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
THE Acts of the Witnesses OF THE SPIRIT In Five Parts By LODOWICK MVGGLETON One of the Two Witnesses and True Prophets of the only High Immortal Glorious God Christ Jesus Left by him to be publish'd after 's death In the latter days two Bright Stars shall arise raising up men being dead in their sins which shall resist the Beast and the Waters of the Dragon testifying and preaching the Law of the Lamb and the Destruction of Antichrist and shall diminish his Waters but they shall be weakened in the Bread of Affliction and they shall rise again in stronger force and after Truth shall be revealed and the Lamb shall be known After this shall be but a small Space Fox in his Book of Marters LONDON Printed in the Year of our Lord God 1699. THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY TO all True Christian People that do or shall hereafter come to believe in this Third and Last Spiritual Commission is this ensuing Treatise directed with love and peace to you be multiplied It being a Legacy left you by the Lords last True Porphet for your further establishment in Truth As also it is left for a Convincement of the Seed of Reason when he is in the dust that by these Acts they may see how he hath been slandred reproached and belied persecuted and imprisoned without a Cause For how many Lying Reports hath been not only flung upon them but also upon the True Believers of them saying That we own neither God nor Devil Heven or Hell and all because they see us use no outward glittering shew in fruitless Forms of Worship whilst we worship an invisible Spiritual yet personal God in Spirit and Truth which the World knows nothing of For this we know and affirm that the Doctrine of this Commission of the Spirit is of as great purity and power as to Godliness as ever any was and as they were themselves ever kept innocent from the breach of the Morral Law as to Act Even so the Fruits of their Doctrine is of the like efficacy in the knowing seed of Faith by which they have dominion over Sin as in respect of Act. And altho' this last Prophet in his Answer to the Nine Assertions hath shewed his great mercy and clemency to some corrupt Natures yet it is but to such who act not so far as the breach of the Morral Law as to borrow Money and not to pay it again or to be passionate and hasty natur'd overcome with Strong Drink or the like and tho' these are evil yet reach but to the Borders of the Law being Frailties in Nature which disturb the peace of the Mind for in such things as the Apostle James saith We offend all But where there is true Faith it prevents the Act as this Prophet saith in one place among many his Words are these Faith saith he overcomes all Sin Death and Hell within a man's self and that none but such shall be admitted into the Kingdom of Heaven And the Prophet Reevâ—s Doctrine is thus saying All those that are led by the Voice of the holy Spirit of Jesus do work Righteousness in their bodies whereby they die unto Sin Again saith he in another place The Light of Christ in man doth convert from the Ruling Power of Sin And in a Third Place which is not yet printed saith That they that are led by the Spirit of Faith are kept from the commiting of sin I do not say saith he that they have no Motion to sin but the Spirit of Faith purifies their hearts giving them power against those Motions that they commit not the Act and from hence it is that all that are born of God know the Voice of God and hath this Power over Sin as I have declar'd said he These Doctrines of the Prophets are absolute and possitive and do give great light into several Scriptures as Matt. Chap. 5. ver 28. 1 John chap. 3. ver 9. and ver 15. in these places we are to distinguish between the Motion and the Action of Sin This may also give light into Rom. chap. 7. how that Paul spake there as to his state by Nature as also of the strife and strugle between the two Seeds of Faith and Reason until the Law of Faith was quickened and power by it attain'd and then had he dominion over Sin as Chap. 8. and so came to have peace with God and with his own Conscience and Assurance of Eternal Life And from hence comes the Grounds of true Worship and flows forth all spiritual Praise as David said O how sweet is thy Law This sweet Law is the Law of Faith and he or she that is truly possessed hereof can seal to those words of the Prophet Reeve which saith That he that is born of God his Language and Practice is such as speaks forth the Power of Godliness to the confounding of all glittering Tongue Hipocrites and Faithless Formalists Now let all True Believers know that under every Commission this is made the ordinary way of Life and Salvation yet to prevent an objection this is confessed by us That tho' there is this power in Faith as aforesaid yet the Lord for the Tryal of his Creature may suffer