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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A77553	The power of God overpowering the creature. Which power came upon me William Britten, the 3d. day of the 11th. month, (called February) 1659. not suffering me to depart my chamber, until I had promised the Lord to answer a book, which I had then never seen, and but once heard of; set forth by William Prynne in defence of tyths, &c. and to present the answer in print unto the governing power of England for the time being. But making delayes, and Fran. Spira-like, consulting with flesh and blood, the Lord terrified me in conscience for neglect, yet in mercy did set me (like Jonah) the second time upon the same work.	Britten, William, d. 1669.	1660 (1660)	Wing B4824A; ESTC R170818	27,030	51

impossible for carnal men to do It is only God that makes men holy and divine as to partake of the divine nature 2 Pet. 2.4 From whence note First Gospel Ministers are the Lords labourers Secondly They must be called set to work by him Thirdly I● we must pray unto him for sending them it shews humane authority cannot do it Fourthly Whom he calls into his Vineyard he will also reward not by the might of men or power of the sword but by the Spirit of God Zech. 4.6 is the way that the Lord will work He useth Rom. 13.7 8. Wherein the Apostle writeth of Tribute Custome Fear Honour and Love Answ Tribute and Custome was due to Caesar and the same Christ paid as did the Iews Mat. 17.25 it being a temporal thing and for the like work as to maintain Caesars Army which could not be offensive to the conscience but whereas Tyths are paid they are to a wrong use and end for maintaining a Ministry contrary to the pure Gospel practise which must needs be heavy upon poor tender consciences yea such Tyth gains and setled maintenance which is to be forced from men draws many a carnal wretch to be of that function where they can compel people to pay so that there is a great difference betwixt paying Tribute and Custome to maintain an Army for defence of a Nation and the paying an imitating Ministry by force of flesh as if it were a true Ministry sent ●orth of God and to set up their post by the Lords post Ezek. 43.8 c. but concerning Fear Honour and Love it is wished those graces were better known and more practised amongst us He useth 1 Cor. 9.4 c. Wherein the Apostle pleads a power that God gives in use of the creatures as a fre●dome to partake of carnal things where they did impart spirituals and so to eat of the milk c. Answ It is true that the right Gospel Ministers have that freedome from God so to do but then observe these particulars First This power must be from the Lord and not by a humane power seeing neither Christ nor any of his Apostles did assume such a thing Secondly Those that receive by this power of God must take of the true flock Revel 22.15 Revel 21.27 1 Cor. 6.9 Gal. 5.19 and not of Swearers Drunkards Lyars Whoremongers c. which shall not inherit the Kingdome of God but be shut out Thirdly Note how far the Apostle was from a humane law to compel that he did not use his power given him of God to receive the peoples free gift lest the Gospel work should be hindred 1 Cor. 9. 12 15. Therefore those that use any other power than from the Lord in forcing a maintenance for Ministers Ier. 2.13 they forsake the fountain and betake themselve● to the broken Cistern Gospel Ministers are Gods labourers whom he send into his Vineyard or Kingdome of grace to wor● there but if these prove like the World to strive fo● Preferment Pride Riches and Honour there the● will be no more able to get truly into his Kingdome than is a Camel to go through the eye of a needle Mat. 19.24 fo● thereby they fall into the great snare which the servan● of God should flee from 1 Tim. 6.9 Therefore warn all those from the Lord that desire the ministerial office to wait in the pure way but go not forrh unti● you are truly called of God look not on any carn● ends to draw you for whatsoever is of the World 〈◊〉 not of God 1 Tim. 6.8 1 John 2.15 16. And learn of that Gospel-planter to be content with food and raiment wh● had learning and piety yet poverty was joyned ther● with and if Gospel practise be our rule to have no ●ther maintenance but the peoples free gift then tho●● that seek to be Gospel Ministers would do it out of pure love and not self-ends yea then women woul● not desire to marry unto them for carnal greatnes● but for their goodness He useth Rom. 15.26 27. how it pleased them o● Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contrib●tion for the poor Saints that as the Gentiles ha● been made partakers of their Spiritual things the duty is also to minister unto them in Carnal things Answ First this relief for the Saints was a v●luntary act for it pleased them so to do It being o● of a pure Gospel love and not by outward compul●●on Secondly It was no Tyths or setled maintenan●● but a certain contribution in time of need for the po● Saints Thirdly Such free gifts from the richer to the poorer are debts that God requires as vers 27. Whose debters they are yet the Lord never gave man a humane power to compel this debt Fourthly As Gospel giving and receiving in spirituals and temporals are free without compulsion so those acting therein do declare themselves of the same body wherein one Member