the truth of Christ and his Doctrine I do believe and abide in through his mercy and Power Obj. But thou dost not practice the Ordinances of bread and baptising of water Well let us reason together Answ I do require and challenge all the Baptists in the Nation to prove by express words for he that addeth or diminisheth to or from the words written in the Booke God will adde to him the Plagues written therein where ever Christ did baptize with Water or command any to baptize with Elementary Water That Matth. 28,19 Go teach all Nations baptizing them c. doth not speak of Elementary Water and it is evident the Scripture doth speak of other Baptism then John's which was onely Elementary Water which I also do believ was a Command of God to John though sometimes practised by the Disciples but fulfilled and ended by and in Christ to every one that believes and follows the Light of Christ within which leads to the one Baptism the weightier matter spoken of Eph. 4.5 And I have a Baptism to be baptized with saith Christ and how am I straitened tiâ—l it be accomplished Luk. 12.50 Now Christ had fulfilled John's Baptism as to himself before he spoke those words and was before that baptized of John as you may read Luke 3.2 And himself did prophesie the decreasing of his Ministration For saith he I baptize with water unto repentance but he that cometh after me who is mightier then I he shall baptize you with the holy Ghost and with fire He doth not say Christ should baptize with Water but with the Holy Ghost c. And he shall encrease saith John but I shal decrease And when the Apostle came to Ephesus finding certain Disciples which had take notice been baptized before that unto John he said unto them Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed And they said We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost Then saith Paul who was not sent to baptize with water for I baptized none saith he except Crispus and Paulus c. and the houshold of Stephanus To what were ye baptized They said Unto John Then saith he John verily baptized with the Baptism of Repentance saying That they should believe on him that should come after him Christ Jesus When they heard that they were baptized into Christ and Paul laid his hands on them and they received the holy Ghost Acts 19.1 to the 6. So it is evident as I said before there is another Baptism then Water-Baptism as true experience of many can witness who are now baptised and baptizing into the Father Son and Holy Ghost or into Christs death according to the Scriptures of Truth for saith the Apostle Know ye not that so many of us as have been baptized into Christ were baptized into his death c. Rom. 6.3 And he said unto the Galatians As many of you as have been Baptized into Christ have put on Christ Gal. 3.27 So the Scripture doth not say any where that they that are baptized into the Father are baptized with water or they that are baptized into the Son and Holy Ghost are baptized with Elementary water which onely was a type or figure of the inward washing and sanctifying for the baptisme of the Father Son and Holy Ghost is three distinct things of a various operation though wrought by one and the same spirit the one a ministration of Terror and Condemnation the second of Salvation or washing and cleansing from sin and the third a Sanctifying and Glorifying with the same Glory that was with the Father before the world or sin began And so I do affirm in the fear of the Lord which is according to the Scriptures of Truth That Christ is the end of the Law and of John's ministration for righteousness sake to every one that believes in the Light which Christ hath enlightned every one withall that whosoever I say believes in the Light of Christ in them it leads as they follow it into the one baptism Eph. 4.5 and daily Cross of Christ to the Crucifying and slaying of the Lusts of the flesh Pride of Life envyings wrath strife adulteries Idolatry witchcraft variance emulation seditions heresie Drunkenness murders self-willedness c. the which they that live in are not Christs neither are such actions the fruits of the members of the true Church And whether many of those sins be not standing amongst you Baptists Let that of God in you all Judge for I standing peaceably in a meeting amongst the Baptists in Waterford where William Lee was Preaching and when he had done I stood upon a form to speak the Word of the Lord that was in my heart as fire desiring their moderation I speaking no other things then what is contained in the Scriptures of Truth but Will. Lee came out of his Pulpit and laid violent hands on me and thrust me down gnashing his teeth on me Another member of that Church Serjeant Wilson Constable of the Town laid violent hands on me and haled me out of the room and said That I deserved to be stoned to death and another time I walking peaceably in the next room to their meeting came Geo. Caldron called an Alderman and told me It was their hired house and if I did stay there it should be to my perill and the day aforesaid when I was with the Mayor when Will. Lamb Pastor was taking his leave of the Mayor he bowed hat and knee saying Your humble servant Sir according to the fashion of the world which passeth away for which I reproving him he came and laid hands on my hat and took it off my head and threw it violenton