Daughter he chose rather to suffer with them then to injoy the pleasures of sin for a season for he had regard to the recompence of Reward Therefore fear the Lord God and come to repentance forsake that which is evil and follow that which is good that the Wisdom which is from above you may receive and be guided by it alone which is pure and peaceable and gentle and easie to be intreated ful of good Fruits that you may know the Lord God to be your Teacher his Law written in your hearts his Spirit put in your inward parts this is the Covenant vvhich the Lord said he vvould make vvith the House of Israel Heb. 10.8 And cease from following of such as say they are Ministers of Christ but are found to be out of his Doctrine and in the steps of the false Prophets who preach for hire and divine for money and are called of men Masters which Christ cryed vvo against and he is the same for ever and the vvo is to such now as are found in their stops which Christ cryed wo against Matt. 23. if you vvould own Christ then own his Words but if you deny his Words do you not deny him Consider VVhy do you call him Lord Lord and do not the things which he commands But by the pure Light of Christ which hath shined in our hearts to give us the knowledge of the glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ do we see them to be out of his Doctrine and in the steps of the false Prophets and therefore with the Light we cry vvo against them Consider Did ever the Ministers of Christ sue men at the Law for Tythes and recover trebble damages as some of these have done as may easily be proved VVas ever the Ministry of Christ attended vvith persecution as this is VVas ever any sent to prison for speaking in their Assemblies or for asking a sober question And do you believe that such are Christians that are strikers and fighters and are ready to murther vvho hale out of the Synagogues and before Magistrates such vvhich the Lord doth send amongst them But Christs Words are fulfilled vvho said to his Disciples Ye shall be brought before Rulers for my sake for a testimony against them Matth. 10.17 18. and they shall scourge you in their Synagogues and ye shall be hated of all men for my Names sake but he that endures to the end shall be saved and in this have vve hope and in him have vve peace who is the Light of the World and they who follow him shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life If our hope were in this life onely we were of all men most miserable who have no helper in the Earth but in the Lord alone is our trust and the Lord is my portion saith my soul therefore will I trust in him but the portion of the Beast and the portion of the false Prophet is in the Lake where the fire is not quenched Therefore all people which shall read this be warned and fear the Lord God of Heaven and Earth who is the God and changes not who lives for ever and take heed to the Light which the Son of God hath enlightned ye withall that it may guide you in every thing God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake to our Fathers by the Prophets hath in these last dayes spoken unto us by Son who is the brightnuss of his Fathers glory Therefore hear him this is that Prophet whom Moses spoke of whom God would raise up and it shall come to pass that every one which will not hear that Prophet shall be destroyed from amongst the people Now he that receives not the Light which Christ hath enlightned him withall he hears not this Prophet and let such read their portion which is To be destroyed from amongst the people Therefore seek the Lord while he may be found call upon him while he is near let the wicked forsake his Wayes and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return unto the Lord and he will have mercy upon him and to our God for he will abundantly pardon him obey the light of Christ in your consciences and kiss the Son lest he be angry and ye perish from the way when his Wrath is kindled but a little blessed are all they that put their trust in him Wherefore repent and bring forth fruits to God for the Lord will not be mocked and know this That such as you sowe such shall you reap he that sowes to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption and he that sows to the spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting the Axe is laid to the Root of the Tree and every Tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is to be hewn down and cast into the fire All who profess Christ priests and people may we reason with you and try you by your fruits whether you do possess him Have you learned of Christ to be meek and lowly Have you learned of Christ to love your Enemies Have you learned of Christ to bless them that curse you and to pray for them which despitefully use you and intreat you If you say you have Then why doth persecution attend your Ministry VVhy do your Hearers offer violence to such as the Lord sends amongst you who offer no violence to them but are as Lambs amongst VVolves Are they not through envy haled before Magistrates and sent to prison though they come in meekness and in the fear of the Lord to warn you of the evil you live in that you might forsake it and turn to God by repentance the Scriptures declare that he that hates his Brother is a murderer Christs command is sweare not at all Do you your hearers obey him herein clear your selves if you can and because of Oathes the land mourns but surely the Lord will plead the cause of the Innocent and save them that trust in him but it will go ill with them that gain-say the truth Search the Scriptures and see whether ever such fruits did attend the Ministers of Christ Rom. 8 36.37 but for the sake or Christ they suffered as it is written For thy sake we are killed all the day long we are accounted as Sheep for the slaughter But said the Apostle Who shall seperate us from the love of Christ shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famne 2 Cor. 6.4 5 6 c. or nakednesse or peril or sword Nay in all these things we are more then Gonquerers through him that loved us They approved themselves as the Ministers of Christ in much patience in afflictions in necessities in distresses in stripes in imprisonments in tumults in labors in watchings in fastings c. And the Apostle said All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution Christ said to his Disciples If the world hate you you know it hated me before
