he would be bound in two Hundred Pound Bond for this Man's appearance He said he would 7. Then speak one of the Aldermen of the Town If it shall please your Honour Mr. Fewterer is not Capable to be his Bail why said the Judge said he Because he is an Excommunicated Person said the Judge What was he Excommunicated for said he For not coming to Church Said the Judge How long hath he been Excommunicated He said but last Sunday Push said the Judge that Signifies nothing Except it was for the cause of Adultry set him down to be Bail 8. Then the Maior Recorder and Aldermen all of them were Ashamed and vexed they could do me no further Mischeif than Imprisonment 9. And when I was Bail'd out of Prison the Maior and Constable and the rest were afraid I would trouble them 10. The Maior for Committing me to Prison without any Accusers and denying to take Bail for me and for not binding some over for to Prosecute against me which things he did not but was in danger to pay Five Pound a Day for false Imprisonment 11. And the Constable was like to suffer for Apprehending me without a Warrant 12. I was Councelled to sue them at the Law and so I would if they had put in any Indictment against me but they were afraid And did nothing but let it fall 13. So I was quit only it put me to a great deal of Charge but seeing they put no Indictment against me I let it pass and fall 14. Dorothy Carter and Mr. Sudbury were great Friends in this business both in Purss and Person because I was taken at her House and she brought me from Darby Goal to her own House again on Horse back which is 16 long Miles 15. I had the Love of all the Prisoners on that side I was put and they said they thought themselves Blessed for mysake 16. For they were every one of them that were with me free'd without any punishment only the Fees of the Prison I was in Prison in Darby Goal but nine Days but this falling out so quickly after I was Married to my Wife Mary it was some greif to her but being delivered so quickly she was pacified the better 17. This was a Year of great Trouble to me both upon a Spiritual Account as afore Written and upon a Temporal which I shall not mention 18. This was in the 13th year of my Commission and in the 54 year of my Life and in the year of the Lord 1664. 19. After this I Wrote a Book containing 32 sheets of Paper Called the Interpritation of the whole Book of the Revelations of Saint John the bigest volum of all the Books that were written by us 20. Also I wrote a Letter after that to Thomas Taylor a Quaker Containing two sheets of Paper And in the year 1665 I got them both Printed they are yet to be seen by many The End of the Third Part. The Fourth Part. From the Year 1665 to the Year 1670. CHAP. I. The Prophets Travels into Kent Of Judge Twisden and of the Prophet's Letter to him Of the increase of Beleivers 1. AFTER this I travelled into Kent to see my Wife's Friends and there I had like to have been apprehended by the Judge of the Town his Name was Twisden But I having intilligence of his wicked Intent I escaped away out of his Coasts 2. And I wrote a Letter to him forbiding him for persecuting any Man for his Conscience For tho' he was made a Judge of the Law in temporal Matters yet he was not the Judge of Conscience nor of Spiritual Matters 3. Therefore I advised him to meddle with those Things he knows as the Laws of the Land and not with those Things that belongs to God as the Conscience doth 4. For God only is the Judge of spiritual Things and them whom he doth chuse least you bring your self under the Sentance of eternal Damnation This Letter is large but not in Print but is yet to be seen in Writing 5. He was netled in his Mind at it but knew not how to help himself so he brought the Letter in his Hand to my Wife's Mother's House and asked her if she thought he should be ever the worse if he did persecute me on purpose to insnare her because she did not go to Church and was under his Power for he was the cruelest Devil to all Prophessors of Religion that did not conform to Worship as he did that was in all that Country Also he would have had a Book of her that he might have done me the more Mischief but I charged her before to let him have none nor none in that Town should let him have one 6. Also I told him in the Letter that if he would send to me at London and send Money I would let him have half a Dozen of Books several but without Money he should have none for they cost a great deal of Monies Printing But he never sent for any but threatned my Mother that if ever I came there any more to deceave People as he called it that he would do great Matters to me So he went his way and never came there more as I hear'd of 7. Now by this time there was many Men and Women that did beleive in this Commission of the Spirit and the Doctrin of the true personal God was received by several Persons of Quality so that many were aded to the Faith Some I shall name 8. First One Mrs. Feild who lived in Wales she was counted a Lady in that Country and one Mrs. Sharte a Draper's Wife in Cannon-street This Sarah Sharte she sent for me several times to speak with her but the Messenger missed of me so oft that she thought herself forsaken of God that she could not speak with me 9. For she had kept her House several years of a Weakness she had in her Body so that she could not go forth nor come to me herself So she seeing none of them she sent could meet with me she grew out of patience and could not sleep 'till she had seen me 10. So she desired her Husband to go himself in the Morning betimes before I was gon out so he did and he ingaged me to come to his Wife about Two of the Clock in the Afternoon the same Day for she had a great Desire to speak with me 11. So at the time appointed I went and she was glad to see me who had desired it a long time And when she had seen me and had discoursed with me about spiritual and heavenly Things concerning God his Form and Nature The right Devil his Form and Nature The Person and Nature of Angels The Place and Nature of Hell The Place and Nature of Heaven The Rice of the Two Seeds and of the Fall of Adam 12. And how every Man came to have two Voices or Motions speaking in Man These were all heavenly Secrets and hiden from the World which
were opened to see it was Idolatry to worship as the Nation doth so that many of them refrained from it and they found much Peace in it but some could not refrain because of Persecution but those that did refrain had much Peace in themselves and were better beloved with me than the other which did go to Church So that they that did go to Worship they had Shame and Trouble and Doubting in themselves and I let them bear their own Sin and never reproved them for it 18. And because I did not advise nor command them to the contrary they were the more incouraged but had not that Peace in themselves as those had that did refrain not because of my Dislike but because of their own Peace of Conscience But having no Command from us to the contrary some few took leave that were in high Places which could no ways uphold their Honour and Livelyhood except they went somtimes to Church 19. Now those not being forbid by the Prophet they were not disobedient to the Prophet nor to God but to their own Souls they brought Guilt upon their Conscience and Fear upon their Mind yet by the Prophets winking at them as God did in the Days of old at there Ignorance and not accuseing them of Evil but continueing his Law in them the Prophet Remembring their former Faith and Love to John Reeve They are blameless as to the fear of Eternal Damnation and why because the Prophet did never forbid them nor never did Condemn them for any thing they had done in that Nature 20. And in this Sence they are blameless of the Prophet and blameless of God for a Prophets Power is unlimited as God's Power is None is to call a Prophet to an Account but God only for if the Prophet will Wink at the faileings of some upon consideration of the Snares great Men are in and of other good they do and the Prophet will not Wink at others that are not under such Snars of this World nor can do no Good to others of their own Faith who shall againsay it none but Rebels 21 They will undertake to be more Righteous then the Prophet they would make all the Lords People Holy if they where in the Prophets place by Reproving and Exhorting and Judging the People some for going to worship an Idol and others for defraud and deceit but if we were in his place we would give Righteous Judgment upon all according to demerit without respect of persons this is Corath Dathan and Abiram like the practies of Rebels 22. And in this Sence those that go to worship an Idol may be said to be blameless of the Prophet and no other ways CHAP. X. The Seventh Eighth and Ninth Assertions Answered 1. HOW should Men that do Evil after the Blessing is given be supported if the Prophet should not support him suppose some that are under the Blessing may borrow Mony of his Brethren of the same Faith and never pay them again others perhaps are passionate hasty natured which wounds their own Souls others may sometimes be drunk others of a hasty wrashful Nature as you are 2. Those things are all Evil the one as well as the other and perhaps some of this Faith to whom the Prophet hath given the blessing are guilty of those things now to whom shall they apply them selves too to be supported in the trouble of his Mind he hath borrowed Mony but cannot pay it again so his Credit is lost he can borrow no more there neither will he forgive him freely but looks upon him though he be of his own Faith but a paltry deceitful Man and will have no more Dealing with him This is Punishment enough where an honest Heart is 3. And where shall such a Man be supported but by the Prophet for his Brethren will not support him and the World Condemns him for a base Cheat and his own Conscience Condemns him and makes him ashamed and where shall he go he cannot go to God for Relief but to a Man like him self a Prophet 4. And to this Prophet he can appeal unto and be supported under his Blessing he once gave him for a Prophets Word is as the Word of God him self in case the Mans Faith be in it For who hath need of Support but such for legal Righteous Men need no Support neither of God nor of the Prophet for it hath a Blessing in it self in the very deed doing 5. Therefore it is said that Christ did Justify the Ungodly but not the legal Righteous Man but rather Condemn him as the Proud Pharise who bosted of his Righteousness and did thank God that he was not like the Publican who deceiv'd all Men he delt with 6. And in this Sence it may be said that the Prophet doth uphold a Man though his Life and Conversation be counted Wicked by Rebels yet his Faith being stedfast shall be upholden by the Prophet 7. As to the Eighth Assertion my Answer is suppose Christ when he was taken and carried before Pilate and when he was examined by him whether he was the Christ the King of the Jews if Christ for fear of Death should have denyed and said No I am not the Son of God c. If this should have been said by Christ then he would have prov'd a False Christ and his Faith a False Faith 8. And so those that Believed him their Faith would be False and vain and the assurance of Eternal Life in them would have perished for a False Christ will be Damn'd then all that Believe in that False Christ will be Damn'd also 9. For it is by Faith that Men are saved now if a Man's Faith be pitched upon the true Christ and hold out to the end he shall be saved because the Christ he Believed in shall be saved 10. But if a Man have Faith in the true Christ for a while and afterwards his Faith whither and grow coul'd and not hold out this Man may perish to Eternity yet the Christ saved 11. Furthermore if the Prophet now alive should disown the Commission of the Spirit that is if he should deny and disown that God spoke to John Reeve and that God did not Chuse us two Joyntly to be his Two last Prophets that God will ever send to the end of the World now if it where possible the Prophet should disown this but it is not possible which way then can those that have believed in us possibly be saved but must be Damn'd 12. For a False Prophet will be Damn'd And again if a true Faith Justify a Man being pitched upon a true Prophet then a False Faith pitched upon a False Prophet it whither 's and dies and Condemns the Heart of Man 13. If it should be objected that we believe John Reeve that God spake to him and we believe his Writings and that he Dyed in that Faith But if the Prophet now alive should disown John Reeve that God spake to him c.