the ground which some of his Brethren would have had him taken up again but he would not so because I know they were ashamed of the brutishness of their Pastor one of them took up my hat and ran after me and put it on my head which was said to be Captain Boulton And that same day because I testified the writings of the Prophets and Apostles were not the Word of God but I said that which was spoken from the Spirit of God were the Words of God but Christ is the Word Bov. 19. Jo. 1.1 So Will. Lamb was speaking with the rest and would have had me to been taken hold of for he said there was an Act of Parliament that if any should say the Scripture was not the Word of God they should suffer c. And being somtime after that amongst the Baptists of Waterford Jo. Deck a Teacher of them was whispering with some of his Brethren and came presently unto me and held up the Bible in his hand and asked me whether that was not the Word of God Judas-like to betray or insnare me I asked him whether that was the Word of God which Rabshaka and Sennacherib spoke blaspheming and reproaching the Living God and that the Devil spoke to Christ his answer was That it was And Roger
things of God I earnestly contending for the faith of Gods Elect once delivered to the Saints which gives victory over sin and bearing my testimony to Gods righteous Law and Spirit of Truth in man which largely afore is proved by the Scriptures of truth for all men by it to be guided having received a measure thereof this was the substance of what I there declared That of God in them bears me record which is the everlasting truth of God But William Lee Teacher and William Lamb Pastor strongly opposed me crying out The Ordiances of Christ The Ordinances of Christ to wit the Supper of the Lord and water Baptism which stood in time and were Ordinances of God and Christ But had a limitation of time and are ended in Christ the everlasting substance to every one that believes and follows as will be proved by the Scriptures of truth So he call'd Colonell Will. Lee governour and Baptist Teacher affirmed in the presence of Will. Lamb Pastor the Mayor and Aldermen so called and severall Captains and other men of quality in the worlds account both Baptists and Independants That I was absolutely damned and did not believe the truth nor abide in the Doctrine and Ordinances of Christ Now I appeal to Gods witness in the consciences of all who cry out that the Quakers do Judge when did any of the Quakers that are so in truth give such rash Judgement as to say any man was absolutely damned which is a secret belonging onely to God except the unbeliever confess it out of his own mouth or that the fruits of his Life make it appear But blessed be the Lord God and Father of Light through his eternall Love in Christ Jesus I do believe and follow the Truth which is Christ Jesus the Light of the world that Lighted every one that comes into the world and am dead with Christ buried with him in Baptism in measure and cannot bee subject to Ordinances that perish in the using and he that believes and is baptized shall be saved but he that believes not shall be damned And this testimony I give to all the world and sons of men on the face of the whole earth I do believe that Jesus Christ the Saviour of the souls of mankind was the eternall Son of God born of a Virgin whose name and interpretation I truly in my measure witness even the Emmanuel God with us who made a good confession before Pontius Pilate that he was Crucified and Buried and by the mighty Power and Glory of God the Father of Life was raised again and appeared unto his Disciples and was received up to eternall Glory and Glorified with the Father with the same Glory he had before the world began And much more do I believe in him and of him according as it is recorded in the holy Scriptures of Truth concerning him which I may not now declare And this Testimony I give for the Lord God and his truth unto all who have breathings after Christ and are hungering and thirsting after his righteousness But are gazing abroad and seeking him in outward observations c. that Christ Jesus the second Adam the quickning Spirit is come the second time without sin unto salvation in his chosen thousands Therefore turn in your mindes to that of God in you Rom. 1.19 and remember the woman that lost the groat and could not find it untill she had Lighted a Candle the Candle of the Lord is the Spirit of man the Light of Christ Lightneneth it and swept her house and when she found it she called her Neighbours and rejoiced read the Parable who can And I can truly say as Paul did he is come to save sinners of which I was chief which lived in Pride Lust Vanity blaspheming his holy name but have obtained mercy because it was in the time of ignorance and unbelief not through works that I have done but of his everlasting free Love Yet have born his Just and Righteous Judgements and deeply have drank of the cup of his fierce wrath and indignation and can truly say I am washed cleansed sanctified and Justified in my measure by the water the blood and the Spirit which three agree in one in the work of regeneration and so through the faith of God which works by love am brought in obedience to the Doctrine of Christ and his commands and in it to abide and this is his Doctrine Blessed be the poor in