cup of the same poisonous fountain the fountain is filthy the streams are no better Simon Magus would have purchased the holy Ghost with money the great gift of the Father but he missed of his end Even the Sir Simons of our days run to Cambridge or Oxford there they give a large price for something which is a thousand times worse then nothing as mountains and bulwarks to keep the pure seed in bondage O infinite folly of men in thinking to buy that Pearl with money when as the Lord plainly saith that it cannot be bought with money Iob 28. neither shall it be exchanged for gold but they not regarding the Lord nor what is spoken by him run with Simon to buy this imbuyable Pearl Alas this University-spirit hath no power to open as much as one of the seven Seals whatever they can purchase makes them but seemingly pure but really impure notionary creatures naturals and the natural man is not acquainted with the pure language which such speak as are redeemed from the earth Plainly such as these that have no call but what they fetch and purchase are not Ministers of Jesus Christ but Stewards of the devils Magazine dissemblers and lyers Ier. 5.2 1 Cor. 12.3 Ier. 23.25 Ezek. 13.22 7. A Viperous and Serpentine generation going about to murder and strangle the childe Jesus where he is manifested Herod under a pretence of worshipping Christ sought to murder him even these bloody Herodians professe love to him in words but when he is born and utters his voice they would devour him because he discovers their villany holding up a wormeaten beastly form and persecuting the power of godliness Mat. 23.33 8. Blasphemers living in the Kingdome and government of the Prince of the Ayr strangers to the guiding of the eternal Spirit in them speak evil of it in others calling it a Spirit of error of giddiness yea of the Devil fearful blasphemers Iohn 8.4 8. 1 Pet. 1.4 Rev. 13.1 5.6 7. Isa. 5.20 9. Scarlet-coloured beasts trimmed and painted with the Saints words inwarldly full of deceit and self-ends a wel-favoured harlot having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication Rev. 14.5.6.7 Rev. 9.2 10. Babylons Merchants selling beastly wares for a large price all the week time heaping up a rabble of notions into the brain and comes into the Pulpit a penysome market place where they have good sale for bad ware this they like wondrous well onely the first day called the Lords day but the Lords day is a Mystery they know nothing of it they sell the report of other mens riches the letter which is dust and death a declaration of the inheritance of these Saints that spoke forth the Scripture and likewise of all such as come into the Saints condition but the Priests have nothing to do to take the word in their mouths but that they must needs be busie-bodies that the Scriptures may be fulfilled medling with that which belongs not unto them for filthy lucre sake A cup of trembling and astonishment is their portion and they must drink the dregs thereof long have they had good sale may be 10 20 or some 40. s. a sermon then sermon making was worth something when one may buy a better in Print for 4 d. And they will with their good will compel all men to buy their wares take it as it is not questioning it and if any man refuse to buy their wares and take it as it is they cry out against them and brand them to be Hereticks Schismaticks or New lights Everlasting praise be to the most High he is riding on conquering and to conquer and coming to grinde to powder all opposing powers to cleave the rocks asunder to make the earth tremble and the hellish powers quake the day is coming when these Idol-merchants these costly Sermon-makers shall howl and cry Alas alas none will buy their wares any longer they have been traffiquers too long Rejoyce O heavens the pillars of their kingdom are reeling and shaking Mic. 3.11 Rev. 18.9 10 11. Jer. 5.30 31. 11. Whited walls painted sepulchres professing something possessing nothing but poyson'd stuff fetch'd out of old Commentators and Heathenish Authors into their brains out of that Store-house they give out such gear as they have Matth. 23.25 27. 12. Ravening Wolves evermore persecuting the pure Truth that the Saints live in Never was persecution raised against the true Prophets Christ or his Apostles but the Priests have had a mighty hand in it and were ring-leaders in that wicked designe and they are as tyrannical now as ever their predecessors could be Where light is manifested the truth of this will not be questioned Ezek. 22.17 Jer. 5.30 31. Matth. 7.15 16. Ezek. 34.4 13. Greedy dogs always contending and striving about great Parsonages fat Benefices large Augmentations if they have threescore or fourscore pounds per annum at a place yet ten pounds more per annum at another place is a sufficient call to draw them thither Really they are blood-hounds still hunting and gasping after their prey like the mouth of hell never satisfied witness their gasping after earthly things money is their Diana which makes them to toss and seek many old Commentators and Heathenish Authors still barking and raging like Sodomites against any that delight in purity and love the naked Truth that unmasks their deceits and subtil twistings and windings 14. Eminent and ambitious Pharisees living in the same Antichristian steps that the Pharisees did That Christ cryed out against Pharisees there are none can deny it justly witness their