Israel The evidence of this was in the same letter of Jane Woodcocks we find it given to him and in his examination at Bristoll whether that title was given to him he would make no answer And being examined by the Committee whether he assumed to be sent to judge and try the cause of Israel answered in these words the Judge of Israel is but one and that Judge I witnesse in me which is the Christ a Mark his answers all along and see what blasphemy you find And further answered if thou speak of him whom the Father hath sent into the World and begotten in me the holy Ghost the Spirit of the Father and the Son in me which is in me it thou speak of it this I own And being asked in what respect he was sent he answered no otherwise but as God manife s t in the flesh though not as mortall And being asked by whom he was sent to trie the cause of Israel answered by him who hath made all creatures and hath sent his Spirit into me his Son into me to try the cause though he said he was no Judge in carnall matters And being asked whether he were more sent to judge and trye the cause of Israel than another answered in these words as to my saying I am sent mind that no otherwise then as the Father and the Son is in me and to that I say further that no other man is sent in that sence but he that knoweth the indwelling of that God and according to the measure of his knowledge of the living God so far is Judgement b Let his answers be wâ—yed in the right Ballance Job 31. 6. and those that dwell in love will see no 〈…〉 llin them committed to him and no further And being urged to answer whether any other had the same measure of Judgement to judge the cause of Israel as he had he answered that he â—â—dâ—ot at present any thing given him of his Father to answer unto that Resolution of the Committee Resolution of the Committee That James Naylor a Learn to speak truth hath assumed to be sent to judge and trye the Cause of Israel Iesus And for this the evidence was Iohn Stranger in a postscript in his wifes letter directed to and found upon Iames Naylor used these words thy name is no more to be called Iames but Iesus which postscript being shewed to Stranger by the Committee he owned it written by him and being asked wherefore he called him Jesus answered in these words I was moved b Be not offended at the movings of the Lord lest he break you in pieces Read Mat. 21. 44. of the Lord and afterwards by the Spirit of the Lord and being asked whether by Jesus he meant the Saviour of the World he would give no answer And Martha Symmons in her examination at Bristoll saith that she hath heard some call him Jesus which examinaâ—ion being read unto her she denied not that though she denied another part of that examination And James Naylor being examinated whether any person had called him by the name of Jesus answered in these words as I am visible c Take notice of this here before you I believe they have not but that the name of the Lord is in me that I dare not deny and further said that they have given that name to him who is the Jesus d Read and understand 2. Cor. 13. 5. But if they have given it to any other then to the Son of God that is in me I do deny what they have spoken d Mark And being asked whether he denyed that they gave him the name of Jesus answered as I am a creature e Mark again where is the blasphemy I believe they did not afterwards confessed that the name of Jesus was given him in a letter if he had understood it of any other than the Iesus he should have denied it being demanded whether they gave the name of Jesus to him he answered in these words no otherwise than as to the Son of God a Take notice of this also being demanded whether any had given him the name of Jesus answered not as to the visible and being demanded to what then they gave the name of Jesus answered in these words I understand they gave that name to the Jesus to the Christ b Let those that know what Christ Jesus is judge if this be blaspemy and let the Scriptures bear witness Read Col. 1. 27. 2. Cor. 13. 5. that is in me Vpon his second examination being asked whether he owned the name of Jesus and if that title belonged to him as to Christ within him he answered that name was never published to be called by me neither do I call my self c Mark again by that name but what my Father hath published is another thing Resolution of the Committee Vpon this evidence the Committee were of opinion that James Naylor assumed the name of Jesus * What ground is there for such an opinion seeing they often Feard him deny it as to self He in whom the hope of Israel standeth And for this the evidence was in the letter of Martha Symmons found upon James Naylor were these words thou well beloved Lamb of God in whom the hope of Israel stands And James Naylor in his examination at Bristoll being asked whether he were the Lamb of God in whom the hope of Israel stands answered that if I were not his Lamb I should not be so sought to be devoured d Is it a true saying and that the hope of Israel stands in the Righteousnesse of the Father in whomsoever it is and being asked whether Israels hope were in any measure in him be answered yea which examination of his at Bristoll being read to him by the Committee he denyed not this part of it and being examinated by the Committee whether their hope of Israel did stand in him answered in these words it stands only in Christ Jesus a Take notice he cannot deny Christ Jesus but himself doth he deny and as Christ Jesus is known in me and being asked again whether he were in whom the hope of Israel stands answered in these words no way but as Christ is in me b Mark and being then asked whether as Christ is in you so are you he in whom the hope of Israel stands answered nay doe not adde to my words I speak as plain as I can that all the glory may be given to God * Take notice of this mans blasphemy who would have all the glory given to God and what is there proved that he hath taken to himself and none to the creature that the whole glory may be given to my Father And none to me as you look upon me as a creature and the next question was whether as Christ is in you are you he in whom the hope of Israel stands to which he answered Christ