yet we shall be sav'd by believing in John Reeve's Writings now he is Dead 14. This is just like the Faith of all the World that believeth the Prophets and Apostels that are Dead many hundred Years before they where Born but would not have believed them when they where alive No more then their Fathers did For it is the Nature of Reason to believe dead Prophets rather then living Prophets and it is the Nature of Faith to believe live Prophets rather then dead Prophets for a living Faith believeth a living Man but a dead Faith believeth a dead Man and thus the Seed of reason dealeth by me 15. But to this I say this Faith will not save you nor do you little good in the Day of Trouble why because God did not chuse John Reeve Singuler but God chose us two Joyntly so that there could be no seperation but by Death and seeing God hath Honoured me to be the longer Liver he hath given me a double Power as he did to the Prophet Elisha when Ely's Mantle fell upon him 16. So that God hath seated and established the Commission wholy upon me so that the Prophet now alive doth stand in God's place and doth Represent his Person to make Peace with Men neither can any Man have true Peace in his Soul but by casting himself by Faith wholy upon the Prophet that is now alive 17. Now if it where possible for this live Prophet to disown the Commission of the Spirit but it is not possible then should he be found a false Prophet and will be Damned then all that believes him will be Damned also this must be ventured by all Men and Women that are saved by Faith in a Commission 18. But as Christ spake many hard Words which made many forsake him So likewise the Prophet hath spoken many hard Words as those Assertions where by some that where his Disciples were offended at him and forsooke the Prophet and followed him no more this hath been the practice of some in all Commissions 19. But Woe will be to all that set the Hand of Faith to the Plow of Obedience to the Prophet and look back as Lots Wife did or draw back unto perdition whose Faith doth not hold out to the end that they might be said 20. And in this Sence if the Prophet should disown the Commission of the Spirit all those that believed him would be Damned 21. As to the Ninth Assertion in answer thereunto behold the Power of a Prophets blessing that though a Man walke contrary to the Commission his Faith is in Yet the Condemnation of his Conscience it shall not Reach unto Eternity but unto the Graves Mouth why because the Rememberance of the Prophets blessing is in him and doth uphold him else his Sin might make him despair of Eternal happiness and fear Eternal Torments 22. Also the Prophet cannot call back his blessing again though the Man doth walk contrary to the Commission whereby his own Conscience is Wounded and the Prophet Dishonoured Yet the Man keeping to the Prophets blessing not Rebeling against him the Prophets Faith and Love abideing in him will uphold him so that the fear of Eternal Death shall not surprise him 23 So that all his Condemnation he hath in his Conscience and disgrace he hath received in this World it shall end in Death and shall never be remembered in the Resurrection all his misdeeds shall be buried in the Grave and never rise again and that Faith he had in the Prophets blessing and the Prophets blessing shall be raised again to the Glorious Estate of Saints and Angels 24. And there shall be no Remembrance in the Resurrection of any Failings on this side of Death but the Faith he had in the Prophet's Blessing only shall uphold him and free him from eternal Torments and this is more than any legal righteous Man can attain unto though his Nature be ever so pure 25. So that a Prophet's Blessing is of no small weight nor of any small concernment but as the Blessing of Almighty God for whoever receiveth a Prophet that is true receiveth God and what is the Blessing of a Prophet but everlasting Life 26. And shall not this support and uphold a Man above all the Frailties of Nature 27. And in this Sence he that keeps the Prophet's Blessing tho he be subject to many Frailties of Nature which is contrary to the Commission yet his Condemnation of Concience shall extend no further than the Graves Mouth 28. Thus I have given Answer to all those Nine Assertions which VVilliam-Medgate hath drawn up as a Charge against me saying they are contrary to all Truth and against all Sober Reason The End of the Forth Part. The Fifth Part. CHAP. I. Of one Sr. John James's Opression of Widow Brunt and of her Death The Prophet left her Executor and how he would not sell his Birthright but Arrested Sr. John James's Tenants Of his great Troubles and Tryals 1. AFter this it came to pass that in the Year 1675 and 1676 that great Troubles did persue me both upon a Natural and a Spiritual Account through the Envy of wicked Men as will appear by what doth follow 2. There was a certain rich Man being covetous and cruel he was a Knight his Name was called Sr. John James he through his cruelty and covetousness did take away a matter of 30 Foot long and 4 Foot broad and a brick Wall that closed in this parcel of Ground and a Pump that stood in this Ground to considerable Vallue the Womans Name was Deborah Brunt and this he lett to another Tenant of his to make his Yarde wider 3. Also this Knight did lett another part of his Yarde to a Timber-Merchant and this Tenant of his did stop up the Light of the poor Widow's House with his Timber insomuch that it was a great Hindrance and Loss to the Widow in that no Tenant would live in it This rich Man did and she could no way deliver herself but her Right was clearly taken from her for ever for this rich Man had stated it upon his Two Tenants and they enjoyed it for a Season 4. It came to pass in a while after this Widow Brunt dyed and I was her Executor and I performed her Will in every particular according to the Laws of England and I knowing this rich Man had taken away these Things before mentioned from the poor Widow that was her Right which Widow I had been as a Father unto several Years before and did more for her than her Husband could do for her had he lived 5. So that I thought in myself I would not like prophain Esau to sell my Birthright for a Mess of Pottage but would gain that the poor Widow had lost wrongfully whereupon I did according to Law arest these two Tenants for Trespass and Damage 6. The Men I went to Law withal were Three one was Denis Swenye a notable wicked Devil the others were Charles
weighed it in my Mind and was loath to forsake it 16. Then I consider'd my Soul was of more value and what would it avail me to be rich in this World for a Moment and to loose my Soul for I was extreamly fearful of eternal Damnation thinking my Soul might go into Hell Fire without a Body as all People did at that time 17. And after much strugling in my Mind I came to this resolution in my self that rather then I would loose my Soul or be damned to Eternity I would loose the Maid And that way that would have made me Rich and that I would be zealous of the Law of God as afterwards I was 18. Here the two Seeds of Faith and Reason did work in me but I knew them not by Name nor Nature at that time nor many Years after 19. But as I did fear it came to pass for the Maids Mother seeing my Mind so changed and so zealous of the Laws of the Scriptures and that I would not keep that way as I thought to do before 20. She would not let her Daughter have me to her Husband so the Maid was perswaded by her Mother 21. And my Zeal to save my Soul perswaded my Mind to let her go so we parted 22. Thus I forsook the World and a Wife which I lov'd in the days of my ignorance for zeal to the Law of God which I thought to be Truth and the true way and so it was 23. But I did not know it till many years after but the Lord God of Truth had respect unto my Person and Zeal at that time and prevented me from falling into that Snare of being rich in this World CAP. V. The Prophet shews his Care his Fear and Zeal in the Law of God and of the working of his Thoughts and heighth of the Puritan Religion 1. SO after I had parted with the Maid and that way that did offend my Conscience I was resolved to live so upright to the Law of God and so just between Man and Man that I thought in time I might procure favour with God and to attain assurance of my Salvation 2. For I was fully possest that there was really Salvation to be attained unto by my Righteousness and that there was a real Damnation to all those that were unrighteous or did not demean themselves so strictly as I did 3. For I was exceeding fearful of Hell and eternal Damnation The very Thoughts of it made my Spirit many times fail within me 4. But by Prayer and my Righteous Practices I did many times recover some Hope and Peace again 5. All this while I did suppose my Soul might go into Hell without a Body and that Millions of Souls were in Hell-Fire without Bodies and that the Devil being a Bodily Spirit did torment those Souls that came there and that the Devil had liberty to come out of Hell to Tempt People here on Earth and go there again but no Soul that he had gotten there could come out of Hell more 6. These things wrought in my Mind exceeding great Fear and stir'd me up to a more exceeding Righteousness of Life thinking thereby that my Righteous Life would have cast out those tormenting Fears but it did not 7. Yet notwithstanding I did continue in my Zeal and was earnest in the Puritant Religion and Practice neither did I know how to find Rest any where else neither did I hear any Preach in those Days but the Puritan Ministers whose Hair was cut short 8. For if a Man with long Hair had gone into the Pulpit to preach I would have gone out of the Church again tho he might preach better than the other 9. But we Puritans being Pharisaically minded were zealous of outward Appearance and of outward Behaviour for we minded that more than their Doctrin 10. For we took it for granted that God was a Spirit without a Body and that Christ Jesus his Son had a Body in form like Man and that he did mediate to God his Father who was a Spirit without a Body and that for Christ's sake this Spirit without a Body did hear us and speak Peace unto us 11. Also I believed that the Devil was a Spirit without a Body and could assend out of Hell when God did give him leave and sugest evil Thoughts of Lust Theft Murther and Blasphemy against God not thinking that these Thoughts and Motions did arise out of Man's own Heart but from a Divel a Spirit without a Body without Man 12. Also I thought those Souls which God did Save were carried up to Heaven without Bodies and should be with God who was a Spirit without a Body and that we should see Christ Jesus in Heaven with his Body with our Spirits that were Saved without Bodies till the Resurrection and then Body and Soul should be United together again 13. Also we did believe that the wicked Spirits should be cast into Hell Fire without Bodies where the Devil and his Angels being Spirits without Bodies should Torment the Souls of the Wicked till the Day of Resurrection and then those Wicked Souls should be United to their Bodies again and be Tormented Body and Soul together with the Devil and his Angels who were Spirits without Bodies in Hell Fire for ever and ever 14. And we did believe that the Angels of God were Ministring Spirits without Bodies as God was a Spirit without a Body so were they and could minister Comforts unto Men without Bodies 15. And we did believe our own Souls to be Immortal and could not Die but did subsist the good Spirits with God in Heaven without Bodies and the wicked Souls did subsist in Hell without Bodies 16. These were some of the Fundamental Principles of Faith and Religion we Zealous Puritans did believe and practice and there is no better Faith in the World to this day in the generality of Professors of Religion 17. These Things was I very well versed in and I grew in great Experience and Knowledge in the Letter of the Scriptures and had a good Gift of Prayer and was very strong in Disputes because my Mind was extreamly perplexed with the fear of Hell notwithstanding my exact life to the Letter of the Law 18. But the fear of Hell wrought in me much Experience so that I did exceed several other Men in that Knowledge which was in those days and tho' I was judged a very godly knowing-Man and a happy Man by others yet I could not judge so of my self but the fear of Hell was oft rising up in me 19. For I never Conceited well of my own Knowledge but thought the Knowledge of other Men did far exceed me because they seemed to be better satisfied in their Minds than I was 20. Yet I thought in my self that in time by my Prayers and Righteousness and exact Walking and hearing of Preaching that I might heal that Wound in my Soul which was made and I knew not for what 21. For I
the Ale-house to drink and there followed of his Acquaintance a Neighbour of his a Gentleman as we call them His Name was Penson and he sat down in our Company 13. So Morgan began to tell me that he heard that John Reeve and your self do say That you have Power to Bless and Curse Men that do oppose you to eternity He desired me to tell him whether these things were true or no. 14. So I told him the Words that God spake to John Reeve three Mornings together as is set down in that Book aforesaid But when I repeated those Words I have put the two edged Sword of my Spirit into thy Mouth that whoever I pronounce blessed through thy Mouth is blessed to eternity and whoever I pronounce cursed through thy Mouth is cursed to eternity 15. Then did he begin to fear and said for God's sake Lodowick do not say so Upon that this mr Penson said it was Blasphemy and that it was the Devil that spok those Words 16. Whereupon I did pronounce this Penson cursed and damned both in Soul and Body from the Presence of God elect Men and Angels to eternity 17. Whereupon this Penson his Spirit was struck into his Body so that he could not speak for a Season 18. And the Woman of the House hearing me give this Sentence upon him and seeing him in that Condition she was troubled in her Spirit and grew sick and went up to Bed And an old Man her Father being there and seeing this he railed exceedingly at me and grinded his Teeth at me 19. So in a little Season after this Penson had recover'd himself again and said unto me Wilt thou say I am damn'd to eternity yea said I thou art Then he rose up and with both his Fists smote upon my Head and after I had receiv'd a few Blows my Friend Morgan stood between us and bare off the Blows 20. And said For God's sake Lodowick let us be gon else we shall be killed So he paid for the Drink and we departed out of the House and went to another a little distance off 21. And immediately after came in the Woman's Husband and finding her not well he asked what was the matter and they told him all that was don He asked where the Man was They answered They went down that way 22. So he found Morgan and I together The Man knowing him asked If he knew me Morgan answered He did know me and said He did not speak ever a Word to your Wife or to her Father but that which he spake it was to mr Penson which did abuse him and smote him on the Head with his Fists and your Father kicked at him with his Feet and he did nothing to them again 23. So the Man went away quiet and satisfied and comforted his Wife that the Man said nothing against her to be troubled 24. But it came to pass that this Penson was sick immediately after and in a Week or Ten Days after he dyed much troubled in his Mind and tormented 25. Insomuch that his Friends and Relations sought to apprehend me for a Witch he being a rich Man but they could not tell how to state the matter so they let it fall CHAP. V. Of one Jeremiah Maunte a great Friend to this Commission And of a damn'd Man and his Fury and how John Reeve intreated the People that he might ly down and expose himself to his Fury with the ephects of that Submission And of one James Barker his Hipocricy to get the Blessing of John Reeve and how he was cursed by Lodowick Mugleton with the Ephects of that Curse 1. ALSO thus it came to pass in the same year that one Jeremiah Maunt a young Gentleman hearing that God had spoke to John Reeve and that he had damn'd several of his Acquaintance he came to us to discourse about those things and when he had hear'd an Answer to all his Objections he submitted unto us and did belive the Voice that God spake to John Reeve that it was the Voice of God and that the Lord Jesus Christ was the true God 2. Also there was one Captain Clark of his Acquaintance that did truly beleive in this Commission of the Spirit 3. Also this Jeremiah Maunte was the greatest Friend to this Commission and shewed the greatest Love to it of any all the days of John Reeve's Life 4. But he and Captain Clark their Acquaintance many of them were of the Ranters People who were at that time very high in Imagination like Capernahum exalted in their Knowledge up to Heaven as they thought but this Commission of the Spirit brought them down to Hell in a short time 5. These Ranters were the most Company we had at that time and they to have discourse with us did use to club their Twelve Pence a piece every Week that they might have Discourse with us 6. And it came to pass that one of those Ranters kept a Victualing House and sold Drink in the Minories London And they would spend their Mony there 7. So John Reeve and myself came there to discourse with them but there came in many more than was apointed to discourse with us and many of them dispised our Declaration and the Voice of God to John Reeve calling it Blasphemy the Voice of the Devil and such like 8. So John Reeve gave Sentence of eternal Damnation upon many of them for this their Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost we being the Witnesses of the Holy Spirit that sent us 9. But one of them being more offended at his Damnation than all the rest he was moved with such Wrath and Fury that he would be revenged of John Reeve and would fall upon him to beat him so that five or six Men could hardly keep him off his Fury was so hot 10. Then John Reeve said unto the People standing by Friends said he I pray you stand still on both sides the Room and let there be a space in the middle 11. And I will lay down my Head upon the Ground and let this furious Man tread upon my Head and do what he will unto me 12. Our Friends and the rest were loath to venter lest this furious Man should tread upon his Head and spoil him But John Reeve intreated the People to let it be so 13. And the People were perswaded and did stand of a Row on both sides and a vacant Place in the middle 14. So John Reeve pulled off his Hat and laid his Face flat to the Ground and the People stood still and John Reeve said with his Face to the Ground Now let the Man do what he will unto me 15. So the Man came runing with great Fury and when he came near him lifting up his Foot to tread on his Neck the Man started back again and said No I scorne to tread upon a Man that lyeth down to me And the People all marvelled at this thing 16. After this it came to pass in the same