practices that are unsavoury and unbeseeming men of such high profession but as it hath been so it is now the highest profession is of the devil they love to be called of men Masters not willingly owning lesser titles they love the uppermost seats at feasts to be pearking in the chiefest places of the Synagogues they love the greetings in the Markets wear long Robes or Gownes and all to be accounted great to be petty Kings and Rulers over Gods heritage they lay heavy burthens upon mens shoulders Wo wo wo was the portion of those Pharisees then and wo wo wo is their portion now and wo and misery is the portion of the upholders of that treacherous crew and deceitful generation who are the onely maintainers of the seven heads and ten-horned beast Wherefore dear friends dwell in that which is pure and come from amongst these Babylonish Merchants and hear the voice of Christ within and I will be your God and you shall be my people saith the Lord Thomas Lawson one which was a Priest in Lancashire Witnessed by the Prisoners of the Lord at York Castle Thomas Aldam Benjamin Nicholson John Harwood A Copy of a letter to some friends concerning George Foxes tryal DEar friends and brethren in the Lord Jesus Christ my dear love unto you all desiring you may be kept stedfast in the Lord Jesus Christ and in
the power of his love boldly to witness forth the truth as it is revealed in you by the mighty working of the Father To him alone be everlasting praise and honour for evermore Dear friends the Lord doth much manifest his love and power in these parts Upon Munday last so called my brother George and I were at Lancaster there were abundance of friends from all parts and a great sort which sided with the Priests giving out they now hoped to see a stop put to that great work which had gone on so fast and with such power that their kingdom is much shaken We were called before Judge Fell Colonel West and Justice Sawer there to answer what was charged against George There were three Witnesses to eight particulars but they were much confused in themselves which gave much light to the truth whereby the Justices did plainly see that it was envie and they divers times told them so One Witness was a young Priest who confest he had not medled had not another Priest sent for him and set him awork The other were two Priests sons It was proved there by many that heard one of them say that if he had power he would make George deny his profession and that he had the Spirit and that he would take away his life and this was a single Witness to one of the greatest untruths that was charged against George And the Justices told him that they saw because he could not take away his life he went about to take away his liberty There was one Priest made out of the whole number as an Orator to plead against us who spared no pains to shew forth his envie against the truth and when he could not prevail he went down in a rage and there came up a pack of them into the room amongst whom was one Iacus George being speaking in the room one of the Justices having wished him if he had any thing to say he would speak at which the said Iacus was in such a rage that he broke forth into many high expressions against the truth spoken by my dear brother George amongst which this was one That the letter and the spirit were unseparable at which the Justices stood up and bid him prove that before he went any further but he seeing himself fast would have denied it and the rest of the Priests would have been giving the meaning of his words but the Justices would have no meaning but told him he had laid down a Position and it was fit he should prove it whereat the Priests were silenced and went down in a greater rage then before And some of them were asked at night What they had done And they lyed and said They could not get into the room thereby to hide their shame and keep the people in blindness The Justices Judge Fell and Colonel West are much convinced of the truth and do much set up justice and equity and have silenced the rage of the people Many bitter spirits were at Lancaster to see the event but went home and cryed the Priests had lost the day Everlasting praises be to him who fought the battel for us who is our King for ever There were friends called who the Witnesses confessed were in the room when the things charged upon George were spoken But they all as one man denied that any such words were spoken which gave much light to the Justices for they knew many of them as they said to be honest men and they durst trust what they witnessed There was a Warrant granted out against us at Appleby but Justice Benson told them it was not according to Law and so it ceased as I hear he is a faithful man to the truth The Priests began to preach against the Justices and say they were not to meddle in these things but to end controversie betwixt neighbour and neighbour and are not pleased with the Law because it is not in the Stature to imprison us as the Priest that pleaded against us said and the Justices bad him go put it into the Satute if he could he said it should want no will of his They are much afraid that they shall lose all they are much discontent in these parts and some of them cry all is gone Dear friends dwell in patience and wait upon the Lord who will do his owne work look not at man in the work nor at man who opposeth the work but rest in the will of the Lord that so ye may be