good Conscience who cannot bow to an Idol nor an Idol-maker but beareth witnesse against them all as the Lambs followers ever did in all Ages and Generations from righteous Abel unto this day who was a true Sufferer in innocency and therein finished his course as a true and faithful example for all as should follow after it being the seed of the Bond-woman which persecuted the seed of the Free-woman which kept the Commandements of God though it never persecuted any but loveth all even the whole Creation of God without respect of persons for this cause hath it suffered by the hands of unreasonable men even in seeking for to reclaim them from the evil of their wayes that they might not perish therein for it is the love and desire of God towards the Inhabitants of the Earth and in this work many have been imprisoned stocked stoned and put to death all which they have born like Lambs as the Lamb was their Example Who was as a Lamb led to the slaughter and as a Sheep before the Shearers is dumb so he opened not his mouth This is the true Christian and Lambs life Who is able to declare his Generation And such is every one that is born of the Spirit even as the wind that bloweth where it listeth and men hear the sound thereof but knoweth not whence it cometh nor whither it goeth And this is the cause why all those that are born of the Spirit are hated and despised of men and a wonder unto them even because they know not the birth which is of God which is undefiled and incorruptible because this life is hid with Christ in God being translated as Enoch was whose life the sons of men could not see because they looked upon him with that eye which counted Christ Jesus but a natural man even the son of a Carpenter and the like and indeed it is the furthest the natural eye can see though never so much endued with earthly wisdome and knowledge for amongst the wisest in that time and in all Ages whether Scribes Doctors and Learned men Christ was judged to be the son of Joseph and of earthly kindred and parentage therefore beware how you judge of these things ye sons of men for though the spiritual man judgeth all things yet he himself can be judged of no man This is the naked truth of God unto you all that ye may be warned to take heed what you do and what spirit you joyn unto and with what and in what ye judge least you judge with that spirit that is to be judged and so fall the deeper into condemnation and so heap coals of fire upon your own heads against the day of wrath Remember it is Judge not least ye be judged for all judgement is committed unto the Son and only in him in whom he liveth and is made manifest can any judgement be aright concerning the things of God and to the true knowledge of this righteous judgement did the true Christians come unto for the Apostle Paul said unto them Know ye not that we shall judge Angels which could never be without the judgement of the Son of Righteousnesse who lived and reigned in them And this did he speak unto them when he reproved them for going to Law one with another and that before the unjust Why saith he do ye not rather suffer wrong which words standeth a witnesse against the Pope and all his Adherents which in Rome it self these things almost dayly may be seen even amongst themselves suing one another for Curates places and striving for titles of honour these things are well known to the Inhabitants of Rome for it is evidently known and manifest among them and the heads being thus corrupted the whole body cannot but be all infected with the same disease suing and haling one another before Judgement-Seats which the Apostle said was verily a fault amongst them which so did and by this unchristian-like means is there swearing and forswearing amongst them which is out of the Doctrine of Christ Jesus who saith Swear not at all but let your yea be yea and your nay be nay in all your communications for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evill So ye may see how ye have been taught and led in blindness and all under the name of Christianity but wholly out of the life thereof for saith Christ If any man take thy cloak forbid him not to take thy coat also and if any smite thee on the one cheek turn to him the other also But how these things are observed amongst you let the Light of Christ Jesus judge a true Christians life is to bear all things and not to overcome evill with evill but on the contrary overcome evill with good and he which doth thus that man shall be blessed in his deed and may in truth call Christ Lord for he observeth the things which he saith but they who follow the Romish practices shall be numbred among the Unbelievers for the Apostle exhorteth not only to be Hearers of the Word but Doers also For it shall be more tollerable in the day of Judgement for Sodome and Gomorrah than for those who know the will of God and do it not for if one speak unto you in the spirit of meeknesse and love exhorting you to repentance and telling you the end of the wicked we know that say you thou tellest us nothing but what we know already I say the greater is your condemnation yea it will go better with the Indians in America than with you in the day of tryal than for many of you for whom my soul hath and doth mourn who are setting up lyes crying The Catholick the Apostolick Church and Roman You are its true of the Romish Religion but the Apostolick you are far from for ye are not like them any way in any one thing yet in the name ye boast and count none Christians but those who are conformable to the Romish abominations which is hard to be uttered it is so abominable and wicked as hath been shewed in many things yea they are grown so hard in their abominable Imaginations that it is common for them to make the picture of a woman with a child in her lap playing with a Dog and say it is the picture of Christ yea with a child on the ground and its armes about the dogs neck and say the same of it Oh unheard of darknesse and wickednesse is this and these things may be commonly seen as one passeth along the streets and is not a secret thing this is the fruits of your ancient Religion and truly it is so ancient as the man of sin as appeareth by the fruits thereof for if one speak but against an Image though it be expressely forbidden of the Lord yet you are ready to tear him in pieces for it which neither is nor never was the Life or Spirit of a Christian but through such doings as these the very name of a Christian
sins ye remit they are remitted they received also a Commission from God to preach the Gospel which none can do without the gift of the Holy Ghost which is only able to forgive save and destroy for though it was said to Peter Thou art Peter and upon this Rock will I build my Church this was not spoken unto him as he was a fleshly man but as he had the revelation of the Holy pure Spirit of God upon which the Church is built for the Church is in God who is the only ground and pillar of truth against which the Gates of Hell can never prevail though they prevailed against Peter after them words were spoken unto him so far as that he denyed his Master so here you that are not stark drunk and poysoned with this conception that the Incorruptible Church of God which is only built with living stones elect and precious Christ Jesus being the chief corner stone is built upon a man which is corrupt for it is evident Peter is dead and some of you say you have his bones amongst you which shews their foundation to be decayed had it been upon his person which never could be but upon his spirit by which he made that good confession That Christ was the Son of God which none can truly do without nor call him Lord. Therefore Pope Cardinals Monks Jesuites and Fryers of all sorts come forth and vindicate your selves and shew your Commission for what you do and from whom you had it for from Peter nor from Christ you are never able to shew you had it neither are you able to vindicate your Doctrine and Practice no further then your Inquisition Law and Prison will reach all which weapons will fail you in the terrible day of vengeance which is coming upon your