Spirit of Grace they in him and he in them made perfect in one to them Grace Mercy and Peace be multiplied from God our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ Amen Allelujah In the Year 1656 feeling the Birth of God in me by the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost wherein I was made a Member of Christ a Child of God and an Inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven Which Spirit of Light begot Christ Jesus the New Man in me by whom I obtained Reconciliation and Peace with God and good will towards all his Creation Which Spirit of Love moved in me in the Year 1666 to send Thirty pounds to be distributed amongst the Poor of the Episcopal Protestant Church as a sign of my dear love and good will to them Not as Judas that betrayed his Master into the hands of Sinners for thirty pieces of Silver but as from one that witnessed the Resurrection of Christ who had bin dead in Trespasses and Sins whose Soul was raised out of the Grave of Sin and Death wherein it had long lain Thus by the Incarnation or Indwelling of the Life of Christ Jesus in my mortal Flesh I came to inherit Life Eternal by and through him that is the Regeneration the Resurrection and the Life Allelujah By which Spirit of Grace I came to see what St. Peter saw that of all Religions Those that feared God and acted Righteously towards Man are accepted with him as it is written Acts 10.34 35. Mat. 16.17 Through which Grace I came to understand the great Love of God to the World that in all Ages and Times he hath given and sent his only begotten Son his Spirit of Light and Grace into the World his Everlasting Covenant of Light and Life wherewith he doth enlighten every one Jew and Gentile that comes into the World that so all Men might be saved by believing in him and by following of him that is the Way the Truth and the Life of God who is God's Salvation to the ends of the Earth as you may read Isa 42.6 49.6 Deut. 38.11 to 15. Jer. 31.31 to 35. with Rom. 10.6 7 8 9. Heb. 8.8 c. 2 Cor. 4.4 6. By which Spirit of Light Life and Truth in the Inward Parts the Word in the Heart moving on the face of my Deep and shining on my Tabernacle which God pitched in me I say I in the same Light found freedom to look into all manner of Opinions and Religions even in that Light which shewed me Good from Evil Right from Wrong and Truth from Error In which Spirit of Light I read many Books writ by Episcopal Protestants viz. something of Bishop Andrews Bishop Hall but most of Dr. Jeremy Taylors Dr. Hammonds Dr. Stillingfleets Dr. Tillotsons with divers others of like kind Which Books I read with delight having unity with them feeling the Spirit of Love to Truth and Righteousness to be their Dictator which Spirit of Grace taught them to deny Ungodliness and worldly Lusts to live Soberly Righteously and Godly in this present World which made them honourable in this World and glorious in the World to come Allelujah In reading of which Books I took notice of many worthy and true Sayings viz. Dr. Jeremy Taylor in his Great Exampler saith That Christ Jesus is our Example in his Birth Life and Death Also what I have read in Ancient Fathers that Disputes amongst Christians is the scab of the Church and destroys Charity which only edifies That God's Will and Commandments are made known in all Mens Spirits that they may do them The Word Incarnate is God's Preacher to all the World That Christian Religion is nothing else but a Restorer of the perfect Law of Nature for God gave Man at first a reasonable intelligible Nature both to love and serve him That Man 's Original Sin was to leave God the Good and go to the Creature the Evil. Man may keep or break the Law of Nature so sin against God his Neighbour and Himself Well-being is when right Reason and the Law of Nature is satisfied and evil Doing is to transgress the Law of Nature or right Reason this brings guilt of Conscience and torments And in this Obedience to the Law of Nature consists Heaven and in Disobedience Hell Christian Religion is to worship God in Spirit and in Truth and so to serve our Neighbour Revelation is both Natural and Reasonable so is Self-denial Death and Martyrdom to those that have an Ear to hear the Spirit 's Reason Self-denial is but confining the Appetite within the Limits of Nature The Philosophers were commended of old for preserving Reason and Religion in Practice before the School-men that fight about Opions Jesus his Life was sweet and affable and for our Example to Life Eternal Christ who dwells within the limits of Love gives us boldness with God and not fear In Christ are two Natures the Body but the upper Garment of the Soul his Soul was of the same Nature and Substance with ours in this inferior to the Angels One Grace succeeds another well prest and sometimes running over till we come to the fulness and stature of Christ Jesus even filled with the Spirit which hath no measure but is Infinite and Eternal God crowns and accepts his Grace in all Sects even the most Heathenish and accepts that when in Conscience they worship Idols Original Sin or one Sin committed makes us more apt for another so we have no cause to charge Adam but our selves only every one of us is the Adam the Man of Sin Obedience unites to God and conforms to his Will the which sanctifies Isaac offered is our Heart and Will offered up to God which he accepts Nothing so able to do Miracles as Love nor so certainly acceptable All exteriour Acts of Religion to be guided by our Superior that is by God only for no Man in Religion is Superior No act of Corporal Austerity or External Religion acceptable to God unless commanded by him The first Baptism Appearance or Resurrection of Christ is to kill Sin or to put off Sin The second Resurrection is to put on Christ the New Man and to walk in him God requires no more of Man than to receive and entertain his Grace that appears to every Man Though the Son of Man hath no where to hide his Head yet many Houses to convey his Grace Grace works Miracles in Saints as in Christ When Faith and Charity meet then Christians indeed and in Truth all else false and Antichristians God's House is the sanctified Heart where he dwells and is a House of Prayer for all Nations Every graceless wicked Man is a Devil No Sin hath Guilt but when a Man hath Understanding and Abilities to do better By the help of the Spirit it is possible to please God in all things One may die for Christ's Name that will not love his Nature nor quit one evil Lust for him this is false Martyrdom The law of Love in our Spirits