furnished with patience both to do and to suffer what you shall be called unto that your end in all things may be his praise and take up his cross freely which keeps low the fleshly man that Christ may be set up and honoured in all things and so the light advanced in you and the judgement set up which must give sentence against all that opposeth the truth in ye that the Captivity may be led Captive and the Prisoners set free to seek the Lord that righteousness may rule in you and patience and joy may dwel with you wherein consisteth the Kingdome of the Father to whom be all praise for ever Dear friends meet often together and take heed of what exalteth it self above its brother but keep low and serve one another in love for the Lords sake let all friends know how it is with us that God may have the praise of all My dear love to my friend James Nayler Written from Kellet October 27. 1652. George is at Lancashire George Foxes Charge and his Answer 1. THat he did affirm that he had the Divinity essentially in him Answ. For the word Essential it is one of your owne but that the Saints are the Temples of the Holy Ghost and that God doth dwell in them then the Divinity dwells in them the Scripture saith they shall be partakers of the Divine nature and this I witness but where it is not manifest it cannot be witnessed 2. That both Baptisme and the Lords Supper are unlawful Answ. As for the word Unlawful it was not spoken by me but the Baptisme of Infants I deny and there is no Scripture that speaks of a Sacrament but the Baptisme that is into Christ with one Spirit into one Body that I confess and the Cup which they drink is the blood of Christ and this I witness 3. That he did disswade men from reading the Scriptures teaching them that they were carnal Answ. For disswading men from reading the Scriptures it is false for they are given forth to be read as they are but not to make a trade upon but the Letter is carnal and killeth but that which gave it forth is eternal spiritual and life and this I witness 4. That he was equal with God Answ. That was not spoken by me but he that Sanctifieth and he that is Sanctified is one it is God that Sanctifieth and the Saints are all one in the Father and the Son they are of his bone and of
his flesh and the Father and the Son are one and they are the Sons of God and they that are joyned to the Lord are one Spirit and they that are joyned to an Harlot are one flesh these the Scriptures witness and I witness 5. That God taught deceit Answ. That is false and was never spoken by me 6. That the Scriptures were Antichrist Answ. That is false I spoke it not but that they which profess the Scriptures and live not in the life and power of them as he did that gave them forth this I witness to be Antichrist 7. That he was the Judge of the world Answ. That the Saints shall judge the world that the Scripture witnesseth whereof I am one and do witness the Scripture fulfilled 6. That he was as upright as Christ Answ. These words were not spoken by me but that as he is so are we in this world that the Saints are made the righteousness of God that the Saints are one in the Father and the Son that we shall be like him and that all teaching which is given forth by Jesus Christ is to bring up the hearers to perfection even to the measure stature and fulness of Christ this the Scripture witnesseth and I witness the Scripture fulfilled in me Certain Queries to the substance of the Worcester-shire Petition very necessary to be answered by the Petitioners thereof said to be 6000. 1. THey say we know he granted their Commission speaking of the Ministers of the Gospel taking the Ministers of England in with them upon the reception of his Plenipotency and upon his Ascension gave them for the perfecting of the Saints and the edifying of the body till they come to his fulness c. as in Eph. 4.9 to the 15. and hath promised to be with them to the end of the world to keep them stedfast that they may not be tossed about with every winde of doctrine c. Querie I. Whether ever any of the Ministers now in England have received the power to bring up the Saints of God to perfection as in the 12 verse of the 4 of the Ephesians And whether by the Spirit of God dwelling in them any by them have been brought up to such a full unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God even unto a perfect man and unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ yea or no as in vers. 13. Querie II. Whether they think Christ lyed when he said he would be with them to the end of the world or do they mistrust Christ when they petition men to maintain and uphold them 2. They say The labourer is worthy of his hire and the holy Ghost saith Who goeth a warfare at his own charge They that minister about holy things live of the things of the Temple even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel as quoted by them 1 Cor. 9. to the 15. Querie III. Whether the Ministers of England pretending to fight Christs battel ought not to stand to such wages as Christ agreed with them when they were received into his service or otherwise give over fighting for him And whether they take the good counsel of John to the souldiers Be content with your wages as in Luke 3.13 14. Querie IV. Whether now Jesus Christ hath let out his Vineyard onely to the Ministers of England yea or no Querie V. Whether now Christ onely hath resigned over his flock to