heads for as you have made the Inhabitants of the earth drink deep of the Cup of Mistery Babylons Harlots you likewise shall be made to drink deep of the Cup of Gods vengeance even the dregs thereof shall be wrung out to you and your nakednesse shall be laid open for every eye to behold it And this is the word of the Lord God to you all which can never be recalled nor passe away unfulfilled upon your heads Therefore Oh ye Inhabitants of the Earth hast hast and repent least ye partake of her plagues for if ye endeavour and strive to uphold her ye shall of a truth partake of her Judgements Again I say be ye warned before it be too late and turn to the Lord by true repentance by forsaking and fasting from sin which if you do there is rich mercy in store for you and plenteous redemption in Christ Jesus who is the Light of the world who hath enlightned every one that cometh into the world with his true Light which reproves for sin and evill in the inward parts and if you believe in it and follow it and give up wholly to be guided by it you will become children of the Light and have an Inheritance with the Saints in the Light for the same which condemns you for sin would also purifie and cleanse you from all sin for it is the blood of the Covenant which is plentifully shed for lost and undone man and untill this be witnessed even a purifying washing and cleansing from sin there is no forgiveness for because of transgression the Law was added this is the truth of God unto you all sent amongst you to no other end but that you might be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth which would make you free and lead you out of the deceit of the deceiver as to be no longer deceived by him For seriously consider what have you from them whom you spend your time and substance about but the sight of a company of Images which they make you make Idols of by prostrating your selves before them which is absolutely against the righteous Law of God the Creator of Heaven and Earth see the Scripture Exodus 20. And thus you are fed as long as you feed them and put in their mouths but if you ever come to cease from feeding their inordinate desires they will soon prepare war against you though they have given you the name of Christians by sprinkling a little water upon you when you were children and knew not what they did and this for filthy lucres sake they fed you with the name of Christians but are wholly out of the nature themselves for the true nature and life of a Christian is pure peaceable and easie to be intreated not rendring evill for evill but alwayes overcoming evil with good doing unto all men as they would all men should do unto them which nature they manifestly shew they are out of By their fruits which is the Mark Christ said ye shall know them For it is very evident that none of them will be put into Prison for any thing pertaining to Religion but they will cause others to be imprisoned which thing Christians never did for their weapons were not carnal but spiritual and mighty through God to the pulling down of the strong holds of the kingdome of the man of sin neither did they wrestle with flesh and blood but with Principalities and Powers and spiritual wickednesse in High places which captivate the creature This was the Christians warfare which the Pope and all his Adherents are out of who swear men to destroy Creatures as long as they live contrary to Christ who came not to destroy mens lives but to save them who saith Swear not at all but the Pope as I said contrary to this swears men to destroy creatures as long as they live and to make away with flesh and blood with carnal weapons But they who smite with the sword shall be smitten with the sword and as they have loved blood blood shall they have to drink and so much the more because they have done it under the pretence of Religion and of the defending of the true Church and Faith which needeth not a carnal weapon to defend it for the true Church is in God therefore the gates of Hell cannot prevail against it let them be open never so wide and likewise the true Faith of Gods Elect gives victory over Sin Hell Death and the Grave and needeth not a Defendor but is able to defend it self and conquer all the powers of darknesse which ariseth up against it so it plainly appeareth they have not the true Faith and Church which must have a carnal weapon to defend it and it being so is the cause they cannot defend themselves without an outward power to uphold them and if once that fail them their kingdome would soon have an end and the true Christians kingdome shall flourish and prosper for their kingdome and dominion is invisible and without end being redeemed out of Kingdomes Tongues and Nations to follow the Lamb through many tribulations to enter into the everlasting Kingdome of their Father which is without end
were it not that men were given over to believe a lye that they might be damned because they do not like to retain God in their knowledge nor take heed to that of God which is manifest in them which if they did they would soon come out of this horrible deceit into the true knowledge of his eternal power and God-head for God would manifest it unto them Oh People seriously consider and read the Scriptures and see if you can read a word of Purgatory or that if ever men gave money to be prayed for after they were dead or that if any sought to give money to men for pardons for sins or whether any of the Apostles and Disciples of Christ did appoint people a set manner of prayer one part to such a Saint and another part to the Virgin Mary and the like Surely if you are not wilfully bent to be enemies to God and your own souls and resolved to perish you would certainly look unto these things and be no longer deceived for the arm of Gods everlasting love is stretched out towards you to draw you out of these miserable delusions and his voyce calleth unto you therefore whilest it is called to day harden not your hearts as in the provocation for if ye do ye will surely perish eternally which is the Word of the Lord unto you all whose bowels of pity and mercy is unto you therefore repent repent that ye may meet and receive the mercy and be accepted of the Lord for truly his pure Spirit hath long been grieved with you and hath been oppressed even as a Cart is laden with sheaves with your iniquities therefore be warned and repent And from whence come all the abominable abominations and delusions but from the painted Harlot that rideth upon the Beast cloathed with Scarlet with the Cup of fornication in her hand by which you are made drunk as not to discern her devilish witchcraft which she deceives you with to the end that she may uphold her own pride lust and wickedness painting and decking her self like Jezabel her mother out of whose womb she came seeking and hunting continually after the Servants and Prophets of the true and living God to destroy them while she feedeth many hundred false ones at her Table fed like so many pompered Beasts at the Stall of the Staller which she maintains to minister to her Idols and Images from which they can have no answer in the day of tryall as it appeareth plainly and will upon further tryal therefore woe will be unto them which joyn with her to uphold her for they shall perish utterly with her for ever and though she hath pretended to forgive many yet God will not forgive her but as she loveth blood she shall have blood to drink yea a double portion in her own bowels shall be rendred unto her for the evil which she hath done to others The mouth of the Lord hath spoken it and the Dogs shall eat her flesh and none shall be able to deliver her out of the hand of the Allmighty who hath determined her destruction and sealed the decree against her and many hath the Lord already mounted in the Chariots of Israel to go forth against her yea chosen men of valour and strength whose hearts shall not pity nor their hands spare untill the purpose of the Allmighty be accomplished upon her and their Bow shall abide in strength in battel and none shall be able to deliver her out of their hands And People look not