They made nothing of that 11. So the Time appointed came and there was prepared a good Dinner of Pork and the three came ready prepared to curse us and our God 12. So Proudlove and Remington went from us to those Men and Remington said unto them If you three will go up and curse them and their God you shall have a good Dinner of Porke 13. Then one the stoutest of the Three said unto him pray tell me what is their God that we must curse 14. Remington answered and said That the Lord Jesus Christ is their God and they own no other Father or God but he And now if you will go in they be there and curse them and the Lord Jesus Christ their God you shall have a good Dinner of Porke 15. When they heard this the most stoutest Man of them smote his Hand on his Breast and said If that be their God I will never do it if I might gain the whole World And said That he was sorry and troubled that he should conceive such a thing in his Heart So said the other Two We will do no such Wickedness So they departed without their Dinner of Porke 16. But he that repented himself could not be at quiet in his Mind until such time he had asked us Forgiveness 17. So we forgave him his Sin for that and he remained very kind to John Reeve all his days tho he did not beleive that we were the two last Prophets and Witnesses of the Spirit 18. Also this Remington was called to an account by John Reeve as one in this Plot and he told the truth how Proudlove laid the Plot and that he did but go with him being an old Acquaintance So we forgave Remington and gave Proudlove the Sentence of Condemnation to Eternity CHAP. VII Of the Dispute with Mr. Leader a New-England Merchant and of the Prophet's convincing him how that God had a Body and how God is worshiped in Spirit and Truth with Bodys and that there is no Spirit without a Body 1. AFTER this in the Year 1653 there came a certain Man a Merchant and a great Travellor into many parts of the World and he was a religious Man but had somwhat declined the outward Forms of Worship because he could find no Rest there 2. So he applied his Heart more to Philosophy and the knowledg of Nature more than Religion for he thought he had seen the utmost of Religion and that there was nothing in it 3. Indeed he was a great Philosopher and a very wise Man in the things of Nature His Name was Richard Leader 4. It came to pass when he came out of New-England being persecuted there because he could not submit to their forms of Worship and when he came into Old-England again he heard there were two Prophets now risen up who called themselves The two Witnesses c. 5. So he enquired where he might speak with these Prophets so he was brought unto us and he was very sober in his talk and he propounded his Questions with great Moderation 6. The first Question was concerning God Whether God that created all things could admit of being any Form of himself 7. We answered and said That God made Man in his own Image and Likeness And if Man have a Form then God must needs have a Form himself even in the form of Man else them Words of Moses are not true That God made Man in his own Image and breathed into him the Breath of Life and he became a living Soul 8. Mind the Form of Man was the Image and Likeness of God before God breathed into him the Breath of Life 9. Therefore God must needs be in the form of a Man from Eternity Therefore it was that God said Let us make Man after our own Image and Likeness This was the true Sense and Meaning of Moses and it is dangerous for any Man to deny it 10. Besides said we there is no Spirit can have any Being without a Body neither God Angels nor Man And further that God that is a Spirit without a Body is no God at all 11. For we that are men that have Bodies have power over all Spirits whatsoever that have no Bodies For it is the dark Imagination of Reason in man that hath created to it self Spirits without Bodies which is none of God's Creation 12. When he heard this he considered the things of Nature that no Spirit could have any being without its Body 13. Then he marvelled and said Where have we been all this while that took God for a Spirit without a Body Oh! how have we been in the dark 14. But said he doth not Christ say God is a Spirit and God will be worshiped in spirit and truth And Christ said His Words were Spirit and Life 15. We answered and said Can a Man worship God in Spirit and Trust without a Body He said No. Then said I neither can God accept of any Mans worship except he hath a Body of his own For God hath a Body of his own as Man hath a Body of his own only God's body is spiritual and heavenly clear as Christial brighter than the Sun swifter than Thought yet a body 16. But Man's body is earthly and made of the Earth in the image and likeness of God's own body only Man's body is of the Earth earthly and God's body is the Lord from Heaven heavenly Yet Man's body is the image of God as well as his Soul as Moses did truly mean as he spake 17. For this I say that if Man's Body and Soul had been spiritual in its Creation then when Man's Thoughts do assend up to Heaven his body would assend with it in the twinkling of an Eye 18. For the Thoughts of Man are swift and if his body which is earthly do but put on Immortality then his body would assend with his Thoughts up into the Aire and so to Heaven 19. These immortal bodies can do and at the last day these vile bodies of ours that doth truly beleive shall be made like unto his own glorious body 20. For now our bodies are natural bodies but when these natural bodies shall rise spiritual bodies then shall Immortality take place and these vile bodies of ours that are now mortal yet made in the image of God's own glorious body shall be spiritual and heavenly bodies even like unto his glorious body 21. And because God's body is spiritual and heavenly and cannot be seen by the natural sight of the Eye therefore it was that Christ said God is a Spirit and will be worshiped in spirit and truth 22. Observe For as a Man cannot worship in spirit and truth without a body neither is that any God at all that hath no body of its own neither is a Spirit without a body of its own any Object of Faith or Worship for a Spirit without a body hath no substance And as for those words of Christ being Spirit and Life consider they
were spoken from a body 23. For this I say no words whatsoever can be spoken of any Spirit that hath no body For those words God spoke to Moses and the Prophets they were from the body of God And those words Christ spoke that was spirit and life was from his body when on Earth And those words he spoke to Paul after he was assended up to Heaven it was from his own body 24. So that without Controversy no Spirit can speak at all or hath any being without a body And this is the very Cause that Men find so little Comfort in worshiping and beleiving in such a God that is a spirit without a body 25. Also we declared unto him the nature of God shewing that there can be no form without a nature for it is the nature that gives the form 26. Also we shewed unto him the Person and Nature of Angels and the Person and Nature of the right Divel and the rice of the two Seeds and the secret Misteries how God became Flesh and how the Divel became Flesh and many other things which satisfied his mind 27. So that he became a true Beleiver of this Commission of the Spirit and shewed Kindness unto John Reeve all the days of his Life likewise his Brother George Leader became a true beleiver 28. This Mr. Richard Leader grew very mighty in Wisdom and Knowledge both in natural and spiritual Wisdom so that every great Man of his Acquaintance did submit unto his Wisdom and lov'd him for his Knowledge so he continued in it all his Life but about a year or two after John Reeve dyed he dyed at Barbadoes CHAP. VIII Of one Mr. Cooper a great Disputant and how convinced And how a true Ministry is known from a false Of his Conversion And how he passed Sentance of Damnation upon Fifteen of his Companions And of his trouble for so doing without Commission And of a Minister's censoring him to be bewitched 1. AFTER this in the same year it came to pass that a certain man a Silk-Weaver his name was Cooper He being acquainted with one Mrs. White who was a beleiver of this Commission of the Spirit She lived in Duning hill-Ally near More-fields 2. This Man was very desirous that she would tell him how he might speak with these two Prophets for he had a great desire to see us and speak with us so she directed him where 3. So when the Man came and found us both together the Man desired to drink with us thinking in himself that he could talk and discourse better over a Cup of Drink than otherway because it was his Custom so to do 4. For he thought himself very strangly armed with Questions thinking it impossible for us to answer because he could finde none that ever he had talked withal Ministers nor other to do it 5. So we went with him to drink and he propounded his Questions concerning the true God and the right Devil and how the Devil came to be and how a Man may know the History of the Scripture to be true seeing they did contradict themselves in many places with several other things 6. Unto which we gave him a full Answer unto whatsoever he asked so that he could not make any Reply against anything we said 7. Also we showed him the power of the Commission of Moses and the power of the Commission of Christ and his Apostles and the power of our Commission in this Age. 8. And that every Commission had power to bless and curs Men to eternity and that he was no true Minister of Christ which had not power to bless and curs 9. For if a Man pretend to be a Minister of the Gospel and cannot say to him that beleiveth in him to be a true Minister and the Doctrine he preacheth to be true is bessed to eternity 10. And say to that Person as dispiseth and persecuteth the Person of this Minister and his Doctrine is cursed Soul and Body to eternity If he have not Power to do this he is no true Minister of Christ neither did Christ send him to preach unto the People 11. These things stuck upon the Mans Mind exceedingly and he was much affected in Love towards us and he was elevated in his Mind as if he would get up to Heaven immediately 12. And he thought himself so strong now that he could drive all People before him 13. So he departed from us elevated in his Mind He went among his own Company and those of his own Trade and he talked amongst them of things he had heard and that he had been with two Prophets 14. But his Company laughed him to scorn But he in his elevation and zeal to what he had heard gaâ—e Sentance of Damnation to eternity upon fifteen of his Companions 15. Some were angry at him and some laughed and scoffed at him and said he was bewitched 16. It came to pass that the next Day after he had given Sentance upon those fifteen Persons he fell sick yet he held to what he had said the Day before 17. So that his Wife and some of them he had damned said the Man was bewitched and would needs send for the Minister of the Parish to pray with him and give his Judgment whether he was bewitched or no. 18. But when the Minister came the Man would not let him pray for him 19. So the Minister gave his Judgment that the Man was absolutely bewitched But after three or four days the Man got up and was well again and told us what the Minister had said and confessed that he damned fifteen Men which was the cause of that Trouble in his Mind 20. Because he did it without a Commission not but that I do beleive they will be all damned as I said but my Trouble was for giving Sentance without a Commission 21. For at that time no Beleiver gave Sentance upon any Dispiser but us two only But in that he confessed his Fault he was forgiven by us CHAP. IX Of one Captain Stasy a friend to the two Witnesses and of their Dispute with a Minister proving that God was in the form of a Man And of the Minister's Blasphemy and John Reeve's passing the Sentance upon him and that he should never see any other God but that Sentance And how John Reeve was threaten'd with a Warrant from Cromwell or the Councel of State And how John replyed that if they dispised as the Priest had done that he would pronounce them damn'd 1. AFter this it came to pass in the year 1653. there was one Captain Stasy in the Parliament's Service that came to talk with us he was a wise and moderate Man able to hear and bear Words but did not beleive what we said 2. But he heard us gladly and liked many things which we spake insomuch that he invited us to Dinner at the Inn where he quartered 3. So we went there was of his Acquaintance a Minister as they are called a Cambridge
see that the Jews knew the Hebrew Language for the Jews said he called for Elias let him come and save him if he will have him 10. So that it is clear that Christ prayed in his Agony to his representitive Power in Elias 11. Then said the Recorder Mr. Reeve Mr. Reeve You have spoke enough let Aaron speak 12. Said John Reeve Scoff on Mr. Recorder 13. Truly Friend said the Recorder I do not scoff 14. Then said I I can say no more to that one Question than he hath said before but if you have anything else to aske I will answer you 15. But he asked never a Question more nor spake a word more because the Examination which they would not produce in the open Court had fully answered to all things they could object against us 16. But commanded us to withdraw and the Jury laid their Heads a little together and brought us in guilty of Blasphemy and execrable Opinions 17. So the Recorder gave Sentance upon us That we should be sent to Old Bridewell and be kept Prisoners there for six Months without Bail or maine Prise 18. So there we remained full six Months 19. And while we were Prisoners in Old Bridewell Jeremiah Mount got that Epistle to the Ministers printed which are yet to be seen and will be to the end of the World by some 20. After this while we were Prisoners there we wrote a Remonstrance of all the Transactions that had passed that was remarkable from the day of our Commission 1651. to this our time of being Committed Prisoners in Old Bridewell 21. And this Remonstrance was directed to General Cromwell and Jeremiah Mount got that printed at his own Charge also This Remonstrance is yet to be seen with some and will remain in the hands of some to the end of the World 22. This Jeremiah Mount was a great Friend to us in the time of our Imprisonment and so was John Brunte and his Wife and one Richard Russell There was very few Beleivers of us at that time this was in the year 1653. It was a year of great and many Troubles to us both but especially to me 23. And about the Month of April in the year 1654. after our seven Months Imprisonment we came forth of Prison 24. And after this John Reeve wrote Letters to several Men as to Esquire Penington William Sedgwick Minister and to the Earle of Pembrooke 25. And some of them sent Answers to him again but none of these Letters are in print 26. Also John wrote that Spiritual and heavenly Treatis Intituled Adivine Lookinglass And he got it printed in the Year 1656. Jeremiah Mount was at the greatest part of that Charge 27. But the Printer being knavish and covetous quite spoiled it in the Press he hudled it up so close together for want of more Paper that no body had any Delight to read it through so that it never yielded the Mony it cost printing CHAP. V. Of John