate is not Persecution As for the present Government of the Nation the lawfulness thereof is not to Question by us but many who are Governours and should be Executors of the Law have acted contrary to the Law being stirred ãâã by the Priests who bite with their Teeth if one put not into their Mouths and have caused the just to suffer by giving Judgment ãâã theâ in their wills contrary to Law or
prophane in all Times since the Foundation of the world that the Lamb hath been slain and the Seat of Iniquity raised up and this Seed hath been made manifest by its Fruits throughout all Aâes and Times throughout all Nations Kindreds Tongues Regions Countries and Kingdoms And by the Fruit which is brought forth in New-England they themselves may read their Stock and Off-spring and Fruits and Doings which is brought to Light and evident elsewhere declared that so when they come to view over their VVork again Shame may cover their Faces and Astonishment fill their Hearts that such Fruits should be brought forth by them who are so high Professors of God in VVords and of the Scriptures to be the Rule of their Obedience and Faith now shall you be tryed by the Scripture your Rulers your Teachers and your Church-members and the Life of the Saints that gave forth the Scripture will stand a witness against your Doctrines and cursed Practices for evermore you may read your example Cain Herod Murderers and Men of Blood the persecuting Jews who were zealous for God as they thought who persecuted to Death and said They had a Law and by that Law Christ ought to dye but you are worse then they for you had no Law which would take hold upon the righteous and faithful witnesses of God till you had made one or invented one and digged down to Hell to ask Counsel of the Prince of Darkness your God And further you may read your Example Nimrod who came of the Stock of Ham who was cursed as well as the Serpent as well as Cain and your Thoughts are vain like the Thoughts of your Fore-fathers the Pharisees whom Christ prophesied of to his Disciples and said The Time would come when they should hâle them out of the Synagogues and persecute from City to City and speak all Manner of Evil of them and should go about to kill them and yet think they did God Service so void of Understanding hath the Seed of the Serpent alwayes been in all Generations which Words of Christ are fulfilled among you Professors of New-England who are thinking as they did that you do God Service in killing his Members and you are come to that time your Fruits have made it manifest Oh! could you have believed in times past if it should have been told you that you above all People should be the greatest Persecutors and exceeded in Wickedness and Cruelty and Hard-heartedness the Papists the Turks the Heathens who make little or no Profession in Comparison of you and yet that you should exceed them in Rage Cruelty and Madness It is an Abhorrency to all sober People you have stained the Earth and defiled your Land with Blood and have caused the Name of the Lord of Heaven and Earth to be blasphemed among the Heathen by your wicked ungodly barbarous and brutish Actions and you are in that Nature and in their Steps which killed the Prophets and mocked his Messengers and shamefully entreated his Servants upon whose Heads all the Blood-shed from Abel to this Day will be required But blessed be the Lord whose Arm hath been stretched forth and hath gathered Thousands out of that Nature which is cursed from God forever and hath revealed his Salvation unto them and the everlasting Gospel which is to be preached again after the Apostacy and hath made us Partakers of it to wit the Power of God and so we see unto whom the Arm of the Lord is revealed that all Nations since the Apostacy have drunk of the Whore's Cup and are bewitched with her Sorceries and therefore according to the Command of the Lord and the Motion of his eternal Spirit we have born our Testimony against the Apostates and Deceivers who retain the Words and have lost the Life and Power to the Intent that all that believe in the Light which Christ hath lighted every man withal that People might wait to receive Power from on high again which all the Sons of Adam have lost in the Transgression that as many as receive the Power may come out of Transgression and for this End hath God chosen and separated many contrary to their own Wills and from whatsoever was dear unto them in the outward to deny it all and to answer the pure Motion of God's Spirit whithersoever he leadeth and in so doing many have found the Power and Presence of the Lord going with them and before them and he hath prospered his own Work in their Hands and hath brought many out of Sodom and Egypt and out of Mystery-Babylon to Christ the Mystery and to the Mystery of Faith which is held in a pure Conscience And we were not ignorant of this what Opposition we should receive from Anti-christ and his Ministers Satan and his Messengers and how that the whole World lay in Wickedness and how that Nations Kindreds Tongues and People had drunk the Whore's Cup and how that all Hirelings Deceivers false Prophets and Seducers would withstand neither were we ignorant that the Beast's Power which got up in the Throne of Iniquity and Exaltation since the man-child was caught up unto God and Wâman fled into the Wilderness wherein he hath compelled all both small and great to worship him Neither were we ignorant of his Strength and of his great Authority that he had in the Nations and how that the VVhore the false Church rode upon him and also we knew that the Nations were as VVaters nor of the great VVaves which would lift up themselves nor of the multitude of Merchants which make Merchandize of Souls for dishonest Gain who are greedy of filthy Lucre nor of the multitude of Ships in which they carry their merchandize and deceitful ware neither were the Servants of the Lord who have thus deeply suffered âas else-where is made mention of of the Spirit that ruled in the Professors and Teachers of New-England Notwithstanding all this which was seen before we consulted not with Flesh and Blood but were obedient to the heavenly Call and stood given up to the Lord in Life or in Death to finish the Testimony which God hath put into our Hands that so many may be brought to know the living God revealed in themselves that so they with us and we with them may rejoyce in him who is becoming the King and Law-giver and the exceeding great Reward of all his People to whom be Glory forever and ever Amen AND now the Devil being let loose for a little Season he rages and goes into utter Darkness and fetches up all the Powers of Darkness and they combine together to fortifie his Kingdom that so none but he who was a Murderer from the Beginning may have any Rule in the Town of Boston or the Jurisdiction thereunto belonging and now he thinks his Kingdom is sure The last Piece of Work which the Rulers have done for their Master is as followeth An ACT made at a GENERAL COURT held at Boston the 20th of October
The Scripture was given by divine Inspiration 't is freely granted and âs of no private Interpretation and is able to make wise unto Salvation âârough Faith in Christ Jesus for without Faith in him it hath no Power in ãâã to make wise unto Salvation witness the Pharisees and the Jews outward âow for they had the Scripture-Promises as thou callest them which thou callest the Gospel and the VVord yet they were not turned changed nor sanctified nor knew not the new Birth as many do not now who have the scriptures or writings or words written and so thine is a private Interpretation who callest that the Power of God and the Word of God and the Gospel which one may have and not have the Gospel or the Word or the Power of God for Proof Joh. 5.37 38. And it 's no Argument against the Scripture to say the Gospel was preached to Abraham or as thou sayest to Adam but it is an Argument to prove that there was a Gospel and that the Gospel was preached before that which you Parish-Teachers use generally to call the Gospel which is Matthew Mark Luke and John and the Epistles written to the Churches which you raise Doctrines from and Arguments from and sell to People for money and call it preaching of the Word and preaching of the Gospel what dost thou think we are not come past Midnight Is not the Night over and the Morning sprung forth in Brightness without Clouds wherein we now discover betwixt the Husk and the Kernel the Husk will feed Swine but Men must have Bread and a sound without will not serve to administer Life to the Soul and now no longer Talkers of the Gospel will be received or can feed the hungry but it 's he that eats of the Flesh of Christ that hath eternal Life in him Thou sayest Thou wilt remove a gross Mistake from us who think that you cry up the Letter of the Scripture and separate the Word from the Spirit for we own the Spirit going along with the VVord for the VVord and the Spirit are united as the instrumental Cause and Christ and his Spirit in the Gospel is the principal Cause The gross Mistake is not upon our Parts but yours in that you think that the Scriptures or the VVritings are not separated from the Spirit we know the VVord and the spirit is one and cannot be separated but here lyeth the Mistake in putting the sentences or scripture or VVords of Declaration for the word and then say they cannot be separated from the spirit that is another Mistake on your Part for if you so judge then this must needs follow that they that have the words or scripture have the spirit if they be inseparable and why makest thou such Distinctions between the word Christ and his spirit they are one and that which is the principal Cause of every good thing brought forth useth what Instrument he will to effect it we know the Word and the Spirit doth convert and convince and bring to Christ and Salvation through him that we know but doth the Scripture convince without the Spirit And is not the Spirit and Power of God often wanting Doth the Scripture convince then or convert or bring any to salvation And we know there is union betwixt the Word and the Spirit for they are one and that which is attributed to the one is to the other the Word sanctifieth and the Spirit sanctifieth but the Question is still unanswered and the Charge stands still good against you Whether the scripture sanctifies without the Spirit or whether is the Spirit and the Scripture so united together as that when a Hâââling or a Deceiver or a false Prophet speaks the Words of Scripture that the Spirit must needs go along with it and cannot be separated from it And thou sayest The Scriptures are the Word of God as it is a Declaration of what God would have us do and therefore God hath declared his mind Heb. 1.1 God who spoke in times past by the Prophets hath in these dayes spoken by his Son And thou bringst Isaiah 38. The Word of the Lord came to Isaiah saying c. Were it not a gross Absurdity to say that this word of the Lord was Christ in the New Testament The Word of the Lord endures forever and by it the Heavens and the Earth were framed and the things that are therein and without him was nothing made that was made and we can and do distinguish betwixt the word and the Declaration and what a declaration is that which consisteth but of one word a Declaration consists of many words and it s an improper Speech to call that which consists of many words one word and that in Heb. 1. was spoken after the Ascension of Christ and the Voice from Heaven by his Son I question whether thou hast heard or read and we can distinguish betwixt the words of Isaiah and the Word of God and betwixt the words of Jeremiah and the Word of God Jer. 1.2 The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah unto whom the Word of the Lord came and there see if thou canst distinguish betwixt the words of Isaiah and Jeremiah and the word of God and how many words can properly be called one word and why is it an absurdity to say that the word of the Lord or the Power of the Lord came upon Isaiah or the Father through the Power or through the word did speak unto Isaiah and is not the Power of God Christ and Christ the Power of God and the Wisdom of God in the New Testament Now see thy own absurdity and Glory not when thou puts on thy Armour but when thou puttest it off As for John 12.4 8. He that rejecteth me and rejecteth my words c. where the VVords of Christ and Himself are distinguished thou sayest I say Yes and therefore thou hast brought this Scripture against thy self and likewise this the word that I have spoken shall judge you at the last Day and thou sayest this must make us Tremble nay why should we Tremble at this we are one with his words and his words are not against us And thou hast brought all these Scriptures against thy self and fightest with thy own shadow for all the words which God and Christ and the Apostles have spoken we own and now learn thou to distinguish betwixt words and Word for all that thou hast said to prove the Scripture to be the Word of God amount to just nothing but that it is the word as it 's a Declaration and what a Declaration that is the wise will judge which is but one word And now when thou hast Vindicated thy self as thou judgest thou goest to make War abroad to see if thou canst get any into the Pit of Darkness with thy self and now thou fallst upon the stumbling Stone and the Rock of Offence which will break thee to Pieces the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the
R. H. and of E. B. thou hast perverted and not spoken the Truth as afterwards may be made more manifest In the 35th page of thy lying Story thou say'st The Quakers have succeeded much and have prevailed in these Nations and beyond the Seas but thou hopest where-ever thy Book shall arive before them the People will so well know them as to abhor any further Acquaintance with them Here thou hast manifested thy Spirit to be like the envious Jews who crucified the Lord of Life and persecuted the Apostles from City to City sometimes running before them with their Lyes and sometimes after to oppose them and to stir up the Vagabond Fellows and ruder Sort of people to oppose and abuse them yet notwithstanding the Truth prevailed and many believed on the Name of Christ through their Words which they published unto them we have found the like Opposition not only from Strangers but also of our own Country-Men and have had many such lying Stories as thine sent before us and spread over the Nations and yet God hath carryed on his Work notwithstanding all Rage Opposition and Cruelty it hath prevailed and shall prevail for so is the purpose and Will of God and they who shall see thy Book who are but reasonable men will abhor and detest thy envious Spirit and Truth shall be more advanced and that shall be fulfilled the Remainder of the Wrath of Man shall turn to the praise of God Thou sayest They are a very cruel Bloody People if we may Judge the Lyon by his Paw or what is abundantly in their Hearts God will confound thy lying Lips and thy deceitful Tongue whose Blood have we shed can we not say and that of a Truth and have our Testimony by Gods witness in every man that we are clear of the Blood of all men Nay on the contrary hath not our Blood been spilt in your places of Worship which you account Holy and have not many suffered in Bond until Death by the reason of the Oppression of the Blood âhirsty Priests of this Nation and thou mightst well have been silent if thou hadst not had an impudent Face have not we much to lay to your charge and that truly what dost thou Judge of thy godly Ministers in Lancashire and Cheshire whom thou callst the Valient Captains of Christ's Army which preached up the People into Rebellion upon pain of Damnation And others said except they went to the Randevous it was much if they were saved And others said the Nations must be purged with Blood to shed the Blood of all those that withstood them And others said if God would stand as a Newter they had men enough and such Blasphemous Words and Doctrines were uttered which are too tedious to relate and all this Quarrel they said was against the Quakers Now let the Reader Judge the Lyon by his paw and what is in these mens Hearts by their Words and Actions before mentioned And now to conclude this in thy own wrods what would not these men do if they had Power to their will But the Power of the Lord God preserves the Innocent and is against all the Workers of Iniquity I shall not trouble the Reader with what Priest Ford and Fowler of Readding hath gathered up out of Priests Books which they have Vomited forth against the Way of Truth nor what Tho. Underhil hath licked up and vomits out again which is but that which hath been Vomited up before so that it may be said of them all as the Prophet saith Their Tables is full of Vomit and filthy spewing covers them all all which things hath been answered over and over but that Swine love to be wallowing in the Mire and Doggs love to lick up their Vomit and the Envy of the wicked will not cease till he be cut off nor the evil Eye for watching after mischief till it be put out And now Tho· Underhill and the rest of thy party who resist the Spirit if I would recriminate might not I more justly and truly bring many thousands bad Examples acted by your party who are accounted Christians and charge them all upon you then all these things in thy Lying Story which thou hast brought against the Quakers If I should go from Parish to Parish as thou hast done from one end of the Land to another and so also beyond the Seas and should I rekon up all the Fornicatours and Adulterers all the Thieves and Murtherers all the proud and covetous all the Fighters Brawlers Railers Drunkards cheaters and defrauders and should charge all these upon the Presbyterâ what a Volume I might make And were not this a just Retaliation wouldst thou count it an equal thing or would it be accounted Just in the sight of sober Men if I should charge the moderate and guiltless with these things before-mentioned then Judge thy self for thy Envy and Foolishness and let thy Mouth be stopped forever for accusing those whom God Justifies In the 38 page in thy Observation on the whole History That one may talk much of God and Christ and of the things of Religion and all in Vain and how the coming in of Unbelief shuts out Truth Faith and Piety and the great danger the Nation is in by being overturn with Hypocrisie and formality in Religion and how many have the form of Godliness but deny the Power He whose Eye is open may see the intent of thy History is to resist the Power of Truth and to strengthen deceit and this shall stand for thy own lot and for the Congregations and Assemblies thou art pleading for who at the best are but in the Subburbs Babylon who talk of God and Christ and of the Spirit and of Religion but all in Vain for nothing is brought forth among you but formality deceit and Hypocrisie and Error and Unbelief and a form of Godliness hath long covered the Nation and Truth Faith and Piety hath been rejected and the Power of godliness but now hath the Lord appeared and hath rent the Vail and manifested the deceitfull Workers and Hypocrites and though thou be observant as to others Foot-steps yet thou hast not viewed thy self neither pulled the Beam out of thine own Eye neither hast discovered thy Envy nor the murderous Spirit that rules in thy Heart from whence all these muddy Waters flow forth and all this Fog and mists arise which darkens the Air which whosoever receives in their understandings come to be Darkned but all that fear the Lord will see out of thy corrupt Heart all this mischief which thou hast long been Treasuring up doth now come forth upon which the day of Wrath will come both upon thee and it Thou saist The Quakers have no reason in the World to Boast of their sufferings as they do for thy have suffered as Evil-doers for being uncivil to Magistrates and disturbing God's People in their Assemblies and for being busie-bodies and some other known Wickedness and all their charginâ Courts
up for all your Weapons are but carnal and that which wrestles with Flesh and Blood which the true Church wrestles not with nor with Creatures but with spiritual wickedness and Principalities and powers of Darkness in the Creature and threw that down and saved the Creature alive and redeemed it who was in Captivity Oh sottish Children when will you learn Wisdom and when will you hearken to reproof of Instruction which is the way to Life but remember this the Beast shall be taken alive with the false Prophet and them that have wrought Miracles before him and then shall be cast into the Lake of Fire They pretend to act from an Infallible Light within them and profess Perfection in Degrees in this Life and publish smart Invectives against Ministers who teach the contrary Answ. We pretend to nothing but to that which God hath given us through his free Mercy which we have a true Right unto having received him as the Father hath tendered him to be a Light to open our Eyes and to be a Leader unto us and all his People and to be God's Salvation even to the Ends of the Earth to them that receive him and he is that infallible Light which the Father sent into the World that all men through him might believe and he is the true Light that lightneth every man though every man hath not received him the Fault is not in the Giver nor in the Gift but in them that will not receive and he that is the Life of all men hath lighted every Man that cometh into the World and he is in us our Hope and our Glory the Riches of the Gentiles and the Riches of all them that do believe he is our VVay and our Life and Peace I say all Glory unto him forever though thou debasest him and settest him thus at nought and for his sake we can bear Reproaches and become Fools in that we have obtained that in which true VVisdom stands and Life eternal And what is this Heterodox to profess Perfection of Degrees in this Life is not this Orthodox Used not you and do not you generally hold Perfection in Part or Parts and is not that which is perfect in Parts perfect in Degrees He that feels Victory over one Sin by Christ the Power of God hath not he some Part in that which is perfect and of that which is perfect And if he witnesses Victory over more is not he come to a greater Degree or Degrees of the Life which is perfect And he that knows the Blood that cleanseth from all Sin is not he perfect and compleat in him who hath made him so But art thou so offended at Perfection that thou dost not admit of any Part or Parts Degree or Degrees thereof that thou set'st this down as a Blasphemy And it 's time indeed to reprove you sharply who are puffed up in Pride and know nothing who teach contrary to the perfect Life of Christ or any Degree or Degrees thereof to be attained unto thou art perfect in VVickedness and a perfect Minister of Anti-Christ a perfect Heathen and it's time to bear Testimony against you lay you open your Deceit in the Sight of the Sun that them that have but the least glimering of the Light may behold you a pitiful Church is that like to be which thou art Pastor of by Appointment of the General Court who cryest out against any Degree of the perfect Life of Christ in this Life to be obtained or enjoyed a Minister of Sin a Minister of Satan and Unrighteousness that is thy Name own it In the ninth page thou art going about to prove thy Trinity as thou callest it and thou say'st The Father is a distinct suâsistance and the Son is a distinct Subsistance and the Holy Ghost is a distinct Subsistance and thou bringest John 5. There is another bears Witness likewise speaking of the Holy Ghost he calls him another and this another thou say'st is intelligible of the Essence and then say'st What is more manifest then another Subsiâtance and another Subsistance speaks distinct Subsistances and thou say'st The Spirit is called the Band of Trinity Answ. Another is not understood of another being of another Life or another Substance but is understood of another Manifestation or Operation of the same God who subsists in the same Power in which the Father the Son and the Spirit subsist as I said unto thee before another as to distinguish of the Operation and Work of the Spirit and of the Son we do not refuse but to make three distinct Essences and Beings is Ignorance and Error as thou say'st Another is intelligible of the Essence and so thou hast made three Essences three Subsistances three Persons and three Gods but we say there is but one God and there are three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Spirit and these three are one Now as for Subsistance and Essence they are unsound Words coined of your selves from your dark Imaginations in which there is no Truth at all but to cast a Mist Now where the Holy Ghost is called a Person in the Scripture I have never read and where it is called The Band of Trinity I have never heard of before thee and so thy blind ignorant Conclusions and Sophistical arguing will have little Place with them that are come to know the Teachings with the Spirit and also keep to a Form of sound Words which thou canst not And thou say'st He that sendeth and he that is sent are distinct and so the Father sending the Son and the Son sent of the Father and the Father and the Son sending the Spirit and the Spirit sent by the Father and tho Son are distinct Subsistances and not the same He that sends and he that is sent may be distinguished but he that sendeth and him that is sent are not so distinct and afar off one another but that him that sendeth is with him that is sent and so God was in Christ reconciling the World and then how were they distinct one from the other and by him were all things made and Christ was not so distinct or afar off at a distance when the Heavens and the Earth were made so that it is truly said without him nothing was made that was made and the Spirit of God which may be distinguished in Regard of its Operation yet it was not absent or distinct from the Father and the Son in the Creation neither is absent from the Son in the Regeneration or Work of Redemption And then in thy Answer to an Objection which thou makest thy self How the Doctrine of Life was communicated vocally by the Patriarchs but it is not so now and in thy Answer thou say'st The Scripture is not necessary absolutely but it being God's Will to communicate Life through the Scripture hence the Scripture is necessary and then thou say'st Not the Letter without the Mind of the Author nor the
Spirit without the Scripture and that the Words in the 17th of John 22. That they may be one as we are one these Words give an uncertain Sound thou say'st and further thou say'st Surely they are under â Rule of Lâfe who have not the Spirit since the Canon of the Scripture is closeâ so far is the Spirit from being a Rule of Life that to us it is not the Spirit except ãâã move in the written Word Answ. Gross Darkness is thy dwelling Place and out of thiâk Darkneâs all this pitiful Confusion cometh the Doctrine of Life was communicated according to the VVill and Mind of God sometime by Dream sometime by Vision sometime by Revelation to the Patriarchs and Believers from Abel till Moses and by Faith they were Followers of Christ and doubtless they did communicate in their Generation those âhings that were âânifest unto them by the Spirit which was the then Rule and Guide to the Feet of the upright in the way of Peace before any Scripture was writtââ and if the Scripture be not necessary absolutely thou hast said as much as we say therefore we speak of a Rule and a Way which is absolute necessary without which no man can know the Father or the Son nor the Way of Peace but by the Spirit of Truth which gave âorth the VVords of Truth which may manifest and doth maniâest it self as it will when where and how it will for it is unlimited and it will not be limited by its own VVords as to Sound but may speak VVords which it never spoke before as for instance Paul by the Spirit said The second Adam the Lord from Heaven is a Quickening Spirit which none of the Scriptures before-written speak in these very VVords and if the Spirit be not Spirit without the Letter then where the Letter is wanting the Spirit is wanting and consequently them that have the Scripture have the Spirit which were no less then Ignorance and Darkness to say and what Rule are they under who have not the Spirit or no Measure of it there is but the Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error and they that are not ruled by the Spirit of Truth they are ruled by the Spirit of Error though they may have the words to fight with and quarrel about without the Life but last of all thou hast in plain words set the dead Letter before the living Spirit and say'st That the Spirit is no Spirit except it speak by the Scripture and if the words of Christ in John 17. give an uncertain Sound it is but to thy deaf Ear and to thy blind Understanding for he spoak soundly and certainly and prayed to the Father that as the Father and he were one so they alsâ might be one being guided by the one Spirit of the Father in the Son and that they might live in the Unity of it and have Unity with one another in it and with the Father and the Son In thy 15th page though thou hast set up the Letter for a perfect Rule of Life yet here thou throwest it down again and say'st It is to be unâerstood as including Consequences for the greatest Part of Scripture is Conâequences and the Scripture cannot be true without Consequences for Thomas and Mary are neither câmmanded Obedience or forbidden Diâobedience for we no where read thou Thomas or thou Mary are therein commanded Obedience or forbidden Disobedience such an one by Name do this or that Answ. I told thee the Spirit of God is unlimited and whether it speaks of Degrees or Measures of a greater or less thing or whether it speaks the greater first and the lesser after whether it speaks from Major to Minor or from Minor to Major or what may truly follow either from the greater to the less or from the less to the greater it is all Truth but thy Consequences are no Part of this the Spirit still demonstrates its own Mind by what words and Terms and Expressions it pleaseth and will not be limitâed or confined to this or that Form of words and thou errest grosly neither knowing the Scripture nor the Power of God and thy Consequences are false for there are the individual Persons or Names of Thomas and Mary both commanded Obedience and forbidden Disobedience and if thou hast never read this in Scripture I inform thee and instruct thee thou may'st read John 20.16 17. where Jesus saith unto Mary she turned her self and said unto him Rabboni which is to say Master Jesus said unto her Touch me not for I am not yet ascended here is a Prohibition and forbidding that she should not touch him Secondly here is a Command of Obedience But go unto my Brethren and say unto them I ascend unto my Father and your Father to my God and your God and in the same Chapter thou may'st read in ver 27. where Christ spoke unto Thomas by Name after his Resurrection Then said he to Thomas reach hither thy Finger and behold my Hands and reach hither thy Hand and thrust it into my Side here was a Command to be obeyed and be not faithless there is a Prohibition or a forbidding of Unbelief and so thy Foolishness is manifest and Ignorance of the Scripture some of it thou sayest is an uncertain Sound and the Scriptures fore-mentioned thou hast denyed or else never hast read it and so art unacquainted with thy Rule which thou quarrellest and fightest so much about And then thou comest and say'st Thou wilt vindicate some Scriptures and citest 1 John 9. That this was the true Light which lighteth every Man that cometh into the World hence they affirm that there is a Light in every man which being followed is an infallible Guide and that this Light which lighteth every man is the Rule of Life and not the written Word thy Answer is The Sense of the Text is notoriously false and thy Reason is If Christ the true Light that liâhteth every man be the Rule then Righteousness should be by the Law for the Light which is in every Man is not Gospel-Light but there is a natural Light or the Light of Nature which is to be construed in Opposition to spiritual and the Light of Nature and the Light of the Spirit are contra-distinct and by this Light of Nature there is a Difference put betwixt that which is good and bad and it will teach us not to lye nor steal and it will lead to the Knowledge of one God and yet it is in Opposition to one Spirit and it will lead to know Eternity Omnipotency and it will lead to know the Creator yet it is contra-distinct to the Spirit Answ. The Scripture needs none of thy Vindication for thou hast defamed it and sayest Christ's Words are an uncertain Sound and thou hast said that neither Mary nor Thomas was commanded Obedience thou may'st look back of thy Lyes and repent of them and why is the Sense of the Text utterly false that Christ was the