for peace look not for peace so long as her witchcrafts remains amongst you though you may desire it yet surely it will be in vain for the consummate decree is gone forth against all her abominations therefore as you love your immortal souls and desire the salvation thereof joyn not with her but joyn unto the Lord so will you be blessed and happy for evermore surely were you sensible of the abominations of Romes City you would fear and be ashamed to call it a Holy City where all manner of impiety is nourished viz pride whoredome murder and the most openly of any place in the world This testimony is faithful and true concerning it under pretence of keeping of Hospitals for the poor there is tolleration for Play-houses where all manner of wickednesse is committed and those must pay great sums of money to the Pope under pretence of hospitality Oh unheard of wickedness where did ever any of the Saints or holy men of God countenance any such things is not this an open sign they are not of God did not the Apostle say Above all things keep your selves from fornication and is not fornication tollerated by a Law did he not also say Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouths and are not Comedies and Stage-Playes nothing else but such like wickedness and yea thither do resort the chiefest of the Clergy-men Cardinals and the like and do ye think God beholds not these things yea verily and his fury is kindled hot against it And in their open Market-places there is Conjuring Pupit-Playes and the like to amaze and draw the minds of people after vanity is this the fruits of an holy City nay it s the fruits of Hell Do not Cardinals out of which they make Popes from whom come your chiefest Pardons for sins go up and down in such pride and pomp as is not usual amongst the Princes of this world with great trains of men after them and before them bare-headed and their Gowns held up before them was this the practice of the Saints Search and see and be no longer deceived with lying vanities by forsaking your own mercies In the Scripture is recorded of Elders to oversee the Churches which signifieth properly Bishops which whosoever desireth desires a good Office even to be an Elder in the Church and Assembly of Gods people but such were to be grave sober men not given to filthy lucre nor wine the husband of one wife and of good report that he might be a good example to others But the title and name of a Cardinal who brought them in let the wise in heart judge for Cardinal signifieth properly Supream as your own Catechisme teacheth which is against Christs Doctrine who said He that would be greatest amongst them let him be servant unto all So People come to the Light of Christ in you and with it Try all things and hold fast that which is good And if any preach any other Doctrine than this which hath been preached let him be accursed saith the Apostle yea though themselves or an Angel from Heaven So whosoever keepeth up Superiority in the Church of God preacheth another Doctrine for they were all Brethren And again In Rome there is men they call Bishops but they differ from them whom the Apostle speaks of let him which readeth judge who ride up and down in round Caps and green Ribbons such as fools use to wear and in great pomp far from examples of sobriety and patterns of holinesse to others but on the contrary examples of folly and vanity and instead of being husbands to one wife marriage is forbidden amongst them which is a Doctrine of Devils which the Spirit did speak expressely
by their cruel usage they be made to conform to their Wills this is evident amongst them insomuch that many of them have been kept many years and not been told the cause why for if they have but a Jealousie of a man he shall hardly escape their hands And now what they have to be spoken against let the moderate Reader seriously consider if there be any thing else but abominable Idolatry in all their Worship even such Idolatry as all the Heathen of old never exceeded As for Example in Rome which is the Fountain from whence all this abomination springs they pourtray the likeness of an Old Man upon a Wall and they call him the Image of God the Father with a Cross before him with the Portraicture of a dead man upon it and the likeness of a Pigeon on the top of it and this in their Imaginations they call the Father Son and Spirit And this being openly tollerated in Rome the bordering Nations are made stark drunk with the same abominations and Idolatry So that if one in love and in pity to their souls speak to reclaim them from their gross darkness they are ready to tear them in pieces though it be plainly manifest that they are of those who have changed the Glory of the Incorruptible God into Images made like unto Corruptible men wherefore God hath given them up to uncleannesse through their lost and corrupt hearts who have changed the Truth of God into a lie and do worship the Image which themselves have made more than the Creator who is God blessed for ever This is such gross darkness as was in Egypt even such as might be felt And in God there is no ancientness of dayes who is a Spirit infinite and eternal who created all things by the Word of his power and upholdeth all things thereby unto this day To whom will ye liken me saith the Lord Heaven is my Throne and the Earth is my Footstool hath not my hand made all these things all things being created in and by the Word of his Power which is Christ Jesus for so is his Name who was glorified by his Father before the World began and is the express Image of his Father whose likeness cannot be made by the hands of men therefore it is horrible Idolatry for you to make the Image of a dead man and say it is the Image of Christ and so bewitch the minds of people with those false conceptions and imaginations woe be to them by whom these things are wrought and upheld for the Vengeance and Indignation of the Lord God is kindled against them for they are the unreasonable Task-Masters of Egypt who keep the Seed in bondage and slavery so that the people cannot come to the knowledge of the true God that him only they might serve honour and obey in all things who is the only King Judg and Lawgiver of his people who sheweth mercy unto all who come unto him in his Sons Name for there is no other Name given under Heaven for Salvation but his And all who are in the praying to Saints are in the wicked Idolatry and do forsake the Fountain of living mercy and have hewed to your selves Cisterns which will hold no Water For the true Voyce saith Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest And saith the Prophet All you which are a thirst come and you which have no money come buy and eat yea come buy Wine and Milk without money and without price Why do ye lay out your money for that which is not bread and your labour for that which satisfieth not Heare and eat that which is good and let your souls delight themselves in fatness Incline your ear and come unto me hear and your souls shall live And I will establish with you my everlasting Covenant even the sure mercies of David Behold I have given him for a Witnesse to the people This is all free even the free gift of God Who hath so loved the World that he hath given his only begotten Son into the World that all through him might believe for whosoever believes in him shall not abide in darkness but shall have the Light of life who is the Way the Truth and the Life who hath enlightned every one who cometh into the World with his true Light and they which turn to the Light wherewith Christ hath enlightned them they come to Christ who is the free Gift of God This likes not the Pope and his Ministers for they make the people pay tenths of all their increase besides Money for Beads Crosses and Crucifixes and Money for pardon for sins and for Masses to be said for them while they are alive and after they are dead and Money for Christening of Children as they call it and Money for Marrying and all that they doe which thing sheweth plainly that his Ministers are not like the Ministers of the Gospel for that was and is a free Ministry and the