Reeve's travelling to Maidstone in Kent where he met with Enemies and gave them the Sentance upon which they got a Warrant against him Of the Notice he had and departed Of his Treatis Called Joyful News from Heaven After the writing of which he died 1. AFTER this John Reeve went to Maidstone in Kent to see some Friends there 2. There was but Four Beleivers in that Country at that time 3. And he going to visit them having never been in that Country before after he had been three days there he met with Enemies enough 4. But they falling in Discourse with him they dispised his Doctrin and Commission so he gave Sentance of Damnation to eternity upon one or two of them 5. And they stur'd up others to persecute him so they got a Constable to apprehend him but having notice of it he departed out of those Coasts in hast and over heated his Blood with traveling to the Waterside which was Sixteen Miles And he went upon the Water at Gravesend at Night when he was all in a Sweat and cooled himself too soon 6. So he surfited his Blood and drove him into a Consumption which killed him He lived almost two Years afterwards but in a sick wasting Condition 7. That surfit he got then was absolutely the Cause of his Death else he might have lived many years longer 8. Yet notwithstanding his Sickness he wrote that excellent Piece a Book called Joyful News from Heaven or The Mortality of the Soul 9. This he did in the time of his Sickness and just as it was in the Press to be printed he saw the first Sheet printed but his Eyes were dim that he could not see the print not to read for he died in two days after 10. There was at that time three Sisters that were true Beleivers which he did oft resort unto The one was Mrs. Frances the eldest the second Mrs. Roberts the third Mrs. Boner 11. This Mrs. Frances closed up his Eyes for he said unto her Frances close up mine Eyes lest my Enemies say I died A staring Prophet 12. And she did so and he gave up the Ghost and said not one word more 13. And she took and cut one Look of his Hair to keep for a Memorial of one of the two last Prophets that God will ever send while this World endureth 14. He had a fine Head of Hair it was black waveing over his Shoulders 15. So he was buried in Bethlahem Church-Yard 16. He dyed about the latter end of July in the year 1658 in the seventh year of our Commission and in the Forty Ninth year of his Life 17. Thus I have given a true Account to be upon Record of some of the most remarkable Acts and Passages and Sufferings which we the Witnesses of the Spirit hath acted and suffered in this Seven Years of our Commission 18. Only for God's Cause in Obedience unto the Voice of God that spake to John Reeve the Third Forth and Fifth days of February in the year 1651. CHAP. VI. Of Laurance Claxton what Books he wrote of his exalted Pride The Beleivers complain of him The Prophet forbad him for writing any more How he humbled himself The Prophet forgave him And of his Death 1. AFTER John Reeve was dead there was one Laurance Claxton who had been a Preacher of the Ranters that came to beleive this Doctrin and Commission of the Spirit 2. And he owned it some little time before John Reeve dyed and afterwards he asked me to give him leave to write in the vindication and justification of this Commission of the Spirit 3. And I gave my Consent whereby several of his Acquaintance in Cambridge-shire were brought to the Faith of this Commission 4. The first Book he wrote the Title of it is Look about you for the Devil that you fear is in you It is in print at this Day 5. The second Book he wrote the Title is called The Quakers Downfall Which is in print at this Day 6. The third
and Spirit upon Earth 2. He answered and said No he could not but desired me to interprit it 3. Then said I the Interpretation is thus the Record of Water upon the Earth it was Moses and the Prophets under the Law 4. They worshiped God with divers Ceremonies of Tipes and Offerings of Bulls and Goates and sprinkled upon the Alter their Blood and upon the Flesh of the Leapers and other distempered Persons that were unclean and much Washings and Purifyings with clear Water was used under the Worship of the Law 5. Which was the Record of Moses and the Prophets it being set up by Moses and practised by the People of the Jews many Generations And this Record of Moses upon Earth is that Record of Water answering and bearing Testimony to that one God the Father and Creator of all things both in Heaven and Earth 6. This is the Interpretation of the Record of Water upon Earth and this agreeth with the Record of God the Father in Heaven 7. Now you must understand that the Record of Water upon Earth it was acted by Men as Moses and the Prophets and the high Priests in the time of the Law They all cryed with one accord This is Truth 8. The Interpretation of the Record of the Blood upon Earth it was Jesus Christ and his Apostles In that Christ came to fulfil the Law and he is said to be the end of the Law to every one that beleives and to lay down his Life for many 9. Now in laying down his Life is understood that he shed his own precious Blood Therefore it is said his Soul was heavy unto Death and he power'd out his Soul unto Death and except you eat my Flesh and drink my Blood you have no Life in you 10. That is no Man hath the Assurance of eternal Life abideing in him except he doth truly beleive that Flesh of Christ that was Crucified upon the Cross to be the Flesh of God 11. That is the Word became Flesh and dwelt amongst Men and that Blood of Christ that was power'd out unto Death to be the Blood of God Except this be beleived there can be no eternal Life abideing in Man 12. For this Blood of Christ doth purge the Conscience from dead Works to serve the living God So that Christ which is manifest in Flesh as the Scripture saith did pass through Blood 13. And his Apostles after he had given them a Commission as in the Second of the Acts they bare Testimony and Record on the Earth that Jesus was the Christ 14. And they did witness that he shed his Blood and was put to Death by the Jews and did rise again and assend up into Heaven in that same Body he suffered Death in 15. For which Record of theirs they were put to Death and their Blood was shed and so were many Beleivers in their Commission put to Death and passed through Blood for bearing Record to this Jesus which they had crusified to be the Son of God 16. And this Record on Earth was acted by Men who lost their Lives for their Record therefore it is called the Record of Blood upon Earth 17. Answerable to the Record in Heaven in that the Word became Flesh and Christ is that Word that bare Record in Heaven and became Flesh and shed his Blood And those that bare Record unto him their Blood was shed also 18. So that the Blood of Christ and the Blood of the Apostles and the Blood of Saints is that Record of Blood on Earth And this Record of Blood on Earth it was acted by Men by Christ his Apostles and Saints 19. This is the true Interpretation of the Second Record of Blood here upon Earth is it not said I. 20. They all rejoyced and said it was true so far and that they never hear'd the like 21. Now the Interpretation of the Third Record of the Spirit upon Earth You see said I that there is to be Three Records upon Earth as there is Three in Heaven Now you see there is but Two acted upon Earth as yet to wit Water and Blood 22. Now the Water Record was to witness to God the Father the Blood Record witnessed to Christ the Son and you see they were Men like your selves that did bear these Records on Earth of Water and Blood 23. Likewise you see that these Two Records on Earth they did witness to one God in Heaven Did they not said I. He answered and said They did Yet said I you see they differ one from the other in point of Worship notwithstanding they did agree to bear Record to one God in Heaven 24. Now said I as these Two Records of Water and Blood were acted upon Earth by Men so likewise must the Record of the Spirit upon Earth he acted by Men also 25. And not as People do vainly imagiin That the Two former Records were acted by Moses and the Prophets and the High Priests which were Men And the Record of the Blood was acted upon this Earth by Christ and his Apostles and Saints which were Men. 26. But you cannot conceive the Record of the Spirit upon Earth is to be acted by Men as the other Two were But you conceive that God doth act this Record upon Earth himself only by inspiring his Spirit into every Mans Heart secretly giving the Knowledge of himself 27. Two answered and said Indeed this was their Beleif 28. But said I the Record of the Spirit upon Earth must be acted by Men as the other Two were else them Words be not true That there is Three that bare Record on Earth 29. For if God which is in Heaven doth act the Record of the Spirit himself and Men acted the other Two then there is but Two Records on Earth and Four Records in Heaven 30. When they heard this they rejoyced and said to the Man that disputed with me Mr. Benet We think you have met with one that is two harde for you now CHAP. XII The Interpretation of the Third Record on Earth the Record of the Spirit and who it is acted by THEN said I The Record of the Spirit upon Earth must be acted by Men as the other Two were Now said I there must be Witnesses of the Spirit upon Earth as there was Witnesses of Water and Blood 2. And some Men must be the chief Teachers or Commissioners as he did Moses and the Prophets Christ and the Apostles these were chosen of God and happy was it for those that beleived them in their time 3. Now said I God chose John Reeve and myself by Voice of Words to the hearing of the Ear to be his Two last Prophets and Witnesses of the Spirit and he gave us Understanding of his Mind in the Scriptures above all the Men in the World at this Day 4. And this I know to be true and many that can witness the same I spake not this out of any Pride of Heart but out of perfect Knowledge for
true Knowledge is never proud 5. For I would make nothing of the greatest learned Man that is upon the Earth if he will dispute of the Scripture in the English Tongue And not persecute with a Sword of Steel to overthrow him by the Scriptures that there is but one true God in the person of a Man who made Man in his own Image and likeness as the Scriptures saith And not Three Persons and one God as all Profesers of Reason do own at this Day 6. Also we being the third Record of the Spirit upon Earth we use no outward visible Forms of Worship But do Worship God in Spirit and Truth as Christ said 7. So that every Record on Earth doth differ one from another in Point of Worship 8. For it is not proper for every Record to Act one and the same thing over and over again And as there is a difference in the Three Titles called Three Records in Heaven of Father Word and Spirit Now these are Three Distinct Titles yet but one God 9. So it is with the Three Records on Earth of Water Blood and Spirit These be Three distinct Records And Three distinct Persons the head of these Three distinct Records And there is Three distinct differances in there visible Worships yet they all Three agree in one 10. In witnessing to that one Jesus Christ to be the very true God and Saviour of all those that believe in that the Word was God And God was that Word And the Word became Flesh and Dwelt among Men He that is called the Alpha and Omega the First and the Last The Begining and the End He that was Dead and is Alive for Evermore 11. This one God doth all the Three Records agree to witnâ—ss unto this one God though differing all of them in their Several dispensations of outward Worship as aforeâ—aid 12. For every Record Acts his part upon this Earth suitable to the Three Titles in Heaven Moses and the Prophets their parts in the dispensation of Water as being under the Title of God the Father and Creatour of all things 13. Christ and the Apostles Acted their Commission of the Blood under the Title of a Redeemer by his own Blood And he was that Word made Flesh And Dwelt among Men. 14. And now we the Witnesses of the Spirit do Act a Spiritual Record on Earth which is to Worship God in Spirit and Truth Answerable to the Title of Spirit in Heaven 15. In Witnessing to that one Personal God though Three Titles of Father Word and Spirit yet but one Personal God 16. So that the Three Records on Earth do agree in one though they differ in their outward dispensations of worship as aforesaid so that we the Witnesses do Act our part on Earth under the Title of the Holy Spirit in Heaven therefore our Worship is Spiritual and Invisible in the Heart only 17. And now you see I have prov'd by Scripture that the Commission of the Spirit is now Extant upon the Earth and Acted by Men like yourselves even by John Reeve And myself and those that beleive our Doctrin 18. Said I do you beleive me now I have prov'd by Scripture that I am one of the Two last Prophets and Witnesses of the Spirit or last Record on Earth 19. He answered and said that he could not gain say any thing that I had spoken but did aprove of what I had said better than of any that ever he heard in his life but said he could not venture his Salvation upon my Words 20. Then said the Sheriffs Men and the Keeper of the Prison Now Mr. Benet you have met with your Match One that hath Answered you all things 21. Then said Mr. Benet suffer me to ask you one question more 22. What is that said I. 23. Why saith he I have been a long time of the Oppinion that the Soul of Man is mortal and doth dye But I cannot satisfie myself in it 24. I answered and said your Oppinion was true for the Soul of Man is Mortal and doth Dye For nothing doth Live but the Soul for it is the Soul that Eats and Drinks and Walks and Talkes And the Soul that Lives and Dyes For nothing can be said to Dye but Life for if the Body be Dead the Soul or Life is Dead also For the Body and Soul is all one being And if one be Alive both are Alive And if one be Dead both are Dead 25. For both Body and Soul came into the World together For the Soul is begotten by Generation as well as the Body so that they go both Body and Soul out of the World together For that Life that is begot by Procuration must Dye which all Souls are and not by Infusion from God but by that very Law that said Encrease and Multiply 26. Therefore the Soul or Life of Man and all things else that is begotten by Generation must Dye as well as their Bodies 27. When he heard this He was very much taken with my answer and seem'd very Respective to me and so did the Sheriffs Men they show'd themselves very Civil 28. This dispute was upon the Sunday before the Assizes For that began on the Monday following a matter of Four Hours in the Afternoon this dispute was CHAP. XIII The Prophets Argument And Examin'd by the Judge And he Required of the Judge to take Bail the Judge granted it The Maior Aldermen and Recorder that Committed him saw their Folly and Madness and were asham'd of themselves How the Prophet had the Love of all the Prisoners Of his Printing of the whole Book of the Revelation c. 1. AFTER this dispute aforesaid upon the Wednesday following being the last Day of the Assizes I was call'd before the Bar And when I came before the Bar. 2. The Judge asked me if I would be Try'd by this Note of Examination 3. I answered no and said I thought your Honour would have excepted of Bail for my appearance the next Assizes For Mrs. Carter had delivered the Judge a writing to that purpose of mine the Day before and the Judge his Name was Terral 4. The Judge answered and said that he would take Bail but had said to her he would see the Man So when I asked him at the Bar to take Bail the Judge said he would and asked me who they were 5. And I said one is Richard Sudbury He asked where he Liv'd I said at Notingham he asked what Trade I said an Iron-monger Then Richard Sudbury was call'd and the Judge asked him whether he would be bound for my Appearence the next Assizes He said he would then the Judge Commanded him to be set down for one 6. Then said the Judge There must be another then said I there is one Edward Fewterer where Liveth he said the Judge I said at Chesterfield what Trade said the Judge I said a Surgeion then the Judge Commanded Edward Fewterer to be called then the Judge asked him whither