in me the hope of glory c Search the Scripture Col. 1. 27. and being examined what hopes Israel had in him beyond any other person answered none can know but they that are of Israel d Let him that reads understand but he that will be ignorant may be ignorant still they can give an account of their hopes Israel must give an account of their hopes themselves Resolution of the Committee That James Naylor assumed e Why because he saith the hope of Israel stands only in Christ Jesus to beseem whom the hope of Israel stands The Committee being desirous to informe themselves how far the said Naylor was consenting unto that worship and those titles before given unto him besides tho former evidence they did find in his examination at Bristoll where being asked why he came into the City in so unusuall a manner as the woman leading his horse and singing before him he answered that he might not refuse any thing that 's moved f Is this blasphemy for to own the movings of the Lord and who made you Judges in this matter of the Lord which being read unto him at the Committee he denied not and for the better clearing of this the Committee examined Hanna Stranger whether Naylor reproved her for casting her garments before him or for kneeling or kissing his feet from whom they could get no other answer then this she would not accuse or justify any The Committee did also find in their examination of Naylor being asked by them whether he reproved the women for spreading their garments and singing before him ansvvered in these vvords nay only I said unto them take heed that they did nothing but vvhat they vvere really moved of the Lord. * Is not this good counsell where appears that which proves blasphemy And being also examined by the Committee vvhether he reproved those that gave him the title before mentioned ansvvered that he had not at all spoken unto them concerning that thing only the letters he had vvherein the titles vvere given and did not think at all that any should have seen a So he intended not the publishing of those titles as one assuming glory to himself them because he knevv there vvas things in them that many could not bear but now he saw his Father purposed they should not be hid Naylor at his second examination before the Committee being demanded whether he had reproved the persons that gave him those titles and attributes he would not say he had reproved them being demanded whether he owned them or disclaimed them answered in these words if they had it from the Lord what am I that I should judge it b Is not this rightly spoken Read Rom. 14. 4. 10. and being pressed again with the same question answered thus if the Father move them by his Spirit to give them to Christ I may not deny if they give that to any other but Christ I disowne it c Is this assuming and being asked again whether he reproved them or not answered if attributed to the creature then it is reproveable d Or is this assuming if they did it to the Lord then I dare not reprove it and being asked whether he thought not Christ robbed * Nay they would rob him of his honour that would not have him to have it where he is of his honour by that honour of worship given unto him answered that he looked upon it to be really to the true honour of Christ or else he would utterly have denied it and being asked whether he had at any time whatsoever reproved those persons he answered I never understood that they gave that honour but to God a Or is this blasphemy Here we have thought to have concluded this report but the Committee meeting with some further evidence b There is need of further evidence to satisfie the wife-hearted they were willing you should be partakers of it and it is this John Baynam Deputy to the Sâ—rgeant of the house to whose custody Naylor and his company are committed informeth that the usuall posture of James Naylor is sitting in a chair and his company both men and wodo sometimes kneel when they are weary of kneeling they sit upon the ground c They have been sound in the same postures dayly since Iames Naylor hath been removed from them And is this your further evidence before him singing these and divers other words to the like purpose viz. holy holy to the Almighty to the true God and great God and glory to the Almighty d And is â—hâ—s further evidence of Iames Naylors blasphemy that others sing prayses to the true God and glory to the Almighty c. And thus they do usually all the day long but the informer never heard Naylor sing as aforesaid and saith there is great resort to the said Naylor by divers persons who most of them do kneel e And doe they not still the same as when Iames Naylor was with them before him in the manner aforesaid And Martha Symmons in the posture aforesaid sung this is the joyfull day behold the King of Righteousnesse is come f It is likely she knew what she sung and well is it for them that can witness the Son of Righteousnesse come with healing c. Read Mala. 4. 