Grace and the Light enlightening is either the Word considered as the second Person or Christ the Son consiâered as Incarnate Answ. It seems that thou knowest not which it is but Guessest like a blind-man and like a wild Archer shoots at Randome and why dost thou make such distinction betwixt the Word the Son of God and Christ the Son of God thou madest but three Persons in the Trinity before but it seems by thy arguing thou wouldst now make four And as for thy Câlle âive and distributive Light the distinctions is that which would cast a Mist before People Eyes and thou bringst the Judgment of Calvin Beza and Piscator and others that as concerning Man endued only with the Light remaining since the Fall they conclude him to be Darkness and unable to comprehend the Light or to improve it to Salvation their Judgements are more sound then thine though thou wouldst bring them to strengthen thee that the Son of God hath not enlightned every man they confess the Man in the fall is in Darkness and Darkness is over him and in that he is not able to comprehend the Light which is in him and as to the Improvement of it in the Darkness man hath not Power to improve it to Salvation but what doth this invalidate the Light which is in Darkness the Power of improving is in the Light being turned to again and received and what if I say it is the Light of Life in its self though thou deny it I knowest what I speak for in him was Life and is Life and that Life is the Light of men and the Light of the World and so that Light which every man is lighted with is of the Life and from the Life and so may truly be said to be the Light of Life in it self though man in the Transgression doth not feel it so as to him but may truly say it is the Light of Condemnation because he feels it so in the Operation thereof being in the Transgression it convicteth reproveth accuseth and condemneth for Evil and therefore it cannot be the Light of Life to him till it be received closed with obeyed and followed and then the back is turned upon the Transgression and man is come out of the Darkness and therefore the Apostle spoke well and understandingly according to Knowledge that which was ordained for Life wrought Death in him that was because the Law was against him and he in the contrary Nature to it the ignorance of many wise Men so accounted in this Generation is such that when they see or feel contrary Effects they judge there must needs be contrary Subjects or Objects because there are different Effects for now the same Light which shews Evil and accuses for it and Judges for it there is one Operation and excuses him that loves it and obeyes it here is another Operation that which Convinceth the World of Sin of Righteousness and of Judgment and that which consolates and gives Peace to the Believer is the self same Spirit so here is not two Spirits or two Lights so that he which kindles a Fire in the Earth and appears in flames of Fire and rendereth Vengeance upon all them that obey not the Gospel which is the Power of God here is one Work or operation of Christ the same bringeth Peace Joy and gladness and refreshment and makes the springs of Life to bubble up in them that believe here is another Operation yet the same Christ these things I write to inform thee and all where this may come that that is truly an Appearance of Christ which sheweth Sin and condemns it in a measure and he alone is the Judge of the Quick and the Dead and if all Judgment be committed to the Son then to be Judged for Lying for Stealing and for wronging any man it is the Work of Christ and the Work of the Son Oh man thou hast much to Repent of and thy Ignorance is great which hast called Christ the Light or the Light of Christ or the Light of Life Darkness and contra-distinct to the Spirit and worse then gross Darkness so this is thy conclusion against the first of John the 9th that Christ hath not enlightned every man or all men that come into the World but all men so qualified of every sort so then by thy conclusion the first of John and the 6. verse gives an uncertain Sound like the 17th of John and 22th so then its Qualifications of men that procures Light from Christ and so it s not of Grace but of debt but if it be of debt which is owing unto a Person so qualified then it is not of Gift but thou err'st in thy Judgement for it is by the gift of Righteousness that Justification comes upon all that believe it is not this or that Qualification before their conversion which is any cause of God's enlightening them but it is the free Love of God unto man without Exceptions or respect of Persons that he hath lighted every man to the intent that all and every man might see his Error and depart from it and turn to him that shews him it who would have all men saved and come to the Knowledge of the Truth and such is the large Love of God unto whole Man-kind which thou wouldst restrict and bind up to such and such Persons so Qualified as though Qualifications of Persons were a Meritorious cause wherefore Christ was Bound to give them Light this is rank Popery and not according to the Doctrine of Godliness And thou citest 2 Pet. 1.19 We have a more sure Word of Prophecy whereunto you do well that you take heed as unto a Light that shineth in a dark Place until the Day dawn and the Day-star arise in your Hearts hence it is inferred thou say'st that after the Reception of the Spirit there is no need to attend to the Scripture and so thou goest on and say'st the Word of Prophecy is the Scripture of the Old Testament that thou art to take heed unto until the Day dawned and the Day-star arised in their Hearts and that until signifies forever Answ. And here thou art in Confusion I know none that make any such Inference but thy self for the Scripture is seen most clearly who know the Day dawn and the Day-star arisen in their Hearts and first thou say'st We are to understand the Word of Prâphecy the whole Scripture and then in the same Page say'st That Peter expounds the Word Prophecy of the old Testament only so then Peter's Exposition by thy Account and thine is different thou say'st he spoke of the old Testament and thy Interpretation is of the whole Scripture but thou hast mist it both of Peter and thy self for Peter wrote to People in that Epistle in several States yet they all might be said to be Believers according to a Proportion of Faith given unto them and in that which thou hast cited 1 Pet. 1.19 We have also a more
a Company of wild Bears rending and tearing and stop Gloves and Napkins and bind Keys over their Mouthes that they may not speak the Word of Truth amongst yâu contrary to Primitive Order And as for the Doctrine of the Quakers many who know it better then thee know it to be dâstructive to nââhiâg but to the Doctrine of Anti-christ and such ungodly Doctrines as thou hast laid down in this Book as that that Light which Christ hath enlightned every one withal is gross Darkness and worse then gross Darkness and that the Supper of the Lord is a visible Political Ordinance and suâh black Doctrines as these our Doctrines are destuctive unto And further thou goest on and tellest The Work against Order is Policy against Policy the Policy of Hell against the Policy of Heaven Answ. It seems your Order stands in Policy both in your Church and State and in Craft Fraud and Deceit and thou judged that Heâven stands in Policy too but he that sits in Heaven laughs you to Scorn with all your Deceit and Policy And now thou comest to thy Proof and say'st That Doctrine that denyes Obedience to Magistracy in his due Subject in Effect denyes the Order of Magistracy but their Doctrine denyes Obedience to Magistracy in its due Subject therefore their Doâârine denyes the Order of Magistracy Answ. The Major and Minor are both false for we own Magistracy in its due Subject which stands in the Power of God and in the higher Power and that which leads into Order and out of Confusion and Destruction and thou must not think to fasten Stork and Munâer upon us for thy Proof what they did stands upon their Account and not upon ours and that mischievous Spirit of thine is that which presseth on the Magistrate to abuse his power and to intrude into those Things which belong not to him to keep up your confused Babel which thou callest a Political Church which must all be scattered with the Breath of his Mouth and with the Brightness of his coming whom thou yet judgest to be gross Darkness In thy 18th page and in the 44th page thou speak'st That visible Political Church Church-Officers and Church-Ordinances are Gospel Institutâons appointed by Christ to continue to the End of the World and that Command which Paul gave to Timothy is to be kept and that visible Political Church Estate is to continue to the End of the World Answ. I see thou art ignorant of God Christ Heaven Church Church-Officers Ordinances and Institutions the Churches of Christ were established by and in the Power of God and the Ministers thereof ministred walked and ruled in the Power of God and the Ordinances and Institutions of the true Church of God are pure and spiritual but the Church that thou art pleading for the Continuation thereof is a Political Church Political Ordinances Political Officers Political Institutions Political Pastors and Teachers the Lord's Supper a Political Ordinance Bâptism a Political Ordinance the spiritual Counsâl which Paul gave to Timothy about the Elders of the Church and about the Holy Practice which they were to walk in and the godly Conversation this thou calls Political nay furthermore thou saist Heaven stands in Policy and in thy fourth Chap. say'st To Christ belongs the Prerogative of being the only Politician these and the like damnable Doctrines and Heresies thou hast uttered forth and these must be proved from the first of Tim. 3.15 and Chap. 4. did Paul when he wrote to Timothy when he gave him direction about Elders and such as took care of the Church of God did he say a Bishop is a Political Officer and must be blameless or did he say a Deacon is a Political Officer and must be grave And therefore Reader thou may'st read these Scriptures 1 Tim. 9.14 1 Cor. 14.33 and thou maist see this Sophister and this man that is void of understanding who cryeth up the Scripture for a Rule of Life and yet holds such a Church such Pastors such Officers such Ordinances such Institutions which the Scripture makes no mention of and therefore this man having made a Monstrous Body a Politick Church he imagines a Head like it and therefore Blasphemously saith Christ is the greatest Politician much I need not say unto this black Dark stuff which is to be confounded which is imaginary and Deceit which the wrath of God must scatter but this I say to thee there were no Officers in the Church of Christ but they were Ministers made so by the Spirit and were made so by the Holy Ghost and were Ministers of the Spirit and not of the Letter and some were Elders and Ruled in the Church and Churches which was Sanctified by God the Father and preserved in Christ Jesus and these were spiritual and not Political but thou hast cleared and quitted your selves from being any such Church and that which you call the Sacrament which thou callst Visible and Political and bringst 1 Cor. 12. for thy proof did Paul say as often as ye eat this Political Bread and drink this Visible Political Cup shew forth the Lord's Death till he come and did Christ when he sent his Disciples to Preach and to Baptize in the 28th of March 16. which thou plead must continue until the end of the World did he send them and say go and Teach and Preach the visible and Politick Word of the Kingdom and Baptize them with visible Political Water and that this should continue to the End of the World And little marvel if the Throne of Satan be exalted among you and such Ministers as thou who Ministers deceit and Unrighteousness and Ungodliness art set to be a Teacher and appointed so by the General Court who canst not speak a Form of sound Words but like a Phylosopher a Star-gazer an Astrologian or a Stage-player which them that read thy Book will see thy Tract frothed with such black dark Sentences which are like Enchantments As for Beckold and Knipperdâlling and Quintinius and Poquius thou mightst have taken up thy Pen ere now and not have brought all this rambling stuff out of the History of the Germans which thou wouldst cast upon our Backs the Bishops used to cast it upon your Backs and you upon the Baptists backs but now we must bear all and thou in Envy unto us that thereby thou mightst represent us Odious to the World hast made them all Quakers and saist they are our Predecessours take them to thy self and joyn them to your Political Church and your Political Ordinances and your Politick Doctrines which is of the same Nature with theirs which you maintain and uphold with carnal Weapons as they did theirs And last of all thou art coming to the Magistrates Power in matters of Religion under the Gospel and thou saist Notwitstanding manifold Evils prevail and the Wiles of the Devil are great and malignant and Heresie which is a horrid aspect yet thou saith There is Balm in Gilead a Physician
not believing but Hereticks turbulent Hereticks we believe belong unto him to punish and who must be Judge of turbulent Hereticks is not an Heretick an Unbeliever and if the Magistrate ought not to punish an Unbeliever then not a Heretick for a Heretick is an Unbeliever and they who are in the Power Authority of God can deny such a one and judge him out by the Power of God there is his Punishment according to that which thou callst Gospel-institution and beyond that or any further Act upon such a one we do not read of in all that which is call'd the New Testament neither that Christ his Apostles or any of the true Churches or Officers or Believers ever commanded or commended or exhorted any to stretch forth their Hand against the Person of any who were Hereticks really so and Blasphemers really so and therefore see there âs neither Command Precept nor Example doest not thou wretchedly err in pressing on them which thou callest Believers to act such wretched Acts of Cruelty as you have done and thou vindicaâest them in tast âir Duty It 's true we read of the Beast and of the Dragon whâ mâde Wâr against the Saints and killed them and of Mystery Bâbylon and of Sodom and Egypt where Christ was slain and the Witnesses slain now if thou wilt take these for Proofs and for a Ground thou mâyest and so all thy twisting and twining and vain Arguments fall to the Ground and doth not the Church of Rome account all you as Hereticks and is not their Judgement that they ought to punish you wiâh corporal Punishment and is not this your Judgement also page 78. that the Magistrate ought to proceed gradually That is to inflict Punishment by Degrees with lingring Tortures like their Inquisitions and wherein doth thy Doctrine differ from theirs in this take them to thee and thy Doctrine for thou art but a Stem sprung out of the same Root and actest from the same Principle and yet I tell thee and all the World I am not pleading for any matter of Fact or for Breakers of the Law that is righteous for the Law is good if a Man use it lawfully it is against Murderers Man-stealers and Stealers of the Creatures for Idolaters and Defrauders and Cheaters and every Act or Fact deserves punishment suitable to the Transgression now had it not been more reasonably done of thee to have produced the Fact of the Quakers in New-England which hath deserved all these bârbarous Tortures then to declare them and publish them as Offenders in Matters of Fact and have none to lay to their charge and I challenge thee and the rest of thy Adherents to produce some matters of fact which the Quakers have done which is contrary to any righteous Law of God or else own your Condemnation and repent and thou must not think that this poor Tract of thine which is full of Deceit and Confusion Error Blasphemy and Madness though thou publish it by the Appointment of the General Court that it will cover your Wickedness or hide you from being discovered to moderate People neither will shelter you in the Day of the Lord. And thou say'st It concerneth New-England alwayes to remember that originally they are a Plantation Religious the Profession of Purity of Doctrine Worship and Discipline is written upon your Fore-heads that after New-England hath now shined Twenty Years should now go out in the Snuff of Moralianism Answ. There was something amongst some of you but you fled the Cross as I told you before and so that Spirit which persecuted you in the Bishops Time got up in your selves and that which once you had while you were under Affliction here you have lost not only the Pâwer of Godliness but the Form thereof and also of sound Words and now as to matter of Religion it is rather become a Place of Ostridges Owles and Satyrs and for Purity of Doctrine Worship and Discipline written in your Fore-heads if it must be tried by your Rule and if it be the same Twenty Years that it is now I have not heard more of Unsoundness in Doctrine Worship and Discipline which I have read on in many Ages but especially in the Scripture and truly your shining now is turned into Blackness and your Sun is set and your day is darkness and your Light is gone out as the Snuff of a Candle because this man boasts of their Doctrine Worship and Discipline take a few things out of many and behold them in the Light of the Lord and compare them with the Scripture and so I leave them to thy Judgment 1. First speaking of the Trinity he saith God is a distinct Subsistance from the Son and the Spirit and that the Son is distinct Subsistance from the Father and the Spirit in the nineth Page and because it is said The Father shall give you another Comforter this another he saith is intelligible of the Essence so then the Son is a distinct Subsistance and Essence from the Father and the Spirit is a distinct Subsistance and Essence from the Father and the Son so here are three distinct Essences 2. And that the Spirit of God without the Letter is no Spirit that which obligeth a Man to obey a Command of God is one Power and that which strengthens him and enables him to obey is aâothâr Power page 12. and that Christs Words in Joh. 17.22 give an uncertain Sound which are these That they may be one as we are one 3. That Scripture is a perfect Rule of Life but not without Consequences 4. That Thomas and Mary are no where mentioned in Scripture neither are commanded Obedience nor forbidden Disobedience contrary to Joh. 20.16 17.27 5. That that Light which teacheth a Man there is a God and to worship God and that Parents are to be honoured and that a Man shall not lye nor steal and that which discovers the Creator his Eternity and Omnipotency is to be construed in Opposition to spiritual Light and contra-distinct to the Light of the Spirit pag. 16. 6. That the Light which is in every Man hath much miscarried whilest that it is mannaged by the reigning Power of Darkness pag. 17. 7. That that which lets a Man see that he should not do to others what he would not have others do unto him and shews a Man ought not to steal nor to lye and that which discovers Eternity and Omâipotency this iâdeed saith he is Darkness it is worse then gross Darkness pag. 18. 8. Christ enlightens no Man wâth the Light of Life but them that are so and so qualified 9. That the Gospel is a Constitution or Effect tempered of the Grace of God and the Blood of Christ. 10. That the visible Political Churches Political Officers Political Worship and Administrations are Gospel-Institutions or appointed by Christ pag. 41. 11. That there is Policy in Heaven pag. 42. 12. Pastors and Teachers are Political Church-Officers 13. That the Lord's Supper is
a visiâle Pâlitical 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 Schiâmaticks 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 aâainst 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 Whârâs Aââre that is sending off that her Nakedness may appear and her Deceit made manifest and the Authority which is condemned and reproved is no Authârity but the Authority of the Beast upon which the false Church hath riden and hath câlled 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 everlâsting 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 Piââures Mass-houses Hireling Prââsts Popish Tythes and Pâpish 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 agaânst 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 Sâlver I thought it fit to nail it to the Market pâst 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 Infânts 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
understand that here was seventeen years that he preached publickly before that and where was his Ordination Many of the Brethren who were scattered abroad in the Persecution that was at Jerusalem went every where preaching the Word of God and when or where were these ordained And who ordained the Brethren that were persecuted after Steven's being put to death who travailed as far as Phenicia and Cyprus and Antioch preaching the Word and the Hand of the Lord was with them and a great number believed and were turned unto the Lord Acts 11.19 20 21. yet these things I bring not as to deny but that many went out with the consent of the Church and many were ordained and many were ordained Elders who were grown up in the Truth and established who had received the holy Ghost by whom many were confirmed and strengthned in the Faith but what is all this R. I. to your Ordination and who ordained you the Pope a Bishop or a Council or a Parliament and what are they you ordain Such as learn the Art of Speech seven years at Oxford who have read Homer and Aristotle Plato and Diogenes and learn to play on a Fiddle these are no Mechanicks but gifted Men indeed and qualified and fit to be ordained and made Ministers Pastors and Elders to carry abroad the Traffick of Mystery-Babylon but this R. I. is very peremptory and saith it is utterly unlawful for any that are gifted to preach the Word contrary to the Apostle's Doctrine who saith as every one hath received the Gift so let him administer and not such as R. I. would have to be Ministers who have learned an Art to speak and this must be called a Gift and a Qualification and a fit Man to be a Pastor and thus they have ordained one another and have set up a Trade of preaching and with their confused Stories have filled the World with Darkness And as concerning an infallible Spirit saith R. I. None except Christ who was without sin can challenge it or lay claim to it and I may say of such Runnagates and wandering Stars as this F. H. and the Quakers are as John did 1 John 2.9 They are gone out from us because they were not of us Answ. However this R. I. hath cleared himself and the rest of his Brethren for being Ministers of Christ for they do not only deny an infallible Spirit neither look to be made Partakers thereof but quite shut out all the Saints from enjoying it and though in Christ the fulness of the Godhead dwelt who was full of Grace and Truth he is the Root from whence all that believe come to be made partakers of his Virtue and so many of his Members may lay claim to it as they have received it by a free Gift according to the Promise of Christ I will send you the Spirit of Truth whâch shall lead you into all Truth and the Apostle had received the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus who had freed him from the Law of Sin and Death and the Sons of God had received it and they were led by it and the Ministers of Christ were made Ministers of it who hath made us able Ministers as it is written not of the Letter but of the Spirit and that Spirit was infallible and true and that Spirit which they declared of was an unerring Spirit and as they were led by it they erred not but were kept by it that the Evil one touched them not and they spoke from it and ordered the Church in it in the wisdom of God But what do these Men minister from who wait not to be made Partakers of this but deny that ever any had it or ever shall have so are but a company of Dreamers and tell their dream that they dreamed in the Night or at best steal the Words from their Neighbour and say Thus saith the Lord when God hath never spoken to them And though thou mayest say we are Runnagates because we sit not dreaming over thirty or forty Families twenty years but travail from City from Country to Country to publish the Word of Truth freely as the Apostles Ministers of Christ did we must by such as this R. I. and his Brethren who have gotten Holes and Nests in the Earth to creep into be counted as Runnagates though John said They are gone out from us because they were not of us this he spoke of them who went out of the Light in which he and the rest of the Disciples had Fellowship with God and one with another and they that went out from this went into the Spirit of the World and you are such as they that are gone out already and blasphemously call the Light of Christ Ignis fatuââ and so all that fear the Lord will come out from you and out from Babylon where the Blood of the Prophets hath been shed and the Witnesses killed you who deny an infallible Spirit are like to be in blindness and follow the Spirit of Error for you have nought else to cleave unto And further R I. saith when the Lord said by Joel that he would pour out his Spirit upon all Flesh and his Sons and his Daughters should prophesie the Prophet speaks not of a ghostly Power to open the Kingdom of Heaven given by Christ to his Apostles and Successors but of an extraordinary Measure of enlightning Grace and a more copious effusion of the Spirit and also to Pastors to whom more is given more is required and this Text doth not prove that all Sheep shall be Pastors and all Schollars Teachers An. Nay this Text doth not prove all Sheep to be Pastors neither all that are taught to be Teachers for all are not Prophets neither Pastors nor Teachers for as Christ said the Labourers are but few but this Man 's afraid that there should be too many indeed there are too many hireling Loiterers that are ready to supplant one another for filthy Lucre though many may be said to believe yet all have not received the Spirit of prophecy or a Gift to be Pastors but only they to whom it is given of the Lord for the Work sake yet notwithstanding they who have received it ought not to be limited either Son or Daughter for they who do quench the Spirit and dââpise Prophecy as this R. I. doth and how should he do otherwise seeing he hath denyed the infallible Spirit from which all the Ministers ministred and all the Prophets prohesied and spoke as they were moved by the holy Ghost but R. I. saith the Prophet spoke not of a Ghostly Power to open the Kingdom of Heaven if by ghostly Power he means the Spirit 's Power as I believe he will not deny then was it not by a spiritual Power Sons Daughters prophesied and did not this Power open the Kingdom of Heaven and if it be a more copious Effusion of the Spirit which is given under the Gospel then the Law
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 ãâ¦ã 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 Chrâst is glorified in ãâã human Nature and human Nature and Flesh may be understood âf 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 pâge 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
from that time forward began Jesus to shew unto his Disciples how that he must go unto Jerusalem and suffer many Things and be Kill'd and rise again the third Day So that it is manifest that here was distance of time and space betwixt Peter Confession of Christ and of his rebuking of him however the Unbelief was gotten up in Peter and he that had need to be taught came to be a Rebuker of him who was a Teacher this was another State then the former but of these things R. I. is ignorant and let the Serpent feed upon Dust for I desire to give him no other food And further R. I. saith Though Saints Sin not Devil-like unto Death yet if any man say he hath not sinned after the Similitude of Adam ' s Transgression he saith John is a Lyar and the Truth is not in him for when all is done the best men are Men still and the best Earth is Earth ever and will bear Nettles and Brambles and if these things were well considered by F. H. he would not accuse me and E. D. for pleading for Sin or Satan for we plead against those who say they have no Sin Answ. This R. I. is so in love with Sin that by his Arguments which he makes one would judge that he accounts it as necessary as his ãâã food and these are strange kind of Saints that R. I. would make at the best they are still but sinners and unsanctified but they that are called to be Saints who are begotten by God the Father and preserved in Christ Jesus they are sanctified and made clean through the washing of Regeneration and through the Sanctification of God's holy Spirit which dwelleth in them by which they have Power to mortifie the Deeds of the Flesh and to overcome and to be made Partakers of the Promises but here lies the difference in R. I. his Account betwixt his Saints and his Sinners The Sinners sin Devil-like yet the Saints sin not Devil-like I say they that sin are in one Nature notwithstanding R. I. his blind Distinctions for they that sin are liker the Devil then God and liker his Image then God's Image for God's Image consisteth in Righteousness and true Holiness and the Devil's Image consisteth in Unrighteousness Sin and Unholiness and now Reader thou mayest judge whose Image R. I. his Saints bear and if thou be one that canst plead against them who are born of God and sin not and who are cleansed from all sin by the Blood of Christ then R. I. will ranck thee with E. D. and himself in his Bead-row of Saints as he calls it And if any man say he hath not sinned after the Similitude of Adam 's transgression he is saith John a Lyar Nay it is R. I. that saith it and not John and so R. I. is the Lyar for the Scripture saith on this wise Rom. 5.14 Death reigned from Adam to Moses even over them that had not sinned after the Similitude of Adam 's Transgression so that it is manifest that there were many that Death reigned over and yet they sinned not after the similitude of Adam's Transgression but this R. I. will accuse every man with whom he hath a mind to quarrel and will not only teâl Lyes himself but publish false Doctrine but he will bring the Saints for his Author and John saith not if any man say he hath no Sin And thou that saeyst when all is done the best men and the best Earth will bear Nettles and Brambles and Pricks as I said to E. D. so I may to thee thou hast given thy Verdict for the Devil and not for God and his Saints for They that are born of God sin not and they that are cleansed by the Blood of Christ from all Sin and are clear in his Sight and are kept by his immortal Word which dwells in them that the Evil one touch them not but have overcome the Wicked one and the best Earth is that wherein righteousness dwells which R. I. is altogether a Stranger to and that brings forth no Bryars nor Brambles Nettles nor Pricks for that Grâund is curst so this man by his devilish Doctrine hath made the coming of Christ of none effect and the Blood of Christ of none effect and so hath denied the Work of Redemption to the best of Men and Deliverance to the Creature who hath travailed in pain This Dreamer is far contrary to the Prophet Danââ who saw by the Spirit of prophecy which this R. I so deadly hates both in men and Women that if it be not allowed of by such as he iâ mâst ãâã speak nor they by it this Prophet I say testified of the coming of the just one and of his Work that he should make an End of âin ãâ¦ã Tâanâgression and bring in everlasting righteousness but saith R. I. Thâ best Men are Men still and the best Earth Earth ever and the best Saints Sinners though they siâ not Devil-like and Nettles and Brambles and Pricks they ãâã all bring forth Now if this Doctrine be true how is the Soul ãâ¦ã of Death and where is the restauration of the Creature from under the Bondage of Corruption and where is the redemption of the Seed which is Heir of the Promise Nettles Brambles and Bryars cumber the ground and choak the Seed and these things F. H. hath well considered and I see more and more that thou art a Pleader for Sin and Satân and imperfection for a Spirit of Error for Images Pictures and Crosses for Cuffs Ribbons and Lace for Nettles Brambles and Bryârs and art a Man that doth lay claim to the utmost Borders of the Devils Kingdom and a greater Servant of his Master I have not met with long whose Reward will be according to his Works And the Lye being the cheif cognisance of his Master in which he greatly glories in he goes on and saith Another Error of the Quakers is they do not believe the Scriptures to be true because they deny them to be the Word of God for if they believe what the Scriptures say of themselves and they say of themselves that they are the Word of God and for his proof he cites Mark 7.13 Rom. 10.8 2. Câr 2.17 1 Pet. 1.25 Answ. The Scripture we own to be true and whatsoever the Scriptures say of themselves that we own them to be to wit a Declaration Scriptures of Truth holy Scriptures the Words of God of Christ and of his Apostles a Treatise and for his proofs I could whâlly refer them to the reader to examine them himself and to discover the ignorance of this R. I. who tenders these Scriptures aforementioned for sufficient proof as that the Scriptures call themselves the Word of God as for Mark 7.13 making the Word of God of none effect by your Tradition he doth not say of making the Word of God the Scriptures of none effect neither doth he sây you make the Scriptures which is the word of
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 Lârd endures forever and this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto yâu 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 whâch arâ ãâã and remain unto the coming of the Lord shâll 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 sây this unto you by the Word of the Lord And what a foolish Mân is this to assert his own Imaginations and then imagines the Scriptures will prove it and what ân improper speech were this to call twenty âhousââd Sentences one word and it is called a Declaration and what a Declââation would that be thât 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 Dâctrine 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 âudged 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 wiâhin four Liââs Contradicts himself and saith The Scriptures incline our Hearts to the Oâedience of the Rule and the Scripâures 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 iâperfect and not fit to be a rule but to be ruled contrary to