Ministers thereof ministreth forth freely as they have received and are moved of God freely thereunto So the Pope is not with Christ but against him in all his actions for Tithes were only due to Levi and that from his Brethren yet they were not Levi's but the Lords and was to be put into the store-houses for to relieve the widow the fatherless and the stranger but how the Pope and his Adherents doth this let the wise in heart judge who devour the Tenths and much more upon their lusts as the Nations may witness against them which plainly shews they are neither of the Tribe of Levi nor of the Flock of Christ And the Apostle who was a Minister of the Gospel speaking of Levi said That Priesthood being changed there is made of necessity a change of the Law for the Priesthood being changed it is evident that the Law is disanulled which took them so that this paying of Tithes is but a usurpation of those which crope in in this dark night of Apostacy which Christ foretold us of saying The Night would come wherein no man could work And Paul saw this coming in For I know this saith he that after my departure shall grievous Wolves enter in among you not sparing the Flock And such did come in who taught things they ought not for filthy lucres sake The Pope and his Adherents will plainly appear to be of that stock and spring from that cursed Root and Spirit as his and their fruits will plainly manifest for they who forsook the right way did run on in the way of Balaam for gifts and rewards but they have far exceeded all their Ancestors and will not be content with a gift and reward but rob and take by force where they cannot have it otherwise so far as their power reacheth And this running out of the way and commandement of God is the cause why they profit not the people at all though they creep into houses and lead silly
Father is in him for people read and consider as you prize the salvation of your precious souls For the soul that sinneth shall dye as saith the Prophet Likewise your Priests tell you you must honour and invoke the Saints that are dead and get pieces of their bones to carry about you such vanity as this do they feed you with for saith Christ The flesh profiteth nothing but the Spirit quickneth This he spake to them who were looking at his flesh outwardly but did you once come to the Spirit which only profiteth you would come to know the will of God fulfilled in you which is your sanctification and then you will be ashamed to make reliques of one anothers cloaths flesh or bones but will come to know the true Sanctification to be in and by the Word which is Christ for so Christ prayed Sanctifie them by thy word thy word is truth and they who come to know the truth come to know the word in them which sanctifies them through soul and body and this word David knew right well and the vertue thereof who said Thy word have I hid in my mouth that I might not sin against thee And if you once come to the knowledge and power of his word it will keep you also from sinning against God which is the true sanctified state and this is no new Doctrine for Moses the true Servant of the Lord preached the same to the children of Israel saying The word is nigh you even in your mouths and in your hearts Mark the word was nigh them even in them and this was the word of faith the Apostle Paul preached he that comes to the word of faith comes to that which purifies and makes clean and here the sanctification comes to be witnessed in the particular by which means the perfect unity comes to be known and enjoyed with the Saints with Christ in God so here will be no need to invoke one another but all will be asked in the name of Christ the power of God which power will infallibly be heard and answered of God For whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name it shall be given you saith Christ Jesus who is the true Teacher and Shepherd of the soul even of all that come unto him who will teach them how to pray and to whom even God the Judge of all And by this you may sufficiently prove your Pope and Priests Doctrine to be none of Christs but contrary to him which is Antichrist You are also forbidden by them meats and marriage which the Apostle said was a Doctrine of Devils speaking lyes in hypocrisie unto you having their Consciences seared with an hot Iron for they forbid you that which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth for every Creature of God is good if it be received with thanksgiving for it is sanctified by the Word of God and Prayer 1 Tim. 3.4 5. For unto the pure all things are pure For they that come to the purifying come to know all things pure unto them but to the impure nothing is pure their minds and consciences being defiled therefore men knowing this but who comes to the true hope which purifies even as Christ is pure which is a purifying throughout in soul and body in this life yea and gives Dominion over Sin Hell Death and the Devil and he that witnesseth this hope in him needs not a Purgatory to purge him after he is dead for he comes to be purified as Christ is pure as also saith the Scripture This is the true Christian hope whereby he comes to be-purified and made clean as also knowing that God hath created all things for them that fear him but to the impure as I have said nothing is pure unto them though they may lye and say they fast when they only forbear one sort of meat and eat another which will but adde to their condemnation and their Priests which doth teach them to lye will not be able to deliver them but the Teachers and the Teached shall perish together except they repent for the Lake is prepared for the lyar for is it not damnable lying and hypocrisie for men to say they fast when they only forbear one sort of meat and eat another Is not fish flesh Doth not the Apostle call it so And in this your pretended fast you drink Wine and feast your selves without fear whilest some have hardly bread to eat These things are an abomination unto the Lord God of Heaven and Earth for his wrath you shall surely feel for this hypocrisie except you repent though you say you hope to be saved that shall stand you in no stead in the dreadful day of vengeance which is very nigh you For the hypocrites hope shall perish as saith the Scripture and though some of you who are more zealously given than others may fast and hang down your heads like a Bulrush for a day Pharisee-like and give almes to be seen of men which is as though you offered up Swines blood or as the cutting off of a Dogs neck it being in that nature which crucifies the Just in your selves even that which would lead you out of observation of dayes and times up to God which was before time was and untill you come to take diligent heed to this just principle of God in your selves which condemns for all hypocrisie sin and deceit profess what you will it will stand you in no stead ye though you should give all your goods to the poor and your bodies to be burnt it will avail you nothing for it leads all who diligently follow it to do to all men as they would others should do unto them which is the true Christian life in which only all works are accepted with God for it is the fulfilling the Law and the Prophets for the Law was added because of transgression and untill there be a fulfilling of it in you ye are under the curse profess what you will Some may say this is an hard saying who can bear it Did not Christ Redeem us from under the curse of the Law and was not he made manifest for that end I answer to this end was the Son of God made manifest in the flesh to condemn sin in the flesh that the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us and all who come to know the teachings of God in the Spirit know him to fulfill the Law not to abolish or destroy it in as much as it is righteous and layeth hold on nothing but the transgressor to condemnation therefore saith Paul The Ministration of condemnation was glorious in its time and this all the Saints and holy men of God did witness Christ the righteousness of God manifest in them who did all their works in them and for them and by which all boasting was excluded because It is not of him that willeth nor him that runneth but in God that sheweth mercy