Spirit blessed be the meek blessed be they that mourn c. Thou hast heard that it hath been said of old time thou shalt not forswear thy selfe but I say unto you swear not at all and when thou prayest be not like the Hypocrites which stand praying in Pulpits and call no man master neither be ye called of man master and Love your enemies give to him that asketh and from him that would borrow turn not away that you may be children of your heavenly Father for he maketh his Sun to shine on the evill and on the good and sendeth rain on the Just and unjust and he that looketh on a woman to Lust after her hath already Committed adultry with her in his heart c. And lay not up for your selves treasure in the earth where the moth and Canker do corrupt but lay up for your selves treasure in heaven where neither moth nor rust do corrupt nor thievs break through and steal And I say unto you saith Christ swear not at all but in all your Communications let your yea be yea and your nay be nay for whatsoever is more then that cometh of evill and take no thought what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink or wherewithall ye shall be cloathed and take no thought for to morrow But first seck the Kingdom of God and his righteousness c. And be ye perfect even as your heavenly Father is perfect and his Ministers bid try all things and hold fast that which is good flee youthfull Lusts of Vanity abstain from every appearance of evill quench not the Spirit but if any thing be revealed to him that stands by let the first hold his peace c. Now whether thou William Lee and ye Baptists which cry out the Ordinances of Christ and the Commands of Christ be in the obedience to those weightier Commands and Ordinances which is fulfilled through faith mercy and Judgement upon the head of the transgressor I say whether you Baptists or we despisedly called Quakers be in the obedience to those Commands c. And many other which might be mentioned of Christ and his Ministers and abides in their Doctrine Let that of God in all Judge which the least of those or any of his Commands knowningly or willfully I dare not disobey if I might gain the whole world God is my record I lye not And he that saith he knows God mark that you Baptists and keepeth not his Commandements is a lyar and the truth is not in him 1 Jo. 2.4 So
God in thee judge The matter is great weighty which concerneth everlasting salvation And why should it be thought an incredible thing That Christ should now be manifested in mortal flesh qnickening them that were even dead in sins and trespasses for verily I I have written no other thing concerning him or of the operation of his Eternal spirit then what in measure I have really not imaginarily seen and handled and felt of his work and glory for I dare not speak of that which the Lord hath not wrought in me and by me or to boast in other mens lines for all the world have a form of worship talking of Christs words and the Prophets and Apostles words but are out of their Life and Power Behold what headiness and high-mindedness treachery and betraying one another and will be yet far worse by evil men and seducers c. What incontinence men and women burning in their lusts one towards another What eating and drinking and rising up to play c and yet all covered with a Profession of God and Christ But how can any better fruits be expected when Pastors and Teachers tell People for Doctrines they cannot get victory over sin on this side the Grave which herein is plainly proved false and the everlasting way of Truth discovered which leads out of sin and gives power against sin on this side the Grave and to live pure and holy even as God is holy Think it not impossible with the Lord all things are possible And what I have here written is not to render any man odious or to discover their nakedness but for the bringing of Gods truth to Light for I having had something lying on me a long time to give forth amongst the Professors and Baptists who have any true desires after God and as in obedience to the movings of the Lord I passing amongst them seeing their PRACTISES and hearing their DOCTRINES it was now laid on me of the Lord to give it forth as an Answer thereunto which I have done for the clearing of my Conscience in tender love that all who love their souls may be warned while time is For the dispensation of the fulness of time is come nigh for the gathering together all in ONE even in Christ whether things in Heaven or things in Earth The Parable of the Field is fulfilled the Pearl is found Father Mother Husband or Wife House or Land all is forsaken if the Lord calls and followed even to the end of the earth for the gathering into the unity with the Father and the Son This is the onely desire of him whom the Lord hath called into his labour which seeketh your Eternal good With the measure of God's spirit try all things and let not any motion passe away that seeks truly after God that you may come to have an infallible testimony of the spirit of the Lord in you to lead you and guide you For he that believeth hath the witness in himself T. M. THE BAPTIST AND INDEPENDENT CHURCHES So called Set on Fire By a bright shining Light revealed from Heaven Their PASTORS and TEACHERS scorching in the flame of it gnashing and blaspheming God and his Tabernacle As their Principles rash