supplyeth the want of another 1 Cor. 12.26 Lastly This gift debt or contribution was from the true flock and not of those that lived in their filth which shews of whom Gospel Ministers may take relief It is worthy of observation to note the difference betwixt the Law Ministers in Temple Worship and the Gospel Ministers in Spiritual Worship and how near our National Ministry hath come to that under the Law Theirs of the Law Our National First God made a Law to give the Levites Tyths Men made Laws to give the National Tyths 2. They had offerings So had the National 3. God gave them the Law which they read to the people for they owned the prophesies but little before the captivity Men made a set form of prayer which they read after that a directory whereas Ministers should do the works of God as the Spirit leads them John 16.13 Men built high places in several parishes which were Mass-houses a long time and called them Churches and consecrated them pretending they were holy 4. God owned their Temple built for his worship at Jerusalem as a holy place which was consecrated 5. They used Temple worship with musick c. They had Organs and other instruments 6. They had high Priests They had Arch Bishops 7. They had Priests Garments appointed of God They had Surplices Hoods Tippets c. appointed of men 8. God appointed the Tribe of Levi for that office Men designed University Scholers to be the only Ministers They looked so much on the outward that God hated it Isa 1.14 So did too many of these look on the fleece gains and outward worship but little purity Whereas if we look on the Gospel Ministry which should be our guide we shall find a poor despised Christ who came in poverty and so lived that i● his Ministerial office laid by his power in compelling corporal necessities and took peoples love i● giving him food 2 Cor. 8.9 and ministring to him of their substance Luke 8 3 Phil. 2.7

THE Power of God Overpowering the CREATURE Which Power came upon me William Britten the 3d. day of the 11th Month called February 1659. not suffering me to depart my Chamber until I had promised the Lord to Answer a Book which I had then never seen and but once heard of set forth by William Prynne in defence of Tyths c. and to present the Answer in Print unto the Governing Power of England for the time being But making delayes and Fran. Spira-like consulting with flesh and blood the Lord terrified me in Conscience for neglect yet in mercy did set me like Jonah the second time upon the same work 2 Chron. 34.14 Hilkiah the Priest found a Book of the Law of the Lord. And vers 15. Hilkiah delivered the Book to Shaphan And vers 18. Shaphan read it before the King And vers 30. He read in their ears all the words of the Book of the Covenant And vers 32. The King caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it And vers 33. Josiah took away all the Abominations out of all the Countries And 2 Kings 23.25 Like unto him was there no King before him that turned to the Lord with all his heart c. LONDON Printed for the Author 1660 THE Power of God Overpowering the CREATURE According to my engagement unto the Lord who hath led me forth in this Work I humbly present this Answer unto the Governing Power of England which I acknowledge to be King Charles II. with His Council and Parliament William Britten TO allow Gospel Ministers a Maintenance the Scriptures are clear for it but in what manner and from whom the same shall arise the Gospel Law can best decide the Controversie I shall not answer each Page of his Book seeing there are so many Itterations and repetitions of things especially in those large discriptions of the Jewish Tyths and Levittical Priesthood wherein he strives to model a Maintenance from thence to Gospel Ministers but is to us as if he had pleaded for Circumcision to our Gentile Churches His Book hath two Parts I begin with the former and so pass through both first viewing those Scriptures he makes use of to see if any such thing as Tyths or a settled Maintenance for Ministers of the Gospel be found in holy Writ to be either practised or named amongst Disciples or Believers in the primitive times when the Scriptures were written people became Christians which ought to be our guide and rule to follow At his 4th page he begins with Scripture as Matt 10.5 c. Luke 10.1 c. how our Saviour authorised and sent forth the 12. and the 70. Disciples to preach the Gospel c. by which Commission they were not to carry any provision for their journey for the workman is worthy of his meat Vers 10. Answ Nor were they to receive Tyths or other setled Maintenance nor bargain aforehand what reward should be for their pains neither had they any humane power to enforce supplies whilst they were upon that work nor to punish any in body or estate that refused to give unto them where they came to preach God never taught his Messengers to persecute any for unkindness in these spiritual works Mat. 10.14 Acts 13.51 but if they will not receive them the dust of their feet must be a testimony against such yet these Teachers must go forth and trust to their Master for their reward from whose Spirit they had freely received Mat. 10.8 and were to give freely not sell it and they which did partake of their spiritual work in hearing were likewise led by the same spirit to impart unto the Teachers for corporal supplies