be fed by the Ministers of England and they to have all the profit thereof and rule the Lambs of Christ at their own wills yea or no Querie VI Whether they have any further hope of any thing but carnal things for plowing sowing and threshing out their spiritual things as they call them And whether they will stand to Christ to provide for them or forsake Christ and cleave to the world for relief seeing none can serve two masters but they must forsake the one as in Luke 16.13 Querie VII Whether these Ministers and their partakers who go about to establish Tythes or as great maintenance in their own hands by a Law are not of a quite contrary spirit to the Apostle Paul who saith We have not used this power but suffer all things left we should hinder the Gospel of Christ Querie VIII Whether the Temple and Altar were not figures of and shadowed out Jesus Christ the substance of all good things And whether the Gospel of God and Jesus Christ be not all one And whether all who serve about Christ taking him for their Master ought to take more from him then he giveth them freely without being guilty of theft and put out of their service Querie IX Whether they ought not to follow Paul as he followed Christ And whether or no Paul followed Christ when he said I have used none of these things taking any thing but what was freely communicated to him neither did he write to the Corinthians that they should do so unto him but said It were better for me to die then that any should make my glorying void And whether these care for either Christ or his Gospel declaring so they can but have their own desires fulfilled with Tythes or yeerly stipends of money 3. They say God hath always broken those powers that have disobeyed and abused their Ministers quoting 2 Chron 36.15 16 17. and hath severely dealt in England before our eyes with that generation of men that silenced reproached and persecuted them Querie X. Whether the late Bishops and the greatest of the Clergie in England that took the late King's part against the Parliament and subjects of England were not esteemed the onely Orthodox men by these Petitioners And whether many of them that are alive now be not the onely promoters of this Renting Petition put up in the names of six thousand Worcester-shire-men Querie XI Whether the Petitioners if God should bring to condignity their Town-clerks would not bestir themselves to raise a new War to uphold them Querie XII Whether those Messengers and Prophets of God whom the Lord sent and the world evil intreated did ever petition the Powers of the world to maintain and uphold them And whether they did at all perswade the Rulers to suppress all but themselves or did they ever persecute any but suffered patiently and were persecuted of all 4. They say We offer but the same request to you in your places which Christ hath commanded us to offer to God himself That where the harvest is great and the labourers are few more labourers may be sent into the harvest Querie XIII Whether those fools and unwise think that the Parliament of England be the Lord of the harvest which Christ speaketh of Mat. 9.38 Querie XIIII Whether it be not high Blasphemy to take honour from God and to give it to men when the Lord saith he will not give his honour to any but himself and how can those who blaspheam God ever think to be prospered by him and whether for such-like Practises God will not soon cut off all such false Messengers Querie XV Whether it be not below the Saints priviledge to Petition or make address unto Counsellors of men seeing they have priviledge make address unto and ask counsel of the Lord or whether those who ask counsel of men believe that God would hear them or know what God is Querie XVI Whether God having sent many Labourers into his Vinyard they asking nothing but the Lords wages a Peny and not desire it until they have finished their work ought to be rooted out of the Vineyard by the Blasphemous Clergie as will be made appear they are who will not work without the worlds wages And whether they can have both the wages of God and of the world seeing one is pure and the other polluted and cannot agree together and whether they can be once called the Ministers of Christ which dare not trust him for their wages By Ben. Nic. In the World are Gods many and Lords many so called but thou onely art our Lord and we seek for salvation at none else 1 Cor. 8.5 6. and in vain is salvation looked for from the hills c. Ier. 3.23 Farewel Mend with your Pen in Letter what 's amiss Mend by the Spirit in life what Error is FINIS Rev. 1.13 Rev. 11.9 10 Isa. 1. Isa. 3.11 12 c. Mat. 5.40 Jer. 15.12 Eph. 5.23 James 5.5 Rev. 21.8 Rer. 22.15 Eph. 5.1 2. Rev. 14.9 10 11. Amos 8. John 4. Mat. 24. Isa. 66.12 2 Cor. 6.17 18 19. Mal. 2. cha. Isa. 56.10 11. Mat. 23. Amos 8.3 Rev. 13.8 9. Rev. 14.9 10.11 1 Cor. 8.10 1 Co. 6.19 2 Cor. 6.16 17 18. Isa. 66.1 Rev. 21.2 3. Act. 7.27 28.29 Act. 17.24 25. Jer. 5.30 Jer. 23. Ezek. 54. Isa. 56.9 10 11. Mic. 3.11 Mal. 2.1 2 3 9. Ezek. 13. Mat. 23. Joh. 10. Rom. 1.29 30 31 32. Eph. 5.3 4 5. Rom. 6.16 Isa. 1.24 Isa. 3.13 14. Isa. 6.15 16. 1 Cor. 6.9 10 11. Rev 21.8 22.15 Mat. 7.19 Isa. 66.15.16 Rom. 1.18 Rom. 2.5 6 1 Pet. 3.11 12. Mat. 5.32 33 34. Exo. 9.29 Isa. 24.1 Isa. 26.1 2. Amos 6.1 Isa. 5.18 Jam. 5.5 2 Cor. 6.16 Eph 4.6 2 Pet. 1.4 Gal. 3.27 1 Cor. 10.23 Joh 6.34.55 Heb. 2.11 Eph. 5.30 1 Cor. 6.7 2 3. 1 Joh. 4.17 2 Cor. 2.21 Eph. 4.11 12.13