2. and further the informer saith that he never knew the said Naylor shew any dislike either by reproof or otherwise of that honour or worship which John Stranger and his wife Martha Symmons and Dorcas Erbery and the rest gave him g How can he say they gave it to him since he himself saith that he never understood they did it to him as a creature and this informer hath said a littie before that their prayses were directed to the great God and to the Almighty as aforesaid And a Member of the house being lately at the place where Naylor is now a prisoner informes the Committee that he saw Naylor and his company in the posture aforesaid and heard John Stranger and one of the women sing holy holy holy Lord God h Are you angry that others should sing prayses to the Lord God and is this your further evidence of Iames Naylors blasphemy and holy holy holy to thee thee thee Lord God And whil'st John Stranger sung these words he did sometimes look upwards c Is looking upon J. N. any further evidence It seems a small thing will serve turn for further evidence and sometimes upon James Naylor Another Member * Ought his Accusers to have been his Judges it was not likely that such could see his innocency informed us as upon his own view to the same purpose And at Naylor's last examination before the Committee being Wednesday the third instant one William Piggot did inform that Naylor sitting in a Chair where he is now a Prisoner one Sarah Blackbery came to him and took him by the
to the Parliament-men as they passed by to one where he saw innocency said He that dwelleth in love dwelleth with God for God is love And to another where he saw envy reign He that hateth his brother is a manslayer and he that hates his brother is a murtherer and several other the like speeches dividing the good from the bad And although was then thought that James Naylor would not have suffered any further punishment by reason that there were many honourable persons then attending the Parliament and Protector on behalf of the said James Naylor and likewise the Protector had sent to the Parliament a Letter c. yet the said Kich then told the People that the Innocent was going to suffer and crying to the Parliament that he was clear from the blood of all men and desiring them to be so too departed and came before the Exchange where with James Naylor he went on the Pillory where he stood and sate by him with two other women that sate on each side by him till after a good space Robert Rich took a Paper out of his pocket and placed over his head whereon was written It is written Luk. 23. 38. This is the King of the Jews But presently an Officer stept up and pull'd it down and turned Robert Rich and the two women off the Pillory but after a while they lifted up Robert Rich again on the Pillory where he staid till James Naylor had finished his sufferings for that time and held him by the hand whil'st he was burning and afterwards licked his wounds and lead him by the hand from off the Pillory This was also very remarkable that notwithstanding there might be many thousands of people yet they were very quiet few heard to revile him or seen to throw any one thing at him and when he was a burning all the people both before him and behind him and on both sides of him with one consent stood bare-headed This was done that the Scripture might be fulfilled Mar. 15. 38. COPIES OF SEVERAL of the PAPERS given into the House of PARLIAMENT in the time of IAMES NAYLERS Tryal sufferings which began the fifth of December 1656. To the SPEAKER of the PARLIAMENT of ENGLAND these to be read FRIENDS ACt nothing cōtrary to that which doth cōvinceyou though bound with an Oath although you bring your selves in never so much disgrace in breaking your Agreement for in such a case you may reject the Counsel of God against your own Knowledge and so appearing to please the world that looks upon you the unjust acts against the Just herein you 'l do despite to the Spirit of Grace wilfully acting that which he knows he should not So here comes mans condemnation just from God therefore before you do act consider and before you do give Sentence fear for Blasphemy proceeds from the root of Transgression and see that you be first out of it before you of it do judge There is no Blasphemy in the Light which is truth And to witness the light is not Blasphemy And to witness the Prophets Life and the Apostles Life that had the Life of Jesus made manifest in his mortal flesh And to witnesse the Life of God and God dwelling in man is not Blasphemy And to witnesse the second Adam the Lord from Heaven and as he is so to be in this world is not Blasphemy but not to witnesse this and to be in the transgression he is in the Root that will blaspheme and for a man to say he witnesses these things and himself in the transgression he blasphemes and is the Synagogue for Satan who did transgresse and not abide in the truth who is in the transgression Now it is not because men can speak the Scriptures of truth therefore they are able to judge of Blasphemy for the Jews could speak the Scriptures of truth but judged the Truth Blasphemy Now if you would know what 's Blasphemy this is blasphemy and these were out of the life of the truth that judged the life blasphemy and you do not read that any that was in the life of Christ did whip banish prison put to death any for blasphemy Alas here is blasphemy heard all up and down the streets men professing