them one and all Accept I pray this tender Father's Will Who sees your Good and oversees your ill 1. His general Love you Cath'licks first doth bless Who shew but little and deserve much less His Bounty makes some ' mends for burning Troy His Minerals save where yours do all destroy He treats you well where others wish a Rope He sees with you God's Image in the Pope 2. The next a-kin he deals with as with th' others And what doth hinder but they may be Brothers His Love intends that compleat Union be Instead of compell'd Uniformitie And kindly doth all Cath'lick Christians bring Not to Christ's Vicar but to Christ their King 3. Smec smites with Horns and Hoofs and proves unkind To Priests before and Sectaries behind He blames all others and all likewise blame him Except this Friend who takes this course to shame him Maugre his Wrath he will him mercy show Though he have courted his own overthrow 4. The Savoy Sages may behold a Brother Who loves them more than they love one another He shews to them his Love in earnest which They would accept were they as Poor as Rich. Pride that puffs up and doth reject Love's Power Which courts them highly in a golden Shower 5. You who make sure of Water for a sign Who make your Teachers Merchant or Divine Three 's a full number go on and approve The Seal of Faith and Baptism of true Love You young strong Men do much yet lack you more This Friend 's kind Heart to sell and give to th' Poor 6. The Northern rugged Nature he subdues His gentle temper would win on the Jews An Heart of Stone such sing'lar Love must own A Flint will break upon a Bed of Down Come take your Mony and hereafter say James Naylor's Friend directs you the right way The Alabaster Box disdain'd by all Was shed in order to Christ's Burial This precious Gift incurs like indignation Which doth forerun his Rule and Coronation This Soveraign Oil proclaims those general Passions Which will instal him King of Saints and Nations His Standard's now set up and is inscrib'd Peace on the Earth good Will to every Tribe He gains Mens Hearts and Conquers Sans controul A little Leaven leaveneth the whole That Rich endeavour'd Lazarus to raise Shall then be spoken to 's eternal praise When Men enlightned shall on Christ's Name call From the Sun rising even to his Fall When God shall bless anew His whole Creation And Heaven and Earth shall make but one Plantation 7. You God-like Men whom he First-Born doth call Whose mature Spirits can bear Love to all Y' are willing God should rule when he forbears You won't pluck up nor sever Wheat from Tares If he says Grow together You 'l brook this That Light and Darkness Day and Night are His. In Wine-bibbers and those possest with Devils You 'l cherish Good and disincourage Evils On Lazarus his Ghost appearing FRight not my Friends if Lazarus appear Dismal and ghastly at this Meeting here His Grave-Clothes yet are on He scarce hath Breath His Face is wrapt with Monuments of Death When he reviv'd shall have put on his Dress When Wine and Oil shall Heart and Face refresh Then shall God's Pow'r and Love through th' Earth be spread All will believe a Preacher from the Dead This dark obscure Appearance doth fore-run A far more glorious Dispensation The Chaos this on which God's Spirit will brood Producing Light and Beauty all that 's good 'T is yet rude Ore but when t' has past the Mint You 'l see its Glory the King's Image in 't ' Mongst all the Precious Stones this is the Gem Which cut and set makes New Jerusalem The Type whereof at this Solemnitie May all th' invited Guests together see When Angels would converse with Mortals then They take a Body talk and walk like Men. Deposit sence and lay aside your Clay If you 'd converse with Spirits be as they In mixing Souls which are immortal bred There 's no distinction 'twixt alive and dead They soon can meet what e're the distance be Who move much quicker than a twinkling eye Thus Spirits meet and greet that all may know Angelick Visions may be here below To you in whom 's conceiv'd this Seed of Love Let this be th' quickening Day and let it move Let Robert Rich your noble Pattern be In Hallelujahs be as thick as he Jan. 25. 1667 8. In Obitam perpetuam memoriam Domini Roberti Rich Evangelistae Acrostichon per R. B. Ph. R Report who can the Truth of this one Man O Of 's Birth his Life his Acts the Course he ran B Born from on High he must be and his Quill E Enobled too by God's most Holy Will R Rome he dealt justly with 't is not destroy'd T The way that some do think by Fire and Sword R Rais'd up he was to the Immortal Life I It in all Parties puts an end to Strife C Christ is the Universal Light and Love H He that from Heaven came comes as a Dove On the Memory of Mr. Robert Rich who arrived at London from the Barbadoes Sept. 9. last past and departed this life Novemb. 16. following 1679. R Reconciling what he might O Oblique things bending unto streight B Bounteous to the Indigent E Each Sect did taste his good intent R Rare Pattern of Humility T 'T were well if such were you and I. R Researches of the highest kind I Inquiries lofty rais'd his Mind C Charioted hence to Heaven Above H His Legacies Light Peace and Love Mar. 25. 1680. J. W. Upon the Departure of Mr. Robert Rich Nov. 16. 1679. CAn real Christian Love be dead ' Cause Rich filled therewith is buried No no it lives in Christ our Head From whence 't will all the World o'respread He slipt away in such an Age When all the Babels are in rage And left us yet behind to see Most things in great perplexity But yet we hope the day draws near When healing Love will more appear J. L. Errata Last Paragraph of the Preface read Proficientis Perfecti each State may herein find what is sutable to them to their Joy Page 105. line 13. for Stars read Stairs To the Chief Bishop of the Roman-Catholick Church his Cardinals Arch-Bishops Bishops Doctors Priests Deacons and all other Ecclesiastical Orders and Degrees To all Generals Provincials Abbats Priors Guardians Rectors and Prefects of whatsoever Religious Orders of the said Church ROBERT RICH sendeth Greeting in our Lord God Everlasting TO those of you that are Regenerate and born again of the Spirit who are Members of Christ Jesus through the sanctification of the Spirit Elect and Precious to you Grace Mercy and Peace be multiplied from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ Amen Allelujah In the Year 1656 feeling the Birth of God in me by the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost wherein I was made a Member of Christ a Child of God and an Inheritor of
and all his Works the Pomps and Vanities of the World and all the sinful Lusts of the Flesh and that he shall keep God's Holy Will and Commandments and walk in the same all the days of his life I say it would be inquired into Whether those God-Fathers and God-Mothers do perform and keep this Oath Promise and Vow themselves If not then why should they undertake for another what they perform not themselves And if I mistake not it is a Tenent of the Church of Englands That we cannot live free from sin so long as we live in this World If so were it not far better never to Swear and Vow than afterwards to break them Is not this to add Sin unto Sin and so bring a greater condemnation on our selves As I am a Priest to God by having Christ Jesus in me I declare That Infant Baptism is no Ordinance of Christ's neither is John's Baptism with Water Christ's Baptism Christ's Baptism is to be baptized into the Name Nature and Spirit of God the Father Son and Holy Ghost which Baptism of the Spirit is the one Lord one Faith and one Baptism one God and Father of all who is above all through all and in us all that are born of and baptized with the Spirit of Grace This Baptism is that alone which saveth by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost and not by putting away the filth of the Flesh but the answer of a good Conscience towards God And this Baptism of the Spirit which followed John's Baptism of Repentance is that only which can initiate into the Church of God