some of his Chosen Ones to fall in the time of a Commission and for the prâ—ise of his Free Grace may grant them our Repentance or sâ—â—â—nd Free Pardâ—n for thus writes the Prophet Reeve in a Writinâ— not yet printed The Lâ—rd saith he leaves some to their own strength through which he rebels against the Light that is in him to the wounding of his own Soul to the end that he may learn that the power by which he is preserved from the 〈◊〉 of Sin and so from eternal ruin is not in himself but in the Living God that made him Therefore the Scripture here and there pâ—iâ—teth fâ—rth one that the Lord hath left for a seas n to manifâ—st his Prerâ—gative Power ovâ—r his Creatures and afterwards doth his God head Spirit move him to a second Free Pardâ—n wherein he raiseth that Soul to a highâ—r and greater measure of Grace Wisdom and Humility than it had before which fulfils that Saying of Paul Where Sin abounded there Grace did superabound And this was fulfilled both by David and Paul Here we see that if an Elect Vâ—ssâ—l should once fall after his knowledge and belief in Truth that his second Pardon doth raise him to a higher degree of Grace Wisdom and Humility then he had before This by the Prophet is made a true Tryal to know whether a repentance or conversion from the Act of Sin committed be real or fained as also that a second fail or relapse will prove dangerous because it is rare to find a Third Pardon and a Third increase of Grace to that Pardon Thus it is made clear that the Doctrine of this Commission of the Spirit it hath power of Purity in it and n ne that is truly born of God can dispute against it but
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
Book he wrote the Title is called A Dialogue between Faith and Reason Which is in print at this Day 7. The forth Book he wrote is called A Wonder of Wonders Which is in print at this Day 8. After this he grew so Proud and Lording over the Beleivers saying That no body could write in the vindication of this Commission now John Reeve was dead but he And to that purpose he wrote another Book Intituled The lost Sheep found It is in print to this Day 9. Wherein he had proudly exalted himself into John Reeve's Chair exalting John Reeve and himself but quite excluded me in all the Book 10. So many of the Beleivers complained to me of his lording over them and that he had excluded me quite in this last Book 11. Whereupon I read the Book over and found the Report was true 12. Whereupon I put him down for ever writing any more and I wrote to the Beleivers in Cambridge shier and else where that he was put down for his Pride and Covetousness for ever writing any more upon that account 13. And the Beleivers did obey my Voice every where 14. He continued thus four Years after John Reeve dyed until the year 1661. and in a while after Laurance Claxton humbled himself to me and acknowledged his Fault and I forgave him and took him into my Favour but ty'd him not to write any more 15. So he continued several years afterwards justifying his Faith and Confidence in this Commission of the Spirit 16. But it came to pass when the Fire destroy'd the Citty of London he to get a Livelyhood did ingage to help Persons of Quality to borrow Mony to build their Houses again 17. But the Persons that had the Mony did run away and left Claxton in the Lurch the Debt was one hundred Pounds 18. So he only was Arrested and put in Ludgate Goal for this Mony He lay there a whole year and dyed there 19. But he gave a very good Testimony of his Faith in the true God and in this Commission of the Spirit and of that full assurance of eternal Happiness he should enjoy to eternity after his Death 2. Insomuch that all the Prisoners marvelled and were sorry they had opposed him so when he was alive CHAP. VII Shewing how the Prophet caused The Divine Looking-Glass to be Reprinted Of the Prophets printing a Book of the Interpretation of the 11th of the Revelations And The Quakers Neck broken Of his Travels to Nottingham and the Transactions that passed there And then to Chesterfield 1. THE first thing I did after Claxton was put down I caused the Divine Looking-Glass to be new printed 1661. Which was done very handsomly and is now to be seen 2. After this I wrote a Book containing Twenty four Sheets of Paper Intituled The Interpretation of the 11th Chapter of the Revelations by St. John and got it printed in the same year 1662. Which is yet to be seen Never was such a thing extant in the World before 3. After this I wrote a Book called The Neck of the Quakers broken containing Tenn Sheets of Paper and got it printed in the same year 1663. Which is yet to be seen 4. After this it came to pass that several in the North Country hearing and seeing these Books had a great desire to see me and especially one Ellin Sudbury at Notingham and one Dorothy Carter of Chesterfield in Darbyshier 5. These