I declared unto her so that she was very well satisfyed in her Mind and she desired that I would come often to her which I did always when she sent for me not else And she was a true Beleiver afterwards and lived in the full Assurance of her eternal Happiness after Death all the Days of her Life 13. And she had a Kinswoman a Virgin that waited upon her by reading of the Books her Aunt had of mine by stelth she became a true Beleiver her Name was Ann Loe and in process of time this Ann Loe married one William Hall a true Beleiver of this Commission of the Spirit 14. And she did grow in Wisdom and Knowledge in spiritual and heavenly Knowledge and Experience and strong in Faith more than her Aunt before her and she was a great preserver of me from the Hands of my Enemies when the King's Messengers sought after me as will more appear hereafter CHAP. II. Of one Captain Wildye an honourable Man And of one Mrs. Cowlye of her Faith and Obedience of her Husband and of her Son a University Scholar and of his Convinement by the Prophet both as to the Ministry Law and Phisick 1. ALSO there was one Captain Wildye he was one of the Masters of Trinity-House an honourable Place For that Trinity-House is a Court for the ordering of Shiping and Seamen This Captain Wildye became a very true Beleiver of this Commission of the Spirit and he shewed a great deal of Charity to several poor Beleivers of this Faith more than any perticular Person in his time 2. Also he was the occasion of bringing to this Faith one Ann Cowlye a Gentlewoman at Mile-End-Green She was carried through several Principles of Religion as Independant Quaker and Virgin-Life-People She was zealous in all things she clave unto being very desirous to be saved and afraid to be damn'd 3. She was in the Principle of a Virgin-Life and would not let her Husband know her in Twelve years before she saw me notwithstanding she had born several Children by this Man and had one Son and one Daughter living by him 4. But after she came to be acquainted with me I convinced her both by Scripture and Reason of the unlawfullness of a married Wife to live a Virgin-Life and that she could not possibly have Peace as to another Life in that Practice And I advised her to give herself up to her Husband else I could not give Judgment of Blessedness upon her to Eternity 5. She being troubled at this saying of mine was forced to yield to her Husband which thing she thought an Angel from Heaven could not have perswaded her to do 6. But the Words of a Prophet was of great Power whose Word she could not resit but obeyed his Voice and had Peace of Minde and the Blessing of eternal Life in her Self and she grew very zealous for the Commission of the Spirit and contended for the Faith very much and this thing wrought upon her by the Word of a Prophet 7. This caused her Husband to beleive also and he was a very Wife and Prudent Man of the Independant People who had been a Preacher among them he became a very knowing Man in the Faith also his Son and his Daughter became both true Beleivers of this Commission of the Spirit 8. His Son John Cowlye was well bread he was brought up at the University of Cambridge his Learning cost his Father many hundred Pounds and when he was to receave some Benefit or Livelyhood for the future for all the cost past the Benefice was to be ordain'd a Minister or a Doctor of Phisick or a Lawyer These Three be the most honourable Things in this World 9. But when he came to speak with me I convinced him of the Unlawfullness of all the Three for any Saint or Gods Elect to undertake that Practice 10. The Seed of the Serpent were the fitest Men to take them Practices upon them because all the Kingdoms of this World is given into the Hands of the Seed of the Serpent as the Devil said to Christ 11. And these Three sorts of Men are reputed by the Seed of the Serpent the most honourable Men of all and are reverenced and subjected unto both by Princes and common People yet the greatest Cheats that is in this World as will appear 12. First I shewed him how dangerous a thing it was to take upon him to be a Minister of Christ without a Commission from God it would be counted by him spiritual High Treason For Ministers are in more Danger of eternal Damnation than any other Men for going to Preach and are not sent of God 13. For when they shall say in the Conscience at that Day Lord we have preached in thy Name and prayed in thy Name and cast out Devils in thy Name 14. The Answer of God in the Conscience will say Depart from me you workers of Iniquity I know you not And why did not God know them because he did not send them So that preaching and praying as a Minister without a Commission from Christ is counted but a Work of Iniquity 15. And as for the Doctors of Phisick they are the greatest Cheats upon a natural Account that is in the World They cheat the People of their Money and of their Health for they are in the original but atheistical Witches and it would be good if there were never a Doctor of Phisick in the World People would live longer and live better in Health 16. For God never appointed any Doctor of Phisick but he appointed Nature to preserve Nature 17. But through the wicked intemperate Life of Man it hath brought a necessity of Doctors of Phisick 18. But those People that go to a Doctor of Phisick to get Health he goeth to a Witch to seek his Health even as a Man that is troubled in Mind seeketh unto a Witch that hath a Familier Spirit for satisfaction as did King Saul 19. But when the Conscience of the Doctor of Phisick shall be opened at the last Day he shall say Lord we did not think that there were any God at all but Nature only therefore our Minds fed upon Gold and Silver that groweth in the Earth that we might Cloath our selves in rich Apparel that might make us honourable among great Men of the Earth and reverenced by the Poor not thinking in the least that there was any better Heaven hereafter or any Punishment after Death for practiseing this Cheat that is Autherised by the Powers of the Nations 20. And tho' we have done a great deal of Hurt yet Lord we have done some good we have cast out many Devils in Drunkards and Whoremasters and Whores who by their Wickedness have procured that Pox which no righteous Man could cure we have made them leave off that Practice by our Medicines and Advice and from Drunkenness and have lived a sober Life afterwards and many divilish Diseases have we cast out by our Spirits of
of the Law their wonderful Acts are recorded in Scripture 12. Besides the Revelation they declared as from God which the Ages following did not see nor hear yet many did truly believe and doth truly belive and are by Faith satisfied as those that did both hear and see 13. So that the Scriptures Record is a Record of spiritual and heavenly Things and of some of those wonderful and powerful Acts of Moses and the Prophets and the righteous Fathers manifesting their great Faith in God and being in favour with God 14. Which I by Faith have found their Record true and so have many more of the seed of Faith found their Record and Revelations to be true CHAP. II. The Prophet makes a Rehearsal of the Acts of the Apostles in the new Testament and of the Lord Christ and how that they were writen for the Comfort of the Seed of Faith After which he enters upon the third Record and shows the cause of his writing some of the most principal Acts of the Witness of the Spirit under this third Record 1. ALSO we find written in the New Testament many wonderful Acts and Miracles acted by the Lord Christ and his Apostles as Matthew Mark Luke and John doth declare concerning Christ that if all the things Christ spake and Acts he did were written the World would not contain the Volume 2. That is the verge of a Man's understanding could not retain the particulars so as to tell it to his Friend the particulars would be so many 3. So likewise the Acts of the Apostles that Book hath little else in it but wonderful Acts wrought by the power of Faith in the Apostles 4. And these things were written for the seed of Faith that they might have Comfort in believing the Record that is given of the Apostles how God strengthned them in Faith and Power as by the power of Faith to work Miracles 5. Because they were chosen of God to bear Record on Earth to the Blood of the New Testament or New Covenant 6. Thus did the Apostles bear Record on Earth to the Blood as the Prophets did bear Record on Earth to the Water which signifies the Law of Moses and the Blood signifies the Gospel of Jesus Christ 7. The Scriptures are a Record that sheweth many wonderful Acts that Christ and his Appostles did when on Earth besides the heavenly Revelation 8. And it is very comfortable to the Seed of Faith true Belivers to read of the Acts of the Prophets and of the Apostles as it is of their Doctrin Revelation Prophesies Interpretations or Epistles 9. These Things I having experience of and seeing it hath been the Practice of some of the Prophets and Apostles to leave a Record behind them for after Ages to peruse of some of the most remarkable Acts done by them when they were upon Earth as a remarkable Remembrance to their Prophesies and Epistles 10. So likewise I being one of the two last Prophets and Witnesses of the Spirt being the Third and last Record from God on Earth 11. I thought it convenient and expedient to leave some Record on Earth behind me of some of the most remarkable Acts and Passages that hath been done and acted by us and to us the Witnesses of the Spirit since we were chosen of God in the Year 1651. 12. That I may leave it as a Legasy to the Seed of Faith after me who shall happen to Read and Believe those Writings of ours after I am gon 13. They may know by the Doctrin therein declared who and what we were and what God we believed in 14. Also I thought it necessary to write of those Acts my self rather then any other being acted in my sight and perfect knowledge as other Profits have done before me as Moses and others CHAP. III. Of the Birth Parentage and Trade of the two Witnesses and how the Profits Nature led them sorth to all Sobriety hateing Drunkeness and of their inclining to the Principles of those Call'd Puritans and of their being perswaded from judging Cases of Concience before they new the truth 1. BUT before I write of the Acts I shall give the Reader a little to understand what we were before God did chuse us two to be his two last Prophets and Witnesses of the Spirit 2. And of some Experince I had and Working within me before I was Chosen of God little expecting God would have chosen me for such a great Work 3. As for John Reeve he was born in Wiltshire his Father was Clerk to a Deputy of Ireland a Gentleman as we call them by his place but fell to decay 4. So he put John Reeve Apprentice here at London to a Taylor by Trade He was out of his Apprentiship before I came aquainted with him he was of an Honest Just Nature and Harmless 5. But a Man of no great Natural Witt or Wisdom no Subtilty or Pollicy was in him nor no great store of Religeon he had but what was Traditional only of an Innocent Life 6. I knew him many years before God spake to to him by Voice of Words to the hearing of the Ear three Mornings together as is declar'd in the Commission Book call'd a Trancesendant Spritual Treatise the first Book he writ 7. And I Lodwick Muggleton was born in Bishop gate-street near the Earl of Devonshire's House at the corner House call'd Walnut-Tree-Yard 8. My Fathers name was John Muggleton he was a Smith by Trade that is a Farrier or Horse-Doctor he was in great Respect with the Post-Master in King Jame's time he had three Children by my Mother two Sons and one Daughter I was the youngest and my Mother lov'd me 9. But after my Mother dy'd I being but young my Father took another Wife so I being young was Expos'd to live with Srangers in the Country at a distance from all my Kindred I was a Stranger to my Fathers House after my Mother was dead 10. But it came to pass when I was grown to 15 or 16 Years of age I was 〈◊〉 Apprentice to one John Quick a Taylor he made Livery Gowns and all sorts of Gowns for Men he made Gowns for several Aldermen and Livery Men of their Company in London 11. And he lived in this Walnut-Tree-Yard and knew my Father and Mother very well he was a quiet peaceable Man not crewel to Servants which liked me very well 12. For my Nature was always against Cruelty I could never indure it neither in my self nor in others living peaceably in my Apprentiship 13. I took my Trade well and pleased my Master better then any of his other Servants for they were bad Husbands and given to Drunkenness but my Nature was inclin'd to be sober hating Drunkenness and Lust in the time of my Youth 14. But when my time of Service was pretty far expired I grew to more understanding and hearing in those days a great talk amongst the vulger People and especially amongst Youth Boys and young Maids
soon speak evil of a true Prophet as a false Prophet 18. So his Prophets gave Sentence of Damnation upon many to my Knowledge for speaking evil of him they not knowing him whether he was true or false 19. And I saw afterwards that his Sentence was true upon them for they would have said as much to the true Christ as they did to him So I saw his Sentance was true and efectual upon those he condemned notwithstanding he himself was false 20. For this was observed that the Elect Seed would be preserved from speaking Evil of things they knew not That belongs only to the Seed of the Serpent to speak Evil of things he doth not know For who upon Earth did know at that time whether he was False or True I say none not one CHAP. IX Of the Prophets Application conserning these wonderful things and of his Qualification 1. NOW this John Robins's knowledge in the Scriptures was more at that time than any Man in the World 2. These things had I perfect Knowledge of yet was I quiet and still and heard what was said and done and spake against nothing that was said or done 3. But shewed Kindness and Mercy to all of them Marvelling in myself what the Ephect of these things would be 4. And one of his Prophets came to my House very oft and he told me all things that was done amongst them and he had a very high Language and very knowing in the Scriptures and spake as an Angel of God 5. And my natural Temper was always merciful to Strangers and this place of Scripture run much in my Mind Forget not to entertain Strangers for some in entertaining of Strangers have entertained Angels So I never let him go without Eating and Drinking 6. And if I had nothing in the House to Eat if I had but Eighteen Pence I would give him one Shilling of it and if I had but Twelve Pence I would give him Six Pence of it 7. This I did many times though I had need enough myself for I had Three Children to maintain at that time Two Daughters by my Wife Sarah and one Son by my Second Wife Mary then alive 8. All these things never moved me to rejoyce in any Hope of any Happiness or Deliverance to any better Condition then I was then in or to be in any worse Condition after Death then I was in at present 9. But I kept close to my Integrity of Heart That is I would do nothing that should condemn my Conscience but would do what I could to justify my Conscience 10. Tho I looked for no Reward hereafter yet I would do well that Sin might not ly at the Door of my Conscience 11. And these things working in my Mind kept me from actual Sin and from the Pollutions of the Flesh 12. Yet all this while was I as one without God in this World as to my knowledge of him I had none that was true 13. But the Lord God of Truth had Respect unto my Person and to the upriteness of my Heart but I knew it not all that time as will more plainly appear in the following Discourse CHAP. X. The Prophet here showes of a Melancholy that came upon him and afterwards of Two Motions arising in him and speak as Two living Voices 1. AFter this in the beginning of the Year 1651. and in the Year of my Life 41. and better 2. In the beginning of the year it came to pass upon a Day in the Month called April I being silent all alone my Children being all abroad there fell upon me a great Melancholy upon my Spirit and I knew not for what yet I was pressed exceedingly in my Heart with Fear 5. So I began to cast about in my Mind what I had done that I should thus fear So I called to mind all my former Righteousness and Zeal which I had left thinking in myself that might be the Cause of this Fear 4. Reasoning in myself whether I had best turn again to my former Practise of Religion or not 5. There did arise in me an Answer to that and said No For thou knowest when thou did'st worship in that Zeal thou had'st no Peace but was oft tormented with fear of Hell so to no purpose to turn or go back to Aegipt again 6. Then did two Motions arise in me and speak in me as two lively Voices as if two Spirits had been speaking in me one answering the other as if they were not my own Spirit 7. But I knew afterwards they were the two Seeds strove in me for mastery 8. So my old Fears of Hell rose in me as it did formerly when a Puritan 9. So I began to reason in myself what I should do to escape being damn'd to Eternity for I dreaded the Thoughts of Eternity for I did not so much mind to be saved as I did to escape being damn'd 10. For I thought if I could but ly still in the Earth for ever it would be as well with me as it would be if I were in eternal Happiness for I believed the Soul was mortal many years before which Belief yielded me much Peace of Mind And was in hope God would never raise me again 11. For I did not care whether I was Happy so I might not be Miserable I car'd not for Heaven so I might not go to Hell but I could not be sure I should go to Heaven nor certain I should escape Hell which was a great perplexity to my Mind not knowing which way to help myself out of Gods Hands 12. Now this place of Scripture of Paul in the Romans pressed hard upon me What if God willingly make thee a Vessel of Wrath fited for Destruction And that saying What art thou O Man that replyest against God 13. Shall the thing that is formed say unto him that formed it why hast thou made me thus And that saying Shall not the Potter have Power over the Clay of the same Lump to make one Vessel to Honour and another to Dishonour 14. These things pressed hard upon my Soul even to the wounding of it Then I replyed against this and said in my Heart That God did seem to be more cruel than Man for Man made Vessels of Honour and Dishonour of dead senceless Clay that is neither capable of Honour nor Dishonour nor capable of Pain nor of Misery nor of Joy or Happiness Oh! that I had been as the Clay I tread upon rather than a living Man 15. But God made Vessels of Wrath to bear eternal Torments of living sensible Creatures not giving any reason why but it was his prerogative Will so to do and who shall hinder him 16. The apprehension of this sunk deep into my Heart and brought forth deep Sighs and Groans 17. And it was answered me again saying that God hath a Prerogative Power above and over all Life because he gave Life to Man and all Creatures else And as a Man hath a prerogative Power