make a Child of God and give an entrance into and an inheritance in the Kingdom of Heaven Allelujah And I query Whether Infant Baptism were not the Invention of Man rather than the Command of God brought in by the false Church for advantage-sake in the long dark night of Apostacy after that the True Church was fled into the Wilderness there fed and preserved of God whilst the Whore the Beast and false Prophet ruled who set up Shadows instead of Christ the Substance the Letter above the Spirit Man's Baptism which is with Water instead of Christ's by Fire which is the Holy Ghost And instead of putting on the Lord Jesus Christ the New Man which is the Saints Righteousness they put on a white Linnen Surplice to make them seem outwardly Holy that inwardly were full of Sin and Uncleanness full of Self-love Hypocrisy and Pride full of Covetousness Hatred Malice and all Uncharitableness And instead of bowing at the Name of God which is the Command of God Isa 45.23 that every knee should bow to him you bow at the Name of a Man not greater than is Immanuel which is the Name God himself gave the Virgin 's Birth Isa 7.14 who is the only begotten Son of God in all the Sanctified that saves his People from their Sins And your bowing at the Name of Jesus rather than at the Name Immanuel doth it not demonstrate you to be worshippers of Angels rather than the true God And for you to bow down to any Letters or Syllables joined into a Name of God or Man is this think you to worship God in Spirit and in Truth as he requireth And for any to bow down and worship any Thing or Name that is not purely God alone is most certainly Idolatry and false Worship And be not ignorant that the Name of God is his Power his Love shed abroad in our Hearts his Immanuel a strong Tower whereinto the Righteous flee and are there in Peace Rest and Safety Allelujah Holy Days Holy Days both Fasting Days and Feasting Days were they brought in by the Command of God or prescribed and imposed by Man Was not St. Paul afraid of his Galatians that he had bestowed his labour on them in vain who instead of setting up and forming of Christ the Day-Star in their Hearts fell to the observation of Days and Months and Times and Years setting up of Meats and Drinks what to Eat and when to eat and what and when to forbear respecting of New Moons and Sabbath Days one day more holy than another all which in the first Covenant were but shadows of good Things to come which the Saints possess and enjoy in the second Covenant which is Christ in them the end of the first Covenant their Hope their Crown and Glory Allelujah In the fourth Commandment you pray That God would incline your hearts to keep this Law which is to keep holy the Seventh day according to God's Command to the Jews Thus by your Traditions ye make void the Law of God and change the Truth of God into a Lie and by bringing in the Old Covenant which stands in divers outward Observations which maketh nothing perfect ye have thrust out the New Covenant Christ the Word in the Heart the Saints Teacher which perfecteth for ever those that are sanctified Allelujah The Lord's Supper The Lord's Supper I humbly declare to be a great Mystery not rightly understood by Man in the Fall It is not Carnal Bread and Wine neither Carnal Flesh and Blood as unregenerate Men apprehend and imagine Christ's Words and Works are more Spiritual than for Carnal Men to understand them it is the Spirit that quickneth and the Inspiration of God alone that giveth to man understanding in the things of God The true Supper of our Lord is when Christ stands at the door of our Hearts and knocks that we then open to him and he comes in to us and sups with us This is the right Supper of our Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus who is the First and the Last the Alpha and Omega of all our Graces and Mercies Wherefore my dear Hearts Open O ye Gates and be lift up ye everlasting Doors that Christ the King of Glory may come in and sup with you Allelujah So the Flesh and Blood Bread and Wine that comes from Heaven is Christ's Spirit of Light his Body which he gives for the Life of the World this is Meat indeed and Drink indeed that feeds and nourisheth the Soul up to Eternal Life which Cup of the New Testament is the saving Health of all Nations that dwell upon the Face of the whole Earth O my dearly Beloved take and receive eat and drink abundantly of this Cup of Salvation it is the new Wine in our Father's Kingdom a Fountain of Life that can never be drawn dry Allelujah Behold I shew to you a Mystery the Word in the Heart the Love of God shed abroad in our Hearts is the Leaves of the Tree of Life St. John speaks of in the Revelations given for the healing of the Nations for the uniting of all Sects and Opinions in Religion into the one true Religion both Jews and Gentiles Barbarians and Scythians as well as Christians of all Sorts or Names whatsoever whether called Roman Catholicks Episcopal Protestants Presbyterians Independents Baptists Quakers Seekers Socinians Arminians or
can hold forth the blessing of Peace and Establishment to the World and I am perswaded God hath fitted you for such a Work as this therefore I beseech you suffer a word of Exhortation Be faithful to the Testimony of the Lord with which he hath inspired you stand forth in the Name and Power of that Spirit which dwells in you lay by all carnal Ends and self Interests and come forth in the nakedness and simplicity of the Love of God in which you will breath out the blessing of Peace amongst us O let not Sion be built up any longer with Blood nor her Mourners wander about in the Defarts to seek for shelter and safety let the searchings of your Hearts and the yearnings of your Bowels be for the Breaches and Divisions that are among the People of God 'T is You that the great expectation of many of the Lord's People in this Nation is now towards Our Wounds Breaches in the Circumstantials of Religion are too wide and extensive for a formal outward and literal Ministry to heal and cement We have languished in Divisions too long already under these Physicians 't is only a Spirit-Ministry with evidence demonstration and power that proceeds from an innate Principle of the Love of God shed abroad in our Hearts that can compose all our Differences satisfy all Parties and Interests and settle us upon a sure Foundation of Peace Rest and Happiness If there be therefore any Consolation in Christ if any Comfort of Love if any Fellowship of the Spirit if any Bowels and Mercies fulfil ye the Joy of the People of God in these Nations that ye come forth with the like Mind and Spirit in your Ministry amongst us and in the Power of the same Love preserve the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace I know there is wisdom and largeness enough in the Love of God to accomplish these noble Ends and the witness of this upon your Hearts must necessarily strengthen your Faith in this Ministry for certainly that Love so ample that can redeem the World when and where 't is witnessed by the Spirit will appear large enough to cover all our Infirmities abate all our Contentions and quiet all the Clamours that abound among us If thus you can appear and stand forth this day as indeed Priests unto God and true Ministers of Christ Jesus you shall worthily be called The Healers of our Breaches and the Restorers of our Paths to dwell and walk in with love and pleasantness one towards another In which Spirit of Universal Love and good Will I Rest a Friend to you and the Souls of all whilst I am and when I am no more R. R. To all Teachers Preachers and Dispensers of the Word and Sacraments under the Dispensations of those called Presbyterians Independents and Anabaptists ROBERT RICH a Servant of Jesus Christ called to be an Apostle separated unto the Gospel of God which Gospel was promised and preached by the Holy Men of God ever since the Foundation of the World was Laid as in the Scriptures of Truth you may read Gen. 3.8 15. 