and judging herein recorded do demonstrate Which are answered for the vindicating of Truth and the satisfying of the simple In which they are found to be children of them which killed the Just and have drunken of the Cup of Fornication who also must drink of the Cup of Indignation at the hand of the Lord. 1. EDward-Whale accounted an Independent Teacher Priest of Waterford affirmed That the godliest man that ever was on the earth did not get the victory over sin or lived free from sin on this side the Grave He did not except Christ This he affirmed in his Pulpit before the whole Congregation in the Idol-Temple formerly a Masse-House with a Cross on the top of it and another at the end of it on the 21. day of the 6th Month 1659. in the City of Waterford Answ He that is born of God doth not commit sin because Christ the Seed of God is in him and as he abides in him he cannot sin though he may be tempted to sin as Christ was yet not overcome with the temptation of sin but thorough Faith in Christ gets the victory over sin and temptations on this side the grave 1 Joh. 3.9 ch 5. ver 4. Sin is of the Devil and he that commits it and pleads for it is taken captive by the Devil at his will 1 Tim. 2.26 1 Joh. 3.5.8 And for this purpose Christ the eternal Son of God was made manifest to take away sin and to destroy sin Heb. 2.14,15 And forasmuch as the children were partakers of flesh and blood Christ himself also partaked of the same that thorough the death he might destroy him that had the power of death that is the Devil and deliver them who thorough fear were all their life time subject to bondage which Christ redeemed them from for saith the Apostle He was made to us wisdom and redemption c. 1 Cor. 3.50 And the Apostle did witness through Christ victory over sin on this side the grave For saith he O death where is thy sting O grave or hell where is thy victory The sting of death is sin the strength of sin is the the Law but take notice thanks be unto God which giveth us the victory thorough our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 15.54,55,56,57 And so Priest Whale hath preached another Doctrine then Christ or his Ministers and hath as it were blasphemously charged Christ his holy Prophets and Apostles with sin for he did not except them when he said The godlinst man that ever was did not get the victory over sin on this side the grave And so by the holy Scriptures of this truth he is corrected and taken with a lye in his mouth and as it were denying the very purpose work and office of God in Christ which was to save from sin and thorough â—…ath to destroy sin and death and to take it away narling it to the cross c. And this testimony I give unto all the World for the Lord God and his truth That it is possible in and thorough CHRIST JESUS the light of the world that lighteth every one that comes into the World that all that it love and follow in the daily Cross I say That thorough Faith in the Blood of Christ who is our example whose steps many of us are following according to our measures who did not sin neither was guile found in his mouth c. it is possible to live free from sin and to live a pure righteous and holy life even perfect as he is perfect in this present World before this earthly Tabernacle go down to the grave and at this let none stumble but in the cool and calm spirit and in the Light and fear of God search the Scriptures for they testifie that
Lord and shall make it to appeare by the aforegoing words of the Apostle to the Romans and also by the words following that it was not the Apostles then present condition when he said O wretched man that I am c. but a condition that he had once passed through which through Christ he did witness a freedom from Rom. 8,12 onely it was the manner of the Prophets and Apostles when they writ to the people and for the condescending to the low estate or condition that those they writ unto were in to rank themselves with them to wit in using the word We or Us as for instance if we say we have nosin or have not sinned c. And in mamy things we offend all And as Isaiah saith Lord why hast thou caused us to erre from thy wayes James 3.2 1 John 1.8 Isaiah 36.17 But Paul as is a fore shewed affirmed they were really dead to sin Rom. 6.2 and he giveth an infallible reason for it for saith he Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Christ were baptized into his death that like as Christ was raised from the grave so they were to walk in newness of life Rom. 6.1 to the 8. and so they came from under the dominion of sin and from under the Condemnation of the Law Rom. 6.14.15 Chap. 8.1 but whiles a man lives the Law hath Power over him He that hath an ear to hear can hear and understand Rom. 5.14 but he over whom and in whom death reigns though he may talk of Christ and his righteousness of Faith and Grace c. yet not being turned to the Light which is the Law Rom. 5.13,14 he is not come so far as the pure law of God neither knowes he it in righteousness and truth but is a stranger unto it for saith Paul Know ye not my brethren how that the Law hath dominion over a man so long as he liveth for I speake to them saith he that know the Law for the woman that hath an husband is bound by the Law to her husband so long as he liveth but if her husband be dead she is loosed from the Law of her