Reason the Raven which goeth out of the Ark the Body of Man and liveth upon the Mountains of earthly Things 24. Also the Dove that Noah sent forth of the Ark signified the Seed of Faith 25. And when Faith sends forth her motions out of the Ark her Body they are innocent as a Dove humble meek and low 26. And when she findeth the Flood and Waters of Trouble of Persecution upon the Face of the Earth the Dove entreth into her Ark her Body again and is quiet and still till the Waters of Trouble be abated 27. For the Dove cannot fly upon the top of the Mountains of earthly things as Reason the Raven can 28. The Seed of Faith the Dove can find no Rest there but when the Waters of Trouble are abated and the dry Land appeareth and the Olive Trees of Joy and Gladness are to be seen 29. Then the Dove the Seed of Faith can go out of its Body the Ark and fetch an Olive-Branch of Peace and Joy in its Mouth and return into its Body the Ark again and there remain until it is turned out of the Ark by Death CHAP. XV. Shewing how John Reeve's Revelation gave him Satisfaction and full Resolution to sit still and be quiet never medling about Religion more But contrary to the Resolutions of them both a little while after where made the greatest medlers of Religion of all the World 1. TO this purpose as aforesaid did John Reeve declare his first Revelation with a many more Expressions which he uttered at that time with great Joy of Heart he not thinking in the least nor I neither that it was a Preparation for God to chuse him nor me neither to be his two last Prophets and Witnesses of the Spirit 2. For said he unto me at that time Cousin Lodowick now I am satisfied in my Mind and know what Revelation is I am resolved now to medle no more with Religion nor go forth after any upon that account 3. But to get as good a Livelyhood as I can in this World and let God alone with what shall be hereafter 4. Now he had been with John Robins not many Weeks before he knew or had Revelation himself 5. For John Robins Knowledge and Language overpowerd John Reeve before he had this Revelation Therefore he said now he would not go forth after any upon that account no more 6. Thus when he thought to be most quiet and not to medle with any about Religion and so was I also then a little while after we were made the greatest Medlers in Religion of all Men in the World 7. Because our Faces were against all Mens Religion in the World what Sex or Opinion soever as will appear hereafter by our Writings and Speakings 8. John Reeve nor I little thought at that time that this Revelation we had given us did prepare us for a greater Work than for the Peace of our own Minds 9. But it prov'd that God prepared us for a Commission and that he did intend to chuse us two to be his last Prophets and Witnesses of the Spirit as will be seen as followeth 10. For after John Reeve had this first Revelation aforementioned it did continue and increase exceedingly that it grew very high in him for two Weeks together 11. And at the two Weeks end God speak unto him by Voice of Words to the hearing of the Ear three Mornings together as is more largely set down in his first Book he wrote Called A Trancendant Spiritual Treatis 12. Where the Words of God as he spoke to him are set down plainly as they were spoken to him the 3d. 4th and 5th Days of February 1651. and in the year of John Reeve's Life 42. and in the year of my Life 41. 13. Thus I have given the Reader a little hint whereby he may see the ground of things and the rise how these wonderful things came to pass 14. Also what we were at first and how we were acted out in the time of our Lives and of the Experience I had in the Days of my Ignorance and of my Dispute with God and my own Soul 15. And of that great Revelation I had before John Reeve had any and of the Ravelation John Reeve had before God spake to him in the year 1651. 16. And now in the Treatis following I shall only speak of some of the most remarkable Acts and Passages which hath been acted and dun by us since we received our Commission from God 17. That after Ages may see some of the Acts of the two Witnesses of the Spirit as well as their Writings and their Doctrin now in this last Age. As they have read of some of the wonderful Acts of Moses and the Prophets and the Acts of the Apostles So there will be some remarkable Acts of the Witnesses of the Spirit left upon Record Which is as followeth The End of the First Part. The Second Part. CHAP. I. Of the Commission given the Prophet Mugleton's Children blessed by the Prophet Reeve the great Wisdom given unto Sarah Mugleton 1. THE first Morning God spake to John Reeve he came to my House and said Cousin Lodowick God hath given thee unto me for ever And the Tears ran down both sides his Cheeks amain 2. So I asked him what was the matter for he looked like one that had been rissen out of the Grave he being a fresh couloured Man the day before And the Tears ran down his Cheeks apace 3. So he told me the same Words as is writen in his first Book and said unto me That God had given him a Commission and that he had given Lodowick Mugleton to be his Mouth And said at the same time was brought to his Mind that saying That Aaron was given to be Moses's Mouth 4. But said he what my Message is he could not tell But said he if God do not speak unto me the next Morning I will come no more at thee 5. Which I was in good Hopes he would not for I was willing to be quiet 6. Also he said at the same time Cousin Lodowick Thy Children are all blessed but especially thy Daughter Sarah she shall be the Teacher of all the Women in London 7. She heard him say these Words as she stood upon the Stairs for she was afraid of him that he would rather have condemned her because he never did love her so well as he did the youngest Daughter 8. But he spake not then for Affection but as the Revelation moved him 9. And she was the first Person he blessed to Eternity after God spake to him the first Morning 10. It was the more marvelous because it was never heard this many Ages that a poor Man should have that Power to Bless and Curs Men and Women to Eternity 11. And she believed him and did grow exceedingly in Experience and in Disputes with Religious People and they marvelled that one so young should have such Knowledg and Wisdom to answer
of them 21. Whereupon I pronounced him for his Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost and for Preaching without a Commission from God cursed and damn'd both in Soul and Body from the Presence of God elect Men and Angels to eternity 22. Upon this he and the rest of them said They would fetch a Warrant from General Cromwell the Counsel of State or from the Parliament to prosecute us 23. And I said That if General Cromwell the Counsel of State or the Parliament should dispise those things we have declared and sin against the Holy Ghost as these Men did That General Cromwell the Counsel of State and the Parliament would be all damn'd as you are This I did say 24. This was set down by the Clerke 25. Then said the Maior You are accused for denying the Three Persons in the Trinity You say there is but one Person Christ Jesus you deny the Father 26. No said John Reeve we owne the Trinity more than any Men both Father Son and Spirit are all but one Person and one God Christ Jesus as is declared in that Book in your Hand 27. Then the Maior said Here is several Notes from the godly Ministers which you have forbid to preach the Gospel upon pain of Damnation 28. Said John We do own these Notes sent unto them and if any of them Ministers we sent these Letters unto have preached publickly since the receipt of them they are damn'd to eternity because they preach and are not sent of God Neither do they know the true God nor can they preach the truth unto the People 29. These Words were set down by the Clerke 30. Then said the Lord Maior unto John Reeve What was it that God spake unto you 31. John related the Words God spake unto him three Mornings together the same Words that are written in that Book in your Hand CHAP. II. Shewing John Reeve's Answer to the Lord Maior's Questions and John Reeve's Question to the Maior what his God was with the Maior's Answer And John's Replycation to it Of the two Witnesses Commitment to Newgate 1. THE Lord Maior answered John Reeve and said He did beleive it was the Devil that spake to him 2. Then to this I answered and said Sir you have sin'd against the Holy Ghost and will be damn'd 3. The Maior clapt his Hand upon his Brest and said God forbid 4. Yea said I but you have then said John Reeve to the Maior Sir you say you do beleive it was the Devil that spake unto me I pray Sir tell me what your God is 5. The Lord Maior lift up himself and laid his Hand on his Brest Oh! saith he my God is an infininite incomprehensible Spirit 6. What said I without a Body or Person 7. Said the Maior God hath no Body or Person at all 8. Why said I hath God that made man in his own Image who hath a Body and Person and hath made all other Creatures with Persons and shall he that made them have no Body or Person of his own 9. Doth not the Scriptures say That Christ was the express Image and Brightness of his Father's Person and had not Christ a Body or Person in form like Man Sin excepted 10. The said the Maior unto me must I beleive you 11. Yea said I That you must or you will be damn'd 12. Then there was a Gentlewoman in the Court called out and said Mr. Reeve pray tell me what the Devil is 13. John answered with a loud Voice and said Thy own Soul is the Devil 14. Then one of the Officers said unto the Woman I think he hath met with you now 15. Then the Lord Maior asked the Accusers if they would be bound in 40 l. Band a piece to prosecute against these two Men they said They would so the Clark bound them to prosecute 16. Then the Lord Maior called for the Act of Parliament which was newly made against Blasphemy So the Maior read this Passage in it That if any man should say that he is God and that God is no where else shall be guilty of Blasphemy and shall suffer six months Imprisonment without Bail or mean prise 17. Then said I unto him Sir What have you to do with this Act you are a temporal Magistrate and ought to judg of temporal Things between man and man 18. And you are to do Justice between Man and Man in all moral and temporal Affairs which concerns you to be the Judge of and you will do well to keep there for you are not to Judge of Blasphemy against God nor those that made this act neither 19. Why said the Maior must I beleive you 20. Yea said I That you must else you will be damn'd 21. For God hath chosen us two to be the Judge of Blasphemy against God and hath given us power to pronounce Sentance of Damnation upon all those that do Blaspheme against that God which is a Person which you do deny 22. Why said he again must I beleive you 23. Yea said I else you will be damn'd 24. Many things more than what is here written was spoke at that time but these were of most concernment to take notise of 25. And when this Dispute and Examination was ended the Lord Maior asked if we would put in Bail and we said No. 26. So he gave order to his Clark to make our Mittimus and send us to Newgate and he went away out of the Court into another Chamber and the Clark carried the Mittimus into him to set his hand to it So that he came no more into the Court. 27. For John Reeve intended to give the Sentance of eternal Damnation upon him both Body and Soul in the open Court it being full of People 28. But he came no more out until we were led away by the Marshal and his Men to Newgate there to remain Prisoners till the nex Sessions 29. This Commitment was the fifteenth Day of September 1653. CHAP. III. Shewing how the Prisoners brought Irons Required Mony of the two Witnesses they having none took one of their Cloaks for a Pledg How long they were Prisoners The Bordes were their Bed And of the Wickedness of some of the Prisoners which had a Design to have hanged them and how Providence preserved them 1. NOW we being Prisoners in Newgate Goal I shall speak of some Passages that hapend there 2. As soon as ever the Keeper had put us in and shut the Gate upon us the Prisoners brought to each of us a pair of Irons to put on our Leggs except we would lay them down three Shillings and Six Pence a piece 3. Also they said they must have Mony for Garnish which did amount to five Shillings a piece in all 4. I said we have no Money about us but however if they pleas'd they might put the Irons upon our Legs and I held out my Leg for them to be put on I was very free to wear them for Truths Sake though it was a
thing unusual for it was the first time that ever I was in Prison before in all my Life 5. The Prisoners seeing us so willing they said they would trust us for Tenn Shillings upon this condition that we would give them one of our Cloaks for a Pledge we said do take which you will 6. So they looked on John Reeve's Cloak and said it was not worth Tenn Shillings Then they looked upon my Cloak and took it off my back and said This will do this is a good Cloak it is good fine Cloath said they We will keep this Cloak till you pay Tenn Shillings 7. And in Five Days after my Daughter Sarah brought Tenn Shillings and I gave it them and sent my Cloak home by my Daughter for I durst not keep it there for fear I should loose it though I had need enough of it for the Weather was cold at that time for it was the 15th of September 1653 we were commited and we were there Prisoners until the 17th of October 8. And the Bordes was our Bed we had no Sheets only a poor Flock-Bead upon the Ground and one thin Blancket at top and we paid seven Groats a Week for this Lodging and thought our selves very well used in a Prison which thing we was never acquainted with before 9. But we were more perplex'd with the Prisoners within than with the Imprisonment it self 10. For there were three Highway-Men and they were very malitious against us especially one of them that if I went to the Grate when any came to speak with us he would lay his Leg in the dark for me to stumble at and strike me in the Neck with his Fists thinking to throw me down 11. And if I were but walking in the Hall he would come and drive me out and strike at me and say You Rogue you damn'd Folks And so it was with the Boys that were Prisoners that when I went to the Grates to speak with any they would snatch off my Hat and paun it for half a Duzen of Drink So the Boys did 12. And I gave them Six-pence every time they did it to please them 13. So that other Prisoners said it was not fit I should be so abused and wished me to complain to the Keeper and he would punish them 14. No said I It is not for Prisoners to complain of prisoners 15. And when these three notable Thieves saw they could not provoke me no ways so much as to say why do you so 16. Then they thought upon another way and wrote a Letter to John Reeve with the Sentance of Damnation to us both thinking to have provoked John Reeve to have given Sentance of Damnation to Eternity upon them that they might have had wherewith to have done him a Mischiefe 17. But he gave them no Answer at all 18. When they saw this would not do they came into our Room where we lay with a Rope in their Hands to measure how high the beam was that they might hang John Reeve in the Room 19. And as it happened there was four condemn'd Men in Newgate at that time and these Men were our greatest Friends to protect us from the Violence of other Prisoners 20. And these two that lay in our Room they pulled out those Men by Head and Sholders that came to measure the beam Those condemned Men had great Respect for us because we gave them many times Victuals and Money 21. Also we gave seven Prisoners at one time twelve Pence a piece so that we found Favor in their Eyes for the Loves sake 22. There was one Prisoner that begged at the Grate and when he was drunk he would trouble John Reeve to bless him So one day when he was very drunk he broke into John Reeve and kneeled down upon his Knees before him and held his Hands together and said for Jesus Christ sake John Reeve bless me for I am a wicked Sinner 23. And John went from him and prayed him to be quiet but he was so much the more earnest for him to bless him 24. He was so troublesom to John Reeve that he could not tell how to be delivered from him 'till one of them that lay in our Room came and pulled him out by Head and Shoulders and turned him down Stairs 25. Those convicted and condemned Men were made under Keepers which did help the uper Keeper to shut up the Prisoners every Night These were the Preservers of us from the Violence of the Prisoners all the while we were in Newgate 26. And while we were in Newgate John Reeve wrote a Letter to the Lord Maior Alderman Fooke who commited us to Prison And one Jeremiah Mount a Friend to us got it Printed at his own Charge against the Day of Tryal 27. There was in it the Sentance of Damnation upon the Lord Maior and they were given to the Recorder Steele and several other Officers in the Court That Letter was Printed in the year 1653. and in the Third year of our Commission 28. There is many Beleivers of this Commission of the Spirit that hath them Letters in Print at this Day but none will part with them at any Rate not now CHAP. IV. Of the Two Witnesses being brought to their Tryal How John Reeve would not suffer the Maior a damn'd Man to speak How the Jury brought them in guilty and of the Recorder's Sentance upon them And of several other Transactions 1. AND when the day of Tryal came we were brought before the Court and the Accusers stood all Five before us but the Court asked the Accusars not one Question neither did the Accusars speak one Word before the Court. 