12.1 3. with Gal. 3.8 Deut. 30.11 12 13 14 15. Rom. 10.6 8. Jer. 31.31 to 35. with Heb. 8.8 to the end Isa 52.7 with Rom. 10.15 Isa 61.1 with Luke 4.18 9.6 Mark 16.15 2 Cor. 4.4 6. 2 Tim. 1.10 1 Pet. 1.12 25. In the power and strength of which Gospel the Word in the Heart or Love of God shed abroad in our Hearts doth R. R. send Greeting in our Lord God Everlasting Allelujah TO you that are Regenerate and born again of the Spirit who have Christ Jesus the New Man in you and are Members of his Body Spiritual through Sanctification of the Holy Spirit of Grace you in him and he in you made perfect in one to you Grace Mercy and Peace be multiplied from God our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ Amen Allelujah In the Year 1656 feeling the Birth of God in me by the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost wherein I was made a Member of Christ a Child of God and an Inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven which Spirit of Light begat Christ Jesus the New Man in me by whom I obtained Reconciliation and Peace with God and good-will towards his Creation Which Spirit of Love moved me in the Year 1666 to send to the People called Presbyterians Thirty pounds to be distributed amongst their Poor that were in Need Sickness or any other kind of Adversity The like Sum I also sent to them called Independents As likewise to those called Anabaptists to be distributed to the Poor that were amongst them Not as Judas that betrayed his Master into the hands of Sinners for Thirty pieces of Silver but from one that witnessed the Resurrection from the Dead one who had long crucified the Lord of Life in my Self and by many and often Transgressions had slain the Witness of God his Holy Spirit of Grace and Light which oft cried in me Why wilt thou die Return to me the Light and Life of the Soul and thou shalt live At length I hearkened to the Voice of the Son of God in me in obedience to which Voice my Soul came to live in whose Life I have Rest Peace and Joy in the Lord my Saviour Allelujah Thus by the Incarnation or indwelling of the Life of Christ Jesus in my mortal Flesh I came to inherit Life Eternal by and through him that is the Regeneration the Resurrection and the Life Allelujah By which Spirit of Grace and Revelation of Christ in me I came to see what Peter saw Acts 10.34 35. Matth. 16.17 That of all Nations and Religions those that feared God and acted righteously towards Man are accepted with him Also by the same Revelation of God's Spirit I understood the great Love of God to the World that in all Ages and Times he hath sent and given his only begotten Son his Spirit of Light to be the Life of the World his Everlasting Covenant of Light and Life wherewith every one is enlightned both Jew and Gentile that cometh into the World that so all Men might be saved by believing in him and by following of him who is the Way the Truth the Life and God's Salvation to the ends of the Earth Allelujah As you may read Isa 42.6 49.6 Deut. 30.11 to 15. Jer. 31.31 c. with Rom. 10.6 8. Heb. 8.8 to the end John 1.4 9. 8.12 12.46 2 Cor. 4.4 6. Which Spirit of Light Life and Truth in the Inward Parts the Word incarnate in the Heart moved on the Face of my Deep and shining on my Tabernacle which Tabernacle God pitched in me in whose Light I saw Light which gave me freedom to look into all manner of Opinions and Religions which Light opened my Understanding so as to know Good from Evil Right from Wrong and Truth from Error In which Spirit of Light I read many Books writ by Presbyterians Independents
and highest Profession we were but as sounding Brass and as a tinkling Cymbal c. Holiness and Love to God are but two Names for one Thing Love to God and to Man are like Soul and Body that are separated no way but by death Sin is hardly known in its secret Root till Men have tasted the bitterness of the Fruit. In a word I have long seen that envious Wisdom what-ever it pretends is not from Above but is earthly sensual and devilish and that where envy and strife is upon a Religious Account there is Confusion and every evil Work That which killeth Love killeth all Grace and Holiness and killeth Souls that which quencheth Love quencheth the Spirit a thousand-fold more than the restraining of our Gifts of Utterance doth That which banisheth Love banisheth God that which is against Love is against the Design of Christ in our Redemption and therefore may well be called Antichristian the White Devil is a Love-killer as well as the Black he is as mortal an Enemy to Love who backbiteth another and saith he is prophane or he is an empty Formalist or he is a Lukewarm temporizing complying Man-pleaser as he that saith he is a peevish factious Hypocrite Believe it it is Apostacy to fall from Love your Souls die when Love dieth To preach without Love to any that differ from your Sect O what a loathsome Sacrifice is it to the Lord of Love When the Papists had murdered so many hundred thousands of the Albigenses and Waldenses who would have thought but that they had done their Work When the French Massacre had murdered thirty or forty thousand and dispatcht the Leaders of the Protestant Party who would have thought that they had but strengthened them When the Duke d' Alva had done so much to drown the Belgick Protestants in Blood he little thought he was but fortifying them Queen Mary's Bishops little thought that their English Bonefires were but to light Men to see the mischief and badness of their Cause and like firing of a Beacon to call the Land to take them for the Enemies of Mankind When the Irish had murdered two hundred thousand they little thought that they had but excited the Survivery to a terrible Revenge I will come no nearer but you may easily do it your selves If we bite and devour one another we shall be destroyed one of another c. These and the like faithful and true Sayings the Book is full of which are well worth the reading with due Consideration had thereon And as Mr. Baxter intimates That he which suffers for his Religion sheweth he hath the better Religion than those that cause Sufferings And our patient Martyrdom and Suffering by them may tend at last to open their Eyes and turn their Hearts and save their Souls for the Blood of Martyrs hath ever bin the Seed of the Church which Seed hath ever encreased the number of the Sufferers Many other good Instructions and Directions both to Ministers and People hath he in this Book set forth for uniting in Love and Amity different Perswasions into one Principle of Love well worth the taking notice of And now my dear Brethren as I am a Priest unto God by having