what they are not Now the Jews which had the Scriptures and out of the spirit of Christ did put to death for blasphemy Now with this examine and judge your selves that you may not be judged of the Lord Although Darius could not change after sealed yet 't was much grief to him consider what Act that was and Law that was not to be changed after sealed And consider Herods Oath against Iohn Baptist and the counsel and chief Priests against Christ for a blasphemer Is Christ in you Now where is this councel and chief Priests against him It is better to judge of things which you truly understand pertaining to this life but that you cannot till you come to the Light that enlightens every man that comes into the world and so leads into the Kingdom of God and Christ that is not of this world for there is a Kingdom of the world which is not become the Kingdom of Christ which is in the transgression and there are the blasphemers in the transgression of the life which the Scriptures of truth is given forth from which judges the truth blasphemy Now wait in the Light that you may receive the wisdom of God which comes from Christ by which all things was created that with it you may come to use the creatures with the wisdom by which they were created to the Glory of God I know the Lord is striving that innocent blood you bring not upon your heads and hath opened your understandings for to see more then at the first and in many of you hath he wrought a noble Principle of tendernesse and moderation in which if you abide faithful to act what it requires the arm of the Lord you will see revealed and great things brought to pass and so will you be clear whatever becomes of the Innocent in the day of Gods visitation when he makes Inquisition for blood you whose understandings the Lord hath opened and moved to plead the cause of the Innocent be faithful to God be your talent never so small take heed of hiding it least your sin become greater then you will be able to bear If I may have Liberty of those that sit in the Parliament I do here at their door attend and am ready out of the Scriptures of truth to shew that not any thing James Nayler hath said or done is blasphemy or worthy either of death or bond◠It concerns no man farther to judge then he is judged and is in the truth This in tender love to all who are of an upright heart that sits in Parliament from Robert Rich. There was several copies of the Letter given to particular Members besides this little paper given to many that had not the Letter In a
Letter of mine given to the Speaker this morning which I desire may be read amongst you is written at the latter end thereof these words viz. If I may have Liberty of those that sit in the Parliament I do here at their doore attend and am ready out of the Scriptures of Truth to shew That not anything James Nayler hath said or done is blasphemy or worthy either of death or bonds These were delivered the 15. of December being the eleventh time the whole House had set about this businesse so when I had given the Speaker the Letter I waited at their door from the time they first sate till they arose and then I departed in peace ROBERT RICH. To you that sit in Parliament who own the Scriputres are these for what is written aforetime is written for our admonition 1 Cor. 10. 11. Quaery 1. WHether those that said God was their Father and crucified him for blasphemy that spoke the truth were not lyars and of their Father the Devil yea or nay read Ioh. 8. 41. 44. 2. Whether lyars covetous or proud men are not the Synagogue of Satan And if such say they are the children of God or Christians whether by the Scripture that be not blasphemy Read Rev. 2. 9. 3. Whether the lyar doth not hate him that abides in the truth Read 1 Ioh. 3. 12 and there see why Cain slew Abel And as it was then is it not so now Doth not he that is born after the flesh persecute him that is born after the spirit Read Gal. 4. 29. 4. Whether they that have the spirit of Christ Jesus in them punisheth the body or puts any to death for words true or false And did not Christ come to save life and not to destroy it Read Mark 34. Matt. 13. 29 3â— Iohn 8. 11. 5. Whether Christ Jesus hath not been a stumbling stone and a Rock of offence throughout all Generations Read and see Isa 8. 14. 18. Luke 2. 34. 1 Pet. 2. 7 8. Luke 20. 17 18 19. Matt. 13. 55 56. Luke 5. 30. 33. read these Scriptures over And did not the very Disciples of Christ oft stumble and were offended at him Read over these Scriptures and consider them well Matt. 26. 8. to the 14. ver the 31. ver Matt. 28. 17. Ioh. 6. 60. Luke 24. 11 15 16 37. ver Ioh. 11. 39 40. Joh. 20. 15. Lu. 24. 32. And did not the Prophets do many things that the wisdom of the flesh might count foolishness and to be rediculous Read Isa 20. 2 3. Ier. 13. 3 4 5 c. Ezek. 4. 1 2 3 c. Ezek. 12. 5 6. Acts 21. 12 13. Ios 6. 6 6. VVhether the Lord in all ages hath not tried the children of men Read Psal 11. 4 5. Rev. 3. 9 10. And whether the day be not approaching that will try every mans work 1 Cor. 3. 