The Quakers deny Honour to Superiours and to whom it is due and so blaspheme the Name of God and his Doctrine Ninethly F. H. would never have cryed out of Deceit but a Purpose to deceive the more Tenthly That the Quakers bid open Defiance to the Worship of God Eleventhly That J. N. did say that he was as just and holy and good as God Twelfthly That F. H. said That Christ Jesus was not glorified in Heaven with a real Body Thirteenthly Human Nature is taken for the regenerate Part of Man and the Soul Fourteenthly That the best Men though regenerate bear Nettles Brambles and Pricks Fifteenthly There is an inward Law called the Law of the Spirit of Life which is imperfect and not fit to bear rule but to be ruled Sixteenthly And the Scriptures lead us to the Spirit and encline our Hearts to the Obedience of the rule Seventeenthly And F. H. prefereth Ignis fatuus before the clear Light of God's Word Eighteenthly and lastly when he hath spoken all these Lyes and published them in Print to the World he blasphemously saith in his Epistle to the Reader Have not so much regard to the Authority of the Writer as the Truth of the Matter written by him who was moved of the Lord thus to declare So all these Lyes with many more and all these damnable Doctrines which he hath uttered forth against the Truth these things he would fasten upon the Lord's Motion and so make him the Author of Iniquity and a Cloak for his ungodly Speeches against them who love the Truth as it is in Jesus who have suffered many Reproaches for its sake and have been killed all the Day long by this Generation amongst which R. I. is who hath bent his Tongue to Mischief and his Lips to utter forth Deceit and as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses so hath this R. I. resisted the Truth being a Man of a corrupt Mind and concerning the Faith reprobate but he shall not proceed much further for in what he hath written his Folly will be manifest unto all men and them that fear the Lord will depart out of his Foot-steps which lead to the Chambers of Death and from those dark Paths in which R.I. treadeth which lead into utter Destruction Westmoreland the 15 th of the 4 th Moneth 1660. F. H. To all Friends and Brethren who have been called of the Lord into that Place of New-England to bear your Testimony for the Lord to the answering of his Witness in every ones Conscience FOrasmuch as the Lord through his infinite Love and Goodness which he hath manifested amongst the Sons of Men hath called you and fitted you for his Work and Service which he hath to do you being made Partakers through the Love of God unto you of the like precious Faith with many Brethren which giveth Victory over the World and supporteth all them that keep it in the Day of Tryal My Heart's Desire is that you may all fulfil the Will of God and answer his End in sending you thither that so you may receive your Reward my Heart is drawn out unto you in true Love being sensible of the many Oppositions that you have met with and may meet with by Reason of the Strength and Power of Darkness in those Parts where Satan's Throne is exalted keep all near the Lord and feel his Power in your selves which giveth Dominion and Victory over all the World and over all fading Things which pass away and so you will feel his Strength daily renewed in you to carry you above all Opposition and his Presence to go before you and his Righteousness to be your Reward so will you be preserved in the Peace of God and feel his Life present to refresh you in the Time of Need and as your Tryals and Travails and Sufferings for Christ do abound so your Strength and Joy and Peace and Consolation will also much more abound from his Life manifest and revealed in your Hearts keep in the Power of the Lord over all Deceit and know your own Image in every one to whom you joyn and let no Deceit come near you which may get the Words and not be subject to the Power for those will betray you and rise up in Rebellion against you and glory over you for that only which can receive you through the Cross will stand by you and the other who may receive the Truth in Words into the earthly Part will stumble at the Cross and so get a Knowledge above the Cross these will blow away as Chaff Keep in your Innocency and every one in your own and there you will come to be setled and established as Trees whose Roots are spread in the Earth which cannot easily be plucked up nor a Tempest blow down you know where the Entrance was unto your selves into the Sheepfold into the true Rest thither bring all and keep all down to that to the Measure of God's Spirit through which eternal Life is revealed and the Things of God's Kingdom made manifest and they that would climb up any other Way must come down again and them that walk in any other Way must come back again and they that would strive to enter in any other Thing are shut out forever for you know there is no Communion or Concord with the Spirit of God which is pure and that which resisteth it and gainsayeth it that Wisdom must perish it 's from below that Knowledge must fade away and come to nothing So never heed the Subtilty and cunning Craftiness of the Enemy which would twist and twine every Way to gainsay the Truth and make a Noise in an airy Sound which may satisfie corrupt Minds who vilâfie the Truth and set the Corner-Stone at nought look not at them nor never heed that you know in whom you have believed and no other Foundation can be laid then that which is laid already for all to build upon throuâh which they that do believe are made a glorious and an holy Habitation for God through the Spirit and any that declare another Way another Door another Life then he that is the Light of Men is accursed So feel hâs Eternal Power the Power of his Resurrection in your selves to subdue and bring under all ãâã Enemies which would hinder your Enjoyment of his Life but he is a tryed Stone and they that have tryed him have found him elect and precious and his Faithfulness Power and Might Love Life and Glory endures forever and ever throughout all the Generations of the Just who are Eye-Witnesses of his Coming Power and Glory which God out of his Everlasting Love and Kindness hath revealed unto Thousands and his Coming is known in Ten Thousands of his Saints and also with them and they with him to judge in Righteousness and to make War with the Sword that proceeds out of his Mouth which slayes the wicked and brings Death and Destruction upon Death that so Life Immortality and Eternity may be brought
in England a larger Volumn might be made then hath been in many Years past and yet this Spirit which hath made them suffer hath pretended more Righteousness then before both in that which is called Church and State but the devilish Enmity of that which would be call'd the higher Power hath been such which hath transcended the cruel Actions of the Beast in former Dayes under the Name of Holiness and Propagation of Gospel and Religion the Power of Godliness hath been despised and them that have walked and lived in it have been set at nought and persecuted imprisoned whipped scourged afflicted and tormented and have been killed all the day long but many of them who have been the Actors of these Cruelties they are sunk as a stone into the Sea and God hath overturned that Horn and broke it off although it exalted it self high a while and reigned one Hour with the Beast in compelling forcing the Righteous by their wicked Instructions unrighteous Decrees But Reader if thou wilt hear the Beast's Judgment the Harlot's Censure they will tell thee This hath been done only to that People who were not subject to the higher Power nor to the Faith of the holy Church and therefore though they have been afflicted and have suffered yet it was not for well-doing but for Evil and so it is just upon them and that as hath been done it hath been for the Glory of God and for the Peace of the Nation but the greatest Deceiver never wanted a Cover nor the greatest Transgression an Excuse to hide its Deceit And now when the Lamb hath appeared to make War in the Earth with the Beast his Followers Gog Magog gather together all the Powers of Darkness with their whole Strength are mustered up to withstand and the Dragon Beast Whore and false Prophet all joyn in one Battel to resist to keep their Kingdom Reader thou canst not be ignorant of the War that is begun in England and the Battel hath been hot for a short time and though the Oppression hath been great upon the Beast and the Whore's Party yet their Power is weakened and their Strength more feeble for the Lamb prevails and his Followers shall overcome although the Way by which he and they overcome even by Suffering the VVorld will not own yet happy are they who love not their Lives unto the Death and that do suffer the spoiling of their Goods for his Names sake and his Truth 's sake their Reward shall be great And now Reader thou shalt see what Rage the Devil is in who hath got the Name of higher Power and the Mother of Harlots who goes under the Disguise of holy Church in America of the Dragon's Power thou hast heard in New-England how he hath compelled or at least would compel all to be subject unto him or else would kill banish and destroy and lay waste all that will not bear his Image and receive his Mark and the Harlot which is decked there she hath shed the Blood of the Saints because they would not drink her Cup of Fornication so seek to destroy and to lay waste the Heritage of God and to root out the Righteous and all they have done unto the dear Servants of the Lord must go upon the Account of Evil doing and âo the Seed of Evil-doers thou may'st see is one in their VVorks in their Judgment in their Practice in all Generations And the Indians whom they judge to be Heathen exceeded in Kindness in Courtesie in Love in Mercy unto them who were Strangers altogether unto them and not of their Nation nor People which is a Shame to the mad rash Rulers of Mariland that have acted so barbarously to their own People and them that came to visit them in the Name of the Lord that instead of receiving them and the tender Visitation of God's Love wholly rejected them and made Order after Order and VVarrant after VVarrant for prisoning banishing and whipping of them who came unto them in the Name of the Lord in such Heat they were that I have seen fifteen VVarrants out against one Man in a little Time and in one Province the which I shall not trouble the Reader with all which VVarrants are for taking of one Man and the Accusations or Things laid to his Charge the same as that the old Enemy of God used to accuse withal dangerous to their Province and destructive to their Church a seditious Person and a Blasphemer and so though none of these Things were true yet he must suffer with the rest who stood in God's Counsel and did his VVork and testified of him all that hath been done must go upon the Account of Evil-doing And thus the Devil hath holden up his Kingdom in all Ages by laying Things to the Charge of them that did the VVill of the living God that thereby he might cover himself and that People who are in Ignorance might believe they suffered as Evil-doers that so he might keep his Kingdom in Peace and all People subject unto his Power of Darkness And Oh what Havock and Spoil have these Rulers in Mariland made upon their own People and their own Inhabitants in a short Time what fining Force have they used what Spoil have they made of many poor Peoples Goods and how have they exceeded in Cruelty and what torturing and prisoning and whipping and scourging have they made not only of Strangers whom they ought to have received and entertained especially seeing they sought not themselves but the Good of them all and their Country but also upon their Inhabitants And how have they grinded the Faces of the poor and instead of protecting them in that Province and saving them from VVrong have themselves been the chief Instruments of doing them Harm and wronging them and oppressing them and yet not for Evil-doing it may be for not doffing a Hat or because they cannot learn to be swift to shed Blood and these are become so great Crimes in these Mens Sight that five or seven or ten Pounds or more which are great Sums among poor People will not satisfie for such Offences as they look upon them But what have they no weightier Matters to call Councils about but to make Laws and Orders in their proud envious Nature to fine them who cannot flatter nor complement these are no Rulers for God but for the Beast and and in his Power they act and have done all these wicked Things for which the Lord God will plead with them when he riseth in his Power to make the Mountains melt and to shake terribly the Earth and plead the Cause of the Poor who have no Helper in the Earth and yet this would be counted a lawful Authority and the higher Power whose VVorks demonstrate them to be from the lowest Pit of utter Darkness and their VVorks to be VVorks of Death and Darkness and the God of the World having so blinded there mens Eyes
of the true Church and so came the Nations to be Cheated then she reached forth her Golden Cup of Fornication her fair out-side to the Nations Kindreds Tongues and People and they were made Drunk and there they Stumbled Reeled and Staggered till at last they became all like a Sea like Waters which swell and roar and Foam and stand at no stay take notice of this here was the false Church's Foundation laid in the Waters upon this was the fear of the Mother of Harlots which John saw fourteen hundred Years ago but the Foundation of the true Church which was before this was Planted in Christ in the Apostles dayes and was builded upon the True Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the World upon Christ the Power of God the Corner-Stone the Rock of Ages and the Members of her Body which were Elect and Precious a few at Corinth at Jerusalem at Asia at Antioch at Colos Ephesus and other places who believed and were changed into their Hearts by the word of God which the Ministers of Christ preached which was in their Hearts and them who came to be established in the Truth in Meekness Patience Long-suffering who walked together in Love to wit in the Love of God which was shed abroad in their Hearts became a Habitation for God through the Spirit and Christ was the Head of this Body and ruled over it and in it and by him were they led and were subject to him who was their Husband and Shepherd Who preserved them and ordered and provided for them Who gave unto them the Bread and Water of Life and reached unto them the Cup of Salvation and Blessing whereby they came to be Nourished and grew in Wisdom and Knowledge Obedience and Subjection and in the Power and in the Dominion so were more then Conquerers thorow him that was their Law-giver King Judge and Saviour and these as I have said came to know the Truth Christ in their Hearts ruling and this was the seat of the true Church And herein is the true Church of God and her Seat and Members manifested and the false Church her Seat and Members manifested the one upon the Rock the other upon the Sand the one in the Life the other on the Words without Life the Seat of the one amongst those that were established in the Truth who bore the Image of Christ and did walk in Love and the Seat of the other was in the Waters and upon the Waters and upon unstable Minds and upon them that were in Cain's Way and the Seat of the one upon them and among them who had received freely of the Lord and Ministred freely out unto others of that which they had received but the Seat of the other upon them and among them that went in Balaam's Way who were greedy of filthy Lucre and followed after Gifts and Rewards the Seat of the one upon and among them who had submitted unto the teachings of God's holy Spirit in them the Seat of the other upon them and among them who had Erred from the Spirit and Quenched it and cryed Revelations were ceased who went in Corah's Way in the Gain-saying and resisting of the Holy Ghost the one upon them that were in the Power of God the other upon them who had the Form but denyed the Power the one among them who were the Servants of Righteousness the other amongst them whose Throats were as an open Sepulchre whose Feet were swift to shed Blood and Eyes full of adultery who could not cease from Sin the one among them who took up the daily Cross of Christ and denyed themselves and the other among them who followed their own Wayes and not the Cross of Christ but denyers of it the one amongst them who were Crucified to the Flesh and the deeds thereof the other among them that were alive in the Flesh and following the Affections and Lusts thereof So much more I might say according to the Wisdom given of the Lord but by what hath been said herein you may see the differences betwixt the true Church of God and the Mother of Harlots betwixt Jerusalem which is above a Mystery and the Mystery of Babylon and betwixt The Bride of the Lamb's Wife and the Harlot that hath run from her Husband and the differences of the Members of each Body and the differences between each Seat made manifest by their Effect and Fruits which is brought forth by each sort so read your selves whether you are in the Apostacy or out of the Apostacy whether of the Members of Christ and of his Body or of Anti-christ and so Members of the Harlot and of her Body to the Measure of God's Spirit in all your Consciences as you take heed to it will give you a true Understanding And so when these Waters Nations Tongues Kindreds and Peoples came to be drunken with the Cup of Fornication not only the Common sort of People but also the Kings the Captains and Nobles were polluted amongst all these professing Christians who had the Name of being Christians but are not arose the great Scarlet coloured Beast who had the Names of Blasphemy written in hâs forhead with seven Heads and ten Horns Perfect cruelty and great Strength who compelled all to Worship him and here was the Beginning of earthly Powers who came to meddle and compel in Spiritual Matters and the Kings of the Earth gave their Aid force and Strength to the Beast who compelled all both great smal whose Names were not written in the Lamb's Book of Life to Worship him and he Killed the Saints and Persecuted them which kept the Testimony of Jesus and the Word of God and the false Church which had laid her Foundation and sate as a Queen got upon the Beast and travelled in the greatness of his Strength made War against the free-Woman the Lamb's Wife made her flee into the Wilderness for two times and a half and all this was since the Apostles dayes that so now they that boast of Visibility and Universality alwayes since the Apostles dayes by this Argument they overthrow themselves for that which hath alwayes been so Visible in Power Force and Strength and so Universality seen and spread over all Nations Kindreds Tongues and People cannot be the Church of Christ for she hath been in the Wilderness and Christ the Head of his Church the Body compelleth none by carnal Weapons to Worship the Lord but he that takes hold of the Sword shall Perish by the Sword and he said again Love your Enemies do good to them that hate you and Pray for them that Persecute you and this is he who is the higher Power unto whom all Power is given both in Heaven and Earth and unto him the Spouse is subject and the Body is subject and they fear him and Honour his holy Name for he is worthy to be Praised and to receive all Honour Glory and Strength forever But the Beast compelleth all who
rose up out of the Waters and became great and cruel which had a Mouth speaking great Things and Blasphemy and he opened his Mouth in Blasphemy against God to blaspheme his Name and them that dwell in Heaven and he made War with the Saints and overcame them read the Book of the Revelations and this Beast had Power over all Kindreds Tongues and Nations and Kingdoms which are the Seat of the false Church which devoured and killed the Saints who have been cryed up for the higher and highest Power and all who dwelt upon the Earth whose Names were not written in the Book of Life cryed out who is able to make war with the Beast and whosoever did not receive the mark of the Beast rich or poor high or low bond or free might not buy or sell but were killed and warred against and herein is the Power of God made manifest and the Power of Antichrist the Followers of the Lamb and the Followers of the Beast the Worship of the Lamb and the Worship of the Beast the War with the Lamb and his Followers and the War with the Beast and his Followers and the Lamb maketh war with the Sword of his Mouth which is the Sword of the Spirit and the Word of God and so do all his Followers who overcome spiritual Wickedness in high Places and conquer the unclean Spirit and subdue the Kingdom of the Devil and the Powers of Darkness and yet hurt not the Creature For Christ came not to destroy mens Lives but to save them and herein again is the Beast and Dragon and their Worship and Followers made manifest to be quite different unto the former for he compelleth to his Worship by his cruel Laws Imprisonment and lingring Torments and by his carnal Swords and weapons which never can subdue spiritual Enemies and he kills men and stricks at the Creature and so destroyeth the Saints Bodies which are God's Tabernacles and Temple and Temples of the holy Ghost this never reaches to the pulling down of Deceit in any wherein lieth the true Power but the Lamb doth not so but slayes the Enmity and saveth the Creature And we never read that Christ ever gave Command to his Disciples neither did his Disciples give any such Command to the Churches which were planted that they should force any to their Worship either Believers or Unbelievers but alwayes taught the contrary that as every one had received the Gift of God Christ so let him walk and as every one believed in his own Heart and was perswaded in his own Mind by the Spirit of the Lord was to walk accordingly did obey and observe or else he sinned for the true Church of God and Ministers of Christ took no pleasure to make men Sinners For whatsoever is not of Faith is Sin But Oh how many have the false Church and Beast and the Kings and Princes of the Earth forced to receive these things as Institutions and Ordinances of God and to observe many things which have been put upon People as divine Worship or as some heavenly Observations when alas many did not believe with their Hearts neither were perswaded thereto by the Spirit of God in their own Minds and Consciences and yet through Force and compelling prisoning and cruel torturing many have yielded and condescended to their Worship and so have been made to sin against the Lord and their own Souls and thus instead of making Christians indeed thousands of Hypocrites have been proselyted this way and many others through Weakness rather then to suffer have sinned against their weak Consciences by this forcing way or compelling way the City of Babylon hath been reared up by this means and the false Church hath gotten a great corrupt Body and glories in her Seat and sitteth as a Queen over Nations Kindreds Tongues and People having perswaded the Kings and Nobles of the Earth that they ought to defend this Holy Church and to keep her Ordinances unviolated or else they should be in Danger of her Curse and of her Excommunication and thus the Devil himself hath armed himself every way Antichrist hath fenced about his Throne as to the gaining of the Powers of the Earth on his side and for Fear of being discovered he hath taken up the outside-profession of Christianity yet the VVolf's Nature is brought forth and is tryed which worries and kills the Sheep and to speak plainly and truly since the Power of God hath been lost and disregarded which mortifies the Deeds of the Flesh in Men and the Form of Words retained and the outside Observances taken up by the false Church she hath gotten more Members by the Kings of the Earth who have drunk of her Cup and are baptized into her Spirit by their cruel forcing and owning all to a Conformity to their holy Church as she hath called herself then by any sound Doctrine or holy example or good Practices that she hath shewed forth to the Nations And Oh how have the Kings of the Earth and the Princes thereof been made slaves and Drudges to this Harlot to make Lawes for her and to re-inforce them upon the People to the destroying of many Bodies and Souls to patronize and hold up their Sorceries and to keep up her Inchantments in Reputation among the People and in so doing the false Church hath so flattered and called thâir Princes who had drunk of her Cup Defenders of the Faith and Propagators of the Gospel but if any did fail of observing her invented Institutions then what dreadful Excommunications and Woes and Curses have been threatned against them and how many Princes have been deposed of their Crowns as Hereticks and Rebellions have been raised against such to overthrow them and their People and therein you have had sufficient proof many of you Princes of Germany These things I write unto you desiring your good in that which pertains to this Life and of that which is to come and that you might truly see your selves whether you are not drinking of this Cup of Fornication yea or my Or whether you are not yet giving your Power to the Beast yea or nay is there not a form of Worship without the Life and Power then that is but the VVhore's Cup is there a seeming Shew of holiness among you and do you not enjoy the Life and sum and substance of all Shadows then that is but the VVhore's Cup the outside fairly garnished but Rottenness is at the Heart do you compel to worship then that is the Beast's power that is not Christ's Power nor of the higher Power you must deny that the true State and Power that any Prince hath allowed him from God in which he may expect a Blessing upon himself and People is in that he ruleth well in things appertaining to men and things civil which pertain unto this Life and unto the Kingdoms of Men upon Earth and to be for the punishing of evil-doers as of these murderous man-slayers man-stealers Drunkards
them that receive it then the Blood of Abel There hath been in those Parts some stirring of the Lord amongst you but the Power of God hath been much abused and great runnings out have been amongst you and many have followed their own devisings and one hating another and have erred from the Spirit and there have been Factions and great Breakin gs amongst you and many seeking themselves until Darkness hath come over again and so are come to be setled into a dead Form so that little of the Presence of God is found in all your Assemblies nevertheless though all these things are so yet the Lord's Love is reaching towards you again and a Visitation and a Day of Mercy there is yet held forth Oh happy and blessed will you be if you do not despise nor reject it and be not offended in the lowest Appearances of Christ to the Sons of Men wherein a greater Glory is revealing and shall be revealed then hath been since the Apostates entered in Now the Way wherein God doth purpose to make known his Mind and his hidden Riches and communicate his Heavenly Mysteries will be in a more hidden secret and spiritual invisible manner then yet ever hath appeared for hitherto Deceit hath transformed it self and Satan's Messengers have conformed and Antichrist hath imitated and the unconverted have been worshipping observing and practising of outward things without the moving of the Life so that Antichrist hath gotten into every outside Appearance and by this means hath sheltered himself with a colour and shadow and the Devil the Enemy of all Mankind hath kept his Kingdom whole by covering himself with the Words Shadows and Outward Performances And now take but a View over all those Kingdoms that are called Christendom and see how much of the Life of Christ is brought forth and how little of the Image of God is manifested and the Kingdom of God revealed among people which stands in the Power and Life of Righteousness therefore the full time of the Lord is come wherein every Word and Work shall be tryed and the Secrets of every man's Heart shall be made bare and the root and ground of every Action shall be weighed And Wo will come upon all who are covered with the words and outside shews and cloathed with outward Performances and not with the Spirit of the Lord God Therefore Friends and People high and low rich and poor bond and free of these things we have a blessed Cloud of VVitnesses whom God hath now raised up in this the Day of his mighty Power wherein God hath shined forth in Brightness From his holy Habitation are these things seen which have lightned the Earth from his dwelling Place he hath given forth his Word and great is the Company of them that publish it and there shall be many more for a numberless number shall hear it yea the dead that are yet in the grave shall hear it and by it shall come to live and we are a great Number who have travailed through many dry Places and barren Wildernesses who have had the tryal and tast of all outward professions and visible Worships and external Performances and visible Ordinances which are contained in hand writings and we have waded through all these things with a great deal of Diligence and strict Observancy and we have travailed many Years with great Pain that so we might have found Rest and Refreshment to our Souls that so we might have sitten down in it and as Seekers and Travailers who are weary were willing to lend an ear unto any who have but said come hither and here is Rest and one hath cryed lo here and another hath cryed lo there and so we wearied our selves at last from Mountain to Hill and spent our Strength for nought for none could truly inform us where we should find him whom our Souls loved and whom our Hearts panted after and our Bowels yearned Until at the last the Eyes of many were opened by the Lord who saw that eternal Life was not to be found in any external visible thing and do know that all they who are exercising themselves after those things in the exactest strictest manner cannot be made perfect as pertaining to the Conscience and all these great Talkers of the Fame of Christ and of his Glory and Power Miracles and Works and of his Death Obedience and Sufferings the bare Report and Sound of these things doth no good at all to him who feels Sin hath full Power and Dominion in his Heart so that the Life of Christ must be felt within enjoyed and possessed within and revealed in the Light or else he cannot stand justified in the Sight of God nor clear when he judgeth neither can he find Rest nor Peace for his Soul so I am one who have found Mercy and Favour at the Hand of the Lord among many Thousands to be a Witness of that Life which was with the Father before the World began which is now manifested in the Hearts of Thousands of his People destroying the Works of the Devil and bringing in everlasting Righteousness So the Love of God which is shed abroad in my Heart through the Bowels of Compassion which I have unto all Mankind knowing that all in the first Adam's State are lost in the Fall I do now give forth these Lines and say unto all seek not the Living among the Dead not in dead Forms not in dead Graves not in dead Worships neither in dead Performances for the Lord is risen out of all these things and is sate down in Glory in a living holy Habitation and now his Appearance unto the Sons of Men is in a more spiritual manner for I have fully tried already what is in all these external things and because I know and have seen his Appearance therefore I speak to the informing of all how they may come to find him who is the Desire of their Souls and the Salvation thereof I say listen and hear that your Souls might live for Christ is that eternal incorruptible pure unchangeable immortal Life which hath ligtned every man that cometh into the World John 1. yea he that hath enlightned every man with his true Light he is that eternal and immortal Life so that I say unto you all high and low who desire Rest unto your Souls cease from your willing cease from your running cease from your own Performances cease from worshipping you know not what and cease from seeking in that Nature which the Lord hides himself from and come ye to learn of Christ and sit at his Feet even at the lowest Appearance of him even at the lower End of the Table must you come before you can be exalted for thou must be contented to sit down there that which climbeth high and exalts it self God will bring down and that which manifesteth Sin is Light and that which reproveth Evil is the same and what is reproved in the Heart of man is manifested
by the Light of Christ so keep in all your Minds to this and stop all other Motions in your Minds and keep down all Thoughts and Reasonings in the mind and so keep to few Words and be slow to speak and swift to hear then will you come to know the heavenly Voice of Christ the quickning Spirit which divideth assunder and separateth betwixt the precious and vile in THOUGHTS WORDS or DEEDS and shews you the Ground of each and as you love this Light which Christ Jesus hath enlightned you withal and bring your Deeds to the Light which Christ hath placed in your Consciences which is God's faithful Witness if unto it you take heed then you will feel his Power in you at all Times near at Hand to help you and to subject every vain Thought and every vain Desire and bring them into Captivity and this is the Word of Faith which is nigh in the Heart which doth discern the Thoughts and Intents and Purposes of the mind before ye act or speak them forth I say hearken ye unto this that Faith may be begotten in you and here you will all know your Teacher present and Shepherd and him that said Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden who will give Rest unto your Souls and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in Heart saith Christ and then you will come to see the Differences between the motions of the Flesh and the motions of the Spirit within and come to know each Birth and know what must enter and what must not enter and all who follow this Light which Christ the Light hath enlightned them withal shall come to know the Immanâel and Bishop of their Souls for he that hates the Light which he is enlightned withal he hates Christ and he that hates the Light hates that which is the Gift of God in him and he that believeth not in the Light is reproved by the Light and judged already in himself by the Light of the Word and Justification cannot be witnessed where there is Reprehension and Reproof by him that is the Justifier And whoever receiveth Christ must receive him as the Father hath tendered him for he is given for a Covenant of Light to the Gentiles in whom the Gentiles should trust and to rejoyce at the Brightness of his rising and the Isles should be glad and wait for his coming a Leader of his People and Justification is not felt in the Heart of any man but where his Leadings are known and obeyed and none can come out of the Regions and Shadows of Death but as Christ is closed with the true Light who hath enlightned every Man that cometh into the World for he is appointed of the Father a Leader out of the World and all that follow the Light that they be enlightened withal deny themselves for it judges self-Love and self-Actions and self-Righteousness and here the Cross of Christ you will come to know which slayes the Enmity that which crosseth the carnal corrupt Part in man and takes it up and bears it and herein you will come to know what it is to be crucified to the World and the Lusts and Affections thereof and the World within and the Cross being known and loved which is the Power of God the carnal Mind which is Death cometh to be slain within and dyeth to the Fashions of the World and the goodly Noise thereof that passeth away but that which maketh it pass away endures forever the Word of the Lord which was in the Beginning So mind that which endures forever and take diligent heed and watch against the carnal Mind and worldly Thoughts and keep them down and so Power you will come to receive in the Light to rule over all that which hath ruled over you and then you will come to know a transforming of your Minds and that which quickens and enlivens your Hearts to God and crucifies you to Evil and here is the Way in Part declared by which all must come to the Father to the Kingdom to the Power and to the Glory there which is by Christ the true Light who hath enlightned every man that cometh into the World who is the Way the Truth it self the Love it self who is one with the Father And here you will come to know the Minister of the Tabernâcle which God hath pitched and not man and his Ministry and the Operation of his Spirit that which reproves for Evil is the Spirit of God wait all that you may receive it for it is given unto all but all have not received it God is kind and bountiful unto unto all and herein is every man left with out Excuse he that receives it receives Power to come out of that which it reproveth for and thus it is known by its Operation and as any errs from it and takes not heed unto it it checks him but as it is loved and closed with it gives Peace and Joy and brings Comfort and this is another Operation And now cease from all Teachers which are only Ministers of the Letter and Ministers of others Words made ready to their Hands for such can never turn any to God and from all such who preach for Hire Gifts and Rewards these are all out of the Doctrine of Christ in Balaam's Way and the false Prophets Way and not in the Apostles and Ministers of Christ's Way who testified Freely of that which they had received Freely and from all such Teachers as take Tythes which deny Christ come in the Flesh for that Priest-hood is changed and the Law is changed and the Jewish Priest in the first Covenant which had a Law to take Tythes of the People is changed and a better Hope is brought in and there is not another Law to be given forth which commandeth such a Maintenance for Gospel Ministers and though such Ministers may tell you of the means of Grace and that you must attend upon their Teachings and Discourses which they call means which are but dead Stories and feed but the corrupt part in the carnal Mind the Grace is near you even the free Grace of God the saving Grace of God that hath appeared unto all and yet all are not saved by it because they have not received it nor love it but all they that love it are taught to deny all Ungodliness and improving of it is the means to obtain more of it and whenever you are Tempted unto Sin the Grace of God which sheweth you the Temptations will save you that you enter not into it nor defile your Consciences thereby and this Grace is God's free gift unto all mankind and is in man and is the means whereby he that loves it comes to be saved from the Power of the wicked One that he touch him not And all must come into silence for the Earth must keep silent and all Flesh must be silent before the Lord be known within or his Voice heard and so all