Christ Jesus the Eternal Spirit of Truth in me I am thereby enabled to hold forth an Exhortation to all of you which in the Bowels of the extensive Love of God towards you I earnestly pray you may receive I know there is amongst you a Worthy Righteous and Sober People who I can bear you record have a Zeal of God according to the several Administrations of your outward Forms and Worships whereby you are distinguished Nevertheless I have a few things against you namely That you have the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ amongst you with respect of particular Persons outward Forms and carnal Observations Hence arise all those Strifes and Contentions those bitter Revilings and evil Censures that have abounded amongst you both towards each other in your divided Forms and also toward all others that are not concerned with you as under your distinct Attainments But I testify and declare to you and to the whole World That if any Man be in Christ he is a New Creature and as many as walk according to this Rule of the New Creature Peace be upon them as upon the Israel of God and in every Nation Sect Form and Opinion He that feareth God and worketh Righteousness is accepted of him 'T is neither here nor there in this nor that neither in the Mountains of Form and Worship that you have raised to your selves nor at Jerusalem that God will be now worshipped but every where in Spirit and in Truth is the Worship that he accepts Give therefore the Spirit of God his due Scope and Latitude to blow where when and how it listeth in every Man 'T is the great Controversy that God hath with the World at this day That he alone may reign in the Consciences of Men by the just Measure of his own Light in every one And till this Royal Prerogative be setled upon Him there will never be Peace on the Earth but Men shall rend tear and devour one another and those that lead into Captivity must themselves go into Captivity herein will the Patience Love and Charity of the Saints be exercised and encreased Allelujah Wherefore let your Moderation be known to all Men the Lord is at hand Be not O be not found smiting your fellow Servants in the day of his Appearance The Spirit of God which hath sealed you to the day of Redemption is a tender Spirit O do not grieve it in your selves nor endeavour to quench it in others If thus you can come forth amongst Men you shall be a blessing in your Generation a Light to them that sit in darkness and a Refreshment to the Mourners of Zion who languish in the Breaches and Divisions that have bin made upon her Inhabitants In which Universal Spirit of Love to Truth and Righteousness I Rest a Friend to you and the Souls of all Men in any Sect or Opinion of Religion whatsoever whilst I am and when I am no more Robert Rich. An Epistle for the most pure Amity and Unity in the Spirit of Life and Love of God in all sincere-hearted Souls amongst the People called QUAKERS And as to them so unto all or any other Sort or Sect of People that own and follow the Light of Christ Jesus wherewith every one is enlightned ROBERT RICH sendeth Greeting in our Lord God Everlasting Allelujah IN the Year 1666 feeling the Babe of Grace the Word in the Heart to wax strong in the Love of God shed abroad in my Heart I sent to the Poor of your People Thirty pounds which after some of your Leaders had received to wit John Bolton Gerad Roberts and Amos Stoddard and given under their hands accordingly 't was denied to be received and about a Year after returned to me again with many
evil opprobrious Names which makes me say That I went to my Own but my Own would not receive me but sold me into Egypt by their many false Reports And poor Joseph found no greater Enemies than his Brethren were Nevertheless the Lord my God did not forsake me but found me out in the Innocency wherewith he had cloathed me and appeared to me in all my straits and was my Strength my Joy and Crown of Glory and at length brought me forth of Prison to stand before Princes assisting and carrying me with much Courage and through great Opposition to bear and finish my Testimony to Christ in the Saints And being cast out from my Brethren the Lord my God took me up and became my Teacher under whose Teachings I felt more of the Love of God and increased more in knowledg of the Things of God than when I sat under the Teachings of Men by whose Teachings I grew in Wisdom and in Stature unto the Measure of a perfect Man in Christ Jesus then I came to know that out of Egypt God hath called his Son to whom he hath given not only the Heathen but the whole World for his Possession and Inheritance In which Spirit of the Son I call to mind the sweet Union and Communion I had with the Quakers when they preached Christ the Light in every one that cometh into the World the Way to God the Father of Lights which Light sprang up so strongly in my Heart that with St. Paul it struck me down to the Ground where I felt the Root of the Matter in my Self so that I needed no Man to teach me but as the Unction that small grain of Mustard-Seed grew to a great Tree on whose body did hang all my Sins my Weaknesses and Infirmities which Seed of the Kingdom begot in me a new Heart and placed within me a right Spirit the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding fill'd with the Love of God Allelujah In the day when the People called Quakers were small in their own Eyes I dearly loved them who did not only preach Christ the Truth and Light in every one but with much boldness and courage and through great Persecutions defended the same living in much Love and Amity one with another which to me was a most lovely sight to see till there came to be a difference between J. N. and George Fox then G. F. by reason of his Enmity and Self-exaltation envied and persecuted J. N. and begat a most bitter wrathful Spirit in all his Friends against J. N. and all that stood by him in his Sufferings Thus G. F. was the Father that begat all those Divisions Rendings and Tearings that were then amongst the Quakers and since to this very day which with great violence lasted till J. N. took all the blame on himself and made himself of no reputation who was circumcised in Heart and Soul in which Circumcision he lived and died a true Israelite indeed But G. F. and his Party continued acting in another manner of Spirit for I have seen those pull hale and carry out of their Synagogue at the Bull and Mouth one Richard Freeman and the chief in this work was John Bolton with divers others At this time I perfectly saw that God had divided in Jacob and scattered in Israel and that a separation was making betwixt the Precious and the Vile amongst the Quakers And was it not the same bitter persecuting Spirit in G. F. that writ against J. Perrot's Book called Vnity and Amity For did not G. F. say This Book was writ with Cain 's Spirit Crying against his Sottishness and Ignorance affirming That a Cloud had compassed him that he went in the way of the false Prophets that his Spirit would give up the Children of God to Persecution Further alleaging That J. P. is one of Ham's Stock and that his gross Lies proceeded from a devilish hellish Spirit and that none that are in the least Truth will believe him and that he is a Liar and a Deceiver And the great Offence G. F. takes at this