13. And whether all men be not either the children of God or of the Devil And whether by their fruits they are not made manifest And whether those that are the Children of God be not lead into moderation Gentlenesse patience mercifulnesse meeknesse love c. And whether the Devil leads not his into wrath envy hatred emulation varience strife c So in this thing you will make your selves manifest which spirit leads you and whose children you are Search the Scriptures and see if these things be not so Robert Rich. To the Parliament of England c The humble Petition of Robert Rich sirnamed Mordicai on the behalf of himself and all the Seed of the Jews which wait for the consolation of Israel that are of an upright heart scattered throughout these three Nations of England Scotland and Ireland whether in Forms or in Professions or out of them Humbly sheweth THat ever since the yeer 1648. it was hoped that Opression and all Persecution for conscience sake would utterly have ceased according to what hath often been declared and instead thereof that Truth and Mercy would have taken place But contrary thereto within these three yeers last past have many hundreds even in this one Nation of England in all pars thereof been cast into Prisons Dungeons and Holes and some have perished therein and others have endured cruel whippings stonings and other bodily punishments besides the spoiling of their goods for no other cause save for matters concerning the Law of their God and that for conscience sake they could not bow to Hamans nature not so much as one known Law of this Nation proved that they had transgressed The Premises being considered My humble request is That the Innocent in all Prisons throughout these Nations may be set at Liberty that onely for eonscience sake suffer And more particularly in case there be yet behinde of the sufferings of James Nayler to be file'd up that it may be acted in my body And I shall ever pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for all them that love her proferity ROBERT RICH. Blessed is he that considereth the poor and needy the Lord will deliver him in he time of trouble and cover his head in the day of Battel Let none become Judges of evil thoughts Jam. 2. 4. Rob. Rich. Quaeries given to the Speaker of the House and several other Members of Parliament 1. WHether the anointing of the Father be not the Christ Exod. 40. 15. Psal 89. 20. c. Psal 45. 7. Heb. 1. 9. Isâ— 61. 1. â—sal 104. 6. to the 16. 1 Joh. 2. 27. 2 〈◊〉 1. 21 and whether he was not compleat Christ the Son of God before he took upon him that flesh in which he suffered at Jerusalem yea before the soul or body of man or the world was Prov. 8. 22. to the 32. â—oâ— 1. 1 2 3 4. Jo. 8. 58. Joh. 17. 5. Eph. 4. 10. And whether the Name Christ reach not over the whole body anointed from the beginning of the world to the end 1 Cor. 1. 12 2. Did not Christ Jesus speak in other Vessels and was he not persecuted in other Vessels besides that wherein he was lifted up at Jerusalem and if he had said in those Vessels he was not the Christ whether he had lyed or no Acts 9. 4. 2 Coâ— 13. 3. 1 Cor. 7. 10 12. Phil. 1. 20. Rom. 8 9 10. Rom 10. 6 7 8. 1 Cor. 1. 24. 3. Doth not the Scripture say God will write his Name on him that overcomes Rev. 3. 12. which Name he is to beare before Kings and Rulers Acts 9. 15. which if he deny shal he not be denyed before the Father in Heaven Matth. 10. 33. And if God doth reveal what he hath written to any other of his children and command him to confesse it whether his obedience be blasphemy yea or nay 4. Did Christ ever appear in the world and had not a body prepared Heb. 10. 5 And did he ever come into the world and not in a vail Heb. 10. 20. 2 Coâ— 3. 13 14. And whether those that
Practice that it may be published and made known to the Nation or if the Ministers be found ignorant of the Scriptures and Power of God they likewise may be made manifest that no longer they may deceive the Nations And one of these five Ministers namely Mr Nyâ— hath declared as was affirmed in Westminster-Hall by one Mr Smith a Parliament man That the said Mr Nye told him That coming where some quakers were met together he found amongst them a Jesuit which he knew and of what colledge he was of beyond the Seas and that they spake Latine to each other So I asked Mr Smith what was become of the Jesuit he answered he knew not but supposed he was gone so I desired the Parliament men then present for to take notice who were the favourers or conconcealers of the Jesuits the quakers or Mr. Nye The Members of Parliament then present whose Names I knevv vvere captain Bains Judge Advocate Margeret Serjeant Berkhead besides others vvhose Names I knevv not This is vvritten that the Parliament may examine and finde out vvho are the Jusuits friends Robert Rich AFter the tares appeared then came the servants of the housholder and said unto him Wilt thou that we go and gather them up But he said Nay lest while ye go about to gather the tares ye pluck up also with them the Wheat Let both grow together until the Harvest Matth. 13. 26. c. This is the Doctrine of Christ Iesus our Lord. Such care hath Christ Jesus of the Wheat that he will not that his Servants pluck up the tares until the Harvest the end of the world lest they pluck up the Wheat with them this is his wisdom But some men pretend such care for the wheat that they will have the tares pluck up before the Harvest this is their wisdom Now minde whose wisdom you follow and whose Doctrine you obey for you can do Christ Iesus no service in going contrary to his own Doctrine though some may think they do Ioh. 16. 2 3. They shall think they do God service when they are killing his servants mistaking them for his great Enemies for else they would not kill them to do him service My desire is that you may be found in the counsel and Doctrine of Christ Iesus which is safe and keeps from that danger of shedding innocent blood Will. Tomlinson You have called him a blasphemer we desire that you would publish what his blasphemy is that we may know it and take heed of it Christ Iesus himself was called a blasphemer because he said I am the Son of God and saith Iohn 1 Ioh. 3. 