and others were very desirous to see me but they could not tell how for they thought it would be too much Charge and Labour for them to come to London to me so far for they were loath to put me to so much Charge to come to them yet Ellin Sudbury her desiers were so strong that she could not be satisfied except she did see me So she wrote a Letter unto me that I would come into those Parts and that the Sosiety should bare the Charge 6. Now I marvelled what that Society should be but it was the Beamonists mix'd with the Quakers as I found afterwards But this being in the Winter I sent word I would come and see her in Summer 7. And accordingly it came to pass that one Thomas Hudson a Friend of ours at London had occasion to see his own Relations in Lancashire and Notingham and Chesterfield being in his way he was willing to travel with me to see those Friends we had never seen before 8. And when we came to Notingham Elin Sudbury was glad to see us and so was her Husband also but at that time he was upon the Beamonist score so there came several of the Beamonists People to discourse with me and some of the Speakers of them and Mr. Sudbury he thought they would be able to dispute with me though he could not 9. But he saw they were more weak than himself to maintain their Principles of Religion so that he disliked them and said That their was no true knowledge of the Scriptures amongst them Also he heard me pass the Sentence of Damnation to eternity on four of them 10. And one of these was very much troubled and asked Elin Sudbury whether she did beleive he was damn'd because I had passed the Sentance upon him only to insnare her she being but weak and had never heard such a thing before 11. But I to free her from that Bondage in her Minde for I knew she had not Confidence enough at that time to say she did beleive he was damn'd And if she should say no then she would loose the assurance of her own Happiness in beleiving me to be a Prophet of the Lord and had Power to give Sentance of Blessedness to one and Cursedness to the other So I knew the Woman was in a strait what to say and he urged her for an Answer 12. But I said she shall not give you her Judgment at all to insnare her Mind I have passed the Sentance upon you and I do beleive without doubting That you are the Seed of the Serpent and will be damn'd to eternity and it matters not if all the People in the World should beleive to the contrary yet my Faith shall be stronger than all to keep you down 13. Then they grew angree and threatned to prosecute me but could not tell how to state a ground of Prosecution 14. After Thomas Hudson and I went from thence to Chesterfield which was Twenty Miles further to Dorothy Carter's House a Widdow she had one Daughter her Name was Elizabeth that was a true Beleiver and a young Maid that was Servant to Dorothy Carter her Name was Elizabeth Smith a true Beleiver also 15. And there was in that Town a Man his Name was Edward Fewterer a Chirurgeon that was a true Beleiver also These Four were glad to see me for they had never seen me before 16. But the Professors of Religion in that Town hearing of me there came several to dispute with me but some of them blasphemed and dispised what
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
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
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
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
not I will lead them in Paths they have not known I will make Darkness Light before them Though this Scripture was fulfilled in Christ's time yet it was fulfilled in me now 17. For I was led by a Faith now which I did not know That was by the Revelation of Faith This was a Path I did not know for I never knew what Revelation was before 18. Also this Revelation of Faith it made that Darkness of the immagination of Reason be light before me to see the Truth of those Sayings of Scripture Matt. 4.16 The People that sat in Darkness saw great Light and to them which sat in the Region and Shadow of Darkness Light is sprung up 19. This Scripture also was fulfilled in me at that time for I sat in Darkness and in the Shadow of Death but the Day before 20. But in the Evening the Light of Faith sprung up in my Soul and the Revelation of it took me as it were by the Hand from place to place in Scripture and shewed me the meaning of it 21. Also it led me to that place of Scripture Luke 1.79 To give Light to them that sat in Darkness and to guide our Feet into the way of Peace 22. Here did I see that the Day before I sat in Darkness and in the Shadow of Death but now the Light of Life is risen in me and gave me Revelation to guide my Feet in the Path of Peace where no Fear nor Doubt should ly in my Way never to stumble more 23. These and many more places of Scripture was set before me and the Light of them shined clear about my