In page 5. he useth John 4.36 c. how he that reapeth receiveth wages so both rejoyce together c Answ This joy is not only of this life but also that everlasting joy wherein God will reward his faithful ones but here note three things first the Reaper must be a Workman of the Masters appointment Secondly the same Master must pay him and not a stranger Thirdly his wages must be according to his Lords contract all which the Parable makes plain and how they received every man a Penny from their Master c. So Gospel Ministers must be called of God to that Work Mat. 20.1 c. going forth freely with the Gift in Teaching and his promise is that good measure shall be returned them again Luke 6.38 But those that dare not go forth to preach untill their bargain is made or assurance aforehand by a humane Law to compel a Reward for their Labour shew plainly they dare not rely upon God for a Maintenance but will rather trust men to secure the same for although they profess Gods Call to that Ministry at entering into it Tit. ● 16 yet in works of obedience to beleeve him therein they deny him as not trusting to his promises to provide for them Heb. 13.5 In his 7th page he produceth 1 Tim. 5.17 18. how the Elders that Rule well should be counted worthy of double honour c. The Oxe shall not be muzzled and the Labourer is worthy of his reward Answ The double honour is taken to be respect Maintenance which being given freely as led forth of God from his Law in the heart shews Obedience answerable in a true Professor which double honour must not be raked torn from the hearers by a human power but drawn forth by the love of God that as the Oxe is not to be muzled when he works for his Master in harvest neither is he to have power over his Master by pulling and tearing what he list from him but to be a partaker as refreshed with some of the harvest benefit all which sets forth the duty of true Converts who ought freely to respect and maintain such pure Gospel Ministers as have need and are religiously free to receive those necess●ries that as they receive benefit by Scripture labourers so it is their duty and the love of God will constrain them if they are true Christians to shew kindness unto his Messengers but all these Scriptures ma●e nothing towards Tyths or a setled maintenance the gift is left free unto the cheerful g●vers in the several generations according to the tenour of the Scriptures 2 Cor. 9.7 Mat. 9.38 He useth also wherein our Saviour bids pray the Lord of the Harvest that he will send forth Labourers into his Harvest Answ This sets forth Gods power who only can fit and call men to the Ministerial office which may shew us how all the humane learning that men can obtain cannot make a Gospel Minister it is the proper work of God and to him we must pray to furnish us in a pure Ministry and it may inform us of the great mistakes about this weighty work wherein many have undertaken to make Ministers Divines Bachellors and Doctors of Divinity or holiness c. which is

and filled himself with the creatures but he kept under his body in subjection why 1 Cor. 9.27 lest having preached to others Paul should be a cast away 2 Cor. 2.17 Saith the old translator we are not as many which make Merchandise of the word of God c. Wherein it is evident how the true Apostles abhorred Preaching for hire yet having nothing in possession as to call their own but the Churches did supply their wants which Churches being in poverty 2 Cor. 6 10. they acted willingly therein first giving themselves to the Lord and then give unto the Disciples by the will of God 2 Cor. 8.1 2 3 4 5. so it was not by the will of men but there was a willing mind vers 12.14 working that equality wherein the abundance of the teachers spirituals supplyed the hearers wants and the abundance of the hearers temporals supplyed the teachers wants 1 Cor. 16.1 2. At Corinth and Galatia they were taught to lay by in store of the collection of Saints how not as men compel'd them but as God had prospered every one and 2 Cor. 9.5 Paul exhorts to this bounty in giving not threatning or compelling but in a lovely Gospel manner as every man purposed in his heart to do it chearfully in which he commends them for their liberal distribution but gives the thanks to God who led them forth thereunto 2 Cor. 9.7 8 13 15. In 2 Cor. 11.2 3. Paul desires to present the Church a chast Virgin yet fears her adulterating therefore to stir them up in zeal he shews his love unto them and how he had robbed or neglected the service of other Churches 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 accipiens stipendium taking Wages Salary or corporal supplies of those other Chuches 2 Cor. ●1 7 8. yet did Preach or do service at Corinth Phil. 2.25 Epaphroditus the Phillippians Messenger did Minister to Pauls wants not pay him Tyths or a setled Maintenance and the Church did communicate to his afflictions sending once and again as a gift not upon a yearly bargain and contract but in time of need freely Phil. 4.14 c. 1 Thes 2.9 The Apostles laboured night and day rather than they would be chargable to any which holds forth four things ●irst they were far from Hirelings to Preach the Gospel Secondly they would not eat and live upon other mens labours Thirdly hereby it is evident that it is not unfit or unlawful for a Gospel Minister to work and take honest