2. Now are we the Sons of God W. T. THE neer relation between Christ Jesus and his Father being owned by him was counted in him blasphemy because he said I am the Son of God Take heed lest the neer relation between Christ and his Members whom he calls Brethren be not now counted blasphemy where it is owned And consider these Scriptures Now are we the sons of God through Christ saith Iohn 1 Ioh. 3. 2. If a son then an heir of God saith Paul Gal. 4. 7. If sons then heirs heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ Rom. 8. 17. Him that overcometh will I make a Pillar in the Temple of my God and I will write upon him my new Name saith Christ Jesus Rev. 3. 12 13. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches If you be able to see these things do but if not take heed what you do lest you bring innocent blood upon your own heads There 's none able to judge of these things before the lusts of the flesh land the lusts of the eyes and the pride of life be judged and overcome in them and the love of the world That 's blasphemy for a man to say he is a Jew or a Christian and is not but still is in the old nature that was a murderer from the begining he blasphems the Name of God Rev. 2. 9. for God hath no such children in the New Covenant As it was then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the spirit so it is now Gal. 4. 29. But he that is born after the spirit never persecutes him that is born after the flesh W. T. FRiends your hands have hitherto been held from shedding of blood consider what it is that hath withstood you and kept you from it and do not go on to strive any longer against the Lord but remember David how glad he was that he was prevented from blood when he was going with a full resolution and the thing was gone out of his mouth to destroy the House of Nabal 1 Sam. 25. 22 32 33. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel saith he which hath sent thee this day to meet me and hath kept me this day from coming to shed blood and this was but the blood of a wicked man So Friends consider and strive not against the goodnesse of the Lord which hath hitherto withstood you and kept you off from shedding of blood and that with little force It will be no grief of heart to you that you have not shed blood but to shed it may lie heavier upon you then yet you are aware To let the tares if tares alone with the wheat according to Christs own Doctrine this will not repent you because it is his own command but under pretence of plucking them up to puil up one of the least of his Lambs this will be a burthen too heavy for you to bear and though you may think you do God service therein yet he accepts it not To seek the harm of one that would not hurt an hair of your heads consider whence this is and what acceptance this would have with God seeing he saith He that toucheth you the innocent lambs toucheth the apple of mine eye herefore touch not mine anointed do my Prophets no harm saith the Lord and blessed be their work who are made tender of them for what 's done to one of the least of those that belong to Christ is done to him William Tomlinson They are very confident who kill Christs Lambs to do God service that those they kill are not his Lambs but his Enemies else they would not kill them to do Him service for they could not think it service to God to kill his children yet see how far their confident zeal is mistaken while they think they kill his enemies they kill the children of the Kingdom Thus it happened to Christ the zealous Jews were very confident he was a Blasphemer and Seducer of the people and therefore they durst say His blood be on us and on our children upon the same account the members also of Christ alwayes suffer as Blasphemers as Hereticks as Seducers of the people You are now up on this danger and trial of your spirits Now why is it that in this confident zeal they kil his Children
thing is fallen out to try you whether or no you act against Christ where he is manifest in his Members for it is said Christ in you and if Christ be in you the body is dead because of sin and if Christ be within may not he speak in Righteousness and be confessed there Now if Jesus Christ be not in you mark Jesus Christ be not in you ye are reprobates and if Christ be within must he not speak mark Iesus Christ the Emanuel the same is it offence for Christ to speak and Jesus to speak where he is within Now examine your selves know not you your selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates And if Jesus Christ be in you must he not speak in you Is it not he that must speak for the natural man receives not the things of God because they are spiritually discorned they are foolishness unto him and did not the Apostle say He did not live but Christ it was Christ that lived in him mark again it was Christ that lived in him if it was Christ that lived in him it was Christ that spake in him the life that he lived it was by the faith of the Son of God mark what a life was this and did he not say that the Son of God was revealed in him and if the Son be revealed in any must it not be he that must speak and declare of the Father but people have had the form of godliness since the dayes of the Apostles but have wanted the thing wants the thing that the Apostles were in who had the Son of God Christ Iesus and therefore