2. But when the Lord Maior the chief Judge of that Court began to speak against us 3. John Reeve said with a loud Voice That he would not hear a damn'd Man speak neither will answer to anything But Mr. Recorder we will hear you 4. So the Lord Maior sat down and said never a word more 5. Then John Reeve called to the Recorder for our Examination before the Lord Maior for that will shew all things and that we will stand to 6. But there was no Examination could be produced by the Lord Maior notwithstanding John Reeve called for it three times but they gave no Answer at all therefore no need for the Witnesses to accuse us for the Examination answered to all that the Accusars could say against us 7. But the Court waved them and tryed us only by that book John Reeve first printed in which book Christ is proved to be the only God So they judged it Blasphemy to deny the Trinity of Persons 8. Therefore the Recorder asked John Reeve what Father it was that Christ prayed unto in his Agony 9. John Reeve answered and said It was to his representitive Power in Moses and Elias that he prayed unto as you may see said he when he said Ely Ely Lama sabatheny my God my God why hast thou forsaken me You may
I said whereupon I pronounced the Sentence of eternal damnation upon Four or Five Men there 17. And they being inraged at it they thought to prosecute us both and they went to the Maior and Aldermen of the Town to see what could be done unto us 18. And the Maior and Aldermen said they could not tell what to do in it seeing there was no Law against any Man for saying a Man is damn'd but if you bring them before the Maior and if they cannot give a good Account where there Habitation is they may be set in the Stocks for Vagabonds if they stay in the Town any more than so many days But we did not know this till afterwards 19. And while they were ploting this Mischief we not thinking of it Thomas Hudson was to go Fifty Miles further so Edward Fewterer and I took Horse and went a matter of Fifteen Miles on the Way with Mr. Hudson Upon this the Quakers reported that I fled away from Chesterfield to Bake-well for fear of a whiping when as we did not know there was any Mischief intended against us 20. Besides Edward Fewterer and I came back again to Chesterfield the same Night but none sought after me as I heard of and in two days afterwards I departed from Chesterfield to Notingham again And as I stay'd there Three days more there was a Conspiracy amongst those I had passed Sentance of Damnation upon how to apprehend me 22. For every place in the Country where I had any that beleived and that was a Friend to me there was a many Enemies that sought to do me harm only they had no Law on their side but I being of Mr. Sudbury's Acquaintance and at his House the Maior or Sheriffs would do nothing in it 23. And it came to pass afterwards that the Sheriff's Wife came to be a true Beleiver unto this day her Name is Mary Barker 24. So after Three days I departed for Notingham to London to my own House This was in the Year 1663. CHAP. VIII The Prophet travels into Cambridge shire and Kent And of his Marriage to his Third Wife and of his Second Jorney into Darby-shire and of his being brought before the Maior of Chesterfield Of his Examination by the Priest and of his Commitment 1. AFTER this I travelled into Cambridge-shire to see several Friends there and they were very joyful to see me at Cambridge and the Countries round about for there were a many of Beleivers in that Country 2. I stayed there but a matter of Three Weeks and then returned to London again And a little while after I travelled into Kent to visit some Friends 3. And there was one John Martine a Tanner at East-Malin in Kent which did truly beleive in this Commission of the Spirit and so did his Wife He had Two Sons and one Daughter his eldest Son Thomas did not beleive but his youngest Son John and his Daughter Mary were both true Beleivers and his Daughter Mary was very zealous and strong in the beleif of it 4. And it came to pass a while after this John Martin dyed and I going thither again afterwards I took his Daughter Mary to Wife with her Mothers Consent and I married her according to the Law of England as I did my other two Wives before 5. I had been a Widdower Sixteen years before I took this Maid to Wife she was Twenty Five years of Age when I married her and I was about Fifty Three years old when I took her to Wife She was of a good meek innocent and just Nature besides the strong Faith and Zeal she had in this Commission of the Spirit so that she was very sutable both iâ— spiritual and temporal Qualifications unto my Nature 6. After this it came to pass the same year that I was married great Troubles did befal me both upon a Spiritual and Temporal Account as may be understood in the following Relation 7. It came to pass that one Richard Hatter a true Beleiver had some Business at Law at the Assizes at Yorke He had a mind to go by Notingham and Chesterfield to see those Friends there and if I would go with him he would bear me Company so far 8. Now these Friends had greatly desired me to come down into the Country to see them so I was glad of his Company and we jornyed together but Mr. Hatter stay'd But one Night at Notingham and went his way and left me there at Mr. Sudbury's and I stayed there a few days And in that time there came several Quakers Beamonites and Indipendants religious Men and Women to discourse and dispute with me 9. But several of them dispised and blasphemed against what I said whereby I gave Sentance of eternal Damnation in that they had sinn'd against the Holy Ghost a Sin which God will not forgive Which made them very angry and spread it abroad the Country where ever I was known And after a few days I went form Notingham to Chesterfield 10. And in the middle of the way there is a Market Town called Mansfield and there I used to bait my Horse and myself and that Town is full of Quakers and when I did Inn there the Quakers and others they would press into the Room where I was to see me and talk with me And they being an obstinate and stiffnecked People against a personal God many of them came under the Sentence of Damnation at Mansfield and they had reported it at Chesterfield before I could come there 11. And when I came to Dorothy Carter's House after I had been two or three days there came several Persons to speak with me in that Town being a Market Town and they were wicked Dispisers of a personal God 12. And several of them were damn'd at Mansfield and Chesterfield and about twelve But these at Chesterfield were most of them Independants and they consulted with the Priest of the Parish with the Maior and Aldermen of the Town to persecute me and the Quakers were glad the Independant People did so 13. So the Priest being a more subtil Serpent than all the Beasts of the Feild he consulted the Maior and Aldermen to send a Constable for me before them and he would examin me and see what Words he could get out of me to have Matter to accuse me of For said he we can do nothing to him for saying a Man is damn'd 14. So the Constable was commanded to fetch me before the Maior and he came where I was and said I must go before the Maior 15. I asked him if he had any Warrant for me he said No then I said I will not go Said he I can command Aide then he commanded the Man of the House where my Horse was at grass but the Man was loth to do it but he commanded him in the Kings Name to aide him 16. So the Man took hold of one Arm and the Constable by the other and led me to the Hall where the
high Priest sat for he was one of the Commissioners of the Ecclesiastical Court with the Maior and Aldermen of the Town and the Town Clarke and all the Officers of the Town were gathered together against me 17. My Examination before them was as follows the Priest's Name was John Gupe the Maiors Name John Allwood the Recorders Name was Needham and the Constables Name was Slater and the Aldermen one was Clarke and another his Name was Pinder the rest I did not know their Names 18. The first thing the Priest asked was what I came into that Country for 19. I said I came to visit some Friends at Notingham and Chesterfield and that I was sent for He asked me where I lived I said at London and what Trade I was of I said a Tailor by Trade and that I lived in Trinity Lane and had fined for most Offices in the Parish were I lived 20. Then he waved that because he thought I was no Housekeeper but a Lodger that hath no certain abiding place but as a Vagabond that goeth to and fro and hath abideing every where So when he saw he could do nothing here then he asked me whether I did beleive the Three Persons in the Trinity Father Son and Holy Ghost 21. I answered No I did beleive there was three Names or Titles of Father Son and Holy Ghost but one Person the Lord Jesus Christ 22. He rejoyced at this before the Maior and said this was enough and caused the Recorder to set it down the same words 23. Then he asked me if I was one of the Two Witnesses spoken of in the 11th of the Revelations 24. I answered and said I was one of those Two Witnesses of the Spirit spoken of in the 11th of the Revelations then he commanded the Recorder to set these words down 25. Again he asked me if I had power to damn and to save 26. I answered and said I had power to give Sentance of Damnation upon those that dispised my Doctrin that I declare and to pronounce the Sentance of Salvation upon those that truly beleive it 27. And that you may know that I have Power I do pronounce you Cursed and Damn'd both Soul and Body from the presence of God elect Men and Angels to eternity 28. Then was the Priest struck dumb for a season and when he had recovered himself to his Sences again he said to the Recorder set that down but did not mention a word that the Priest was damn'd 29. Then said the Maior Mr. Mugleton we do not beleive you we do beleive the Apostles 30. I answered and said That will do you but little good now 31. Those words the Recorder was commanded to set down 32. There were many more Words and Circumstances in the Examination but these were the main things they made a Charge against me CHAP. IX Shewing that the Prophet proved before the Priest Maior and Aldermen that Christ was the only God The Priest made no Replycation against it but fauning upon him with fine Words to insnare him against the Government The Prophet's Wisdom discover'd it Of his Commitment 1. BUT this I observed that after I had given the Sentance of Damnation upon the Priest he was very meek and moderate and asked me Questions in the Scriptures concerning Christ being the only God 2. And I opened unto him the First of John In the begining was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God and the Word became Flesh and dwelt amongst us 3. Now said I was not Christ the Word become Flesh and that Word that became Flesh was God And did any other God dwell among Men but Christ 4. And is it not said in Scripture That in him all the fulness of the Godhead dwelt bodily Not a part or a piece of the Godhead but all the fulness dwelt bodily in him 5. Again doth not the Scripture say Great is the Mistery of Godliness God manifest in the Flesh justified in the Spirit seen of Angels beleived on in the World received up into Glory 6. Now was not this Christ manifest in the Flesh Was not he preached unto the Gentles and beleived on in the World And was not he received up into Glory So that Christ must needs be God become Flesh and God manifest in Flesh 7. Also was not this Jesus Christ that Alpha and Omega the First and the Last the Begining and the End he that was Dead and is Alive for ever more 8. Here you see the Alpha and Omega was dead And was not the Alpha and Omega God And you see by the Scripture that the Alpha and Omega was dead And was there any Alpha and Omega that dyed but Jesus Christ And was there any Alpha and Omega that quickened out of Death to Life again but Christ Therefore he is said to be a quickening Spirit 9. Therefore it must needs be that Christ is God become Flesh and manifest in Flesh and he it was that dwelt among Men and he was in the Person of a Man in all things like unto Man Sin excepted 10. So that God is but one Person in Form like a Man and not Three Persons as Men do vainly imagine 11. But when he heard these sayings of mine he replyed nothing against it but seemed to faun upon me and speak softly unto me tempting me And asked me secretly what I thought of this present Power that he might have had some what to accuse me of that the Law would have taken hold of 12. But I answered him and said That I never was concerned with no temporal Powers neither did I meddle with them at all 13. So when the Priest saw he could get nothing out of me concerning the Goverment of the Nation then he applied to the things before mentioned 14. And he caused the Recorder to read over the Examination before the Maior the things were but few 15. First denying the Three Persons in the Trinity Secondly That I said I was one of those two Witnesses spoken of in the 11th of the Revelations 16. Thirdly That I said I had power to damn and save And Fourthly that I said their beleiving the Scriptures would do them little good now 17. Those were the chief things I was charged with Then the Priest asked me if I would be Prisoner that Night at the Constables House at my own charge or at the Town charge 18. If I had said at the Town charge then I must have lain in the Cage all Night but I answered and said At my own Charge 19. But I said to the Maior Do you not take Bail in these cases The Maior said Yes But the Priest before the Maior had perfectly spoken said if you can put in Bail that are not excommunicated Persons 20. Then Dorothy Carter my Friend being a Widdow would have been Bail with one of her Sons and she pressed at the Door to come in but the Priest thrust her out and said She was an excommunicated