hasty heady Teachers and Speakers which know not the Lord's Voice cannot profit the People at all and all these tellers of Dreams and dreamers dream in the Night but what is the Chaff to the Wheat but he that hath heard God and knows his Voice and his Word which is a Spirit may speak it freely and that will answer the just in all People and the Witness of God will testifie in all Consciences to the Truth thereof and feels the Power of it and will remember it when the dreamers that dream will be forgotten And all ye that are broken into many Opinions and Sects and divers Judgments wait that you may know that which will unite you to God and one unto another that you may come all to be of one Heart and of one Mind and of one Soul into the Unity of the one Spirit as the Saints of old were in and many there are now unto whom the mind of the Lord is known blessed be the Name of the Lord forever and that you may all come to know him that healeth the Nations and leadeth out of Wars and maketh them to cease to the End of the Earth for VVars saith the Apostle James proceed from Mens Lusts and so wait in the Light which Christ hath given you for Power from God to be revealed in you which killeth the Lusts in your selves That your Swords may be broken into Plow-shares ãâã your Spears and VVeapons of War into Pruning Hooks then the Occasion and Ground of War is gone then you will come to be Follwers of Christ who came not to destroy mens Lives but to save them and to love Enemies anâ bless them that curse you and do Good to them that hate you and pray for them that despightfully use you and persecute you and this is the Way to conquer the Spirits of your Enemies Therefore stop not your Ears nor slight ãâã the Day of your Visitation for the joyful Sound of the everlasting Gospel is now to be preached again unto all Nations Kindreds Tongues and People and towards you in Germany is that coming wherein Remission of Sins is obtained and Life and Immortality is brought to Light and blessed and happy will you be if you be found worthy to receive it which many Nations and People have put away from them and thereby have made themselves unworthy of everlasting Life And now this is a Message of Love and a free Gift unto you the Princes and People and Rulers in Germany that you may all be warned to be in a Readiness to meet the Lord in his Judgments and also to receive the tender Proffers of Life and Salvation to you and your People Nation Rulers and ruled may be happy and so come to witness Blessedness and Peace in all your Habitations which the Lord hath brought many unto in this the Day of his mighty Power wherein he hath shewed himself in the Earth and made many Witnesses of his noble Acts and of his wondrous Works that he hath done amongst us to the Intent they may be Testimonies thereof that other Nations may be invited to taste and see how good and gracious the Lord is who is the Light of his People and how pleasant the Way is that lighteth every man that cometh into the World and these Things I testifie unto you who have tasted how good and pleasant his dwelling-place is and how precious the Fold of the Lord is and how green and pleasant are his Pastures into which he leadeth his Sheep unto them hath he given everlasting Life and perfect Assurance of his Love forever These Sayings are faithful holy just and true and blessed is he that hath an Ear to hear and a Heart ready to receive understand thaâ which is now declared of they even they shall be Witnesses of the same Glory in themselves and not only believe because of the Sound and Repâât thereof but see handle and understand these things in their own Hearts and feel it in their own Breasts So this is God's Visitation of Love to you ãâã Oh prize it lest it pass over your Heads and you never attain unto the Comfort of that which belongeth unto your eternal Rest and Peace From one who loves the Lord and all the Children of the Light and ãâã the Salvation and Welfare of all Men who is at perfect Unity with ãâã the Creation of God F. H. From England the 26 th of the 1 st Moneth 1661. THE GLORY OF THE True Church DISCOVERED As it was in its PURITY IN THE PRIMITIVE TIMES ALSO A Manifestation how and when the Apostacy came and how long it hath continued in the Church ROME proved to be in it because she differs in Doctrine and Practice from the Church of Christ in the Apostles Dayes Published for this End that People may be informed and their Understandings opened to discern the Times and Seasons and see the Difference between the Lamb's Wife and the Mother of Harlots By one who desires that all may come to the Knowledge of the Truth and be saved and walk in the Light of the Lord. F. H. TO THE Reader or Readers GReat hath been the Wisdom which God hath shed abroad in the Hearts of his People and made known unto his Servants through Ages wherein he hath made known his Mind and Will at sundry times and in divers manners sometimes by Types sometimes by Shadows and Representations sometimes by Dreams sometimes by Visions sometimes by Prophecy there was not the least Ministration but it had a Glory in it and the one living God manifested his Mind unto the Sons of men who feared his Name in every Generation and shewed unto them and signified his mind unto them what he was and shewed unto them how he would be worshipped and they that were obedient unto that which was made manifest in every Age and Ministration found Acceptance with the Lord and the Peace of God in their Hearts After man had transgressed and gone from his Maker and lost the Guide of his Youth and broken God's Covenant then Blindness came upon him and a Vail was betwixt him and his Maker and man increased and grew in an earthly Part and lusted after earthly Things which fed and increased that Part and the Image of God was lost in which the Creature delighted yet notwithstanding such was and is the Love of God towards his Creation and to his Workmanship that he did not utterly cast off man forever but followed him to draw him back again out of the Transgression to have Unity with him who was his Maker and when man was gone unto Darkness the Lord stooped so low as to come near him and to that State he was in and made a Covenant with man when mans Heart was outward upon outward Things and gave him Commands outward and Statutes and Ordinances outward that he might worship therein which were Shadows and Types of some better Things to come and these were the Ordinances of
the first Covenant which pertained to the changeable Part that was above the Seed but they typed forth more heavenly Things which were to be revealed in due Time and when the Seed came to be manifested and raised up they had an End and the Cloud passed away and the Day did spring forth in Clearness and he brought forth which restored all that believe unto God viz. Christ Jesus then did God more clearly manifest himself in the Earth through his Son who had the Will of the Father and declared it who rent the Vail and put an End to the Shadows and blotted out the Hand-writing and ended the Types and Figures and all that believed in him who was the End of them and the Sum of all he overthrew the Nature in them which was changeable unto which they pertained until the Time of Reformation which was when he was sacrificed up a Propitiation for the Sins of the whole World and they that did believe and received him came to be the Sons of God and declared the Mind of God as it was revealed and as the Spirit gave Utterance and many did believe and did grow up and became of one Heart Mind and Soul and worshipped God with one Accord and in the Spirit and in the Power of the Father and separated from the Jewish Worship and the Form thereof and met together in the Power of God and glorified God and spoke of the Things of his Kingdom unto all that waited for it freely and the Lord was honoured by them and glorified in them But soon after the Mystery of Godliness was brought forth the Mystery of Iniquity began to work and opposed the Work of the Lord and transformed into the Similitude and outward Appearance and Form and yet lived in the Flesh and there began to be an Apostacy and a Deviation from that Glory and Power which was once revealed and Anti-christ wrought with Signs and lying Wonders and got the Words and hated the Life and Power and them that appeared in it and then they that were under his Government and Reign hated the Reign of Christ and said in their Hearts We will not have him to rule over us though in Words they confess him and then persecuted and drove the true Church into the Wilderness and set up Imitations and Inventions and Traditions and vain Customs which they have called Apostolical and holy Institutions which are contrary unto primitive Institutions and Ordinances only brought in by them when Darkness began to spread over the Earth when the Bishops in the first three hundred Years after Christ began to contend about Dayes and Times and Meats and Drinks and Rome began to claim Superiority over all Churches call'd Christian the Pope became as a Law-giver I have led thee through divers Ages and Times as briefly as possible may be to single out the Original and Beginning of those things and who were the first Ordainers of them betwixt this and the Apostles Dayes which are now accounted as holy Institutions The State and Glory of the true Church in this Treatise thou wilt see before the Apostacy and the State in the Apostacy how she fled into the Wilderness and how Mystery-Babylon was raised and the false Church called her self visible many of her Doctrines and Practices which are contrary to the primitive Church are here discovered and the Authors and Formers made known whereby thou may'st come to see a Difference in the Ordinances of the true Church and the Traditions and Inventions of the false Church which are too much contended for in this Day by them who say They are come to the true Reformation according to the Primitive Times but thou wilt see as thou comparest their Practices with the Primitive times to be quite contrary and to be but Smoak and that which has darkened the Air clouded Peoples Understandings and hath led them into Ignorance and Darkness so that the Way of Truth hath not been discovered unto many but the Lord is arisen and that which comprehends time is made manifest and all that which hath got up in the Apostacy is viewed and seen and laid open to the View of all that they may depart out of these things which are but the Inventions and Traditions of Men in which Eternal Life is not to be had Read with Meekness and in that which is spiritual in thy self through which the things of God are made manifest for with that I have Unity and in that as thou livest and walkest I bid thee farewell F. H. The principal Heads treated upon in this following DISCOURSE 1. THE State of the Church from the Manifestation of Christ in the Flesh to the End of the Apostles briefly discovered 2. The entring in of the Apostacy and the Declination from that Purity and Doctrine Worship and Practice downward unto this present Age and Time 3. The Reformed and Separated Congregations called Parochial proved in the Apostacy compared with the Primitive Times in Worship and Practice 4. A few Words unto all how they may come out of the Apostacy to the true Church which is in God the Lamb's Wife 5. Concerning Baptizing or sprinkling Infants 6. Concerning the Sign of the Cross and ordaining of Parishes and Parochial Churches 7. Concerning Swearing by the Gospel as it is called and Kissing the Book and Bishoping of Children the first Authors shewn 8. Concerning Fasts and Feasts and Holy Dayes their Institutions and Foundeâs in the Apostacy 9. Concerning Priests Vestures and Garments and Bells their Authors Shewen which are Practised amongst Christians as Apostolick Institutions 10. Concerning the Mattens and singing of Psalms by Course in Musical Tunes and Supplications and short Prayers called Letanies their Authors shewn 11. Concerning the Passover and the Lord's Supper and the Ceremonies about it 12. Concerning Ministers and their Office under the Law and under the Gospel 13. Concerning the Ten Persecutions under the Heathen Emperours and how divers Vain Traditions and Institutions got up among the Christians in those Times and Constitution among the East and Western Churches after the Apostacy was entered in the first 300 400 Years after Christ. 14. Of the Decrees of the Church of Rome and Ordinances which are held as Apostolick Institutions 15. Concerning the General Councils since the Apostles Dayes which belonged to the Church of Rome their Decrees not infallible but are contradicting one another 16. Concerning the Worship of God and whether Kings and Rulers ought to compel in Spiritual Things declared and some Scriptures cleared and divers Objections answered about this Thing 17. Concerning Oathes in the first Covenant and the Lawfulness thereof and the Unlawfulness thereof discovered in the New Covenant in the Gospel-times though the Apostates mingle Ordinances of both together 18. Tythes in their first Institutions unto whom they were one according to the Command of God declared and that Tythes are no Way lawful to be received neither sought for by any who are Ministers of the
practices in the first hundred Years after Christ and if these things be found invented and without footing or Ground then let them that are informed depart from them CHAP III. But now to descend a little further nearer unto our own Age to speak something to them which I believe look upon themselves to be Catholick and Apostolick in Doctrine and Practice according to the Primitive Time and Order and that they are totally come out of the Apostacy THis I have to say to you which is my Judgment and Belief and that upon good Ground that you are in many things in the Apostacy as hereafter I shall demonstrate and to tell you nakedly and plainly we look upon the Reformation which was made in denying the Church of Rome to be but very weak and poor and feeble and imperfect comparatively with the Doctrine and Practice and Order in the primitive times insomuch that we judge upon good Grounds that it cannot be parallel'd with the Church in the primitive Times which I have spoken of before in that you have denyed the Pope to be the Head of the Church and so are called Protestants so am I knowing that Christ is the Head of the Church and ought to rule by his spiritual Scepter and his eternal Power in the Hearts and Consciences of People and in and over the true Church which is his Body whereof he is the Head and let all take heed who do intrude and take upon them that which belongeth to the King of Kings and King of Saints as to matter of Headship Regulation or Government for all power is committed unto him in Heaven and Earth and the Father hath given it to him and will not have any other have that Glory but whosoever seeks it must be condemned and his Glory he will not give to another for the Lamb is worthy of Glory and Strength And though the Church of Rome be generally acknowledged to be in the Apostacy by them that are separated from them and that upon good Ground yet I say the Separation is in some little or small part more in Name then Nature more in Form then in power more in some circumstantial things then in the very Ground it self and very many of these Doctrines practices Diâcipline and Order as they call it I find to be upholden practised and contended for which are found in the former I have mentioned First of all to instance that which is generally holden out by the reformed Protestants is that the Writings of Matthew Mark Luke and John and several Epistles is the Gospel which the primitive Disciples and Ministers preached and published and which people did receive and by believing the Sound thereof were accounted Christians and Believers We would have all to know the Gospel was preached to Abraham before Matthew or Mark or any of the Apostles writ a Word Moreover we would have all to know that Christ had preached glad tidings to the captives and some of the Disciples had preached the Word of the Kingdom before Matthew or Mark or Luke or John had wrote a Word my Reasons are divers Matthew Mark Luke and John must needs hear and see that done which they testified of before they writ and if Matthew Mark Luke and John be the Gospel the Writings of them I intend then the Disciples could not preach it before it was given forth and if the Epistles be a part of the Gospel this the Disciples could not preach before it was written for Paul succeeded and was converted after divers of the Apostles had preached the Gospel so then doubtless the Disciples and Apostles had something to say and declare and publish before any of the New-Testament was written and it is manifested that they were not sent out to preach the Law nor the Ordinances of the first Covenant after Christ was offered up the End of the first So then there was something and is something which was preached by them and is to be published now to all that are made Ministers by the holy Ghost and that is in few Words the Power of God which was before the New Testament so called though the Words declare of it but is not it Now they went and discipled in the Name of the Father Son and holy Ghost which is a Ministry far beyond the written or declarative Sound or indeed is a spiritual and invisible Thing which the Apostle Acts 26.18 declaring his Message which he had received by the holy Ghost saith I was sent to turn them viz. the Gentiles and Jews and them of Arabia and else where he soiourned from Darkness to Light and from Satan's Power unto God's Power that they that believed in the Light and received the Power of God which he preached to them might receive Remission of Sins for Remission of Sin was only preached in his Name and there is no Name under Heaven by which Men can be saved but by the Name of Jesus though the Apostles spoke according to the Motion of the Spirit in divers Words calling him the Gift of God the free Gift of Righteousness the unspeakable Gift the true Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the World the Power of God and the Wisdom of God which Wisdom and Power they had received and because the Son of God was revealed in them the Apostle said I am a Debtor to the Jews and the Greeks Rom. 1.14 And he having received ãâã freely of the Father he went to the Jews and went to the Greeks to the Gentiles and Heathen where the Name of this Gift and Power and Jesus had not been named and published freely without Gifts and Rewards and the Necessity did lye upon him 1 Cor. 9.16 and the Love of Chrâst which was shed abroad in his Heart constrained him and made him reckon himself as a Debtor unto all because of the abundant Loving Kindness and Riches of God's Love and Grace and spiritual Gifts which he had received he longed and thirsted and travailed to communicate it unto others Largely I might speak of this hidden Mystery as to demonstrate what the Gospel of Christ was and is but in what I have already said they that are any thing spiritual minded will judge that the Law and the Prophets Matthew Mark Luke and John and the Epistles were not the everlasting Gospel but it was a thing beyond and above and before any of these writings were although they all in their several Ages bore Testimony of it viz. the Power of God which condemns Sin in the Flesh and mortifies the Deeds thereof and gives Victory over it and taketh up all that believe in it into one Life Power and Virtue into pure Peace and heavenly Contentment and perfect Satisfaction So you who are calling the Letter the Gospel or the New Testament writings the Gospel I would ask you a Question also When was there a time since the first hundred Years after Christ or in that time till now that these Words and Writings have
which were only to continue till the time of Reformation Heb. 9.10 by Christ the everlasting Covenant came to be made manifest the everlasting Offering who perfected them that are Sanctified who is the Oath of God the end of Oaths and of all strife and contention his Doctrine was Swear not at all Mat. 5.33 34 35 36 37. neither by the head nor Feet nor Books nor Gospel nor any other thing but that yea should be yea and nay nay in all things and James an Apostle of Christ Jesus who knew the New Covenant which was everlasting which saw over the Ordinances of the first Covenant of the Jews saith above all Things my Brethren Swear not at all neither by heaven neither by the Earth nor by any other Oath but let your Yea be Yea and your nay Nay lest you fall into Condemnation James 5.1 2. and this was Apostolical and Catholick Doctrine in the Primitive Churches But afterwards the Faith being lost which once was delivered the Saints and the Power lost they began to set up Oaths again imitating the Jews and bringing the commands of the Jews who were under the first Covenant as their Ground But this was in the Apostacy And Justinian the Emperour appointed first that men should Swear by the Gospel or Book called the Gospel and lay their Hands thereon and Kiss it saying So help me God and here Christendom may see who are in the Apostacy and who were the first instituters of this Swearing and the manner thereof which the Teachers of these latter Ages do Ignorantly Press for an Ordinance of God In the Primitive Times they that had the Word of Reconciliation who had received the holy Ghost and Gift of prophecy and were made able Ministers of the Spirit who had discerning and saw by the Spirit who were fitted for the Work of the Ministry and fit to be Elders and Helpers in the Church they laid hands on them in God's Power and they received the holy Ghost but now since the Apostacy came in this kind of Imagination of laying on of hands one Hypocrite upon another who are out of the Power who have not received the holy Ghost neither they upon whom their hands were laid but afterward it came to be a custom and a holy Rite to be performed upon Children Silvester Bishop of Rome ordained that all that were christned Churches and Chalices should be anointed with Oyl and Fabianus commanded that it should be renewed every Monday and Thursday Clement the first ordained that Children that were christned should be anointed with Chrisme and he also instituted the Sacrament as it is called of Confirmation or as it is now called Bishopping and did suppose that no man was a perfect Christian if this Rite and Ceremony was omitted and for this cause it hath been judged and looked upon as catholick Doctrine both by the Church of Rome and the Protestants that the holy Ghost is more plentifully given them by the hands of the Bishop and on this wise in the first institution thereof it was only administred by the Bishop First he asked the Name of the child making the Sign of the Cross in his Forehead saying I sign thee with the Token of the Cross and confirm thee with the Chrisme of Salvation in the name of the Father Son and holy Ghost c. and smote the Child on the cheek softly but if of greater Age which was to be confirmed the Bishop gave a sharper Stroke that he might remember this great Mystery and here you may see how these things came in and the Traditions and Inventions and Precepts of Men have been and are taught for Doctrine and Apostolick Institution many of which are upholden in the reformed Churches so called unto this day and so People are kept in Blindness in a Multitude of Traditions and heathenish customs and their minds led out from seeking after the living God CHAP. VIII Concerning Fasts Feasts and Holy-dayes THE Jews in the first covenant had many Fasts and Feasts and Holy-dayes as the Sabbath and Feasts of the New Moon and Passeover and Feasts of unleavened-bread Pentecost the Feasts of Tabernacles and the Feast of Dedication which are largely shewed in the Books of Moses all which things as the Apostle saith to the Hebrews were but Shadows of things to come and not the things themselves which only continued till the time of Reformation and till the better Hope which brought in the better Covenant which stood vpon better Promises Now in the Primitive Churches they came to see the End of these things and were brought to him that was the Substance in whom all Figures and âhadows do end Col. 2.16.17 Let no man therefore judge you in Meat or Drink or in respeât of a holy day which are a Shadow of things to come but the Body is Christ Now afterward when they minded the Form more then the Power they ran out into those things with many additions some borrowed from the Heathen and some by their own Invention and then press them as Apostolick Ordinances upon Christians which things stand in force with many until this Day too too much among them that are called reformâd Victor Bishop of Rome about the year 196. decreed that Easter should be celebrated and kept on the Sunday from the 14 th Day of the first Moneth which is March to the 22 d. of the same now the Jews kept it sooner and so it is without ground from the Jews Practice and meerly an Invention of their own which led People back into dayes and about what time they judged any thing to be done which Christ or the Apostles did they invented a day and time to keep for it as to reverence Sunday in Advent Nativity Circumcision and Epiphany Purification of Mary called Candlemass Lent Palm-Sunday Monday and Thursday on which Christ washed his Disciples Feet as it hath been imagined Good-Fryday Easter Pentecost was kept by the Jews and this they would hold out for an Apostolick Example to Christians and for all the former Dayes they were invented with many more which have been brought in since and so they were decreed and ratified at a Council at Lyons in France that such days as either the holy Saints departed this Life or did any notable deed a day should be kept holy as they said in that Council for the encrease of their Religion there were also other days instituted the Feast of Saint Stephen and Innocents by Pope Boniface the fourth and likewise John-Baptist and that which they call Lady-day Laurence Michael and Martin and generally of all Saints and these were his Institutions which are practised by the Church of Rome and practised among the Protestants to this Day Likewise that which is called Corpus-Christi day this was made a holy-day and dedicated by Urban the fourth Silvester assigned the day of Advincula Sancti Petri commonly called Lammas in memorial of Peter's pains and persecution Felix the first
to magnifie the glorious commendation of Martyrs made a Statute that a yearly Oblation should be had in memorial of them and Gregory would that Mass should be said over their Tombs or Graves now Priests read the original of your service over the Graves of the dead and see if this be Apostolical The Fast of Wednesday and Fryday was appointed the one day Christ was crucified and on Wednesday Judas purposed in his Mind to betray him Gregory was he that ordained that neither Flesh Gregory appointed nor any thing that had affinity with it as Cheese Milk Butter Eggs should not be eaten on such days as were Fasts and here came in this Doctrine of Devils Soul-mass-day this was begun by Odilo that was Provost or Provincial of Cluniacensis Order upon the Occasion he heard about Etna the burning Mountain of Sicily oftentimes great Lamentations and Cryings and Weepings were heard which he supposed to be the Weepings of evil Spirits that bewailed because the Souls of dead men were taken from them by the Petitions and Sacrifices of well-disposed Christians therefore he appointed his Covent to make a general Oblation for All-Souls the next Day after the Feast of All-Saints and this great Institution was ordained about the Year 1002. and so all whose Eyes God hath opened will see all this Heap of Invention hath been practisee since the Beast rose out of the Sea and the Whore hath sate upon the Waters which is since the Apostles Dayes CHAP. X. Concerning Priests Vestures and Belâs which are practised among Christians as Apostolick Institutions THE Jews high Priests had Vestments and the rest of the Priests who offered Sacrifices and Oblations at the Temple and Tabernacle Lev. â 6 7 8 9. 13. And Aaron the Priest had a Coat girded with a Girdle and clothed him with a Robe and put a linnen Ephod upon him and put a Breast-plate upon him and a Mitre upon his Head and Aaron's Sons had Coats with Girdles and Bonnets as was commanded by the Lord and in chap. 16.4 and he put on a linnen Coat and linnen Breeches with a Coat and Mitre and girded it with a Linnen Girdle and these were the holy Garments and these Garments were to be put off in the Holy Place and divers other Garments and Vestments which were worn by the Priest about the Temple-Worship and Sacrifice which were Shadows of better things and of more holy Garments but this was in the first Covenant that made nothing perfect which was faulty and was to continue until the time of Reformation But Christ being come and offered up all Shadows had an End and they preached up the everlasting Offering and him who offered up himself once for all Now Christ sent out his Disciples without great Provision as to Attire for they were to take neither Staff nor Sârip nor Shoes nor Money nor Brass in their Purses and yet they were to go among them that were like Wolves renting and tearing devouring and destroying and there was no great Likelihood of obtaining any earthly thing from such while in that Nature but the Apostles liâed by Faith Mat. 10.9 10. and Luke 10.3 4. and they were not to take two Coats and the Apostle in his Travails was often in Necessities in Hunger and Cold and Nakedness and did not go in costly Array nor in disguised Habits but in his old Age wore sometimes a Cloak among the Churches which he sent for to Troas an ordinary Garment 2 Cor. 4 8 9 10. 6.4 to ver 11. 2 Tim. 4.13 and John the Baptist who was a great Prophet had a Coat made of Hair and a leathern Girdle about his Lyons Mat. 2.3 and the primitive Christians wandered up and down in Sheep-Skins and Goat-skins being destitute of whom the World was not worthy Heb. 11.37 38. But after the Apostles Decease deceitful Workers and evil Beasts and they that abode not in the Doctrine and Ordinances of Christ went out into the World and the World went after them and so lost both Power and Form of Godliness and invented things some from the Heathen and much from the Priests under the Law Sextus the first commanded that the Corporis should be of linnen Cloath only and that of the finest and purest and forbad that Lay-men should handle the hallowed Vessels and namely Women were prohibited hallowing the Priests Vestures and Altars and Cloathes Diversity of Vestures of sundry Orders were much what taken from the Example of the Hebrew Priesthood was practised and ordained by Stephen Bishop of Rome and Sabinianus decreed first that the People should be assembled together to hear Service at certain hours by ringing of Bells and John the 22d Bishop of Rome ordained that Bells should be tolled every day three times and that then every man should say three times Ave-Mary as Polidore saith Lib. 6. The Invention of Bells was from Imitation of the Hebrews because the high Priest had in the Skirts of his uppermost Garments little Bells to ring when he was in the holy Place within the Vail And the Banners and Trophies which are hung up in Churches were taken from the Heathen which did bear them to signifie the conquest of their Enemies these have been set up in the Churches so called by some of the Bishops of Rome to declare as they said the Triumph of Christ over Death and Hell Now all Nations who are called Christians look to your original and from whence these Practices have risen and those things are continued even amongst the Protestant Churches are either from the Jews or from the Heathen or from the apostatized Bishop of Rome long after the days of the Apostles and so these Hoods and Surplices and Caps and Bonnets and Cowls and Tippets and Miters and Canonnical-Coats and Girdles and divers strange attires it is like to prove these things we must have Aaron's Breeches brought in and the linnen Ephod and his Son's Girdles and Coats and Bonnets and the high Priest's Mitre and all these Candlesticks for a Gospel-proof CHAP. X. Concerning Mattens and âinging of Pâalms by course in musical Tunes and Supplications and short Prayers called Letany THE Jews under the Law had many Officers which belonged to the Temple-Worship among which were Singers as the Sons of Corah and the Sons of Asâph and Eârahites and the chief Musicians c. and divers Psalms were given forth by the Spirit of God by David and others upon several occasions sometimes after Victories and sometimes when he felt the Presence of God and the working of his Power and who were Eye-witnesses of his wondrous Works as the rest of Israel were many times as at the Dedication of the Temple and also when they came out of captivity Neh. 7.44 12.27.42 43. Psal. 149.3 150.3 4. and all these singers of Songs pertain to the Temple and the first Covenant and to that Priesthood which could not continue by reason of the Faultiness thereof Heb. 8.7
