saith that though for a precence they make long prayers who devour widows houses and have the chief seats in the Synagogues c. yet not withstanding these faith Christ shall receive greater damnation as may be read Mar. 12.38 39 40. Concerning free-grace Grace is the gift of God Pro. 3.34 and what is more free than gift yet some say cursed be all they that say grace is free and let all the people say Amen I say let such be marked for they are the enemies of Christ and are false Prophets and eminent or great for the interest of Anti-Christ for the Lord God is a Sun and a shield the Lord will give grace and glory no good thing will he with hold from them that walk uprightly Psa 84 11. And grace and truth came by Jesus Christ Joh. 1.14 and the true Christians beleeved through grace Acts 18.27 and it the grace had not been free through which they beleeved might they not have died in their sins and perished because they could not chime it as a debt and they could not morit it because whilst und belâ—evers what had they of an equall worth to give for it they could not purchase it by any act or thing of theirs Therefore is was and is a gift and being a gift it is free Rom. 5.17 18. And before the apostacy the true Gospe-Minister hath declared the grace of God which bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldliness we should live righteously soberly and godly in this present evill world Titus 2.11.12 But since the apostacy the false Prophets and Ministers of Anti-Christ They deny the freeness and sufficiency of the grace of God and so denyes the doctrine of the Spirit of grace to the end that they may set up self and live in sinfulness drunkenness and abundance of ungodiliness in despite to the Spirit of grace but great will be the punishment of such as doe despite to the spirit of grace and turne into wantonness as you may read Heb. 10.28,19 Iude 4. such are of the number of the false Prophets and Subjects to Anti-Christ Therefore beware of them for by their fruits they are known Concerning Faith The true Ministers of the Gospel before the apostacy they came not with the enticing words of mans wisdome but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power to the end that the true Christians faith might not stand in the wisdome of men but in the power of God 1 Cor. 2.4.5 and the true Gospel-Minister said to the true Christians by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God not of works least any man should boast Eph. 2.8 9. But since the apostacy the false Prophets and Ministers of Anti-Christ that deny the grace to be free and say it is not sufficient they deny the sufficiency of it and so denies saluation by grace through faith and sets up their own works or self actings to the end that they may act Anti-Christs part and boast of their own doings by the power of self who deny the power of God in which the Saints faith doth stand and turns cursers of them that own the true faith who say cursed are all they that say faith is without sin as many false Prophets in Scotland have done true faith is the gift of God and a fruit of the Spirit of God as the blessed Apostle hath said 1 Cor. 12.8.9 and Gal. 5.22 23. and God gives faith but be gives not sin Therefore the faith which Cod gives must needs be a faith without sin and what soever is not of faith is sin Rom. 14.22 but whatsoever is sin is not of faith nor any part or degree of the same true faith purifieth the heart Acts 15.9 but sin polluteth Mar. 7.21 22 23. true faith is pretious 2 Pet. 1.1 but so is not sin true faith in Christ is the Saints victory over the world 1 Ioh. 5. 4. therefore it is a faith without sin and Christ is the author of the true faith Heb. 12.2 but he is not the author of sin therefore that faith which he is the author of must needs be a faith without sin Then they that say faith is not without sin they must needs be false Prophets and Ministers of sin or subjects of Anti-Christ who doe no less than say the gift of God is not without sin and that Christ is the author of sin Oh horrid blasphemy and wicked delusion for if faith be not without sin as they say it is not then God in giving faith must give sin according to the false Prophets account which he doth not and if faith be not without sin as the false Prophets say it is not then Christ in being the author of faith might be the author of sin according to the false Prophets account therefore people now that you have such a cleer discovery of them and in regard that their fruits doe so plainly describe them if you yet follow them and be still seduced by them it is because you are in love with them and are willing to be led astray by them and if the blinds lead the blinde shall not both fall into the ditch as Christ hath said Mat. 15.14 now you are warned and I am cleared wherefore be separate and come out from among them and touch not the uncleane thing all you that regard the glory of God and you souls good that you may be hid in the day of the Lords wrath and be received into favour with him and numbred amongst his Sons and Daughters 2 Cor. 6.17 18. By a servant of the Lord Iesus Christ and a true lover of all that love the truth as it is in â—esus and Wisheth grace mercy and peace to all the Saints in Christ Iesus and much happiness and blessing to all the true Gospel-Ministers who are faithfull to the work of the Ministry of the true Christ that said the false Prophets should come Mat. 7. 