by which means they are not found worthy Therefore ye which are straglers come away even ye who are as much strangers as any fear not faint not ye shall have your penny as well as those who laboured in the heat of the day I say come away a feast of fat things is prepared for you even a goodly heritage which floweth with Milk and Honey there is large possessions therein my friends for you and if ye be willing and obedient ye shall eat of the good thereof yea In my Fathers house are many Mansions and if it were not so I should not say it but as my soul hath richly fed thereof so I would all should come away and partake with me of the same I am truly filled with love ever as a vessel which is filled with new Wine even to all the whole 〈◊〉 of God and would if it were possible perswade all the Sons of men to come away for the Bride hath made her self ready and the Marriage-Chamber is prepared And the voice of the Spirit saith come yea all that will come freely see therefore that you have your Lamps trimmed all to the Light that ye may not be of the number of the foolish Virgins and so miss your entrance into the Marriage-Chamber for though the door may be freely opened yet it will not be alwayes therefore Blessed are they who are found watching that when the cry of the Bridegroom cometh they may enter for they shall enjoy the joy of their Lord and there will be no more cause of weeping because the Bridegroom will be alwayes with them but they which are foolish shall be shut out among the Dogs and Sorcerers therefore be ye warned that ye may be partakers of peace rest and joy for evermore and think not any thing too dear to part from for the price of the Mark of the High Calling which is in Christ Jesus that is set before you for saith Christ Whosoever shall forsake father and mother wife or children house or land for my sake shall receive an hundred fold in this world and in the world to come life everlasting And truly friends I tell you by true experience that the sufferings of this world is not to be compared to the joy which is and shall be revealed in us and though many may speak evil of you and revile you because ye run not into the same excess of riot as before heed it not if you receive Christ ye shall have power to become the Sons of God which will be greater riches than ye can loose in this world being made witnesses of the birth which is not of man nor by man but of God I say this will bear you over all the reproaches of the wicked one and this state you will come to know by taking up the dayly Cross and following of Christ for he that will be his Disciple must so do in reallity and in truth which Cross is not a piece of Wood or Stone neither will you need any such thing to put you in mind of God or Christ but the Cross ye will witness to be the power of God unto salvation if you believe for Paul said God forbid that he should glory in any thing but the Cross of Christ whereby he was crucified unto the world and the world unto him so as you come to witnesse the true Cross and to bear it dayly you will come to witnesse the same thing without which all your profession will be vain so as you come to dwell abide and walk here you will come to know what the true Baptisme of Christ Jesus is which is the Fire and the Holy Ghost without which you cannot witnesse the body of sin put off and except you do witnesse this ye are far from Christs life which makes a true Christian for it is not only the washing away of the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good Conscience towards God And this is the onely Baptisme which must be witnessed by all before they come to a Christians life for the Apostle Paul said There was but one Baptisme which is the Baptisme of the Spirit for John said He was to decrease but Christ was to encrease for his Baptisme was but a figure of the true Baptisme for Christ came through all Figures having the Substance and the Life in himself so they who come to this only true Baptisme which is onely needful to salvation they come to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost for they who knew no other but Johns Baptisme they knew not whether there was a Holy Ghost or no therefore it is said concerning Apollo That he onely knew Johns Baptisme and that Priscilla and Aquilla ministred unto him and instructed him in the way of God more perfectly Therefore be ye instructed in this matter and be ye no longer deceived with a name and shadow but come to the substance that your souls may live for ever so will blessing and mercy follow you all your dayes and happy shall you be in the end thereof though men may persecute and revile you matter it not for so they did to Christ Jesus and the Holy Prophets before you and remember The Servant is not greater than his Lord And the Saints of old who wandred up and down cloathed with skins and wandred up and down in dens and holes of the earth of whom the world was not worthy I say all who desire eternal life take them for an example in sufferings and patience and your names will be written in the Book of Life with them even amongst those who are sanctified who loved not their lives unto the death by which means they came to be crowned with immortal Glory even to live and reign with the Lamb upon Mount Sion for ever which is not to be compared with all the treasures of Egypt the Gold of Ophir or Onix stones And it being so that nothing availeth any but a new creature What do you think will all your Crosses avail you with your Beads and Reliques of dead men and womens bones with your Processioning and counterfeit Fasts Pardons for sins from the Pope and the like stuffe as your vain repetition of other mens words in your prayers and giving your means to build great Monasteries for men to be kept up a fatting like so many Swine living idlely upon the Creation of God and likewise women who are as wanton as Beasts kept and fed there I say what will all these avail you and them but adde to your condemnation seeing the ground and root of the old man stands whole in you in which nature all your works is not accepted with God who is a Spirit and must be worshipped in Spirit and in Truth and such onely he seeketh to worship him So it is no more at Jerusalem or at this or that place or house where God is worshipped neither doth he dwell in Temples made with hands for he hath no need of these things nor
yet served with corrupt mens hands and for bearing witnesse unto this Steven was stoned whose name ye adore but he is a witnesse against you and your practices herein for whilest you are observing the things before named you are but in the nature which stoned him for witnessing the end of all outward Ceremonies even of those which were true Figures and Types of the Substance which was to come and if them things were witnessed against as being unprofitable the Substance being come which was Christ may not yours much more be witnessed against as being wholly unprofitable which never were commanded nor types of any thing but of the mistery of iniquity being things of your own inventing through which you are wholly lead from the knowledge of God being meer vanities and inventions of mens hands so as you sow to your selves vanity you will have nothing else to reap in the end for the true Christians came to witnesse their bodies to be the Temples of God through the Spirit which dwelt in them which was the new creature which onely availeth for saith God I will be in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my people This is Gods Covenant with his people which Covenant standeth onely with the New Creature And again saith he Vnto this man will I have regard unto him who is of an humble and a contrite spirit and trembleth at my word And untill you come to witnesse this state God Allmighty hath no regard as to accept any thing at your hands therefore prize the new-birth and seek vigilantly after it that ye might have acceptance with God and have an entrance into his holy Kingdome for no unclean thing can enter therein