pains with his body 2 Thes 3.8 9. Fourthly they thereby left a President of those Virgin times unto us of their practise who were true Gospel Ministers and although they had a power from God to take of their hearers yet they would not do it because of leaving ●ood ensample to follow Heb. 12.1 c. And now seeing that Divine matter in Scriptures ●ords so great a cloud of witnesses let us lay aside ●ry weight c. is it not the Lords work to undo heavy burdens and to let the oppressed go free Isa 58.6 and ●t ye break every yoak Let true Ministers look un● Jesus our Law-maker who endured the cross and ●s not asham'd of his poverty in temporals that so ●y may not faint in their minds but trust to him 〈◊〉 a Maintenance 〈◊〉 come next to answer such humane matter which ●illiam Prynne layes down for his plea to uphold ●ths and a setled Maintenance for Ministers ●n Page 20. He pleads if Ministers be poor they 〈◊〉 be contemptible and less authoratative to the peo● Answ He learn'd not this from Christ who me in poverty and so lived poor in temporals for riches and outward pomp is eyed by the world so ●hrist came in opposition thereunto yet bids us ●n of him Mat. 11.29 who left us these examples part of his sufferings which the Apostles like●e did partake of 2 Cor. 8.9 2 Cor. 6.10 yet in all this poverty many were ●de rich wherein Christ our Law-maker and his ●●ostles the Gospel Planters neither sought for ●es nor humane authori●y to insult over the people at Minister which seeks to be rich and bear autho● over the people Iam. 2.5 1 Tim. 6.8 c. hath not any Gospel warrant for practise neither doth God chuse rich men for 〈◊〉 outward pomp but the poor rich in faith yea Apostle bids the man of God flee those things as ●re being content with food and raiment 2 Tim. ●●ge 29. He reckons up large expenses of Books ●ols Education Terme of Years c. to fit men for ●inistry Answ All these make a carnal man no more ●tual than a new suit of aparrel will make a dead to live again indeed humane learning may do as a servant to attend in the spiritual work but ●ry unfit for mastership to command yet many strong opinions of it as if none were fit for the ●stry but humane learned men whereas Pauls ed●on at Gamaliels feet made him no Apostle b● call of God Acts 22.3 4. Neither was Moses 〈◊〉 from his Court breeding in Pharaohs House to Prophet but from being a Shepherd Deut. 34.10 Exod. 3.1.10 Page 41. And other places he much inveig●●gainst Souldiers Trades-men and Lay-me● Pre●ching terming them ignorant Asses understand not Rhetorick and Elloquence Answ In this he parallels the Jewish Rulers looked on the Apostles to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Acts 4.13 Idiots ●norant and unlearned men calling the people confessed Christ accursed Iohn 4.48 49. as● the Pharisees and Rulers had believed on him proud rich flesh that was in power had ingros● wisdome of God unto it self and so held it unf● Fishermen and other Trades-men should first b● in Christ and then declare to others what th● learned or received from him In diverse Pages as 11.17 ●8 c. he pleads mutative justice how Ministers should have ●pence as o●her Merchants and Trades-men wh●ter and sell one commodity for another Answ See what breaks forth unawares 〈◊〉 describes his Trades-men who Merchandize letter what is learned by hearsay but lest 〈◊〉 be judged envious I shall leave his expressions juditious Reader Page 44. He tells us that Ministers are n● called by immediate inspiration of God b● study night and day for what they Preach Answ See how he is opposite to Scriptures Ioel. 2.18 Acts. 2.17 Mica 4.1 Ier. 31.33 which declare the abundant flowing forth of the Spirit in the latter dayes Gods mountain to be exalted and he writing his Law in Peoples hearts and all taught of God the Fountain opened for sin and uncleanness and the false Prophets to be ashamed of their visions neither shall they wear a rough Garment to deceive Zech. 13.1 4. yea more is promised by the flowings forth of Gods Spirit which must be immediate from him to be done in these latter dayes than of any other times and the Apostle tells us Rom. 8.9 if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of

his whence note if a man have this Spirit it must be immediate from God seeing man cannot give it but if he have it not then such a one cannot be a Minister of Christ for he is none of his therefore those Ministers not immedi●tely fitted and sent forth by this Spirit are not of God but of mens sending and how can they do the work of him that never set them When Christ called his Apostles then they followed him when he sent them forth to Preach they had authority to go and not before and when Paul was called of God Gal. 1 1 16. and had Jesus Christ revealed in him he conferred not with flesh and blood but went to preach the Gospel unto the heathen and we find no where that a cessation should be of this Spirit although the man of sin hath a long time darkned the truth and few have come forth in the persecuting times by this spiritual power yet the Lords Arme is not shortned nor his Spirit drawn back but he hath manifested himself herein by many called forth to warn and forewarn Rulers Governours and others in these latter dayes of which I am to give notice from the Lord That upon the fourth day of the third moneth called May last 1660. God shewed me that