and because all these things did not make perfect aâ pertaining to the Conscience and was to continue but for a time until the time of Reformation and then an End of the Temple Priests and Worship of the Singers and Porters and Organs and stringed Instruments as in matter of Worship an End was put to all these when he was offered up that perfecteth forever them that are sanctâfiâd And the Christians and true Believers in the Primitive times who had received the Spirit in which they did rejoyce in and with what Words the Spirit was pleâsed to utter and they thât had received the holy Ghâst did joy in the holy Ghost and they that did sing sang in the Spiriâ and with the Spirit and with Understanding from the feeling of the living which they had in their hearts of God's Preâence and his Assurance and he that had a Psalm might sing but all thâ Church did not sing together a Psalm was a Gift of the Spirit every one had it not there was diversity of Gifts and diversity of Operations Prophecy Interpretation and a Psalm were Gifts which were received from the Spirit and not by tradition 1 Cor. 14.15 Ephes. 5.19 James 5.13 And they that overcame and were redeemed from the Earth who had followed the Lamb who had given the Victory over Sin Death and they Grave the sang a new Song which none could learn but those whose Names were written in the Lamb's book of Life Rev. 1.2 3. 19.1 6. and these were the Songs of the Redeeââd which God had delivered out of their Enemies Hânds and they were witnesâes of his wondrous Works and praised the Lord in the Spirit and with understânâing and did not get a Form of Words of Daviâ's Words which he spake after his Victories and Triumphs over his Enemies and also they prayed in the Spirit and with Understaning and spoke as it gave utterancâ and as they were moved by the holy Ghost were not limited as how short or how long but aâ the Spirit gave Utterrance and not limited to hours and set times but when the Spirit of God which they had received moved thereunto and then their Prayers were accepted and were as sweet Incense Rev. 5.8 8.3 4. and were not stinted to set hours but as they saw in the Wisdom of God and were moved by his Spirit But since the Apostacy that the Spirit hath been lost by many and the Power some of the Form retained and then they began to imitate three times a day and seven times a day but Mâttens at set times and hours was appointed by Hierome as Polidore and others say Also the Heathen they had Mattens as Apuleus saith which they sung at divers times of the day and so sorted the Hours of the day for Sacrifices which they did offer unto their Idols Pelagius the second was the first that command-Priests to say them daily and said as the just man falleth seven times so by instant Prayers and Mattens he might as often rise and amend Urbanus the second ordained the Mattens called the Ladies Mattens to be said daily and confirmed them in a Council which he had at Mount Clear in France and Damasus Bishop of Rome gave Commandment that Mattens should be said or Sung in all Churches and added Gloria Patrito the end of every Psalm Damasus also instituted that Psalms should be said or sung by Course Damâsus also commanded that the Creed should be said every hour And Vitilianus invented the decent times wherewith the Hymns be Sung and joyned the Organs but there were divers and sundry manners of Prayers and Forms and Mattens and singing devised by many as Bennets Monks had one use and Bernard another and Dominicks Brethren had one order by themselves and every Provincial Bishop made a several use in his Diocess and all was confirmed by the Bishop of Rome Telesphorus appointed that Lent should be kept before Easter and added another Week to it which we call Quinquagâsima and this Week he commanded Priests to Fast more then the Laity and thus one runs into one Invention after another and hath brought in all this mountain of Darkness so that the Practice of these things since the Apostles dayes hath been much what corrupted and Imitation at the best without Life and are either from the Jews and their Worship or from the Heathen or from their own Inventions and Imaginations which are many in their Mattens and their Prayers that at last Beads were glad to be got to tell them and so all who view these things and see them to be in the Apostacy come out from among them and them that are joyned to Idols let them alone and keep your selves from them and compare but the Worship and Practice of the Primitive times in the Apostles dayes with all this which hath been brought in since part of which is here Demonstrated much more might be said but you will see that these Practices are not Apostolical neither agreeable with the purest times but People have been corrupted with them and made two-fold worse then before And as concerning the Mass and Letany which are used in many Congregations there hath been so many Authors about patching them up that they are almost past numeration but take a short hint of the forming of them up near unto the Apostles time although they did celebrate the Sacrament as it was called it was done with little mixture or Ceremony but only repeating the Words of Christ and after the Consecration they joyned to it the Pater-noster Celestinus ordained some Prayers that the Priest should say when he revesteth himself to Mass or putting on his Cloaths and began Juâica me Domine c. And in the Church of Greece they sang when the People Assembled together Damasius instituted the confession at the Beginging of the Mass and Gorgius caused confession to be said nine times over in the Latine-Church Gregory in excelsis is ascribed unto Telesphorus and Hilarius and also Telesphorus ordained Epistles and Gospels and Damasiâs divided them as they are read at this Day in the reformed Churches and Anastâsius ordained that People should stand at the Gospel Marcus ordained the first Part of the Creed to be read after it was made by the Council of Nice and the second Part and Spiritum Sanctum that the Council at Constantinople composed Eutichianus instituted the Oââertory to be sung while the People offerâd something to the poor Galesius mâde the Prefaces in the Beginning they used but one Ansekius added the Sanââus out of the Prophet Isaiah burning of Incense that which was occupied in the old Testament by Aaron and the Panims in their superstitious Rites Leo the third ordained it to be had in the Latine-church and privity of Mass called the common was made by divers Persons as Galatius made Te igitur Satitious added Communicantes and Alexander made Qui pridie Hanc igitur Leo joyned to
the Sunday Urbanus the seventeenth Bishop of Rome ordained church-yards to be hallowed and forbad Marriage of Priests Pontianus the eighteenth Bishop Ordained that Psalms and Mattens should be sung in Church Night and Day to drive away Evil Spirits Sixtus the twenty fourth Bishop in the Year 222. after Christ ordained that Priests should wear Holy Garments as Cuffs and divers others things in imitation of Aaron and then came up Surplices he commanded Images to be set up in Churches Foelix the twenty sixth Bishop of Rome ordained division of Parish churches and Diocesses to Bishops Leo the Emperour gave commandment that all Images and Pictures of Saints should be takenâout of the Churches for the avoiding of Idolatry but the Bishop of Rome withstood the Emperour the Emperour for his confirmation of taking of Images away called a Council of Bishops about three Hundred and thirty and they ordained and Decreed that all Images should be taken away and burned in the year 740. But in the Year 762. Gregory the third called a Council together at Rome near a thousand Bishops and condemned Leo the Emperor and three hundred Bishops for taking Images out of the Churches and yet the former Council and this all of one Faith and Church which they use to say could not Err and the latter Decreed they should be adored and Worshipped with all Reverence Boniface the eighth he gave License to Mendicant Fryars to hear the private Confession of Sins that People should confess to them Pope Alexander gave commandment that the Sacrament should be made of the Sweet Bread and commanded that Water should be mingled with Wine Innocentius the third ordained that People should confess their Sins to a Priest once a Year at the least And these kind of Decrees stand for Apostolical to this day among the Apostates and the Reformed churches so called do own many things that are too near a Kin to them and press them for Ordinances and Holy Institutions yea in many Countries the self-same Things are both owned and Practised in many Particulars which I have mentioned before in other parts of this Book and are looked upon as divine Service and holy Worship which the Ministers of Christ who have the Word of Reconciliation to publish are ashamed of knowing them to be such things as never was Practised nor holden out by Christ or his Apostles but are brought in since Darkness hath over-spread the Earth and the Power of God hath been lost And at the first Institution thereof though there might be some shew of a good Intention in the Formers of them but now they are become absolute Idols and however at the first some of these things mentioned might seem to some to be indifferent yet now being prest of Necessity as the Ordinances of God they are become Idols and ought to be thrown away and departed from by all that profess the Gospel of Christ Jesus and the Worship of God in the Spirit For the Lord God hath drawn away his presence out of all formal and visible Appearance since Anti-christ and the false church hath got them on for a Garment and to cover themselves withal to the deceiving of the Nations And now in this the day of his Power hath Appeared in a more Mysterious and secret and hidden way and in a more spiritual Appearance into this deceit cannot enter nor Transform therefore all Babylons Merchants are angry and Anti-christs followers are full of Wrath and the Dragon casts out floods after the heir and her that brings him forth and makes War with the Seed but the Lord is putting on her beautiful Garments and Marrying her to himself and she shall Reign and her Seed who are born of the Spirit when she that sat as a Queen upon the Waters shall have an End and the Dragon shall be laid hold on and Chained up and the Beast and false Prophet be cast into the Lake forever Blessed are they who keep in the Faith and Patience till these things be fulfilled their Hearts shall rejoyce and their Tonâue Praise the Lord and Magnifie him whoâe Throne is established in the Heavens and his Kingdom is over all And although there was a defection from the Faith and Practice of the Apostles in the first two hundred Years after Christ yet doutless there were many who lived and died in the Faith and suffered as Martyrs in the time of the great Persecutions by the Heathen Emperors and many who could not nor did not Sacrifice to their Idols suffered Death and under-went cruel Torments by the Heathen who were in the Dragon's Power for the Testimony of a good Conscience for confession of Christ Jesus and although divers of the Bishops of Rome and other places did bring in things which they instituted as matter of Worship and so People were darkned by them yet in the ten Persecutions by the Heathen Emperours many suffered Death and Thousands of the christians besides but Deceit crept in by degrees and invented things were brought in by the Leaders of the People but these things that were invented were prest to be observed in their Diocesses and Parishes which they had made and sate down in but there was little compelling yet till the Dragon gave his Power to the Beast and it was 650 Years before ever the Bishops of Rome did climb up unto their height as to claim the Title of the Universal Bishop or head of the church or challenged Supremacy over all christian Churches yet before this time abundance of Darkness was entred in and the Power was much lost and divers innovations were brought in for Ordinances divers of the Jews ceremonies and divers of their Institutions which belonged to the first Priest-hood and these were prest upon the Churches by several Leaders or Bishops as Apostolick Ordinances which had no concurrence with the Primitive church in the first hundred Years after Christ as hereafter may be shewn in divers things wherein they were Apostatized from the Life and Power of God and from the Practice of the Saints mentioned in the Scripture and of the churches planted in the Apostles dayes CHAP. XIII Something concerning the ten Persecutions by the Heathen Emperors of Rome FOR the first three hundred Years after Christ who was born in the Reign of Augustus Caesar then Emperour of Rome and was rejected and Crucified by the Jews in the seventeenth Year of the Reign of Tiberius Caesar then Emperour of Rome who Reigned eight Years after Christ was crucicified whom Pilate gave Sentence against and delivered to the Jews the said Pilate was banished by the Emperour and afterwards he killed himself in which time Stephen the Martyr was stoned to Death by the Jews and the same day Stephen was Stoned Dorotheus saith Nicanor one of the Deacons suffered with two thousand Christians more in his Reign about this time Paul was converted The next Emperour that succeeded Tiberius Caesar was Caesar Caligula who commanded his Image to be set up in the
Marcellus succeeded one Lucina a rich Maid of Rome dying made Marcellus her Heir and gave him all her Substance and from that time saith Pollidore Lib. 1. the Bishops of Rome were greatly inriched and he began to grow up in earthly Honours higher and higher But Constantine the Emperor about the Year 318 caused a Cross to be made of Gold and precious Stones and to be born before his Army instead or a Standard when he went to fight against Maxentius Maximinius and Licinius these were the last Persecutors of the Christians in the Roman Monarchy which this Constantine did vanquish and set the Christians at Liberty who had been persecuted about three hundred Years and so afterwards this Cross others began to imitate and set up in their Churches and became a flat Idol notwithstanding after this some Persecution was stirring in the eastern Countries yet in Rome and the western Parts there was no general Persecution for many Years also in the East Part he subdued those Tyrants we read of no Persecution against the Christians until the Time that John Wickliff suffered which was when the Spirit of the Heathen was entered into the Bishops of Rome and Popes who had retained the Name of Christian but lost the Life and the Power he began with Fire to persecute the Members of Christ. But long before this Time the Wisdom and Power of God was much lost among many of the Bishops of Rome and also divers others that the Apostacy was entered in and they made great Contentions about Easter and about Dayes which should be fasted and some were for two and some were for three and some were for forty Dayes all the Churches of Asia and their Bishops were for keeping it the fourteenth Moon as Eusebius saith lib. 5. For Asia observed the Feast of Easter and they called a great Council together and decreed that it should be observed the fourteenth Moon upon what Day soever in that Week the Moon fell and appointed fasting-dayes and Meetings and Synods in all Parts met together about this trivial Matter in the Year 199. at Rome likewise there was a Synod gathered together wherein Victor the fourteenth Bishop was President and the eastern Churches decreed it the Day aforesaid and Fastings before it and a western Church decreed it to be the Day wherein Christ rose from Death to Life but Victor Bishop of Rome with the adjoyned Congegations pronounces flatly all the western Churches to be excommunicated Persons and gives them up to Satan so that it became a Proverb That the Bishop of Rome must judge all and be judged of none this was about the year one hundred ninety nine after Christ when they had respite from Persecution And Ireneus Bishop of Lyons he was of Victor's Mind that it ought to be celebrated on the Sunday only yet reproved Victor Bishop of Rome Peter's Successor as they say for cutting off all the Churches of God in Asia for such a trivial Thing And Polycarpus and Anicetus contended about trivial Things and although there was much Good in them both yet this weakened the Christians and led the Minds of People out into the Observance of outward Things and neglected the Life and Power Luâius the two and twentieth Bishop of Rome about the year 255 and Stephanus who succeeded him a great contention in their Time about baptism the Matter was whether they that returned from any Heresie shall be re-baptized or be received in with Prayer and laying on of Hands only and so here was a great jangling and contention about outward things which were getting up as Idols and Cyprian Bishop of Carthage judged that Hereticks had no Way to be purged from Error but by Baptism but Stephanââ was greatly offended with Cyprian for this After Stephen Sixtus succeeded and Dionysius writes unto him how that all Cilicia Cappadocia Gallatia and the bordering Nations how greaâ Synods had decreed that they would not communicate with them because they re-baptized Hereticks and saith further the greatest Synod of Bishops hath decreed that such as renounce any Heresie should first be instructed and then washed and purged of their impure Leaven and thus they wrangled and âangled about Things with one another and brake into Fractions notwithstanding many of these Men suffered under the merciless Cruelty of the Heathen Emperors likewise they excommunicated one another and called Councils and censured one another and hurt the spreading of Truth amongst them that believed in the Name of Jesus all this is to shew that they were declining and coming to Loss in this Time though so near the Apostles Time and though they suffered under the Emperors and found Peace with the Lord yet many Practices and Institutions were made which are not according to the primitive Times which ought not to be binding to all Generations afterwards because of the Antiquity of them as the now called Church of Rome would have all to receive as Apostolick Doctrine But to return to Constantine the Emperor when Peace was established in the empire he set forth a general proclamation or edict not constraining therein any Man to any Religion but giving Liberty to all Men to exercise their Religion whether Christians or others which Thing was taken well by the Romans and all wise Men this Licinius joyned with Constantine in the Government of the empire seemingly favoured the Christians joyned with Constantine in setting forth an edict for the Christians Liberty yet afterwards he had great Hatred towards Constantine and conspired his Death reâecting the Christiân Râlâgion and persecuted them who said He would become an Enemy to the Christians for that in their Meetiâgs and Assemblâes they prayed not for him but for Constantine so cast the Christians into Prison and persecuted them within his Dominions and many were put to Death but at length he was slain after several Battels between him and Constantine by the Souldiers in the year 324. Constantius the Emperor the Father of Constantine dyed a natural Death and was buried at York Dioclesian dyed at Salena as some say by his own Poyson in the year 319. he was the chief of the seven Tyrants in the tenth Persecution Maximinian the second who was hanged at Mazâlla by Constantine in the year 310. Thirdly Galerius who was plagued with a terrible Disease Severus the fourth was slain by Maximinian the Father of Maxentius the wicked Tyrant who was banished by Constantine in the year 318. The sixth was Maxentius who dyed not long after in the year 320. Lastly Licinius was overcome by Constantine and slain about the year 324. And thus the Lord plagued the Cruelty of the Heathen Emperors who knew not God but hated his Appearance and rewarded them according to their Deeds The Christians in these three hundred years wherein were the ten Persecutions they were Sufferers under the Power of the Dragon who ruâed in the Emperors and then they were not Persecutors having not the outward Power in their
insomuch that many Papists abhor the very Name and Mention of it and to the Death withstand the bringing in of this Slavery amongst them the Extremity and Rigor of this Inquisition until the year· 1609. In Philip the third King of Spain's Time notwithstanding though the Moors did make a Shew of the Papists Religion because of the Inquisition yet eleven hundred thousand of them were forced to quit the Country it was so dreadful And all these kind of Ordinances and Institutions before-mentioned compare them with the Scriptures and the Cruelty and Severity which hath been exercised towards them who could not receive them none who have their Eyes open in any Measure but must needs conclude that all this is in the Apostacy and so all who profess Reformation flee from these things and from this Spirit and from this Church who forces and kills all them that oppose who are under his Power and why should any plead for the holding up of those Practices as good and warrantable whereas so many have been killed about them and so many have been led from the Life and Power of Godliness while they received and practised these humane Inventions and vain and customary Traditions for the Doctrine of Christ and for Apostolick Ordinances and must it not needs be concluded them who would tye People up and bind Men to observe such and such things as are mentioned before in this Book and persecute for not observing that they are they who draw back to Perdition and keep People from laying hold upon eternal Life Many more vain Practices and Doctrines which have been brought in since the Apostles Dayes might be mentioned but in that which is said already the understanding will see that there hath been a great Apostacy both in Life Doctrine and Practice from the Apostles Time downward until now and that which is called the Catholick Church in Rome is in it and likewise divers of them who are separated from her stick too much in these Things because of the Custom Tradition and Antiquity of them In part I have shewn their Antiquity and their Rise and also shewn that which is more ancient then they from which they have swerved to the Intent that all may come out of Babylon and drink no more of the Cup nor buy no more of the Merchandize nor wear no more the Harlots Cognizance nor the false Churches Attire but that all may come to see before this Heap of dark Confusion and beyond the vain Obervations which have been introduced which make no Man through the Observation thereof more acceptable unto God but rather two-fold more like Children of the wicked one who abode not in the Truth CHAP. XIV Something further of the Decrees and Ordinances of the Church of Rome which are holden out for Apostolical Ordinances POpe Paul about the Year 757. condemned the Council at Constantinople for condemning worshipping of Images he wrote a Book of the worshipping and Utility of Images calling them the Lay-mens Calender Pope Adrian about the Year 770. cloathed the Image of St. Peter with Silver and covered the Altar of St. Paul with a pall of Gold and condemned them for Hereticks who kept Peter and Paul's Doctrine which declared against Idols Pope Nicholas about the Year 858. enlarged the Popes Decrees equalling them to the Writings of the Apostles he decreed that Service should be said in Latine And although by the Emperor the Pope was first elected yet now having got Head did climb up so high in Power and Pride and Arrogancy endeavoured that no Emperor should be crown'd without his Leave in Germany And Pope Clement the fifth excommunicated Andronicus Peleogus Emperor of Constantinople as an Heretick because he would not suffer the Greek Church to appeal to Rome And when any Kings or Princes had displeased him he hath excommunicated them and given away their Kingdoms to some other teaching their People to rebel and also instigating other Princes to make War against them and to kill one another for trifles and if any displeased him he caused many Kings to do Penance and to pay great Sums of Money to get an absolution from Excommunication and the Rule and Power of the Empire which gave him first his being to be Universal Bishop and to be called Pope he hath raised War often against and if he like not the Election of the Emperour he hath deposed them and one he brought into such Subjection that he caused him to hold his Sirrop a thing that the Emperour was not accustomed with he happened to hold it on the wrong side for which he received a sharp Reproof by his holiness Likewise some difference being between Pope Innocent the fourth in the Year 1250. and the Emperour Frederick the second the Pope would not be Reconciled though the King of France strongly interceeded and offered full satisfaction for all pretended Wrongs would go out of his Empire if the Pope could not endure him there never to return into Europe again so as that his Son with the Popes Approbation might but Succeed him in the Empire which the Pope would not do And how England and divers Nations have been troubled with his Oppression is well known and what exactions and great sums of Money âhere have been enhausted and squeezed out of his Dominions where he ãâã Power the Nations well remember to maintain the Pride of his Court at Rome which abounded with all manner of Vitiousness insomuch that it was grown to that height that Vincentius Clement the Popeâ Legate said it was now too late and past reforming But to take the Legate's own words as follow against his Master the Pope and his Court W. H. in his Book called a Description of England in the 136 page saith thus that this Vincentius Clement in the year 1452. being Legate for the Pope was here in England about the Pope's business and hearing that the Clergy had given the King two tenths for the repaying âf his losses which he had sustained in France and for the recovering of Bourdeaux this Legate Vincentius coming into the Convocation House he earnestly required the Clergy to be no less favourable to their Spiritual Father the Pope and their Mother the See of Rome then they had been to his vassal and inferiour meaning the King and in his Speech in the Convocation he shewed them how that his Holiness the Pope was much disturbed and daily in danger of his Life by Cut-throats Varlots and Harlots which did much abound as he said in Rome but the Clergy in the Convocation slighted his Speech and said how should we contribute towards the Suppression of such whereas he and such as you continually uphold them I grant saith the Legate that there wanteth just Reformation of many Things in the City of Rome which should have been made sooner but now is it too late and past reforming never the less I beseech you send the Legate to write unto his holiness the Pope to request him that
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 wiâh 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 Bâsides it is Folly for any to boast of Gentility since all are equally esteemed by God nâr 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 thâse Honours unto a man which are due to the one Lord one Master one Gâd 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 bâlieve 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 Iâol 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 Sobâr 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 nâtâral Tongues and Languages as the chief Abilities of a Minister of Christ aâd that none are fit to dispence the Word of God but such who are ãâã up and educated in these things and such in former Dayes despised the âross 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
in Heresie in Schism so that there is an absolute Defection from the Life and Power of God which was manifested in the Apostles dayes and therefore the Church of Rome is not the true Church What I have said as to the Doctrines and Grounds which have been laid down by the Author I shall refer it and the Answer unto God's Witness in every Man's Conscience and if I hear any more of the Author his great Boasts or ambitious Challenges which may reach to all that do dissent from the Church of Rome as to be Hereticks I shall engage in the Strength of the Lord to vindicate the Truth however opposed and shall further if God permit be ready to give a more large and full answer unto the Doctrines and Practices and Worship of the Church of Rome and prove them to be contrary to the Scriptures and the Apostolick Doctrine and the Faith that was once delivered to the Saints So in what I have said I hope may convince the Author of his vain Assertions and them that are enclined towards Babylon it may put a Stop to that which would too readily close with every thing which goes under the Name of Antiquity But in what I have said upon the whole Matter I hope will be sufficient unto all who read with a single Eye without Prejudice and unto such I say the Lord give them an Understanding that they see and discern the Way which leadeth to Life and Felicity from that which leadeth to the Chambers of Death and the Pathes that take hold on Destruction A GENERAL EPISTLE TO THE Seed of God DEar Friends every where who have believed in our Lord Jesus Christ and called with an holy Calling to the great Salvation of God which is manifest in this the Day of his Power keep your first Love and let not the Threats of Men neither the Browns of the World affright you from that which you have prized more then all the World now the Sun is up and a time of scorching is come and that which hath not Root will wither now every Ground will be tryed and blessed is the Good that brings forth the Seed which must inherit the Promise Oh let not the Cares of this present Life choak that which God hath begotten and seeing the Lord hath so marvelously wrought for us hitherto in the midst of great Opposition let not your Faith fail nor your Confidence in God who delivered Jacob of old out of his Adversity and Israel out of all his Troubles whose Care is over his People now and having seen the Emptiness of the World and its Way and Worship let nothing blind your Eye again and let not the things present nor things to come separate you from the Love of God in Christ Jesus and mind not them that draw back to Perdition but let it teach you all more Diligence to be as those that press after Glory Immortality and Everlasting Life the Way of God was ever hated by the World and the Powers thereof never heed the rough Spirit nor the heavy for their Bound is set and their Limit known but mind the Seed which hath Dominion over all and forsake not the assembling of your selves together in which you have found God and his Promise and Power amongst you and Blessing your Understandings opened Oh rather suffer all things then let go that which you have believed fâr whoso doth will loose the Evidence of God's Spirit in them and their Peace and Joy will be lost the Lord God preserve you all unto the End faithful Your Dear Brother for the Testimony of Jesus F. H. Aââelby Goal the 10th of the 3d Moneth 1664. A Visitation of Love Peace and Good-will from the Spirit of the Lord sent unto the whole Flock of God now in this their Day of Tryal and Hour of Temptation DEar Friends and Brethren who have been called to believe by the holy calling of the Lord unto Sanctification and Holiness that ye might inherit the Promises of God and that your Souls might live in the Land of the living and partake of his Goodness that you might admire him and praise his Name forever And seeing the Lord out of his rich Love and Mercy hath visited you who sometime sate in the Region of the Shadow of Death and were cast out of his Presence in the time of Unbelief seeing he hath caused his miraculous Light to shine upon you in his gracious Visitation of you and hath given you to believe in his Name prize his Love unto you and let not his gracious Benefits slip out of your Minds lest your Hearts be filled with other things that will corrupt your Hearts and make you an unmeet Habitation for the Lord to dwell in and among Dear Friends hear my Brotherly Admonition and Exhortation for the Lord moved in my Heart to write unto you and in the Bowels of his kind and tender Love and Motion of his heavenly Spirit to stir up your pure Minds and Consciences unto Stedfastness in the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ and so much the more that you all be watchful seeing the times be perilous for now the Adversary goes about roaring and ravening on the right Hand and on the left to destroy and devour that which God hath brought forth in you that so he might regain you too under his Power and Government and that ye might revolt from the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ that stands in Power and Righteousness which is come and hath been of a Truth manifest in great Glory and this is an Hour the Power of Darkness is let loose to try the Faith and them that dwell upon the Earth and he is let loose for a Season blessed are they that hide themselves under the Shadow of the Almighty and under the Wings of Christ Jesus who is given for a Redeemer a Saviour and a Preserver of Men that the wicked One touch them not and now the Devil rages because he knows his Kingdom is but short and but for a small time is like to stand in many because a stronger then he that rules in the World is come and hath began to dispossess the strong Man and bind him and cast him out and now he rages and stirs up all the Temptations within and without and all his Instruments to joyn with him to make War for him that he might not rule who is the Heir of all things and given for a Leader and to be the Head of the Body his Church in which alone he hath Right to rule because the Lord of the whole Earth yea of Heaven and Earth hath put all Power into his Hands to bind and to lose to bring out of Captivity and to lead Captivity Captive that Life and Immortality might again inhabit in the Sons of Men that Truth and Righteousness might sway that Mercy and Love might sit on the Throne that his Salvation might take hold on the Ends of the Earth and his Power made known
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 pârswade 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 âll 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 reâoyce 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