therefore there is a necessity of putting off the old man with his deeds that a new may be witnessed who after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse and where this comes to be witnessed the mind is renewed and all old things are passed away and all things become new which is the onely and alone blessed state and this onely availeth and standeth instead in the day of tryal when the hearts of all shall be made manifest and the secrets of all judged by Jesus Christ according to the everlasting Gospel of life truth and power for God hath verily appointed a day wherein he will surely judge the world though many say and think that he delayeth his coming not considering that his long-suffering and forbearance should lead them to repentance but of a truth he is not slack as some men count slackness concerning his coming though many say or think he delayeth but his day shall overtake them as a thief in the night even in a time when they look not for him Remember the old world they were eating and drinking marrying and giving in marriage but the just man preached repentance unto them untill the overflowing stroak of Gods wrath swept them away and also just Lot whose righteous soul was dayly grieved with the unrighteous conversation of the wicked Sodomites who would not be warned but when they were told of the evil which came upon them they slighted the message and sought evilly to entreat the Messengers therefore God made them examples for Generations to come yea even to this Generation whose measure of iniquity surpasseth theirs and do you think God will spare you any more than he did them nay he will not for God bore untill they had filled up the measure of their iniquity as he doth yours now whose measure aboundeth more than any that ever yet went before you in lust pride and envy deceitfulness idleness and fulness of bread which were the sins of Sodome which crucified the Just even as you do this day dayly and hourly for it is in spirituall Sodom and Egypt where the Lord of glory is crucified Let him that readeth understand you need not a Stock or a Stone to put you in mind or the Image of a dead man to put you in mind how the Just suffered sixteen hundred years agoe if ye rightly considered for it is your wicked conversation which crucifieth him amongst you so that ye are as truly guilty of his blood as the Jews were though you keep them in oppression And these my words ye shall eternally witness if ever you come to a true conversion and fear of God for such shall come to see him whom they have pierced and mourn over him as a man mourneth over his only begotten son as saith the Prophet Therefore I declare unto you all there is not a man but is or hath been guilty of the blood of the Son of God for he is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the World and The whole world lyeth in wickedness as also saith the Apostle and it is the wickedness which slayeth the Lamb as it is written The just suffereth by the unjust Therefore repent that ye may find mercy or else his blood will be too heavy for you to bear and it will not justifie you to call him Lord Lord while the Devil reigns as Lord in you neither to call God Father while your works testifie openly to your faces that you are of your father the Devil whose works ye do for if ye were the children of God ye would do the works of God which are all righteous holy and true but that birth ye never yet knew for they who are born of God sinneth not as saith the Scripture And your praying to Mary will not serve your turns for it is only those who do the will of the Father which are accepted of him for saith Christ Jesus He that doth the will of my Father the same is my Mother Sister and Brother Mark that and consider what your invoking the Saints with vain Repetitions will availe you but only adde to your condemnation for Christ saith for every idle word a man shall give an account at the day of Judgment for though ye could say in that dreadful day Lord we have prophesied in thy name and in thy name have we cast out Devils yet consider the answer Depart from me ye cursed workers of iniquity I know you not the Lake is prepared for all such therefore consider I was sick and ye visited me not naked and ye cloathed me not I was an hungry and ye gave me no bread and if the portion of such be so dreadfull what will yours be who have cast into prison even woe and vengeance for evermore Therefore beware what you do and consider the true Christians never imprisoned any which may be a warning and an example unto you to follow that you may no further become guilty of the blood of the innocent for God will assuredly try you with these things Therefore a warning from the God of love is this unto you which if ye reject dreadfull will be the end thereof therefore in time consider This word is often in my heart towards you that you may lay it to
heart and consider for it is because of sin the Land mourneth and because of sin wrath hath ever come upon the sons of men and think not that ye shall be exempted more then others seeing your abomination exceedeth all the forepast Generations for God spared the old inhabitants of the Land of Canaan no longer then till the measure of their iniquity was filled up And by it do you take warning and turn to the Lord by true repentance least the Angel of his wrath smite you which he is sending forth whose sword is already drawn to smite the inhabitants of the earth Therefore except ye turn to God speedily and bring forth fruits meet for repentance and amendment of life the Sword shall be sheathed in your bowels for God respecteth not the manner nor the person of any man nation or people but all in the particular shall receive according as they have done whether good or evil if they slight the day of their visitation which is freely tendered unto them which is Gods endless mercy and goodness after so long forbearance with them therefore beware least this love be turned to your condemnation by reason of the hardness of your hearts and there be no place found for repentance though with Esau you may seek it with tears for he had a birth-right but he sold it for a mess of pottage a thing of nought so before you is life and death set good and evil chuse you whether one or other I shall be clear of your blood if ye perish who have truly warned you as I was moved of the Lord even to you people of this nation of what sort or degree soever and ye shall one day remember though at present ye may slight it and count it as idle talk yet ye are warned in an acceptable time and in a day of salvation if so be ye accept it And also your observing of dayes and times will not excuse you as I have already said for the Apostle said he was afraid of those which were in those things least he had bestowed labour in vain upon them for his labour was to bring people out of the observation of dayes and times up to him who was before time was who is God over all blessed for evermore And they who are not come hither are in the beggerly Elements and Rudiments which fadeth away for saith Paul Let no man judg you in meats or drinks or new Moons or the Sabbath dayes which things are but shadows of good things to come mark how far the Pope and his Ministers are from this doctrine who commandeth dayes and times to be observed which are neither Types nor Shadows of things to come nor of any thing promised but are their own inventions so that ye are taught for doctrine the Commandments of men and for the peoples Fear towards God is taught the Traditions of men Therefore cease in time from them for wrath is kindled against them and their works who thus lead the people in gross ignorance even to have as many Advocates as there are dayes in the year And your dayes and times ye observe were never commanded of God nor his Servants yea the very day you call the Sabbath is not the day which was commanded the Jewes they being witnesses against you in that thing for it was the seaventh day that was commanded but it is the first day they put you upon to keep and instead of keeping it holy according to the Commandment it is commonly kept the