THE TRUTH OF GOD CLEARED And above the DECEITE ADVANCED Which is proved to be the same that ever was in all Genetions By one of that number who in scorn are called Quakers Edw. Bourne London Printed for Thomas Simmons at the Bull and Mouth neer Aldersgate 1657. TO THE READERS Readers VVHoso shall read this same ' let meekness and moderation guide you and do not reject nor disregard that which you have not proved and tryed lest you speak evil of the the things you know not but try it by that which will render every thing as it is which leads to equity and to do as you would be done unto such whose hearts are honest and do desire to live to God if they did but know the truth whose breathing is after righteousness such may receive satisfaction who shall receive the truth in the love thereof but for scoffers and scorners I take little notice of whose folly is manifest to the sober-minded That which my soul longeth for is To see righteousness established in the Earth that Justice and Equity might stream forth as a River I having been pressed in spirit thereunto have written this that I might have the answer of a good conscience with the Lord unto whom all must give an account vvho will reward every one according to their works and herein is my love reached forth to others that they may turn to the light that from the Lord God they may receive refreshment and find satisfaction as I have done To whom be praise and Dominion for ever who hath counted me worthy to suffer for the testimony of his glorious Truth E. B. THE TRVTH of GOD CLEARED And above the DECEIT Advanced c. LET all flesh be silent before the Lord God for ever who is appeared in the Riches of his love and is become the Teacher of his people himself who hath given his Son for a Covenant of Light and for Salvation to the ends of the Earth who is the Light of the world and lighteth every man that cometh into the world the end is that all men through him might believe And know this of a truth all that shall read the same that there is no other way that leads to God but by taking heed to the Light which Christ hath enlightned ye withall to be guided by it alone this is that which Paul testified of who speaking of them which held the truth in unrighteousness said Rom. 1.18 29. Tit. 3.11 12. 2 Pet. 1.18 19 20. That which may be knowne of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it unto them and this is that Grace of God which hath appeared unto all men which taught the Saints to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly righteously and godly in this present world and the sure VVord of Prophesie which Peter declared of is the same unto which you do well to take heed until the day dawn and the day-star arise in your hearts and by this the sure Foundation may be known and not by any other way even the Rock upon which Christ said he would build his Church against which the Gates of Hell shall not prevail and no other Foundation can any man lay but that which is laid already The Lord said I will lay in Sion for a Fonndation Isa 28.16 a tryed Stone a precious Corner-Stone a sure Foundation This is the Stone which is set at naught by you builders said the Apostle which is become the head of the Corner Christ the Light of the World was set at naught by the builders in the Apostles time and so is he set at naught by the builders in this age who stumble at the Light and say it is not sufficient to lead to God and call it a natural Light and so shew that they are in the same ignorance and darkness and blindness as others were in before who stumbled at the Light This is him which the Scriptures declare of Joh. 1.10 11 12. Who came into the World and the World was made by him and the World knew him not he came unto his own and his own received him not but to as many as received him to them he gave Power to become the sons of God Read and understand every one with the Light which Christ hath enlightned you withall and consider in the fear of the Lord for it is an earnest thing Who can say that there is not something in them which calls to purity and holiness and to walk blamelesly before the Lord which never consented to your evil deeds but always did witness against them and let you see that you should not do so Therefore all that shall read this be satisfied herein that this is the manifestation of the Spirit which is given to every man to profit withall and the not taking heed to it is the cause of condemnation Therefore hear this and know ye assuredly all ye that breath after the living God that the Way which leads ro him is nigh you and the Way is the same now as ever was in all generations and Christ is the same yesterday to day and for ever vvho hath inlightned every man that cometh into the World vvith the true Light this vvas the Rock that followed the children of Israel in the Wilderness and the Spirit of Christ was in the Prophets who testified before-hand of the sufferings of Christ and of the glory that should follow Moses the Servant of the Lord said to the children of Israel This Commandment which I command thee this day is not hidden from thee neither is it far off but saith he the Word is nigh thee in thy mouth and in thy heart that thou maist do it Deut. 30.11 12 13 14 15 16. And the Apostle said The Word is nigh thee in thy mouth and in thy heart that is the Word of Faith which we preach Rom. 10.5 6 7 8. Christ said The Kingdom of God cometh not with observation neither shall they say Lo here or lo there for behold the Kingdom of God is within you and John said The Anncinting abideth in you and you need not that any man teach you but as the same Annointing teacheth you and is truth and is no lye Therefore all people high and low of all Degrees take heed and hearken diligently to the Light vvhich Christ hath enlightned you withall that your souls may live and learn of Christ to be meek and lowly in heart that in him your peace may be though in the World you may have tribulation and be ye Followers of him who for the joy that was set before him endured the Cross and despised the shame and is set down at the right hand of the Father and regard not the reproaches that the World may cast upon you for the sake of Christ but account it greater Riches then the Treasures of Aegypt Moses chose rather to suffer affliction vvith the people of God then to be counted the Son of Pharaohs