it is by them that have the form wondred and stranged at and not the power of God wondred estranged where Christ Jesus is manifested and speaks and acts and rules was it not the Apostles Doctrine to preach Christ in them and told them the hope of the Glory which was in them which was the Mystery hid from ages and generations And is not this Christ the hope of Glory a Mystery in this age as it was in the days of the Apostles to the world and had been to generations before and hath it not been a mystery in the ages past amongst them that have had the form of godliness since the Apostles But where Christ within this Mystery this hope of glory is witnessed may he not speak without offence And did not Christ say he would come again to his Disciples and make his abode with them And did he not say I in you and the spirit of the Father which speaketh in you They were not to take thought when they were brought before Rulers and Magistrates and is not the spirit of the Father the spirit of Christ And are not they that have not the spirit of Christ none of his Therefore take heed I am moved to warn and charge you in the presence of the Lord God ye Rulers and Magistrates of this Nation lest ye be found acting against the spirit of the Father where he speaks in such as are brought before you who have the form of godliness such as witness Christ in them and the spirit of the Father to speak and the Son of God come according to his promise which doth witness that fulfilled doth not John say in his Epistle That the Son of God was tome and they were in him and this was the true God and Eternal life and do not the Apostles in their several Epistles which have been read amongst you long speake that Christ is in you and of their being the sons of God and the son of God revealed in them and the spirit of the father in them and Christ the mystery in them Have ye not heard these things read and amongst you and have not these things long been hid amongst them that have had the form of godliness and Christ in the male and the female and God will dwell in you and walk in you and the Word is in thy heart and is not Christs Name called the Word of God Now thiâ—k you not it strange to finde any to witness these things and that these things should be possessed you that have had the form of godliness long the night of the apostacie hath been long since these words were spoken forth and the thing enjoyed that these words spake of but now cometh to be possessed the things that they did enjoy which spoke the words which long they have had the form of in the night of the apostacie since the dayes of the Apostles Now if it be not the spirit of God nor the voice of the father nor the spirit of Christ that speaks in man it is natural and devilish and that is it that stands against the voice of Christ and the spirit of God but if any meer creature by him made saith that he is Christ that is false and is not so for all creatures that were created were by him and for him and all things that were made were created for his service Christ Iesus the Power of God by which all things were made and created and where the Power of God is there is Christ and Christ is the Power of God take notice of that the Power of God is everlasting where the Power of God is received and felt Christ is received and felt and where the Power of God speaks Christ speaks and ye that feel the Power of God ye feel Christ and will not be offended at the Power of God where it speaks which is Christ and so Christ is one in all who are in the povver and vvhere the povver of God doth not rule and speak the power of the devil that speaks and that is it which is tormented at the power of God which is Christ that speaks if the truth speak is it not Christ Doth he not say I am the Truth and if the life speak is it not that I which is the Life If the unrighteous speak it is a false thing but is the power of God speaks it is the truth If it be the power of God that speaks which is the true Christ it is the power of the Devil which is the false christ So examine your selves if Christ be in you the body is dead because of sin and there the sin is dead And is not Christ Iesus which exâ—ept he be in you ye are reprobates is not he the Emanuel and the Saviour and the Prince of peace and is not he the prince of Life and the Hosannah and is not this witnessed within where he is made manifest or is he divided from these and is not he the Lamb of God and are not they against him where he is manifest with him that would not have him to speak such as would not have him to raigne Here you may see what hathbeen lost since the Apostles that they were in and rejoiced this night of apostacie which time had the form but not the power but now is coming again to