those Messengers called Quakers was sent forth by him and were to be owned as such Luke 9.1 Christ Jesus Commissionated His Twelve Apostles to Preach c. when he was with them in flesh yet they did not continue Preaching upon that authority after his death but received a new commission after his Resurrection when the vessel o● his body had been broken and the Spirit which filled it was to be shed abroad Mat 12.18 all power being given unto him he then authorizeth them as a risen conquerer to go forth yet they must not execute this commission until it was sealed by the Spirit of promise which he shed on them abundantly Acts 10.38 Ephes 1.13 Tit. 3.6 but this they must wait for at Ierusalem Acts 1.4 Acts 2.1 until the Lords time which they received at the day of Pentecost where we may observe how they waited in silence for this Spirit not running forth to Preach upon a humane call no not upon the first Commission although Christ gave it them but they must tarry for a new to Preach a Christ risen from the dead and risen by his spiritual power in their hearts when THE POWER OF GOD had overpowered the Creature At Page 60. He strives further to make their examples in time of Temple Worship to be presidents unto us as to have the Souldiers give the tenth of the spoile unto the Priests now as they did then telling us it was the opinion of Divines Councils and Canonists at his 70. Page Answ The opinions of those might be men that would share in the benefit thereof and such would seek their gain from their quarter pleading for their own ends Isa 56.11 but for this we have no Gospel example ye there may be a plot for if the Souldiers could be drawn to give the tenth part of the spoile unto the Priests then it was not for the poor farmer to contend seeing the Priests Power might equalize the Popes in Peters Keyes and Pauls Sword for what could not be effected for the Priests one way the Sword might compel it another way but everlasting praises be to God who hath kept England out of this condition Page 88. He terrifies people with fears and dangers if they refuse to pay Tyths alledging what befel Jeroboam in six evils for spoiling the Priests and Levites possession Answ He in so doing opposed the Law of God and so the Lord punished him accordingly but Christ gave us no law for such a Maintenance therefore our sin would be the greater if we should pay it and three evils would be committed as paralelling Jeraboams practise first he went the wrong way of Worship and so do those that own such to be Gospel Ministers which are not called of God thereunto yet force a Maintenance for them contrary to the Gospel practise Secondly He made Priests of the worser people and so do those that take such Ministers which are but carnally minded and Preach for gains Thirdly He shut out the Lords Priests and set up Priests of his own chusing and so do they that refuse Teachers called of God because they are Trades-men and set up of their own choice because they have humane learning All which caused ruin on Jeroboam's Posterity and this I am to give warning unto England's Powers that until Tyths and other oppressions be taken away and Gods Laws made our Laws both within us and without us the Lord will keep overturning and bring desolation if there be no amendment Page 113. He again sets forth his Ministry as Hirelings and that accordindly they should have Hire Iohn 10.13 Answ See his own confession and a Hireling careth not for the Sheep but for the fleece and gains yet we agree to maintain those Ministers which God sends and the Saints own being called and rewarded according to Gospel Law but to Force Compel Pull Tear Imprison Persecute c. about Religion to make Christians by bringing them into such a set form and then to do the like to hurry them into that form or else to punish those that refuse it was never taught us in Scriptures Page 138. He tells us there are three sorts of Priests First every sanctified Christian for his family Secondly The publick or national Priest Thirdly Christ Jesus Answ If a man be sanctified to act as a Priest in his Family where did God forbid him to do the like amongst other believers 1 Pet. 2.5 9. Revel 1.6 Rev. 5.10 the holy Ghost tells us how the sanctified ones are a royal Priest-hood which should shew forth Gods Praises yea Kings and Priests to Reign with him on Earth so the Lord makes no such distinction as W. P. doth but by the Holy Ghost informs us how all the Saints have liberty to prophesie or Preach one by one The Verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Anuntio or Praedico signifieth to Preach Shew Tell Publish or Declare and thus the Priest-hood of Saints should shew forth Gods Praises 1 Pet. 1.9 c. and this may be done two wayes First by speaking Secondly by writing and this W. P. would not have every sanctified Christian to do publickly but the Parish Priest should do it now according to his own law if none but parish Priests may shew or declare these things in publick then why doth he declare them publickly by writing see●ng he makes no such profession to be a publick Priest Thou art in excusable O man for where●n thou judgest another Rom. 2.1 thou condemnest thy ●elf Page 145. He pretends to answer William Thorps ●rgument how in the times of the Apostles and ●or 200. or 300. Years after they received no Tyths for Preaching but lived