concluded that the Ministers of the Gospel do receive Tythes which they as miserably wrest as they do the Words even so for here the Apostle is exalting the Priesthood of Christ above the Priesthood of Levi and shews that Melchizedeck was greater then Abraham after whose order Christ was made an High Priest and that Levi payed Tythes in Abram unto Melchizedâck and these Words Here men that dye receive Tythes hath wholly relation unto Abraham and to Levi in that Covenant and not so much as any shadow at all of paying or receiving Tythes in the second Priesthood for if Perfection were by the Levitical Priesthood what further need was there that another should arise after the order of Melchizedeck And all the afore-mentioned Scriptures which are the greatest seeming Ground that the Ministry of this last Age pretend Tythes and forced Maintenance from prove nothing at all but rather to the contrary as hath been said and much more might be said for it is manifest that all the Ministers of Christ never received any Tythes or forced maintenance from the World who were in the Unbelief neither of them who were not of their Church nor of such as they reckoned as Hereticks but this last Generation of Apostates exceeds all that ever went before them in Covetousness if they be but remaining within such a Parish which was first set up by the Pope and his Emissaeries and ratified by the Princes of the Earth that have drunk Whores Cup whether they be Believers of Unbelievers Prophane Schismaticks or Hereticks yea or such as they 'l Curse and give up to Satan Tythes and forced Wages Mortuaries and Oblations besides many other things that they claim as due this they must and will have and will tell you he that preacheth the Gospel must live of the Gospel O sad Generation who fills the World with Darkness and blinds the Minds of People may it not truly be said and looked for that which was Prophesied of Old and came to pass coneerning the Levitical Priest-hood when they had violated the Commandments of the Lord For your sake shall Sion ãâã Plowed as a Corn field and Jerusalem become as Heaps and truly I do reckon it as one of the main Transgressions of the Ministry of this last Age which should have been Leaders of the People but have caused them to Err that the Nation hath been Plowed up and turn'd over as a Husbandman turns Ground and therefore the Nation hath not enjoyed its rest nor the Land its Sabbaths neither I look will or can do whilest these abominations are held up Likewise Let all the now call'd separated Churches be proved and tryed who reckon that they are separated from the World and yet many of them have received pay and Wages of those who are of the World for their Teachers who sent one out at their own cost to Preach to the World and this is likewise Hypocrisie and an abominable thing and here also the Rulers of our present age might learn Wisdom seeing that all âhe Ministers of Christ never received any Maintenance from the World or from them that did look upon them as Ministers of Christ nor own them as such to with-hold their Hands from upholding any with their ãâã Sword or compel others to maintain them by their Penal Laws ãâã leave Christ's Kingdom to his own Rule who is Lord of the ãâ¦ã sends forth Labourers and hath Spirit and Life and Power and Wisdom to put upon them and give unto them who chuses whom he ãâã and will not be limited who set forth Fisher-men Shepherds ãâã Plough-men Tillers of Ground and Keepers of Flocks who spoke plain ãâã and reached to the Consciences of men of the meanest capacity and yet our litteral Rabbies cannot understand who are yet wise in the World's Wisdom gathered into Schools and there Study and learn a Trade and trade with their Words thereby to get their Living and what Doctrine suites the times that they Study to uphold their Maintenance In the time of Popery they studyed the Popish Doctrine and preached into Nations in the time of Prelacy they changed to a New form and when that was laid aside Presbytery stepped on the Stage and that Doctrine and Worship was studied and Preached and the Universities and Schools sent out such as would suit that time then after that Independency that was propagated and then the Universities and Schools sent out such as would suit that time and now Episcopacy is stârted up from the Grave and all the fârmer lâid aside look what pleaseth them best which hath the greatest livings to dispose and that is sure by them to be cryed up and studyed and Preached and here 's the spring of the Teachers the Universities and Schools send forth who Wheel about any way to preserve them in esteem and in their maintenance But let the Rulers and all Wise men consider that Christ's love to the World for whom he died is not lessened or abated neither is his Spirit diminished nor his Power shortened that he will not or cannot send forth fit Ministers for his Service or that he needs Universities or Schools or Magistrates to provide maintenance for those that he sends forth for let the Magistrates look to their own Kingdom which is of this World and to restrain and punish the Evil-doers therein and to encourage and protect the good and then all would be agreed and the Nations preserv'd and kept in peace and quietness every one enjoying his true liberty and freedom in the things that are Spiritual and which belong to the Kingdom of God and herein would be no detrimânt at all to the Magistrates or the Kingdoms of the World nor any diminution from their Power and oh that they might learn Wisdom and as they would not have men to entrench upon their prerogative and Power as it is not meet so likewise that they would not intrench upon the Soveraignity and Power of Christ's Kingdom which is over all and do we not say Thine is the Kingdom the Power and the Glory and know this that his Glory he will not give to another and let me speak freely the Reason wherefore the Nations have been broken into striâe and fractions and war is because many men have made an inroad and an intrusion upon the Soveraignity of Christ and against such his Power hâth and will ever turn because they will not allow him that is the most high to Rule and Reign in Kingdoms and the Consciences of men which he alone hath Right to do and this Power Honour and Glory the Lord hath not given to any other nor yet will do but to the Son of God the Light of the World the Life of men and the Saviour of man kind and what is man or the Sons of men that they should strive with the Lord in this thing Let all the Rulers of the Earth consider betimes was not this it that destroyed the whole Nation of the Jews was
not this it that confounded all the Roman Monarchs and brought them all to a miserable End because they would not suffer Christ to be Head among the Christians and also how many Princes though otherwise wise have lost their Crowns and Kingdoms because they would not suffer Christ to have dominion in his Peoples Hearts but Persecuted them for keeping his Statutes and then his Power turn'd against them as sad experience hath Witnessed in many Nations and chiefly by the instigation of the Ministry of every Age since the Apostacy entred in have stir'd up the temporal Kings and temporal Princes to make Laws and to compel all to obey them and have pressed it upon the Magistrates as their duty when their Gospel would not maintain them to make Laws for them to compel People to give them Tythes and forced Maintenance and Hire or else most dreadfully complain upon the Magistrates as that Christ was little beholden to them if they would not compel and force according to the Priests mind they have then judged them as luke-warm and irreligious Persons and such as had no care of the Church of God at all and thus the Pâpe and Prelates of every Age downward until this very time have put on the Magistrates and Rulers to Work drugery for them and intermeddle in those things which properly and solely belong to Christ Jesus or else have stir'd up the Princes of the Earth to make War one against another only to Vindicate their Covetous and Ambitious quarrel which was only a self seeking and Pride and not the Honour of God nor the Prosperity of his saving Truth so greatly Wrong'd the Princes of the Earth busying and troubling them with their own Covetous and self-seeking affairs falsely calling it the Church-affairs and for the honour of Christ when they have neglected their own necessary and urgent affairs in many Nations and Kingdoms to the great harm of Princes and detriment to the Nations and trouble to the People as is evident in the History of divers Christian Princes from the time of Constance until this very day 1664. Oh it is sad and Lamentable to behold how Emperors and Princes have been gull'd and cheated by these pestiferous worldly and carnal Priests who have not minded the Law of Jesus Christ nor the Conversion of Souls but their own Bellies and to be chiefly medling in State matters and Princes affairs which did not neither do belong unto them rather then the Flock of Christ iâsomuch that they are grown to that height and pride and imperiousness that no King or Potentate could keep his Crown or prârogative and Kingdom in quiet nor possesâ his own Dominion in peace except he was subject unto them Instances I might bring many of Emperors and Kings whose Kingdoms have been introduced and the King and his people Curst and Excommunicated because of some Factious Legate Bishop or Prior who have complain'd to the Pope and upon every small complaint was ready to hear them and to give Sentence and Judgement against Princes and all under pretence of Vindicating Church-priâiledges and what a mischief and stir the former Bishops of Canterbury Priors Monks and others what Stirs and Broiles they have made in this our English Nation and what trouble they have put the Princes thereof unto and iâvolved them in and the whole Nation only for their own particular Interest our own Chronicles and Histories of the Nation do sufficiently testifie unto which I refer the Reader rather then to trouble in this discourse and since the Pope's Yoke hath been thrown off how have the Nations been involv'd in trouble and Princes disturbed with the Covetous priests affairs as about Tythes Glebe-Lands Augmentations forced Maintenance Hire and Mortuaries and about their Caps and Tippets and Hoods and Altars and Tables and Crosses and unholy Rââââ and Bells and Fonts Surplices and Girdles and such other like trumpery how hath the Nation been troubled and Peoples Consciences been burdened and one dis-joynted from another in which God hath not been Glorified at all nor his People edified and all this and much more the Magistrates have been pressed upon and very much troubled And for being afraid of offending their worldly Priests they have become their Servants and Drudges to Work their Slavery and yet all is too little and great commotion and strife hath been and is in the Nation this day about these trivail yet troublesome things by which the Hearts and Consciences of good people are troubled and the Nation vexed and all under the Name of vindicating the Church-priviledges O all ye Mngistrates and Potentates of the Earth arise and stand upon your own Legs and shake your selves and these things from off you and trouble not your selves with that which is too Ponderous ând Weighty for you to bear which you are never able to wade through keep Peace in your own Dominions and Execute Justice and Judgment among all People without having respect to this or that particular Judgment fâr that 's âhe way and the only way to preserve the Nation and Peâple in Peace and quietness and let Christ's Kingdom alone and his Churââ ãâ¦ã him thââ is the Head thereof who gave his Liâe for it and hath a care of it and let Christians alone as Christians and as Christ's Subjects to be governed by Christ who is the King Law-âiver and Judge of his People who only hath right to Rule in the Hearts and Consciences of the Sons of men who doth Teach hath taught and yet will teach his People as is Witnessed by the Prophet Isaiah And this Glory and Power he hath not given to any man as man whatsoever but he himself teacheth how he will be Worshipped to wit In Spirit and in Truth And whosoever would arrogate unto themselves that power then doth the power of the Lord Jesus Christ turn against them And therefore be warned all ye Potentates of the Earth and let your earthly Wisdom cease and carnal policy cease and earthly contrivance cease and Worldly consultations cease make room all give place and give way to him who is risen and come in his second Appearance in his Saints who must have way and will have way or else will force his way though not by Bow Spear Bâckâer or Shield or carnal Weapons of War for out of his Mouth goes the two-edged Sâord and hot Coals of Pire are kindled by the breath of his Mouth And the âreath of the Lord shall slay the Wicked and burn up all Mountains and Hills before it Consider what God did to Amalecâ of old whose King was Aga a miâhty Prânce and to Sion and Ogge King of Bashan who was of the Rââe of the Gaianââ mighty for fortitude and moreover Ammon and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã very great Nations all these rose up to stop the Lord in his way and Israel unto whom the promise of God was made And what was the Issue thereof when the Lord was glad to force his
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 thât 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-stâol 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 eât 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 faâthless 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
any were otherwise minded they were to be let alone till God revealed it to them And whatsoever People or Church though they claim infallibility that teach a contrary Dâctrine unto this we have good Reason to suâpeââ it to be that hasty dââving and overdriving Spirit that would force a Faith ãâã God hâth not given it not to be the infallible Spirit of ãâ¦ã the Church of Rome hath given a vehement ãâ¦ã and Tortures they have exercised towards them who ãâ¦ã their Principles and own their Judgment in all things Bât ãâ¦ã Gentleman blinded thy Eye ãâã he made thee ãâ¦ã question ãâã truth of Scripture and âhat it proceeâed from the iâfall his Testimony of God's Spârât and if thou hadst a certain feeling of the same in thy ãâ¦ã Conscience to let this go and mâke this void as an iââuffâcient Ground to receive Christianity upon and to lean to a Prop without thee and to âe judged by men who have been as fallible and changeable in their Judgments as the Moon which have assumed the Name of Catholick Church whose Testimony thy Instrucâer I perceivâ told thee ought to be received concerning what was pretended to be revealed or not revealed by God yet all must be obliged to stand to their Judgment though never so repugnant to the Doctrine of Christ and Practice of the Church of Christ in the first Primitive times truly so called yet it is granted that the Church of Christ are the dispersed Members through the World though not of it agreeing in one Faith being in the Power of God and being led and guided by the Holy Ghost their Judgments ought to be received which cannot as lead by the Spirit fail in giving true Judgment in matters of Faith which pertains to Salvation but as men they may fail and as erring from the Spirit they may fail and infallibility is not intailed to the Persons of any men but as they continue in the Grace of God and walk in the Spirit and bring forth the Fruits thereof nor to any place or City but as they continue in Covenant with God for the Promise of God was to Jerusalem and Mount Zion and to many other places and People in divers Cities where the Glory of God once appeared but now through their Apostacy and unbelief and disobâdience they are desâlate as to the presence and Power of God and their Sun is set and they are covered as with the Shadow of a Cloud but this true Church whereof I have spoken was seen to Fly into the Wilderness for time times and half and that since the Apostles dayes and then was she not so Visible and Universal as she had been before the Man-child was caught up unto God now if thou reckonst the Roman Church to be this true Church shew the time times and half a time wherein she fled into the Wilderness and how long she hath been there and when was the time of her return and if ever she was there how that will hang together with yâur assertion that she hath been visiâle and so Universal these fifteen hundred Years and if this could be proved that Rome hath been so whether doth it not rather demostrate her to be the Whore that sate upon the many Waters which Waters are Nations Kindreds Tongues and People and what Church instance if thou can doth lay claim to the Nations Kindreds Tongues and People to be your and to Rule over so many Kings of the Earth as you lay claim to be Universally of your Faith and of your Church which gives us a shrewd Character to believe that indeed you are Mystery Babylon besides the Blood of the Saints hath been shed under the Name of Hereticks by thââ vâsible Catholick Church among the Nations this twelve hundred Years doth give clear evidence that it can be reckoned or imputed unto none but you But I would not Grate too hard upon thee being but a new Convert but when thy instructer had made thee doubt of thy won state and questioned the Foundation whereupon thou hadst received Christianity the next thing he labours to make void is the Spirit of God its Testimony which thou didst lay claim to but I feel had little Portion in what thou saidst at last he makes thee doubt of the infallibility of this Spirit which thou hadst spoken on might for ought thou knew be the Spirit of Error and thou not able to distinguish betwixt the Spirit of God in thy self which is infallible and the Spirit of error nor to distinguish betwixt their Operations he perswaded thee that all was uncertain and therefore no confidence to be given to any Spirit of Faith in ones own particular which is the most absurd and ridiculous thing in the World so to judge For if there be no certainty or assurance given to any man or means to every man wherein he may be assured of the certainty of God's will then whither should any go or upon whom should any lean seeing that no credit can be given to any thing that any man believes and this were but tossing up and down Men from Mountain to Hill that they might never have Rest for their Souls And as for Jer. 17. and Eccles. 9. Rev. 3. The Heart of man is deceitful c. No man knows love or hatred And because thou sayest I am Richand increased with Goods and have need of nothing c. These Scriptures were brought unto thee to make thee more Blind the first is spoken of the Degenerate estate where deceit bears Rule and not Truth the second is spoken of visible enjoyments which are common to all and the third was spoken to one who had erred from the Spirit and was exalted in Pride because of external performances but having lost the Power was miserable c. But what of all this doth this any whit at all detract from the certainty assurance of the Spirit of God in them that have it what shall we Reason thus because some have been led aside and are deceived by their own Hearts Lusts that therefore all may be deceived even them that have the Spirit of God God forbid and we have some-what more to Answer an Arian a Jew or a Turk if they should urge the like knowledge and feeling with the like confidence to prove they were in the Truth and Christianity a delusion and thy intructer said what would you reply to them We have more to reply in such Cases then time will permit now or the state of the Case require seeing it is but a supposition and we take no thought what to answer the Gain-sayers of Truth withall but rely upon the Promise of the Father and of his Son Jesus Christ who said to his Disciples take no thought for it shall be given you what to answer in that day which Promise all that are true Disciples shall find true to the end of the World but some-what more we have to say it may be then thou said when thou
suffered thy self to be made blind and carried Captive with another Man's Judgment neglected the measure of God's Spirit in thy self at home through which alone the secret things of God are Revealed in which true certainty and infallibility is Witnessed and not in Men who are fallible and changeable If an Arian Jew or Turk should urge their own interpertation of Scriptures which is of no private interpretation contrary to the mind of him that gave it forth I would say he perverted the Words of the Scripture which ãâã in Harmony Unity one with another as to the states and conditions they were spâken to and are plain and are only read by that Spirit that gave them forth except it be in some Historical or Chronology or Genealogy of Names and Generâtions which might be some gathered from anothers Hands and different hands taking notice of them as to Record them there might be some variation yet the substance of the report is true but what is Calculation of Years or Dayes or reckoning up of Genealogies as to the matter of Salvation and what if we had never had them no more then we have other Histories and things that fell out among the Jews but if there be any contradiction for ought I know we may blame the Church of Rome the most of any who will needs affirm they received all or most of the things from the Apostles and if the Translations differ or be some-what uncertain what have they been doing this fifteen hundred Years with their infallible Spirit that they could not have rectified them according to their first Original and if any the foresaid Sects should pretend the certainty of the Spirit and yet not have it I should answer the Spirit is known by its Fruits and the Fruits of the Spirit are manifest and they that pretend to it and bring forth contrary Fruits are manifest to be Deceivers and deceived but their States are different and therefore require different Answers which time will not now permit to insist upon but over and beside all other Arguments perswade any man to or from any thing the witness of God in the party unto whom he speaketh is to be reached and that is beyond the understanding of Man and greater then it and more convincing then any Arguments that can be used without and he that cannot speak to this is not skilful in the Word of Righteousness That Christ was an infallible Guide who is the way the Truth and the Life is granted by all Christians and that the Apostles received the Promise of the Father and the infallible Spirit of God which led them into all Truth and this infallible assurance the Christians had that lived in the Apostles time thuâ iâ granted and the Apostles were infallible Guides not as Men meerly but as Men full of the Holy Ghost as Men who were filled with the Spirit of God and therefore the Apostle said be Followers of us as we are Fâllowers of Christ and if any controversie did arise as some there did and doubts among the then Christians the Apostles and Elders meeting together in the Power of the Holy Ghost did write their minds and Letters to the Christians to pacifie all and good Reason that they that had believed through their Word should Suâmiâ unto the Holy Ghost and unto them by whom they were begotten unto God by the word of Life for the ending of strife about Words and Shadows and outward things and they whose minds were outward then in Ages since and now ran into contention about outward things and such for the most part do Err from the Spirit of God in themselves But I would have thee to take notice of this and all you Catholick Members so called The Apostles of Christ only did exhort and did not force their Decrees by Penal Statutes and to be observed under the penalty of loosing Life and Limbs as since their pretended Successors have done who have Erred from the Spirit and have goâ the Saints Words and turned against the Life and Power but the Decrees as you call them are not many nor burdensome which the Apostles wrote at Jerusalem as the many Counsels since have made they are so endless and numberless and burdensome and so contradictory one to another in divers things who will but look into the Decrees of the Counsels since the Apostles dayes that we can find little certainty in any of their Decrees but rather as thy Instructer saith the Sword of the Flesh and not the Spirit hath been the Rule and Law to Christianity but the Masters of great wit and Power and Interest have framed and made parties unto themselves and have Wars been raised among your selves about deciding your Controversies hath not the Pope Warred against the Emperour and the Emperour against the Pope were noâ Wars raised about the Decrees when Pope Eugenius was deposed as a Heretick by the Council of Bazell and one while the Pope must be infallible as Peter's Successor and above all Councils and Churches another while the Council is above the Pope Excommunicates him as a Heretick and excludes his Infallibility and now where is the certainty and whether should one go or appeal for true Judgment so though the Church of Rome boast of Unity yet how hath one Nation made War against another and yet Professing the same Faith at divers times and in sundry Ages And to tell thee plainly and to speak the naked Truth according to the Apostles Prophecy after their Departure there was a great Apostacy and a great Falling away from the Faith and a giving heed to Lying Seducing Spirits and Doctrines of Devils and many were suhverted from the Faith by them that spake Lyes in Hypocrisie and took up the Priests Office for filthy Lucre and they went out into the World and the World wondred after them and they had the Form and the Sheeps Cloathing and the Saints Words but were Enemies to the Cross of Christ and to the Power of Godliness and the Kings of the Earth were bewitched with her Sorceries and then forced all and compelled all to receive and believe such Decrees and such Articles as were then set forth by a Pack of those Hirelings who minded their own Profit and their own Bellies who mingled their own Inventions and Traditions with the Doctrine of Christ and brought the Scripture for a Cloak and the Apostles Practice for a President and could âay falsly as the Apostles said in Truth It seems good to us and the holy Ghost that these our Decrees be observed for God hath placed us as Judges and directors as them that are appointed of God himself to which all Christians are to submit and none to question and if any do question and will not obey it is the Kings and Princes Duty in all Countries to cause all to submit to these our Decrees and Orders or else to be punished as Hereticks with Death for we are the Apostles Successors and
we are the Elders of the Church and we have the infallible Spirit and though we make Decrees contrary to what the Apostles made in their Day yet none are to question that the Church was but in its Infancy then as unwasht and unswadled and in Persecution but now she is grown up to a greater Statuâe and Power and endowed with greater Priviledge and that may be necessary now that was not necessary then and last of all called themselves the Clerây which signifies the Heritage of God and so excluded all others but themselves And these things are true and certain and have been made good by many Sufferers for Christ and this kind of Clergy or Heritage made the Heritage of God indeed to fly into the Wilderness who had the infallible Spirit and the Witnesses to prophesie in Sack-cloth and then Mystery-Babylon began to sit as a Queen and to gild her Cup and to fill it full of Abomination and brought in Judaism and the Practice of the Apostles and their own Inventions and patched up an Endless kind of Worship and Service consisting of out-side things in a great Part in Postures and Gestures and Meats and Drinks and Days and times and Vestures and Bonnets and Caps and Coules and such other like Trumpery which they made the Nations drunk with and greedy after and if any scrupled at any of those things or any other the Holy Catholick Church hath decreed it and she cannot err for she is infallible though the Errors thereof cannot be numbred And this R. E. thou rests satisfied in as thy only Rule and Judge and Director and thou hangs all thy Faith herein and sayest Thou shalt not scruple to believe what Authority teacheth thee to be revealed by God no more then if thou heardst God himself speaking I say unto thee as the Apostle said The Serpent hath beguiled thee as it beguiled Eve and further say as the Prophet said Thou must arise and get thee hence for this is not the Rest for thou wilt see thy self plunged into such a Labyrinth of Uncertainties as thou never wast before if the Lord ever open thine Eye And R. E. gives an Account that after his reading of some controvertal Books hath made some Collections as to himself and also declares That all dissenting Judgements grant there must be a Way and a Rule appointed to teach us to deside all Doubts to judge of all Matters and to teach us the true Way to Heaven with Certainty but who this Rule or Judge is is not agreed upon by all which he hath collected into four Heads First Some set up the Spirit to direct them and to be this Means Secondly Another will have every Man 's own Natural Reason to be this Rule and Judge Thirdly Others will set up sole Scripture And the fourth assigns the Holy Catholick Church to be that Judge and Director Other then these he saith he never heard of any for he saith he alwayes esteemed the Quakers Light to be either the Spirit or Natural Reason but which R. E. doth not know and all the four before-mentioned he saith he hath examined and treateth largely upon them all wherein he goeth about and giveth Grounds and divers Reasons and divers Interpretations of Scriptures he layes waste all the former three and establisheth as he thinks the fourth as to be that Way and Rule and Judge and governing Power to decide all Doubts as that whereby all are oblieged to submit unto as to Christ himself and this was that Question which he was to gain Satisfaction in and therefore he saith He ceaâed âo enquire of their Doctrine or this or that Article of Faith and hang altogether upon this Point before-mentioned Answ. 'T is true it is granted by all that there must be a Way and a Rule as the Means appointed of God to answer all Doubts and to give Satisfaction to every Man of the Certainty of that which he believes and who this Way and Judge and Rule is every one ought to be satisfied and the four Heads into which thou hast collected the whole Controversie of all dissenting Judgments in Christianity take up the whole as to this Particular which have ordinarily been holden forth among Christians But I judge thou deal'st not wisely in thy Inquisition and Search for Satisfaction to hang all on this Pin but rather to have examined further as concerning Matters of Doctrine and Matters of Faith held forth most especially of this Party to whom thou wast so much inclined and see how thou could'st have swallowed down that Doctrine of Purgatory and Sacrifice for the Dead and Justification by a Man 's own Works and of Bread and Wine after the Words of Consecration by the Priest is transubstantiated into the very Body and Blood of Christ and becomes whole God their Saviour and Redeemer for these are principal things either greatly necessary to Salvation or greatly unnecessary and when thou had'st tryed and found these to be so repugnant unto the Doctrine and Faith once delivered among the Saints in the first Plantation of the Gospel this might have put a Stop unto thee that thou could'st not so easily close with their Judgment and pretended Infallibility who pretend to be only Guides and yet lead into the greatest Errors in Matters of greatest Moment But as to the four Particulars mentioned I shall not stand to trouble either my self or the Reader as to speak much what of that which is no Part of my Faith or Judgment but only to vindicate the Truth against the many false Conceptions of changeable Men And first of all R. E. begins to treat of the Spirit and perverts the Scripture at his first Onset and saith As touching the Spirit âearing Witness in secret with our Spirits or he saith in plain Terms the priâate Spirit this saith R. E. I considered could not be the Means to convey Faith unto the World nor the Rule Judge or Guide which I enquired after nor indeed the true Spirit of God which he promised to be Apostles Secondly Those who pretend this Guidance do not believe Godâ but themselves only and their own Perswasions which tell them they have the Spirit of God but they can give no other Account but that they are verily perswaded so or no other Answer but I am sure it is the Spirit of God and I am a good Man and an honest Man and I believe my self but âther Reasons or Evidence can they give none Thirdly This pretending of a private Spirit is against 2 Pet. 1.20 That no Prophecy of Scripture is of private Interpretation Answ. This Man beats altogether beside the Anvil whatever the Matter is but that he is blinded and confounded in himself he sets but up a Shadow and then fights with it for instead of proving the Spirit of God not to be a competent Rule Judge and Guide and Instructor in all Matters of Faith necessary to Salvation he goes about to prove a private Spirit a pretended