Book is that J. P. owns the Spirit of God's Grace and Light to be in Presbyterians Independents Anabaptists Seekers and others also that he hath Unity and Amity with all that walk therein the which G. F. denying and calling it a Lye c. plainly shews he is an Enemy to all that will not bow down to him and call him Master or Father of their Spirits and that he is turned from the Faith once delivered to the Saints and that he is removed to another Gospel than what at first himself had preached and also writ against J. P. that he was like a Dog snarling and biting such as are in the Life of Truth and so like a Dog thinks he will die This and much more hath G. F. writ against J. P. pursuing and hunting him as Saul did David like a Partridg on the Mountains from Country to Country from Region to Region and from City to City whithersoever he went these venemous Arrows were shot against him At this time I perfectly saw a Star fall from Heaven called Wormwood or the Dragon's Tail with which he drew to the Ground a third part of the Stars of Heaven then I saw a War in Heaven a Religious War the Dragon against the Lamb Michael and his Angels fought against the Dragon and his Angels Which bitter Spirit of the Dragon did write or indite John Bolton's Book printed 1670 intituled Judas and his Treachery c. In which Book he saith The thirty pounds Robert Rich sent to the Poor amongst the Quakers was the price of Blood and Judas his Treachery That Robert Rich is a Vagabond on the Earth one that hath not an Habitation in the Living God That he is a Contender against God's Blessed and Holy Way the Way of Life with whom Robert Bacon is joined That they were Idolaters and judged them to be the Whorish Spirit and that the Mystery of Iniquity in R. R. and R. B. was brought forth to open view And all along his Book is full of the like Expressions not only against R. R. and R. B. but the same Railing Accusations are also against Innocent J. N. and J. P. and for no Evil said or done against any one of them as in their own Consciences they well know To all which Railing Accusations R. R. saith The Lord rebuke thee About the same time another Book was writ against R. R. and R. B. by Ger. Roberts Geo. Whitehead and E. H. intituled Impudency and Ranterism rebuked in which they call the Spirit of R. R. which sent thirty pounds to their Poor A drunken ranting Spirit a fained Love and the Gift they call Cain's Sacrifice Balack's Reward and Balaam's Wages Judas's Oblation and a Superstitious Idolatrous Gift Also that R. R. is a wandring Star a raging Wave of the Sea that he is a Sow wallowing in the Mire a Dog casting up his Vomit that he is that Fool which
acknowledg Can you yet be so vainly confident as to perswade your selves that nothing of this Evil shall come near your Borders whilst the Arrows of God's Judgments fly so thick in the World and stick so deep in the Hearts and sides of all both Civil and Religious Interests Are you and your Imposing Tribe the only Men that must escape when the whole World is to be set on Fire yea the very Heavens of Professors are to be burnt up and nothing to be left alive in us but what can lie down in those Flames Is there nothing think ye in or amongst your People that is for Judgment Or is this a time for you to build and raise a Name to your selves when God is destroying to contend for outward Rule and Dominion over others when God is pleading his own Royal Prerogative to sit in judgment over the Consciences of your Brethren when the Judg stands at the Door Or are ye so regardless of the prints and footsteps of the Almighty in his present Providences that ye say in your Hearts with that Evil Servant The Lord delays his coming and fall to smiting your fellow Servants with the Tongue and Fist of Wickedness wounding and reproaching them with your bitter and severe Censures thinking with the evil Husbandman therewith to kill and slay the Heir the Seed of God in Man that must rule and reign Surely my Friends the tempestuous Storms of Wrath and Indignation that you see falling upon the World do earnestly call for a more mild and sober Spirit amongst you than this Let therefore your Moderation be known to all Men the Lord is at hand If you would be a blessing to the World in your Generation learn first to judg and condemn your selves Cast off your Judging Censuring and Imposing Spirit and give the Witness of God in every one its just Right its due Scope and Latitude and usurp not Authority over it Take not upon you to be Lords over God's Heritage let the Bowels of your Love and Tenderness be drawn out and extended towards the measure of God in all Men of every Religion in forbearance and forgiveness to the whole World follow Peace in the Spirit of Love with all Men and Holiness without which no Man shall see God Give Christ his Prerogative in Spirituals He must and will have it Give Caesar his due in Temporals who may of undoubted right challeng it Thus if you can commend your selves to God and the World ye shall be the Joy of this Generation all good Men will be drawn out in an earnest imitation of your Purity while the violent and wicked shall stand mute and be struck dumb at your modest Patience and Meekness you shall never want either inward Peace or outward Freedom but ye shall enter into Peace and Rest in your Beds each one walking in his Uprightness This my dear Friends is the Testimony in which I long to meet you and which will justly provoke the hearty embraces of Your true Friend in Love to serve you R. R. To the Birth of God in all the Sanctified the Church of the First-Born whose Names are written in Heaven who are born again not of the Will of the Flesh but of God's Holy Spirit You to whom is given the White Stone and the New Name that none knows but he that hath it who as living Stones are laid in the Walls not of the Jerusalem that now is and is in bondage with her Children but of the New Jerusalem that is Above in the Heart and Throne of God which is Free and is the Mother of us all To you however you are divided or where-ever ye are lodg'd and held in the Clifts of the Rocks in Dens and Caves of the Earth or secret places of the Stars under all your divided Tribes ROBERT RICH sendeth Greeting in our Lord God Everlasting Allelujah Dear Brethren BEing moved in my Spirit in the Year 1666 to salute the Seed of God the Seed of the Promise in all Men and in particular the Seven Churches of Christendom namely the Roman the Episcopal Protestant the Presbyterian the Independent the Baptist the Quaker and the Church of the First-Born to each of them I gave Thirty pounds to be distributed amongst the Poor of their People as a sign of my dear Love to the Seed of God in all which I saw lay crucified dead and buried in some and in others risen and reigning into Life that is Eternal That which principally moved me to this general Salutation was the sad and serious apprehension of the Straits and Limits by which I saw the Seed of God held in Bondage and these several sorts of Professors to value themselves and also condemn one another in reference to those Modes and Methods of Worship and Obedience in which they are divided and distinguished My Salutation intended a cheek to this unkind severity amongst them and according to the inward Testimony from God upon my Spirit if