husband so that she is no adulteress thoughshe be marryed to another Wherefore saith he my brethren ye also are not that ye shall become dead to the Law by the body of Christ that ye should be marryed to another even to Christ who is raised from the dead thorough whom they brought forth fruits unto God for saith he when they were in the flesh he did not then say they now are in the flesh or following the motions of the flesh the motions of sin which were by the Law wrought in their members sin and brought sorth fruits unto death but now he said they were delivered from the Law that they should serve in newness of spirit Rom 6.15 What shall we say then saith he Rom. 7.7 Is the Law sin God forbid for he had not-known sin except the Law had said Thou shalt not covet But sin taking occasion by the Commandement wrought in him all manner of Concupiscente For he was alive mark and take notice of that ONCE He there told them what he was once but by the receiving of the Law which caused sin to abound and appear exceeding sinful he cried out O wretched man c. So there was a time Paul saw his sin to abound by the Law c. and there was a time he did witness he was dead to sin And there was a time he told them The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus had freed him from the Law of Sin and Death And that was Paul's then present condition for saith he There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh or its motions for they that so do cannot please God But saith he Rom. 8.1 to 10. Ye are not in the stesh but in the Spirit if the Spirit of God dwelleth in you Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his he gives a character of them that have this Spirit whereby in the Light of the Son of God they may judg and examine themselves for if the Spirit of Christ be in thee the body is dead because of sin but the Spirit is Life because of Righteousness So that through this Spirit of Life Paul did witness a freedom from sin and a Victory over sin on this side the grave and thanked God for it and said He had fought the good sight he had finished his course he had kept the Faith which gave victory over the world or sin and henceforth saith he 2 Cor. 12 7 8,9 there is laid up for me a Crown of Glory and Righteousness which the Lord the Righteous Judge shall give me at that day and not onely to me but unto all them which love his appearance And although Paul did cry out of the thorn in the flesh and of the buffeting of Satan lest he should be exalted above his measure Tit. 2.11,12 the Lord did not impute that unto him as sin but said My grace is sufficient for thee which Grace taught Paul and the Saints to deny sin and ungodliness whereby they lived like God in that present world So that it is evident by the Scriptures of Truth that the Apostles and Saints in Light did witness a redemption from sin and were regenerated washed and cleansed and sanctified on this side the grave Read and compare these Scriptures 1 Cor. 1.30 Rom. 6.2.7.22 Ch. 7.6 Rom. 8.2 to 10. 1 Cor. 6.11 Ch. 15.55,56,57 2 Tim. 4.7,8 1 Pet. 4.1,2 So I being cast into Prison that very day that Priest Whale thus affirmed not giving any just offence in word or action as Priest Whale passed by the Prison I required him to prove where man should be made free from sin seeing that he had affirmed That the godliest man that ever was did not get the victory over sin on this side the grave His Answer was They should be cleansed in heaven O wretched man How hast thou darkned the Counsel of the most High God uttering words without the true knowledg of God from thy wisdom which is from beneath which is earthly sensual and bruitish and how hast thou deceived thousands of souls Wo is me for thee the Controversie of the Lord will be great with thee and you all and have taken their moneys for that which is not Bread and have made them spend their labour all the daies of their lives for that which doth not profit their immortal souls which wil be required at thine such blind guides hands as thou art May not the People State wch have given thee a great house 150 l. a year some say 200 l. a year truly say It is for nought for if people can never be made free from sin or get the victory over sin on this side the grave the contrary
Mokell which that day was preaching I being moved of the Lord to give my testimony against him which by good and fair words they were good words us they were spoken from the holy men of God but the deceiver taking them to cover his deceit thereby deceives the simple so after that in my conference with R. M. he said he had not an Infallible Spirit but was subject to erre so this makes good my testimony for the Lord that he spoke not from the mouth of the Lord but spoke the good words as I said before from an erring spirit for all that speak not from an infallible spirit or measure thereof speak from an erring spirit So let that of God in all Judge what Pastors Teachers these be Many other such like passages might I relate which would be too large to write neither do I write it out of prejudice or envy unto any God knows I lye not but it is only that all who are concerned therein may throughly search themselvs with that of God in them see what they have Profited in the things of God by such Pastors and Teachers and into what you are baptized for where the old man and its