the free Grace of God only extending it self to them under such a Qualification as though the Spirit of God and free and saving Grace of God had come by Generation or by Succession or because of such and such a Qualification or Conformity in outward practice as I said as though the free Grace of God and the infallible Spirit of God had been given to you and had been bequeathed and intailed to you or any of you under such and such a deââmination and because inhabiting at such a place and thus you would limit the holy One of Israel and to stop the Wind to blow where it lifteth and Circumscribe the Infallible means which God hath given unto all Mankind for a direction and a Guide a Rule and a Iudge and pinch it up into a narrow Corner and yet shut up all under Condemnation who do not believe and yet exclude all but your selves from the sufficient means and Guide and way whereby they may believe away away with this narrow partial pinching Spirit for God will not be limited neither can be either to Men time or place but as they keep in Covenant with him and keep their first love and integrity in the certain Truth revealed in the first publication of the Gospel which the Roman Church above all others hath wonderfully Apostatized from especially in this one thing which she can never clear her self of to wit Persecution in taking away the Lives of many under the name of Hereticks and suppose any had been so as doubtless there are such yeâ we never read that it was Christ or the Apostles way to kill them and destroy them but on the contrary denyed them and warned others so ãâã âhem and to have no Fellowship with them and so left them to the World neither that they Exhorted or stirred up either Kings of Princes to take away the Lives of any who did believe or not believe what they declared ãâã be Truth but on the contrary when the Disciples in the dayes of their ãâã would have commanded Fire to have come down from Heaven as did Elias Christ Rebuked them told them they knew not what Spirit they were of and again love you Enemies and do good to them that hate you How your Catholick Church hath kept this precept I leave all Nations to judge where your Power hath been known suppose real Schismaticks and Hereticks as some such there have been in the World how you have done good to them and how you have loved them is manifest except you judge that shutting them up in Prisons Racking Torturing and cruel Torments and at last of all Death was in love to them and in doing good to them which methinks any reasonable Man should blush and be ashamed to think or say But an old Plea comes to my mind which some of the Members of the Church of Rome have alledged to me in the dayes of my Youth when I was conversant with them and among them in a Friendly Neighbourly and sober discourse of things of this Nature before mentioned it was said unto me The Roman Catholick Church is that Church whereby Christianity hath been conveyed to all Nations and the great Oracles thereof delivered unto us and the Scriptures also came from us by which you know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God and the Knowledge thereof came unto all and all her Children ought to be subject unto her as the true Mother that brought them all forth and if any went astray either into Heresie or Schism which might not only hurt themselves but also others ought not the Mother in Natural love to her Children to correct them and ought not they to bear her correction and submit unto it and hath not she Power to correct her Children when they go astray unto which is Answered Christianity that which is truly such and them whom God will own to be Christians were dispersed through the Nations by the Power of God and we say that the Church of Rome hath begotten Christendom into that Mould and Frame into which they are now cast more by force and awe then any sound Doctrine and as for the Scriptures coming from her that we deny We know they came from the Apostles and from the Primitive Christians according to the will of God and have been preserved to this day though through many polluted hands they have come and we know how much your Rage was kindled that ever it should be Translated into the English Tongue and many felt the Effect of it to the loss of their Lives as I hope many in England do well consider But suppose a true Mother hath many Children and suppose some do Swarve and go astray from her precepts and under pretence of correcting of them she shut them up in Goals and nasty Holes and afflict them with sundry kind of Torments and at last of all kill them and destroy them what Judgment will be given by reasonable Men of such a Mother but this that she is become unnatural and Cruel and Hard hearted and degenerated from the Nature of a loving and tender Mother and deserves not to have or ever to have had any Children and such a kind of Mother hath you Church been to all that have dissented from her that I may say of her as the Prophet Jeremiah said especially in these lâtter Ages the Sea Monsters and Dragons of the Wilderness draw out their Breasts to feed their young Ones but the Daughter of my People is become Cruel Seventhly and lastly We know that God will that all Men should be saved and come to the Knowledge of Truth and hath given that and doth give that unto every man that is come into the World whereby every man that doth receive it is capable of fulfilling the will of God and this gift comes not by the will of Man nor is received in the will of Man but in its own will even in the will of the giver and this free gift of God ãâã the free and saving Grace of God which hath appeared unto all Men to wit every Man that is come into the World which teaches all the Saints would teach all Infidels to deny ungodliness and worldly Lusts and to live Godly and Righteously and soberly in this present Evil World Howbeit all are not so taught because they heed it not and because they receive it not and so they make the free gift of God of no effect as to Life to them but it is their condemnation yet however herein appears the equal ãâã and Universal love of God who is no respecter of Persons but ãâã distributed a measure of this unto all to the intent that they might ãâã Power âo fulfil his will and keep his Statutes and so the ãâã is not in God but in them who slight and despise his gift and so condâmnation ãâã of every one that doth not believe and is of himself and this reprehends that âalse Erronious narrow pinching Spirit which
Weapons they have the Spirit of Error for the Weapons of the Lamb and his Followers are not carnal Weapons but spiritual and yet mighty through God to the beating down of the strong Holds of Wickedness and to prevail over the Powers of Darkness again the Testimony of God in every Man's Conscience which is an unerring Testimony this savours the things of God and by this things that be not of God are discerned and this will put a perfect Difference between the Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error but what can be said to a man in Unbelief that hath closed his Eyes The next thing which R. E. saith he considered was That the Natural Reason of every Man could not possibly be the Rule and Judge that I sought for for saith he if Reason were to be Rule and Judge then it would follow contrary to Scripture that it 's not impossible to please God without Faith and it would likewise follow that every Religion would be Truth consequently Contradictions would be true consequently there would be many Religions and no Faith at all for Reason excludes Faith as in the 26th Page of his Book Thy Tongue is thy own and thou art at Liberty and goest whether thou wilt and speakest what seems Good in thy own Eyes and hast never yet known another to gird thee and lead thee whither thou would'st not I stand not to vindicate every Man's Judgment neither to prove other Mens Conceptions but seeing thou hast taken in Hand to lay all Mountains waste before thee that stand in thy Wayes thou hast raised up some in thy Discourse for others to stumble at and hast spoken many false things without distinguishing and putting a Difference between Light and Darkness between Natural Reason and Spiritual Reason I could not chuse but say somewhat Although it is no Part of my Belief that the Natural Reason of any Man or every Man is able to be Rule Judge and Guide to any Man in the things of God yet Faith is not in Opposition unto pure Reason neither is pure and spiritual Reason in Opposition to true Faith but in Harmony with it and one with another as they are the Gifts of God but the Natural Reason of all the fallen Sons of Adam is corrupted and is too short and too narrow too cross and too perverse to be Rule and Judge in the things of God for the Natural Man by all his Endowments in the Transgression perceives not the things of God for they are spiritually discerned and the things of God that are spiritual and eternal are above the Reach of Natural Reason and yet thy Consequence is false for Faith doth not exclude pure Reason and Faith doth not make blind the Understanding but enlightens it and though it is impossible to please God without Faith yet it is impossible that that Faith should be without Reason the Apostle desired to be delivered from unreasonable men that had not Faith so it is manifest they that have Faith have Reason and they that have no Faith are unreasonable and where thou hast borrowed this Rule I know not That a man must believe that he doth not understand seeing the Apostle saith to the Romans even of the Gentiles who had not the Law nor the Scripture that that which may be known of God was manifest in them for by that it is manifest they understood the Mind of God and knew him for Paul saith further When they knew God they glorified him not as God but were unthankful c. and again He that believes must know that God is for none can believe in that which is not for to perswade any to believe in Uncertainties which are not manifest in the Understanding doth rather beget Unbelief and Doubting then true Faith but thy Paths are so full of Darkness I shall not traduce them and thy Consequences are false for pure Reason teacheth not Contradictions neither doth teach that there is no Faith at all neither is Faith excluded by pure Reason as thou ignorantly say'st in the 26th Page and is it not Reason that I should believe in him whom I know is the Creator and Governour of all the World and pure Religion is so far from excluding Faith that they that have true Faith have Reason and stand not in Opposition to Faith but this I conclude that the Reason of fallen men is corrupted and is an uncertain thing to rely upon and so not a competent Judge in Matters of so high Concernment as touching everlasting Salvation The third thing which thou treatest upon is against them who have pleaded that the sole Scriptures are sufficient of themselves to teach true Faith from time to time to direct rule and govern us and to be Rule and Judge and to supply the Place of Christ and the Apostles As I said it is not my Intention to vindicate other mens Quarrels which is no Part of my Faith notwithstanding I should be sorry but that every thing had its true Weight and Measure and shall not in the least detract from the Price Value and true Worth of the Words of Truth to wit the Scriptures of Truth which were spoken forth by the Spirit of Truth and by the holy Ghost as it gave Utterance but as men erring in their Judgments run sometimes to the right Hand and sometimes to the left Hand and walk not in a straightâPath some men are setting them up above that which they were intended for and placing them in the Stead of God Christ and the Spirit and others are too much debasing them and dis-esteeming them as that they would set up the Judgment of Variable and Changeable Men who hold and teach Things in Contradiction to the Scriptures and repugnant to the Mind of the Spirit in them that spoke them forth But first of all I say not against thee in this thing that the sole or whole Scriptures are not sufficient of themselves to teach true Faith and give the Knowledge of God without the Spirit for many have got the Words and yet have not received the Spirit nor the Power which the Scriptures declare of such wrangle and contend with the Words and oppose the Life and the Power the Jews had the Scriptures and knew by them where Christ should be born and knew by them what his Works should be when he was manifest and yet rejected him unto whom all the Prophets bore witness from Moses to Samuel and from him to John and they were never intended by God as to be set up as Judge Guide to wit the Words without the Power and Spirit of God yet notwithstanding though I cannot set them up in the Place of God Christ and the holy Spirit nor contend ignorantly as some have done that they are the Author of True Faith and that they are the Eternal Word of God which the World was made by that they are the Light and the VVay the Truth and the Life and that they are the Decider
of all Controversies and sole and absolute and only Judge of all Matters of Faith and of all Matters that âver have been or ever shall be in Controversie to the End of the VVorld without the Spirit of God neither am I of that ignorant Mind as some are that the Letter and the Spirit are inseparable as that whosoever hath the Scripture must needs have the Spirit or whosoever hath the Scripture must needs be infallible without the Spirit all that are of the aforesaid Judgment are but VVranglers for the most Part about VVords and Contenders against the Power of God and Godliness and bring the VVords to oppose the Life and them that have the Spirit and walk in it for a natural man may read the Scriptures and yet not perceive the things of God neither perceive the Mind of the Spirit but wrest to their own Destruction as Peter saith because they are unlearned and untaught by the Spirit 's Teaching though otherwise learned enough in Languages Tongues and Speeches Secondly Yet I cannot detract from them neither undervalue them or dis-esteem them as uncertain or of no Use or of little Use but whatever themselves declare themselves to be that I own them to be to wit the Words of God the Words of Christ the Words of the holy Prophets and Patriarchs and Apostles who were endued with the holy Ghost and spake forth the Scripture as they were moved thereby in several Ages of several things and unto several States and Conditions as they were led thereto by the holy Spirit and they are a certain Declaration of things that were done and believed and practised by the Jews under the first Covenant and by the Apostles and primitive Christians in the New Covenant and contain many precious and holy Precepts and Commands Doctrines Examples Exhortations Admonitions Reproofs and Instructions and are as lively Examples and holy Patterns for all the Saints in Light to follow by which we are given to understand what Faith what Hope what Patience what Love what Mercy what Long-Sufferings what Consolation what Virtue and what Inheritance the Saints in Light were made Partakers of through Faith in Christ Jesus likewise what Doctrines were held forth and what Practice they used in the primitive times when they walked in the Order of the Gospel and had Fellowship with God the Father and the Son and one with another in the Light of the Gospel which is the Power of God through which they witnessed Salvation Remission of Sins and published it unto others that they might believe Thirdly The Scriptures testifie of Christ and were written that they might be believed and received and read that thereby every one that believed might be made wise to Salvation through Faith in Christ Jesus 2 Tim. 3. and instructed in Righteousness that the Man of God may be perfect throughly furnished with all good Works and whosoever doth teach any Doctrines contrary unto the holy Men of God who spake as they were moved by the Spirit of God which dwelt in them the Scriptures are Witnesses against such that they have not the Spirit of God but are led by another Spirit which brings forth contrary Doctrine and another Faith then was once delivered among the Saints and whosoever brings in sets up other Precepts Constitutions Orders and Practices in Point of Worship in Opposition and contrary unto those Practices which were held forth in the primitive times and would set up other Traditions then the Apostles delivered either by Word or VVriting such are manifest to have the Spirit of Error and are Innovators and Bringers in of other things as necessary in Point of VVorship among Christians which the Apostles and Ministers of Christ did not see necessary then and yet they wanted no Part of the Counsel of God for Paul said He had declared the whole Counsel of God and furthermore they said We have the Mind of Christ and Christ's Mind is not variable Fourthly Though divers of the VVritings of the Prophets and Apostles be lost doubtless as is evident by divers Places of Scripture yet blessed be God that there are those preserved which do bear VVitness of the one thing absolutely necessary unto Salvation of the Ministrations that were appointed of the Lord for the Church of God to observe both in the first and second Covenants so that Christians of this last Age are not lest without Example and President which all ought to have an Eye unto and a diligent Regard and though there be divers Copies of that which is called the Original Tongue and divers Translations yet he unto whom the Spirit of God is given and waiteth in the Measure of Christ's Light shall receive it doth âee and shall see the Mind and VVill of God in every Age and the Mind and Intent of the Spirit in them that spoke forth the Scripture and can receive the Matter therein contained as though they had heard them speak that spoke it at the first and though the Translators were Men yet I have such an honourable Esteem of their Labour that I believe they have not varied wittingly and willingly from the best Copies that were extant in their Age neither that they were altogether void of the Spirit of God in such a good VVork which conduced to the Benefit of Mankind but were assisted by it for so good VVork and there be many Figures and Tropas Improprieties of Speech Mysteries and Diââiculties yet all these come to be made easie and plain to them that are Witnesses of the same Spirit that gave them forth and though there be Diversity of Judgments Professions of Religion one clashing against another thwarting and contradicting another all will seem to bring the Scripture for their Proof which yet cannot maintain and prove every thing good especially when their Doctrines contradict one another this is granted it is only their private Interpretation and not the Scripture and for Wânt ãâã âhât Spirit that gave it forth for that alone gives the true Understanding of iâ and they that are without this are like to kill one another about Words and Names Sounds Tittles and Jottas but still want the Key that opens and gives an Entrance into the Knowledge of the things of God which alone is the Spirit of God that gave forth the Scriptures Last of all R. E. after he saith The three former Props which are the Basis of the whole Foundation and glided over as slightly as he possible could although he hath never stated the Matter right indeed as to remove all things out of his Way which might hinder him in his Cause which he drives so hard on in to wit to set up a certain Company or Multitude of men Visible and Universal as he saith to be the only infallible Judge to convey Faith to the World and to be the certain and infallible Judge in all Matters that either pertain to the Worship of God and to be believed under Pain of Damnation as
his Term is all along without questioning at all either their Doctrine or Principles or comparing them with the Doctrine of Christ or Primitive Christians whether they be true or false whether they be with or against but all is to be received by an implicite Faith Hand over Head and by whole sale for it will admit of no Examination or Doubt but all must be received of Necessity as infallible and upon so great a Necessity too as R. E. saith if you will believe him would make it so that all forfeit eternal Salvation for not receiving all the Doctrines of this Church and consequently procure eternal Damnation unto themselves who refuse it so that if I should say no more but even lay down his Assertions which are scattered up and down his Book called An Epistle to all Non-conformists it were Answer enough I hope to many whose Mouths I hope would be filled with Arguments and sound and grounded Ones too or at least with Faith in their Hearts to oppugn and not receive all these bold Assertions without Examination or Tryal only upon the Account of Infallibility from the universal Church of Rome falsly so called but R. E. having removed away all the stumbling Blocks which are in his Way as he judges the private Spirit he hath concluded not to be this Rule and Judge which I judge he hath no Opposers in though he hath spent much Paper and Time in his scribling Humor which hath been his manner in former Dayes as he confesseth in the first Page neither Reason nor the Scriptures are this Rule and Judge but he hath concluded the Catholick Church is but all along he hath waved that which indeed is the only and alone Rule and Judge infallible viz. the Spirit of God but either calls it the private Spirit or concludes it is intail'd upon the Church so that she cannot err Page 54. which I shall say something further unto That there hath been a Church of God and a peculiar People whom God hath singled out as to be Objects of his Love which feared him in their Hearts and bore a Testimony of him and worshipped him according to the Manifestation of his Spirit unto them whether by Word or Revelation which was certain and infallible unto them that received it is granted and this was alwayes but little in Comparison of the Multitude of the fallen Sons of Adam and the rest of the Nations and People that served and worshipped strange Gods and never made such a Boast of Universality and Visibility as this supposed Catholick Church hath done sincâ the Apostacy entered in which the Apostles fore-saw and prophesied of before their Departure out of this Tabernacle and since many have believed in Christ and the Worship of the Jews extinguished and a fatal Overthrow of their Civil Government and Kingdom are two main Reasons of extinguishing their Worship and hath been no Invitation to any to turn Jews or hold in their Worship seeing they have lost their Government and Dominion and are as scattered People without Priviledge and is no Inducement for the World to joyn to them therefore seeing the Face of that Government was demolished and their Worship ended but only as to themselves who remained in their Unbelief and seeing that the Doctrine of Christ did so far prevail as to extinguish it and put out the Glory thereof in the Apostles Dayes and sometime afterwards and also the Gentiles Worship and their false Gods and dumb Idols which they were led after the Power of God prevailing through the Apostles the Ministers of Righteousness by whom many were converted unto the Faith of Christ the Sum and Substance of all Shadows many being converted to the Faith did hold forth a publick Testimony and it became in some Reputation and many preached him of Envy Contention and Strife and for filthy Lucre Covetousness and Self-Ends and many followed their pernicious Wayes and yet held the Name of Christ and Christianity and thus began the Mystery of Iniquity to work and the Devil to turn so far Christian in Name only because it was in vain among many to hold forth the Jews Worship or the Gentiles Worship because they had an Inclination another Way after Christianity that came into more Repute with the World and therefore suffered the Name or many to profess it and under this Name and under this Cover to bring forth his Work of Darkness and the Fruits of the Flesh and the Nature of Christ wanting and here was the Beginning and Rise of your universal visible Church Secondly For the first two Thousand Years before the Scriptures were written R. E. saith the Church of God was this Rule and Judge and infalliâle Director which might to some indifferent men have been granted but that I see which Way his Course bends viz. to the setting up of men as Judge and Rule and Guide and detracts from the Spirit and Power of God in which the Ability and Power of the Church of God stood and from which alone they received this proper Power and Right because their Understandings were enlightened and their Judgments informed to declare the Mind of God freely according as it was revealed and to give true Judgment why is not this attributed rather to the Spirit and Power of God that was manifest in them rather then to Persons seeing their Ability stood and their Power only as they kept in Covenant with God as any erred from that in any Age or fell from that they came to be blind Guides and to give false Judgment as some such there were in all Ages Thirdly R. E. saith That after the Scripture was written the Church of the Jews was Rule and Judge unto the Jews and cites Deut. 17.8 Thou shalt come unto the Priests Levites and unto the Judge and enquire and they shall shew thee the Sentence of Judgment and according to that which they shall tell thee thou shalt do And likewise he quotes Mat. 23.2 3. The Scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses 's Chair whatsoever they bid you observe that observe and do c. And from thence he infers would God direct them unto and punish with Death for not obeying an Authority which might deceive them and was this Authority committed to them that were capable of mistaking Answ. It seems R. E. would narrow and pinch up the Church of God among the Jews in a straight Compass when he would confine it only to the Priests and Levites and to the Judges in those Dayes whenas all the Tribes were called the Church as well as Levi again it is said Jacob is my Portion and Israel is the Lot of my Inheritance comprising the whole Tribes and Families of the Jews but it seems these must be no Part of the Church with R. E. he pinches narrower now then he will do when he tells us of the Vastness of the Universal Church but let that pass as by the Way and to come to the Matter in Hand
the Priests and Levites were appointed by the express Commandments of God as to be Ministers unto him and to minister unto the People according unto the Covenant that he made in those Dayes and the Priests and the Levites were endowed with the Spirit from God suitable to the Ministry Charge committed to them and they were Figures of Christ the Everlasting High Priest and the Law and Judgment which was given by the Lord to Moses was delivered to the Priests and their Lips were to preserve Knowledge and good Reason because they were committed unto them and the Tables of Stone and the Commandments were not given to the Families and the rest of the Tribes and as R. E. hath answered himself neither could sufficient Copies have been written in any reasonable time to every particular Tribe Family or Person and therefore R. E. concludes full too hastily but that his Spirit indeed is by assed all along in his Discourse to aim toward the Mark he would be at to set up Men above the Spirit Scripture and Reason but I enquire of R. E. whether that the Priests and Levites and Judge did tell them any other thing or direct them in any other Way or gave Judgment after any other manner then as was written in the Tables of Stone or the Book of the Law which was written wherein the Mind of God was contain'd both in Point of Worship and also in Point of Government and why might not R. E. as well and reasonably have concluded that that which was given from the Mouth of the Lord concerning all Israel was the Direction Rule and Guide and Judge as well as the Priests and Levites and the Reason that the People or the Church having the Recourse to their Ministers appointed of God was because they had the Statutes and Ordinances of God committed unto them which was put in the Ark of the Covenant and in the Tabernacle And by the Way I would ask R. E. or any of his Roman Catholicks a Question seeing he saith That this Promise is granted and intailed unto the Church without all Limitation or Condition as to be the only infallible Rule and that they cannot err whether that these Priests and Levites ever did err yea or nay and when was the Entail cut off from them seeing the Scripture saith They had violated his Law and broken his Covenant and again The Prophets prophesied for Hire and the Priests bore Rule by their Means and the Judges judged for Rewards and as David and Paul said concerning Israel They are all gone out of the Way and there is not one that doth Good no not one and whether were they the Rule and true Guides and Judges in this revolted State yea or nay although I do not question but they retained still their Places by Way of Office and would claim the same Power which they had before from God as they stood in the Commands of God as R.E. and his Catholicks do and will lay claim to the Office and Power the Apostles had though they do err from the Spirit the Apostles were in and whether their Power of being Directors Guiders and true Judges and infallible Rule stood not upon this Condition as they did continue in the Covenant of God and kept the Precepts of God in Purity without Violation which when they did not as sometimes they did not whether were they subject to err or whether did they err yeâ or nay viz. the Priests and Levites Judges and Heads of the People which R. E. reckons for the Church and though Christ did exhort his Disciples to hear the Scribes and Pharisees who sat in Moses's Chair and to observe and do those things which they from the Law before-given read taught and instructed the People in because as I said before the Law and the Statutes were committed to the Priests and Levites and they to read it and minister unto the People by the Appointment of God and these Statutes and Ordinances were the Rule that the then Church ought to have observed yet Christ exhorted the Disciples to beware of their Leaven and of their Hypocrisie and said they said and did not notwithstanding all the Authority which R. E. saith they had and further saith Would God direct them unto and punish with Death for not obeying an Authority which might deceive them or would Christ command the doing of whatsoever should be done by an Authority that was capable of mistaking all which maks nothing for R.E. but rather would run him upon a harder Rock if this should be true or granted for then he is bound both to believe and justifie the Scribes and Pharisees in whatsoever they did or said of which methinks R. E. should be ashamed 't is true they that sate in Moses's Chair could not err nor be capable of mistaking as they continued to keep unviolate the Ordinances Statutes and Rule which were given unto them by the Command of God but when they disobeyed and set up the Traditions of Men and mingled them with the Ordinances of God and neglected the weighty Matters of the Law as Justice and true Judgment both they that taught and they that were taught came justly under Reproof And seeing R. E. reckons that the Authority of the Jews Scribes and Pharisees could not be deceived or capable of mistaking only because they bear the name of such an Authority and Office I query of R. E. again whether the Scribes and Pharisees were not mistaken yea or nay and whether they were not deceived yea or nay and wherefore Christ should exhort his Disciples to take heed of them and to beware of them and to take heed of their Doctrine and why did Christ pronounce so many Woes against them notwithstanding their sitting in Moses's chair But in what hath been said I hope will be sufficient to convince any that what R. E. hath laid down for a seeming Foundation makes altogether against himself the Premises before well considered And as for all thy collections out of the Promise of God to his Church Isa. 54. 56. and of its Endowments and Glory and Excellency and of his putting his Spirit in them and of his Word in their Mouthes and that it should not depart from the Seed or the Seed's Seed forever this is granted and the Promise is not to Men as Men but to the Seed which is not many but one but Israel was this true Church then in the time of this Prophecy though it hath Relation to future Ages also and if R. E. looks that this Promise should be to Israel after the Flesh the Church then visible and in Being he mistakes himself and he egregiously errs and contradicts the Scripture in sundry Places which saith Your House is left unto you desolate their Sacrifices ceased the Glory of God departed from them their Prophets prophesied a Divination of their own Brain and their Visions were as Visions of the Night and the Lord spake not to the most
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 âf 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 faâl 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 Wilderâess 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
of Faith for that had been contrary to the Apostles Commission and their Doctrine for saith the Apostle We have not preached our selves but Christ the Lord and our selves your Servants for his sake And I may say to thee R. E. as Paul said to the Corinthians when they were striving about Men Cor. 3.21 Therefore let no Man glory in Men for all Things are yours or as he saith in Chap. 1. Ver. 13. was Paul crucified for you or were you baptized in the Name of Paul were they not carnal that so glorified was Peter crucified for us or were we baptized in the Name of Peter is not your visible Church carnal who thus judgeth that Christ intended Peter to be the Foundation of his Chruch for what was he or the rest of the Apostles but Ministers by which many believed ãâã and if thou hadst been present it is very like would have instructed Christ what to have said and bidden him have spoken after the Grammer Rule and Construction upon that Rock I will build my Church for Peter 's Faith in Christ is too mediate it seems and his Confession too remote and antecedent to be the Rock meant in Mat. 16.18 and therefore Peter must be immediate and the Rock upon which Christ hath doth and will build his Church but as immediate as he was and as sure a Rock as he was when he began to rebuke Christ he turned him about and said unto Peter Ver. 23. Get thee behind me Satan thou art an Offence unto me for thou savours not the Things of God and so say I to R. E. and his Catholicks they savour not the things of God but it is thy private Spirit and your own Interpretations and not the Mind of Christ and how far antecedent is Peter's Confession of Christ the Son of the living God is it not in Vers. 16. and wherein was Peter blessed but in this that it was revealed to him that Christ was the Son of the living God the Rock of Ages and the Foundation of his Church and as for thy visible Church with its two Heads independent Head and dependent Head which sure must have two Bodies where they can be found but that I shall leave to R. E. and I hope from the Grounds that thou hast here laid which did appear so clear to thee that none will be afraid nor judge that such a visible Church with two Heads is to be Rule and Guide to all to whom all are to submit under Pain of Damnation which is to have Peter for its Rock which if he had been living he would have denyed you all as Setters up of Men and Slighters of Jesus Christ the Rock of Ages the Foundation of the Church the Head of the Body the Rule of Life the Judge of Quick and the Dead the Law-giver Director Instructer and Preserver of his Church forever but R. E. goes on and saith It only remains that we consider which among all these Congregations now on Earth which pretend themselves to be this Church of Christ for having once found her and knowing that she is so assisted with the holy Ghost that she cannot teach us an Error we shall no more dispute the Verity of her Doctrine then we would have questioned the Articles of Faith taught by the holy Apostles or the Words of Christ himself wherefore if this Church this infallible Guide shall teach us that Infants ought to be baptized and that it is as lawful to desire the Saints departed to pray for us as to desire the Prayers of them that are alive and that the Body of Christ our Saviour is really and truly present in the Sacrament of the Altar or any other Article of Faith we shall no more doubt it then the first Christians did the Verity of what the Apostles taught them Among all those Congregations on Earth that look upon themselves to be the Church and Spouse of Christ there is one if thy Eye could behold or if thou could'st discern it but before thou canst there is an Eye in thee must be put out and there is a Wisdom in thee that must be confounded and turned into Foolishness before thou canst discern it in its Glory as it is but however that is it undoubtedly which is begotten into the Faith through the Publication of the immortal Word of Life and who are translated from Death unto Life and who have received the Power and Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ and meet in his Name and Power and do witness his Presence among them and have received a Measure of that infallible Spirit of Truth which leadeth into all Truth and out of the Pollutions of the World and are dead unto the World and baptized into the Sufferings of Christ and are crucified with him who keep unviolated his Statutes and Commands without adding to or diminishing from who walk in the Order of the Gospel and are not conformable to the World nor to that which fallen Men set up but to the Power of God that worketh in the Hearts of all that believe to the framing of them a meet Habitation for God to dwell in and abide in the Doctrine of Christ and his Apostles and are Sayers and Doers speak the Truth and do the Truth and hold the Truth in Righteousness and the Faith once delivered to the Saints in a pure Heart and a pure Conscience who pray in the Spirit and with Understanding who publish the Truth and declare it in the Spirit reaching to the Consciences and to the Witness of God in all that hear who rejoyce only in Christ Jesus the great Power of God and the Wisdom of God and have no Confidence in the Flesh nor fleshly Performances whose Faith stands not in Words but in the mighty Power of God which she hath received according unto the Promise of God this Congregation or Congregations which is one and doth hold the one Head by which all the Members of Christ are knit together in the one Faith by which they overcame the World this undoubtedly is the Church of Christ and the Spouse of Christ But whether R. E. will not dispute against the Verity of her Doctrine I question notwithstanding all his Submission in Words and if this Church should teach that Infants are to be baptized with Cream and Spittle and signed with the Cross as absolutely necessary to Salvation or that it is the Duty of the Saints alive to pray to the Saints departed this World or to teach that Christ's Body which was broken for us and hanged upon the Tree at Mount Calvary that this should now be in a Morsel of Bread and a Sup of Wine and conveyed thither by the Priest and this to be really the Body of Christ if this Church should teach any such Doctrine there were good and weighty Reason to Question seeing that R. E. before hath said that they cannot be infallible who contradict one another and teach two contrary Doctrines and yet say they are both