it hated you if you were of the world the world would love his own but because you are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you The Servant said He is not greater then his Lord if they have persecuted me they will also persecute you if they have kept my sayings they will keep yours also But in him have we peace who said Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsly for my sake rejoyce and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in Heaven for so persecuted they the Prophets that were before you And others had tryals of cruel mockings yea moreover of bonds and imprisonment wherefore as the Apostle said Seeing we also are compassed about with so great a Cloud of witnesses let us lay aside every weight and the sin that doth so easily beset us and let us run with patience the race that is set before us looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of our faith Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross dispiseing the shame and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God Come you Professors Teachers and People may we reason with you and try you further whether you be Possessors what do you believe of them who put Christ to death and yet builded up the Tombs of the Prophets and garnished the Sepulchers of the righteous and said if they had been in the dayes of their Fathers they would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the Prophets Mat. 23.29.30 31 32 33. would not you have joyned with them in puting Christ to death had you been in those dayes If you say you would not who shall believe you while envy and hatred and persecution attends you who persecute him in his members now where he is made manifest therefore as Christ said Fill up then the measure of your Fathers ye Serpents ye generation of Vipers how can ye escape the Damnation of Hell what ever you professe though you may talk of the Scriptures and Christs words and the Prophets and Apostles words yet being found out of his Doctrine and in the same nature as they were in who put Christ and the Prophets to death it is a sure testimony that you doe not possess him You that are wise and have an understanding beyond many so that by your own naturall wisdom and reason you may dive deeper into the knowledge of things then others yet stumble at the truth and stumble at the light by all your wisdom you cannot find out the things of God the reason is because you are not turned to that which gives the knowledge thereof which is the light which Christ hath eulightned you withall this is foolishnesse to your wisdom but indeed this is it which leads to the true Heavenly wisdom he that hath an eare to hear let him hear it and he that can receive it let him all that ever yet knew the Lord ever since the world began it was by taking heed to that which God had made manifest of himself in them this is the light which shines in darknesse and God who commanded light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of his glory in the face of Jesus Christ while you seek to know the Truth by Books and Authors who were not come to that of God in them your labour is in vain it will profit you nothing the Prophets and Apostles being come to this the end of their Writing and Speaking was to bring others to the same that is The manifestation of the Spirit which is given to every man to profit withall hear what the Apostle said He that will be wise let him become a fool that he may be wise and said he We are fools for Christ sake Therefore to the light which Christ hath enlightned you withall turn your minds and receive the kingdom of God as a little child and be willing to learn of him else you cannot enter therein therefore to it incline your minds that you may be made wise indeed the Wisdom of this World is foolishness with God and they who are wise therein their Wisdom will fail them the understanding of the prudent shall come to nought the Lord will bring it to pass Therefore be content to be stript of that and to part with that knowledge which you have not come rightly by and wait at Wisdoms Gate to be instructed there for whose findeth it findeth life and shall obtain favour of the Lord but he that sinneth against the Light wrongeth his own soul and all they who hate it love death You Lawyers take heed of self-ends in all you do and do nothing contrary to the righteous Law of God which is just and equal but speak the truth from your hearts and do to others as you would be done unto now if you act otherwise he which searches the heart and tryes the reins knows it who hath a Witness in you which is pure which is the light of Christ in your consciences which will be your condemnation And all you who are in power to judge and determine of causes and controversies between man and man have no respect to any mans person but let that which is just take place and judge as you would be judged of the Lord the righteous judge of Heaven and Earth before whom all must appear to receive according to the deeds done in the body whether they be good or whether they be evil Therefore take heed to the Light which Christ the Son of God hath enlightned you withall that you may know the Law of God written in your hearts and the Lord God to be your Law-giver you being subject to him alone in every thing doing that which is just and equal and as you would be done unto and herein will be your peace and the light of Christ in your consciences will justifie you but if you do otherwise the light which lets you see it will be your condemnation Hear this you Professors Priests and People The Fruits of the Spirit is love joy long-suffering forbearance meekness gentleness and the like and when I see these fruits proceed from you I may have some ground to believe that you do possess what you profess but while I find it otherwise you being in envy persecution and strife it is a sure evidence to me that you are out of the life of him whom you profess though you may have the Prophets Words and Christs Words to talk of yet being found out of their practices and in the same nature as they were which put the Prophets and Christ to death it is a sure testimony that you are out of the life which they were in he that lives in envy is in