24. Chap. and gave counsell to his to beware of them and I being called into the work of the Ministry of the Gospel of Christ am ingaged much in love to him and as a partaker with the rest of the true Gospel Ministers I am bound in love to write this testimony against the false Prophets and for the informing of all honest people to the end that they may be aware of them and so remain yours as you are the Lords faithfull servants Messengers and friends Written at Bridlenton Key in the beginning of the twelfth month in the year 1657 c R. F. A few Queries to the Parish-Priests Parsons and Rectors c. Query I. VVAS not the tenths of every Parish since the apostacy first granted to their Incumbents by the Pope of Rome yea or nay Query II. Whether was not the English Church in the time of apostacy since the coming of the false Christs and false Prophets long after the Birth of Christ founded in the
not since then deceived the Nations and are they no more setled then waters or how should it be otherwise whilst they erre from the true Spirit and follow their own inventions but God is now bringing and hath brought many people out of the waters to the Rock Christ Jesus and is building them together in him upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth to an holy Temple in the Lord For an habitation of God through the Spirit Eph 2.18 19 20 21 22. And now is the Lord bringing people to the true spirituall worship againe according to the Scriptures Ioh. 4.23 24. Phil 3.3 which was before the Apostacy at which the false Prophets that hath long reigned in the time of Apostacy are greatly offended but it is but that the Scriptures may be fulfilled which saith evill men and seducers shall waxe worse and worse deceiving and being deceived 2 Tim. 3.13 The true Christians owned and professed Christ Jesus within them before the Apostacy and did not deny Revelation but since the Apostacy the false Prophets and Antichristians denyeth the true Christ to have an inbeing in his people and are offended at such as own revelation and the true Christ to be within according to the Scriptures The Apostle Paul not of men neither by man but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead did affirme and certify to the Brethren before the Apostacy that the Gospel which was preached of him was not after man nor received of man neither was he taught it but by the revelation of Jesus Christ Gal. 1.1.11 12. he did not deny revelation as the false Prophets doe but said when it pleased God who called me by his grace to reveale his Son in me that I might preach him among the Heathen immediatly I conferred not with flesh and blood but went into Arabia c. Gal. 1.15 16 17. here this true Gospel Minister neither denyed revelation nor disowned the Son but witnessed that God had revealed him unto him and that within as aforesaid but the false Apostles and false Prophets deny both revelation and Christ to be within the true Apostle said he was not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ which Gospel he affirmed and declared to be the power of God unto salvation unto every one that beleeveth and furthermore he hath affirmed that therein viz. the Gospel of Christ which is the power of God as aforesaid is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith Rom. 1.16 17. here againe the true Gospel-Minister before the Apostacy owned revelation and did not say it was ceased neither was he ashamed of that Gospel of Christ namely the power of God wherein the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith as aforesaid and the same Apostle before the Apostacy commanded that if any man yea or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel than that which he with the rest had preached to let such beholden accursed Gal. â— 8 9. but since the apostacy the false Apostles or Ministers of Anti-Christ together with the false Prophets who deny revelation and say it s ceased they preach a contrary Gospel to that which the true Apostles preached where in the righteousness of God as aforesaid is from faith to faith revealed therefore the said false Apostles or Ministers of Anti-Christ together with the false Prophets are held accursed The true Gospel Minister in whom Christ was revealed in preaching to the Gentiles before the Apostacy where he speaks of the mystery which God would make known among the Gentiles he hath declared it to be Christ in them the hope of glory whom saith he we preach and teach c. Col. 1.27.28 did not the true Gospel Ministers in so preaching preach Christ within as aforesaid and doe not the false Prophets since the Apostacy deny such a doctrine The true Gospel Ministers before the Apostacy preached the Gospel with the holy Ghost sent down from Heaven 1 Pet. 1.12 but since the Apostacy the false Prophets seeks to exclude the office of the Holy Ghost and are highly offended at them now that preach the Gospel againe with the holy Ghost sent down from Heaven the true Gospel-Minister before the Apostacy was called and sent to turne people from the darkness to the light Acts 26.16 17 18. and so from the power of Satan to the power of God but in the Apostacy and enmity the false Christs and false Prophets are against the true light and thereunto opposite both endeavouring to keep all they can for owning the light and joyning to the same and they also labour by their