Person neither should the Maior accept of her 21. And I had never a Friend more in that Town but one Edward Fewterer but he was not in the way at that present so could not procure Bail 22. But was committed into the Constables Hands that Night and as soon as ever I was committed Prisoner into his Hands to be sent to Darby Goale the next Morning being Sixteen long Miles from Chesterfield 23. Then the Baylies of the Town seezed upon my Horse for the Lord of the Mannor and sent me to the Goal upon their own Horse 24. But I was more troubled for the Horse than for myself because my Friend John Brante at London was ingaged for the Horse else pay four Pounds 25. But my Friend Dorothy Carter she went to the Earle of Newcastle he being Lord of the Mannor and she told him what these Baylies had done 26. So the Earle sent for them and was angry with them and did reprove them and said Will you take away a Man's Horse before he be Convicted and Condemn'd I charge you said he that the Horse be put to Grass and that no Saddle be put upon his Back and let the Owner pay for his Meat if he be quit or otherwise 27. So it was done according to his Command CHAP. X. The Priest gave that Character of the Prophet of a wise and sober Man The Prophet gave the like Character on Pendor Of a Dispute between the Prophet and two of the Officers of the Town and the Keeper of the Person and the Sheriff's Men. The Prophet proves Three Records on Earth to answer the Three Records in Heaven All this in the Goal 1. NOW I shall speak of somthing of my Imprisonment in Darby Goal which is as follows 2. For all the Priest's Malice towards me yet he could say to the Aldermen when I was gone That this Man was the soberest wisest Man of a Phanatick that ever he talked with for he thought I had been like the Quakers 3. This did one of the Aldermen tell me for he was as Nicodemas his Name was Pendor he came to me by Night for he had a great desire to talk with me alone so that Night I was in the Constables House he had his desired Oppertunity 4. And when I was Prisoner in Darby Goal there came the Sheriff's Men and Two of the Officers of the Town and the Keeper of the Prison to talk with me 5. The Officers of the Town came to me thinking themselves wise and knowing enough in the Scriptures especially one of them for to talke or dispute with me 6. But the Sheriff's Men came on purpose to insnare me if they could so one of them the most surly angriest Man of them asked me saying Have you taken the Oath of Allegance and Supremacy 7. I answered and said That Prophets do not use to swear Did you ever read in Scripture that Kings have been subject to Prophets Words and those Kings were happy that were obedient to the voice of Prophets 8. Why said he are you a Prophet 9. Yea said I that I am a Prophet 10. Then said he do you go to Church to hear our Ministers At that time there was a Law to persecute Men that did not come to Church which caused him to ask that Question 11. I answered him and said That it is not the practice of Prophets to go to Church to learn of your Ministers the Ministers ought to hear Prophets and learn of them 12. For Prophets were always above Bishops and Ministers 13. When he heard me answer him so confidently and with Authority as from Heaven he said no more 14. And when the Officers of that Town heard me answer him so positive they were the more afraid to enter into a Dispute with me 15. Yet one of them being more Atheistical being of the Saduce Spirit upon whose Wisdom and Knowledge they all depended upon he was a moderate Man and asked his Questiens moderately as you shall hear 16. Saith he Mr Mugleton you say thers is Three Commissions or Records to be acted upon this Earth and you say your Commission is the Commission of the Spirit and the last Now saith he if you could prove this by Scripture I should be satisfied 17. I answered and said unto him will you beleive me if I do prove it by Scripture here before these People 18. Then said he truly I think I shall beleive you if you prove it by Scripture 19. Then the Keeper and all the Men were silent and speak not a word none but he and I. 20. Then said I you shall not be troubled with any more Scriptures than that in the Epistle of John the 5th Chapter and such Scriptures as do allude to the same purpose where it is said There is Three that bare Record in Heaven the Father Word and Spirit and these Three are one And there are Three that bare Record on Earth the Water Blood and Spirit and these Three agree in one 21. Said I here you see that there is Three Records to be upon Earth answerable to the Three Records in Heaven and as the Three Records in Heaven were but one God though called Father Word and Spirit 22. So likewise the Three Records on Earth of Water Blood and Spirit are said yet do agree in one as the Scripture saith do you beleive this 23. He answered and said he did and so they said all 24. Then said I you see this one God in Heaven is called Father Word and Spirit yet but one God yet said to be Three that bare Record in Heaven yet but one God 25. Said I how will you interpret this Scripture 26. He answered and said he knew not how but desired me to unfold it 27. Then said I these Three that bare Record in Heaven it was spoken in relation to the Three Records on Earth 28. For this one God bearing Three Records in Heaven would have signified but little unto Mankind had there not been Three Records on this Earth given unto Men to declare unto Men the Three Records in Heaven 29. That Men might understand that one true God that is in Heaven demonstrated by Three Titles of Father Word and Spirit 30. Which God cannot be known but by the Three Records on Earth and those Three Records on Earth must be acted by Men that Men and Women may come to know that one true God in Heaven which is distinguished by Father Word and Spirit and be saved 31. For it is Life eternal to know the true God and he is to be known no other way but by these Three Records on Earth of Water Blood and Spirit and these Three Records on Earth are acted by Men be they not said I. He said yea CHAP. XI Shewing the Interpretations of the Two past Records on Earth of Water and Blood being undeniably unfolded 1. THEN said I will you interprit who those Men were and are that have acted the Records of Water and Blood
Witchcraft which we have given them to drink 21. But the Answer in the Conscience will say Inasmuch as you fhrsake me the living God and creator of all things and said in your Hearts There is no God then you gave your selves up to natural Witchcraft diving into the nature of the Planits and Stars and into the Spirit of the Herbs of the Field so that you became absolute Witches your selves and you have caused Thousands of Men and Women to be bewitched by you both in their Bodies Souls and Estates 22. Therefore depart from me you atheistical workers of Iniquity into utter Darkness where is weeping and knashing of Teeth for evermore 23. And as for the Lawyers they keep the Keys of the Knowledge of the Law and will neither enter into Truth and Honesty themselves nor suffer others to enter in that would 24. For no Man can do anything in his own Cause but as his Lawyer instructs him for he is sworn when he enters into that Practice he hath a Commission to keep the knowledge of the Law from his Clyant so that the Clyant being ignorant how to proceed in Law Step by Step the innocent Clyant his Clause is many times put off and neglected by his Lawyer to the great Discontent and further Charge of the innocent and just Cause 25. And as for the Poor that can have no Law at all tho his Cause be ever so just no Judge will hear him nor no Lawyer will give him any Councel except he hath Monies in his Hand nor no Judge will do the Poor any Justice except he go in the way of the Law and that the Poor cannot do 26. So that if the Birthright of the Poor be ever so great or just it must be lost for want of Monies to fee Lawyers Besides where Monies is to be had let a Man's Cause be never so unjust yet Lawyers will undertake it though they know certainly that their Clyant will be overthrown before they took it in hand This is Wickedness in a high degree so contrary to the Law writen in Man's Heart To do as he would be done unto 27. But the Government of this World hath brought a necessity of the use of Lawyers but it is not expedient that any Saint should take that Practice upon them there is enough of them in the World it being the Devil's Kingdom 28. But when the Book of Conscience the Law writen in the Lawyer 's Heart is opened at the last Day what can they plead for themselves 29. They will say Lord we thought because it was the Government of the Nation and that learning of the Knowledge of the Law it made us rich and honourable among Men it made us Companions for the wise and great Men of the World the Knowledge of the Law it made us Atornies Councellors and Sarjants at Law honourable Places and by degrees we came to be Judges of the Land 30. So that Kings and Princes have asked Councel at our Lips we have Cloathed our selves with fine Scarlet and white Robes signifying Justice and Mercy to the People We have been as Gods upon the Earth and we have done justice to some in all our Degrees tho we have failed in others therefore hope for Mercy 31. But the Answer in the Conscience will say In as much as you have fed upon Riches and Honour all your Days and have not walked by the Law written in your Hearts To do as you would have been done unto had you been in their Condition and they in yours but you have the Penny of this World Riches and Honour your Hearts Delight Therefore depart you wicked Lawyers workers of Iniquity into utter Darkness where is weeping and gnashing of Teeth for ever more 32. This I know will come to pass in these Three sorts of Men in that Day when God shall raise the Dead 33. When the young Man heard these Things he left all Preferment that way for Truths sake and became a stedfast and true Beleiver and he being a Scholar was mighty able to oppose the Learned 34. Also there was one Robert Phare he was Governor of the City of Corke in Ireland he was inclineable to be a Quaker but after he saw me and had read our Writings he became a true Beleiver of this Commission of the Spirit and so did the Lady his Wife She became the chief Champion in this Faith of all the Women in that Nation 35. Also he had Four Sons and Daughters that were true Beleivers He was the cause of many Persons of Value in that Kingdom of Ireland that did truly Beleive as one Captain Moss and his Wife and Doctor Moss his Son and Captain Gaill and Major Denson and George Gamble and Mr. Rogers Merchant And several more which I omit to name because it would be too tedious that were true Beleivers in that Kingdom of Ireland 36. After this it came to pass that I wrote a Book in answer to George Fox Quaker containing Twelve sheets and a half of Paper and got it Printed in the Year 1668. and in the Seventeenth year of my Commission and in the year of my Life 58. 37. This Book caused the Quakers to be exceedingly angry at me and several Speakers of them to write cursed Letters unto me and some of them came to discourse with me and a woful Ephect did befal some of them a little while after as is expressed in the Writing following The Coppy of Thomas Loe a Quaker's Letter Dated London 16th of the 7th Month 1668. LOdowick Muggleton having seen some of thy Writings more especially thy Book Intituled A Lookinglass which I have looked in and do clearly see thy wicked abominable and antichristian Spirit and can do no less than cry Oh! thou Blasphemer thou Enemy of God and of all Righteousness thou Son of Perdition and Child of the Devil how hast thou Laboured to pervert the right Way of God in speaking of the blessed Truth And Oh! thou Seed of the Serpent and old Sorserer how hast thou belyed slandered wickedly and falsly accused and condemned the just And now be it known unto thee That thy false Judgment and wicked Envy both in speaking and writing against the Servants of the living God is returned back upon thy own Head and thee with it will God in his Fury and Indignation sink in the Pit of Darkness from whence it hath risen And in the great and mighty Power of God and Christ I Reprove Judge and Condemn thee which shall stand upon thy Head and thy Power thou boasteth so of shall not reverse it Oh! ignorant Sot how canst thou consider thy Blasphemies and not be ashamed This is a Testimony in the Power and Spirit of God against thee and all thy Wickedness by a Servant of Jesus Christ who am a Witness of the Spirit and Power of God with many others CHAP. III. The Prophets Answer to Thomas Loe's Letter His Sentance with the Ephects of it The Prophet's Dispute
made Man in his own Image and Likeness 22. As first you have proudly challenged me and my six foote God with our Commissions to touch or hurt you Secondly You say you stand in a holy Defiance of all our Strength And Thirdly You say Know Oh. Muggleton with thy God art chained and on you I trample and to the bottomless Pit are you sentanced where the endless Worm shall knaw and torture your Soul to eternity 23. For those wicked proud presumptious blasphemous Speeches not only against me but against the living God as your two Brethren did before you Therefore in obediance to my Commission from the true God I do pronounce William Pen Quaker cursed and damn'd both Soul and Body from the presence of God elect Men and Angels to eternity 24. I thought good to leave this upon Record that the Age to come may be instructed and take heed how they dispise Prophets and that God that sent him Written by Lodowick Muggleton one of the two last Prophets and Witnesses of the Spirit unto the high and mighty God the Man Christ Jesus in Glory March the 16th 1668. CHAP. VI. Of the Prophets Travels into Cambridge Leicester Notingham and Darbyshire to visit Friends there 1. AFTER this it came to pass in the Year 1669. and in the year 1670. In these two years I had a great deal of trouble both upon a spiritual and a temporal Account but in the beginning of the year 1669. in the Month of April before my Troubles began I had a desire to travel into several Countries to visit Friends there 2. And there was one James Whitehead who lived in Brantry in Essex a true Beleiver and a Man of an Estate in this World he was of the Independant People before he came to beleive in this Commission of the Spirit he had a desire to visit Friends of this Faith in other Countries because he had never seen them so he was willing to bear me company 3. I went this Jorny in secret and let no Beleiver in London know of it but my Wife only 4. I appointed James Whitehead to meet me at Ware and so he did and we went from thence to Cambridge and we stayed there three Days with Friends at William Dickmson's House for I had many Friends in that Town and Country about and they were very glad to see us and intreated us kindly 5. So we departed after three Days from thence to Leicestershire which was forty Miles from Cambridge and in two days we came to some Friends in Leicestershire where were several Beleivers which I had never seen before 6. And we lodged at one John Hall's House a Farmer where was kind Entertainment both for our selves and Horses and the Mother of this John Hall was a true Beleiver and she had three Sons that were true Beleivers of this Commission of the Spirit but they knew nothing of my Jorny beforehand 7. But they intreated us exceeding kindly and was exceedingly rejoyced to see us because they had never seen us before though much desired and coming upon them unawares they having no Inteligence it did amuse them the more 8. Also there was one John Sadington a true Beleiver had a Sister hard by there named Lidiah Brooks that did truly beleive and she rejoyced to see me because she never saw me before nor none of them there tho they had heard of me by the hearing of the Ear the Towns name was Arnsby in Leicestershire 9. We stayed there but two Days and departed and jornyed towards Notingham there we came unawares to Mr. Sudbury's and his Wife and Mary Parker a Sheriff's Wife of that Town There were but those three Beleivers in that Town and they kindly received us with much affection 10. And James Whitehead departed from thence in two Days and left me there for to meet him at Chesterfield in Darbyshire which was twenty Miles from Notingham because he was to go forty Miles further about other business and was to call at Chesterfield as he came back 11. Likewise he was to see if he could enquire in his Jorny for one Thomas Tomkinson a true Beleiver and a great Writer in the vindication of this Faith he lived at Sladehouse in Staffordshire 12. He did in his Jorny enquire for Sladehouse and the Name of our Friend but could not hear neither of the place nor of the Man nor could not hear that any knew Sladehouse or Thomas Tomkinson he not travelling within twelve Miles of the place 13. So he missed of him which was a greet Trouble to us all when he came back to Chesterfield and told it to us we were much troubled 14. For I did fully expect he had found him because he stayed two Days longer than was intended 15. But it was an exceeding great Trouble to him that he should miss of the Sight of us being so near and many more in that Country had an earnest Desire to see me for I had not then ever been in that Country 16. And when it was too late he did hear by one Alexander Delamaine a true Friend at London and a great writer in vindication of this Commission of the Spirit for as soon as ever he heard that I had stolen away out of London into the Country and none in London knew of it for it was above a Week afterwards before he heard I was gone for he heard from some in the Country where we had been 17. So he sent Thomas Tomkinson word by the Post that I and my Friend were some where in those parts of the Country so Tomkinson went immediately to Bakewell a Market Town where one of our Friends saw me at Chesterfield his Name was William Newcome a Bookseller who lived at Darby but was every Saturday at Chesterfield Market and at Bakewell Market on the Monday 18. And he told our Friend Tomkinson that I and my Friend Mr. Whitehead departed from Chesterfield that Monday morning and that he saw us take leave of Mrs. Carter and her Daughter as also Elizabeth Smith and other Friends at Chesterfield for to go by Notingham and from thence on Tuesday they said they would go for London the same way they came and call of the same Friends 19. And when our Friend Tomkinson heard this and that it was too late to meet with us neither at Chesterfield nor Notingham neither he was exceedingly troubled and lift up his Voice and wept and could not tell who to be angry with himself or with us 20. So that he could not be passified in his own Mind 'till Patience had possest his Soul until he heard from me the Cause of that Misfortune 21. For I depended wholy that Mr. Whitehead would have found him out but it was such a cross Rode that no Letter could be sent unto him but from London except it were on purpose so that I made no question but my Friend would have brought him along with him to Chesterfield for he enquired but could not hear