Understanding and gave me the Interpretation of all Scripture and all Questions in Spiritual Things that could arise out of the Heart of Man was easy to me to answer CHAP. XIV Of the time of the Prophets Revelation his Satisfaction in it and his Resolution to fit still now and be quiet from Disputes about Religion Yet shews that Providence order'd it otherways Of the Prophet Reeve's Revelation of the Raven and Dove 1. THis Revelation aforesaid was upon me Six Hours it began about nine of the Clock at Night and about twelve of the Clock I got a little Sleep 'till three of the Clock in the Morning then it came upon me again and lasted 'till six of the Clock in the Morning And so it did in like manner for four Nights together six Hours in a Night 2. And I never was without motional Voices opening the Scriptures all Day long when I was alone for a long time after 3. So that I was so well satisfied in my Mind as to my eternal Happiness so that I was resolved now to be quiet and still and not to medle no more with Religion but to let every one go on in their own way for I looked at no Bodys Peace and Happiness but my own 4. So now I thought to get as good a Living as I could in this World and live as comfortably as I could here for I knew all things would be well with me hereafter Thinking that this Relvelation should have been benificial to no body but myself 5. For I lov'd for to be private and still for my Nature could never indure to be publick So I thought all was well now I had attained my Desire 6. But when I thought to be most Secure and most Private in a little time after it made me the most publick I not thinking that this Revelation was a Preparation for God to chuse me to be a Commissioner of the Spirit to declare the Mistery of the true God and the Interpretation of the Scriptures which is Life and Salvation unto Men whereby I was made the most publick Man in the World in spiritual Things 7. This Revelation continued with me all one from April to January in the Year 1651. and in the year of my Life 41. And in the same year John Reeve came often to my House 8. And he hearing me speak such high Revelation and giving such Interpretation of Scripture he was so taken with my Language that his Desires were extream earnest unto God which he knew not at that time that he might have the same Revelation as I had 9. His Desires were so great that he was troublesome unto me for I could not follow my Business quietly for his asking me Questions for if I went out of one Room into another he would follow me to talk to me 10. So that I was weary of his Company yet I was loath to tell him so because I knew he did it out of Innocency of his Heart and Love to the Things which I spoke 11. Thus as aforesaid John Reeve continued and came almost every Day to my House most part of that Summer and Winter And in the Month of January 1651. about the middle of the Month John Reeve had the Revelation of the Scriptures in a large measure 12. So he came to me very joyful the next Morning and said Cousin Lodowick now saith he I know what Revelation of Scripture is as well as thee Said I Let me hear what Scripture is opened unto you 13. He answered and said as he was thinking of several things there fâ—â—â—'d qâ—iet stilness upon his Mind and immediately there was presented to his Understanding this place of Scripture Genesis viij 7 8 9 10 11. verses Concerning Noah's Ark with the Raven and Dove 14. Of which Scripture this was the Interpretation 15. This Raven and Dove which Noah sent forth of the Ark saith he was a Tipe of the Two Seeds in every Man and the Ark was a Tipe of the Body of Man 16. For there is two Motions always speaking in Man Now saith he the Body of Man signifies the Ark of God or the Ark of Noah 17. The Raven that is sent forth of the Ark signifies the Motions of Reason in Man for the Motions of Reason goeth out of Man walking through dry Places seeking Rest but can find none 18. Also it was the Reason of Man that took Christ when on Earth up into an exceeding high Mountain and shewed him all the Kingdoms of the World 19. This Reason in Man is that Raven that goeth forth of the Ark the Body of Man to and fro and taketh Comfort in nothing but earthly Things 20. For as soon as ever the Tops of the Mountains of the Earth did appear the natural Raven never return'd into the Ark again as you may see in the 5th Verse 21. So is it with the Reason of Man That Raven when it goeth forth by its motions out of Body of Man the Ark It goeth to and fro the Earth 22. For the Reason of Man cannot indure to be inclosed or confined but will be flying upon the Mountains of the Earth or in the Air. Therefore it is called the Prince of the Air which ruleth in the Hearts of the Children of Disobedience 23. Now what Ruleth in the Children of Disobedience Hearts but the Spirit of
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