wiles slights and cunning craftiness to seduce and as much as in them lyeth to turne people from the true light to the darkness againe and so from the power of God to the power of Satan but now they are known for the day is dawned and the day Star arisen in the hearts of many and the day declareth every mans works of what sort they are therefore as this is read with a right understanding let them that so read take notice who the false Christs and false Prophets are and of them hereafter be aware Concerning Revelation and the Spirit c. MOreover in the Primitive time before the Apostacy or coming of the false Christs and false Prophets that Christ said should come and Iohn saw were come as aforementioned the true Gospel-Ministers were so far from denying Revelations That they said No man knoweth the things of God but by the spirit of God which revealeth the deep things of God 1 Cor. 2.10 11. And they also declared and said that they had not received the Spirit of the world but the Spirit of God that they might know the things that were freely given them of God ver 12. and if no man know the things of God but by the Spirit of God which revealeth the deep things of God then to deny Revelations and say they are ceased Is not that to deny the office and work of the Spirit of God and say it is ceased and doe not they that say so plainly shew that they are false Prophets and false Apostles or Ministers of Anti-Christ and doe not such also deny the true Apostles Doctrine and shew that they are ignorant and without the true Spirit guiding them to speak and that they know not the things of the Spirit of God who deny Revelation the office and work of the Spirit to reveale and make known the things of God as aforesaid without which Spirit of God or a measure thereof no man can know the things of God as the true Apostles hath said The true Gospel-Minister before the Apostacy declared and said that if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his Rom. 8.9 but the false Prophets or Ministers of Anti-Christ since the Apostacy deny that any man should have the Spirit of Christ and they doe not onely declare
in the legall dispensation when he was a little child and bound about with a linnen Ephod and so not have been admitted to minister to the Lord or in his behalf in that ministration because a child or not 23. years of age might he not either by such a Law have been bound from the work of the ministry though the Lord had called him to it and by his word both established and fitted him for it according to the Scripture 1. Sam. 2.18.19.1 Sam. 31.19 20 21. or else by that Law have suffered and been by men condemned or not approved because not called to the ministry according to their Law if so was not such a Law viz. 13. of Eliz. 12. as the parish-priests preachers and Ministers were called ordained and tolerated by or according unto their ministry a Law directly contrary to the Scriptures and in opposition to God and his word or way of calling to the ministry as aforesaid yea or nay Query XVI And might not Christ Jesus himself by such a Law have been bound and not admitted to have done his Fathers will at twelve years of age when at such an age he waxed strong in spirit being filled with wisdome and the grace of God was upon him so that he was fit to dispute and did at twelve years of age doe his Fathers business as may be read Luke 2.40 41 42. to the 50. But if it had been of late years when the Common prayer book and that way of calling to the work of the Ministry according to the Statute of the 13. of Eliz. 12. were in force if not yet might not Christ himself if he had then been personally present in England have by that Law been disallowed of and not admitted to the work of the Lord at twelve years of age nor afterward no more then by the Jews and chief priests he was who questioned his authority and said have any of the rulers or Pharisees beleeved on him if so was not that Law directly opposite to the Scriptures and contrary to the way of God as aforesaid and if he had pleaded his inward spirituall call and said his Father had sent him would not the rulers and chief priests in England have opposed and said â—n inward call without an outward according to the Law of man before mentioned would not have been sufficient yea or nay Query VII And if none might have been admitted to Minister in the behalf of the Lord but such as subscribed to the Articles agreed of in the Convocation holden at London in the year 1562. and also such as did assent to the same and read their subscription to the said Articles with a Declaration of their unfeigned assent thereunto in the parish Church where they were to serve in the time of Common prayer at or soon after their Induction being 23. years of age and before their admission brought the Bishop of the Diocess from men known to him a testimoniall of their professing the doctrine expressed in the said Articles that they might receive a testimoniall under his Seal authentick and be tolerated c according to the 13. of Eliz. 12. which was the Parish-Priests way of ordination and toleration it seems till of late that there was no Bishops to give them orders or a testimoniall under their seal authentick c. might not by the same rule or Law all the Ministers of God as true Prophets and Apostles that was sent by the Lord God and his Spirit according to the Scriptures have been disallowed