possible to let them understand that our gracious God is no respecter of Persons Sects or Opinions but of every Nation those that fear God and work Righteousness are accepted of him and that all those that walk in the Light of the Lord wherewith he hath enlightned them are saved Allelujah In the Heavenly Revelation of this Blessed Vision wherein I felt and found my self in a through Reconcilement to all Sorts and Sects of Men I have begun and now finished my Epistles to these Seven States of Christians which I recommend to the Children of Light to read and to consider what the Spirit saith to the Churches And because in the Travels of this Testimony upon the Soul I have met with several Celestial Pilgrims journying towards Sion with their Faces thitherward by whose sprinklings in many of their Books and Papers I have bin often refreshed and comforted I cannot but commend both their Names and Labours to the sober Enquirers after Truth as well knowing that though these Witnesses are dead and gone yet their Spirits and Testimony remain and still speak to us At this time I read many Books writ by the Divine Spirit in which I took great delight some few whereof I find freedom to expatiate on First Cebes the Theban Philosopher his Table writ in Greek since translated into English who lived Anno Mundi 3553 which Table was hung up in the Temple of Saturn This Table consisted of three Parks or Inclosures at the Gate of the first stood the shape of an Old Man called Life's Genius afterwards True Instruction which I understand by interpretation to represent the Light and Grace of God which appeareth to and in every one This Light or Life's Genius taught and instructed all how they should lead their Lives according to those Rules he directed both to avoid temptations to Vice and to imbrace all those Divine Vertues that lead to Beatitude I have read the Imitation of Christ writ by Thomas of Kempis Also Cardinal Cusanus his first
second and third Rule of Perfection and his Idiot with others of the like Divine Nature all tending to a Holy Life by virtue of Christ's Holy Spirit in us the only way to Life and Salvation Allelujah I have also read many Divine Works writ by H. N. Jacob Behm John Saltmarsh Dr. Everard William Sedgwick William Erbery Dr. Gill Dr. Taylor with others that were inspired of God and spake of the second Coming of Chrit in the Sanctified and of that blessed Day which should attend his Appearance Allelujah I have also read with much delight two Books writ by J. N. called Love to the Lost and A Salutation to the Seed of God in all Also one small Book writ by John Perrot entituled An Epistle for the most pure Amity and Vnity in the Spirit and Life of God to all sincere-hearted Souls I have likewise lately read some Prophecies and Predictions of that Holy Learned Man James Vsher Lord Arch-Bishop of Armagh who through Inspiration of God's Spirit spake of many things which long after came to pass that which is to me most remarkable in that Sheet of Paper is that he being intreated to write in brief of Justification and Sanctification desired he might be excused notwithstanding the Person soliciting through importunity obtained a promise A while after his Promise being claimed he replied He had not writ yet could not charge himself with breach of Promise for said he I did begin to write but when I came to write of Sanctification that is of the New Creature which God formeth by his Spirit in every Soul which he doth truly regenerate I found so little wrought of it in my self that I could speak of it only as a Parrot by rote without knowledg and understanding and therefore durst not proceed any further upon it Adding I must tell you we do not well understand what Sanctification and the New Birth is It is no less than for a Man to be brought to an entire Resignation of his own Will to the Will of God and to live in the offering up of his Soul continually in the flames of Love as a holy burnt Offering to Christ And how little says he are many of those that profess Christianity experimentally acquainted with this Work of Regeneration in their Souls Moreover he desires his Friend to look he be not found a Worshipper in the outward Court which outward Court says he is the formal Christian whose Religion lies in performing the out-side Duties of Christianity without having an inward Life and Power of Faith and Love uniting them to Christ and these God will leave to be trodden down and swept away by the Gentiles the Prophane that call themselves Christians but are the Synagogue of Satan The Worshippers within the Temple and before the Altar are those that do worship God in Spirit and in Truth whose Souls are made his Temples and he is honoured and adored in the most inward Thoughts of their Hearts and they Sacrifice their Lusts and vile Affections yea and their own Wills to him and these God will hide in the hollow of his Hand and under the shadow of his Wings and shall be preserved as a Seed to partake of that Glory which shall immediately follow I have also lately read two Treatises writ by Sir Henry Vane First An Epistle General to the Mystical Body of Christ on Earth the Church Vniversal in Babylon The second The Face of the Times Wherein he well discovers the Rise Progress and Issue of the Enmity and Contest between the Seed of the Woman and the Seed of the Serpent He saith That till the Seventh Trump sound 1666 the Woman's Seed must suffer afterwards the Seed of the Woman being risen with Christ must reign with him and then the Head of the Serpent should be bruised He speaketh most excellently of the first and second Covenant and of a single and double Portion of the Spirit of Regeneration and Restoration into the first Estate in Paradise which may fall also of the New Creation or Second Birth the Seed of God in Man which endures and never will nor ever can fall Hallelujah He saith The Quakers Principle is To restore out of the Fall into the first State who though they are Angels yet may fall He shews how Angels fell who through pride oppose all higher Lights than themselves and that such fallen Angels become the greatest Enemies to the Birth of Christ in the Saints which Spirit is the great Antichrist the Old Serpent the Devil that is to be cast into the Bottomless-Pit with all his Angels who outwardly appear as Angels of Light but inwardly they devour the Innocent This I have seen to be a Truth in the bitter contests betwixt G. F. and his Angels and the self-denying humble meek Spirit that was in J. N. and J. P. and those that suffered with them for bearing their Testimony to Christ in the Saints which is the last the most glorious and highest Dispensation as saith Sir H. V. now at the very Doors a Truth which many can Witness He further saith The Lamb will overcome by Sufferings and that the first sign of Christ's second Coming is distress of Nations that the Potsherds of the Earth dashing one against the other wil lmake way for Christ's Reign in which War none but Hypocrites and Apostates which make the outward Court will suffer whilst God's People will be preserved in Peace and Safety Sir H. V. also saith The Holy City and Temple measured are Saints in Power That the Woman clothed with the Sun is Christ's dead Body raised Vrim and Thummim he saith are the two great Lights Righteousness