prophanest of all the rest except your other dayes dedicated to dead men and women as the Heathen do to the Sun and Moon for in the ground there is no difference between you in this particular and your keeping these days as you pretend at best is in honour to such such Saints but ye are a shame to Saints and the very name of Christians is evill spoken of through such means for which cause the Lord will assuredly plead with you if ye repent not for the day which all Saints are in is perfect pure holy peace and rest of which the Land of Canaan was a true Type for saith the Apostle He that believeth is entered into rest and hath ceased from his own works as God did from his which Rest is Christ the Saviour of the soul and whosoever comes to enter in will witness my words and out of him there is nothing but grief and vexation of spirit for in me saith Christ ye shall have peace but in the World trouble Peace is the true Rest so where it reigneth in the heart the true rest and Sabbath is known and not until then can an holy day be witnessed Oh come all to the Light which reproveth for sin in the Conscience so will you come to Christ who is the only way and path of peace to all who believe but to the disobedient he is condemnation And this ye shall witness whether ye will hear or forbear for it is the word of the Lord God to you for if your hearts condemn you ye cannot have confidence towards God for God is greater but if your hearts be turned to the Light they come to be purified and then the peace of God which passeth all understanding will reign there so will you come to have confidence towards God as saith the Scripture for if the heart be smitten it is because of transgression and saith my God There is no peace to the wicked but woe and torment shall follow them for ever though they may seek to avoyd it through the cursed delusion of the blind Priests by giving them money for pardons when ye have committed murder or some wicked act and are judged in your selves for by the Light of Christ Jesus in your Consciences are you judged I say to think to get ease ye run to the covetous corrupt wicked men and confess to them giving them money for pardons for sins and money for saying of Masses and the like but know ye assuredly that the Lord God will not pardon you except ye come to confess and forsake your sins ye will never find mercy at the tribunal seat of the righteous Judg of Heaven and Earth neither you nor your Confessors therefore cease from them least you and them perish together which will assuredly come to passe if ye continue in your stubbornness and gainsaying Remember the dreadful end of Dathan Abiram and of Corah who perished in their gainsaying least you come to the same end which is unrecoverable for evermore Let the word ever sink down into your hearts so may you remember the endless time of torments which is prepared for the Devil and his Angels even the man of sin who was a Lyar from the beginning And do but try his Ministers by this and try if they preach not up sin as long as life lasteth and say that man cannot be free therefrom nor put off the body of sin while in this life by which means they strengthen
the hands of the wicked so that they cannot turn from their wickedness by preaching up their Masters Kingdome for term of life which thing accomplished the Devil knows he hath them sure enough because it was the sin unto death which the Apostle said should not be prayed for So people Consider the miserable captivity and bondage you are in spending all the dayes of your lives in being taught by these Deceivers and in the end you must die in your sins which is a deplorable state for the Wages of sin is death and as the Tree falls so it lyes saith the Scripture and every one shall receive according to the deeds done in the body for his servants ye are to whom ye obey whether of sin unto death or of righteousnesse unto eternall life So read and consider and be no longer deceived God will not be mocked Such as you sow such shall ye reap and money cannot buy you an immortal possession neither can corruption purchase incorruption as your wicked leaders make you in effect to believe Thus hath the mistery of Iniquity and the man of sin fully wrought and revealed who by all deceiveablenesse of unrighteousnesse deceived the Nations one after this manner and another after that manner but his subtile wiles hath wrought the deepest amongst men under the name of Christians that thereby he might the easier deceive the hearts of the simple who have any desire in them after the true and living God and for these his instruments in this work he hath imposed the most subtile and craftiest men in all generations since the power of his working thereby the more to amaze the people in saying are not these the learned men are not these the Orthodox men and if these do not know how should we know who are illiterate and unlearned every way and by this his deceiveable working hath he possessed the hearts of the people with a lye for the wisdome of the wise men of this world know not the things of God neither can the naturall man discern the things of the Spirit for they are spiritually discerned therefore saith the Apostle Ye see your Calling Brethren how that not many wise men after the flesh not many mighty not many noble are called for God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the mighty and base things of the world and things which are despised hath God chosen yea and things which are not to bring to nought things that are that no flesh might glory in his presence but of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God hath made him unto us wisdome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption that according as it is written he that glorieth let him glory in the Lord 1 Cor. 1. 26-31 yea and God taketh the wise in their own craft and turneth the wisdome of the wise backward because the foolishnesse of God is wiser then men and the wisdome of man is foolishnesse with God and Christ Jesus also saith I thank thee Father that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto babes and sucklings Mark God hath even revealed his secrets unto babes and sucklings in which God doth perfect his praises and this is marvelous in the eyes of many And also the Apostle James saith God hath chosen the poor of this world rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdome Friends this is far from the Romish Doctrine who exalt learning above the Spirit of God in whom is the candle of wisdome and in saying this I doe them no wrong for it appeareth evidently every way doe they not make use of a sort of men which they call Jesuits and Monks whom they esteeme the most to go to and fro abroad in the Nations and by their subtilty any way exalt their own horn through which means much blood hath been shed and grievous disorders amongst many hath been their fruits and effects will be witnesse enough for these things This is far from the example of Christ Jesus who made choyce of simple poor Fisher-men to send forth in his work even such who knew not the letter as saith the Scriptures and the wisdome of the Jews in those dayes had the simple hearted who believed in derision esteemed them accursed because they knew not the Law and asked if any of the Rulers did believe for ye may see preaching of Christ was esteemed a thing very much below them yet through the foolishness of this preaching as it was accounted of by the wisdome of man it pleased the Lord to save many for the Cross of Christ was preached which to the Jews was a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishnesse who sought after wisdome in those dayes but to every one that believed it was the power of God unto salvation as hath been said for he that will be truly wise unto salvation must truly become a fool as saith the Apostle that he may be made wise and saith Christ Except ye be converted and become as little children ye cannot enter into the Kingdome of God And this was witnessed by Paul who according to the learning and wisdome of this world surpassed many in his generation who