fruits are standing to wit Pride Lust Envy c. You are not come so far as John's Baptisme the true figure which was to repentance nor the answer of a good conscience by the resurrection of the Just but have need to be taught the first Principles of the true Christian Religion to wit turn to the Light of Christ in you which would lead you to repentance and from dead works c. and to go on to perfection Heb. 6.1.2 And into the daily Cross as I said afore to the crucifying of the old man and his deeds and so to know as Panl did a daily dying and baptized into the death of Christ buried with him in baptism that Like as Christ was raised by the Power and Glory of God the Father of Life from the Grave so to be raised and changed into newness of Life and so the fruits and effects of the Spirit of Truth will be brought forth which are meekness Long-suffering Brotherly kindness Gentleness Temperance Love Faith Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost Now if these fruits and effects are brought forth by you Baptists let that of God in all Judge for Christ said false Prophets should come and ye shall know them by their fruits and now false Prophets and brutish Pastors are known by their fruits who cry out the Ordinances of Christ The Ordinances of Christ c. Even as the false Prophets did in the days of old The Temple of the Lord The Temple of Lord but mocked the messengers of the Lord God and despised his Words and killed and mis-used his Prophets against such Christ himself cryed and Prophesied the destruction of that Temple and said God his Father was a Spirit and in the Spirit and in the Truth would he be worshipped And told his Disciples when he was with them That except he did go away the Comforter would not come But if he did go away he would send the Comforter even the Spirit of Truth which should lead and guide them into all Truth and shew them things to come 8 Therfore that very night he was betrayed as a Pledge of his Love knowing that his Disciples were but weak The Holy Ghost not being then given amongst them though he had done many glorious works and miracles amongst them he left them a remembrance of himself which was the figure of the Spirituall breaking of Bread as will be shewed I say that very night Christ was betrayed He took Bread and broke it and blessed it saying This is my Body which is broken for many c. And Likewise the Cup saying This Cup is the New Testament in my Blood c. which was to be done onely in remembrance of him saith the Apostle mark the Limitation of time till he come who blessed be the Lord many do witness to be come in great Power Glory and when his good Spirit was come unto the Apostles it was their great work to bring the Saints off from outward things that were seen Carnall Ordinances that perished in the using for Bread is seen and Wine is seen and Elementary Water is seen and they all are Carnall and perish in the using 2 Cor. 4.17.18 Col. 2.22 Therefore saith the Apostle If ye be dead with Christ why as though Living are ye Subject to Ordinances which all are to perish in the using after the Commandements of men threrefore he bid them beware Least any man spoyle them through Philosophy and vain deceit and traditions of men after the rud ments of the world and not after Christ Col. 2.8 to the end of the Chap. And bid them if they were risen with Christ to seek those things which were above Carnall Ordinances which perished in the using where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God c. And this testimony I give to all the world That you baptists and other that are found practising those ordinances Baptism and breaking Bread c. you are not to be parallelled or compared to the Saints and Apostles that did practise those things in their purity or first institution by Christ not from tradition or command of mans for whatever Christ or his Prophets or holy Apostles did practise as is recorded in the Scripture is no ground for any one now to practise except commanded or moved immediately by the same spirit that lead them unto it for they that so do will be found in the rudiments of the World walking in traditions although they may say They have eaten and drunken at the Table of the Lord and prophesied in his Name and done many wonders c. yet when God's righteous Witness comes to be raised in Power to judgement it will be said Who required those things at your hands c For since the long Night of Apostasie that Antichrist hath reigned through his subtil working hath gotten into all these outward Ordinances Practises and Forms that were practised by the Primitive Church but the Power he had not which did then even in the dayes of the Apostles begin to work with all Power Signs and lying Wonders in them that perish whom now by the second and glorious appearance of Christ in man is revealing the man of sin and Mystery of Iniquity and by the Power of his Spirit and brightness of his coming is destroying and consuming of him which hath a long time reigned in man the Temple of God And therefore ye Baptists you are found in the Traditions and Rudiments of the World for the Pope Jesuits and all his Fryars and all that they call Christendom are baptizing and breaking bread crying out The Ordinances of the Lord c. But the Spirit of Life from God which is eternal and not carnal nor seen with the carnal eye he I say that hath this spirit is come