according to the Innocency of our Hearts do thou judge us and plead our Cause And further we have laboured that Sin might be beat down and that all every where might have been turned from it unto the living God and that Righteousness might have been advanced and Truth have taken Place in all Mens Hearts both in word and deed that Christ who is professed in Words might have ruled in the Hearts of all Men that make mention of him that so God's Blessing might have been felt and known by all and the Souls of all saved from the Snares of Satan and out of that which the Wrâth of God and his Judgments come upon And Lord God of Heaven and Earth thou knowest how our Adversaries have sought Occasion against us for no other Cause but for the Matter of the Worship of the living God and unto God's righteous Judgment Seat we dare appeal do thou judge us and reward us according to our deserts if ever we have contrived the Hurt of any Man or Men or have sought to violate any righteous Law of Man which stands to the well-governing of a Nation or Country in the things that pertain to the World yet how have we been falsly represented slander'd belyed mis-reported hated back-bited persecuted and killed as all the Day long and reputed we are as not fit to live in our native Land neither to enjoy our own Wives and Children a thing common to all men Christian and Heathen neither to breath in the common Air And how many grievous things have been heaped and are daily upon our Backs that we are factious seditious Enemies to Magistrates to the Ministers of Christ Plotters Conspirators against humane Government Enemies to the King disobedient to the Laws Broachers of Heresie Authors of Sedition Enemies to the Church and State And this the Devil who was a Lyar and a Murderer and a Slanderer from the Beginning he hath put a lying Spirit in the Mouthes of some and it 's entered into the Hearts of others and thus by them are the Powers of the Earth stirred up and the Rulers to persecute us without any just Cause but this must not be counted Persecution for all the aforesaid things and many more he hath perswaded them we are guilty of and therefore all that comes upon us it must be reckoned as just and is an equal Reward for our Offences and as just punishment for our Transgression and Disobedience and so is no Persecution at all and he hath Witnesses enough to testifie against us as he had against Christ all the Scribes and Pharisees and the Leaders and Rulers of the People with the high Priests Judas and all to testifie against him That he was not fit to live but all cry Away with him even so now he hath all the Rabbies and Elders and all the Time-serving Hirelings who serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but their own Bellies and all formal Professors who profess him in Words but deny him in Works and deâpise his Cross with all Drunkards Lyars and Swearers all proud and covetous all wanton and riotous and all that love the Pleasure of Sin for a Season all these will give their Verdict against us There was and is a Generation that called Darkness Light and Light Darkness and Good Evil and Evil Good the Judgment of all such is false and must be Judged and God who hath Immortality and dwells in the Light with whom is no Darkness at all judgeth not as these men and therefore let us never heed the Censures and Judgments of fallen men who err in their Judgment who cannot judge for God or his People but against them let us count it a light thing to be judged or condemned by man seeing the Lord justifies us in his VVork and Service whereunto we are called and all the aforesaid Crimes falsly laid to our Charge he clears us of and we can with a good Conscience and pure Heart bid defiance to all the Powers of darkness and all the Enemies of God and the Lord will clear us more and more as his Power Glory and Light appears in the Earth and brings forth our Righteousness as the Noon-day before our Enemies notwithstanding all the false Aspersions and Reproaches cast upon us in the mean time if we be crowned with Reproaches as Christ was with Thorns and evilly entreated for his Names sake let us bear all things and endure all things with Patience and Hope to the End And though they cover us with Bear Skins and Draff as the Heathens did the primitive Christians and so let all the wild Beasts upon us let us give up our Bodies as a Sacrifice unto the Lord and for a Witness unto his Name and Truth that so we all may witness eternal Rest unto our Souls and everlasting Joy in his heavenly Habitation where all Persecutors and Evil-doers are shut out Dearly beloved of the Lord I write not these things unto you because you many of you do not know them but because you know them to put you all in Mind and to stir up your Hearts to the holy Consideration of these things in these perilous and trying times and in very Truth whatsoever doth lye within my View that might conduce to any or all your Good I cannot withhold it from you because I know it is not only my Duty but I can truly say the Love of Christ constrains me for my Soul Heart and Life is knit unto you in the everlasting Covenant of Life above all the Families of the Earth and the more you are hated the more I love you and the more you are despised and set at nought the more I prize you and the more you are compassed about on every Side with Tryals and Afflictions the more my Soul is poured forth unto the Lord for you that you may be kept stedfast in the Faith and Hope in the Lord unto the End that you may receive his Reward the Crown of Glory which is laid up for all them that love the Appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ and in the Faith do overcome And blessed and happy are all they that keep their Garments clean in this polluted time wherein Wickedness walks with open Face and Ungodliness with an out-stretched Neck and is exalted in great Height and doth corrupt many and the Earth is growing ripe with Wickedness for Destruction for the proud are counted happy and they that work Wickedness are admired and gloryed in as the only brave Men of these times which they make evil through yielding themselves Servants unto Sin and their Lusts. Ease and worldly Enjoyments and immediately drop down into eternal Perdition and it 's time for the Lord to arise and plead with all Flesh for men make void his Law and go about to establish their own in Opposition thereunto for Violence Cruelty and Hardness of Heart and Persecution are the Forerunners of Desolation and Destruction these things do generally abound all is secure and at
Ease Hardness of Heart is generally over People and clearly to me it doth presage Judgment Tenderness of Heart and Spirit is generaly lost among people and the most have made Shipwrack of all their Hope Faith and Profession to please the time and men of this Generation who are perverse and froward they have been treacherous to God and to their own Souls and cannot do Good to his People keep as much as in you lyes out of their Spirit Manners for they are corrupt and though God's Judgments be abroad in the Land and his Anger kindled and broken forth yet few enquire the Cause or say What have I done but if any do enquire it is generally in that dark Spirit that leads them to Evil which God hides his Counsel from and will not be found of and yet they make Conclusions and give Judgment as the Heathen of old if any Pestâleâce Famine or Drought or Judgment came upon them thây said The Christians were the Cause and so stirred up Persecution against them the like and Dreamers of this Age in their Mock fasts and Humiliâtions they say Heresie the Cause and because all dâ nât conform and are not willing to submit to the changeable Institutions of men though never so repugnant to the Law of God they tell the Magistrates The I hanaticks and Quakers are the Cause and so they fast for Strife and to kindle Debate and to stir up Persecution and they seem to cleave so close to the Magistrates that will force and exâct Gain for them and give them large Pay they will cry them up as the higher Power that all are to submit unto in all things under the Pain of Condemnation and they will cry them up and dance and clap their Hands and rejoyce as Israel did about the Calf when they had forgotten God so the Lord is provoaked more and more and they think by rooting out his People if possible will stay his Judgments it 's lamentable to see what Blindness is over the Hearts of the Seers of this Generation who cry Peace Peace and how Peâple are given up to believe their Lyes and to Hardness of Heart and never consider their own Estate neither the Afflictions of Joseph is remembred Another thing also hath been in my Heart many Weeks and a Query hath been in my self and I know hath been on many Spirits why in this common Calamity and in God's Visitaâion of the City of London and many other Places of this Nation that they that have suffered so greatly so long and so faithfully and have born such a Testimony for the Lord why also they should be taken away among the rest seeing the Lord was able to deliver and also command his destroying Angel to pass over as it pleased him and spare and take away as he pleased and why it should not be wholly upon his Enemies and upon them that called not upon his Name in Truth and Righteousness I had many sad Thoughts of Heart and have waited upon the Lord concerning these things with Supplications and Tears concerning his afflicted Peâple and concerning his Name and Truth and this Satisfaction I have received in my self and do communicate unto you First of all it is said That Paul stayed and preached the Gospel at Ephesus two Years so that not only them of Ephesââ but all Asia heard the Word of God both Jews and Greeks and many were gathered unto God and believed and the rest were hardened When I considered this that not only two Years but twelve Years that City of London hath heard the Word of the living God declared and published plentifully in it and the everlasting Gospel of Christ in the Demonstration of the Spirit and with Power insomuch that the Sound went through and through and many believed and the rest were hardened having lost the Day of their Visitation but alas it was but a few considering the Labour and Travail and considering so many Thousands who counted the things of God a slight Matter and for them that were worthy and did believe they were hated and despised and evilly entreated with the most and shut up in Holes and miserable Bonds and Prisons and lingring Torments which oftentimes were the Cause of their Death whose Lives God is requiring at the Hands of that Place and the Messengers of God were mocked abused and evilly entreated and shut up in Bonds till Death and Wickedness did abound and Peoples Hearts grew hard in Ease Riches Pride and vain Glory till the Wrath of God broke forth and cut down Thousands in his Displeasure and this was seen and foreseen full three whole Years and upwards by some of the faithful Servants of God who laid down their Lives in Bonds in that City and are gathered unto the Lord and also some who remain in the Body unto this Day and it was prophesied of and the City was warned thereof Rulers and People but the most made a Mock of it till the just Judgment of God seized upon it Secondly The Lord took away these faithful Men of God Edward Burroughs Richard Hubberthorn and George Fox junior who had been much conversant there who were faithful Watchmen and prevailed often with the Lord till they were shut up in Bonds for all their sore Travail and Labour amongst the Inhabitants thereof and that Place being unworthy of them any more he delivered them and took them away to himself from the Evil to come that they had seen and prophesied of that they might see none of that Misery that is now come Thirdly They were gathered unto the Lord as a Token and Sign unto them that believed of many following after and of their Dissolution Fourthly The Lord did fore-know and fore-see and also had determined Evil against that City and that which is now come to pass and that this Generation notwithstanding all the Entreaties Woings Warnings and Exhortations which they had and slighted and they would proceed on to more Mischief and Persecution in presumption against God and his people and are yet determined and have said in their Hearts Though the Bricks be fallen down we will build with hewn Stone to fortifie themselves that their End might not fail which the Lord God will blast and confound and though Friends have born their Iniquity they shall at last bear it themselves and know the Reward thereof and have none to help so the Lord hath taken away many in his Love and Mercy from the Evil to come and hâth freed them from further Misery and hath translated them out of the Reach of all their Enemies Fifthly Seeing they have suffered long and faithfully in that plaâe and and elsewhere and have born a living Testimony many to the Loss of their Lives and to their ruinating in this World against the Abominations that did abound and their righteous Souls were vexed as Lot's was with the Sodomites the Lord hath considered and hath said It is enough your Afflictions I will end and
and are ready to answer all these necessary ends and as well and this is as good and expedient to be put in practice among Christians as interposition of Oaths enjoyned by God in the first Covenant and far more Evangelical and therefore shall conclude with that of Jerome The Gospel Truth admits not of an Oath His eighth Argument is That Christ did never any things without some Ground of reason but no reason can be shewed why all manner of Swearing should be forbidden in a due manner and upon a just and necessary occasion and therefore we may well believe that such Swearing was neither here or any where else forbidden Reply We shall not much dissent or disagree about terms with A. S. that Christ did never any thing without some Ground or Reason but yet we must deny his Conclusion that no Reason can be given why all manner of Swearing should be forbidden first of all there was a time since Man had a being in this Creation when he was in the Image of God and stood in the Covenant of God when there was no Oath neither any necessity thereof Man being endued with Power from God which was placed in him so that he was in a capacity to fulfill obey and serve and believe his Maker without an Oath for unbelief or Sin had not entred and this was before the Fall Gen. 1.26 27. Secondly Christ the unspeakable gift of God who is the Mediator of the everlasting Covenant yea the Covenant is self who is given for a Leader to the People and who is made a Propitiation for Sin and Transgression to end both Sin Transgression and Unbelief which was the cause of the Addition of the Law who leads to the beginning again all that truly do believe and are worthy to be called true Christians or by the Name of Christ to have Union with God again in that Life Power Truth Righteousness and Wisdom in which the Image of God truly consists which was before Sin and Transgression and before the Law which was added because of it which was commanded four hundred and thirty Years after the Promise was made Gal. 3.17 Thirdly After Sin was entred and Death by Sin an unbelieving part got up in all the Sons of Adam so that they could not believe God nor his Promises and yet such was his love unto Mankind considering the State into which they were plunged for confirmation of his Word unto Man he Swore by himself this was the Lord's condescension unto their low and unbelieving Estate all that time and no way exemplary for Christians truly such who are come into the Faith and to the Truth in it self who do believe that all the Promises are fulfilled in Christ yea and Amen who is the Author of Faith and of eternal Salvation to them that believe Heb. 9.12 who prohibited that by his command Mat. 5.23 which sometimes was permitted yea and commanded yea and added because of Transgression and for which the Law and the command for Oaths was only added which he did not destroy because he leads from under the Power of that which the Law came against which is just and good and Holy and the Seed fulfills it and hath Unity with it and with him who is the Judge and Law-giver and Saviour of all that do believe in him from Sin and Transgression Fourthly At that time when the Law was given forth at Mount Sina Exod. 19.20 generally all the Nations were given to Idolatry and to serve and Worship strange Gods as Baal Ashtaroth Chemosh Rimphan and many others as the Gods of Samaria which were said to be according to the number of their Cities and their Idols were called the Sin of Samaria Amos saith They Swear by the Sin of Samaria that did say thy God O Dan lives and the manner of Barsheba lives even they shall fall and never rise again Amos 7.14 Which was no other then the Calves which Jeroboam set up at Dan and Bethel which they feared Worshipped and Swore by therefore God having chosen a peculiar People to himself to Worship and serve him and honour him who should not walk after the manner of the rest of the Nations who knew not God he commanded them to serve him and Worship him and Swear by his Name as Jerome saith well to keep them from Idolatry and that they should not Swear by the Gods of the Heathen as the rest of the Nations did round about yet still this must be considered that this State of the minority of the Jewish Church wherein God gave them Ordinances suitable to their State but it doth not follow neither can it be reasonably concluded that these Ordinances were to be perpetually binding unto all future Generations especially when Christ the Seed unâo whom all the Promises are in whom the Law is fulfilled and in whom the former Ministrations end that his Disciples and true Christians should always be bound to these things once commanded especially seeing Christ their Master in whom the Father is well pleased hath prohibited this about Swearing and also did Prophesie of the time to come after his Resurrection and his Ascension that those Visible things which were as a Ministration for a time should end as to the outward exercise and Typical and Figurative appearance of them and that all these things should be revealed within by the Spirit and felt in the Power of God in all that did believe when the Holy Ghost should be poured forth and the Promise of the Father be made manifest Fifthly Now considering that the Name of God is believed in and he is confessed unto and his Christ and that there is not that Idolatry especially outward as there was in the Nations before and after the Flood especially in that which is called Christendom though we dare not conclude that all are Israel that are of Israel or that all are Christians that have the Name yet generally I say the Name of God and his Christ is acknowledged and worshipped and not Idols and false God's therefore there is no necessity of Swearing by the Name of God as there was at the time of the giving forth of the Law but especially among them that the Father will reckon as truly his subjects and Disciples of Christ who are partakers of his divine Nature here is not that necessity among them for they through the Law being dead to it it hath no more Power over them and therefore no reason that they should be kept as under Tutors and Governours seeing that the Age and Ages is come which the Apostle spoke of Eph. 2.7 wherein Christ is revealed the hope of Glory and whom he makes free are free indeed Joh. 8.32 36. Sixthly and lastly The command of Oaths was given for the ending of Strife and Controversies among Men Heb. 6. which hath relation to the Law and to the State of the Jews and their Political proceedings the Apostle brings but that in as an instance or an example and
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ open all your Hearts and keep them open that he according to his Promise may come in and sup with you and make his Abode with you and us all Amen Amen Brethren I might and could write largely unto you but that I know that Word of Truth hath been and is plentifully from time to time published among you which I would have you all prize as a Mercy and Blessing from the Lord it was said in the Dayes of Eli the high Priest That the Word of the Lord was scarce in those Dayes and Amos prophesied against Israel when they slighted the Commandment of the Lord and said to the Sâers see not and were out of Love with the Word of the Lord That there should come a Famine of it and they should wander from Sea to Sea and should not hear which was a great Judgment for that End I speak that you may prize that Plenty God hath scattered and sown among you and not loathe like Israel what nothing but Manna nothing but Manna or lust after new or unknown things as some prophane Minds say What one and the selfsame thing still we hear if we go from Year to year yest indeed the Truth is one the Way to Life one the everlasting Covenant of Life is one by which Salvation Peace and Reconciliation comes to all that believe and Union with God known and perfect Satisfaction to the faithful so that they say and believe in their Hearts he is come and the Way is declared that leads to everlasting Felicity and we look not for any nor after any other I say I might write largely unto you but you are written in my Heart even all that keep their Integrity feel my Love unto you all in the Life that hath quickned you that it runs as fresh and freely as Euphrates that watered the Garden of Eden and is no other then the bubling and springing of the VVater of Life of Love which the Lord caused to flow forth and in it to salute you all the Peace of God rest in all your Habitations Amen Appleby the 22 d of this 6 th Moneth 1668. Your Dear Brother in Suffering for Christ F. H. Cause this to be read in the Assembly of the Church of God in and about London Hartford and Kingston THE TABLE OF THE Principal Things contained in this BOOK A Warning to the Priests and People of Kendal page 1. The Word of the Lord to Oliver Cromwel p. 5. An Answer to Tho. Ellison 's Petition to O. Cromwel p. 7. The fiery Darts of the Devil quenched In Answer to a Book called The second Beacon fired presented to Oliver Cromwel then Protector p. 17. A Warning to all the Rulers in these English Nations p. 24. A Warning to all the World p. 26. A General Epistle to the Camp of the Lord in England p. 28. The Inheritance of Jacob discovered after his Return out of Egypt p. 37. A Lamentation for the scattered Tribes p. 65. I. The Difference shewn betwixt them that learn of Christ and are taught of him and them that follow the Principle of Darkness that leads into Error p. 72 II. The Difference betwixt the Faith which is feigned which is the World's and the Saints Faith p. 77. III. Concerning Hope and the Difference betwixt true and false Hope p. 79. IV. True Faith how it is wrought and what it is in its Effects and Operations p. 80. V. A Word to all the Ministers of the World in all Opinions and Sects and to all your People in every Sect p. 81. VI. To all you who put out the Eye through long accustoming to Sin who are near utter Darkness p. 84. VII To all them that are tossed and find no Rest for the Sole of their Feet but are still lead aside into Pollutions and Sin and know not how to come forth nor where the Power is p. 86. The measuring-Rod of the Lord stretched forth over all Nations p. 89 Some of the Mysteries of God's Kingdom declared p. 109. I. What the Day of the Lord is and to whom it hath appeared and how it is seen and discovered p. 114. II. What the Day of the Lord is and what it will be to the Wicked declared p. 115. III. What the Day of the Lord is to the Righteous and how he appears to them and whether any are to look for it whilest in the Body resolved p. 116. IV. Where the Day of the Lord doth appear and how it comes and how it is to be looked for declared p. 118. V. What the Spirit of the Lord is and how it comes to be received which discovers the Things of God p. 119. VI. How the Spirit of Truth worketh and appeareth in them who are convinced and yet have not obeyed showed p. 121. VII How the Spirit of the Father worketh in them who are turned to it and have taken Heed unto its Manifestation and are in some Measure Partakers of its Power p. 125. VIII Vnto whom the Spirit of the Father bears Witness and seals Assurance of the Father's Love and of Justification with God declared p. 125. IX What the free Grace of God is and unto whom it hath appeared and where all are to wait to receive it declared as it hath been revealed by the Spirit p. 127. X. Whether all have received the Grace of God or no declared and whether it be a sufficient Teacher in it self to wit that Grace that hath appeared to all if it be received demonstrated p 129. XI A Word to the Wise Men of this World who are glorying in the Sound of Words and worshipping outward Appearances to all Wise and Litteral Professors who think you are worshipâing God aright who think to search into the deep Things of God by your Natural Wisdom Learning Parts and Study p. 134. XII The Kingdom of God and of his Christ declared in some Measure as it is revealed what it is and how it comes to be revealed to them and in them that believe that all that are waiting for it may know wherein it consists and so receive the End of their Hope and the End of their Expectation and know the Dominion which hath no End p. 137. An Epistle to Friends in London p. 141. Mystery Babylon the Mother of Harlots discovered p. 145. The Invisible Things of God brought to Light by the Revelation of the Eternal Spirit p. 173. I. The Work of the Lord declared which was in the Beginning when the Word was with God and was the Father's Delight and Man made in the Image of God c. p. 179. II. The Vndârstanding may read the Wisdom of God in a Mystery and also may see thi sottish Doctrine of the Apostates p. 182. III. An Objection answered p. 183. IV. How Peace Joy and Delight possâssed every Thing that God had made how every Thing which he had formed glorified him with one Consent in the Beginning p. 184. V. How Man lost his
Dragon had Power He that was in the Spirit saw him alive again after he was caught up so he that is in the Spirit now on the Lord's Day sees the same man-child who was brought forth by the Woman who was to rule the Natâons but was caught up to the Throne of God before he came to rule and then the Dragon ruled the Beasts and false Prophet the Whore the Mother of Harlots sate as a Queen and the Woman the Mother of the Heir fled into an obscure and a retired Place and was hid times and dayes as I said before but as she appeared again in Beauty so the man child the Heir he appears also in Glory Majesty and Power and John saw him Rev. 19.11 12 13 14 15 16. And I saw Heaven opened and behold a white Horse and he that sate upon him was called faithful and true and he doth judge and make War in Righteousness his Eyes were as a Flame of Fire on his Head were many Crowns and he had a Name written that none knew but himself and he was clothed with a Vesture dipped in Blood and his Name is called the VVord of God And now the Woman's Seed is increased again after the Dragon and the Beast's War and now they become an Army and follow the Lamb their Leader who is anointed with Honour Glory Majesty and Renown Strength Power Wisdom Joy and Gladness above all his Fellows yet his Followers are anointed too and the Seed of the Woman the Inhabitants of the City of the great King they are clothed with the same Garment and Armour and ride on in Power Strength and Majesty after him and they are clothed and shall be with the Garment of their Mother and the Garment of their Captain their Head and as he rode on in Innocency so they ride on after him and the Woman was in Heaven that travailed and the Child was born there though he was to rule the Nations of the Earth and so whoso are of this Woman's Seed who are born in the City of the great King Jerusalem unto which the Hebrews were come Heb. 12.22 before the Apostacy before the Woman fled so now the same City comes to be seen again and the Children are born of their Mother the Lamb's Wife who is joyned to him and is to be so forever in the everlasting Covenant so they being heavenly Children redeemed from the Earth from under the Dragon's Power they follow the Lamb the Word God's Power Rev. 19.14 And the Armies which were in Heaven followed him upon white Horses clothed in fine Linnen white and clean and out of his Mouth goes a sharp Sword and with it he shall smite the Nations And now comes he to rule them with a Rod of Iron he was brought forth long before but was caught up to God again and the Dragon Beast and Whore and false Prophet ruled the Nations and killed the Saints but now he appears again after the Apostacy and a great Host with him and the Woman also and her Children are many and they all follow the first born and now comes the Wo to the Dragon and Whore Beast and false Prophets and unclean Spirits and on them that worship Devils and now shall he tread the VVine-press of the VVrath of God Almighty and he hath on his Vesture and on his Thigh written King of Kings and Lord of Lords And now appears an Anâel standing in the Sun which the VVoman was clothed with and he cryed with a loud Voice saying to all the Fowls that fly in the midst of Heaven come and gather to the Supper of the great Day of God and now must the Flesh of the Kings and Captains and Nobles and Flesh of mighty men who had drunk the Whores Cup now must drink of the Wine of God's Wrath And the Beast and the Kings of the Earth and their Armies gathered together to make VVar against him that sate on the white Horse and his Army and the Beast was taken and with him the false Prophet that wrought Miracles before him and the remnant were slaân that took Part with the Beast by him that sate upon the horse and his Army whose Sword proceeded out of hââ Mouth and all the Fowls were filled with their Flesh the Whore is burnt before the Beast the false Prophet and his Army now slain and their Flesh eaten by the Fowls of Heaven and now the Blood comes forth to the Horse Bridles And now the Angel descends having the Key of the bottomless Pit from whence the old Dragon the Serpent the red Dragon the Devil came there is his Beginning there was he brought forth and there he grew up he that reads let him understand out of the bottomless Pit for the Nations were never deceived till he appeared and he appeared as I have said before after the Heaven and the Earth was made and all things therein I say after he was not before he deceived Eve in the Garden now he is grown old and so is truly called the old Dragon grown into a Body of Deceit well now must he be taken and bound and cast into the bottomless Pit from whence he came that he deceive the Nations no more Rev. 20.1 2. and all this War is in the bringing out of the Apostacy and in Order to the Lamb and the Saints everlasting Reign in Heaven and over the Earth forever This I have seen and my Heart rejoyceth and my Mouth shall praise the Lord and the Woman I say is appearing and she is cloathed with beautiful Garments and the holy Child the Man child hath appeared and is manifest again among the Saints and in them and the Lamb which hath been slain since the World began is alive and behold he lives for evermore and now many are his Followers and an innumerable Company shall ride on after him who is King of Kings and now is God fulfilling that which John saw in the Lord's Day which should come to pass the Work is begun he hath appeared out of whose Mouth proceeds the two-edged Sword which shall hew down all the Dragon's Army the Beast and his Followers and though the Cry be yet among many who shall make war with the Beast and who shall speak against his Prophets Yet a little while and Fear shall come and their Vaunts and Boasts shall be turned into Doubting and dreadful Fear on every Side for Jacob shall be as a Flame and Esau and all his Race shall be as Stubble he that reads let him understand the Wisdom of God in a Mystery and the whole Work of the Lord which shall shortly come to pass The Manifestation of God's Glory shall be as great after the Apostacy as ever it was in any Age before the Rise of Anti-christ and the Ministration into which them that follow the Lamb shall be brought shall be as spiritual holy caelestial and divine as ever was before for the End of all your outward visible Appearances shall come which
unto forever in the perpetual Covenant of Life which can never be broken which will ouâââââ Death and Hell and all the Lord's Adversaries who would not acknowledge the most âigh 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 Esâcol 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 Seâtence 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