be made manifest which have been lost the Truth the power of the form and the life of Christ and Christ himself the Emanuel Therefore take heed of persecuting that which is created and made by his power where the power is received and dwelt in for the powers sake which power is Christ and which the power speakes through and where the power of God rules where there is a fault the fault is judged but where the seed is that is to be owned and it is not just that the mouth of the séed should be stopped in the fear of God and meekness vveigh and consider these things before you act and consider what vvas in the Apostles that caused them to suffer POSTSCRIPT IF the seed speake which is Christ he hath no other Name for the seed is Jesus Christ and it is not blasphemy but truth but if the seed of the serpent speak and say he is Christ that is the Lyer and the Blasphemer and the ground of all Blasphemy and is not the seed which is Christ but the head of the serpent is to be bruised which is the cause of all enmity strife and debate with the seed of the Woman which is Ghrift George Fox Was not the appearance of Christ when He was born glorious when that the voyce was cryed Hosanna to the Highest Was not this to the astonishing of the beholders and amazement of the world did it not stir up all chief Priests and Herod was not He puzled about His Birth and they troubled at his coming did not the Chief Priests and Rulers gather against Him who was full of grace and truth did not the glory of Him shew it self forth when He went up unto Jerusalem when the high voice was spoken and the songs to him sung the strength ordained out of the mouths of Babes and sucklings and was not Jerusalem the highest place of Worship and did not the strength which was ordained for the Babes and Sucklings set the Priests and Rulers on rage against Christ that they crucified and slew him and did not that make Herod and Pilate friends in the highest place of Worship did not He say and tell his Disciples Hee would come again the Hosanna Him that was cryed Glory to the Highest And did not He come again to his Apostles accordin 〈…〉 o his promise and make his abode with them and sup with them Did not the Apostles say to the Saints that Christ was in them the mysterie the hope of glory and if He was in them the body was dead because of sin did not the Apostle say Examine your selves prove your selves Know you not that Iesus Christ is in you except you be Reprobates mark Iesus Christ in you the Emmanuel the Saviour the Lamb of God the Hosanna Is not his appearance in the Spirit as glorious in his second coming as it was at his first is it not as much to be admired in the world as it was ever Answer these things and satisfie yourselves To the Light wherewith Christ Jesus hath enlightned you all I speak that with it you may see when you act against him where he is manifested To prison them contrary to the Just is to make them to grow and to banish them is to shame your Religion and not to own the thing the scripture speakes of and to put them to death is to destroy your selves George Fox Whether or no you will suffer Christ to have as much honor in the earth and the world as the Devil hath Where Christ is manifested whether or no he shall not have more honour or as much where he is manifested And whether or no it is offence to bow to man or to kneel before a Indgein the world Whether this be offensive to the world amongst the world to bow before such and among such the truth is not in And whether or no it would not be offence to such to bow to Christ where he is manifested and persecute such as do bow where the thing is in the truth whether or no such a thing may not be done in the truth and bee a figure to all the bowings of the earthly Powers which be out of truth which hath reigned above the seed of God An example to you all Therefore take heed and consider before you act any thing or judge lest God judge you afterward for be assured He will Whether bowing in the Truth may not bee a figure that the seed of God shall rise and reign above the Earthly Powers and they shall bow to it And how know you but such things as these may bee tryalls to you whether you will persecute another for taking that which is acted among you to your selves in another way different from this Now come to do as you would be done by and do not persecute that in another that is acted in the world though it be professed otherwayes in the intent and come to the true measure and weight and act nothing in your own wils nor out of the counsel of God to judge the just upon earth in this world the just you 'l be judged by that is of the world to come without end I receive not Honor of man Whether or no if any do persecute the seed which doth take the honor of God which is over the world and it They themselves do take the honor of the world that persecutes the contrary Are these things judged with a just measure and weighed with an equall ballance yea or nay George Fox DID not Christ wash the Disciples feet Did he not do that as a pattern and example to those that came after him that they should do to one another Have you washed one anothers feet Have ye anointed one another with oyle that stumble at these where they are acted Are not these the expressions of love to one another And are not these things to be acted amongst the Disciples of Christ Are not these things wonders amongst you that do not wash one anothers feet that be out of the example of the Lord did not the Disciples wash one anothers feet according to Christs example Were not the Prophets feet washed Did not Peter desire his head o be washed Do not wonder and strange at these things where they are practised Were not the Saints to salute one another with a holy kisse and was not Peter to be carried whither he would not Was there not a time that he girded himself And is it not the Prince of the air that rules in the children of disobedience if it be not the Prince of Peace and the Lamb of God And is it not an expression of love and honor where there is the washing of one anothers feet And for the washing or kissing of feet it is but an expression of love and humility And is not this a patern and example to all you to judge you all how far short ye are of washing one anothers feet or kissing one anothers feet and do not wrong