and Truth when they meet in our Hearts It is he saith a fickle and foolish Religion that depends on the Magistrates Power either to set up or pull down That Believers Rewards in Sufferings is inward Peace and Joy in a serene quiet Mind He was also in his day a great Prophet he saith Israel's Captivity is near an end at which time the Sons of God shall be made manifest so soon as that is come there will need little other help than the Grave it self to cast them forth as the Womb doth the Fruit then shall you know the Lord is God when he hath opened and brought you up out of your Graves such will the Lord own visibly for his People by putting his wonderful Spirit in them and then will God's Indignation be poured out upon his Enemies That the Nation that hath kept the Seed of God in Bondage himself God will judg more signally than he did Pharaoh and the Egyptians in this day shall the Tabernacle of God in Men be visible He also saith Doubtless great and precious Promises are to be accomplished in and upon Believers here on Earth to the making of Christ admired in them That this dark Night and black Shade that God hath drawn over his work in the midst of us may be the Ground Colour to some beautiful Piece
Regularities of the most magnified Authors and reverend Fathers are capable to accomplish this Reconciling Work Nay the Sacred Oracle of the Scripture it self is so far short of obtaining this blessed End that all different Parties do endeavour with the greatest industry imaginable by warping and winding the Text not only to suit it to the occasion of their present Differences but also thereby to justify their mad blind and uncharitable Zeal towards each other What Remedy then is left us in this Distress Is there no Balm in Gilead Yes certainly for although the extent of our Wounds and Breaches are too wide and great for the most ample Wisdom and Righteousness of Man to heal and cement there is yet largeness enough in the eternal and universal Love of God to accomplish this great Work and to make his Jerusalem a Praise upon the Earth And 't is my dear Brethren by the ample and large manifestations of this Universal Love shed abroad in your Hearts that this great Design of God must be accomplished and oh how the Consideration of this Glorious Work in and by you to be brought forth doth draw out my Spirit towards you Awake awake then put on thy strength O Sion put on thy beautiful Garments O Jerusalem thou Holy City stand forth thou Virgin Daughter clothed with the strength of the Divine Majesty and proclaim the Glory of your Principles by the beauty of your Practices to the World There is Majesty enough in that Love which fills and feeds your Souls to confound the Cruelty of all your Opposers to shame and astonish the World into silence and stilness and of this let us be confident that how-ever the over-flowing Tides of common Calamities blown up by the raging breath of formal and carnal Interests may swell as a Flood upon the World yet no Weapon that is form'd against Love to Truth and Righteousness shall prosper the Heathen may rage and the People may imagine a vain Thing The Kings of the Earth may Plot Conspire and take Counsel together against the Lord and against his Anointed yet the Lord hath set his King upon his Holy Hill of Zion and he shall and doth Rule and Reign in the midst of his Enemies Let it therefore appear to the World whose Subjects ye are whose Banner ye are under and what Motto it bears which is Glory to God in the Highest on Earth Peace and good Will towards Men. O how beautiful will those feet be upon the Mountains which are shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace How beautiful are thy Feet with Shooes O Princes Daughter Cant. 7.1 How amiable and pleasant will your Lives and Testimonies be among Men when you come forth in the largeness of that Love Meekness and Humility in Forbearance and Forgiveness which are the proper Ornaments and most natural Instances of a true Gospel-Profession In the Name of God arise then and shew your selves in his strength to be that in Power and Life which the World are only in Pretence and Notion let it be known by the lively and active demonstrations of the Spirit of God in you That greater is He that is in you than he that is in the World Your Principles I am sure are more noble extensive and generous do but draw them forth and shew them to open view and you will be a Blessing in your Generation The several Tribes and Languages shall fasten on your Skirts and say We will go along with you for the Lord is amongst you Nay even the Kings of the Nations shall shut their Mouths at this appearance of God in you Isa 52.14 15. For that which had not bin told them they shall see and that which they had not heard they shall consider As Pharach said of Joseph Where is there a Man in whom the Spirit of God is Gen. 41.38 c. Finally my Brethren Be strong in the Lord and in the Power of his Might put on the whole Armour of God for your Work and your Warfare requires it and ye know that nothing below that can enable you to finish this your Testimony Ye wrestle not against Flesh and Blood neither are the Weapons of your Warfare Carnal but mighty through God to subdue every high Thought and vain Imagination All those Principalities and Powers and those spiritual Wickednesses in high Places which have captivated the Royal Seed of the Promise and exalted themselves against the free Breathings of the Spirit These my dear Friends are the powerful Enemies over which ye must be more than Conquerors through him that loves you and when in the strength of this Love you have subdued the World calm'd and quieted that wild and furious Spirit of Wrath that is let loose among Men and prepared the way for the Kingdom of God and of his Christ to be establish'd in us and amongst us what remains but that in a holy denial of your Selves and Services your Gifts and Graces your Love and Enlargements your Faith and Patience your Sufferings and Perseverances you offer up the Son of the Promise and cast down these your Crowns at the feet of Him that sits upon the Throne joining in Consort with the Celestial Quire of Saints and Angels in the Sacred Hymns of Divine Praises and Allelujahs Salvation and Glory and Honour and Power to the Lord our God Rev. 19.1 to 10. Not unto us Lord not unto us but unto thy Name be the glory of all thy wondrous Works Sing Zion shout O ye Inhabitants of the New Jerusalem Judges 5.1 to 14. Awake Deborah awake awake sing to the Lord Arise Barak take the Harps of God in your hands ye Heavenly Victors and in your most strenuous Notes sing aloud with Moses and the Lamb upon your Chrystal fiery Floods Rev. 15.2 3 4. Great and marvellous are thy Works Lord God Almighty Just and true are thy Ways thou King of Saints who will not fear thee O God and glorify thy Name for thou only art Holy all Nations shall come and worship before thee for thy Judgments are made manifest And again Allelujah for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth and is manifest to be All in All all Vnity in all Variety Thus to ascribe to God All in all and to the Creature-Nothing is the top-Stone of God's Building to which we cry Grace Grace Allelujah For His is the Kingdom the Power and the Glory for ever and ever Amen Allelujah THE END