of and neither admitted nor tolerated because they had not the Common prayer book nor the Articles that was but agreed of in the Convocation holden at London as they were agreed of in the time of apostacy therefore they could not subscribe to them nor read any Declaration of their unfeigned assent thereunto in the Parish Church because they had no such Parish Church nor Popish stuffe among the true Gospel-Ministers before the apostacy spoken of in the Scriptures and if the Lord should have sent any by his Spirit according to the order of the true Prophets and Apostles might they not have been disallowed of and not admitted into the work of the Ministry in England c. if they could not submit to that Popish stuffe and inventions of the false Christs and false Prophets or errour of the parish priestâ—â— c. that came in since the apostacy and must not such as the Lord sends now and hereafter by his Spirit and according to his word be disallowed and denyed by the parish-priests c. if they can not submit to their other inventions or former Popish traditions yea or nay Query XVIII Was it not declared in the Statute of the 13. of Eliz 12. that none should be admitted to administer the Sacraments when the Common prayer book and that Service was in force untill he were 24. years of age and was not the Sacraments and Sacramentalls formerly whilst the Mass book was in force commonly called the Mass see the Statute of the 2. 3. of Ed. 6. Chap. 1. And if the Sacraments and Sacramentals were called the Mass whilst the Mass-book was in force was they not the same in the time of the Common prayer book and are they not the same that they were seeing the Scripture speaks nothing of either Sacraments or Mass yea or nay Query XIX Did not the Pope after the apostacy when he caused Tithes Oblations Obventions c. to be paid to the Parish-Priests Parsons and Rectors c. cause the same to be paid to them and such like onely as were of the Popish order and preached up his interest and observed the Mass book and that service and worship onely which was then set up and by him allowed of yea or nay Query XX. If so then whether ought not those Tithes Oblations Obventions c. to have ceased and returned back to the people againe when he and that worship and service was denyed for which they were payed or is the worship and service in the ground of Superstition and Popery made void where and by whom Tithes Oblations Obventions c. are received which the Pope at first since the apostacy created or caused to be paid yea or nay Query XXI Did King Henry the 8. when he denyed the Pope to be head of the Church of England called the holy Church then deny the Tithes and make them void which the Pope had created or caused before to be paid and did he put down Tithes to cause them to returne to the people againe whose right they were before the Pope caused the people to pay to them to his Priests Parsons and Rectors c. or did not King Henry and his Parliament when the Pope was denyed to be head of the Church confer and state the Popes former Creation or gift as Tithes Oblations Obventions c. upon the Prelates or the Kings Parish-Priests Parsons and Rectors c. and were they not then to observe to
thereby that they are none of his Ministers but also that Christ hath no true Disciples or Subjects Therefore they that deny the Spirit of Christ they must needs be false Prophets and Ministers of Anti-Christ or the Devils Subjects note such and take it for granted they are the enemies of our Lord Jesus Christ The true Gospel-Ministers and Saints in Christ Jesus before the Apostacy declared and affirmed that they had received the Spirit of God whereby they knew the things that were freely given them of God and by the same Spirit they knew that they were children of God and joynt heirs with Christ and could by divine right say it the Spirit of God also witnessing with their Spirit that it was true and thereby viz. by the Spirit which they had received of God or by the Spirit of his Son which he had sent into their hearts they could cry Abba Father Rom. 8.14 15 16. 1 Cor. 2.10 11 12. Gal 4 6. But since the Apostacy the false Prophets and Ministers of Anti-Christ declares and affirms that it is presumption or blasâ—hemy for any to affirme now that they have the Spirit of God and know thereby the things which are freely given them or God and to say that they are the children of God and joynt heirs with Christ and that they have the Spirit of God as an evidence bearing witness with their Spirit according to the Scriptures that it is so and that God hath sent the spirit of his Son into their hearts whereby they cry Abba Father and can so call him by divine right according to the Scriptures as the Saints in Christ Jesus formerly did This the false Prophets and Ministers of Anti-Christ calleth presumption delusion and blasphemy therefore note them and as Christ hath said Mat. 7.20 by their fruits ye shall know them The true Apostle and Minister of Christ before the Apostacy exhorted or counselled the people to walk in the spirit to the end that they might not fulfill the lusts of the flesh Gal. 5.16 Because they that live in the flesh cannot please God as the true Gospel Minister before the Apostacy hath said Rom. 8.8 and the fruits of the flesh are manifest saith he which are these See Gal. 5.19 20 21. and they which doe such things shall not inherit the kingdome of God as the true Gospel-Minister hath said and as may be read Gal. 5.19 c. 1 Cor. 6. 