powerings forth of his eternall Spirit and to feel its operation and movings in you untill then in the dread power and authority of the Spirit of the Lord again I say unto you Let all flesh keep silence Gods witness in every one of you shall eternally witness me to be true for through the operation of Gods eternall Power and Spirit of Life Life and Immortality is brought to Light through which the Immortall soul comes to be refreshed and the seed of God raised out of death And that Life and seed is but one in all in the male and in the female so if Gods Spirit move in son or daughter to speak in the Church of Christ it is not lawfull to quench it But if any thing else speak whether in male or female and not the Spirit of the Lord or its movings that which speaks in male or female being in the sin and transgression that is the woman or sorrowfull sinfull man that must be silent and ask the husband at home which if she continue in the faith Patience Godliness Sobriety and Charity untill the man-child be born or brought forth in Dominion to Raign to Rule the transgressing part with a rod of Iron she may be saved he that can receive it let him for where sin and evill is standing there is woe and sorrow whether in male or female and all must be silent in the Church till sin and iniquitie is blotted out but who are come to know remission of sin through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ there is glad tidings Joy and Peace and all that ever ministers from the Spirit of Truth in the Church of Christ must first be a partaker of the fruits of the Kingdome of God in measure for saith the Apostle The husbandman that laboureth must first bepar taker of the fruits viz. of that he ministereth to wit of the Joy or Glory he testifieth of therefore saith he to Tymothy consider what I say and the Lord give thee understanding c. And male and female is all one in Christ and each must come to know the Travell and Anguish which makes all faces gather paleness before that Child be brought forth Wherefore saith the Prophet Jeremiah Ask ye now and see whether a man doth travell with Child wherefore do I see every man with his hands upon his Loins as a woman in travell and all faces are turned into paleness c. Jer. 30 6. This is a mystery Christ in man And so I say when the Life of Christ is brought forth in power in son or daughter it is Lawful for either to speak in the Church of Christ as Miriam and the holy women did in the days of old teach and instruct in the Congregation of the Lord and Miriam taught Israel to sing praises to the Lord and Deborah a Prophetess Judged Israel and instructed Barack taught the people to praise the Lord and Huldah the Prophetess spoke the Word of the King saying Thus saith the Lord And Priscilla with Aquila her Husband took Apollo a man of Alaxandria and instructed him more perfectly in the way of the Lord And Paul commends those women to the Philippians which laboured with him in the Gospell And do the Baptists think the Apostle would commend those women in one place or to one people and reprove them or write against them to another people and command them to be silent because Paul saith I suffer not a woman to teach or to usurpe authority over the man But be silent and ask her Husband at home c. and therefore you will not willingly if the Lord send his handmaids or daughters amongst you suffer them to speak on whom the Lord promised he would pour out of his Spirit in the last days and they should Prophesie I tell you there is a great mistery in those words I suffer not a woman to teach but to be in silence c. The Lord of Hosts is the Husband of his Church and as Peter said Our beloved brother Paul writ in all his Epistles somethings hard to be understood which they that are unlearned in the Doctrine and mysteries of Christ wrest as they do all other Scriptures to their own destruction Therefore take heed all ye that are stumbling at the Lords speaking in his handmaids as in ages past who is the same for ever Least yee are found perverting the Truth of the Lord and quenching his Spirit For Anna a Prophettess a woman of great age that had lived with an Husband seven years from her Virginity a widow of about fourscore years of age that served God in Fastings and Prayers she coming into the Temple that instant when the Child Jesus was in the Temple she gave thanks and preached in the Temple redemption by Jesus Christ to all them that looked for it in Jerusalem And Christ himself bid Mary Magdalen to whom first he appeared after his Resurrection out of whom he had cast seven Devills Go and tell or preach to my Brethren that he is arisen saith the Angell and go to Gallalee there shal they see me saith Christ And so I say unto you where ever the seed which is Christ to which all the promises of God are Yea and Amen and all that ever come to be blessed it must be in the seed is brought forth in power to Raign it is lawfull to speak whether in male or female quench it not for in Christ Jesus there is no difference in him all is one Col. 3.11 Gal. 3.28 Therefore again I say unto you quench not the Spirit of the Lord but try all things and hold fast that which is good and despise not reproof of Instruction but receive the Truth in the Love of it to wit the Light and Spirit of Truth within