was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel yet accounted it but dung and drosse that he might win Christ though according to the flesh he might glory above many Where is the wise where is the disputer hath not God appointed the the foolish things to confound them yea verily and shall for ever The little stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands which is spoken of in Daniel shall become a great mountain and cover the whole earth and blessed are they who shall fall upon it that they may be broken for if it fall upon them it will grind them to powder be they never so mighty or never so learned and never so prudent they shall never be able to stand before him Therefore all people submit and come under the banner of his love which is stretched forth over your heads for if you doe not you must come under his iron rod which will dash you to pieces for reign over all he must for ever and evermore though Gog and Magog set themselves in battel against him yea no weapon formed against him shall prosper for their great grength shall be turned into confusion for ever the Lord God of Heaven and Earth hath determined it whose will and purpose none shall be able to prevent though the Heathen may rage and the people imagine a vain thing yet all shall be in vain for God will set his Son upon his holy hill of Sion to reign over all for ever whose right alone it is and for his sake he will rebuke Kings Therefore blessed shall they be who resist not his glorious coming though Satan may have power a while to kill some of his followers and cast others into prison to
the end that the hearts of many be tryed and made manifest yet it shall be but for a season and the righteous their testimonies shall crown them for ever in the sight of all their enemies and this glorious work shall not be carried on by sword nor spear but by my Spirit saith the Lord that no flesh might glory in his presence even with the Sword of the Spirit that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lamb shall his enemies be overcome and put to flight and in his glorious power shall one chase a thousand and ten shall put Nations to flight a people hath the Lord already raised and sanctified for this work before whom the uncircumcised shall never be able to stand against them in battel the Lord hath made them his battle-Ax to cut up the root of corruption and destroy it for ever that the glorious plant of incorruption may take root and grow and spread over the whole earth for ever to the praise and glory of the Eternal God of all glory to whom all praise honour and glory belongeth from all things whether things above or in the earth beneath who will defend and make known his Tabernacle amongst the sons of men and his name shall be dreadful in the earth For he will establish Judges as at the first and Counsellors as at the beginning which shall not judge for rewards but in righteousnesse will they judge without respect of persons in the earth and untill this be accomplished there shall be no peace in the earth nor The will of God cannot be done in Earth as it is in Heaven though your Priests bid you say them words as Christ bid those who had forsaken all to follow him the which state ye never yet came to witnesse as you and your Priests fruits make manifest and bid you say that which they could never witnesse themselves which will be their great condemnation for none can call God Father but they who are born of him and such only forgives enemies as God forgives them and not in word onely but in deed and in truth and whoso saith Father forgive us as we forgive them which trespass against us are in a wofull condition being in the contrary nature biting and devouring one another the Priests suing the People and the People suing the Priests at Law and thus suing one another what forgiveness can you expect from God who desires this that ye may be forgiven as you forgive others the holy will of God is far from being done in you as it is in Heaven who are fighters one with another though ye call one another Christians and the like thus you ask a thing to your own confusion for ever Oh be ye awakened and consider these things and repent for of a truth just judgements will overtake you early unawares and all your talk of prayer will stand you in no stead though you may say them your selves or get others to say them for you as you are instructed in Rome as may be seen in a Book called Raris Sario or Lacorene daela madonae which is the common Book for the lay Peoples instructions in matter and manner of their Worship was there ever such abominable abomination as this that a man may have another to do or say his task of Prayer and it shall be all one as though he had done it himself doth not this make it plainly appear that they are Ministers of darknesse and know not the Spirit which maketh intercession for us and knoweth our wants Doth not the Apostle say He will pray with the Spirit and with Vnderstanding and again Pray alwaies and in every thing give thanks yea Pray alwayes without ceasing And you are ignorant of this pure spirit of prayer and supplication which is the promise of the Lord God unto his people insomuch that you must have a certain task of prayers and that they may be said by any other and as well accepted as though you had said them your selves and in truth it is so for neither of them both is accepted of God this is such gross darkness as might be felt and truly your task-masters are more wicked than ever any in Egypt were and are more unexcusable inasmuch as they professe and pretend to be Christians think you that God accepteth these your vain Repetitions and Oblations nay they are a stink unto him and an abomination unto him for ever for it is onely the sacrifices and prayers of a broken heart which God accepteth even they who have clean hands and pure hearts onely such he accepteth and such he will in no wise despise but taketh dayly care of them knowing their dayly wants and what they stand in need of before they ask and doth also answer their requests because the Spirit maketh intercession for them in and with sighs and groans that cannot be uttered The decree came forth at the beginning of Samuels supplications and was answered while he was yet speaking many at this day witnesse the same thing Glory be unto the Lord for ever who hath powred forth according to his promise the true spirit of grace and supplication upon many in and through which they are accepted of him in prayer but there are such the Apostle James speaks of which ask and receive not because they ask amisse even to spend it upon their lust and such is your prayers as plainly appeareth for ye have no answer from God for after ye have done all your task to the utmost which is laid upon you yet must have Indulgences from men and Pardons from men which if you had answer from God and forgiveness these things would appear unto you abominable and detestable for after all your Pardons you must give money to your Priest to be prayed for after you are dead which sheweth you have not yet received the remission of your sins in this life in and through Christ Jesus who saith Whatsoever ye ask in my name it shall be given whose Ministers preached remission of sins in this life through the man Christ Jesus and said His blood cleansed from all unrighteousnesse even theirs who did confesse their sins and forsake them And Peter saith Ye are not redeemed with corruptible things from your vain conversation as Gold or Silver but by the blood of the Lamb. Mark here the Saints did witnesse redemption from sin in this life for then was it that the Apostle did write unto them and such did not need a Purgatory to be purged in after they were dead neither did there need money to be given for them upon any such account to get them out quickly from thence as though prayers which are purchased by money could any way pacifie God or with-hold the just judgement of God which is due for sin Surely as saith the Prophet they that seek after lying vanities forsake their own mercies for it would have hardly entred into the heart of any man that such things should be believed for