9 10. Eph. 5.5 6. But since the Apostacy the false Prophets and Ministers of Anti-Christ they deny the Spirit of truth and labours to keep people from walking in the Spirit of God to the end that they may fulfill the lusts of the flesh and that they may live in the flesh and be kept but of the Spirit least they should please God and so for the upholding and strengthning Satans interest in people they are and labours to keep people in sin and to pleade for the same that they may live in the flesh and bring forth the works thereof to the end that they may be fitted for Satan and be kept out of the kingdome of God Therefore it is high time for people that hath any regard to the glory of God and of their souls good to look about them and not any longer follow the false Prophets and Ministers of Anti-Christ that hath had such a long reigne and are expert in the work of deceiving The true Gospel-Minister before the Apostacy counselled people he ministred unto not onely to walk in the Spirit that they might not fulfil the lusts of the flesh but also that through the spirit they might mortify the deeds of the body to the end that they might live unto God and bring forth the fruits of the Spirit and so glorify him But since the apostacy the false Prophets and Ministers of Anti-Christ they labour to keep people from the Spirit least the deeds of the flesh should be mortified and therefore they labour to keep them out of the Spirit of truth least they should by it be led out of deceit and into the truth to live to the praise and glory of God as aforesaid also see Gal. 5.16 Rom. 8.13 14. Joh. 15.8 Gal. 5.22 23 24. For if they should walk in the Spirit and bring forth fruit unto God and dye to the world Satan would loose his hold and his interest in people would cease and come to an end Therefore that he may uphold a kingdome of sin and unrighteousness covered over with a pretence of godliness in people he sits the false Prophets and seducers to labour and Minister for him but as Christ hath said by their fruits ye shall know them a before mentioned Mat. 7. Concerning perfection according to the Scriptures THe onely true God when he appeared to Abraham the Father of the faithfull declared and said I am the Almighty God and in his doctrine or by way of command said unto Abraham Walk before me and be thou perfect Gen. 17.1 which doctrine Abraham received and also Christ Jesus our Lord in his doctrine or by way of command he said unto his Disciples and those that he taught who had grace and received the same be ye perfect as your heavenly father is perfect Mat. 5.48 And such as pressed after perfection the doctrine of the Father and the Son said by the Spirit of truth as many as are perfect be thus minded Phil. 3. to press others on to the same and before the apostacy whilst the holy Ghost had the ordering in the true Church and were of Counsell with the Ministers of Christ who preached the Gospell with the holy Ghost sent down from Heaven Acts 15.28 1 Pet. 1.12 they declared and said we preach wisdome amongst them that are perfect 1 Cor. 2.6 and they taught in all wisdome labouring to present every man perfect in Christ Col 1.27 28 29. for which end they said Christ Jesus when he ascended upon high gave gifts unto men that is to say for the perfecting of the Saints c. Eph. 4.10 11 12 13. who having grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ Eph. 4.7 received the same But since the apostacy the false Prophets and Ministers of Anti-Christ they deny the aforesaid doctrine of perfection and under a cover they are not ashamed to say and affirme that the doctrine of sinless perfection was first bred by the Devil secondly detested by Christ thirdly and never received or truly beleeved in by them that had any sparke of true grace when the said Doctrine of perfection as aforementioned was first bred or brought forth by the Almighty God secondly and owned approved of and preached by the Lord Jesus Christ thirdly and heartily received beleeved in pressed after attained unto and preached by them that had received the Spirit of grace and thereby were guided as aforesaid Then they that deny the said doctrine of perfection aforementioned and speak so falsly of it as aforesaid doe make it appear that they are
false Prophets and Ministers of sin or Subjects to Anti-Christ and no true Christians nor any true gifted men but as Christ hath said by their fruits they are or shall be known therefore beware of them and take heed of being devoured by the wolf which long hath layen hid in a sheeps cloathing but now comes to be seen where the day is dawning Concerning laying on of hands c. THe true Gospel Ministers before the apostacy declared and said that their sufficiency was of God who had made them able Ministers of the New Testament not of the letter but of the Spirit and they excluded self and denyed the insufficiency and all the power of it 2 Cor. 3 4 5 6. But since the apostacy the false Prophets and Ministers of Anti-Christ they deny an inward call by the Lord God and his Spirit to be sufficient to the work of the Ministry without an outward call of men not qualified thereunto by the holy Ghost and so they set up a sufficiency of self and prefers that before the power of the holy Ghost and they that doe so must needs be false Prophets and