as is largely before proved according to the Scripture of Truth as it is in Jesus And take heed least for your not receiving the Truth in the Truth in the Love of it God give you wholly over to reprobate minds to work uncleanness with greediness and so he Justly send you stronger delusions that ye all may be damned who will not believe and receive the Truth in the Love of it And then in that day of trouble and Anguish when you cry and call even you who have caused the simple to erre keeping them in that which perisheth in the using from the measure of of God in them bringing all the Arguments and strong Reasons to pervert and perswade from the Truth and to stop Gods Righteous witnesse from arising in the simple of which many would hear and receive the Truth but having not strength are afraid of being cast out from amongst you as it was amongst the envious Jews who ever of them did confess Christ was to be cast out But the day is near come that such fears shall be cast out of them who breath after God in righteousness and Truth and they shall come to know one if you cast them out will
receive them even as Christ received him whom the Jews cast out and the Lord will bring them by a way they have not known in paths they have not trodden that which is high rough and crooked will the Lord bring low and make it straight and plain so that a fool shall not erre therein and when the poor and needy seek water and there is none and their tongue faileth for thirst I the God of Israel saith the Lord will not forsake them I will open rivers in high places and fountains in the midst of the Vallies c. Isa 41.17,18 And many of them which ye brutish Pastors Teachers have kept in bondage a Day when God's witness comes to be raised up in them in Power a swift witness will the Lord make them against you That is God's Truth unto you and in that day as I said before shall ye that have caused the simple to erre c. Who are scorching in the flame and ye know it not Gnashing and Blaspheming God and his Tabernacle who keep the Commands of Jesus according to the Law and Testimony to wit the Light within which is the Law and the Spirit of Jesus which is the Testimony by which his faithfull ones are moved and Guided which you say is the Spirit of the Devill woe is me for you cry unto the Lord he wil not hear you except ye speedily Repent to whom repentance is offered for you would none of his reproof neither did choose the pure fear of the Lord but have hated the true knowledge of the Lord and have chosen that wherein he delights not but are rebelling and rejecting the Counsell of the Lord doing evill continually before me saith the Lord. Therefore shal ye bow down to the slaughter and my servants whom ye despise shall eat abundantly and drink and be satisfied and sing for Joy of soul but you who are accounted as Embassadors of Peace shal weep and howl for vexation of Spirit and eat the fruit of your own doings and not be satisfied the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Thus I have in obedience to the movings of the Lord in tender Love to all your souls not shunned to declare and make manifest the way to everlasting salvation as one that am truly sensible of the state and want of Christ that all professors of the world are in I say unto every particular whose desires is after God and would walk in the good old way the way into it is plainly made known which is Jesus Christ the Light within which all that believe follow it will lead in the daily Cross of Christ which will slay the enmity in man which hath separated him from God by which man wil again come to an entrance into the everlasting inheritance to sit down in our Fathers House amongst those that are sanctified where is bread enough And whereas thou Wil. Lee hast said that I am absolutely damned Is not the cause of Damnation unbelief not believing in Christ the Light which Lighteth every one that comes into the world which Light is within and Spirit of Truth within and Christ the hope of Glory within except thou art a reprobate whether the cause of Judas's damnation was not because he betrayed the Just into the hands of murderers Therefore take heed Wil. Lee that the Judgement thou others have given unto the Innocent take heed it be not executed on your own pates for thou and the rest of you are in danger of it because ye have Judged before the time for because Judgement is not presently executed the misery of man is great that goes on in his wickedness take notice of that Wil. Lamb Pastor that boasted the Quakers had Judged thee long ago and it is not yet come to pass for with what measure you have meted to others will be meted to you again good weight pressed down and running over into your bosoms will men give unto you and in the day of your perplexity remember you were forewarned in the Life time of your Prosperity Written in Clonmell the 8 month 1659. when ye were at ease saying Peace and Safety And had been published abroad long ere this time but Satan hath hindred through keeping my body in bonds Neither is it now published to exasperate evill men against any of you Baptists in this day of Tryall that is come and yet more coming upon you But it is laid on me to set it forth that ye may see how ye have rejected the Truth and despised instruction for which you must feel the hand of God T. M. THE END