Ministers of sin or subjects to Anti-Christ and though under a pretence they would acknowledge the laying on of hands yet they would not own the office Counsell and authority of the holy Ghost in it but denyeth that the holy Ghost did either speak in the Primitive time before the apostacy to them that laid hands on or that they were qualified and impowered by the holy Ghost to the same when in such a case the Scripture is plaine for the proof of the thing against them who against the truth so affirme for it is said and in holy Scripture left upon record that there were in the Church that was at Antioch certaine Prophets and Teachers as namely Barnabas and Simeon and Lucius and Manaen and Saul and as they ministred to the Lord and fasted the holy Ghost said separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them Acts. 13.1 2. here it is plaine that the holy Ghost spake to them that ministred and fasted as aforesaid and the holy Ghost also declared that he had called the said Barnabas and Saul for the work of the Ministry or as aforementioned and moreover the holy Ghost said by way of command to them he spake unto who laid on their hands separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them which was to the work of the Ministry and if they had not in obedience to the holy Ghost direction and Counsell or order separated the said Barnabas and Saul they had been opposite and disobedient to the holy Ghosts command and authority but they were obedient and truly subject thereunto and did what they were required by the holy Ghost and when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them they let them goe but they attributed the work of sending unto the holy Ghost and not to the power of man without the holy Ghost as the false Prophets doe now so they being sent forth by the holy Ghost departed unto Selucia and from thence they sayled to Cyprus Acts. 13.3 4. So it is clear that what they did in that thing it was what they were qualified and impowered by the holy Ghost to doe and they did it as a manifestation of their subjection unto the holy Ghosts order and authority who was of Counsell with them and did impower them to doe what he saw good and needfull to be done by them as subjects unto him Acts 13.1 2 3 4. Acts 1.8 Acts 15.28 and he also for bad them doing what he would not have done by them Acts 16.6 7 8 9 10. And so were of Counsell with them and a commander over them as well as a guide unto them and a remembrancer teacher and comforter of them according to the promise of Christ Iohn the 14.16 17 26. Ioh. 16.13 and they owned him and his authority when he was come Gal. 4.6 Rom. 8.14 c. Acts 1.8 Acts 10.20 21. 1 Pet. 1.11 12. and they did not seek to exclude the office direction Counsell and authority of him that is to say of the holy Ghost as the false Prophets and Ministers of Anti-Christ doe and a long time have done who are now greatly offended at them that own the holy Ghost to be of Counsell with them and to teach command guide and comfort them according to the Scriptures Therefore take notice that they that seek to exclude the office and authority of the holy Ghost out of the Ministry and Churches to the end that they may set up themselves they are the false Prophets and Ministers of Satan or Subjects of Anti-Christ who are the great enemies to the kingdome and Ministery of Christ and are the Devils chief Agents and for the upholding of him and his interest in people therefore be warned and take heed of them for they have had a long reign and by their fruits ye shall know them according to Christs saying Mat. 7.15 16. c. And now as God is pleased to bring people to the annointing and teaching of the Spirit of truth to teach them and qualify them with the holy Ghost and thereby impower and send them to teach and require them to lay on hands it is good and ought to be done for what the holy Ghost sees good to be done and requireth any to be subject to him in the thing to act with and in the behalf of him it is necessary to be done and they ought to yeeld their obedience as a subjection unto him but if men take upon them by their own wills and inventions or humane learning to teach and lay on hands and be not fitted impowered and qualified by the holy Ghost to the same it is but selfish and the work is their own and not the Lords and therefore it works little or no true Reformation as experience of long and ever since the apostacy may or doth largely evidence and clearly demonstrate against them Oh that men would deny themselves and self-confidences and all self-refuges and interests thereof as in reference to the work of the Ministry and worship of God and also about the work of Reformation c. and let the Lord alone with his work and give up into his will to be led taught counselled and ordered by him then would they see the emptiness and insufficiency of self and their own nothingness as in reference to the work aforementioned and so see the Lord to be the author and well-spring of all good and happiness to mankinde and also sufficient to reforme teach order and establish people and nations in the truth and true spirituall worship and Ordinances both to the praise and glory of his grace and the joy and comfort of their souls and for the everlasting good and happiness of them so would stocking stoning and persecuting of men and wasting their estâ—tes or spoyling their goods about